VFAI 06

Chapter 06

Ha. That Bastard?

July 21, 2022

Because I’d been so focused on becoming independent before three years passed, I hadn’t really thought deeply about the incident that caused all this.

‘Right. If the poison was swapped, there must be someone behind it.’

Where there’s a result, there’s always a cause.

But there was a reason I hadn’t thought about him until I ran into Hector.

Compared to Hector, a mere supporting character in the book, the protagonist Estelle had a much stronger presence.

Based on the story, Hector—an aide to Duke Ferdia—was a traitor secretly in contact with the Second Prince, Beltran Roc Willent.

Since the Duke supported the First Prince, Adenmir Presil Willent, as the next emperor, that was a massive betrayal.

I looked at the aide with a meaningful gaze.

‘With that loyal-looking face, he’s secretly betraying them?’

Tsk. He looks decent on the outside.

You really never know what’s inside a person.

“Miss.”

“……”

“Miss?”

Clicking my tongue internally, I hid my thoughts and answered calmly as usual.

“I was just bored, so I went for a walk. Even if I’m under house arrest, I can’t stay cooped up in my room forever.”

“Yes. I’m sure His Grace will overlook that much.”

The aide replied with a gentle smile.

He really did look kind. As if the word “betrayal” didn’t exist in his dictionary.

In fact, since he would later become a reliable supporter after Estelle was adopted into the family, it made sense no one noticed his betrayal.

Besides, his betrayal only happened in the story after I was eliminated. And there was no guarantee he was already working with the Second Prince right now.

And even if he did betray them, it had nothing to do with me.

‘I’ll be gone before Estelle is even adopted.’

Still, knowing something and ignoring it didn’t sit well with me.

‘What should I do?’

I looked up at the aide, who still wore that kind smile.

Maybe I should set a small trap.

“Sir Arold, I have a concern. Could you listen?”

“Yes, Miss. What is it?”

“Well… Father seems really angry. Is there any way to calm him down?”

I deliberately drooped my eyes, acting pitiful.

My appearance was naturally gentle, so this expression worked quite well—though I usually only showed it to Masha.

“Why is His Grace angry?”

“Well, you know I said I wanted to break off my engagement, right?”

As expected of an aide, he already knew. He nodded.

“Yes. Why is that?”

That was exactly what I’d been waiting for.

I cupped my cheeks and spoke shyly while looking down.

“I’ve fallen for someone else. So I want to break off my engagement with the First Prince.”

“I see. And who might that be?”

He clearly didn’t care—it was just a question out of courtesy.

But would he still remain calm after hearing what came next?

I glanced around, then beckoned him closer.

Leaning in, I whispered into his ear.

“Keep this just between us. The person I’ve fallen for is—”

I grinned.

“—the Second Prince.”

“…What?!”

The aide’s eyes widened in shock.

Understandable. I’d just said something insane—liking my father’s political enemy.

“Shh. You’re too loud.”

“I-I will keep it secret.”

He stammered, still visibly shaken.

I quickly changed the subject before he could ask more.

“So, Sir Arold—how should I calm Father down?”

“That would be… the best way would be for you to stop causing trouble.”

“Got it. I’ll remember that. Thanks for the advice.”

I watched his retreating back.

The Second Prince had no interest in me. I sometimes felt his gaze at banquets, but that was probably just because of my appearance.

He had never approached me—likely because I wasn’t useful to him.

But if the aide was already in contact with the Second Prince, he would surely report this.

Even if I was illegitimate, I was still the Duke’s daughter. If I liked him, he wouldn’t ignore that.

After all, who would refuse prey that walked right into their mouth?

Though, the problem was that this prey was poisoned.

‘Will he take the bait?’

Somehow, this was getting exciting.

*

The Ferdia family held an irregular dinner once a month.

The dining room was silent, broken only occasionally by the clinking of utensils.

Five people sat at the long table, with over ten servants standing by—yet the atmosphere was suffocating.

At the same time, it was familiar.

After all, we had this dinner every month.

I glanced at Duke Ferdia, who ate with perfect aristocratic elegance.

‘Why is he so obsessed with family meals?’

He was cold to his wife, whom he married for political reasons, and to his own sons.

Naturally, he paid even less attention to me, the illegitimate child (not really).

Yet he never forgot these dinners. Strange.

As I watched him while chewing my salad, our eyes suddenly met.

Startled, I almost looked away—but instead, I smiled brightly.

‘Maybe if I butter him up now, he’ll go easy on me later when he finds out I’m not his real daughter?’

A grand plan, indeed.

“….”

The Duke looked at me briefly, then coldly looked away.

Well, I hadn’t expected him to smile back anyway.

The deathly silence continued—until Yancy spoke.

“I heard the news, Mother. You developed the antidote in such a short time. As expected, you’re amazing.”

“It hasn’t even been announced yet. You really do know everything.”

The Duchess replied elegantly.

I pretended not to listen while chewing my salad.

After all, I was the one who made that antidote.

‘As expected of Yancy—top-tier when it comes to gathering information.’

Their conversation continued.

“You’re good at making poisons, but antidotes usually take you longer. What’s different this time?”

“I was lucky.”

“Lucky?”

“Yes. I acquired a capable pharmacist.”

I tensed instantly, worried she might look at me.

But she kept her gaze on Yancy.

‘Phew.’

I quietly drank some water.

“A pharmacist? Can they be trusted?”

“Hmm…”

“If you’re concerned, I can investigate.”

Cough, cough—!

‘Investigate?!’

I choked, drawing everyone’s attention.

I quickly looked down at my food.

Fortunately, they lost interest soon.

‘Even if he investigates, only the Duchess knows I made it…’

I glanced at her anxiously—and met her eyes.

For a brief moment, I saw her lips curl slightly.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary.”

She warned Yancy briefly and returned to her meal.

Thankfully, my secret seemed safe.

Relieved, I resumed eating.

The food here was excellent.

“Riri. If you don’t have an appetite, you don’t have to force yourself.”

“Huh?”

I looked at my empty plate, then back at Yancy.

He looked flustered.

“You… ate everything.”

I smiled.

“Yes. It was delicious.”

Before, I used to barely eat at these dinners.

But now?

‘There’s no family love here anyway.’

No matter what I did, I wouldn’t become family.

So—

‘I’ll just live comfortably.’

The food wasn’t the problem, after all.

After finishing even dessert, I stood up.

“I’ll be heading up now.”

The atmosphere was terrible, but the meal was great!

*

“…What the—?”

Carlot froze mid-cut, staring at the door Elodie had just exited.

“Is she… crazy?”

No one responded.

Elodie always stayed until the end of family dinners.

But now she left early—and no one said anything?

“Father. Isn’t she acting strange?”

He tried to tattle.

But the Duke simply drank his wine.

Carlot was the only one confused.

‘She’s clearly gone mad—why is no one reacting?!’

Yet the others all glanced once toward the door she had exited.

*

Even under house arrest, I had to attend official family events.

Like today—the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

Inside the carriage—

“Do you have something to say?”

I asked Adenmir, who had been staring at me.

“I don’t.”

Yet he kept staring.

After thinking for a while, I reached a conclusion.

‘Does he want an apology for collapsing?’

The carriage stopped.

He escorted me into the hall.

As soon as we entered, he was surrounded by his aides.

“I need a moment.”

“Of course.”

I let him go.

We rarely spent time together anyway—it was just a formal engagement.

And I had something to do today.

I moved to a pillar on the west side.

A place that was both noticeable and not.

“Good to see you, Lady.”

This was why.

“So you’ve come, Your Highness.”

The Second Prince, Beltran Roc Willent, stood before me.

I smiled faintly as I greeted him.

The fact that he approached me meant one thing.

The aide was already in contact with the Second Prince.

Long before the story even began.

*

“I’ll proceed as instructed, Your Highness. However, there is one issue—”

“……”

“Your Highness?”

“Wait—”

Adenmir witnessed something.

His fiancée, Elodie—

Talking with the man he hated most.

Beltran.

He couldn’t believe it.

She was even smiling?

At that moment, her shy confession flashed through his mind.

“I’ve fallen for someone.”

“…What?”

“I’m embarrassed.”

He scoffed.

Ha.

“That bastard?”

That’s the guy she likes?