Mio continued to ignore him as she looked at me and added, “Furthermore, please feel free to speak to me however you’re comfortable.”
“Um… Will you get scolded by your master if I don’t?”
Mio’s face relaxed at my question, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
So she does smile sometimes!
“No. I just thought such an offer would help you feel more at ease, Lady Marie.”
“I-I see… I’ve become rather accustomed to formality, so I tend to default to it…unless it would be a problem for you, of course.”
“Not at all.” Mio paused. “You’re a kind person. And very sensible, at that.”
“Anastasia was way prettier, though!” my father practically shouted. But as usual, Mio paid him no mind.
Mio was a mysterious person. Her expression almost never shifted, and her tone was a little harsh, but an air of kindness surrounded her. Was it her round, soft-looking cheeks that made me think so? Or perhaps it had to do with her adorable eyes.
After staring at her face intently for a few moments, I got an impression of déjà vu.
“Hmm… I don’t know why, but I have the feeling I’ve seen you somewhere before, Mio.”
“You have. Although it’s no wonder you don’t remember, as it was rather dark that night,” she replied with a smile.
Suddenly, it came back to me. She was with that man!
Just as I realized that, we’d finally reached the end of the long, long corridor that led to the main hall of the count’s estate.
As Mio opened the door, we heard a man shouting, “I’ve no need for this nonsense! Just send them away!”
I froze as I saw the man screaming at the gatekeeper. His face was flushed red from anger, and his long black hair was a mess.
“B-but Miss Mio said you’d definitely want to see her, my lord…”
“Why would I?! I keep telling you I don’t!”
“B-but…while it’s true that she looked a little plain and unkept, she seems really nice and—”
“The one I want is Anastasia! I don’t care if she’s her sister, I refuse to be with anyone else! Send Marie Chandelan away. That’s an order!”
“M-my lord…”
The poor gatekeeper had only just been released from my dad’s screaming, and now he had to bear the brunt of a misunderstanding between the grand chamberlain and the count. I felt awful for him. This was all my fault…
The count brought his hands to his face as his head drooped.
“Oh, Anastasia… Why did you die?” he lamented. “Had I known this would happen, I would have stolen you away that night…” He sounded very distressed.
“It’s all right, Lady Marie. Come, follow me inside.”
Despite Mio’s encouragement, my legs were frozen so stiff that I couldn’t move. Not even my father was brave enough to intrude on the count in this state.
Left with no other choices, Mio entered the hall alone and walked up to him. She whispered something in his ear, and the count frowned before suddenly blurting out, “What?!” and turning around to look at us for the first time. His jaw dropped—quite literally—as he stared at me.
He’ll start catching flies if he doesn’t close his mouth soon…
I didn’t know how to read the face he was making, but he at least didn’t seem angry anymore. I lifted the hem of my skirt slightly and performed a formal curtsy. “Um… Hello… I’m sorry for intruding, Count Granado… I’m Marie, and…um…it’s a great honor to…um…” I’d prepared a speech in advance about how honored I was to make his acquaintance, but I couldn’t use it because of what I’d realized upon recognizing Mio: Kyros Granado was the gentleman I’d met in the garden on the night of my eighteenth birthday!
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Count Granado!” my father cut in, bowing once to the count. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into the hall before pressing on my head to make me bow with him. “We’ve both suffered a great loss after my eldest daughter’s passing, and I’m sure you must be heartbroken, my lord. That is why I’ve taken the liberty of bringing you Marie, Anastasia’s sister by blood, to alleviate your pain.”
The count was still staring at me with an astonished expression. He didn’t seem to have heard a single word my father had said.
“Marie… You’re…Marie? Anastasia’s sister?” he finally asked.
I nodded. “Yes, that is my name.”
His breath caught in his throat, and he sank into silence once more until, suddenly, he glared at my father. I was taken aback by the sheer intensity of his gaze. The gentle downward curve of his eyes had given way to a harsh slant. My father and I—and even the gatekeeper—shivered in fear at his anger.
Come to think of it, Anastasia told me that the count is known to have a difficult personality and that even his servants were terrified of him…
Despite what I’d heard, Mio, at least, was completely unfazed. She pulled on the hem of his mantle and said, “My lord, you’re making a scary face.”
“Huh? Ah… I-is that so?” the count answered.
“You’re frightening Lady Marie, so please control yourself.”
“You’re right…”
“With those striking features, your anger always comes across as far more intense than intended. We’ll have to figure out how to tone that down,” she said in a bemused tone.
“Don’t ask for the impossible. I was born with this face,” he retorted.
“Also, if I may, please keep in mind that Lord Chandelan is a grieving father desperate to protect his house,” Mio added. “I hope you’ll show him some grace considering his circumstances.”
“Yes…”
“And Thomas did nothing wrong. He didn’t deserve you shouting at him so much.”
The count nodded obediently. Mio’s lecture had rendered him completely silent, and he looked down, brooding for a while. When he lifted his head, he looked all of us over before turning to the gatekeeper.
“I’m sorry, Thomas. I took my anger out on you,” he said. Then he looked at us and added, “I apologize for showing you such a disgraceful display. Please stay here for the night and rest.” And with that, he walked away.
Mio told us she’d prepare a room for us at once, and my father simply nodded. Despite his agenda, not even he had the temerity to tell her a room wasn’t necessary and that I should spend the night with the count.
The room Mio brought us to was incredibly lavish. I sat down on the sofa and looked up at her.
“Where was my father taken?” I asked hesitantly. A few moments ago, she’d kicked my father out of the room and had told him to follow another servant.
“To meet with our lord,” she replied with a neutral tone. “They have much to discuss.”
“I see. Um, I…I’m very sorry,” I said. “About us coming uninvited.”
“You were simply dragged here against your will, were you not?”
“No, I’m just as guilty as my father. I don’t know how to apologize to the count…”
I didn’t think an apology would be enough to get him to forgive me, but there was nothing else I could give him as the daughter of a penniless family. In fact, I was hoping he could punish me so I would have the opportunity to atone.
“Why would you need to apologize?” Mio asked, blinking at me with a surprised look on her face.
“Why? Well, for being so rude. We barged in and put the gatekeeper in a difficult situation by insisting we be let in. This all happened because of our ridiculous plan to get me into the castle, even though all this could possibly achieve was hurting the count’s feelings even more… It’s also an insult to my sister’s memory. I knew that from the start, but I couldn’t stop my father, so this is all my fault. I’m sorry… I’m truly sorry.”
Mio didn’t reply, so I looked up…only to discover she wasn’t there anymore!
I looked around, searching for her with my eyes, and saw her by the door, bringing in a tea cart.
“Lady Marie, I’ve brought you tea and cookies,” she said.
“Huh?”
“I believe your father and the count’s conversation will take some time. Please unwind until they’re finished.”
I really wasn’t sure how to react. The matter of my apology hadn’t been settled at all, but I couldn’t ignore her hospitality either. It wouldn’t be proper as a guest. Should I accept the tea or show restraint?
While I was struggling with what to do, Mio skillfully arranged the pot, cup, and cookies on the tea table. As I watched her work, I couldn’t help but let out, “They look delicious…”
My hand flew up to my mouth, and my face flushed red at my blunder. However, Mio simply smiled. “They are. Please, my lady, eat as much as you like.”