Surviving as a Terminally Ill Heiress - Chapter 21

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 21

“What…?”
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been born between some nameless woman from the streets and a man who drove nails through his parents’ hearts.”
“……”
“Oh my, I apologize. Having heard myself called an illegitimate child so often, it’s made me rather melancholy about the fact—so much so that despite the shame of being what I am, I’ve spoken with unbecoming presumption. Please forgive this pitiful illegitimate child.”
“Ah, no… not to that extent……”
Cough, cough!
I heaved a series of pitiable sighs.
Now at a loss for words, Howard fell silent.
Duke Ambrose continued his throat-clearing, Susan and Clara wore uncomfortable expressions, and Phillip……
‘Expressionless?’
As if observing the entire scene from a third party’s vantage point.
Those eyes I’d thought gleamed like a serpent’s had grown calm and collected.
It was as though his whole demeanor had shifted. Yet somehow that made it even more……
‘Like a snake in the brush.’
A serpent lurking damp and still, waiting for opportunity.
What was that? Something felt off.
Yet I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was strange.
I furrowed my brow slightly and tapped my wine glass with a spoon.
First, I needed to tidy up this mess.
“Well then, shall we lift our spirits with something delicious? A dessert, perhaps?”
At that, servants rushed in and cleared the table.
A half-deliberate change of subject.
I kept my senses sharp, moving nimbly among the bustling servants.
‘At this rate, someone ought to take the bait soon.’
But whether I sat in the second seat or, as now, took the lead in place of Duke Ambrose, the eyes around me remained unmoved.
Whoever it was, they were hiding their emotions well.
That earlier slip—shock and confusion had made them careless. But now, with some composure regained…?
Then it only made sense to shake things up again.
“Ah yes, next time you’ll have to visit me in the East Wing.”
“What do you mean?”
Clara tilted her head at my sudden remark.
I spoke in a pleasant tone.
“I’m planning to move my bedroom, you see. I wouldn’t want you all making a wasted trip like last time, so I’m letting you know ahead of time.”
It was a barbed comment.
They had no reply—clearly it struck home.
They knew better than anyone how uncouth their behavior had been.
I smiled inwardly and continued muttering.
“So I heard it’ll be across from the Duke’s own bedroom… oh yes, have they moved my gifts there?”
I grabbed a maid at random and asked. She confirmed it was so.
At that, Clara reacted again.
“Gifts? What gifts?”
“Fortunately, several other houses have sent me congratulatory presents.”
I mentioned this with a certain subtle pride—all of them appeared very expensive and fine.
The fact that I’d forgotten about them until recently was a secret best kept.
“What sort of things did you receive?”
“Oh, clothing, jewelry, that sort of thing. They all seem quite valuable, though I confess I’m not much of a judge.”
Clara’s smooth brow furrowed slightly.
She seemed displeased that someone as indifferent to fashion and adornment as myself had received such a heap of fine gifts.
Ha ha—though the fact that I’d thought “maybe I’ll just sell them all…” was another secret.
At that moment, Clara grew peevish.
“When is the dessert coming out, anyway?”
“All things come to those who wait.”
“…What?”
Clara tilted her head at this unexpected foreign phrase.
I smiled at her soothingly and explained.
“A saying from Ritz. All things come to those who wait. It seems the head chef is putting his heart into it. But a wait as long as this surely means a delightfully sweet dessert is coming……”
Tap.
There, you see. You waited, and here it comes.
I smiled more broadly.
“Hmph, Wagner has a similar saying. Patience brings……”
“Patience brings roses?”
“…You know Wagner poetry?”
“A little. My mother was fond of Wagner’s poets.”
“Is that so…? Hmm, well then. Your education isn’t wanting after all.”
As I smoothly eased Clara out of her sulk, the dessert finally arrived.
The dessert was indeed a sweet Fresh Cream Cake.
I naturally thought of my siblings.
They’d love this. They’re probably getting ready for bed by now. I hope they’re managing without looking for me.
I miss them.
“You’re lost in thought again.”
There it is—seen through once more.
My gaze met Duke Ambrose’s displeasure.
I stabbed at the cake with my fork repeatedly.
“I can’t help it. They’re too precious. Though I suppose you, Duke, wouldn’t understand……”
I spoke vaguely without naming anyone, then glanced toward the opposite end of the table.
Howard, who’d been distracted, suddenly found himself the subject of both the Duke’s and my gaze, and wore a foolish expression.
“…Quite so.”
Did he just say something? Or more to the point—didn’t he laugh?
Before I could examine his face properly, Duke Ambrose rose from his seat.
He was indicating his departure.
“Grandfather, are you leaving already?”
Clara tried to keep him, unwilling to see him go.
Phillip, who’d by now returned to his usual self, and Susan both asked him to stay longer.
“I’ve indulged you sufficiently.”
The Duke, speaking coldly, glanced back at me for a moment,
“Rather dull entertainment, though.”
And turned to leave with a brisk step.
I offered up a fervent prayer to his retreating back.
If only I could strike him once. That would be unfilial, I know. But just once.
As I clenched my teeth and turned back, the atmosphere felt strange.
Everyone’s expressions seemed rather dazed.
Phillip in particular, who looked surprised, murmured.
“He seemed… rather pleased with you.”
“Pardon?”
That? High praise?
The others seemed to agree with Phillip’s assessment.
Had they all somehow misheard? Or was something wrong with their heads?
Unable to make sense of it, I simply changed the subject.
“Well, at any rate, please all enjoy the Duke’s portion as well.”
“It’s not over?”
Clara’s eyes widened, apparently thinking the meal would end with the Duke’s departure.
But what sort of thing was that to say? This was really just the beginning.
“Goodness, to end a banquet at Ritz at this point would be a travesty. Only two hours have passed!”
I beamed with genuine pleasure before my tired guests.
“Now then, let us enjoy dessert’s dessert!”
They may come willingly, but they won’t leave without a fuss.

* * *

The guests, having enjoyed a magnificent feast, finally departed in the late hours of the night, trudging along wearily.
Only Walter, the chef who was somewhat delirious, appeared sprightly.
I myself had to embrace my swollen belly and collapse into unconsciousness.
And then, the next morning, I left my room holding hands with my siblings.
“…You listened well to my explanation, right? Then let our detectives begin the search.”
“Yes!”
My siblings, with their reins let loose, scampered about the entire Mansion.
As I followed behind them slowly, Huey asked.
“Big sister Bebe, aren’t you joining in?”
Ah, I’m tired.
I swallowed back the honest answer that nearly tumbled out.
“Mm, big sister did plenty yesterday.”
It wasn’t a lie.
I smiled softly and whispered like we were sharing a secret.
“I’ve already found one liar, after all.”
“A liar? Lying is bad.”
“That’s right.”
“You have to get hit by Mom.”
“Huh?”
“That’s why Daddy Dido got hit all the time.”
“…You saw that?”
“Yeah. Mom was hitting him like this, all sneaky-like, with the broom, like this.”
Ah, Mother—you should have hidden better. She was caught a few times by me too.
I squeezed my eyes shut, but Huey continued chattering without pause.
“Mom was so angry. She said you only ever lie. Lied about earning money. Lied about not gambling. And with that other woman……”
“Hey, hey, aren’t you going to search? Otherwise Dido will win.”
“Oh no! I’m going to win!”
At my quick subject change, Huey hurried off after Dido.
Today too, big sister is exhausted.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————