That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15

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“Isn’t that young lady Tulia?”

“Even her hairstyle now… looks quite nice.”

“It seems the harassment from the main castle has finally ended.”

“Honestly, it was quite severe.”

Even though the meeting wasn’t completely over yet, the retainers who had already come out were whispering among themselves while looking at me.

Though their words had bite to them, there was no malicious gossip about me among them. I could roughly confirm that Viscountess Aubrey’s reputation had hit rock bottom.

As I stood there in moderately neat and modest clothing, holding a basket, Ruk soon came out and greeted me.

“It’s been a while since you brought jam.”

“There weren’t many glass jars I liked, so it took some time until I could get new ones.”

In truth, it had been difficult to make jam because of Adel during that time.

The moment I personally entered the kitchen and picked up a paring knife, she would gasp in such alarm.

So during that period, I couldn’t make jam or accumulate coins.

This jam was actually almost entirely made by Adel.

Even the color was completely different, wasn’t it.

‘But I can’t let Ruk think I’m making my younger sister do the work for no reason.’

The excuse I had prepared in advance seemed to work well.

“Oh, this jam looks very delicious.”

“Well, I put in some effort…?”

Fortunately, Ruk was easily fooled and even made an unexpectedly good offer to let me meet the glass artisan when he next came to the main castle.

‘As expected, Ruk. No, isn’t the Kelfosher family name itself too beneficial for me?’

Ruk Kelfosher had been quite kind to me from the beginning, and Adel Kelfosher was now more than an angel to me.

“By the way, Miss Tulia.”

Ruk asked.

“You’re not going straight back, are you?”

“Right. If Grandfather has time, I wanted to pay my respects before leaving.”

Of course, it was just lip service.

‘I absolutely don’t want to meet him.’

If I could, I’d want to avoid him forever.

I understand he’s a necessary person for my Quest.

I understand that, but the Grand Duke’s gaze and atmosphere are too frightening.

It’s not for nothing that his grandchildren tremble in fear.

I’m already an ordinary person with much less courage and more fragility than the real Tulia.

How burdensome it is to have to meet the Grand Duke, whom even Tulia, called the wild colt of the Grand Ducal House, fears!

But I had no choice because I wanted the retainers who would come pouring out shortly to perceive me as a ‘filial granddaughter’ in their minds.

Indeed, Ruk was also looking at me with pleased eyes.

“By the way, Miss Tulia. Where did you learn to make jam like this?”

Finally, this question came up. An ordinary lady wouldn’t know how to make such things!

I had naturally prepared an answer thoroughly.

“I have memories of learning it from my father when I was very young.”

Perhaps not expecting Tulia’s father to be mentioned, Ruk also showed slightly surprised eyes.

The same was true for the surrounding retainers. I could see ears perking up here and there.

They must be surprised, thinking it sounds like a lie, right?

‘It is a lie.’

I just lied like this to appeal that Tulia had even a tiny connection with Marquis Frazier.

I don’t know whether Tulia is a real daughter or fake daughter, but please consider her a real daughter anyway.

That’s the only way my reputation will improve. Please.

That’s when it happened.

“Hmm? Could that be possible?”

I turned around.

“Did this uncle mishear just now? Did Elder Brother Aster teach you something like jam-making?”

Viscount Lilius and his wife, Viscountess Aubrey, were walking over with several servants in tow.

I greeted Lilius and Aubrey and answered with a smile.

“It’s been a while, Uncle.”

“Yes. It has been a while. But was what you said earlier really true?”

“Yes. I have memories of my father personally teaching me when I was young. Though the taste isn’t perfect since I was too young then.”

“Oh my, that’s quite a story I’m hearing for the first time.”

Lilius approached closely and smiled affectionately.

Though his gaze should have been cold and unconcealed, even his eyes seemed genuinely uncle-like, which was fascinating.

That’s why when I was playing the game, I thought he was a good person.

But it turned out he was a crazy bastard who made his ignorant niece into a complete fool and secretly extorted money from her, right?

Lilius smiled and patted my head.

“Yes, yes. Even though Elder Brother is busy as a commander now, he cherished Tulia greatly when she was young, haha!”

But that was only for a moment.

Viscountess Aubrey Frazier, who had likewise walked closer, bent her waist and spoke in a gentle voice.

“Oh, you. Would someone no less than the Marquis do such a thing?”

Viscountess Aubrey looked at me and smiled slyly.

“Tulia, you little thing, lying is bad.”

“Pardon?”

My brow furrowed slightly, but Aubrey paid no mind and smiled like an elegant noblewoman.

“I understand though. A 15-year-old girl is originally always a delicate being suffering from affection deficiency.”

Well, of course I did sell out Marquis Frazier, but.

‘Trying to brand Tulia as a liar in front of so many people is too much.’

Of course, it’s also true that I am a liar.

She’s supposedly a niece, yet she’s trying to openly humiliate her like this.

Even setting aside the situation where my life depends on my reputation, among nobles, honor is often life and death itself.

‘Well, these are people who would leave someone to freeze to death in that warehouse, so what wouldn’t they do.’

The main castle already had many people coming and going.

Moreover, this was in front of Grand Duke Frazier’s office.

As the meeting was almost over, more and more nobles were gradually coming out of the office.

‘What a lowly couple they are.’

I gathered my gaze that was about to turn cold.

And then.

“Aunt Aubrey.”

I gently furrowed my eyebrows and put on a flustered expression.

“A lie, you say?”

I clasped my hands politely together, like someone who had just heard truly surprising news.

Viscountess Aubrey lightly tapped my forehead.

“You little thing. Are you flustered because your lie was caught?”

“Aunt Aubrey. I didn’t tell any lies.”

I didn’t forget to continue speaking in the most polite and careful voice possible.

“I saw Tedrick get severely scolded by Grandfather for lying constantly, right in front of me, you know?”

“…!”

“How could I lie in front of Grandfather’s office?”

Viscountess Aubrey’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

Of course, the same was true for Lilius, who had been maintaining a warm, affectionate smile beside her, pretending to be a caring uncle throughout.

“Hmm? Young Master Tedrick got in serious trouble for lying?”

“Not just in trouble, but seriously in trouble… what on earth…”

“Could it be related to having his Direct Lineage Necklace completely confiscated by His Grace the Grand Duke?”

I could hear the murmuring voices of the retainers behind us.

If this were just a place with servants, it might be different, but this was in front of Grand Duke Frazier’s office.

It was a place where countless retainers came and went.

‘Keep trying to frame me as a liar.’

I’ll make sure that bastard Tedrick can never show his face outside again.

Despite my firm inner resolve, when I looked up with frightened eyes, Viscountess Aubrey turned to look at her husband a beat too late.

“Ahem! Cough!”

Only then did Lilius hurriedly approach and take my hand.

“Yes, yes. Our Tulia is such a good and well-behaved child.”

In fact, even those words from Lilius were troublesome for me.

Even before Tulia fell into full-blown villainy, she had already caused scenes at various banquets.

Right now, I had no choice but to pretend to be repentant, pretend to be a new person, and maintain the most dignified lady-like posture possible.

“My dear, isn’t it too much to tease the child like that?”

Aubrey’s face turned bright red, but she ultimately had no choice but to force a smile. Lilius hurriedly patted my shoulder affectionately.

“Come now, Tulia. Since you’re here, let’s go greet His Grace the Grand Duke.”

“What? Right now?”

“Yes, right now. Come on, let’s go in quickly.”

He must have thought that if he left me behind, I might say something else in front of all those retainers.

Thanks to that, I was extremely flustered inside.

‘No, I’m not mentally prepared to face the Grand Duke yet…!’

However, it was none other than Ruk who blocked Lilius from dragging me into the office.

“Viscount Lilius. His Grace the Grand Duke did not specifically call for Miss Tulia.”

Polite but perfectly regulation words. Exactly what you’d expect from Ruk Kelfosher.

“Hmm.”

Lilius cleared his throat and said,

“It’s not just anyone, but a granddaughter wanting to greet her grandfather. Would Father blame us for that? I’ll take full responsibility, so don’t worry!”

“If you put it that way.”

A surprisingly agreeable response.

And contrasting incredibly quick hand movements.

“Come, please go in quickly, Miss Tulia.”

“…?”

“And please deliver this directly to His Grace as well.”

“…”

As if his firm blocking of me just moments ago was a lie, Ruk even gave me a gentle push on the back.

Was I mistaken in thinking he had deliberately elicited the desired response from Lilius?

And so, I ended up entering Assis Grand Duke Frazier’s office quite unexpectedly.

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