That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 24
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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 24
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There were exactly three official occasions when all direct lineage members of the Frazier Family gathered.
First. The family head’s birthday.
Second. The New Year banquet.
Third. When the family head issued an urgent summons.
So today, at this small family banquet where I would receive the Direct Lineage Necklace, not all direct lineage members had gathered.
‘But it’s certainly splendid.’
As I passed through the massive marble arch, chandeliers that seemed to pour light like droplets filled the entire ceiling.
Since this was a family banquet held after the evening dinner, thick red damask curtains hung beautifully from the row of large windows.
Perhaps because it was a small banquet with the meaning of ‘celebration,’ I felt pleased to see it filled with floral decorations.
The fresh scent of roses mixed with sweet fruit fragrances made this banquet hall feel exactly like a fairy’s meadow.
Though it was called a family banquet, several high-ranking retainers also participated and offered me words of congratulation.
I responded with smiles.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
That’s when it happened.
“Miss Tulia. Congratulations on receiving the Direct Lineage Necklace.”
Ruk Kelfosher approached and politely extended his hand.
But for an instant, I saw it.
Ruk’s eyes wavered slightly when he saw Adel, who had followed me here.
‘…Ah, I’m really curious.’
What on earth had happened between these siblings?
I subtly moved my pupils.
Today too, the Golden Star circled around me.
‘Hey. Don’t you plan to tell me?’
Just like you told me the behind-the-scenes story of the Grand Duke couple, it would be interesting if you told me this siblings’ hidden story too. No, wait.
It would help me understand them better.
I even glared at the Golden Star, but the star didn’t budge.
Anyway, it’s only enthusiastic when giving tips that make people angry about strange quests.
I really should rely on what I could trust.
‘To be abandoned with such a damn useless Status Window.’
Perhaps like last time, I’d need to acquire a benefit to be able to see Ruk and Adel’s story.
“Miss Tulia?”
“Ah. Yes.”
Then, Ruk called me.
“Shall we go?”
“Please.”
I walked forward, being escorted by Ruk who wore white gloves.
‘At times like this, I really feel like I’ve become a young lady.’
Though I wasn’t walking a debut road, just walking along the sky blue carpet felt like walking on clouds.
Even though what stood at the end of the carpet wasn’t a male lead giving me a warm smile, but the terrifying demon-like Assis Grand Duke Frazier…
“Grand Duke.”
I thought it would be good to address him respectfully at times like this, but it was strange.
‘What? His expression for a moment… Or not? Did I see wrong?’
If this had been , I would have paused and examined the illustration thoroughly, but unfortunately this was reality.
I couldn’t immediately grasp the Grand Duke’s strange look that passed in an instant and made a bewildered expression.
“Tulia Frazier.”
“Yes. Grand Duke.”
‘Huh. There it is again.’
He looked like he didn’t particularly like the way I addressed him.
Since this was a semi-official occasion, wasn’t calling him Grand Duke enough?
‘…Should I call him Your Grace, the Brave and Great Assis Grand Duke Frazier?’
But in , even Coriko never called him that?
Right at that moment when I couldn’t figure it out.
“Father.”
The man seated at the highest position excluding Assis Grand Duke Frazier, Viscount Lilius, spoke up.
“I regrettably have something I must say immediately.”
“Speak after the ceremony is finished.”
Though he dismissed it indifferently, Viscount Lilius didn’t back down.
“Presumptuous as it may be, I must tell you that my poor niece is not qualified to receive that necklace today.”
“…?”
Instantly, the twenty or so retainers in the hall and twice as many knights and servants held their breath.
The silence didn’t last long. Assis Grand Duke Frazier immediately frowned and asked back.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I know Tulia received high scores on the direct lineage test. No, not just high scores—she got a perfect score.”
Saying this, Viscount Lilius looked at me and made a very proud expression. That made me feel even more chilled.
After all, guys like him are scarier than openly bad people.
Anyone watching would think he was truly a caring uncle.
“But Tulia… As you know, Elder Brother Aster is away at the border and cannot look after Tulia, and her brothers are at the Academy, so hasn’t she been alone all this time?”
‘Ah. Why do you keep reminding me that I’m alone?’
I know Tulia is alone too.
Honestly, as Han Ina, I’d lived like that for a long time, so no matter how much he babbled about it in front of others, I wasn’t embarrassed at all.
It just made me feel a bit bad for no reason.
“So needing more of Father’s attention, she foolishly made this mistake.”
“A mistake. Stop beating around the bush and give me a clear summary report, Viscount Lilius.”
At the firm words, Viscount Lilius gestured with his chin toward Tedrick.
“Tedrick. You come forward and report directly to Grandfather.”
* * *
When good things happen to a country, they issue nationwide pardons.
Tedrick, who had been under house arrest, also had his confinement lifted thanks to the auspicious occasion of me receiving the Direct Lineage Necklace.
So he attended today’s ceremony too.
Perhaps having some sense, Tedrick, who unlike usual had come in inconspicuously neat attire, swallowed his saliva and stepped forward.
“I-I greet Grandfather.”
‘Well, look at that.’
As expected, Viscount Lilius and Aubrey were remarkable people.
In the meantime, they must have overheard me calling him ‘Grandfather’ and told Tedrick to address him the same way.
‘Well. He’s not just Tulia’s grandfather.’
Though with such a trembling voice, it probably wouldn’t be very effective.
“Th-that is…”
Tedrick’s voice, trembling severely like a newborn goat, was no different from before his confinement.
“Tedrick. Dear. It’s alright.”
Then, Aubrey, who was holding Tedrick’s hand, whispered very softly.
Unintentionally, I was close enough to them to hear that soothing, warm voice.
“Now, this is something that must be said to help your cousin stay on the right path.”
‘What warm bullshit.’
Tedrick seemed to tremble less now, thanks to his solid support troops of father on the left and mother on the right.
“Grand… father! Tulia Frazier secretly stole my exam paper… she cheated!”
“…?”
“Cheating?”
“Miss Tulia did?”
The retainers suddenly began to stir. And the gazes looking at me gradually began to sharpen.
“Well, there’s no way she could suddenly get a perfect score.”
“But the exam questions from Schuls Pneuma couldn’t have been the same…”
“How could it be fair to compare studying the exam paper in advance with taking an impromptu test? Of course it’s cheating.”
“Besides, secretly stealing the exam paper shows bad character, doesn’t it?”
The retainers’ voices reached my ears.
There wasn’t really anyone taking my side.
No, maybe just keeping their mouths shut and observing the situation was their way of somewhat taking my side?
‘Tulia’s public reputation and image was at its worst just a few months ago.’
Even in this situation, I was someone who knew well what a cornered villainess should do.
Just as I was about to step forward.
“Do you have proof?”
Unexpectedly, Assis Grand Duke Frazier’s voice resonated heavily through the hall.
“Do you have proof that Tulia Frazier did such a thing?”
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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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