That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 83
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 83
But Aubrey pretended not to notice and continued speaking logically.
“It’s a proposal from the Imperial Palace. If we refuse, the relationship between the Frazier family and the Imperial Palace will deteriorate, so it’s only natural.”
It was an answer that left Sophia with absolutely no room to say ‘no.’
At this point, I took my time looking around at everyone.
First, Count Nigela Frazier.
He had an expression that suggested he thought this proposal coming to Sophia was ‘fortunate.’
It actually was fortunate. If not for this proposal, wasn’t there an incident that could have completely destroyed the viscount’s family?
Since she’s just an adopted daughter anyway, no matter how flawed the Crown Prince might be, he probably thinks this is an incomparably good match.
Kiel Frazier, Nigela’s legitimate eldest son, had an unreadable expression.
Kanes Frazier, the second son born from a relationship with a mistress, was just rolling his eyes around, reading the room.
‘Come to think of it, Kanes Frazier was also standing on Tedrick’s side during the hunting competition.’
Of course, he didn’t directly hold a bow, so he didn’t receive any particular punishment.
Kanes, who made eye contact with me, flinched and averted his gaze.
‘I should keep an eye on him.’
And…
Sandra Frazier.
‘Sandra is a bit different.’
The daughter Nigela adopted while blinded by love.
Sandra Frazier, who doesn’t share even a drop of Frazier blood, literally a daughter his mistress bore outside and brought in.
She was wearing a subtle mocking smile.
What about the twins?
‘They look completely uninterested.’
How can they make such blatantly indifferent faces?
It was quite impressive, if you could call it that.
Lisian was composed, but an expressionless face where composure and indifference coexisted was even more peculiar.
“Your Grace.”
Just then, Ruk Kelfosher entered and announced that all the elders and key retainers had arrived.
Assis Grand Duke Frazier stood up and said.
“Everyone rest for a while, then come to the grand banquet hall at the appointed time.”
“Yes, Father.”
Count Nigela Frazier, being the eldest, answered on behalf of everyone. Everyone stood up to see off Grandfather.
“Tulia.”
Grandfather called me.
“Yes?”
“The way you decorated the hall is quite excellent.”
It was an unexpected comment.
“You must have worked quite hard.”
Without needing to turn around and check, I could feel the faces of the assistant butler and personal physician, who had worked hard helping me decorate the hall, brighten up.
‘I should tell Adel about this later too.’
Adel, as the head maid, was absent from this dining room as she was busy assisting with the grand banquet to be held today.
‘Hmm, somehow.’
Even aside from the pride of being praised in front of all these people.
Since Grandfather, the person whose birthday banquet this is, said he was pleased with it.
I felt strangely happy.
I answered with a genuine smile.
“Happy birthday, Grandfather!”
Grandfather smiled, which was rare for him.
“And Sophia Frazier.”
Sophia, whose face had been ashen ever since hearing Grandfather’s words, hurriedly answered.
“Y-Yes!”
“Think about what gift you’d like to receive and come to my office tomorrow. I’ll send Ruk for you.”
“…!”
For a moment, Aubrey’s complexion brightened like a rainbow, though very briefly.
Of course, she quickly returned to being an elegant noble lady.
Having been quietly observing Aubrey like a mouse throughout, I caught on at that moment.
‘Aha!’
Aunt Aubrey?
You’re planning to try to save Tedrick with the engagement gift Sophia will receive, aren’t you?
‘Absolutely not.’
* * *
“Absolutely not! Marriage to that monster-like Crown Prince!”
Sophia shouted angrily. Aubrey hurriedly tried to calm her down.
“Sophia. Listen to your mother. Right now, the only thing that can save your brother is the ‘engagement gift’ you can receive!”
Sophia’s face contorted with frustration.
She had finally realized everything now.
That all the household management rights her parents had were taken away by Tulia.
What situation her father, Viscount Lilius, and her brother Tedrick were currently in.
And why her mother supported her engagement to ‘that’ Crown Prince.
Right now, her family was truly like a candle before a storm!
Aubrey patted Sophia’s shoulder while wiping away her own tears.
“Your brother will be your only ally in the future, your reliable supporter for eternity. If we sink like this, what will happen to our family, to your future? Hmm?”
“But Crown Prince Ferdinand is a monster who doesn’t even grow, that’s what everyone whispers! Of course, they say you can’t have children with the Crown Prince either!”
“You, don’t say such things so loudly…!”
Aubrey, startled, tried to stop her, but Sophia was trembling with rage.
“Sophia. But think about it. The Crown Prince’s inability to have children is actually good for you.”
“Why?!”
“You can use that as an excuse to take in a lover later, can’t you?”
“…What?!”
Sophia found Aubrey’s words so absurd that she unconsciously screamed.
“…Oh…”
But.
Now that she heard it, it wasn’t entirely wrong either.
However, it was still a story with far too many risks and disadvantages for her.
“But the gift, Father said it was mining rights to a gold mine…”
The engagement gift Grandfather would give.
Her father, Viscount Lilius, had said he received mining rights to a gold mine when he got engaged to her mother.
Couldn’t she receive something like that at the very least?
Aubrey, sensing Sophia’s thoughts, hurriedly said.
“I’ll buy you everything you want. And receiving something like mining rights isn’t necessarily beneficial for you.”
“What? Why…”
“You’re attending the Academy, so it’s difficult for you to participate in business right away, and all the mines owned by Grandfather are far from the cities, aren’t they? You already suffer from severe motion sickness and Academy studies are hard, so when would you find time to inspect those places? We need to think about what would help you immediately, and us too.”
In reality, Lilius also used to send advisors instead of conducting inspections himself, but Aubrey didn’t mention that.
Sophia began to waver.
“But….”
“This mother will buy you all the beautiful dresses and jewelry you want. Look. Didn’t all the gifts I prepared for you today suit our daughter’s taste perfectly? I know our daughter’s preferences best, who else would know them better?”
At those words, Sophia could only nod as if enchanted.
‘Even though Mother and Father had their household management rights taken away, they must have quite a bit of assets hidden away.’
Sophia naturally had no idea that it was money borrowed using jewelry as collateral to Tulia.
“Then… I’ll ask Grandfather to spare Tedrick.”
After thinking it over, Sophia decided she should listen to her mother for now.
First save the family, then she could use this as leverage to extract things favorable to herself.
“Yes, yes!”
“But don’t I need to save Father too?”
Sometimes selective focus was necessary. Aubrey spoke with a deeply regretful expression.
“That would probably be too difficult. Instead, your father will manage to get out on his own, so let’s save your brother first. If he goes to the border, he’ll surely be unable to endure the harsh hazing and come back disabled somewhere.”
“I understand, Mother.”
With a finally brightened face, Aubrey embraced her daughter fully in her arms.
“Oh my, what a good daughter we have!”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Shushu
Dangggg, IS Aubrey even planning on saving Tulius? Does Tulius even know? 😂