Chapter 23
‘Being Franz’s illegitimate child won’t work.’
Her position as the daughter of a mere eccentric nobleman and magician wouldn’t suffice to exact proper revenge.
To stand on equal footing with Brian Muton, Claire needed a title of her own.
Thus, she made her decision.
‘I’ll take the Marquisate of Ravello first.’
Before dealing with Brian Muton, she would punish her original family.
If she had spent her time so far accumulating the funds to serve as the foundation for her revenge, now was the time to acquire the armor she needed to wear outwardly.
‘To do that, I’ll need to get closer to the family for a while….’
Claire decided to accept their invitation along with Franz Ravello.
When they returned to the Marquisate of Ravello, the family was noticeably more cordial than before.
“You’ve come a long way. It must have been tiring,” said the Marquess of Ravello, hiding his dark intentions behind a generous smile.
“You must be hungry. Please, have a seat,” added the Marchioness, her tone sickeningly sweet.
Only Alex, who appeared to have been dragged out against his will, wore a bored expression, looking as if he were about to die of tedium.
Claire sat down with a composed expression, her sharp eyes scrutinizing the Marquis and Marchioness.
It was evident they were up to something.
If she had to guess…
‘Are they trying to sell me off again?’
They were likely acting kind to lull her into a false sense of security, then bring her under their control to marry her off for their benefit.
The Marquis and Marchioness, unaware that Claire had accurately guessed their intentions, began to reveal their true motives halfway through the meal.
“Perhaps we were a bit harsh last time. Now that you’re legally recognized, we should make an effort to accept you as a Ravello.”
“That’s why I suggest, Franz, why not send Claire to live here with us?”
The Marchioness chimed in, her tone fluttering like feathers, following the Marquis’ carefully laid suggestion.
Franz Ravello, lowering his utensils, furrowed his brows. The suggestion was entirely out of the blue.
“What are you saying? Are you suggesting that Claire move into the Marquisate?”
“Yes, Claire still needs proper education as a noble. I’ll take care of it personally.”
“That’s absurd—”
Franz started to protest but was stopped by Claire, who subtly tapped his leg under the table.
Feigning innocence, she put on a curious expression.
“Does that mean I’ll live here with Grandfather and Grandmother?”
“Of course, dear! I’ll even let you use the room your aunt used to have,” the Marchioness replied, acting as though she were being generous.
Claire and Franz both stifled bitter laughter.
During their childhood, the siblings had been forced to live in the worst rooms of the Marquisate, small and decrepit ones that were closer to attics.
“I’ll personally guide you step by step to become a proper lady and, even better, a refined noblewoman.”
“Think of how wonderful this is, Franz. Remember how my wife treated you and Priscilla like her own children,” added the Marquis, shamelessly making yet another brazen statement.
Franz felt his head throb in disbelief.
Treated like her own children? Was locking them in rooms and starving them her idea of care?
There was no way he would let his sister go through that again. He was about to warn them not to even dream of it when Claire intervened again.
“Wow, really? You’ll do all that for me?”
“Of course, even more,” the Marchioness replied with a saccharine smile.
“I want to live here with both of you!” Claire exclaimed brightly, her eyes curling into a cheerful smile.
Franz was stunned.
What in the world was she thinking?
He wanted to question her immediately, but her gaze clearly signaled him to remain quiet, leaving him no choice but to clamp his mouth shut.
“Oh my, how wonderful! Since Claire wants it too, let’s have her move in as soon as possible.”
“A week should be enough time for her to pack. We’ll have everything ready on our end.”
Not missing the opportunity, the Marquis and Marchioness quickly finalized the arrangement for Claire’s move-in.
Unable to just stand by and watch, Franz interjected.
“Wait a moment. I’ll move in with her.”
“My goodness, Franz! At your age, living with your parents? That’s simply shameful. No, it’s just not proper. Claire can come alone.”
The Marchioness firmly rejected the idea with a look of disdain.
Franz was an unnecessary obstacle if they wanted to manipulate and control Claire as they pleased.
“But…”
“You’re right. Dad is busy with his magical research, so I’ll go alone.”
With Claire agreeing, Franz Ravello had no choice but to remain silent.
On the way back after the meal.
Inside the carriage, Franz, for the first time in a long while, scolded his sister.
“Sis, are you crazy? What were you thinking, walking into that house on your own?”
“Calm down, Franz. I’ve already been considering how to approach them, so this actually worked out well.”
To seize control of the family, she had to return to that house eventually.
Rather than forcing her way in through her own schemes, it was much better to be invited by them.
“Still, how can you do this without me? You know Mother will torment you like she did before. Father will just stand by and let it happen.”
Franz, nervous, tapped his nails together while shaking his leg.
Seeing that this childhood habit persisted even after he had turned thirty, Claire chuckled softly.
She reached out and firmly held his hand.
“Listen carefully, Franz. I’m not Priscilla Muton anymore. I’m Claire Ravello now.”
“…”
“I’m not the same fool who just endured everything. Trust me.”
Looking into her green eyes, which now shone with a stronger resolve than when she was nineteen, Franz let out a complicated sigh.
“You deliberately didn’t let me come along, didn’t you?”
“Right. While I’m at the Marquisate, you’ll need to handle outside matters for me.”
“Ha… Don’t push yourself too hard. If it’s too much, get out immediately. Got it?”
“Don’t worry.”
Claire smiled brightly.
She had no intention of stepping into the Marquisate of Ravello without preparation.
***
“Any word from Lady Ravello?”
As always, Theodore asked his attendant out of habit. The attendant, looking troubled, shook his head.
For several days now, there had been no contact from Claire.
Neither to Theodore nor to Teddy.
‘Why? Was she not interested in my proposal? Should I have offered a more specific reward?’
Theodore seriously reconsidered whether he had made a mistake.
But wouldn’t handing her money outright to play the role of his lover be even more offensive?
That might give the wrong impression—that she could be controlled with money.
Even after heading to the guild, he couldn’t shake his frustration and ended up asking Rune.
“What do women usually want as a reward when someone proposes a relationship?”
“Hmm… A perfectly managed handsome face, a good physique, and an upright personality?”
Theodore frowned. That didn’t seem to be what Claire wanted.
If it were, she would have already accepted his proposal.
Still, he asked a follow-up question just in case.
“Am I lacking in any of those areas?”
“Upright personality.”
Rune answered without hesitation.
Behind his mask, Theodore’s face twisted. Annoyed, he waved his hand dismissively.
“Enough. Get out.”
“What’s this? Did you propose to someone and get rejected?”
“…I didn’t, so leave.”
Theodore gritted his teeth.
Claire hadn’t rejected him yet, so it wasn’t true that he’d been turned down.
Of course, it wasn’t.
“Wow, judging by your reaction, you really were rejected! Who turned you down? Why? Was it your personality?”
Rune, seizing the opportunity to tease, grinned mischievously.
A vein popped on Theodore’s forehead.
“Wait, wait, so were you rejected as the Guildmaster or as the Crown Prince?”
“Leave.”
“Oh no, was it both?”
Silently, Theodore picked up a sofa cushion. Rune bolted out of the room.
Finally, peace.
Satisfied, Theodore returned to his seat, but moments later, Rune peeked back in through the door.
“You know, silence is also a form of rejection, right? Just thought I’d mention it, in case you’re in denial.”
“You…”
Hitting a sore spot with precision, Rune shut the door with an infuriating smirk.
A few seconds later, he cracked it open again.
“So, how long has it been since you were rejected? If it’s been more than a week, there’s no hope.”
“This is your last warning. Leave and stay silent.”
Sensing the murderous glare even through Theodore’s mask, Rune backed off a step.
Theodore, running a hand through his hair, leaned back in his chair.
But before long, there was a knock at the door, followed by it opening again.
“Get out.”
Reaching the limit of his patience, Theodore snapped and turned around.
But instead of the silver-haired boy, the person standing there was the one he had been waiting for all along.
“…”
“…”
A heavy silence fell between them.
Holding the doorknob, Claire slowly spoke.
“I’ll come back another time.”
—
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