Chapter 34: [Chapter 34] The Person I Love the Most in the World
Neris gazed at Heather with a calm expression.
She wasn't surprised by Heather's appearance or her words, as everything was within her expected range.
Neris had intentionally passed by Heather's room and came this way, and had also intentionally spoken loudly to the servants so that Heather could hear.
Joan's words to Neris were more valuable than expected. Although Joan felt guilty, from her perspective, she didn't want to take full responsibility for the wrongdoing she had been entrusted with by her superior.
Intentionally revealing her intention to 'fight against Angelo' was equivalent to saying 'I need all the help you can give me.'
"'Muriel was carelessly talking as if this house would soon become hers.'"
Neris had intentionally provoked both Muriel and Heather, taking advantage of their youth and inexperience. If they were touched on their usual sensitive spots, they would react passionately.
So, no matter what their plan was, it would have to proceed hastily, unlike the cunning adults' original plan. The signs were already showing, and the first button of the plan had already been pressed.
Heather, who was watching Neris think, didn't know what attitude to take and hesitated for a moment. Then, she focused on the fact that her pride had been hurt and that she didn't like the situation.
No matter how she thought about it, there was nothing Neris Truede could do now.
Heather glared at her and snorted.
"That traitor will disappear, and so will you. It's better not to provoke me."
"Thanks for the advice."
Neris's response was bright, and her gesture of slightly lifting her skirt was also the same. As the daughter of a knight, Neris was making a mocking gesture that was typical among nobles, which Heather was not familiar with.
Heather was angry, but she knew she couldn't win a verbal fight with Neris, so she could only turn around and leave.
She would go to her father and tell him everything, and he would take care of that annoying girl! If necessary, they would speed up their plan!
***
The holiday period, which was like a dream, was passing quickly. In the morning, they would take a stroll to enjoy the nearby scenery, and in the evening, they would have a banquet and a ball. On rainy days, they would engage in indoor games.
The children were excitedly running around the mansion, having received many gifts in the morning, while the adults were worried about the expenses for the holiday gifts.
In any household, even the lowest-ranking servants would receive a decent amount of money and cloth as gifts, making it a strange day if they didn't. The children of relatives, as well as the guests' children, would receive exotic toys, high-quality pens, or silk ribbons if they hadn't reached adulthood yet.
However, the children's joyful time came to an end when evening arrived. According to the empire's standards, anyone under the age of 17 was not considered an adult and had to return to their playrooms or bedrooms when the sun set.
The children who were restricted by the age limit claimed that they could sit quietly and behave like adults during the banquet, but the rule was strictly enforced.
The people who could attend the banquet gathered on the first floor, making the second floor and above of the mansion quiet. As the adults passed through the central hall on the first floor to the banquet hall, they whispered to each other.
The high ceiling of the hall, which was made by breaking through the second floor, was specially designed to almost touch the ceiling. The guests glanced at the magnificent decorations on the ceiling as they passed by.
"Have you heard the news that the Earl is investing in Atraphalea?"
"Respected madam, anyone who hasn't heard that story in the social circle is considered out of touch with the times. Does the madam have any thoughts on that?"
The banquet hall, decorated with red ribbons and brilliant candles, was abuzz with talk of the diamond mine.
Those who were free to do so tried to get more information from Angelo Railing, who had brought news of the mine.
Angelo, who had been working with the McKinnon family, humbly said that he had almost gathered the necessary investment funds and that the Earl's expectations were as high as his own.
Since the necessary investment funds had been gathered, it was only natural that the more money invested, the more profits would be made.
The nobles, who thought that Angelo was intentionally raising the stakes, tried to figure out his conditions with sparkling eyes.
Joyce, who was watching the scene, said to her cousin with an unusually cheerful face.
"I'll have to go to Atraphalea once. If the environment is as good as we hope, we'll take Di there. We're really grateful to Angelo Railing."
Dr. Rumarth, who had been invited by Sivana, was a specialist in treating cases similar to Diane's.
He was from Camicles, where Atraphalea was located, and seemed to have no intention of traveling abroad. Although he hadn't told Diane yet, the Earl and Joyce were planning to take her to the doctor's location for treatment.
Nualan had a complex expression. He also knew about the plan.
"Di's health is important, but are you really going to take her all the way there? Wouldn't it be better to send her alone? That famous and meticulous doctor must be expensive, right?"
"We have that much money, and we can't do anything about it."
Joyce smiled wryly, but beneath that smile, there was a sense of expectation and hope.
The memory of the day he first met his younger sister, who was much younger than him, was still vivid.
Diane, who was too small and weak to be pitied, began to recognize people and followed him around, trusting him without a single doubt. She would sleep with her hot cheek on his shoulder, and he had promised to give her everything, no matter what the result might be.
Diane was the person Joyce loved the most in the world. On a day when she was much younger, Joyce had thought that her cute younger sister's breath was as bright as sunlight, and had vowed to give her everything.
However... even if the result was the loss of his title.
All nobles in Vesta had to attend the Noble Academy.
That law was created to promote friendship among nobles, and it was enforced regardless of personal will. Even personal health was not an exception to the law, unless it was a serious situation that made it difficult to attend.
So, for Diane to drop out of the Noble Academy and receive proper treatment, she would have to give up her noble status.
That meant the Earl and his wife would have to pass on their title to someone else.
Fortunately, the McKinnon family had many suitable candidates to inherit the title. Especially Sivana, who was concerned about her cousin's health, had even learned about Dr. Rumarth through Angelo.
Although Sivana's field of work in the McKinnon company was not doing well, people who helped others and took care of them would ultimately survive. The people they helped would support them in return.
So, there was no need to worry.
If Sivana were to inherit the Earl's title, Nualan, who would naturally become the next Earl, would take good care of his cousin siblings. Even Muriel, who was spoiled at home, would change a bit when she became a noble lady.
If they were to give up the title and leave for a foreign country, they would have to leave behind their connections and real estate. They would take as much gold as possible to start anew, but they would have to give up all the advantages they had enjoyed in Vesta.
If Angelo Railing hadn't brought news of the diamond mine in Atraphalea, the decision might have been even harder to make.
However, the Earl had already made up his mind, and the news of the doctor's presence in the region where they could start a new business item was perhaps a sign from fate that they could start a new life as a family.
Nualan, who knew about the plan, gave a sincere warning.
"Don't think too extremely. Once you make a decision, it can't be undone, so think carefully. It's not like Dr. Rumarth is definitely going to cure Di."
Joyce nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry, we're not going to rush out right now. We need to observe the situation carefully before making a decision. We're going to a foreign country where we don't know anyone."
Besides, there's no law that says treatment has to be long-term. Who knows, maybe the doctor will be able to cure Di right away.
The McKinnon family still hadn't given up on that hope.
Just then, a clear sound came from the Earl's table, and the conversation between Joyce and his cousin came to an end. The Earl, who had tapped his glass with a spoon, stood up with a smile on his face. Everyone's attention was focused on him.
"Ladies and gentlemen who have gathered here..."
The usual words of gratitude and celebration followed, but then he pointed to a specific person.
"My siblings were all born to the same parents, but each of them is different. Among them, Sivana McKinnon truly has a big heart when it comes to family. I'm not sure if I could do the same if I were in his shoes."
Joyce nodded in agreement, and Sivana blushed with a wry smile.
He had never been the center of attention like this before, especially not from the Earl and his wife's enormous number of guests.
The Earl continued to express his gratitude to Sivana and his family, and then concluded his speech.
The guests exchanged glances with each other. According to etiquette, guests should always be prioritized over family. But since the Earl had deliberately praised one of his siblings in front of so many guests, there must have been a good reason for it.
So, what could that reason be?
Naturally, more people began to approach Angelo. Angelo had expanded his business scope, but he was originally a pharmaceutical supplier, and his connection to Sivana was well-known. So, he must have known something.
The table was filled with exquisite dishes made from luxurious ingredients and delicate cooking methods. As they ate, Joyce engaged in polite conversation with the people around him, and by the time dessert was served, everyone was a bit tipsy from the various types of wine.
As some people excused themselves to take a walk, play cards, or smoke, Nualan stood up.
"Where are you going?"
Joyce asked, and Nualan winked.
"To check on our young lady."
"She's probably fine. Muriel's not that young anymore, but our little one might be a different story."
Nualan was going to check on Diane, and Joyce immediately understood what he meant by "2nd-floor railing".
As you enter the main building through the 1st-floor entrance, you'll see a hall that extends to the 2nd floor, with a partially open ceiling. To prevent people walking on the 2nd floor from suddenly falling to the 1st floor, a railing was installed.
Any parent would be anxious about letting their child near that railing. And for Joyce, who had an overprotective personality, the possibility of Diane grabbing onto the railing and looking down at the 1st floor was alarming news.
"Let's go together."
"If you stay in your room, I'll give you a goodnight kiss."
"Okay."
Nualan burst out laughing at Joyce's confident response. But just then, Angelo approached Joyce.
"Sir, I have something to discuss with you regarding your visit to Atraphalea..."
Joyce's embarrassed face prompted Nualan to intervene with a trustworthy expression.
"You can discuss it thoroughly. Only one person needs to confirm it."
That was true.
Joyce knew that Angelo was a busy person. He glanced at the banquet hall entrance and Angelo with sharp eyes, then nodded.
"Give Di a kiss for me."
"Ah, you're impossible. Alright, I'll give her a kiss instead. Don't get jealous later."
Nualan smiled wryly and left the banquet hall. The people around them who had overheard their conversation smiled wryly. The McKinnon family really did have an unusually good relationship.
As Nualan walked through the 1st-floor hall, he stopped at a suitable location and looked up at the 2nd floor. There was no one there, but he didn't seem flustered.
There were plenty of ways to lure out the angry young children who were frustrated at not being able to attend the adults' party and cause a bit of "trouble".
A sly glint flashed in Nualan's eyes.
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