I Became The Stepmother Of An Irrevocable Dark Family - Chapter 56

“Ah, I guess that must be how nobles greet each other.”

I smiled courteously at the man who approached us with a distasteful expression.

“Hoho. What do you mean by that?”

“As you’ve already heard and seen, I’m someone with a humble background. But at least I know how to adhere to basic manners in my actions.”

What is this woman saying? At her words, sheer displeasure came out from an old man named Felipe.

“I’m not sure I understand what the new duchess is saying just now.”

“Is that so? Even a child can understand it easily…”

I opened my eyes wide to exaggerate my surprise.

So it’s you! The bastard who bullied my daughter! I won’t let you off the hook easily! I’m going to tear you to pieces!

“I’m asking you to greet me properly. How do you think people will regard the Duke of Petri, if you, a close relative of the duke, talks in this manner? Felipe.”

His arrogant face, as well as the other vassals in the hall, instantly stiffened. The more their faces become crumpled, the more confident I become.

“Hoho. We barely have a chance to talk, new duchess. Which reminds me, Princess Rebecca. Don’t you think you need to fix your manner of speaking? You don’t seem to know how to compared to the new duchess.”

“Don’t call me the new duchess. It’s Duchess Leona Petri. In addition, please address Princess Rebecca with respect. Don’t tell me you’re refusing to do so just because you’re older?”

And so, I lifted Rere and held her in my arms.

As expected, the vassals were on their way toward us to meddle in our conversation. I believe some of them were the duke’s close relatives.

“You don’t seem to know because you’ve just become the duchess. Do you know who you are talking to!”

“I know, but who are you to join our conversation?”

“I’m…”

“You don’t have to tell me. I don’t even want to know.”

My heart went crazy. I know I wasn’t acting like myself. But I won’t back down after all they’ve done to Rere. Because I’m strong.

“What an incredible person. Hoho. I’m sorry for being rude to the Duchess.”

Only then did he bow down and greet me properly.

“I’m Felipe Raffle. The Marquis of Raffle. I’m sorry for not greeting you properly. I am the closest relative of Duke Ian Petri.”

“I see. But you’re not the ‘closest’ as you claimed to be. Princess Rebecca is the one who is the closest relative of Duke Ian Petri.”

There was no reason to show kindness to someone who was secretly looking down at Rere.

Having said this, people would think that the new duchess has a vicious personality, and to prove that, Felipe and the people behind him had an unpleasant expression on their faces.

In particular, there was an apparent hostility in the eyes of Felipe’s son. He was clearly looking at me with resentment.

“Don’t you agree?” So, I asked him again.

“Haha. That’s right. I know Princess Rebecca is here, too. I think I made a slip of tongue, I apologize for that.”

He gave in more easily than expected and bowed his head. I wasn’t sure if he did so because he simply didn’t want to prolong this childish argument or if it’s because he had other tricks up his sleeve.

“That’s a relief, I was afraid you might have a different opinion.”

“No way. I know my place. Isn’t it a given that people should know their place?”

It was obvious that those words were directed to me.

“That’s right. One should know their place. That being said, I hope you and the other vassals can live according to that principle.”

“….”

“Ah, right. I believe that not too long ago, the Duke clearly said that Princess Rebecca is his daughter, and anyone who spreads lies about her birth will….have their tongue cut or something along those lines?”

I patted Rere on the back as I said that.

“As the mother of Princess Rebecca, I will make sure anyone who speaks ill of my daughter never sees the light nor uses their mouth lightly ever again.”

“Haha, we will never do something like that.” Felipe spoke on behalf of everyone this time.

“Be careful. The Duke may think highly of you as his close relative, but I have no obligation to do that. If you hurt my Rere, I won’t let you off the hook easily. Then, can you excuse us? We want to enjoy the party.”

I just passed by Felipe and his son nonchalantly. I had no reason to look good in front of them.

‘It’s not like I can get along with them in the first place.’

Because Felipe, who was considered the head of the vassals, had already expressed his hostility toward us.

Rere, who was looking at the vassals behind, smiled and turned her head.

“Mom.”

“Yes?”

“Felipe looks like he just ate poop!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

The child’s voice was livelier than ever.

“That’s a relief.”

“My mom is the best!”

“Do you think so?”

“Yup!”

The child’s hands, which were always trembling every time she talked to Felipe, have finally calmed down. What’s more, the child’s eyes were even sparkling brightly this time.

“But I still don’t like it.”

“Why? Should I have insulted him more?”

“No! I was going to avenge my mom!”

Rere clenched her small fist as she said that. At the sight, I rubbed my cheek against hers because she was too adorable.

“If that’s so, Rere should avenge me next time!”

“Hmph! You don’t have to tell me. I’ll be sure to do that next time!”

And then, a small voice tickled my ears.

“Thank you, though.”

“Did you say thank you?”

“Yes!”

“Do you really mean it?”

“Uhm, so…where’s my Ugly…!”

Rere urgently looked for the rabbit doll that she clearly didn’t bring with her. Which made Rere, who had never thanked anyone ever since she was born, blush more than ever.

“Anyways…! I didn’t say thank you!”

Rere, with her puffed cheeks, wriggled in Leona’s arms.

“Put me down!”

“Hm? But will you be fine? There’s a lot of bad people around us.”

“Yup! Because mom is next to me!”

As soon as she got off of my arms, the child held my hand.

“This song is being played just for us! We are the main characters here! Let’s dance!”

“I’ve never danced before.”

“It’s okay! Me neither!”

Rere was brimming with confidence. She smiled brightly and twirled her body as if she had no worries even amidst the piercing gazes of the vassals.

The calm music that filled the hall turned into a waltz that made you want to move your body lightly.

Rere and I faced each other, and everyone gave us space to dance. They all danced properly, but we were just dancing on our own rhythm.

Just like people who couldn’t dance, we were more focused on looking at each other as we twirled around.

Nevertheless, we weren’t embarrassed because of that fact.

‘Because this is our world. We are the main characters here.’

We’ve been spinning and twirling as if today is the happiest day of our lives. What’s more, Rere’s face was brimming with happiness.

“This is great!”

At some point, the people in the hall stopped dancing. Their eyes were directed at us.

Anyone could tell that we were dancing weirdly. I could even hear their whispers.

What kind of dance is that? Why would anyone dance with such bad manners?

But who cares about manners anyway?

“Hihi. Mom, you’re having fun, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I’m so happy to dance with Rere.”

“Rere, too!”

After some time, the music gradually came to an end. Just because we danced freely, it doesn’t mean that the music won’t end.

As the dance came to an end, everybody greeted their partner with a slight bow. And when it happened, we just awkwardly stood there.

As I stared at Rere awkwardly, she quickly hugged me.

“Hihi. I’m so happy.”

“Even when people are looking at us as if we were strange?”

“What’s so important about people’s gazes? Mom is a fool. We’re the main characters here!”

“That’s right.”

“Now that’s settled, let’s go over there and eat a couple of snacks. There is so much delicious food!”

Rere’s little hand held mine again.

“What’s so special about it?”

“A five-tier cake! I heard the chef worked really hard on it! I can’t wait to eat it!”

Rere, who smiled so brightly to the point it seemed as if her cheeks were about to burst, led me to a place.

Meanwhile, countless people, whose names I didn’t even know of, gathered as if they were trying to keep an eye on us. Even so, they didn’t even try to initiate a conversation with us. Most of them were just looking at us while pretending to talk among themselves.

We arrived in front of a five-tier cake. But many children have already surrounded the cake.

In particular, there were many little lords and young ladies in front of it. They came with their parents, but it seemed like the children also had their own gathering place and hierarchy.

Among them, I saw Jayna Nedira and Lily Cuffs.

Princess Lily Cuffs of Cuffs Dukedom.

Even in other parties, that child would take the top spot and lead the rest of the children.

“Rere, let’s go somewhere else…”

It didn’t end very nicely last time, so I couldn’t help but be bothered by their presence.

For that reason, I held Rere’s hand to take her away from them.

“I called them all here on purpose! I want to tell them that I have a mom, too! You guys are not the only ones with a mom! I’m going to say that!”