I Became The Stepmother Of An Irrevocable Dark Family - Chapter 76

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Chapter 76

Two hours later.

Princess Astra arrived at the exact appointed time. I sat at the garden tea table prepared by the Duke, and smiled at her as I watched her approaching me guided by the servant.

Even when I didn’t get up from my seat, she bowed her head to me.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Duchess Leona Petri.”

It was so awkward that I even wondered if I should return her greeting or not. However, she was the one who came to ask me a favor, so I didn’t have to be so courteous.

I looked at her quietly and shifted my gaze to the tea table.

Still, today was my first external activity as Duchess, so I promised myself to watch my manners, unlike my behavior at the party last time. Not to mention, she spoke formally this time.

“Please have a seat.”

Astra in the past would’ve screamed from the top of her lungs already, but now she came to the tea table quietly and sat down.

It was still awkward for me to see this side of her. Since the one who used to treat me lower than a bug now had such a gentle gaze toward me.

“What brings you here today?”

“Are you telling me to get down to business as soon as I sit down? It’d be nice if we could talk over a cup of tea.”

“Our relationship isn’t that good for us to be all friendly and enjoy a cup of tea together. Pretending to be nice will not change my mind about you.”

If the Duke was trash that couldn’t be recycled, Princess Astra was that trash’s beautiful cockroach-like mate.

I could never forget everything she did to Rere.

An unforgivable act.

The worst human being who used violence against a child.

I had not the slightest desire to be close to her.

However, I had agreed to this arrangement because I wanted to relieve the stress caused by that trashy guy.

“…I think that’s basic courtesy, Duchess.”

“As you already know, I’m not from a distinguished family, so I’m not that knowledgeable about etiquette and such.”

You stepped into my territory, the Petri Dukedom.

In short, no matter what you do, don’t expect to hear pleasant things here.

Perhaps she was aware of how I thought of and intended to treat her, so she forced herself to smile.

“…Then I can’t help it either.”

“So what brought you here knowing that you wouldn’t hear nice things?”

As if waiting for me to ask, Princess Astra raised her hand. The four maids that accompanied her approached us carrying a large box in their arms.

“I still think we were a little closer than all the people you met at the party.”

“Hoo…”

“No need to be close to them. They pretend to be close but will abandon you right away if something goes wrong.”

“How clever of you to describe yourself like that.”

I smirked and took a sip of tea.

“Clever…?”

“Ah, am I mistaken? I thought you were talking about yourself.”

I smiled innocently as if my head was only a pretty decoration.

“…Did you just curse at me?”

“No way! I didn’t mean to do that at all~ So, what is it that you want to discuss with me?”

“…Since we share a special bond, I hope to get along well with you in the future. I think I was rude to you last time.”

So I leaned closer to her.

“Are you saying this because you want to, or because you were pressured by your family?”

“…Of course, that’s….”

“To tell you the truth…I’m not sure if our relationship will get better from this point on. I hate liars the most, you see.”

I wonder how much she was burning inside?

As she had to face the person who stole her position.

“…It’s both. It’s because of my family and I also want to get along well with you. I’m sure that my presence will benefit you a lot.”

“Hoo..benefit me? How so? I’m surprised that there’s something to gain from Princess Astra. If I recall, I think I lost a lot of things thanks to Princess Astra.”

As I fiddled with my teacup, Astra seemed to gradually lose her temper.

“…Aren’t you able to sit in that position thanks to me? If it wasn’t for me….!”

“I earned this position, not because of anything you claim to have done. Princess Astra is such an amusing person. I didn’t know you were thinking like that. I thought you came here so you can be of use to me.”

I looked at Astra’s face. Her face darkened as if her mind and heart were at odds. A bitter smile rose on her face.

“…I think I made a mistake. I must have conducted myself poorly because I was sick recently. So if I offended you in any way, I hope you can go easy on me. I was thinking deeply about what you said last time, so I brought a variety of gifts this time.”

“Gifts?”

“You said that a gift that the other person didn’t want is not a gift.”

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Come to think of it, I did say that during the party last time.

You said it was a gift for me, so I have the right to reject it. And how can you call it a gift when you don’t even care about the recipient’s heart?

“I’m sure you’ll like at least one of my gifts.”

“What’s your reason to shower me with gifts like this? Let’s just get to the point. I’ll decide whether to receive the gifts or not accordingly.”

Just in time, my teacup emptied. With a relaxed smile, I tilted the kettle and poured hot water into my cup.

“Well…It’s up to you whether you say it or not. I’m just saying that maybe having a close relationship and enjoying tea together is possible after all.”

A tea set was already put in front of her. Hot steam escaped from the kettle’s long spout.

“…Since you like honest people the most, I will tell you truthfully. Please persuade Duke Ian Petri for me.”

“Persuade?”

“If this continues, it’s only a matter of time before Arvida Dukedom collapses.”

“Hoo…”

“I think the three duchys exist to sustain the Empire. However, Duke Ian Petri did not intend to absorb our family, and froze our family’s funds instead.”

Astra used to be very hostile and stubborn, but today she acted like a real noble lady. Especially when she spoke in an orderly manner.

“I hope you can set us free. His Majesty said he trusted Duke Petri and granted him permission to investigate my family. My family really worked so hard as a ducal family who supported the Empire.”

I’m sure you did your best to embezzle money.

“If we collapse like this, it will be a big problem for us all.”

She was good at threatening.

“Since Duke Petri treasures the Duchess very much…”

“In conclusion….”

“So that we can get through this safely….”

“You gave me a bribe.”

“N-No, it’s not a bribe.”

She waved her hand, but the box next to Astra seemed to prove that it was indeed a bribe.

“I have no ill intention.”

“Ah, I see. But what should I do?”

I smiled and placed the heavy kettle to the side.

“He really cares about me. He was trying to give me something incredible.”

“That’s why I ask you a favor. If you can solve this problem well, I will sincerely support the Duchess.”

I would rather believe that a dog can talk like a human than her words.

“Princess Astra.”

“Yes.”

There was a glint of hope in her eyes.

“Unfortunately, he cares about me, but I really hate the Duke.”

“Pardon…?”

“I don’t want to talk to him.”

“B-But…! W-Wait a minute. You just need to talk to him once!”

She raised her voice again.

A voice that was close to a threat. She finally returned to the old Astra that I knew so well.

“Don’t force me.”

“I’m not forcing you, but you can at least do that much! It’s not that hard. You just need to ask him to go easy on his investigation of my family! I’m being honest right now like you always wanted!”

“Did you just lash out at me?”

“No, you’ve got it wrong. I just ask you to do one thing! I’ll do anything for you in return!!!”

She looked desperate.

The same person who acted arrogantly and treated me like a bug before. Astra, who used to treat me less than a human, freaked out in front of me.

I had a good laugh thanks to her.

“So what if you can do anything for me now? Do you even remember what you did to me and Rere?”

“T-That! Back then, I was the Duchess…and it was an inevitable situation.”

“You should’ve thought of apologizing to me first before bringing such a gift.”

Astra shook her hand at my words.

“…I will apologize. Will you talk to him if I apologize? To the Duke?”

“Are you going to apologize for a reward? How is that a proper apology?”

At that moment.

“What kind of interesting discussion you’re having here that you keep raising your voices.”

The Duke appeared out of nowhere.

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