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Chapter 138: Stay well and always be by my side.
A few days later, to her astonishment, Robert had meticulously prepared the information Ortansia had sought.
“Here are the investigation results.”
“Impressive!”
Ortansia’s eyes widened at the documents Robert handed her. There, indeed, was the information she had wanted, recorded in minute detail.
“Vandor is a distant country you have to cross the sea to reach, isn't it? How did you manage to get all this in just a few days”
“I'm afraid I cannot disclose the source of the information, My Lady.”
“Ah, right. Sorry.”
Ortansia was deeply reminded how fortunate it was that Robert was on the duke's side.
‘The new type of poison discovered in Vandor…’
Poison and the means to counter it are always a cat-and-mouse game.
New poisons constantly emerge in the world, followed by the development of antidotes and methods to detect them beforehand.
Nowadays, it is said that most poisons can be detected in advance by using tableware made from special materials.
‘But this poison in Vandor evades even that method.’
Indeed, in Vandor, it was said that several members of the royal family and nobility had fallen victim to this poison.
However, it was only recently that a countermeasure was finally discovered. An ore called Fatalis is said to emit light, as if warning of danger, when this poison is nearby.
‘Thank goodness, with this…’
Surely, it will save Father's life.
“Robert, next I need you to procure some Fatalis ore…”
“I anticipated your request and have already made the arrangements.”
“Thank you! You're truly invaluable, Robert!”
Everything was going perfectly.
Fate could be changed. At that moment, Ortansia believed wholeheartedly that she could save her father's life.
◇◇◇
When Ortansia knocked on the door, her father welcomed her warmly.
On the table, hot milk and sweets had been prepared, likely for her.
‘Oh, Father…’
It felt a little embarrassing to be treated like a child no matter her age, yet she couldn't help but feel a tingling joy at his thoughtfulness.
“I'm sorry to disturb you, Father.”
“Not at all. Time spent talking with you is more precious to me than anything, Ortansia.”
Hearing him say this so gently, Ortansia's heart grew warm.
‘I understand perfectly why Mother chose Father over that agitated man…’
Whether Ortansia and her father were truly related by blood remained unknown.
Yet being taken in by the House of Verité was, above all, the greatest fortune.
Knowing she was here now because her mother had chosen her father, she couldn't help but feel gratitude for her mother's past decision.
Ortansia sat down on the sofa, facing her father.
“So, what is this matter? Naturally, I'm delighted to have time to speak with you even if it's nothing, but if something troubles you, tell me anything. As your father, it's only right that I ease my daughter's worries.”
Saying this, her father smiled gently.
‘Although not as much as my brother, my father is a bit overprotective as well’
What would happen if Ortansia said something like “Actually, there's someone I'd like to eliminate…” just as Robert had misunderstood?
He'd probably smile and say something like “I see, then tell me who it is. I'll "arrange" for them never to appear in your sight again, so rest assured.” She hastily shook off such thoughts and took a sip of her hot milk.
“Oh, there's honey in it!'"
Ortansia let out a delighted cry, and her father winked at her.
“Did you like it? Pamela mentioned you have a particular fondness for sweet things.”
‘I am really grateful for these little thoughtful gestures.’.
As far as Ortansia knew, Gérard didn't seem particularly fond of sweet things.
Even in moments like this when speaking with Father alone, Father probably wouldn't prepare honey hot milk for Gérard. Most likely, he'd serve him coffee or something similar instead.".
A special treatment just for Ortansia.
Just realizing this made her so happy she felt tears welling up. …
She couldn't bear the thought of such a kind father having his life stolen because of some unreasonable trouble.
‘It's alright, I've prepared for this!’
Ortansia swallowed her hot milk and looked up.
“Um, Father...! Actually, I have a present for you today!”
“A present...? Is today some sort of anniversary?”
As Father looked puzzled, Ortansia quickly made something up.
“Well... you see! Today marks roughly three months and ten days since I came to this mansion... roughly a hundred days! Actually, I've been celebrating it in my heart every year…”
Of course, it was a lie.
But upon hearing Ortansia's words, her father's expression brightened with delight.
“Ortansia...! TI had no idea you held the day you arrived at this estate in such regard.
From next year, we shall hold a grand party!”
“Oh... thank you, Father!”
"Things had gotten rather out of hand, but Hortensia was relieved she hadn't aroused suspicion.
‘Next year, eh…’
If fate were to be as in her first life, around this time next year... her father would be dead.
But at this moment, her father seemed to have no awareness or expectation of his own impending death.
Which means he hasn't been poisoned yet, right? His complexion looks fine, and he seems well…’
There was still time. Convinced of this, Ortansia finally broached the main subject.
“So, here's your present, Father! Ta-dah!”
She presented a small box, taken from her bosom, to her father.
Opening the lid carefully, he let out a gasp of admiration upon seeing its contents.
“Oh, this is…”
“It's an amulet to ward off evil spirits! Actually, I designed the stone arrangement myself and had it specially made!”
What Ortansia had given her father was a bracelet studded with several gemstones.
Naturally, among them were several pieces of Fatalis ore.
“Father, this isn't just an ornament, it's a protective amulet. It should definitely keep you safe from danger, so please wear it as close to your skin as possible at all times.”
She emphasised this more strongly than usual, and her father smiled gently.
“Ah, of course I will.”
“And... if the amulet ever signals something amiss, it means danger is imminent. Your first priority must be to protect yourself. Do not touch any food or drink under any circumstances.”
As she earnestly pleaded, her father's eyes widened slightly, looking surprised.
"What's the matter, Ortansia?"
His words seemed to pierce straight through to her innermost thoughts, making Ortansia flinch.
Yet there was no way she could tell him to his face, “You're destined to die by poison very soon.”
She plastered on a bright smile and desperately tried to deflect.
"Actually... I read a mystery novel with that sort of plot and it frightened me! Every day someone dies inside the castle. You can't trust anyone, and it's terrifying to even touch your food… So this is a protective charm just in case something like that were to happen!”
It felt a bit far-fetched, but Father was probably accustomed to Ortansia saying the most outlandish things.
He nodded, seeming satisfied.
"'Thank you, Ortansia . This is because you're concerned for me, isn't it?”
Father undid the bracelet's clasp and carefully put it on his wrist.
“I'll keep it on me at all times from this day forward. That's my promise to you.”
Seeing Father smile as he said this, Ortansia felt a tightening in her chest.
“Father... Please stay well and always be by my side.”
Her voice came out weaker than she had intended.
Perhaps sensing her unease, her father rose gently and came to stand beside her.
“...It's alright, Ortansia. Though both you and Gérard have grown splendidly, there are still things that worry me. I shall never leave you behind. ...For Bernadette's sake too.”
The sudden mention of her mother's name made Ortansia's heart skip a beat.
‘But this should be alright. Even if that person has poison, Father can avoid it. That Ducasse fellow will be arrested, and Father will be saved...!’
With this, her worries were dispelled. The heavy burden that had been weighing on her heart these past days seemed to vanish, and Hortensia felt light-hearted for the first time in ages.
Chapter 139: Big Brother's Hasty Conclusions
“Hehehehe...'"
She had succeeded splendidly in saving Father from his fate of death.
Overjoyed by this, Ortansia had been in such high spirits these past few days that people around her kept asking, “Has something good happened?”
Even now, she sat in a corner of the parlour, penning a letter with a rather loose smile.
Then, Gérard, passing by, called out to her.
“...Hey”
“Ah, Big Brother! What is it?”
She lifted her face with a bright, cheerful expression, only to find Gérard looking at her with a probing gaze.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean... I'm writing a letter.”
“To whom is this letter addressed? Surely not that prince?”
“Eh!?”
Gérard muttered this with obvious displeasure, then leaned in abruptly, peering at the letter.
“Big Brother, that's a breach of etiquette!”
Ortansia panicked.
Admittedly, there were many things about Gérard she didn't understand, but he wasn't the sort of person to commit such a blatant breach of etiquette, prying into someone's private affairs like this.
‘That prince... Prince Victor?’
After all, Ortansia didn't know any other princes, so Gérard must be referring to Prince Victor.
Why Gérard had suddenly brought this up was unclear, but unfortunately, this letter wasn't addressed to Prince Victor.
“This is a letter addressed to Constance in the duchy!”
“Really?”
“It is! You're welcome to look inside if you like.”
She and Constance had agreed to exchange regular updates, and this letter was one such correspondence.
There was nothing embarrassing written in it though.
Gérard silently took the letter and scanned its contents.
‘He really is reading it…’
Perhaps he was worried that Constant might give a false report..
Gerard quickly finished checking the contents of the letter and then stared down at Ortansia.
‘Eh? What is it? Did I write something wrong?’
Ortansia grew anxious, fearing he might criticise the letter's contents.
“You've been rather cheerful lately.”
“…Hmm?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected remark, Ortansia's thoughts froze for a moment.
‘Cheerful…?’
Now that he mentioned it, she could think of a few things
Perhaps, like the others, Gérard wanted to ask, in his own way, “Has something good happened?”
But she couldn't possibly blurt out something as foolishly honest as, “Actually, I changed my father's fate of dying!”
Ortansia desperately racked her brains, then hastily covered it up with a smile.
“Hehehe, what do you think happened?”
It wasn't that she particularly wanted to quiz Gérard; she was merely stalling for time.
Gérard might get fed up and leave.
That was what Ortansia had expected, but…
“Ehh!”
For some reason, Gérard suddenly emanated an aura of intense displeasure. Seeing the hallucination of a raging blizzard behind him for the first time in ages, Ortansia froze in fear."
‘Big Brother, is he angry…!?’
Had she annoyed him by bringing up that pointless quiz?
“B- Big Brother… um…”
“That prince, or someone else?”
“Eh?'"
With a freezing cold expression, Gérard blurted out this incomprehensible question.
Completely baffled by his intent, Ortansia could only freeze in place.
Gérard crouched down to meet Ortansia’s eye level and grasped her small chin. Being stared at by his eyes from such close proximity, Ortansia could barely breathe..
“...Are you considering accepting the marriage proposal?”
“...what?”
Gérard's words left Oransia completely blank once more.
Marriage proposals? What was he on about? ...She hadn't a clue, but it was clear there'd been some misunderstanding between them.
Summoning her courage, Ortensia opened her mouth.
“Brother, let us sort this out. What marriage proposal are you speaking of?”
At Ortansia’s question, Gérard looked genuinely taken aback. For a brief moment, silence fell between them. Unexpectedly, it was Gérard who spoke first.
“That prince…”
“Yes?”
“He proposed marriage to you, right?”
“Eh!? How did you…”
At Ortansia’s flustered reaction, Gérard's aura became tense and dangerous again."
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Translator Note:
Hello readers, check out one of our latest translation The Fake Daughter Became the Favorite After the Whole Family Gained Mind Reading Abilities its actually interesting.
Hope you enjoyed the read!! If you did, please vote on for this novel on novel updates, leave reviews, and support; pretty please.
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Please support this translation by dropping a Vote for this novel on novelupdates.com and donating!
—————————
Translator Note:
Hello readers, check out one of our latest translation The Fake Daughter Became the Favorite After the Whole Family Gained Mind Reading Abilities its actually interesting.
Hope you enjoyed the read!! If you did, please vote on for this novel on novel updates, leave reviews, and support; pretty please.
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