"I'm very sorry! I have been extremely rude this time. I should have come to you, yet I have caused you to go through the trouble of coming here."
"It's fine, Mio said you should be here."
"Yes, but... um, Father?"
"He's gone. He said there's no need to return the engagement gifts; he wants you to offer them at Anastasia's grave."
The Earl said this casually.
...What should I do? I should say, 'Thank you, it will comfort my sister's spirit,' but that would be a lie. The treasures have already been sold and used for the Chaderan family. I think we should apologize to the Earl for this, for Anastasia's sake. But it would be cruel to rub salt in his wounds...
--Huh? Father has gone!?
I tried to rush out, but the Earl blocked the door.
"You don't need to chase after him. I have something I want to ask you."
"W-What is it?"
"Marie... have you been abused by your family?"
"Eh!?"
I was taken aback, my breath caught in my throat.
Abuse... abuse?
It felt like I had been punched in the stomach. The strong words made me stop breathing and feel dizzy.
Abuse... what is it?
I think I am not a very beloved child.
But it can't be helped if I'm not really lovable.
When my parents tell me to be more self-aware and humble, or when they discourage my hobbies, it's all for my own good. They are just disciplining me so that I can be more beloved...
"That's not true."
I answered with conviction.
"Father is a thoughtful person. There are things I, as a child, cannot understand, and there are times when he has been strict with me, but I think it's necessary for the head of a noble family. I don't know how it looks to you, Granado Earl—"
"Cyrus."
"…Eh?"
My words stopped at the sudden word. The Earl repeated it with the same expression as before.
"Cyrus, my name. I don't like being called 'Earl' or 'Your Excellency.' Since I call you Marie, I want you to call me by my first name."
"...Understood, Cyrus-sama."
I followed his instructions, but for some reason, Cyrus-sama frowned.
...What is it? I can't understand why he's upset. He is as difficult as the rumors say...
"Um, why did you ask me that?"
"Then why were you wearing such a plain dress that day?"
Instead of answering my question, he asked another one. It was a difficult question to answer, and I was at a loss for words.
Cyrus-sama didn't wait for long.
"Is that your style? I don't know the customs of the Chaderan territory, but in the capital, such clothes are usually worn by widows or nuns. It's a color that rejects men. Are you planning to become a nun?"
"...No..."
"Then, do you just hate men?"
"......No..."
I don't think so.
But I can't really relate to it.
I wasn't completely isolated from men, but they were all infatuated with Anastasia. My sister's overwhelming radiance made me fade into the background.
I loved romance novels and wasn't uninterested in the opposite sex, but I didn't have high expectations in reality. Since I never had any desires, I couldn't tell if I liked or disliked them.
"...Then, did you willingly become a supporting character to your sister?"
"......"
"Do you have any complaints about life in the Chaderan family?"
"......"
"I can't understand if you don't speak."
...This is not the life I wanted. But I didn't expect to escape it either.
I don't know what to say.
I hate it, I can't stand this time. I want to run away. I couldn't even speak, being questioned so rapidly.
Ah... I might cry...
"...I... am not... cute..."
That was the only answer I could squeeze out.
Cyrus-sama murmured, "I see," and seemed to be satisfied. After a moment of silence, he called out loudly for Mio.
"Yes, sir, what is it?"
"Take Marie with you."
I stiffened for a moment, then immediately relaxed. ...There's nothing to be surprised about. I knew from the beginning that I would be sent away.
I wonder if Father has already gone far. It would be tough to walk the four-day carriage journey. It would be a relief if we could meet up.
Mio smiled broadly and bowed deeply to her master.
"Understood. Tunic is already waiting."
"Ah, thank you."
"Do you have any costumes prepared for 'Anastasia-sama'?"
"Throw them away. We'll take new measurements and make new ones from scratch."
"That will take too long. I'll prepare the best ready-made ones, and the hem can be adjusted quickly."
"Then let's do that for today."
...Huh? What are they talking about?
"I'll call for Ryu-Ryu. You can wait for us, and do everything you can today. Don't spare time or money. Polish her thoroughly."
Mio bowed politely to me, who was completely confused.
"Shall we go, Miss Marie?"
"Y-Yes. Um, where to..."
"Everything you need is prepared here."
"Everything I need? If it's travel luggage, I do have some..."
When I asked, I didn't get an answer. I was pulled out of the room.
Looking back over my shoulder, I saw Cyrus-sama waving his hand dismissively.