ushernet Chapter 8
Chapter 8
The Countess opened and closed her mouth several times before barely managing to feign ignorance.
“W-What do you mean by that...?”
“Mother!”
At that moment, Rose burst into the drawing room, having been sent off with the Valkyrisen heir.
“Mother! The young lord has disappeared! He was right next to us, and now he’s gone!”
The Count and Countess were struck speechless at their daughter’s complete lack of manners.
“...”
“...”
“How refined,” the Duke murmured, still idly tapping the armrest of his chair.
The Countess flushed red with embarrassment, her eyes twitching.
“What are you saying? Disappeared? Don’t tell me you two got distracted playing and neglected our guest?”
“No! We just turned away for a second, and he was gone! Daisy and I have been searching everywhere, but he’s nowhere to be found!” Rose’s voice rose in frustration, her face red.
Daisy, who had cautiously approached her mother’s side, hesitated before adding, “He kept looking into a transparent glass orb, as if searching for something.”
“What?”
They had sent him off with Rose and Daisy under the pretense of a tour, hoping to build a connection with him.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—she had told her daughters over and over to leave an impression while they were still young.
The young heir had followed along without resistance, so she had hoped he might have some interest in them.
But now...
Could it be that his goal from the very beginning had been—
“I’m right here.”
The voice came from the doorway.
Edmund had returned.
But he was not alone.
He held onto the sleeve of Seraphina.
And in Seraphina’s arms—
Elodie.
The Harvest Mouse Beastfolk they had ordered to be killed was very much alive.
And the girl they had ordered to be locked away had walked in of her own accord.
Even without further explanation, it was clear: their plan had completely and utterly fallen apart.
But what stunned them the most was—
“You’re late,” Duke Valkyrisen remarked, snapping his pocket watch shut.
Late.
Meaning he had been waiting.
The Count suddenly recalled the old man’s frequent glances at his watch.
This was no impulsive act from the young lord.
It was planned from the very beginning!
He had been deceived.
A cold sweat ran down the Count’s nape.
The Valkyrisen side had never intended to listen to anything they had to say.
Whether they had wanted to hide or kill the beastfolk, it had never mattered. The young heir had been sent to verify things himself.
And he...
He had let his ignorant daughters escort him freely throughout the estate!
Damn it.
How much does he know?
Could he have figured out... everything?
The Count’s trembling gaze locked onto Edmund.
Even if time passed, nothing would change.
Her age would increase, but her situation would remain the same.
So she refused.
Even if she was powerless, she refused to let go of the tiny hands she was holding.
This was the child who had told her she deserved to be happy.
Who had told her she could be.
How could she not be moved by that?
It struck her then—
This was the price of her neglect.
If she continued like this, she would never be able to protect anything.
She would always live like this.
If she let this moment pass, she would live her entire life surrendering.
So she could not back down.
She had already rebelled once—to save Elodie.
The second time was easier.
“I am Seraphina Bluewood. The youngest and only direct descendant of the Bluewood family.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“As your daughter, I have seen your plans firsthand and can testify against you at any time.”
The Count scoffed, trying to gauge the reactions around him.
“Hah! Are you serious? You’re impersonating my daughter in front of me?”
He looked around, searching for support.
“Young lady? Look at yourself! What kind of noblewoman walks around in such rags?”
He sneered at her tattered maid uniform.
Seraphina clenched her chapped hands into fists.
But she couldn’t hide the flicker of doubt in her eyes.
I have no way to prove it.
She wasn’t even listed in the family records.
“My only daughters are Rose and Daisy!”
If even her own father refused to acknowledge her, then who would?
She had nothing to back up her claim but her own words.
As despair overtook her, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Then—
“Your testimony has been heard.”
Edmund stepped forward, shielding both Seraphina and Elodie.
“Young master?”
“Step aside.”
“I understand that child played a role in finding the young lady, but she is just a mere maid. Why would you personally—”
“Hah.”
Edmund cut him off with a cold chuckle.
“Even beasts value their young, yet you—fortunate enough to be born with a human face—act like this?”
His fingers twitched toward his sword.
“If you do not step aside, I will draw my blade.”
“Wait, young master! I can explain everything if you just—”
“Why are you warning them?”
A voice cut through the air, sharp and utterly indifferent.
Duke Valkyrisen finally spoke.
“I told you not to waste time on those who have none.”