How the Useless Me Became the Beloved of the Devilish Duke Knight - Chapter 13
Chapter 13 : Hope and Despair
“What is it, failure ?”
In the end, Elma initiated the conversation after dinner. While the sun was up, she was busy preparing for Carolyn’s debut in society.
When your stomach is full, you can think faster. Elma guessed that the best time to talk would be after dinner.
In the morning or during the day, there’s a high chance of being interrupted when trying to bring up something. The other day, her main goal was to get Lathy, but today, Elma’s main goal was to get her father to listen to her.
After dinner, while they relax and have a rest before getting ready for bed, the two of them always tell a difficult task and watch her struggle with amusement. In other words, wouldn’t that mean they had free time during that time?
Today was the day to check on the progress of the ordered dress, and both my father and Carolyn were quite satisfied. There were no comments on the meal too, which had been arranged with more care than usual.
Elma, who had been observing the situation all day, decided to speak out now. She brought a basket quietly and removed the cover.
“I couldn’t get it by yesterday, but… I’ve brought the Lathies.”
The large amount of high-grade fruit shone like jewels in the light of the indoor lights. Her father’s mouth dropped open.
Nervously swallowing saliva, Elma hesitantly started to speak.
“So, um… the person who gave me this—”
“….What is…that?”
“….Huh?”
Her father stood there, mouth agape. At first she thought he was the one who’s making the strange noise.
But no, it wasn’t him. Confused, Elma let her gaze wander and found her sister, whose face was completely white.
It was a low, earth-shaking voice that was different from her usual sweet, ringing voice, so for a moment Elma couldn’t tell who was speaking.
“Carolyn…Sama…?”
“Give it to me.”
“Um…”
“Bring it over here. Hurry.”
Carolyn extended her arm, demanding the basket that Elma was holding.
Originally this is what she wanted and that is why Elma has been looking for it. It’s only right for her to receive it. It should be right, but—
‘But …… is not supposed to be like this.’
It’s only been a day since yesterday. Even Elma no longer expects the two of them to praise her. This is the beginning of the conversation. The most important thing today is about Elma’s first friend.
But there seems to be an unexpected obstacle. For some reason, Carolyn seems to get angry just by looking at the Lathy. Elma didn’t understand why she was this angry.
‘She’s not like the usual Carolyn-sama.’
She had a very bad feeling. Carolyn stares at her coldly. Just a moment ago, she was smiling like she was slumbering, but now she has a cruel face.
“I couldn’t hear you. If you keep dragging on like this, I’m going to blow your ears off!”
As Elma stiffened her body, the wind flew in with a whoosh.
The nearby furniture was cleanly cut through.
When she glanced over her shoulder and tightened her grip, Elma caught a brief glimpse of her father, who also had horrifying eyes. He remained still, silently observing the situation without making a move.
There is nothing Elma can do if magic is used on her. Carolyn snatches the basket that was fearfully held out to her and stares at it.
‘…Did she think I prepared a fake? That’s why…’
In front of Elma, who prayed that she would realize that it was unmistakably real. The angel smiled?an innocent, cruel, evil smile.
There was a sound. A loud noise. The basket is overturned. The Lathies that had been arranged carefully scattered, fell, and landed on the ground.
“…Ah,”
Elma tried to reach out. Trying to save even a single one.
However, countless blades of wind cut through the scattered fruits. Destroy it completely. Shattering Elma’s first received kindness.
“….”
It seems that when people are truly shocked, they lose their ability to speak.
Could it be the remains of the disassembled basket that were falling down on the drenched floor?
“I mean, it was different from what I expected.”
Elma, kneeling with her hands on the ground in a daze, a sweet and lovely voice came to her.
“I heard that all noble and beautiful women eat Lathy. So I thought I should try it too. But what is that strange taste? It doesn’t suit my taste. I don’t like it. I don’t need it anymore.”
“But… yesterday, you said you wanted to eat more—”
“Yesterday was yesterday. Today is today. Don’t you even understand that? Big sister, you’re really stupid.”
Carolyn, who seemed to be in a better mood, smiled gracefully. Then she took a quick step forward and stomped on Elma’s hand.
“Ouch—!”
“Hey. What do you think you’re doing? Are you treating me like a fool?”
“Why would you…”
“Even I know that Lathy is a luxury item that is out of season. So why—why you! Bringing it twice!! You are useless, good-for-nothing, and incompetent!!!”
There was a whistling sound, the wind rushing wildly. Elma’s eyes widened.
‘What… What is this child saying…?’
Unable to move, Carolyn squatted down, grabbed Elma’s collar, and brought her face close.
“I’m the number one in this house. You’re just a supporting character. Don’t get the wrong idea just because you happen to be lucky.”
After finishing saying everything she wanted to, she pushed Elma away as if she was done with her and left with heavy footsteps.
Even so, Elma still couldn’t stand up. With the Lathies all messed up before her, no strength or thoughts came to her.
—And someone walked over with heavy steps, wrapping their arms around Elma’s shoulders. The smell of alcohol made her entire body shudder.
“You. Did you receive this from the same person as yesterday?”
It was a soothing voice that Elma had never heard before, a voice as gentle as stroking a cat. As she hesitated, holding her breath, her father continued to gently stroke her arm.
“A man, huh? Good. It’s quite impressive for you. What did you say about the guy who gave you this earlier? I’d like to talk to him. How about inviting him to our house next time—”
Elma doesn’t remember anything beyond that. Before she knew it, she was cleaning up by herself.
Silently, she throws away the trash she gathered with a broom and dustpan, and uses a rag to wipe down the floor and the furniture with the juices splattered on it. Once all traces of it were gone, Elma washed her hands and returned to her room.
It wasn’t until she got back down the stairs that she remembered to cry.
The thing she had wanted the most might have been fulfilled. It’s probably better than being told not to meet anymore. But it wasn’t supposed to be like this. She didn’t wish for it to turn out this way.
Clutching her chest, Elma felt the ring she had received touch her hand. Holding onto it tightly, she suppressed a sob. In the distance, the sound of rain echoed.
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Translated by : Cutae30