How the Useless Me Became the Beloved of the Devilish Duke Knight - Chapter 22
Chapter 22 : Negotiations and declaration
“Well, that—”
“Elma—there’s no way my sister can do that!”
“Carolyn, You’re being impolite! That’s so rude-”
While the father was at a loss for words, Carolyn let out a scream-like cry.
The masked man continued to ignore the girl but appeared to show visible signs of annoyance.
He deepened the tense atmosphere and silently took a step away from Carolyn.
Zeaden desperately tried to think and move his mouth to speak.
“Well… this is an entirely unexpected situation, and I am quite surprised. While it is certainly a generous offer, I can’t imagine that someone with such incompetence—no, with hardly any talent—could possibly take on such an important position in your household.”
“…Is that so? I believe both the person herself and those around her are underestimating her
“I-Is it really that much…? No, but it is still hard to believe. That there is something in that plain girl that could satisfy Your Excellency is very…..”
Zaden broke out into a cold sweat and tried to think cunningly.
To him, Elma had always been just a handy person who followed his orders and took on troublesome tasks.
However, whether this man was misunderstanding something or if he had overlooked it, it seemed Elma had some hidden value.
Maybe it was even more than Carolyn’s. Should he let it go now, or could he raise the price even more if he kept it ?
As Zaden stroked his beard and began to calculate with gleaming eyes, Eugreek, who had been observing the scene, spoke up.
“However, from what I’ve heard about her situation, my request seems to be impossible. After all, before even considering any doubts about her abilities, it looks like she’s too busy to leave her home.”
“—! Yes, that’s right! Um… Our household is a bit frugal, you see. We have entrusted Elma with managing the home, and it would be problematic if she were to be away.”
“I see. It looks like Lord Tarcoza is struggling quite a bit with his daughter’s preparations. By the way, I have a simple question, If the younger sister is making her debut, why isn’t Elma being prepared in the same way?”
It was as if he had jumped at the chance to have a way out, only to have his hand slapped away in a snap. Zeaden’s eyes narrowed for a moment, and then he returned to his sly grin.
“…This is something I’m ashamed to say, but that child did not inherit any talent for magic. In the world of nobility, those who cannot use magic have no value. Therefore, I want her to walk a different path than her sister.”
“…It’s true that such a way of thinking exists in this world. Are you therefore making a distinction between Elma and her younger sister out of concern for Elma?”
“That is exactly right. Your Excellency has a keen insight—”
“In that case, isn’t it all the more necessary for her to get used to being outside the house from now on? Even though she can’t use magic, she is still the daughter of the Tarcosa family, and there’s no way she’ll be taken as a servant until she marries. The younger sister should also understand that she can’t alway rely on her sister forever. Therefore, I believe that taking up the position I’m recommending would be beneficial for Elma.”
The Tarcoza family’s friendly smiles were becoming harder to maintain.
The man with his face covered seemed to be someone who didn’t enjoy socializing.
Given this, it should have been Zeaden’s chance to take charge with his usual silver tongue. Yet, somehow, he wasn’t able to gain control of the conversation.
Though his manner of speaking was quiet and restrained, there was something powerful in his hoarse, deep voice. When Eugreek was speaking, it felt like he shouldn’t be interrupted.
“So, here’s another proposal from me. If Elma works for us, I will help the little sister debut in high society. What do you think?”
“Dad… just turn it down. It’s impossible, isn’t it?”
Carolyn now pokes her father and makes a small, pleading gesture. Meanwhile, Zeaden’s eyes were sharp and fixed with a penetrating, evaluating stare at the man.
“What exactly do you mean by ‘support’ ?”
“I’ll provide the funds and offer help with staffing. I’ll arrange an environment where it won’t be a problem even if Elma isn’t at your house.”
“I see… Then, would it be possible for Your Excellency to become Carolyn’s guardian?”
Carolyn, who had been sulking because her opinion had been ignored, suddenly widened her eyes in surprise, and then a radiant smile bloomed like a large flower bud opening.
“…What do you mean by that?”
After a long silence, Eugreek let out a growling voice.
Zeaden seized the moment and moved closer.
He still couldn’t believe that Elma had such value all of a sudden. He didn’t know how the two had met, but it was probably just a curiosity for the naive young master.
If that’s the case, he wanted to use this as an opportunity to promote Carolyn.
The offer of money and manpower was certainly appealing, but the greedy father wanted to aim even higher.
“I am truly grateful for your kindness, Your Excellency. However, I believe you may not be satisfied with just Elma’s services. You are willing to support Carolyn’s debut in high society, right ? If so, I would love to have her by your side. I promise it will be a fulfilling experience—”
“Zeaden Tarcoza.”
A sudden chill covered his body.
This was because the sweet, whispering voice that came from Eugreek was a stark contrast to the icy coldness from just moments before.
But why can’t he stop his teeth chattering while being spoken so gently ?
Carolyn, with her face completely pale, was holding her mouth as if to stave off nausea.
The nobleman placed his hands on the back of a chair in the reception room and watched the guests quietly.
“What I want is Elma. That’s why I don’t mind supporting your family. What else could you possibly have to complain about?”
In the middle of a midwinter snowfield, amidst a sea of silver-gray, a single, dazzlingly beautiful silver wolf stands frozen.
It bares its fangs and growls. As if saying “Should I tear your throat apart?”.
Zeaden trembled as he witnessed a scene that instinctively reminded him of danger.
What a terrible mistake.
He got carried away and misjudged when to stop.
“N-Nonsense, nothing at all! I have no complaints whatsoever! I will gladly accept your offer. Just as you say…”
“Then it’s settled. Ah, since everything is decided, Elma will be staying here starting today. So that’s how it will be.”
“T-Today? You don’t mean she’s going to be living here, do you?! This has to be a joke!”
“T-This is too sudden. What about the matters at home—?!”
“What’s the problem?”
“But, Your Excellency—”
“Sir, let me ask again. What exactly is the problem for me?”
The man tilted his head in a puzzled manner. It was a gesture that almost seemed innocent.
Finally, Zeaden Tarcosa understood. He had never been given a choice in the first place.
“Georgie, the guests are leaving.”
And so, having completed his business, the cold-hearted man dismissed the father and daughter with an elegance that a makeshift self-proclaimed noble could never hope to match.
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“Papa ! Why didn’t you say anything?”
As soon as she was thrown into the carriage, Carolyn immediately snapped at her father.
Perhaps even the reckless daughter realized midway through that it was not good to go against the master of the mansion.
No, it seemed she had simply been too stunned by the situation to speak up until now.
‘I’ve met people outside of the respectable circles before, but… what was with that unusual coldness? Is that what a real noble….and a real magician—is like?’
Seated heavily, wiping his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief, Zeaden, glared at his daughter with a displeased look in his eyes.
“Carolyn, are you out of your mind? That’s a real noble. If you go against him, we’ll lose our heads. If he’s willing to support your debut in high society, isn’t that already a great result?”
“But… I don’t understand at all. That man didn’t pay any attention to me, so why Elma ?”
“Well…That’s something I don’t understand either. But in any case, it’s not a problem, is it? She was originally intended to be sold to a brothel if necessary, If she’s fetching a better price than expected, that’s a huge success. Besides, do you think that failure can make it in a duke household? She’ll soon realize she doesn’t deserve it, and will surely come back, knowing that there’s nowhere else she can go other than with her family.”
Carolyn frowned and pouted at Zaden’s point.
“Papa, you’re too optimistic. Living in such a mansion, even the most timid big sister might start to feel confident. And… she might even start remembering the past! And then things will never be the same again. Do you understand, Papa?”
“Well, let’s say that she did regain all her memories. What difference does that make? The girl has no backing anyway. It’s true that it’s connected to her mother’s death. You’re worrying too much, Carol. Why don’t you try to make the most of this opportunity?”
With that, Zeaeden ended the conversation, folded his arms, closed his eyes, and fell asleep in the carriage.
Carolyn stared at her father in annoyance then shifted her eyes to the window pane and began to grind her teeth.
“Elma… I’m not going to let you get away with it. You’re making a huge mistake if you think it will end like this.”
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“…Did I go too far?”
“With those kinds of people, you have to make it clear who’s in charge. The young master did very well.”
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Translated by : Cutae30