Chapter 2 – Know Your Place ①
First, revenge on the stepmother, and stepsister.
“Young Mistress! No…. Your Grace, the Duchess!”
“Hmm,” I said, tilting Lunaria’s head.
I expected her family to be the first to burst in, but it was Kyle, the head butler, who came rushing into her room, breathless and frantic.
Both Lunaria’s memories and “my” memories were clear on this point.
The butler had served the Duke’s family for years and was renowned as the late Duchess’s most trusted confidant.
Not only an exceptional butler, he was also a capable bodyguard, and he had been quietly watching over Lunaria in accordance with her mother’s last wishes.
“That child will surely become Duchess. She will choose for herself. So please, Kyle, watch over her until that day comes. Don’t lend her a hand.”
The former Duchess passed away with dignity, never showing her weakness to anyone.
Some say that her life was a lonely one, but she showed a variety of emotions in front of her daughter, the butler, and the long-serving staff.
However, the father, who was always out playing, didn’t know that side of her mother.
After all, as soon as Lunaria’s mother died, the father moved in with his mistress, and has even welcomed said mistress and her child into the family, indulging them in an incredibly lavish lifestyle.
Since their marriage was political, and he had gone out of his way to marry into the family, he probably thinks there’s no need for restraint.
But playtime is over.
Lunaria’s father was merely the Duke’s representative, so all final decision-making authority rested with her. She was exhausted by her father, who was oblivious to this and continued to indulge in his pleasures.
While handling her duties, attending school, and juggling multiple responsibilities, Lunaria desperately endured, foolishly believing that “one day he will wake up”.
But Lunaria is no longer “Lunaria”.
There’s no need for me to believe in such nonsense.
“Kyle…”
“I have been awaiting this moment, Your Grace.”
“Sorry for the delay.”
“… Of course.”
“How foolish of me—no, of this one, to hesitate. That father, who brought a stepmother into this house the moment Mother died, that devil … I lived to this day believing that he was family…”
“………”
“Enough. I renounce that man as my father. My stepmother, my stepsister, even my brother, who should have stood by me. Ah… and let us not forget His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, my so-called fiancé…?”
As I spoke, the temperature around Lunaria steadily dropped below freezing.
I couldn’t wipe away the cold sweat that’s running down my face. I couldn’t move.
“All those unnecessary things… let’s dispose of them.”
With a sneering smile, I rang the bell to summon my personal servants.
The maid who had fled the room earlier was a newcomer assigned to the stepmother’s care.
The bell I had just rung summoned one of the senior maids who had served Lunaria since her mother’s time.
I heard the patter of footsteps, then three knocks. When I said, “Come in,” the maid rushed over with tearful eyes, followed by the chef and footman in succession.
They had all served since my mother’s generation, not for her father or stepmother, but for the “Duke Solfege household” as long-time servants.
“I have longed for the day this bell would toll… My Lady… no, Your Grace, Duchess Solfege.”
“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“No… no, what are you saying! Lady Lunaria, think of all you have endured! We who have under served the late Duchess have simply been waiting for this day!”
“…… From here on, I shall prepare to depart for the royal palace. However…… oh, what a nuisance—those pesky flies are already buzzing at my door…”
BANG! BANG! The door shuddered under the force of the knocking, and a murderous aura suddenly filled the room.
I raised my arm and snapped my fingers.
Screams were heard, followed by a loud bang.
“Lady Lunaria, what just happened?”
“My stepmother and stepsister, along with their new lackeys, tried to break down my door and invade my room, so I set up a barrier. Now, please dress me in the Duchess’s formal attire. Kyle, send a messenger spirit to His Majesty the King immediately. Let him know that the new Duchess of Solfege has been inaugurated. …and inform him that, as a head of the Four Great Houses, I will pay my respects shortly.”
“At once, Your Grace.”
Kyle bowed respectfully, and the other servants followed his lead.
He summoned a spirit familiar bearing the rose emblem, the Duke of Solfege’s family crest, on its forehead. With a flick of his fingers, the text of the message was sucked into the familiar.
Once everything was absorbed, Kyle took out a magic stone from his pocket, and activated it to cast a “Gate” spell that would lead directly to the royal castle.
A magic circle appeared in the air, and when a gaping black hole opened, the familiar jumped into it without hesitation.
With this, the message will now be delivered immediately to the King at the royal castle.
The Duke of Solfege household does not typically require a large staff.
In fact, one could say that they are an elite group, with each member excelling effortlessly in their duties. Many of the servants were families who had served for generations rather than hired individuals.
They were not merely cooks, maids, or accountants, but polymaths who mastered every aspect of ducal life. Through familial connections, they attracted equally capable individuals.
Never once had the House needed to publicly recruit servants.
Yet, the stepmother gathered only incompetents… people who flattered and groveled to her, saying things like, “Working for the Duke’s family ensures a secure future”.
As a result, the estate’s dignity crumbled into disarray.
But that’s all about to end.
Sparks flew from the door to Lunaria’s room as someone desperately tried to break through the barrier.
What a thing to do!
Wouldn’t that damage the door?
“Before I get changed, let’s do something about the newcomers… they’re being really noisy.”
“You just barged into someone’s house without permission… I hope you don’t think you can get away with it… Come in.”
The barrier was immediately lifted with a snap of my fingers again before I changed clothes.
Then, a group of maids, a new butler, the stepmother, and stepsister rushed in.
“Welcome, stepmother, stepsister, and servants………… you must be aware of who you are picking a fight with, otherwise I would suggest you leave immediately…”
“Shut up! Don’t get carried away! You fake Duchess!!”
What false accusation. Utterly nonsensical.
The servants here were feeling incredibly murderous, but I simply raised my hand and they regained their composure.
Until now, Lunaria had neither refuted nor retaliated.
But that’s all in the past now.
Clenching my fist tightly, golden lightning wrapped around my hand.
“Fake……?…… Hey…Do you know who you’re talking to? Stepmother.”
“Kyaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!”
A shrill scream erupted as I deliberately sent a golden bolt of lightning just inches from her feet.
The stepsister squatted down to support the stepmother, who had collapsed on the spot.
“Sister, how cruel of you! What did Mother do?! You’re always like this!! Acting so superior, like you’re the chosen one!”
“I am superior. Or rather, will you please shut up?”
Another bolt of lightning fired just inches from them. The stepmother and stepsister held each other tightly and trembled violently.
“Don’t look so surprised. Let’s put an end to this game, shall we…?”
With a seductive yet cruel smile, Lunaria looked down at the two of them.
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Sads Translates 