Chapter 14: The Wall Lizard’s Wrath
Seeing Leticia quickly sit up after her fall, I was relieved.
However, she didn’t move from that spot. ――No, looking closer, her slender body was trembling slightly.
The celebratory mood that had filled the audience chamber was gone, replaced by cold stares directed at the country bumpkin who had tripped at the end of an important ceremony.
It was a ceremony attended only by those with a penchant for spectacle in the first place.
They had only applauded earlier to appease Konrad, the first in line to the throne.
“Oh my, what a disgrace.”
“How unrefined.”
“And this is supposed to be a noble…”
“What was the former head thinking?”
“Such a pathetic display…”
All I could hear now was scornful laughter and contempt.
My blood boiled at their derision directed at my family.
What did these people expect from a sixteen-year-old girl, even if she was a noble?
They were less refined than the guards.
――…This [Event] wasn’t in the game.
This was an ‘accident.’
I walked across the red carpet and stopped a step away from my sister.
“…Get up, Leticia.”
“…Y-Yes.”
Leticia stood up, still trembling slightly.
I took her hand, and the trembling… transmitted to me…
I unconsciously tightened my grip.
“Ow… I-I’m sorry…”
“Be quiet.”
I said curtly.
I loosened my grip slightly and pulled her hand.
I stepped forward, switching places with her.
I stood before His Majesty.
I had intended to hold back.
I had considered acting like an adult.
I had thought I would just let it slide.
…But.
Leticia was trembling.
I couldn’t tolerate her trembling hands.
I wanted to hug her, but that wasn’t me.
I wasn’t that kind of ‘good older sister.’
“――I thank all those in attendance. I am pleased to share this joyous occasion with you, the day my sister is ‘officially’ recognized as a noble by His Majesty.”
I smiled brightly.
Even from a distance, I could see Prince Konrad’s face twitch.
“However, it seems there’s a bit too much noise.”
“…Elder Sister?”
I was probably the only one who heard my sister’s soft murmur.
But everyone heard my voice.
“…’Noise’ that would offend the ears of the first in line to the Vanderwaals title, one of the three ducal families…”
I could see everyone within sight, except His Majesty and the Prime Minister, flinch.
――I was the second highest-ranking person present.
After His Majesty.
The Prime Minister was merely His Majesty’s subordinate, a court official without a title.
Konrad was the First Prince, first in line to the throne, but that was all. His right of succession, his royal bloodline, held no inherent authority.
I was Adelheid von Vanderwaals, the head of the Vanderwaals family.
I held authority over all matters concerning the Vanderwaals.
Leticia, on the other hand, was my half-sister. She was subjected to my sarcasm, treated lightly, and given an attic room.
Even so, she was the first in line to inherit the ducal title.
Insulting her was insulting me—insulting the Vanderwaals family.
I had no interest in flaunting my noble power.
However, my opponents were also nobles.
To a noble, honor was like a knight’s armor.
And to those who would carelessly and thoughtlessly tarnish it…
…there was no need for restraint.
A few of the more perceptive nobles, realizing the situation, lowered their gazes.
Averting one’s eyes was a sign of defeat, both in the “back alley” and in the royal court.
“To a mere girl who isn’t even a noble…”
One of them muttered.
It was loud enough to be heard, but the content suggested he didn’t want to be identified.
He dared to underestimate the Vanderwaals’ sharp hearing.
I fixed my gaze on the portly nobleman, and he clearly flinched.
“…My sister has already been recognized as the heir, and today is merely a formal ceremony of recognition, is it not? Besides, the ceremony is already over. It’s strange to hear such remarks from someone attending the ceremony, who seems to be unaware of the facts.”
A few more lowered their gazes.
“No, that’s not what I…”
“Then what is it, ‘Baron’?”
I pressed on with a smile.
He was a baron, the lowest rank of nobility: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Baron…
A noble’s power was determined by their title.
Of course, it also depended on the size of their territory, their wealth, and their connections.
But in all of those aspects, no one present could rival the Vanderwaals.
He turned pale and lowered his head, but it was too late.
The right to control this situation belonged to me, the higher-ranking noble, not him.
The speechless baron was pulled back, and a woman in a yellow dress stepped forward.
If I remembered correctly, she was his wife.
“…My husband has been rude. …Please forgive his transgression with your generous heart…”
I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
…This was a good place to stop.
I had a slight urge to utterly ruin him, but that would probably be… ‘too much.’
His wife seemed relatively sensible, and if I rejected her plea for forgiveness, I would have to see things through to the end.
I didn’t intend to lose… but I had nothing to gain except a bad reputation.
And the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals” already had a sufficient bad reputation.
“Everyone. Please raise your heads.”
As instructed, everyone slowly raised their heads and focused their attention on me.
“My sister has her shortcomings. However, as the head of the family, I will take responsibility for her education—”
I paused.
“Is that understood?”
I looked around at the assembled nobles, my unspoken message clear: “Speak out of turn, and I will crush you.” I put all of Ciel’s teachings into my gaze. I decided to trust in the power of my glare once more.
Everyone I looked at immediately lowered their gaze.
In other words, everyone except His Majesty, the Prime Minister, and the Prince.
…It was still effective.
I did have an intimidating glare.
Why did Leticia smile when I glared at her…?
“Now then, Your Majesty. We will take our leave.”
I curtsied to the King on the throne.
His Majesty nodded graciously and waved his hand, granting us permission to leave.
I lightly nudged Leticia’s shoulder, and we began to walk side by side.
“Ah, um…”
“For now, hold your head high and look forward.”
I spoke to my sister without turning to face her.
“That is what it means to be a noble.”
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