The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady.

Chapter 56 The True Feelings of Julia

While Liana listened in awe to Julia’s story, as soon as she finished, a faint smile appeared on her face.

“At first glance, you seem quiet and naive, but in reality, you’ve become an adult who can calmly assess and judge situations. You’ve grown splendidly, Julia. That aspect of you is just like Lady Margaret.”

“So, have you already gathered the evidence?” Liana asked, directing her gaze at Hardis. He nodded vigorously.

Julia beamed and turned towards Romand, embracing him. Romand wrapped one hand around Julia’s slender waist and, with the other, gently stroked her hair while addressing Hadis.

“Earlier, Lady Cindy and the others were taken away by the royal guards. Did you arrest them?”

“Not officially arrested yet, but I thought it’d be better to separate them from Butler Virgil Hunt. We wouldn’t want them coordinating their stories. Also, we’re planning to apprehend all other servants tomorrow on charges of assault and property damage, so it’s better to reduce the numbers. It’s a bit embarrassing as the head of the house, though.”

“Don’t say such things anymore, Father. Since Grandfather is the actual person in charge of the mansion, you shouldn’t feel responsible for everything, should you?”

Upon his daughter’s comforting words, Hardis smiled somewhat sadly. Jade then patted his friend’s shoulders while saying, “Don’t say things like that anymore, old man.”

“Things are about to get noisy in the castle. If you’re feeling down, you won’t be able to take command. Show some spirit, Commander!”

At those words, everyone present nodded vigorously.

They all knew how much Hardis longed to see his daughter. However, his busy schedule hardly allowed him time for family matters. Despite their complaints, they ultimately united, sharing a common goal.

Observing them coming together despite their differences, Liana let out a sigh. In a muttering tone, she added, “Even Lord Jade was involved in the investigation. I really feel left out. It’s truly infuriating.”

So, as Liana realized, with the cooperation of the Baron Plant family, various influential figures in the country, the ‘Green Spirit Users,’ the royal guards, and personnel from different offices, information had finally been gathered (apparently…).

The reason for such an extensive operation was not only the abuse of the count’s daughter but also the takeover of the prestigious Woodcliff earldom, theft committed by the adopted son against his biological sister, and suspicions of embezzlement…

Moreover, there were suspicions surrounding the dealings with questionable foreigners that had drawn the suspicious eyes of the ladies.

Previously, Julia and Ruffie witnessed Butler Virgil Hunt, near their home, secretly conversing with a man believed to be an assassin from the western country. They reported it through Romand, and it turned out to be valuable information.

The shadow figures from the country, who had been watching over the Woodcliff earldom, noticed the mysterious figure in the gray hood but never thought he was not only from the western country but also an assassin. Due to his elusive nature and exceptionally agile movements, they couldn’t tail him.

Just as they were considering using force to capture him, information from Ruffie provided a breakthrough.

“Assassin… a killer.

They are likely individuals from a clandestine group with higher lethality or even special abilities than operatives from a nation’s dark operations. They seem to be independent entities not affiliated with any particular country.

Approaching them is not an easy task. On the contrary, there is a high risk of us being captured and having our information stolen.

It seems everyone agreed to proceed cautiously.

Finally, the results of the investigation were compiled the other day.”

However, the outcome left Count Woodcliff, who serves as the Minister of Defense, in distress.

Having worked tirelessly without considering his family, he now realized that his own household had become a source of evil…

“Father, if you believe you are the root of all evils, that’s not true.

Those who placed the entire burden on you are at fault— the royal family, the administrative bodies of the country, the nobles, and even us citizens who enjoyed peace without knowing anything.

Besides, if you were aware of how busy you were, you should have paid more attention to our home.

You only introduced the so-called ‘dark operations’ after I arrived, right? It was already too late.

And actually, the only one who protected me was Mr. Ruffie. The country didn’t do anything for me. No, if they had tried to protect me directly, I would have caught the eye of the Crown Prince, and by now, I would have been turned into nothing more than the Crown Prince’s fiancée in name.

If that had happened, the kind and wonderful Lady Everlotte wouldn’t have become the Crown Princess.

If that had happened, it would have been a significant loss for the Greenwood Kingdom.

Just imagining what would have happened if Lord Romand hadn’t been quietly protecting me sends shivers down my spine.”

Criticism of the royal family and the country echoed within the royal castle.

The expressions of Marquis Rudolf and Lady Rudolf, as well as Robert, turned pale, but not only the speaker herself but also Romand and Ruffie remained composed—or rather, they nodded in agreement.

Hadis, on the other hand, simply stared at his daughter in amazement, having just heard her words.

“It’s all right, Marquis and Lady.

This room is protected by a shielding spell, so our conversation will absolutely not leak outside.”

With Romand’s words, the three finally showed a relieved expression. Then, Liana smiled wryly.

“Julia, you’re unexpectedly sharp-tongued despite your appearance. Quite surprising. I wonder who you take after. And earlier, you criticized Mr. Hardis so strongly, but now you’re defending him. I don’t know how to judge this.”

“Sharp-tongued? I just spoke the truth. And as I mentioned earlier, the words I directed at Father were not resentment, but simply sharing honestly what I have felt and thought so far. I just wanted him to know about me—what kind of person I am and what I’ve been through. I don’t want Father to worry about me on his own from now on.”

To Julia’s words, Romand, Ruffie, and Robert nodded in understanding.

However, Marquis Rudolf and Lady Rudolf, being pure aristocrats, were honestly taken aback by Julia pouring out her true feelings in front of others, even though they were close acquaintances.

“I consider everyone here as my real family. That’s why I wanted you to know me. But I suppose nobles, no matter if they are family or close friends, should not reveal their true feelings. As you all know, I am an imitation noble lady, and at the core, I am still a commoner. I had a private tutor, received strict ladylike education and culture, but even though I can polish the surface, the criteria for thinking about things are fundamentally different from those of nobles.”

Even though they had close interactions in their early years, the days since their separation were longer, and their environments were drastically different. It was only natural for their ways of thinking and feeling to be different.

That’s why Julia, aware that her father was listening, explained herself carefully to the Marquis and his wife, as if advising them.

“That’s true. I forgot the fundamental principle that everyone has their own way of thinking and feeling, regardless of nobility or common status. I’m sorry.

It’s because of trying to impose my way of thinking like this that teenage tend to resent their mothers. I’ve been reminded of that just now.”

When Liana chuckled and muttered this, Robert kindly consoled her.

“It can’t be helped. Teenage in their rebellious phase find their mothers annoying, no matter how wise a mother might be.”