By Zephyria 
What should I do with this? Should I jump in and add fuel to the fire? Or not?
After listening to my father’s panting for a moment, I put down my fork with a clatter. After all, no one was really having a proper meal.
“…I’m sorry, Father. I should have handled it more wisely.”
“What are you talking about? What did you do wrong!”
“My greed was excessive… I should have given up everything and left when Allen came back. Everything, everything is because of me…”
I muttered gloomily, adding that kind-hearted people who felt sorry for my situation had suggested that I move my domicile, so I could give everything up and leave the family even now.
“Marion, you really!”
Flames sparked in my father’s eyes again. It seemed he was reminded of how my mother had subtly shown a sharp attitude towards me.
“How much did you drive him, that even such words came out of that gentle fellow’s mouth!”
The Countess, who had regained her composure only after Carlisle had expressed his favor towards Allen, couldn’t ignore her actions and fell silent with an awkward expression.
“D-Don’t fight. I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I guess I should leave…”
“What are you talking about, Noah! No matter what anyone says, you are the son of this William.”
It was a truly touching denial. If you had shown me this denial in the past Iterations, when I had the title of Dominant Omega but couldn’t bring a proper marriage partner, my feelings now would have been quite different.
“No one other than me can be your father!”
To be exact, you mean the father of the one who will become the Empress in the future, right? The desire to be sarcastic welled up, but I skillfully suppressed the impulse.
“I see. First, I need to replace the loose-tongued servants. The appropriate disposition for your mother is next.”
“…Father.”
“Why, are you going to stop even this?”
“Rather than stopping you… it won’t be of much use even if you replace them. You know that, don’t you?”
I covered my mouth appropriately so that only my father could see, and silently mouthed, Crown Prince.
“Does he already know everything, this outrageous situation?”
“Hmm… Well, as Father knows, the place that publishes that newspaper itself…”
“Ugh, how am I supposed to handle this disgrace…”
My father covered his head with both hands as if he had a headache, only groaning. This morning newspaper, which deals with all kinds of gossip, from unfounded rumors to fairly reliable news, was read every morning by all the nobles in the capital who were well-informed. Compared to the policy gazette officially published by the Imperial Palace every ten days, the reliability and quality were quite low, but no one distinguished between them.
Those who were quick-witted had already realized long ago that the publisher of the morning newspaper, which was not exposed to the public, was a small newspaper company located very close to the Crown Prince’s palace, with an ambiguous owner and system that had suddenly appeared only a few years ago. The Crown Prince also did not try to hide the fact since he had secured a clear advantage over Duke Grachio.
Thanks to that, I blew my nose without any effort. I just wanted to spread some bad rumors among the servants of the noble family through Nicole, but the Crown Prince, who had better ears than me in grasping the news inside the mansion, struck first. Of course, I also spread the rumors quite actively, but if I had been alone, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve such quick and certain results.
Judging by the looks of it, the Crown Prince’s perception of Allen was also steadily worsening. In many ways, it was comfortable and good to sit still and reap the benefits. Ah, I wish the Countess would give me one more sure thing. Even if it’s a little childish, if I get slapped by the Countess in front of everyone because of Allen… Tsk, now that it’s come to this, it’s hard to expect any more activity from her.
“Marion, and Allen.”
“Yes.”
“…Yes, Father.”
“Both of you should refrain from doing anything for the time being. Focus on preparing for the trip without any setbacks. Now that things have come to this, the only way to prove that the contents of the article are all lies is to show a more harmonious appearance to the outside world.”
The eyes that glared at Allen and the Countess, lumping them together, were quite sharp.
“Um…”
Everyone was only gauging my father’s mood, not even daring to raise their voices. Frederick was still the most clueless of the Hamilton family.
“Then what about the birthday party preparations? Should we stop that too…”
“Frederick!”
My mother exclaimed in surprise, but what could be done about the words that had already been spoken? My father’s cheeks, which had barely calmed down, trembled again with anger. This was because the article also contained a sarcastic remark that they were great nobles who even deprived the adopted son of his birthday, which they had been diligently taking care of until now. According to the article, among those who knew a little about the rumors of noble society these days, there was no one who thought well of the biological son who was driving the ‘adopted son’ into a pariah.
“Let’s talk about that again after we come back from Bartolo.”
My father answered, trembling as if not shouting immediately was all the patience he had. Really stupid and clueless Frederick. I quite liked you, but you’re a hopeless idiot.
There were times when I felt like I had nothing to fear in the world if that foolish courage, which couldn’t see the forest for the trees and just rushed forward, supported me from behind.
“…Yes, I understand.”
But now it’s an old story that’s been over for a long time.
After a satisfyingly gloating breakfast, I strolled through the garden and happened to see Carlisle visiting Allen.
Was it a coincidence? Lately, Carlisle had been visiting Allen every day, and I was the one who deliberately loitered around, knowing that the two of them had predictable movements.
“Allen. Why do you look so gloomy? Is something bothering you?”
“…Carlisle.”
Allen lowered his head silently with a sullen expression. Carlisle fidgeted and awkwardly stroked his back. Why? It’s not like he’s the only one left to stroke my back now… Not the overly skilled and arrogant Crown Prince’s touch, nor Andrew’s touch, who loves me too much but looks down on my inferior background to the end. I coveted that clumsy and awkward touch, filled only with pure concern and consideration. So much.
“Did you see the newspaper this morning?”
“…Are you talking about the story about Duke Noah and the Countess?”
“Tch, I know there was a lot more about me.”
Allen said as if complaining. It wasn’t a lie. It’s just that my father couldn’t bring himself to scold Allen, so the Countess took the blame all at once, but as the article went on, it described the biological son who was driving the ‘adopted son’ into a pariah as utterly shameless. According to the article, among those who knew a little about the rumors of noble society these days, there was no one who thought well of that biological son.
Allen’s own image was also a factor, but in my estimation, it was because Carlisle, who was now sticking right next to Allen and comforting him, was fueling everyone’s jealousy even more.
Those who had failed to get in line with the Crown Prince early on were trying to make a connection with the Grand Duchy of Graham somehow, but the only direct descendant of Graham in the capital was only chasing after Allen.
People are inherently cruel to those who have what they don’t have, so the level of criticism against Allen was slowly crossing the line.
“Is that all you’re worried about?”
“All? What did you say, all?”
“Of course. With me here, what do you have to worry about?”
“Carlisle.”
“Don’t pay attention to the trivial words of the masses. If you get tired of hearing them, you can just go to the north with me. If you’re worried about your other family members, I’ll just take the Count and Countess with me. If I become the Grand Duke, it’s not difficult to give them a new title in the north.”
Carlisle continued to speak very calmly, as if he were spitting out the truth. If I were held in those strong arms, I would just feel at peace.
“……”
I hid not far from the picturesque bench where they were sitting side by side and eavesdropped on Carlisle’s thoughtful heart, which was still directed at Allen. I clearly didn’t choose Carlisle. I decided to protect the other Love interest rather than break his brainwashing…
“So will you smile brightly now?”
“……”
“A happy face with a bright smile suits you best.”
Strangely, I felt very miserable. My heart was churning so much that it was hard to stay in place any longer.