The next day, Tobias Alway came to visit Jared.
Tobias, who appeared with gifts as a sign of politeness, knelt before Jared and Yeny and bowed deeply.
“Lord Jared Murphy, Lady Yeny Daum, I am so sorry for the delay in my greetings. I am truly grateful that you not only saved me from being dragged into the wicked deeds my mother Cornelia committed against Lady Hannelore and my older sister, but also helped them and ultimately stopped my mother’s actions.”
He spoke words of gratitude and apology.
Olivier had repeatedly told him to just offer his greetings without an apology, but Tobias couldn’t rest until he expressed his remorse.
Olivier had expected him to apologize, but she hadn’t anticipated him kneeling. It was clear that the incident with his mother had deeply affected Tobias.
Jared and Yeny were flustered. They almost convinced themselves it was a dream, seeing the eldest son of a ducal family kneeling and bowing before them, but they quickly regained their senses and tried to help him up, but he wouldn’t budge.
Olivier, seeing their struggle, said, “Jared and the others are having trouble,” which finally prompted Tobias to straighten up.
Jared and Yeny breathed a sigh of relief. The actions of the eldest son of a ducal family were quite taxing on the nerves of people from a baronial family.
Tobias then turned his attention to Hannelore, who had been observing the situation.
“I sincerely thank you for accepting Emilia.”
Though he didn’t kneel this time, he still bowed his head deeply. Hannelore offered a smile, but she looked troubled.
“Tobias… don’t trouble Mother too. Please stand up.”
“Yes, Older Sister. Everyone, I apologize again. I wanted to make amends, so I offered my apology. I’m sorry for making you indulge my personal satisfaction.”
Having done what he felt he needed to do, Tobias straightened up again after being admonished by his sister.
Once everyone had finally let out a breath of relief and sat back down, Hannelore spoke.
“Please leave Emilia in my care. I have decided to love her as my own daughter, which means living together is natural. It may be less convenient than the main residence, but I assure you it will be a comfortable place to live.”
“Thank you very much.”
Tobias was truly grateful to Hannelore.
The scandal caused by his mother had created a harsh atmosphere for Tobias and Emilia. While some of that was directed at them by other consorts and his siblings, the news of his mother’s severe punishment spread quickly through other households, leading to many friends and acquaintances distancing themselves.
Fortunately, Tobias’s fiancée and her family did not abandon him. Instead, it was decided that Tobias would eventually join his fiancée’s family as a husband.
Emilia, too, faced a strong backlash. In Tobias’s case, being the eldest son and having a generally good and blameless character so far had helped him. However, unlike her brother, his sister had sided with their mother. While not fully involved in everything, she had been punished by being confined to her room with a guard and still allowed to attend the academy, but her guilt had not vanished.
Many within the household harbored ill feelings towards Cornelia, and all those who had supported her had been fired and expelled from the ducal family. As a result, Emilia had no allies. Many people who admired Hannelore remained, and consequently, Emilia was viewed coldly not only by her family but also by the household staff.
The only reason she hadn’t suffered direct abuse was because Hannelore had declared she would welcome Emilia as her daughter.
The household members who admired Hannelore could not simply dismiss Emilia based on that. While it was difficult to change their attitudes, they stopped actively harming her. At the same time, the other consorts were also unable to do anything to Emilia.
If they were to harm Emilia after Cornelia’s disappearance, Hannelore would not stand idly by. If Hannelore acted, Olivier would, and Jared, who was destined to become a Court Mage, would also move.
They would undoubtedly suffer the same fate as Cornelia. The consorts feared this. Therefore, while they might utter hurtful words and cast contemptuous glances, they would not directly harm her.
Both Emilia and, of course, Tobias were now protected by Hannelore.
“Tobias.”
“Yes.”
“I have watched you grow since the day you were born. So, I think of you as my son, just like Emilia. From now on, please think of me as another mother.”
Hannelore’s thoughtfulness, not telling him to forget Cornelia but rather offering herself as a second mother, almost brought tears to his eyes.
“Thank you, truly, thank you!”
Learning anew that Hannelore had accepted them, him and his sister, Tobias was filled with heartfelt gratitude.
As Tobias held back his tears, and no one pretended not to notice, a knock was heard at the door.
“Trane. I’ve brought tea.”
“Thank you.”
Olivier stood up and opened the door to the reception room, and Trane Glasner, dressed in her maid’s uniform with her long, pale blue hair tied in a ponytail, entered with the tea service.
She had anticipated the reason for Tobias’s visit and had excused herself earlier. Beside her stood Konrad Alway, the youngest son of the Alway Ducal Family. He had also excused himself, realizing his brother was there to apologize.
Konrad had already exchanged greetings with him, but Tobias didn’t know the reason for his visit with Konrad to the mansion.
“That’s right, I heard by letter that you also had something you wished to discuss, Lord Konrad.”
After letting Trane handle the serving, Jared seated Konrad and asked.
“Yes! I have something I’d like to consult you about, Jared Older Brother.”
“Consult?”
“Well, actually—”
Konrad began to fidget, and his youthful appearance, which still held a hint of childishness, only made him more endearing. Anyone with peculiar tastes might have lost their composure.
As Jared braced himself, wondering what kind of consultation it could be, Konrad, having made up his mind, stated clearly.
“I’ve fallen in love!”
“—Eh?”
