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Chapter 43 Part 8 – We will once again challenge the nightmare ball that has driven mother to the brink of abandonment. Without realizing that Solomon is present there in the dark.

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Aquilegia

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Mother was hyperventilating and trembling like a wounded little bird.
I cursed myself for being so naive.
I finally understood why father’s hair was standing on end and his face was filled with anger when he told me the story of that time. He had personally witnessed mother in this state, being tortured by the mockery of the 「red nobles」. No wonder he was furious.
There was a big difference between seeing and hearing.
Did they all get together and drive mother to this point?
How can they be so cruel ……!!

I should never have shown Countess Rosenthal’s invitation to mother. I was careless.

「…… I’m sorry ……! …… I’m sorry, mother ……!!」

Even when I shook her body, her condition still did not ease.
Mother’s consciousness was not here, but rather had flown to hell.
I was powerless.
I’m just a powerless child who could only cling and whimper.

「…… Young lady, will you leave the rest to me?」

It was Mary who rescued us when we were at a loss.
She came into the living room with a tea set and quickly realized what was happening with a single glance at mother and the room. After quickly instructing the other attendants to make sure no one else came in, she knelt down and gently hugged me and my mother. She didn’t even ask what had happened.

Because Bradd was unable to just watch mother’s hysteria, he had been trying to knock mother out. However, once he saw Mary, he immediately gave up his place to her.

「…… It’s been hard on you. Madam. All those people trampled on your feelings …… You must’ve felt desolate after going through such an outrageous incident ……」

Mary spoke as she stroked mother’s hair to soothe her like she’s her own sister.

「…… My words are not enough to console madam for the suffering you have gone through in the past. But there is a young lady here who loves you with all her heart. It is so frustrating to be tormented by the darkness when the light is right in front of you. …… I know that those people made a laughingstock out of you by pushing you down for the fun of it. So, look at the light. Look at your daughter and call her name. You know how much the Duke loves you. Be proud that you have a treasure that those terrible people don’t have.」

Mary didn’t tell mother to confront her past.
She didn’t tell her to be a worthy mother.
She just hugged mother and told her to look at me, her daughter.

Mary had a sad past of witnessing her beloved son Joshua chewed to death right in front of her eyes.
She must have despaired, cursed her own powerlessness, and been unconvinced by the unreasonableness of fate.
Yet, she stood up and started her life again.
Her words had a mysterious weight that transcended logic.

「…… My daughter ……? …… Scarlet ……」

Mary nodded at mother’s murmur.
Mary’s words had reached mother.
Mother blinked and her eyes came back into focus. Her eyes reflected my crying face.
S-so embarrassing. My nose is all red and my face is a mess of tears and snot.
I feel like I haven’t changed much since I was a baby ……

「…… Scarlet ……? What’s wrong? You’re crying so hard. Did you have a scary dream? Don’t be scared, mother is here with you now……」

She came back to reality, but she still hadn’t recovered from the shock and mother’s consciousness was still hazy. The memory of what had just happened had flown away. Still, when she recognized me, she reached out her hand anxiously and hugged me tightly. Then she subconsciously hummed a lullaby to me.

「…… Mother ……」

It was a melody Mary had taught her, a sad melody from her homeland, the song of the migratory birds of spring. As I listened to that lullaby while being hugged by mother, I nuzzled my face into her chest and wept.

My heart ached for the heartrending tenderness of mother and Mary.
They were both the best mothers, who were able to overcome their grief and love others.
So I put my hands around mother’s back and made a vow.
No matter what I had to do, I would not let these two be unhappy anymore.
For that, I can even become a demon and a devil.

…… After a while, mother had completely regained her senses and said with a pale face but with a firm tone of voice that she would accept Countess Rosenthal’s invitation.

「Scarlet, I know you’re planning to confront that horrid Countess in order to protect me. I am a cowardly person, frightened even by my old wounds, but I don’t want to be a cowardly mother trembling behind her daughter’s back. I don’t want to lose the right to hold hands with my daughter. So …… I will fight too.」

No, mother, you have always protected me.
I will never forget your back when you challenged the demon dog Gallam alone to protect me. If I have such courage, it is undoubtedly inherited from mother.

I was so moved by mother’s willingness to rise above her trauma that I clasped her hand tightly.

「…… Mother!! If we, mother and daughter, work together, there is nothing to fear.」

That’s right. Bring your bows, swords, and guns.
What is so terrifying about Countess Rosenthal and the red nobles?
Mother fought alone against the demon dog Gallam.
Who among them could do such a thing?
Mother showed me many times the courage that you all, those who hide behind the safe armor of power, could never have in your lifetime. Regardless of the fact that she is my mother, she is not someone who should be laughed at by you people.

「…… Well, I’d rather make enemies with a hundred aristocrats, than have the little kid and Mrs. Cornelia as my enemies. Besides, there is also the Duke. I’m sure my father would have the same opinion. I hope you are proud of the fact that 「we」 are on your family’s side. We have received offers from the other four large kingdoms, but we turned down all of them and chose your family.」

Bradd smiled.
His words seemed to have encouraged mother a lot.

「…… To say that we are terrifying, that’s quite the compliment. I wonder if I should be happy about that.」

Mother’s expression brightened and she smiled bashfully.
I lightly glared at Bradd.
You stole my highlight scene ….

He’s got really good timing, or maybe he’s just great at sensing opportunities……
I didn’t notice it in my previous 「108 times」, but I’m pretty sure Bradd is a womanizer. …… He always manages to slip into mother’s tight-guarded bosom. If this guy gets serious, he’d definitely be able to make most girls fall for him ……

There are times when he strangely looks cool, even though he’s an idiot. Jeez ……
But then I thought about it, as long as he’s dressed as a woman, there’s no way any girl would fall for him. Rather, I should be more worried about him being dug up by other guys.
Since I have no choice, I, the future beauty who was proclaimed the Jewel of Hydrangea, will continue to play with him.
If I’m together with him, I’ll never get bored.
I’m so cute and sweet!! You should be thanking me!!

Brad wryly chuckled when he saw me getting cocky.

「…… Oh, Mary. The cute Scarlet wants to wear a frilly dress to the masquerade ball.」

「Oh my, young lady!! You’ve finally awakened to lolita fashion!! Leave it to me!! I’ll put all my skills into it and prepare the best for you!!」

「Wha……!! Bradd, what are you doing ……!!」

Mary’s eyes lit up and before I knew it, she already had a bonnet in her hand.
I screamed at the sight of that frilly bonnet.

Mary would try to get me to wear a 「cute outfit」 whenever she had the chance, but it was a dreadful outfit armed with countless frills, laces, and ribbons.
For me, with my memories of the ruthless queen, it was almost torture to the point of embarrassment and murder.
I feel as if I am being forced to decorate a very spicy rice cracker with the packaging for a sweet and luxurious confectionery.
I love Mary, but I just can’t accept this girlish taste.
I graduated from that kind of thing when I was a baby!!
I’m sure Alisa who looks like a marshmallow in both her mind and appearance and acts cute by playing innocent and helpless would be overjoyed, but it doesn’t suit me and I don’t want to wear it!!

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