Chapter 29
Youngest Lady in Contract
Chapter 29
Elisabeth sat well before the baroness, waiting for her next test.
Baroness Terran called Elisabeth from the day after she came to the Daughtry mansion. It was early in the morning. So Victoire, who was unable to receive Elisabethâs morning greetings, protested to his sister, but to no avail.
âChildren should get up early and learn patience by studying.â
The teacher in charge said no matter what, even the father had nothing to say. Even though he knows itâs all to be mean to Elisabeth.
âThanks to that, my eyes are swollen now, but Iâm glad they ended up swollen.â
I lived for eighteen years in my previous life and received all kinds of abuse, so I didnât care about this much.
âBut Baroness Terranâs being mean enough for a child to endure, right? When I was five years old, I was punished to stand outside the door and stayed up all night in the Cabezo duchy.â
Baroness Terran was a person with common sense for Elisabeth, who had been through all sorts of hardships.
âI heard you were a princess. You must have learned well from the money you earned from other peopleâs blood and tears, so you can read this much, right?â
Of course, it still stings my heart to hear such a harsh remark.
Baroness Terran presented a thick book. When Elisabeth received it, it was so heavy that her arms fell down.
âIâve never been a princess, but I did my best in writing. I will read it.â
Elisabeth opened up a book she didnât even know what it was and began to read.
ââ
After reading a few lines, I could see what this book was about.
âThere was no book like this in the study.â
This seemed to be a privately owned book by Baroness Terran.
Elisabeth did not panic and read the book as a child who did not know what it was about.
âStop.â
When Elisabeth was reading a book in a naive way, Baroness Terran stopped her.
âDid I make a mistake?â
âNo. You read it well without a single mistake. You have a talent for reading.â
Baroness Terran said expressionlessly.
âIs that a compliment?â
Elisabethâs head tilted.
âThen read this.â
It was the Imperial Law that Baroness Terran presented.
âYou give all the books to a 12-year-old. This is definitely bullying.â
Still, I thought it was a relief that she didnât hit me with a book.
This time, Elisabeth played an unknown game. The page marked by Baroness Terran unfolded.
ââ
âThatâs all you had to read.â
Baroness Terran took the law book back.
âItâs a difficult book, but you read it well.â
âI studied hard.â
âSo thereâs nothing more I can teach you?â
âOh, thatâs⦠â
Baroness Terran stared at Elisabeth as if she wanted to speak.
âIâve been working hard because Iâm not good enough. I have to work hard to make up for my lack. Iâd appreciate it if you could teach me a great lesson.â
The look of Baroness Terran at Elisabeth changed strangely. Her hardened cheeks had softened, but she had a dim face that was neither bright nor dark.
âYouâre a good speaker, whoever you look like.â
âThank you!â
Baroness Terran looked dumbfounded at Elisabeth, who greeted her with sincere joy.
âThis is a task.â
It was a book translated into foreign languages that Baron Terranâs wife presented.
âThis is ridiculous!â
The test so far was not even a test.
Before her return, she read the law book several times, but now Elisabeth was twelve years old anyway. It would just be as amazing, but itâs a foreign language book.
âYou know a simple foreign language, right? Memorize it by tomorrow.â
ââ¦..â
âThis is absolutely ridiculous!â
Elisabeth wanted to scream. Even if it was given to the eighteen-year-old Emilie, it was a task that was enough to run away.
âBut Iâm not Emilie right now. Iâm Elisabeth, who is being tested by Baroness Terran.â
Elisabeth smiled naively and held the foreign language book tightly in her arms.
âI understand, Baroness. Iâll be back in the baronessâ room at the same time tomorrow.â
âYou can come later if you are tired.â
âNo, I canât keep the baroness waiting.â
If we say Iâll be late, Iâll be nitpicked again.
She was used to that kind of test. The Duke of Cabezo had to make countless tests on young Emilie to take.
Elisabeth, carrying a heavy law book, left the room of Baroness Terran.
The next morning.
Baroness Terran awoke before the sun could even reach her head. She hasnât slept well since she was a child. It was because she lived a life of fear and being chased all the time.
She could hardly sleep well even after living a peaceful life with Baron Terran, who cared for and protected her.
People thought Baroness Terran was diligent, but the truth was the opposite. She used to stay up late at night.
Baroness Terran, who had already been in order and drinking tea before dawn, was startled by the employeeâs words that appeared after opening the door.
âElisabeth is already waiting in the drawing room?â
It was still 30 minutes earlier than the appointed time.
âItâs a hard time for a child to wake up.â
Even if she was a little late, I was going to say a harsh word and move on.
âBut I didnât expect you to be here already.â
Baroness Terran went out to the drawing room. Elisabeth sat with swollen eyes, sitting in her arms was the foreign language book.
While half-asleep, the girl jumped to her feet at the appearance of Baroness Terranâs figure and leaned sideways as she greeted her.
If Marian, who came with her, had not caught her, Elisabeth would have fallen.
âYou donât have to come out this early, Baroness. Itâs not time to make for the appointment yet.â
âThen why did you come so early?â
âAs a disciple, itâs only natural to be prepared before your teacher.â
Baroness Terran looked silently at Elisabeth.
As the awkward silence continued, Elisabeth hesitated and held out a small plate.
She had brought it for Baroness Terran.
âThis is my favorite cookie. Eating it every morning makes me feel better. You should try it, too, Baroness.â
ââ¦..â
Baroness Terran stared at the smiling girl with her eyes half open.
âI donât eat things like that. Take it back.â
Baroness Terran turned away with a cold air.
âDonât be heartbroken, my dear.â
She heard Marian soothing Elisabeth from behind.
âHuh. This nanny overindulges.â
Baroness Terran snorted.
âItâs okay. My father used to throw my present. This much is fine. Itâs my fault for not knowing Baroness Terran didnât like cookies.â
Baroness Terranâs foot stopped as she was about to return to the room.
âYour biological father, Duke Cabezo?â
She had heard from Victoire about what had happened to Elisabeth when she was Emilie at the Cabezo duchy.
Victoire said with the nuance that Elisabeth, like them, was the scapegoat of the Duke Cabezo. Baroness Terran had snorted at the story.
But when she heard that story from a young girlâs mouth, it felt heavy.
âItâs really like Duke Cabezo, who has no blood or tears, to throw away a gift that she prepared so carefully to look good to her father.â
Baroness Terran jerked back. Then she came to the surprised Elisabeth and Marian.
âNow that youâve brought it, Iâll eat one.â
Baroness Terran, who had a cookie cut in front of two people who had no idea, gave Elisabeth a look as if she were saying,
âSatisfied?â
and went back to her room.
âYou cannot be a human being unlike the Duke Cabezo.â
Unaware of Baroness Terranâs thoughts, Elisabeth smiled brightly at Marian.
âI think Baroness Terran is more friendly than I thought.â
âSheâs a good person. Iâm sure youâll get along.â
Elisabeth and Marian looked face to face and smiled.
Baroness Terranâs reappearance in the drawing room was exactly the time of her appointment.
âYouâve done your homework, havenât you? Iâll test it out.â
Baroness Terran held the law book without giving her time to breathe.
âUnder the Imperial Law, those who commit a conspiracy shall forfeit their property. Those who conspire to commit treason face heavier punishment than those who conspire to commit treason, what kind of punishment is it?â
She made her memorize foreign languages then asked questions in Imperial languages. She was trying to confuse her.
But this was easier for Elisabeth, who had an 18-year-old mind. She had read the law book several times while studying in her previous life.
Besides, Elisabeth had already noticed.
âI know why Baroness Terran tests me with the law.â
It was to show how much sin the actions of the Cabezos had committed to the Leschines.
Elisabeth intensively read and read only the relevant parts.
âProperty and titles are confiscated and get executed.â
âWhen one impersonates another?â
âOne is sentenced to 10 years of hard labor. However, if you have to hide your body due to unavoidable circumstances, you can reduce or invalidate the punishment through a trial when you impersonate someone.â
Baroness Terran swallowed her breath.
âDid you really memorize all this?â
Honestly, I was surprised. No, not just surprised, but unbelievable.
âShe doesnât even stutter.â
The little girl didnât know how to speak the law so fluently. Maybe this kid is a genius?
âHonestly, I was looking down on you a little. It wasnât like this when I met Princess Polia.â
A few months ago, when she stopped by for work, Baroness Terran unexpectedly met Princess Polia Cabezo.
There was a tea party for young children at the home of the young lady who was invited, and she tried to make the younger greet Baroness Terran.
However, due to Princess Poliaâs stubbornness, the young children were unable to greet Baroness Terran. Baroness Terran also thought it was rather fortunate that she didnât see the bloodline of Cabezo.
But on her way out of the mansion, she passed by the hall where the tea party was held. Baroness Terran saw Poliaâs face there for the first time.
The impression of Cabezoâs peculiar sensitivity and arrogance was vividly remembered by Baroness Terran as if it had happened yesterday.
Most of all, it was impressive to see Polia gobbling up in anger when someone emptied out the drink glass before her.
Baroness Terran, who had seen it, said a word.
The flushed-face of the girl still came to mind.
âElisabeth, this child is a more legitimate Cabezo bloodlineâ¦. so different.â
I couldnât figure out why the child was hated by Duke Cabezo.
âThatâs it for today. Letâs stop and go back.â
âThank you, Baroness. Iâll also look forward to tomorrowâs class.â
âYou should be prepared, not looking forward?â
âThen Iâll be ready!â
Elisabeth clasped her hands and answered smartly.
The look was so cute that Baroness Terran almost smiled at the moment.
She coughed for no reason and asked.
âWhere are you headed now?â
âIâd like to make a morning call to the Count. He was very sad because I couldnât give it to him yesterday. Iâm sad too.â
âItâs no use saying hello every morning.â
âBut Iâm very happy. Thereâs someone whoâs happy to see me in the morning.â
âHave you also been this devoted to your biological father?â
Baroness Terran asked casually. Then Elisabethâs face turned white.