The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 62

When Curtis steps forward, the guards question him.

“Th… the promise…”

“We haven’t sent a formal advance notice, but if you look at our crest, you should understand who we are. Duke Lloyd Harrington, the head of the Harrington family, has come to speak with your lord. Please open the gate.”

At Curtis’s intimidating words, the guards hurriedly opened the gate. After witnessing this, Curtis swiftly returned to the carriage, and we proceeded to enter the grounds of the Earl of Everly’s residence.

“Wh…! Oh my…! Your Grace, the Duke Harrington. To think you would come all the way to our humble abode… If you had informed us in advance, we could have prepared a proper welcome for you…”

The Earl of Everly, informed of our visit by the steward, rushed out into the entrance hall in a fluster. His bangs and clothes were disheveled, and the smell of alcohol wafted from his mouth. Displeased, I slightly wrinkled my face. …A slovenly man, even in broad daylight. Is he always like this? When does he even work…?

“Thank you very much for inviting my wife and daughter to your mansion the other day. I have heard a lot from my wife. It seems that my niece Michelle has been quite presumptuous and has caused you some trouble…”

“The one who invited you to the tea party was my mother, not me. I came to talk to you about that Miss Michelle matter.”

“……is it so? Well then… please, take your time here…”

Following behind the flustered Count Everly as he awkwardly led me to the reception room, I glanced around the surroundings. What was this gloomy atmosphere that pervaded the entire mansion? As I pondered this, I quickly realized. The servants, with their listless expressions, were working silently. Each one I passed by exuded a dark, oppressive aura, and they were all dressed in incredibly filthy attire. Was this the reason for the mansion’s poor atmosphere? The servants of the Count’s

Entering the reception room, the count and I sat facing each other. Curtis stood at the edge of the room.

“Ah, thank you for coming all the way here… I’ve heard about your success. I hear you recently made a significant profit from a new business venture. It’s truly enviable. As for us…”

“I didn’t come here to make small talk with you. The matter at hand is about Miss Michelle, and that alone. I want to hear directly from you. What kind of life did Miss Michelle lead in this mansion?”

I cut off Count Everly, who was grinning lewdly and spouting flattery, without a second thought. The count, who had been sweating and looking pale since earlier, grew even more ashen.

“Well… From the day we took that child in, we have raised them with great care and love. However, the child had very bad behavior… As my wife mentioned, we were somewhat strict with them as a form of discipline. We were at our wits’ end as well.”

“…I see. So, Miss Michelle was such a wicked girl.”

“Yes! That’s exactly right. In the end, you forgot the kindness we showed you while raising you, ran away from this mansion, and to make matters worse, you went to stay with His Grace the Duke and caused him trouble… I never even dreamed of such a thing. If I had known, I would have grabbed you by the scruff of your neck and dragged you back. I apologize, Your Grace.”

Perhaps my nodding made him feel at ease, but Count Avery’s eyes suddenly lit up as he began to badmouth Michelle. Taking advantage of my silence, he went on and on about Michelle’s faults… I couldn’t bear to listen.

“…I see. So, you did not treat Miss Michelle with affection.”

“Well, that’s true. I couldn’t find that twisted daughter cute, even if she was my bl00d-related niece. But it seems you also trusted the testimonies of my wives, so I’m relieved.”

I never said such a thing. I just watched this man start talking with delight with a cold gaze.

Then, Count Avery said something like this.

“Your Excellency. It would not be appropriate to keep a girl like her in the mansion. We apologize for the trouble, but we will take full responsibility for Michelle.”

“I see.”

“Yes! I will discipline that little brat harshly once again and beat her rotten nature back into shape. Please, leave it to me. I will send someone to fetch her right away.”

Do you think you can convince me? I clearly conveyed this to the man in front of me, who had started saying that with his nostrils flaring.

“There’s no need for that. I have decided to marry Miss Michelle and welcome her as my wife into the Harrington Duke family.”

“What about ……?”