Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

“Hello, Grand Duchess..”

I bowed my head not to show off my joy.

My voice was calm, but my heart was pounding like it was about to explode.

“How have you been?”

“Yes, thanks to your attention, I’ve been well.”

After exchanging simple greetings, I turned my gaze to a woman who accompanied the Grand Duchess. The woman who met my eyes bowed lightly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Serena Walford.”

This woman must be the Countess of Walford, whom the Grand Duchess trusted most.

“Welcome, madam.”

I greeted her warmly and quickly checked the Grand Duchess’s attire. On the left chest of the Grand Duchess, there was a brooch.

Doesn’t that mean that she will give me and Helios strength?

“Wasn’t it hard on your way here?”

“It wasn’t difficult, but it took a while to prepare because it’s been a while since I went out.”

You’re saying you were wondering if you’d come to the end.

If you had come sooner, I wouldn’t have been so nervous.

Since the Grand Duchess attended, other guests did not have to come.

The mere fact that the Grand Duchess had attended this banquet would have made a significant difference between me and Helios.

“The Grand Duchess?”

Helios heard the news late and ran to the front door.

Seeing that he seemed surprised, he didn’t seem to have expected that the Grand Duchess would come.

“Long time no see, Duke.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t go out to meet you. If you had given me a message, I would have sent a carriage….”

“I’m still healthy, and I don’t need a carriage, so why should you do that, duke?”

Helios bowed his head at the majestic voice. She seems to be a difficult opponent even for him who is not afraid of anything.

Grand Duchess Crawford said to me.

“Last visit was really impressive.”

“If it was too rude, please forget it.”

“That’s not what the person who made me come this far should say.”

“My pleasure.”

“You have a wonderful wife, Duke.”

Helios responded with a light smile. It seemed to be compliments or not.

He seemed cautious about opening his mouth in case he offended her.

Then, the gaze of the Grand Duchess turned to Escal.

“Is this the duke’s son?”

“Hello, I’m Escalium Anthemion.”

Escal, who swallowed dry saliva, greeted her loudly.

Perhaps he instinctively felt that the Grand Duchess was favorable to him, the child seemed less nervous than before.

A smile spread across Grand Duchess Crawford’s face.

“You’re strong and smart. How old are you this year?”

“I am six years old.”

“You are already six years old?”

The Grand Duchess opened her eyes wide as if surprised, and asked Mrs. Walford.

“It seems like yesterday that I heard that Charlet had a baby, but is he already this big?”

“Don’t you say that you know how old your children are when they grow up?”

“Time goes by so fast.”

The Grand Duchess murmured like that and carefully looked at Escal.

It was like she was trying to make sure that I wasn’t pretending to be nice to a child just for today to show people.

“A little small for a six-year-old.”

“I was smaller than my peers until I turned 14.”

Helios added cautiously.

Grand Duchess Crawford glanced at him and said.

“Children need to eat well and sleep well to grow up, so take care of them.”

“I’m taking extra care.”

“Children are raised by parents together, Duke. Don’t just leave it to your wife, take care of him too, Duke.”

“… Yes.”

Helios bit his lip and answered.

She’s saying what I want to say.

While holding back the leaking laughter, the Grand Duchess called Merlin.

“Please guide me to the banquet hall.”

“I’ll take you there, Your highness.”

“Should the person who needs to greet the guest be absent?”

The Grand Duchess refused my invitation and headed to the banquet hall.

Although the favor was rejected, there was no feeling of displeasure.

I sighed in relief as I looked at the back of the Grand Duchess.

****

After Grand Duchess Crawford’s arrival, the guests rushed in all at once.

They seemed to have come in after waiting near the mansion to see if the Grand Duchess would attend.

After frantically welcoming guests, I barely made it to the banquet hall on time.

The guests who arrived first were having a friendly conversation.

The Marquis of Hallstein and the Count of Tilburn clashed one after another as if they had come to a couple’s gathering, and Grand Duchess Crawford was talking with Viscount Espenser.

Viscount Espenser had served as the imperial tutor, so they seemed to be close.

‘Because you know the character of Grand Duchess Crawford, you must have given me such advice.’

When all the guests entered the banquet hall, the musicians started playing.

Servants guided the nobles to their seats. After confirming that all the guests were seated, Helios went out to the center of the banquet hall and started his greetings.

“I would like to formally greet you. I’m Helios Anthemion. Thank you for attending.”

Enthusiastic applause erupted at Helios’ polite greeting.

After speaking, Helios beckoned to me. I took Escal’s hand and walked over to his side.

“This is my wife, Lenia Anthemion, and this… This is my son Escalium Anthemion.”

The banquet hall was buzzing with the word ‘son’.

I opened my mouth quickly, fearing that Escal would be surprised.

“The greeting is late. I’m Lenia Anthemion.”

The gaze on me wasn’t pretty good, but I quickly continued to speak.

“Thank you so much for congratulating my husband on his birthday. If there is anything uncomfortable, please tell me.”

When I bent and straightened my knees, an awkward applause came out, unlike before.

I expected it to be unwelcome, but it’s sad.

Only their eyes rolled in the awkward air, but the Marquis Hallstein stood up and raised the mood.

“Now then, let’s make a toast to celebrate Duke Anthemion’s birthday and their marriage.”

At the suggestion of the Marquis, everyone toasted with champagne glasses on the table.

And the meal began.

The duke’s attendants with experience in banquets served expertly under Merlin’s direction, and the menu, which was prepared in consideration of the guests’ allergies and preferences, was praised.

“The chef’s skill is excellent. The banquet hall is also beautiful.”

“He’s been through a lot.”

Helios whispered to the Countess Tilburn’s praise. He make so much tea today that his face was hot.

“It’s the first time I’ve held a banquet, so the sense is great.”

“I just gave the instructions and all the preparations were made by the attendants. I’m glad you like it though.”

I spoke humbly like an educated lady.

“Oh my!”

Then, there was a small commotion on the other side of the table.

A nobleman who drank too much seemed to have knocked down a glass of champagne and wet the tablecloth.

The maids noticed the commotion and hurriedly cleared the table with dishcloths.

“What is this?”

A bewildered voice was heard.

A lady as young as me tilted her head, pointing to the paper flowers that adorned the table. The paper flower was soaked with the spilled champagne and drooped.

“Isn’t this paper?”

“Why would you do this to a real flower..?”

I got up from my seat in a noisy atmosphere.

“I made them make flowers out of paper.”

“You haven’t been able to find decorative flowers, have you? If you had spoken to me, I would have introduced you to a flower shop.”

I smiled at the sarcastic tone.

“If there are flowers on the table, they will look great, but because of the scent of flowers, you may not be able to fully enjoy the taste and aroma of food, and pollen may be scattered on the food, so I prepared this on purpose.”

As I calmly explained, the young woman’s face turned red.

I said nothing more and sat down quietly.

The Marquis of Hallstein whispered, squinting one eye.

“Somehow, I wondered why I didn’t bother when there were so many flowers. Thanks.”

“No. We have to do our best to make sure there is no inconvenience when we have guests.”

I answered kindly and grabbed Escal, who looked around as if surprised by the commotion.

“Escal, it’s nothing, so eat comfortably.”

“Uh, yes.”

Escal crouched and raised the fork. He’s trying to chop meat with a clumsy fork.

“Ah!”

The meat came off the plate because of the wrong force.

Seeing the pieces of meat that had fallen, the child wept.

“It’s okay. We can clean it.”

I manually removed the meat and wiped Escal’s messy lips.

“Would you like more meat?”

“Can I eat more?”

“Of course.”

I gladly answered and asked the servant for a new plate.

Helios, who had just finished eating, was round the table, clinking glasses.

The already drunken men chirped and raised their voices.

A little awkwardness is inevitable, but still, it was much more harmonious than expected.

A moment to breathe in congratulations on a successful banquet.

“Master.”

Merlin rushed into the banquet hall and whispered to Helios. Helios had a wrinkle on his forehead after receiving the report.

What’s going on?

Putting down the fork in an unusual atmosphere, an uninvited stranger entered the banquet hall.

Helios ran to meet the man.

“Sir Grenier? What are you doing here?”

“I have brought a message from His Majesty the Emperor, Duke of Anthemion.”