Chapter 33
Getting Chubby
Ever since her mother passed away, she had been branded a bastard child and pointed at by everyone. For a long time, she lived alone in a room at the top of the tower.
She had been physically and mentally abused, deprived of proper food or care.
In such a life, Luance had seemed like a single ray of light.
She mistook the darkness for light without realizing it.
During the days when she was under Luance’s control, it felt like she couldn’t even think for herself.
She was proud that Luance had registered her into the Count Pol Heredian family for her sake.
She had been truly grateful for that.
But he always ignored the abuse from Anne, Brant, and Illina.
If she had only thought about it a little, she would have realized something was wrong —
so why hadn’t she been able to think that far?
She remembered telling Luance about the abuse,
but instead of helping, he scolded her for speaking ill of her family.
“No matter how much you hate them, you must never badmouth your family,” he had said.
At Count Pol Heredian’s estate, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t torment her.
From attendants to maids — everyone bullied Lorencia.
They would shout suddenly outside her door or hurl insults at her.
Every time she was cursed at for no reason, handfuls of her hair would fall out.
“No one will ever love you, bastard!”
“You’re worse than a dog or a pig, bastard child!”
“You’re so scrawny we should give you less, but since we’re kind maids, be thankful we’re leaving you this much fish porridge. You monster who deserves to die.”
Even when Illina killed small animals, people still adored her.
But Lorencia, only because she was a bastard, was despised beyond measure.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Huh?”
“Your brows furrowed a little, and your face looked pained.”
“I just remembered something I’d rather not think about.”
Lorencia gave a faint, bitter smile.
This painful memory might follow her for the rest of her life.
“Shall I help you forget about it?”
“How?”
“Lady Lorencia, how about studying letters with me after your meal?”
“Letters?”
“Yes. I’ll teach you how to read. What do you think? Don’t those unpleasant thoughts already seem to fade a little?”
“…Yes.”
At Teishar’s words, Lorencia nodded.
Just moments ago, she’d felt so miserable — but his single sentence had chased that away.
It felt strange.
Usually, to shake off such thoughts, she’d have to silently sing the lullaby her mother used to hum to her, over and over again.
But now, it had disappeared in an instant.
“I want to learn letters.”
“Once you’ve learned to read, you’ll be able to study whatever you wish and read as many books as you want.
From now on, I’ll personally help you with your studies.
So if there’s anything you’d like to learn, tell me anytime.”
“Then… could I go to a library someday?”
“Of course. If I can’t go with you, I’ll arrange for guards to escort you, or borrow any book you’d like. Actually — I’ll just buy them for you.”
Just the thought of learning to read and having access to books made Lorencia’s heart race.
“Marquis Spencer, I’ll finish eating quickly!”
“Take your time. Also, including tomorrow and through the weekend, I’ll personally oversee all of Lady Lorencia’s lessons.”
“Is Princess Charlotte busy?”
“Yes, she has a prior engagement. But she’ll be able to join us next week.”
Lorencia’s lips curved into a soft smile.
She was thankful — and thrilled — at the thought of learning to read.
After finishing her meal, Lorencia rubbed her full belly.
If she kept eating like this, she felt she might gain weight soon.
“When you’re done eating, I’ll prepare today’s snack — hot milk mixed with chocolate and marshmallows.”
Teishar looked at Lorencia, who ate too little, and planned a diet that would help her gain some healthy weight.
“I’m full.”
“You can drink it while studying.”
“Then I’ll drink it.”
Seeing Lorencia nod so obediently made Teishar’s lips lift in a smile.
Just having this adorable little sapling by his side filled him with happiness.
“Also, by tomorrow, the servants of the Spencer Marquisate will arrive.”
“So suddenly? What about Suzanna?”
“Suzanna is Princess Charlotte’s maid. She’ll be returning to her side.”
“Oh… I see.”
Lorencia felt a little sad, but she understood.
“The new servants will care for you just as well as Suzanna did.”
“Yes.”
Teishar unconsciously reached out to pat Lorencia’s head,
but then froze.
Lorencia flinched and hunched her shoulders.
“I—I didn’t mean to avoid you…”
She had been abused for so long that any raised hand made her instinctively shrink away.
Teishar felt a surge of fury — he wanted to unleash it on Count Pol Heredian’s estate.
But he restrained himself.
He forced a warm smile.
“Lady Lorencia, you’re just so adorable that I wanted to pat your head. Please forgive my thoughtlessness.”
Lorencia blinked.
She knew Teishar wasn’t someone who would hit her, yet her body had reacted on its own.
Worried she might have offended him, she stole a glance —
but instead of anger, he was apologizing to her.
The strange, unfamiliar feeling made her chest tighten.
The next day, Lorencia found herself facing an elderly man with white hair.
The kindly old man bowed deeply before her with a gentle smile.
It was the first time anyone had ever greeted her so respectfully.
Unsure how to respond, she looked to Teishar for help.
“Lady Lorencia, allow me to introduce you.
This is Evan de Plain, the butler of House Spencer.”
“Hello. I’m Lorencia.”
“An honor to meet you, Lady Lorencia. Please come to me about anything you need. I’ll be at your service.”
“Evan is also trained in various martial arts,” Teishar added.
“He’ll be a reliable escort for you.”
“Martial arts?”
She recalled hearing about people who could fight with their bare hands —
fighters strong enough to take down bears or wild beasts.
“And this is Lady Ameline de Plain.
She’ll teach you the manners and refinement expected of a noble lady.
She was also my wet nurse.”
“Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lorencia. I’m Ameline.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lorencia of House Pol Heredian. But… you two have the same surname.”
“That’s because we’re husband and wife,” Teishar explained.
Ameline knelt slightly, lowering herself to Lorencia’s eye level with a warm smile.
“I may not be as capable as Miss Suzanna, but I’ll do my best, Lady Lorencia.”
In her past, the servants had all ignored or insulted her.
But these two treated her with genuine respect.
Her heart fluttered strangely on the left side of her chest.
“Thank you, Evan, Ameline. I look forward to working with you.”
“And we with you, my lady.”
Teishar smiled, satisfied.
Both Evan and Ameline had once served flawlessly in the Spencer household.
They were more than capable of protecting and caring for Lorencia.
“By the way, Evan — what about Father?”
“He had some business to attend to. He’ll depart later.”
Teishar nodded.
He wanted to tell Lorencia about her mother,
but it was something that had to be discussed with his father, Marquis Magus.
He hated seeing her confused and pained.
Part of him wanted to take her away — somewhere no one else could reach —
to serve her, to make her happy.
Just imagining her smiling under his care filled his chest with a strange, buoyant delight,
as if his heart were floating on waves.
“Lady Lorencia.”
“Yes, Marquis Spencer.”
“I have a prior engagement today with Princess Charlotte and Crown Prince Adrian,
so I won’t be able to stay by your side.
In my absence, Evan and Ameline will watch over you.”
“Thank you for caring so much, Marquis Spencer.”
“And soon, there will be a duel between Prince Luance and Lord Roryrolls at the Imperial Palace’s training grounds.”
On that day, Lorencia would have to stand before the public and testify why Luance had thrown a white glove at Roryrolls — as a witness.
The thought of standing before so many people made her head ache.
People would whisper about her, the bastard of House Pol Heredian.
So Teishar planned to discuss with Charlotte and Adrian a way to keep her out of public view.
“Lord Roryrolls didn’t flee, then?”
“No. If he ran from a duel with royalty, his noble title would be stripped, and he’d be reduced to a commoner. He can’t flee.
But his life isn’t guaranteed during a duel of honor.”
Lorencia knew that — she had seen Roryrolls’ death before.
He wouldn’t die during the duel itself.
His end would come later — gruesome, yet fitting.
“Running away from a duel would mean losing a noble’s pride,” Teishar said.
“Even trash doesn’t want to lose its pride.”
“Even if it means dying?”
“If one doesn’t want to die, they can appoint a substitute knight to fight in their stead.
Lord Roryrolls might choose that option.”
“A substitute knight?”
“Yes. Duels with royalty often end in death.
But intentionally losing would be an insult to the royal opponent.
So they sometimes use a condemned criminal — someone who will die in their place.”
“That’s so cruel — making someone die instead.”
“That’s why royalty must be cautious before throwing a white glove.”
“I see…”
