Chapter 187
When Bastina saw the medal hanging around my neck, her face immediately contorted.
“You…!”
The moment she laid eyes on me, Bastina’s face twisted as if she’d just bitten into something extremely bitter.
No, actually, it was worse than that.
It was more like the kind of face you’d make when you wanted to punch someone to death.
Aunt Bastina glared down at me with a haughty expression, pointing her finger in my direction.
“Hey! When you see an elder, you should greet them properly.”
What, just me?
What about the others?
Deianira and Riantine were standing right beside me, but Bastina only looked at me like she wanted to kill me.
“Um…”
“You stay out of it! Do you not understand what an elder is saying?”
When Deianira tried to step in, Bastina shouted at her like she was ready to devour her.
Riantine quickly grabbed Deianira’s wrist and pulled her back, knowing exactly how Bastina acts when she’s furious.
‘Wow, she’s really upset that I got the platinum medal instead of Selene.’
Well, I can’t exactly blame her.
She probably planned to use Selene’s medal to pay off her debts.
‘Though, she was always furious whenever she saw me, even before this.’
People said it was because I’d been threatening Selene’s position ever since I turned eight.
For now, I bent my knee slightly in a polite bow.
“Greetings, Aunt.”
“Greetings too you, Aunt.”
“Good day to you, Aunt.”
Riantine and Deianira followed my lead and greeted her as well.
But Bastina paid them no mind and continued to stare only at me.
Her eyes narrowed, scanning me from head to toe, as if she was searching for even the slightest flaw.
‘Good luck finding one.’
After all, I was taught etiquette by none other than Lady Gonalon.
That charming, greedy woman may have her faults, but she certainly knows how to do her job well.
“…”
Sure enough, unable to find anything to criticize, Bastina bit her lip in frustration.
Then, she whipped around so fast that a gust of cold wind seemed to follow her as she stomped off in the opposite direction.
‘Oh. That was a pretty humiliating exit.’
Honestly, I didn’t care much, but I felt bad for that poor debtor.
Because Aunt Bastina was a direct descendant of House Astra, he couldn’t pressure her too much for the money, mindful of Grandfather. I could only imagine how anxious he must feel.
“Lady Bastina! Lady Bastina, we haven’t finished our conversation!”
The man who had been arguing with my aunt hurried after her.
‘Oh, that man…’
I recognized his face from my memory.
‘He’s one of the vassals of the Astra family, isn’t he?’
Wait, did she actually borrow money from one of our vassals?
‘That’s insane.’
It’s embarrassing enough to borrow money from a subordinate.
But borrowing from a family retainer?
‘Grandfather will go berserk if he finds out.’
How could someone from the direct line of Astra be so strapped for cash?
And Selene was always one of the top three in the rankings, too.
I shook my head in disbelief and continued walking.
As we moved on, Deianira and Riantine finally relaxed, letting out shaky breaths.
“Phew, that was intense.”
“Erylotte, how do you stay so calm under Aunt Bastina’s glare? She looked like she was ready to tear you apart.”
“I did blink, though.”
At my words, the two of them stuck out their tongues.
“Look at that! So calm and collected.”
Riantine squinted at me, as if annoyed by my composure.
But there was a hint of pink affection in her gaze, which I found rather adorable.
‘She’s just like a proud little Pomeranian.’
Deianira asked,
“We have to go to class soon. What about you, Erylotte?”
“Hmm…”
I had only come to the main castle for one reason.
To collect my allowance!
—No, to receive my medal.
Now that my pockets were full and I had the medal, I planned to head back to Dad’s jurisdiction.
“I’m planning to leave soon.”
“Alright! Safe travels!”
“That’s a shame. See you next time.”
After saying goodbye to the two of them, I started walking toward our family’s carriage.
Rather than taking the path through the garden, it would be faster to cut through the woods, so I changed course.
‘I should visit Ragon while I’m here.’
Recently, I had left Ragon at the main castle.
I was worried the twins would pester him so much that he’d end up escaping.
He had been brought in as a guard monster, but Ragon seemed to like it here better anyway.
The sun was shining brightly.
The leaves sparkled.
The sunlight filtering through the light green leaves was more beautiful than any jewel.
Of course, what made me feel the most beautiful was this medal around my neck.
When the sunlight hit the platinum medal, it gleamed like pure gold.
My mood instantly improved!
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