The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!
Chapter 73
I tried to keep things calm, I really did. Even Chris only mentioned Duke Powell to check Barney, but he hadn't actually contacted him. We just explained the situation to Mother and asked her to bring Lady Regan back. However, there's no way Elton would sit still while someone tried to take Irene away. Suzanna, too, sought advice from various people out of concern for her friend.
The result of all this was a summons from Father just as we were about to have dinner. He asked us to return to the castle immediately, so my siblings and I teleported back and were taken to the largest reception room in the castle. The sound of the waves and the evening light outside the window were calming after several days away.
Inside the room were the key figures of this whole affair: Earl Regan and Bart, Marquis Moulding and Barney, all sweating nervously. Sitting next to them, looking displeased, was Duke Powell. Father was also there, his rare angry expression enough to instill fear. Alongside them were my two brothers, Elton, Suzanna, and myself, with Suzanna obviously concerned about Irene.
"Where's Irene?" I asked, noticing her absence.
"Bart said she wouldn't be able to speak up in this situation," said Earl Regan, looking at the wall instead of meeting my eyes.
"What nonsense. Irene is not like that. You only think that because you're obsessed with cows and don't know her at all," Suzanna retorted, her eyes narrowing dangerously as Bart shouted back.
"Shut up! Why are you even here? This doesn't concern you!"
Suzanna's eyes turned even more dangerous. Even now, the Regan family was ignoring Irene's feelings.
"I'll go get Irene," she said, standing up.
"Don't do anything unnecessary. There's no way my quiet, unassuming sister would speak her mind in front of you or Diadora," Bart snapped back.
"What?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Who do you think we are? Do you really think it's a burden for Irene to be friends with me?"
"Earl Regan, make your son stop. Insulting the Marquis's daughter and our daughter in front of guests is unacceptable," Father said coldly.
Earl Regan quickly bowed his head, grabbing Bart's arm to silence him. I'd met Bart several times during milk negotiations. He used to be a simple, country lad, obsessed with cows. But now, a few years later, he's completely changed. Dressing fashionably and slicking back his hair, he's letting his newfound attention from young nobles go to his head.
"Ignore that idiot," Alan reassured me, placing a hand on my shoulder. Bart glared at us but knew better than to say anything in this situation. I leaned on Alan, feeling drained, but only for a moment.
"Bart, you told me Irene was troubled and that Diadora was pushing for a match with Elton," Earl Regan said, looking puzzled.
"Huh?" I was shocked. Everyone turned to look at me, but I ignored them.
"No way. I only recently noticed Irene and Elton's relationship. Everyone laughed at me for being so dense," I defended myself.
"Earl Regan, did you not know?" Elton asked, stunned.
"Uh... I..." Earl Regan stammered, looking between Elton and Father, then at Bart.
"Irene can speak her mind. If her family talks about her like that, no wonder she can't be herself at home," Suzanna said angrily.
"Her embroidery is amazing. The shawls she made for our birthdays sold out immediately at my mother's shop. Don't insult my friend by saying she has no talents," I added, equally furious.
The men looked between us and Bart, shocked at our outburst.
"She truly embodies the Regan family's meticulousness. We once spent three hours picking out the perfect shade of blue for her embroidery. Right, Diadora?" Elton reminisced.
"Yes, I remember. We had tea and pastries delivered while waiting at the shop," I confirmed.
Earl Regan's face paled as he listened, realizing his mistake. With Lady Regan returning soon, how would he explain this?
"So, the son of the Regan family was ignorant while he insulted my daughter in front of me. I hope you understand the gravity of this situation," Father said sternly.
"Uh... well..." Earl Regan tried to stammer out an apology.
"Apologies. Bart was mentally unstable after Diadora said the contract would end this season," he attempted to excuse.
"Don't use that as an excuse," Father cut him off sharply.
There was no one to offer a lifeline. My brothers were as angry as Father, and Duke Powell's gaze was cold.
"I'm going to get Irene," Suzanna declared, standing up.
"Let me guide you," Mia offered, quickly stepping forward to lead Suzanna out of the room.
"Now, let's discuss the situation while we wait for Irene," Duke Powell suggested, settling into his chair.
"First, I need to clarify something," Marquis Moulding said, stepping forward.
"We were unaware of any engagement between Irene and Earl Bliss's son. Had we known, we would not have proceeded with this match. Both the Earl and his son assured us Irene had no commitments. What is going on?" he asked, turning to Earl Regan.
"My son took it upon himself to suggest this match. He assured me Irene had no commitments," Earl Regan replied, flustered.
"So, you're saying you were unaware of the Earl Bliss engagement?" Duke Powell questioned, looking skeptical.
"Yes, we knew nothing of it," Marquis Moulding confirmed, dabbing sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
"But Earl Regan, you did see the contract, right? It stated that if the engagement proceeded, your business would be absorbed by Marquis Moulding's within five years," Duke Powell pointed out.
"What?!" Earl Regan was shocked.
"Additionally, the new business would be led by the Marquis's family," Duke Powell continued.
"Bart! What is this?!" Earl Regan demanded.
"This was agreed upon from the start. That's why you signed the contract," Bart argued.
"No, I read the contract carefully. There was no such clause," Earl Regan insisted.
"Are you accusing me of deceit?" Bart retorted, glaring.
"This contract is strange," Chris mused, tilting his head.
"The Fairy Company signed a contract with the Regan family. Any changes in your management should have been communicated to us. Assuming the contract would continue as is without notifying us is improper," Chris pointed out.
"Regardless, the Regan family agreed to this contract," Bart snapped.
"Yes, but only after boasting about the engagement with Diadora's friend and the new business with the Fairy Company," Elton added quietly.
"Shut up! Irene should understand I'm a better match than you, a mere baron," Bart shouted.
"So, you're only proud of your status," Alan retorted.
"What did you say?!" Bart growled, fuming.
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Author Notes:
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