The Villainous Lady Doesn't Speak Chapter 104

The next morning, Liliana and Clyde were having breakfast in the dining hall when a messenger, dismounting from a swift horse, was led in by a servant. Liliana did not recognize the man, but Clyde seemed to know him well.

“What’s the matter?” Clyde asked, his eyes widening.

The man, after bowing to Clyde, offered a similar courtesy to Liliana. Clyde introduced him as a servant from the Fortia estate.

The man wiped the sweat from his forehead and took out a letter. Clyde confirmed the wax seal of the Clark family and opened it. His eyes widened briefly before his expression turned serious, and he nodded.

“I understand. I will go immediately. Lily, prepare yourself too.”

Liliana tilted her head in confusion, and Clyde, speaking in a subdued tone, revealed the contents of the letter.

“Grandfather has passed away.”

Liliana’s eyes widened in shock. The last time she had seen her grandparents was the year before last, when she had gone on an inspection trip with Riley and Clyde. Since then, she had not seen them again. Although they had exchanged letters a few times, all the letters from her grandparents were dictated, and none mentioned any illness. Thus, Liliana had never imagined that her grandfather might have passed away.

<Was Grandfather ill?> Liliana asked.

“No, I hadn’t heard anything about that, but… perhaps they kept it hidden,” Clyde said, his eyes reflecting a complex emotion. It seemed he had not known about it either. Liliana nodded in understanding.

The fact that a servant from the Fortia estate brought the letter meant that her grandparents were staying at the Fortia estate. The presence of her grandparents, who usually rarely visited, was also surprising to Liliana.

She quickly spoke to Marianne and began preparing for the urgent departure. The journey to the Fortia estate was a considerable distance away.

In the Kingdom of Slibegrad, burial is generally performed shortly after death. Once the body is placed in a coffin, it is typically buried by the next day at the latest, though in the southernmost regions of the kingdom, it is customary to do so on the same day, especially during the summer. However, if necessary, the internal organs are removed and preserved with balsam to prevent decomposition. For nobles, including high-ranking royalty, it is common to use magic to preserve the body as well, to allow for the attendance of dignitaries at the funeral.

However, this type of magic can only be performed by the church and comes with a very high donation fee. As a result, even among nobles, few would request magical preservation from the church. Thus, using magic for preservation is also considered a status symbol.

It was expected that Liliana’s grandfather would have undergone magical preservation. Grandfather Rodney Antet Clark, who had served as a prime minister and was the previous head of the Clark family, one of the three major ducal families, would certainly have had such arrangements. The body would need to be preserved for the visit of royal and noble mourners.

*****

During the journey, despite some difficulties, Liliana and the others safely arrived at the Fortia estate. Their father, who was in the capital, was expected to arrive a day later. The butler, Philip, greeted the party upon their arrival.

“The coffin has already been taken to the church. Lady Fortia is in the reception room.”

“And Mother?”

“She is resting in her private quarters.”

Philip answered Clyde’s questions calmly. Clyde nodded and turned to Liliana, suggesting they visit their grandmother in the reception room to offer their greetings.

Liliana’s grandmother, Barbara, whom Liliana had not seen in two years, was dressed in black and sitting wearily in the reception room.

“Grandmother, it’s been a while,” Clyde spoke first as they entered the room. Since Liliana was still unable to speak, she merely offered a bow. Barbara glanced briefly at Clyde and Liliana, murmured an “Yes,” and then fell silent. Her left hand, resting on her lap, tightly gripped a handkerchief that was crumpled and damp, suggesting she had been crying for some time.

Liliana gently tugged on Clyde’s sleeve. Though she did not speak, Clyde seemed to immediately understand what she was implying. It appeared that their grandmother was not in a state to engage in conversation. Although some time had passed since the death, it seemed Barbara had not yet recovered.

(Thinking back, someone once mentioned in my previous life that they were so overwhelmed with funeral preparations they had no time to grieve until the first seven days had passed. Here, since all the funeral arrangements are handled by others, they have the opportunity to grieve.)

While internally reflecting, Liliana and Clyde left the reception room.

“The room is the same as before. I apologize,” Clyde said, looking apologetic.

Liliana smiled reassuringly and shook her head. The room being the same as before meant it was likely the one with a poor view that she had stayed in three years ago. Although Liliana did not mind, Clyde seemed to feel remorseful about having moved her from the room she had used as a child.

Liliana parted ways with Clyde and proceeded to the assigned room. Marianne and the others had already moved their belongings in and prepared the room for their stay. As expected, Marianne was organizing their things on the shelves to make the room more comfortable.

“Liliana-sama, there is some time before the funeral and the meal, so please take a moment to rest,” Marianne suggested.

 Liliana nodded at her opinion.

She changed from her travel attire into clothing appropriate for the ceremony and relaxed on the sofa. Marianne prepared herbal tea made from herbs bought in a town they had stopped by on the way to Fortia. As Liliana sipped the tea, savoring its aroma and taste, she felt the tension in her body ease. She smiled naturally, though she also felt a tinge of melancholy.

In this world, funerals are accompanied by meals, held to honor the deceased and strengthen bonds among the survivors. The ceremonies and meals are held on the day of the funeral, the day of the burial, the day before, and the day after. While such meals can be positive if family and relatives get along well, Liliana had few pleasant memories with the Clark family. Although her brother Clyde was somewhat favored compared to her, Liliana had little connection with her grandmother or parents. Clyde appeared to be caught between Liliana and the rest of the family, but still, he was likely favored more than Liliana.

Nobles are often distant even with their family, but this does not necessarily equate to being impolite or cold. Even within politeness, there can be affection and warmth. However, the relationship between Liliana and her family was uncomfortably unnatural.

(I would prefer if they showed at least some of the courtesy they extend to outsiders to their own family.)

If her parents, particularly her mother, had shown even a fraction of the politeness they reserved for others, Liliana would likely feel more at ease. Rationally, if her parents—especially her mother—had treated her the way they did, Liliana would avoid such individuals in social circles and minimize interaction to the bare minimum, confident in never attending small gatherings.

Being forced to engage with family, simply because they are family, felt like a trial.

(For the duration of my stay here, I should keep my distance as much as possible.)

There might be a possibility of having Clyde stand in for her, but she hoped he would do his best as the next head of the family.

“Young lady, I will be stepping out for a bit. I’ll come to get you when it’s time,” Marianne said.

Understood Liliana replied.

After Marianne left, Liliana was about to turn her attention back to her book when she noticed the window slowly opening by itself. However, Liliana remained unfazed. As she watched quietly, the window closed again, and the black lion, Ajulite, appeared.

Liliana smiled slightly.

“Oh, you followed us here?”

[I’m free at the moment.]

“I had thought you didn’t like this place.”

Ajulite tilted his head as if questioning why she would say such a thing. Liliana deepened her smile and mentioned their first meeting.

“When we met in the garden of this estate two years ago, you seemed eager to leave.”

[Oh, I remember that,] Ajulite admitted, looking as though he had forgotten until now. He then explained with a somewhat awkward expression, [There were various unfavorable conditions back then. I was lacking in power, there were those damned dogs, and—there was some strange attraction.]

“Attraction?”

Liliana furrowed her brow at the peculiar term. Ajulite nodded easily.

[It might not be quite accurate to call it ‘attraction,’ but it’s something similar. Do you know that monsters are drawn to miasma?]

“I’ve heard of it.”

[It’s similar to that. You might call it a kind of drug. Even though you know it’s dangerous and should be avoided, you’re still drawn to it. Normally, it wouldn’t affect me, but I had just awakened back then and had to escape before I was detected.]

Liliana continued to look at Ajulite with skepticism, but the black lion seemed unconcerned. He grinned and concluded, “That’s the situation.”

After thinking for a moment, Liliana sighed deeply.

“So, you’re saying you don’t intend to explain things in a way I can understand.”

[It’s helpful that you grasp things quickly. But I’m not lying.]

Ajulite smirked with a sense of pride. Liliana sipped her slightly cooled herbal tea to calm herself. As she did so, Ajulite’s aura changed slightly. Noticing this, Liliana looked at him, and the black lion stared at her with a serious expression. Tilting her head, Liliana listened as Ajulite spoke quietly.

[Be careful during your grandfather’s funeral, especially with the body.]

“Grandfather? But the coffin has already been placed in the church—”

Ajulite’s advice was difficult for Liliana to understand. It was well known that sage’s advice in fairy tales was often obscure, but she wished he would be a bit more specific. Just then, Ajulite provided a clearer explanation.

[After a person dies and until they are buried, their body is an optimal vessel. It is easier to attract magic.]

Liliana recalled a description she had read in a book about a fantastical story where a dead body was taken over by a monster. Ajulite’s implication seemed to align with that fantastical tale.

“Does this hold true even if the body is in the church?”

[Usually, churches are protected, so it’s not a problem. But if something is summoned from within, it’s a different story. The barrier becomes ineffective. It creates a pathway.]

Liliana looked up, feeling uneasy. It was unsettling to think of an unfamiliar person being possessed by magic, but it was even more disturbing if it were someone she knew, especially her own grandfather.

Liliana was confident she would feel no emotional pain if she had to purify her grandfather’s remains. However, seeing her grandmother weeping in the reception room made her realize that the psychological shock her grandmother would suffer from such an act would be immeasurable.

“I appreciate the warning.”

[You’re welcome.]

Ajulite closed his eyes as he said this. Liliana turned her attention back to her book, but the black lion’s words lingered in her mind, making it hard to concentrate. As time passed with few pages read, Marianne arrived to escort her.

They would head to the church for the funeral, return to the estate for the meal, and with the Duke of Clarke arriving the next day, the only time available for magical wards to protect against possession was today. Taking a deep breath, Liliana steeled herself and left the room.

—-

ToC