Fortunately, Nikan left his seat with a complicated expression. After that, they did not encroach on each other's territories.
The children concentrated on Sara's reading or nodded off.
The reading group, contrary to its purpose, did not seem impressive, prompting Duke Lucia to suggest a break.
Soon, the family's musicians entered and began playing the strings, and more elaborate refreshments were served.
The children abandoned their food in excitement as a deluge of toys came in.
Navia, having no interest in toys, started looking at the books in the library.
Sara, showing off her doll, spotted Navia choosing a book alone.
'She's just pretending to be smart without knowing anything!'
Navia, incomprehensibly, lacked any childishness. Her attitude of not overtly taking the lead even seemed mature.
Feeling inferior, Sara threw her doll aside and approached Navia.
"You seem to like books, Lady Eseled."
Navia, browsing through a book, turned to look at Sara. Even the motion of shifting her gaze pricked Sara’s nerves.
Navia smiled thinly and said,
"No."
She was now utterly tired of books.
How refreshing had it been when, on the first day of her return to this life, she burned all the etiquette and history books?
Sara was flabbergasted.
'She claims to hate books, yet why is she doing this here?'
It was clear that she was trying to impress others with her pretense.
With the determination to see Navia's true colors, Sara slightly parted her lips.
"It's a shame you dislike books. I, on the other hand, adore them. That's why I even started a book club."
"Is that so?"
Navia calmly replied and moved to a different seat. That place was filled with books too difficult for children to read.
'Hmph, this is good.'
Sara wasn't particularly interested in books.
But she didn't neglect reading to appear superior to others and boasted a reading volume far greater than her peers.
She forced herself to read several difficult books just to seem more exceptional than others.
Just then, Navia reached out and pulled a book towards her that Sara had read before.
"Ah, that book."
Navia hesitated for a moment in her motion to take out the book, and during that brief pause, Sara naturally took it out instead.
"I found this one quite interesting. Have you ever read it?"
Of course, it was a book Navia had read before, and she had been happy to find it again after a long time.
Navia, not wanting to engage in an annoying skirmish of wits, replied casually.
"It's a book I'm not familiar with."
Then she quickly moved to pick up another book.
"Oh my, that one is a good book too."
Navia sensed that if it continued this way, Sara would keep trying to prove her superiority in an obnoxious manner.
"It seems the other friends are desperately looking for Lady Lucia."
So, pointing at a few children who were openly glancing over here with curiosity, she said,
"Lady, you are quite popular."
Flattered by Navia's insincere compliment, Sara quickly puffed up.
"That can't be. Why would everyone be looking for me? Besides, I prefer talking about books like this."
"…Hmm."
Navia, looking for a way to tactfully disengage, noticed a table laden with refreshments and pointed towards it.
"I'm hungry and need to eat something."
"Let's go together!"
'Well then…….'
Navia thought that if she put something in her mouth, the etiquette-conscious Sara would stop talking, and moved her seat.
She's tired.
Navia clicked her tongue inwardly.
At that moment, Vivian, who had little interest in books, was happily playing with dolls with the other children.
Then, she noticed Lark, who was walking towards her with food cut into bite-sized pieces.
Vivian's curiosity was piqued by Lark, who was taller than Nikan and even more handsome than anyone she had seen, even more so than Ares.
How can such a person be Navia's father?
'That doesn't make sense.'
She intended to find out the truth.
"Duke?"
So, she approached Lark with a coy smile.
"I'm Vivian Agnes."
Lark, who had come to bring food for his daughter, looked down at Vivian blocking his way.
"Oh."
Just as he was about to continue on his way, it happened.
"Why hasn't Duke Eseled ever come outside?"
Lark glanced around.
A few gazes were directed his way, but they were of no particular concern.
They were far enough from other people that if they kept their voices down, their conversation wouldn't be overheard.
Vivian spoke in a voice just low enough not to be heard by others.
Lark twisted the corner of his mouth in response.
"Because it hurts."
"Lies! Then, is Navia your real daughter? I'm sure she was adopted into our family."
Vivian was all smiles throughout the conversation.
Others wouldn't guess that this child was spouting such impertinence. This wasn't her first time behaving like this; there was a familiarity in her manner.
"Don't be a nuisance, kid."
Vivian smiled broadly again.
"But it's strange, isn't it? Mister, are you really the Duke?"
Lark chuckled and leaned in to whisper to Vivian.
"Do you think I'll tolerate it just because you're young?"
Vivian looked surprised.
"My father is Duke Agnes."
Daring to defy me should be out of the question.
Vivian smiled brightly like an angel. She enjoyed being perceived as cute and lovable by everyone.
But at the age of six, Vivian understood what power was and what could be done with it.
Nikan was unaware, but the child most resembling him was Vivian.
Lark spoke with a hint of ridicule.
"What about it? My daughter is Navia."
Vivian slightly furrowed her brow.
'Hmm. Is this person a fool? It seems like he doesn't understand...'
"Duke, you will regret treating me this way."
Lark responded with a look of disbelief.
"You will regret it if you treat me this way, won't you?"
Vivian tilted her head in confusion.
"Why would I?"
"You'll have to tell my daughter about all the times you've tormented me."
Before Vivian could even ask what he meant, Lark called out loudly for his daughter.
"Navia!"
Avoiding Sara's clinginess and heading towards the food, Navia turned around with a surprised look upon hearing her name.
"…Why is Vivian with dad?"
Not only Navia reacted to Lark's voice.
In an instant, the surroundings fell silent, and the nobles' eyes were drawn to Lark.
"What's the matter, dad?"
Navia called out to him in confusion and approached.
That single remark broke the brief silence, and a small murmur spread.
Nikan was also seen approaching.
Lark pointed at Vivian and spoke boldly.
"She's been bullying me."
Navia, unable to respond, looked back and forth between Lark and Vivian with a dumbfounded expression.
His voice was so loud and clear that the other nobles, having heard everything, wore expressions not much different from Navia's.
Lark remained unshaken by the astonishment and confusion directed at him.
"This insolent kid asked me if I'm really the Duke, and why I hadn't come out until now. Plus, she even doubted whether you're really my daughter. I was hurt."
Lark's expression was anything but that of someone who had been hurt.
"My goodness, could that really be true?"
"Lady Agnes doing such a thing…"
As whispers filled the air, Nikan clenched his teeth and hastily approached them.
"What are you saying, Duke? Did Vivian really say that?"
Vivian's face immediately turned to one of fright, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Waaah! Daddy, I'm scared!"
Crying usually worked in her favor in most situations.
However, Lark was not backing down.
"Waaah! Navia, Daddy's scared!"
Daddy, please…
Navia wanted to cover her face with her hands.
The nobles, who had been watching with interest, were once again shocked.
Nikan, unable to contain his anger, snapped at Lark.
"Is this really the time for jokes!"
Lark, who had been acting sweet and vulnerable towards Navia, suddenly dropped the act, his expression turning cold and irritable.
"Your daughter is the one playing jokes."
"What did you say…? Just wait and see!"
Lark and Nikan looked ready to come to blows, prompting other nobles to rush in to break them up.
Navia shook her head in disbelief, still looking at Vivian who was sobbing sorrowfully.
Vivian's actions were somewhat predictable to her.
Their eyes met at that moment.
Navia, unable to hide her triumphant gaze, suddenly gave Vivian a sly smile.
It was when Vivian was puzzled.
"Vivian! Is that really true?"
Navia called out to Vivian in a shocked tone.
"How can you say such a thing...! I can't believe it. It's a lie, right?"
Navia's voice, heavy with a whimper, was pleading as she quickly approached Vivian.
And before Vivian could react, Navia suddenly seemed to be pushed back and fell.
"Ahh...!"
Vivian blinked in confusion, her face blank. The tears had retreated due to the sudden turn of events.
Navia, trembling slightly, looked at Vivian with sadness.
"Do you still hate me...?"
Vivian, still unable to grasp the situation, frantically looked around her and at Navia.
"Why is Navia acting like this all of a sudden? ...She seems crazy!"
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