Chapter 8: An Unexpected Ally.
Chapter 8: An Unexpected Ally.
The enormous entrance doors slowly swung open.
The moment Osborne stepped inside alongside Guinevere and Anny, he couldn’t help but pause for a brief moment as his eyes wandered across the magnificent grand hall before him, because everything from the polished marble floor beneath his feet to the towering pillars supporting the high ceiling radiated a level of wealth that House Bismarck simply couldn’t compare to.
Golden chandeliers hung overhead, illuminating the hall with a warm glow, while elegant paintings depicting the Roosevelt family’s long history adorned the walls, each one carefully preserved as though they were priceless treasures.
Even the carpet stretching toward the grand staircase looked expensive enough to feed House Bismarck for several months.
"..."
Just how rich are they...?
Guinevere noticed his wandering gaze and smiled faintly.
"The Roosevelt family has occupied this estate for hundreds of years."
She slowly turned toward the hall.
"If you would allow me, I’d be delighted to explain the history behind—"
"Who are they?" A youthful voice suddenly interrupted her.
"And what are they doing here?" It added.
Everyone looked toward the top of the grand staircase.
Standing there was a young girl no older than thirteen.
Her short silver hair framed a delicate face, while a pair of bright blue eyes looked down upon the newcomers with open suspicion.
She wore an expensive pink dress decorated with elegant white embroidery, making it obvious at a glance that she belonged to one of the kingdom’s most influential noble families.
Guinevere immediately bowed her head.
"Young Miss Rachael."
The young girl slowly descended the stairs without taking her eyes off Osborne.
Guinevere quietly spoke to Osborne and Anny.
"Young Miss Rachael is the youngest daughter of House Roosevelt, and the fourth of Lady Roseline’s sisters."
So she’s Rachael...
Osborne quietly observed her.
He remembered her well.
In the original novel, after the villainous Osborne continued abusing Lady Roseline’s indifference and authority, Rachael had eventually sided with the protagonist alongside the third Roosevelt sister, exposing many of Osborne’s schemes and becoming one of the reasons the original Osborne lost Roseline’s support before ultimately being condemned by the kingdom.
She had never tolerated injustice, Nor had she ever tolerated fools.
Guinevere straightened her posture.
"Young Miss." She said then gestured politely toward Osborne.
"This is Young Master Osborne Von Bismarck."
"And beside him is his personal attendant, Miss Anny." She said.
Rachael’s gaze slowly swept over Osborne from head to toe.
Silence filled the hall.
Osborne smiled politely before offering a respectful bow.
"It’s a pleasure to meet—"
"So you’re the swine who dares lust after swan flesh."
"..."
The hall instantly became silent again only this time it felt even more uncomfortable.
Osborne slowly raised his head.
"...I beg your pardon?" He said.
Rachael folded both arms across her chest.
"So you can hear." She said. She looked him up and down once more.
"I was beginning to wonder whether you were deaf." She resumed walking until she stood only a few steps away from him.
"So this is the man." She eyed him disdainfully.
"The greedy goat who thinks he can use my eldest sister to climb into House Roosevelt."
Her expression became increasingly unhappy.
"My sister is the pride of this kingdom."
"A hero."
"And someone admired by countless people." The more she spoke, the more she narrowed her eyes.
"So tell me."
"What exactly makes you think someone like you deserves someone like her?"
Anny frowned slightly.
"Young Miss, that’s—" Guinevere tried to intervene, but Rachael ignored her completely.
She stepped even closer until she stood directly in front of Osborne.
"I’ll make this perfectly clear for you." She said, Her blue eyes never left his.
"I won’t allow someone like you to marry my sister." Rachael made her stance clear.
"Young Miss Rachael." Guinevere immediately stepped forward.
"I believe that’s enough—" she began, but before she could continue...
Osborne suddenly reached forward.
"...Hm?" Rachael blinked.
To everyone’s suprise, Osborne gently clasped both of her hands between his own.
"...!" Both Rachael and Guinevere froze in place, Even Anny couldn’t help but stare blankly.
As for the cause of it all, A warm smile spread across Osborne’s face.
"...Thank you." Rachael’s eyes widened.
"...What?" Rachael muttered, still not sure what was going on.
" I am absolutely grateful to you young miss Rachael." He said with a tone of sincerity.
"Everything you’ve said is absolutely correct, I couldn’t agree more."
Hearing his words, Rachael simply stared, still not sure what this man was after.
But Osborne continued.
"Someone like me truly doesn’t deserve to be blessed with someone as remarkable as Lady Roseline." He smiled awkwardly.
"She’s far too wonderful."
’ If you consider a scary monster wonderful that is.’ he said this part to himself.
"I honestly appreciate hearing someone who feels the same way."
"..."
"..."
The grand hall became deathly quiet.
Rachael’s mind went completely blank.
...Huh?
This...
This wasn’t how this conversation was supposed to go.
She had expected him to become angry, argue or at least defend himself.
Perhaps even to boast about his family’s status.
Instead... Here he was, thanking her?
Anny could only smile helplessly.
’ Young Master...’
’You’re making things even worse...’
Guinevere quietly pinched the bridge of her nose.
’ What is he doing...?’ she wondered.
Meanwhile, Osborne couldn’t have been happier.
’I’ve found her.’
His eyes practically sparkled.
’ My very own guardian angel.’
’ Finally! Someone in this household finally has enough sense to stop this ridiculous marriage.’
’Lady Roseline’s little sister...’
’Please.’
’You’re my last hope.’
Rachael finally snapped back to reality.
She hurriedly pulled her hands free before taking two quick steps backward.
"W-Why are you touching me?!"
Her face turned slightly red.
"H-Have you no shame?!"
Osborne immediately bowed his head.
"My sincerest apologies."
"I acted without thinking."
"It won’t happen again."
"..."
Rachael looked at him as though he had suddenly grown a second head.
"...You..."
She couldn’t understand him. Not even a little.
Before she could gather her thoughts...
Osborne spoke again.
"...If I may ask..."
She frowned.
"...What?" She said.
He looked at her with genuine curiosity.
"...When do you plan on stopping the marriage?"
"..."
Silence filled the hall once more.
Complete...
Utter...
Silence.
Rachael’s eyes became vacant.
"...Excuse me?" She said.
Osborne nodded earnestly.
"I mean, you’ve clearly opposed this engagement from the very beginning."
"So..."
He smiled hopefully.
"...Do you already have a plan?"
"If you do, I’d genuinely like to hear it."
Rachael could only stare.
’Is... Is he serious...?’ she thought to herself.
"I believe..." Guinevere finally stepped forward.
Her voice carring far more weight than before.
"...That’s quite enough, Young Master Osborne." She said.
Her words naturally drew his attention towards her.
"If anyone overheard this conversation..." She sighed deeply.
"...They would think you were being forced into this engagement."
Osborne instinctively opened his mouth.
"Actually, I—" he wanted to speak up but the moment she looked great at him.
"..."
For the first time since they had met...
Her expression carried unmistakable disapproval.
"..." Osborne immediately closed his mouth.
"...Understood. I’ll try not to let it happen again." He said.
Guinevere nodded once before looking toward the still speechless Rachael.
"Young Miss."
"I shall escort Young Master Osborne to his quarters now."
" Please excuse us."
Rachael remained frozen in place. She didn’t respond.
She simply continued staring at Osborne as though trying to solve an impossible riddle.
As Guinevere led Osborne and Anny farther into the mansion, only one thought continued echoing inside the young girl’s mind.
’...What kind of man did Big Sister agree to marry?’