How to Avoid Becoming a Vicious Stepmother - Chapter 92

8. The Eighth Plan. To greet the new family members warmly. (1)

Count Petrika died in an accident even before the carriage could enter the county. It was a disaster that happened while he had been moving fast on such slippery snow. His son personally took care of his body and held a funeral while Carl’s birthday was quietly celebrated in return as only the Count’s family were present at the funeral.

Since it had been the Prince’s birthday party, everyone was trying their best to have a good time, but due to the nature of the attendees who participated, an awkward string of silence often occurred. The rather modest party was attended by the current Head of DeMancier, Gellerhard, myself, Carl and the Duchess Dowager. On top of that, there were my eldest and youngest brothers, who had recently moved to the Dukedom as well as my parents. Viscountess Desmond was also invited as she came along with her young children after a long time, together with Carl’s pair of escort knights as well as their younger siblings and children.

Children of all ranks were happy to get along with each other, but it had been quite difficult for the adults. Since Count Decca had met his demise in a rather unfortunate incident, his two daughters were currently staying in the Duchy. Therefore, they also attended the party and in a letter that was sent to Count Petrika as a courtesy, the Baron, who had been his agent, turned up while bearing a gift.

Gotten caught in the act of the former Count Petrika, Duke DeMancier had Count Decca killed and he told the Count’s daughters that if they weren’t willing to marry the Young Masters of Viscount Bentta, they would then have to return both the territory and the title. It was a really awkward meeting altogether.

As he was no longer able to bear the awkward interruption of the conversation, my eldest brother soon began to start his rhyme with a single ‘uh’.

“Don’t you think the Prince’s smile is a little bit similar to that of Mandy’s?”

He was really saying anything that could come out despite the fact that he gave a peek before a burst of laughter should soon be heard from the absurd words. Right at that moment, everyone turned their heads towards both myself and Carl.

“It really looks a bit like that. Doesn’t it? My Prince?”

The only person that took it seriously had been my third brother, Liam, who was sitting right next to me. Liam continued the argument in a more subtle manner with his characteristically humorous tone.

“Huh!”

Perhaps Carl had understood what he was saying that he cheerfully smiled and nodded. It was something that everyone would be laughing at with the words saying how Carl and I had looked alike, but no one dared to laugh or even refute it.

“Both Mandy and Carl are very pretty when they smile. I also think that Carl smiles a lot because of his resemblance to Mandy.”

Although it felt somewhat inexperienced, Gellerhard agreed as he put some of Carl’s favorite food on Carl’s plate where he was currently eating from with his own hands. As he turned his gaze towards him, Gellerhard met his eyes and smiled. It must have been due to the fact that the Duke of DeMancier was also like that. I began to put some carrots on Carl’s plate as well, which Carl had secretly refused to eat. Carl pursed his lips and immediately looked at me.

“The carrot also wants to get closer to our Carl.”

“But carrots are sour.”

“Carl actually likes carrots Now, ah”

“Ah—”

The ripe carrot eventually popped into Carl’s mouth. Yum yum—he chewed it roughly and swallowed it quickly before he smiled at me. Nevertheless, only laughter had leaked out along with Carl himself. In the end, the only carrot that went into Carl’s mouth was just a little piece of it. Now that Carl was growing up quite a bit, he would need some kind of education, but in front of Carl’s smile at the moment, a burst of laughter gushed out and everything turned into a big deal.

After eating a few bites of the given dessert, Carl started to turn over while stating that he was bored and the escort knight soon followed after him as well as the children as they went out to play. Since the children and the birthday boy had left, it made the place even more awkward in exchange.

“I’ll let myself watch the kids.”

As Margaret rose from her seat, her husband, Viscount Desmond, proceeded to escort her. After he kindly escorted her to the door, Viscount Desmond took a seat once again. The remaining escort knights also took their leave quickly, stating that it would be difficult to manage it all alone.

“Thank you for the invitation. But my younger sister is feeling a little bit unwell at the moment, so may I excuse myself first?”

“Okay, sure. I’ll call for a doctor then.”

“Thank you.”

The ladies of Count Decca left as well as they gave an excuse that could not be known whether it was really true or false. There was another pause of an awkward silence and I eventually counted the people who remained.

Viscount Desmond, who was loyal to Gellerhard and supported Carl as the next successor, my parents as well as my two older brothers, other than, of course, the Duchess Dowager along with Gellerhard and finally, Baron Tian who attended on the behalf of Count Petrika himself. Viscount Desmond wasn’t really needed to be in this place, but he never wanted to be kicked out as well, so he left for now. In the end, all the stakeholders had congregated together.

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