When I Became the Daughter Of The Villainous Grand Duke - Chapter 1
Translator and Editor: Hue and Tea
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Chapter 1
Prologue
At this very moment, if someone were to ask me: “What is your most regrettable act today?” I would answer without hesitation: Assisting Grand Duke Belroc!
I swallowed hard as I looked at the man who exuded an icy cold stare. While some might find his appearance appealing, for me it was sheer terror.
Well, considering the rumors surrounding him and the massacre I had witnessed firsthand, it was only natural.
“It was definitely not helping the Grand Duke.”
In reality, my actions had been closer to that, but regardless, once this was over, the Grand Duke would have no reason to seek me out again.
“Is he trying to kill me?”
I chalked it up to my overactive imagination, but I had seen and heard enough to entertain the thought. Besides, if that wasn’t the reason, he had no motive to seek me out.
My heart raced and my instinct-driven brain moved my lips. Now was the time to beg.
“Help…”
“Since you saved my life, I suppose I must offer compensation.”
Huh? I froze in unexpected haste. Compensation?
What followed was unimaginable.
“If I become your father, that should be enough.”
I felt as if I had just heard something completely bizarre. No, this must be a misunderstanding on my part. This man couldn’t possibly…
“As of today, we are a family.”
The Grand Duke added in a tone that seemed to mock my thoughts. I felt my mouth drop open, but I couldn’t regain my composure.
For an orphan like me, the offer to become a family was truly heartwarming. However, I had never imagined that I would hear such words from this man. For this man was Grand Duke Belroc, the notorious mad killer known for annihilating anyone who crossed him, and the future villain who would lead a rebellion!
1. Once Again
From the day I was born, I was far from what people commonly call “lucky.” I could confidently attribute this to two factors.
First, I was an orphan. Being born into a noble family was something I never wished for; it was an extremely rare occurrence. But since I was raised under the care of my parents, I couldn’t help but feel bitter that I didn’t fit into that category.
Second, I found myself in this particular place, the Brientz Orphanage, among numerous child care institutions. In the Empire, these institutions were run under the patronage of the royal family and a few noble houses. The Brientz Orphanage was no exception. It was sponsored by both the royal family and the Count family. If there was one thing that set it apart from the others, it was the voracious ambition of the orphanage’s director, who seemed focused solely on feathering his own nest. This led him to engage in illegal and unethical practices sanctioned by the Count family. I discovered this much later.
In any case, my congenital deafness brought me to the attention of the director. They thought they could order me around because I couldn’t hear. In a way, I was lucky. Unlike many other children who were sent to unknown places and whose fate remained uncertain, I at least managed to survive.
At the same time, it was unfortunate. I was constantly tormented by my inability to count well and my difficulty in memorizing characters. Every day was a struggle…
“Such a pretty child.”
By chance, I caught the eye of Viscountess Malone, who happened to be visiting the orphanage.
She was the honored daughter of Count Shane, who sponsored the Brientz Orphanage, and the wife of Lord Malone. As she visited the orphanage her father supported that day, she smiled with satisfaction.
“So your name is ‘Annie?’ Can’t you understand a word I say because you’re deaf?”
If Viscountess Malone didn’t know anything, it was that I could read people’s lips well enough. Of course, I could also deduce what she was saying.
But I couldn’t read her intentions as deeply as I could my own…
“It just so happens that I need a mute servant. She’s perfect for the job; being deaf, she won’t even be able to move words around or hear them.”
I knew it wasn’t a kind intention.
Viscountess Malone’s smiling face as she looked at me didn’t seem very friendly either.
“She looks cute, too, so this could be good for my reputation.”
“Lady, I’m sorry, but could you choose another child? This child is diligently teaching me to do double-entry bookkeeping.”
“How much does my father give this madam every month?”
“W-Well!”
“There must have been a lot of business that my husband and father made possible. Can’t you spare a child?”
“Well, of course, if you like her, you should take her.”
But there was only one reason why I wanted to follow Viscountess Malone.
The formidable Matron, who had always frightened me, couldn’t make a move against Viscountess Malone.
She seemed like a savior to me.
“If I follow this person, things will be easier for me.”
With this sincere belief, I made up my mind to follow Viscountess Malone.
And since I was going anyway, I wanted to take Sister Mari with me, the only one who had been kind to me in that orphanage.
So I grabbed Sister Mari’s skirt. This meant that I wanted to take her with me as well. If there was a chance, I wanted to give it to Sister Mari as well.
We weren’t blood sisters, but that didn’t matter.
Marie was more than a step-sister to me.
“Annie…?”
Marie looked at me in surprise.
But I held on to my sister’s skirt and stared at Madam Malone.
“You want to take her with you, don’t you?”
Fortunately, she understood quickly. And so did the headmaster.
Slap!
“What are you doing, giving the lady a hard time? Let go!”
Before I could nod, the headmaster furrowed his brow and slapped me on the back of the hand that was holding Marie’s skirt.
“It’s all right, Madam.”
It was Madam Malone who stood up to the headmaster.
“I’m compassionate, so I don’t mind taking one more.”
“Yes? But, Madam. This child is mute, and I’ve raised her so diligently…”
“Does that mean it can’t be done?”
“Oh, no. Of course it can.”
When Madam Malone raised an eyebrow, the headmaster quickly backed down.
I was really happy up to that point.
I was finally going to get out of here.
I wouldn’t have to endure the headmaster’s punishments anymore, would I?
I thought so for a short while.
Madam Malone was much like the principal. She didn’t take my condition into consideration and insisted on doing things her way.
Instead of sign language, she created hand signals that were convenient for her to order me around. If I didn’t understand or upset her, she would throw things at me or find some way to punish me.
I always had to watch her mood, and when she wasn’t around, I toiled as a maid.
It was a different kind of misery, but I thought it was better than the headmaster’s.
At least Madam Malone’s way of torturing me was a little better than the Headmaster’s.
Until ‘that incident’ happened.
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