A Butterfly Through the Mist - Chapter 24

After hesitating for a moment, Tilia carefully picked up the palm-sized box.

It was a familiar package: almond chocolates that Tilia often bought for herself. They were a bit expensive for her budget, but not to the point where she couldn’t buy them, so she would indulge in one for herself on special occasions.

Why is this in the medicine box?

Tilia glanced between the pile of medicine beside her and the chocolate, tilting her head in confusion.

Medicine and chocolate…

‘Not a bad package combination.’

Whoever the attendant was that packed this was quite competent, Tilia thought, as she put the chocolate back in the box. Then, with a satisfied expression, she swept all the scattered medicines back into the box.

After placing the now-heavy box back under her desk, Tilia opened her desk drawer with a light heart.

Inside was the same type of chocolate she had just seen.

It wasn’t part of Ilex Davenport’s hush-money kit, but the real chocolate Judy had gifted her a week ago.

Tilia tore open the wrapping of her favorite snack with a pleased expression.

She broke off a piece and popped it into her mouth, and sweetness filled her taste buds almost immediately.

It was the same as always—an utterly delightful reward.

***

Finally, the last day of the term arrived.

The dormitory front was abuzz with the happy noise of carriages from each family arriving one after another.

The students, packing up and getting ready to leave, were filled with joy and excitement at the thought of finally going home.

But only one person, Tilia, remained calm.

“Ah, here it is!”

Judy, unlike Tilia, was unable to suppress her excitement as she spotted the Wells family’s carriage and jumped up.

“Tilia, I’m going first. I’ll send the invitation soon, so you must come, okay?”

“Yeah, I will. Take care.”

After seeing Judy off, Tilia let out a small sigh and began looking around for the Ambrose family’s carriage.

It didn’t take her long to find it either. Among the flashy carriages, the dull-colored Ambrose carriage stood out in its contrast.

With a blank expression that matched the dreary carriage, Tilia walked towards it without much feeling.

Handing her luggage to the coachman without even glancing at him as he chatted away, Tilia climbed into the carriage alone.

Unlike the exterior, which at least maintained the appearance of a noble carriage, the neglected interior was a mess.

Just as Tilia was turning her head to find a slightly cleaner seat, looking at the worn seats and the curtains with their torn seams—

Ugh.

Without any orders, the carriage took off on its own.

At the sudden movement, Tilia lurched heavily. Not yet seated, she barely managed to grab the handle attached to the carriage wall to stop herself from falling.

But instead of knocking on the ceiling to draw attention, she chose to close her eyes and let it go.

It was foolish to expect basic courtesy from a coachman who hadn’t received proper pay, especially an old coachman who knew his position in the household all too well.

Tilia sat stiffly in the uncomfortable seat, her back straight.

She had to accept it. The good times when all she needed to do was study were gone.

For the next month, she would have to endure rather than enjoy her time.

***

Thwack. Along with the sound of a fist striking her head, her head twisted. It felt like a dull ache reverberated near her temple instead of her side.

“Is this what you call a report card?”

A harsh scolding rang in her ears, and a white paper fluttered in front of her eyes.

Tilia stared blankly at her report card that had fallen to the floor.

The first thing she saw was the number “2/143.” Below that was the phrase “Full Scholarship Recipient.”

“Being anything but first is meaningless. How many times do I have to say it for you to understand? You have nothing, so you need to earn the title of academy valedictorian at least, to prove you can be a worthy match!”

Standing quietly, Tilia listened to her father, Bradley Ambrose’s verbal abuse.

Though she stood with her hands clasped in front of her in an obedient manner, inwardly she was not.

Tilia observed Bradley Ambrose as if she were an outsider.

Despite being the father of two grown children, Baron Ambrose’s appearance was immaculate. His soft brown hair was much thicker than that of his peers, and his clear green eyes still held a sharp light.

Of course.

Pretending to be a repentant daughter, Tilia mocked him indifferently.

He must have looked good enough to marry a count’s daughter despite being a lowly baron.

“Do you know how much money I spent to get you through the academy? Do you know how astronomical the amount was?”

Swear to God, Tilia had never received a single penny from her family while attending the academy. From her dorm fees to her pocket money, it had all come from the Royal Academy Foundation.

But if she pointed that out now, the baron would surely go back to the beginning and rant all over again, as if time were rewinding itself.

“How can a leech like you not bring back a first place even once!”

Though she didn’t care about being hit, she loathed wasting time. Tilia remained silent, her head bowed as if in remorse for the baron’s words.

“Exactly. A leech is what you are.”

At that moment, the real leech, the one actually devouring the family’s money, chimed in.

Tilia didn’t turn her head towards him, but she knew exactly what kind of expression the man who joined the conversation was wearing.

“Always making a fuss, even though you’re completely talentless, full of unnecessary ambition.”

He was probably wearing a smug face, delighted to finally get a chance to say something to her, showing off his unsettlingly white teeth.

“Not even getting first place, and wasting money. Is there anything you can do properly?”

George Ambrose. Her biological brother, who looked just like their father.

“This is why girls are hopeless.”

He was spouting off excitedly, a man who had been sidelined after causing significant losses in every business venture he touched.

“Father, are you sure she can even graduate properly? I can’t figure out how she passed the entrance exam with this kind of head.”

Tilia closed her eyes slowly and then opened them again before speaking softly.

“I’m sorry.”

She then made a promise she knew she couldn’t keep.

“I’ll try harder next time and do my best to be valedictorian.”

“Do you think trying will make it happen?”

“Enough, George. If your sister marries well, won’t it benefit you too?”

“Do you really think she’ll marry well?”

“Quiet! At least she has her brains!”

At their father’s harsh words, George’s lips pouted petulantly.

Tilia quietly hoped that he would shut up soon, that this repetitive ordeal she had to endure every vacation would finally end.

“Tilia, don’t be stupid. You need to pay back what’s been done for you.”

Baron Ambrose spat out the words in disdain before finally giving his dismissal.

“Leave.”

Finally, it was over. Tilia bowed deeply, picked up her report card, and turned around.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bradley standing with his chin arrogantly lifted.

Tsk tsk. The sound of his tongue clicking echoed softly in the quiet study, clearly intended for her to hear.

‘Is it because it’s my final year?’

As Tilia turned the handle of the study door, her eyelids slowly rose.

‘I don’t feel like putting up with it today.’

With a light sigh, Tilia slowly turned her head.

“Father.”

Bradley Ambrose, slouched in his chair while lighting a cigar, responded irritably, “What is it?”

“Could we call for a healer?”

“What?”

The baron’s brow furrowed deeply at his daughter’s impudent request. “Are you seriously asking for a healer just because I gave you a little discipline?”

“It’s not that.”

Ignoring George, who seemed ready to interject, Tilia continued, “I have an appointment tomorrow. I’m having dinner at Lady Wells’ house. I’m worried I might bruise near my temple where I got hit.”

“…What?”

“Judy sent an invitation. Since a family member returned after a long time, she said she wanted to invite us for dinner and insisted I come.”

Tilia’s expression remained calm, just as it had been the entire time she was in the study.

But Baron Ambrose’s expression was anything but calm.

“Why didn’t you mention that sooner!”

Bradley stood up in a fiery rage, angrily blowing air through his nose as he anxiously rummaged through his desk.