LILA: THE CURSED VILLAINESS

12

Our relationship hasn't changed.

"This meeting is now adjourned."

hustle bustle—

chatter chatter—

The vassals quickly began to talk amongst themselves once the meeting was finished.

"My word, have you seen the new cuff links?"

"Of course. They're quite dazzling but the price is outrageous!"

"I don't know. It seems like the price is worth it, what about you Marquis? have you seen the new cuff links that's been getting really popular?"

"No. My time isn't so useless that I argue about the price of some stupid cuff links."

"...."

"...a-ah, well sorry. Excuse us then."

hustle bustle—

chatter—

The room quickly went awkward but as a way to try and lessen the awkwardness, a few vassals walked up to Lila to strike a conversation to her.

"Good morning Lila, how have you been? I've been praying for your fast recovery."

"Fine." Lila gave them a short answer. The vassals face began to gloom with a nervous smile on their face, "Well my daughter was hoping you two could possibly meet for te—?"

"Tea?" Lila scoffed, "I'm far too busy with succession classes and other matters to share tea with some girl."

"A-Ah...well then, n-never mind."

"..."

"..."

None of the vassals spoke it, but they were all thinking the same things.

Like father like daughter.

The two of them were very closed off and quiet. When they heard that the Marquis's daughter will be attending their meetings more often to gain some insight on the money business for her succession, they were all thinking of a cute, shy, and innocent girl that's the exact opposite of their cold and stern boss.

They were also expecting the marquis to be absolutely smitten with his daughter but instead they see that the marquis and his daughter were especially cold and stern to each other.

The marquis patiently waited for Lila to hurry and finish packing her notes. Amidst her packing up her stuff, the marquis got a clear look at Lila's notes.

He scrunched up his nose, "What do you expect to learn from such awful notes? are you taking these meetings lightly, or is it that it just isn't worth your effort?"

The marquis words pierced Lila like an arrow. Lila who glared at him in annoyance grabbed the arrow and quickly sent it back.

"What is the point to scold me on my notes father when you aren't gonna be the one to study. All my teachers sing me praises on my intelligence but here you are scolding me on some simple notes? Don't waste your head on this, since we both know that I will still continue my classes with flying colors, regardless of how awful my notes are."

She sent the arrow back harder, however the marquis quickly grabbed it and sent it back.

"Regardless, as the future head of the marquis home, good notes are a must. What will people think when the head of the marquis home can't even take good notes?"

"Oh please, some bad notes won't be my downfall."

"But it could be the beginning of it."

"Weren't you the one who just said your time isn't so useless to worry about the price of cuff links? what a hypocrite you are father, especially considering that your scolding me on my notes."