After the warm welcome from my two parents, I took some time to analyze them before responding. My father had neatly cut short black hair and black eyes to accompany his face. His burly structure would allow him to stand out among most, but his skin was fair and boasted youth despite his actual age.
My mother was slightly taller than me and held the same curly black hair that I did. Her hair was slightly longer than mine and her beauty might even surpass me.
As she met my gaze with those deep violet eyes of hers, she invoked a sense of fear within me, despite her standing as my own mother. Her body was very much similar to mine, boasting a curvy figure with
However, after the brief staring contest between the three of us, it was my mother who broke the inherent silence created by my observation.
"So, my dear Alicia, have you enjoyed living by yourself? I know that Villa isn't the best, but I will make sure that we have some renovations done in the coming months to make it more to your liking."
Despite the idea that my parents weren't very fond of me, my mother's beautiful face radiated with a warm smile that was directed at me. I almost released a startled gasp when she talked about renovating the mansion that I was living in.
"Mother, I don't think it needs any renovations."
Renovations? That mansion would be the most extravagant thing I had ever seen in my past life! I can't believe Alicia bothered to try to kill the heroine when she had this kind of lifestyle laid out for her.
"But isn't that old mansion a bit too shabby for you? I wanted to give you the new property that we attained recently, but your father decided to use it for his study."
My father, who had been silent until now, finally displayed a slight smile backed by him scratching the back of his head.
"If Alicia truly wants it, then I'm willing to give it to her, dear."
As their casual conversation about mansions continued, I couldn't help but feel out of place within the entire thing. This kind of conversation about owning multiple mansions was almost making my head spin.
Somehow, whenever I think I am getting used to this being rich thing, I end up being shocked every time.
Anyway, I was unsure of how to tell my mother that I didn't believe renovations to the mansion were needed. I mean, if I had any more space to myself within that mansion, I was unsure of if I would ever even use it.
However, before I could interrupt the duo's conversation, I noticed my mother's eyes were already plastered on my maid, Freya, who was standing a bit back as she observed the conversation between us.
"Freya dear, come over here and join us for lunch."
I was surprised that my mom wanted to allow Freya to eat with us, but I was also very much relieved about it. If I had Freya by my side when I went to go ask my mother to break off the engagement, it would likely go much more smoothly.
I was unsure of why I believed that to be true, but for some reason that was how it felt to me at the moment, but when I turned to Freya, she had a panicked expression blooming on her face accompanied by tinted blush that reddened her cheeks.
"Lady Claire, I could never dare!"
While Freya tried to politely refuse my mother's request because of her fear of rudeness, instead, she pointed her gaze back to me with the same bright smile that she had displayed moments ago.
"Would you like Freya to eat with us?"
I didn't hesitate to nod my head and allowed Mom to ask the girl again.
"My daughter would like you to join us for lunch, so do you still wish to refuse me?"
Even though there was a hint of subtle aggression in her tone, it was obvious that she just wanted to use Freya into eating lunch we. Even though I had only met my mother for the first time, she was like an open book that was easy to read and even for those reasons; I found myself feeling very fond of her.
"Understood… Lady Claire."
Freya's blue eyes drooped with worry, but it appeared she tried to push it aside as we all followed my father inside of the mansion for lunch.
***
Once again, I was already blown away by the exterior of this house, but it became even more extraordinary to me when I tasted the exquisite cooking of the Court chef. He is a chef who travels to all the properties of the highest ranking nobles to cook for them.
It was said in the game that his cooking could raise your magic power, but that was an obvious lie. However, in this world, he held an even bigger place in my heart, as the meal I was eating was unlike anything I had ever tasted before.
The tender steak melted in my mouth and the Ceaser salad he also prepared was covered with a dressing that I had also never tasted before. As I sat at the gigantic dining table with Freya by my side and my mother and father sitting across from me, I just enjoyed the moment of bliss that I gained while eating this amazing food.
Freya, who was sitting beside me, hesitated to eat the food, but once told her to eat, she obeyed and from her expression; it appeared that she truly enjoyed the food as well. However, while the lunch that we enjoyed together was amazing, I made sure I didn't forget the plan that I had devised before I came here.
"Excuse me, Mother and Father. I have something I want to talk to you all about."
A curious gaze radiated off both of their faces as they awaited my question. My mother's brows furrowed and my father's warm expression slightly darkened. After a brief moment of hesitation, I stood from the dining table and spoke.
"I wish to break off my engagement with the Crown Prince."