"Even so, you and I are ultimately just lives destined to die. Instead of wasting time on this nonsense, you should quell your useless jealousy."
After entering the dining room, Camilla noticed a person seated at the table—the Duke of Sorfel, the owner of this place. His son, Rudville, was nowhere to be seen.
"So this is when it happens."
Confirming Rudville's absence, Camilla could roughly guess the timing. It was during a major rebellion in the western region. Rudville had left to lead the troops to suppress it.
"This is when it begins."
This was when Ravi's jealousy started to boil over, especially since Rudville would return with significant achievements.
"That aside…"
Camille glanced at Duke Sorfel and marveled inwardly.
"Uncle, you could remarry now."
She had heard that noblewomen still pursued him; he was quite handsome.
"It would be a shame to let him waste away like this."
Camilla's mother had remarried Duke Sorfel and lived happily for a time. However, that happiness was short-lived; her mother passed away in a riding accident less than a year after their marriage.
People assumed Camilla and Ravi would be cast out of the duke's household after their mother's death. There was no reason for him to keep them around since they weren't related by blood.
Yet, contrary to everyone's expectations, Duke Sorfel accepted the two orphaned children as his own.
"…"
As Camilla and Ravi entered, Duke Sorfel set aside the newspaper he was reading and removed his glasses, directing his gaze toward them.
"Wow."
His presence was undeniably imposing. When their eyes met, Camilla involuntarily stiffened.
"Take them away."
His cold voice commanded the knights. The icy glare directed at Camille reminded her of how many deaths had occurred under such a gaze.
Swallowing hard, Camilla felt cold sweat trickle down her back as her fingertips trembled slightly.
In that moment, she understood clearly what kind of place this was and what fate awaited her if she remained there.
"It's late."
Duke Sorfel finally spoke after alternating glances between Camilla and Ravi.
"That is…"
"I'm sorry. I overslept."
"...."
"...."
Both Duke Sorfel and Ravi turned their gazes toward Camilla simultaneously, their eyes reflecting similar emotions—puzzlement and surprise.
Wasn't she someone who could barely lift her head in front of Duke Sorfel?
Her usual expression was one of discontent, her lips tightly sealed. It was rare for her to look directly into Duke Sorfel's eyes and speak like this.
"And you're smiling?"
Ravi shook his head slightly, convinced that she was still half-asleep.
"Sit down."
Duke Sorfel said no more and gestured for them to take their seats. As soon as they did, the maids hurriedly brought out the food.
"Phew."
Get a grip.
Looking at Duke Sorfel, Camilla focused even harder on maintaining her expression.
Was there ever a time she felt so grateful to be an actress? She had acted through excruciating pain just before her appendix burst.
"This is nothing."
Camilla kept a calm expression as she looked at the food placed in front of her.
"Meat for breakfast."
Meat… nice.
"And seasoned meat."
When had she last eaten properly seasoned meat due to her diet restrictions?
Staring silently at the glistening steak for a moment, Camilla glanced around. Several maids were giggling while looking at her.
"Go ahead, laugh now."
It would all end today anyway.
Seeing those maids made Camilla smile subtly as well.
Their faces turned puzzled, but Camilla met their gaze directly. Then she quickly sliced into the meat in front of her.
"Father."
"Hmm?"
Carefully cutting the meat into bite-sized pieces, Camilla cautiously extended her plate toward Duke Sorfel.
"Please eat this. I've cut it nicely for you."
Duke Sorfel's eyes widened noticeably this time. Ravi coughed awkwardly as he hurriedly set down his glass of water.
Wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, Duke Sorfel's gaze turned toward Camilla with an expression that seemed to question if she had completely lost her mind.
"…Alright."
After exchanging glances between Camilla and the plate for a moment, Duke Sorfel thankfully accepted the plate without suspicion and placed it before himself instead of taking his own portion.
"Gasp!"
"Ugh!"
There were reactions from elsewhere too.
The maids were hurriedly swallowing hard, but Camilla quietly ignored their reactions and focused on eating as if nothing were amiss.
"Oh… delicious."
Indeed, meat was perfect for breakfast.
The meat was incredibly tender and savory. Soon enough, a piece of meat found its way into Duke Sorfel's mouth as well.
Now comes the important part.
"..."
Clink.
As Duke Sorfel quietly set down his fork while chewing on the meat, the sound echoed loudly in the room.
Camilla looked at him with a puzzled expression as his brow furrowed deeply; then she suddenly sprang up from her seat in alarm.
"Oh! Father! I'll eat that again!"
Suddenly remembering something she had forgotten, Camilla reached out toward the plate in front of Duke Sorfel with frantic hands.
"Wait."
Duke Sorfel lightly brushed his mouth with a handkerchief and stopped Camilla's hand from reaching out further.
Camille's eyes trembled as they locked onto Duke Sorfel's gaze. Tears began to well up in her eyes almost immediately.
Just as tears were about to fall, Camilla quickly lowered her head in an attempt to hide them.
She bit her lip slightly as if trying not to be caught like a child who didn't want to be discovered doing something wrong.
"What kind of meat was it today?"
But no one saw how the corners of her mouth subtly lifted while she kept her head bowed low.
"A lump of salt? A lump of pepper? Maybe both."
Or perhaps it could have been meat that fell into a trash bin before being served again?
Most people working in the duke's household disliked her. They used every means possible to torment her.
At first, it started with subtle harassment—making food slightly too salty or choosing bitter tea leaves just for her meals.
Camilla didn't inform her family about these incidents; it must have been her last shred of pride remaining.
As she remained silent, the harassment escalated further. If she expressed anger over it, there were even those who whimpered as if feeling wronged by her reaction.
During this time, the looks from both Duke Sorfel and other family members toward Camilla grew increasingly cold.
"What kind of princess are you when there's not even a drop of blood shared?"
"I know! While young Lord Ravi has some abilities, what about you?"
"Foolish girl. Does your pride save you? You need to speak up! Those people are annoying."
How could they not find anything strange when someone at their table took one bite and barely touched their food?
How could they endure such treatment without questioning it for so long?
"It's not your first time."
Duke Sorfel's voice suddenly broke through again at that moment.
"Oh no!"
Exactly! As expected from the head of a family; he grasped the situation immediately!
While internally celebrating this realization, Camilla quickly shook her head with a stiff expression. Her eyes remained red-rimmed from unshed tears.
"We'll discuss this later."
After silently observing her for a moment longer, Duke Sorfel slowly stood up and looked toward one side of the room.
"After dealing with them."
His gaze fell upon several maids whose faces had turned pale.