How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 36

The Caparoni Family’s Breakfast

Ferdinand Rossi Luigi Caparoni, the Marquess and head of the Caparoni family.

He was an extremely good looking man, known as the ‘masterpiece of Gods’. He used to be a great hero once when he served as a Knight Commander in the kingdom’s order of chivalry. However, he retired from the job to take on the Caparoni Marquess title and become the head of his family. Currently, he was also called the ‘guardian of the forest’.

There was a reason why the Caparoni family was so influential among other nobles.

That reason was tied to the geography of the Avilier kingdom.

The kingdom was nestled between the great forest and the valley, surrounded by the demonic realm. However, naturally, it didn’t spread infinitely around the kingdom. Avilier kingdom also shared its borders with other kingdoms beyond the forest and the valley.

In order to go to these other kingdoms, the predecessor of the nobility had cleared up a road through the forest to construct a highway. The highway was bordered by a lot of stops for resting, and small towns that had flourished with trade from other kingdoms.

This highway, which could also be said to be the key point of transportation and trade in the kingdom, passed through one of Caparoni’s many territories known as ‘La Foresta’. By the way, the valley with the demonic realm spreading beyond it in wide expanses, was a place not fit for civilization. While the other routes going through the forest could have wild beasts or demonic beasts show up on them, so they were not very safe.

(TN: The author is really vague and confusing about describing the geography. But, what they basically mean is that the highway (which passes through a lot of Caparoni territory) is the only safe route out of the kingdom to other kingdoms. Other routes through the forest are not safe, while the valley is almost impossible to cross. The fact that Caparoni owns a lot of the land from the highway makes them very influential and powerful. They basically control the trade and transportation of the kingdom. Hope this clears up some confusion.)

This was the reason why the Second Prince’s aide, Dino, had gone out of his way to apologize about ALessi’a abduction, and also promised his support in finding her.

If there was one thing he had learned about nobility, it was that you should not make enemies of the Caparoni family. 

Much less dare to touch the two beloved daughters of the current head of the family. Anyone who did so must be out of his mind.

With his heroism from his days as a knight lying dormant in him, he worked hard to look after his territories as a responsible land owner. However, he was willing to shut down all of La Foresta and stand by his family if something ever happened to either of his beloved daughters. The man called Ferdinand Rossi Luigi Caparoni was such a person. 

Leonardo also loved his sisters dearly, but he couldn’t compare to that of his father.

“Sia, how are you feeling today?”

Everyone in the Caparoni family made sure to take their breakfast together.

It was hard to get together as the whole family during other times due to Leonardo’s job in the palace.

“I’m completely fine now. I apologize for making you worry, father.”

“If you feel even a little bad then let me know immediately. Got it? Really, tell me immediately, ok?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Alessia had withdrawn from social events for a while, but was slowly entering society again by attending small tea parties thrown by families that were trustworthy.

It was Alessia herself who’d wished to do so. She’d received countless letters and gifts when she had been lying in her bed the past few days. However, feeling guilty for being coddled, she had decided to reenter society. 

“Ah, I’m worried. Isn’t it too soon? I can go together with you if you want?”

“I’m fine, father. I’ve already increased the number of guards escorting me.”

“Is that so?”

Ferdinand, feeling a bit despondent at being turned down so bluntly by Alessia, turned his hopeful gaze towards Miriam.

“What about you, Millie? What are you doing today? It looks like you’ve been embroidering a lot recently but I still haven’t received anything yet?”

“I haven’t been able to embroider anything satisfactory yet. That’s why I haven’t given anything to anybody.”

“Oh, is that right? Somehow, I’d heard that you recently got a confession from an annoying insect, but, I see… you haven’t given it to anyone.”

‘Annoying insect? It’s true there have been a lot of insects recently because of the summer heat but… confession? What is father saying?

Miriam, not understanding the meaning of ‘annoying insect’, tilted her head in confusion. Seeing that cute face Ferdinand felt like he was looking at an angel.

“I don’t really know about the insects, but today I’m going to learn embroidery from Lady Eleonora.”

Recently, the witches had started gathering quite frequently at Beatrice’s mansion, and each time Miriam was summoned there, First Prince Emilio would certainly escort her back.

Ferdinand had also noticed that, and wanted to put a stop to it immediately. But being told things like, “Father, prince Emilio said he wants to escort me back to take a break during his busy work. If I can help him even a little bit, I definitely want to do so.” from his angelic daughter Millie, he knew the prince definitely had some ulterior motives, but he still couldn’t say no to her. 

“Ah, are you going to go to Lady Beatrice’s mansion again today, then?”

“No, today I’ll go to Lady Eleonora’s house in the valley. She said she will use magic to summon me there when it’s time.”

Ferdinand smiled broadly when he heard she was going to Eleonora’s house in the valley.

“I see! It’s also good to go to a different place sometime!”

“Yes. Lady Beatrice and the others are also coming so I’m looking forward to it!”

“…Leo, is His Highness also included in this ‘Beatrice and the others’…?”

Suddenly being included in the conversation, Leonardo quickly swallowed the food he was chewing, wiped his face with a napkin, and then answered calmly.

“Of course he’s included. Our original plan was to survey the valley after all.”

“…Aa! What the hell! I’m also going…”

“Yes, yes. Don’t you already have an appointment? You’re going to be late so you better hurry up.”

Tatiana decided to restrain Ferdinand who was trying to force himself in his daughter’s plans. Ferdinand’s face got the despondent expression again.

‘Did father want to go to the valley this much? I suppose he can’t go if Lady Eleonora isn’t there. Should I invite him for a picnic in the valley sometime?’

Miriam had her head tilted as she gazed off in thought. The three people around her all thought, ‘She must be thinking about something completely wrong, but she looks so cute,’ they nodded in agreement as they all looked at each other.