2. I’m Going to Run Away
The news of Riley’s marriage, which was supposed to remain confidential until officially announced, spread quickly among the servants of the Baron Edaline household.
“Did you hear? The eldest lady is getting married to Count Ermeinz!”
“That insane old man?”
“Yeah, that senile old man who’s gone mad over a young girl!”
“Can you believe someone who was once hailed as a hero, cheered by everyone, ended up like this? And even if Count Ermeinz has lost his mind, the family’s prestige is still immense. Yet he’s marrying the adopted daughter of a minor lord from the borderlands? What could he be thinking?”
“You’re missing the point. It’s precisely because she’s the adopted daughter of a minor lord from the border that this marriage is possible. No noble family would willingly marry off their daughter to a man with so many flaws, even if he’s a prominent count.”
“Is it really that bad?”
“Bad doesn’t even cover it. The gossip about him has reached even this remote area—imagine what they say in the capital. No one would want their young daughter married to Count Ermeinz.”
“Honestly, at his age, just looking for babies is insane. Ugh, it’s disgusting.”
The servants deliberately spoke loudly, as if hoping Riley would overhear. Even with the door closed, she could hear everything. It was obvious they were doing it on purpose.
Riley forced herself to remain indifferent, trying not to listen.
But since it was hardly someone else’s concern, she couldn’t turn her attention elsewhere.
“They say he doesn’t just look for young women—only inexperienced young women.”
“Ew, seriously?”
“Seriously. They say he’s a sexual deviant. Not just senile. That tendency’s been known since he was young.”
“Then all his abandoned wives…”
“Anyway, the rumors are grim. Even those who left alive were practically insane. The other two—no one knows if they’re dead or alive.”
“Then the second lady…”
“She won’t be any different from his ex-wives. But everyone expected this, didn’t they? That you’d be raised by the Baron but not truly considered family, just kept until you could be sold to a suitable household. You’re probably the only one who didn’t see it coming.”
“Poor thing.”
“Poor? She grew up comfortably enough as an orphan taken in by a family. It’s only natural to do what’s expected for the family.”
Riley had never once lived comfortably.
“To do what’s natural for the family?”
She had spent her life walking on eggshells. Meals were always alone. She could never sit with the family at the same table, and her menu was different.
While they enjoyed lavish meals three times a day, Riley received only leftovers after the maids had been served.
These people would hide the adopted daughter away because they were embarrassed to show her, spinning ridiculous lies about her being too frail to go outside.
She hadn’t even received basic education. While her younger sister Claire attended the academy and received advanced schooling, Riley was confined at home.
Moreover, they constantly verbally abused her—not just her uncle, aunt, and Claire, but the household staff too. They treated her with contempt, mocked her as if it were natural. Gossiping and belittling Riley was a form of entertainment for them.
Thinking back now… maybe Uncle always assumed I’d try to run away.
That was likely why they confined her, suppressed her, controlled her.
Perhaps they brainwashed and forced her into obedience, thinking they could sell her off when the time was right.
But was it really true that Count Ermeinz was only obsessed with inexperienced women? If that was the case, how horrifying and disgusting was he?
Riley shuddered in revulsion—just then, loud footsteps approached. Boom, boom, boom. The door flung open.
“Riley!”
It was Claire, her cousin in reality though legally listed as her sister.
“So it’s true—you’re attending the reception?”
Riley only nodded. Claire, aghast, glared at her and waved her finger.
“What right do you have to attend the reception? You’re not even really part of our family!”
“…It’s Uncle’s decision. I have no choice in the matter.”
“You should’ve refused! Why are you going with us? Do you even know what kind of event this is?”
“….”
“Someone like you, who hasn’t learned anything properly, will only bring shame to our family. How are you supposed to be introduced to others? Thinking about it is terrifying. Don’t you pity me, having to introduce my incompetent older sister? Go tell Father you won’t attend!”
“The Master of the Horizon Tower has already sent me an invitation. Uncle can’t interfere.”
“Ah! Who doesn’t know that? Stop being so obedient—at least rebel a little! Do you have no mind of your own? Just follow orders blindly? That’s why people look down on you. Go and tell Father you won’t attend. Throw a tantrum, do something—show some backbone! Are you trying to ruin my dazzling social debut?”
Claire had already made her debut. Yet she seemed to consider this reception, attended by the kingdom’s key nobles, her real debut.
Like her father, she was ambitious and proud.
“Riley, seriously. You know this isn’t your place. Know your position.”
“…Then tell Uncle yourself.”
“Are you crazy? Ask Father that and get scolded?”
“Do you think he’ll listen to my request if he won’t listen to yours?”
“Are we the same? You’re used to getting scolded. I am too, but you’ve been punished your whole life.”
Riley didn’t reply.
To be precise, she didn’t feel the need. Responding to their baseless anger would only bring more.
“That’s why you’ve been like this all along. Playing obedient, doing what you’re told, following orders blindly. You’ll never improve. Think that will earn love? Do you think you’ll ever be part of our family? No matter how much you struggle, that’s as far as you’ll get. It’s pointless.”
Riley lifted her head and looked directly at Claire.
Flustered, Claire snapped, “What are you staring at? Did I say something wrong?”
“…No, you’re right about everything.”
“…What? You only just realized your stupidity?”
“Yes. Listening to you, I can see how foolish I’ve been all this time.”
Riley’s calm, unwavering gaze startled Claire. Until now, Riley had always been timid, lowering her head and avoiding eye contact. Now she stared straight at her.
Eyes steady and determined. No longer dull or lifeless—bright and burning.
Flustered, Claire tried to push Riley further.
“If you realized your stupidity, go to Father and tell him you won’t attend. Speak your mind!”
“No.”
“…What?”
“Just as you said, I’m going to live doing what I want. I won’t be swayed by anyone anymore.”
“….”
“I want to attend the reception. As you know, I’ve never done anything publicly. I’ve been trapped at home, and it’s suffocating. I want to see the world.”
“Oh, really? So our family imprisoned you? From what you say, it seems like we took in a poor orphan only to make her miserable?”
“It’s not like I was deliberately locked up, but many restrictions were real. I couldn’t go out without permission, and even approved outings were supervised. I had to report everywhere I went, outings couldn’t last more than an hour, and I was confined to my room all day.”
“That’s ridiculous. You’re only worried I’ll embarrass the family because I’m uneducated?”
“…If you were really worried about my lack of education, wouldn’t it have been more efficient to educate me than to control me?”
“Who are you to talk back? Education for someone like you? Teaching you would be like pouring water into a bottomless pit. A mountain girl’s daughter? Waste of money.”
Riley lowered her head. She had no confident reply. Born and raised in the mountains, she had never received proper education. She had spent her life secluded until her father’s death. She had never learned even basic lessons.
Claire, by contrast, excelled in everything. Ambitious, knowledgeable, and driven—she towered over Riley in every way.
“…Leave. I have nothing more to say.”
“Hey! I said tell Father you won’t attend!”
“I will attend, no matter what.”
“You’re crazy!”
“Yes, I’m crazy.”
“Hey!”
At that moment, the door opened, and one of the servants entered.
“Miss Claire, the custom-made dress has been completed.”
“Oh, really? Alright.”
Claire calmed down and sneered at Riley.
“The Horizon reception gathers all the kingdom’s political and financial elites. Do you even have an outfit? Know your limits. You’ll look ridiculous there. Anyway, think carefully—I’m saying this because I care about you!”
She giggled and left. Riley, exhausted, sat on the floor, smiling faintly.
“…The ones who will look out of place aren’t really them or me, Claire.”
No matter how well she dressed, in a room filled with people of higher social rank and wealth, could she shine?
Claire seemed to believe she was a high noble, yet she was merely the daughter of a minor lord managing a small border fief.
…I’m going to run away then.
For Riley, the Horizon reception was the only chance to escape the Edaline household.
The moment her uncle’s control loosened, the moment she was unsupervised, the moment she could move freely—if not then, there would be no opportunity.
No matter how hard I try, I will always just be part of this household, never real family. So there’s no reason to keep trying to please them, to earn their love. I won’t live like that anymore.
She would start over.
From scratch.
Like the time she had been left alone with nothing.
The “Horizon” Tower was one of the kingdom’s four main magical towers. The youngest historically but steadily growing since its founding, it quickly became a top competitor in the magical world.
With excellent prospects, Horizon was the number one choice for aspiring mages. Yet the sudden death of the previous master, Yung, halted its progress.
Furthermore, Yung’s will named his disciple, Givnen Lianster, as his successor. The kingdom was thrown into chaos—he was far too young for the post.
Givnen, Yung’s top disciple and direct heir, was from the prestigious mage Lianster family. A prodigy with a pure magical lineage and exceptional talent from an early age, he was also strikingly handsome.
Yet people worried that someone so young could hold such an important position.
At just twenty-four, he became the youngest master in Horizon’s history.
Givnen’s official duties began with a reception celebrating his appointment.
The public’s interest focused not just on the reception but on the invited guests.
A party for a select few, prestigious attendees. Being invited was an honor comparable to attending a royal event.
It was exceptional for a minor baron’s family from the borderlands to receive an invitation.
“Master, Baron Ryan Edaline has confirmed attendance.”
“I see. Good work.”
Sak Vendome, assistant to the newly appointed young master, noticed an unfamiliar name on the guest list.
Ryan Edaline. An unfamiliar family.
“Master, why invite the Edalines? They aren’t personally acquainted… and do they even need to attend?”
“They may not be acquainted, but they are the most important guests at this reception.”
“I see… but I’m concerned. Although it’s a celebration for your appointment, Horizon’s events rival royal ceremonies in scale and significance. Inviting a minor baron family seems… questionable.”
Many had expressed concern about the young master’s age. Particularly outsiders—investors and conservative nobles skeptical of mages—spoke up loudly.
Avoiding any potential scandal was crucial.
“Then a young kid taking the master’s seat is also hardly an ideal image.”
Givnen said calmly, making Sak sweat.
“That’s not what I meant!”
“I know.”
“….”
“You don’t need to worry about outside perception. No one will care about a minor baron from nowhere.”
“Is there a reason you’re not telling me?”
Givnen paused, pen in hand.
“Givnen, if anything happens to me, immediately bring the Lianster daughter to Horizon. Keep it secret—no one else must know. This is between you and me, act carefully.”
“…Consider it a troublesome task passed down by my master.”
Sak had his doubts but remained silent.
“By the way, what about Count Ermeinz?”
“He confirmed attendance as expected.”
“The old man is thrilled to upset me, as usual. I wish he knew where to sit.”
Givnen, usually expressionless, clicked his tongue in annoyance. Then he commanded Sak as if recalling something:
“I forgot to mention—after the reception, I will appoint a guardian. Prepare the documents immediately so the procedure can start without delay.”
“A guardian? Suddenly… what do you mean?”
“Problem?”
“Not exactly… but is this for a disciple?”
Appointing a guardian was common among mages—it signified officially taking a successor.
“You are too young to have a disciple.”
“Must it always be a disciple as the ward?”
“…What if it is?”
“You ask too many questions.”
Givnen showed no intention of answering, and Sak scratched his head, stepping back.
Baron Edaline, a guardian…
Geniuses are strange, indeed. The young master’s actions were unpredictable.
