pter 14 – The Main Manor and the Heir
“Welcome to the main manor, my lady.”
The elderly man bowed with perfect grace, and I quickly mimicked him, bending at the waist.
“Hello, Grandpa Butler!”
The butler of House Abner—Roger—was a neatly dressed, dignified-looking gentleman with kind eyes. He smiled softly.
“I’ve been well, my lady. And how have you found life in the east wing?”
“Good!”
I turned around and pointed at Miel and Soya, who were standing a few steps behind me.
“It’s all thanks to Miel and Soya!”
Then I pointed farther away, toward the group of kitchen staff watching us from the garden.
“And the food was really yummy too!”
Roger chuckled, a warm, amused laugh.
I laughed along with him.
Ever since deciding I had to at least reach Hiana’s level in social grace, I’d been putting my plan into action.
In the last few weeks, I’d greeted almost everyone working in the mansion and grown close to the kitchen staff—all thanks to my persistent “walk requests” with Miel and Soya.
It was my grand strategy: “Make Allies in the Abner Estate.”
There was only one reason behind it.
Life never goes as planned.
You never know what’s going to happen next—especially not in my life.
In my previous one, I’d been born with nothing.
No parents, just an orphanage.
Then one day, I became the adopted daughter of House Longton.
And when the real daughter came back, I was left behind.
Finally—well, the poison ending spoke for itself.
But this time, it’s my second chance.
I’d already learned that intelligence means nothing without people on your side.
So my new goal in this life was simple:
To achieve what I couldn’t before.
This time, I’ll make it to the top—Head of the Alchemy Academy, or maybe even Master of the Mage Tower.
Even if I couldn’t go that far, I refused to let anyone steal my work again.
To prevent that, I needed to build a name for myself in academia first—gain enough reputation to hold influence like any other scholar.
Then, once I’m older, I’ll research whatever I want. Even the reason I came back.
I’d once read a thesis titled “Reincarnation as Magic.”
I wanted to know if my return had been caused by something like that.
So, for now, I’ll study here under Abner’s name… maybe even found a research society someday.
I’d promised to be useful to the Abner family when they took me in.
And if nothing else, I wanted to keep that promise.
Sharon Abner was the only person who ever recognized me in my past life.
The seal she gave me had literally saved my life this time around.
I’ll repay her, just as I once helped the Longtons rise.
The Abners were inexperienced in magical studies, so with even a little effort, I could open up an entire new field for them.
Once I was old enough, I’d leave the estate without hesitation—
live well, eat well, and do all the research I wanted.
“You must be tired, my lady. Let’s go inside,” Roger said gently, gesturing toward the open doorway.
I ran forward, gripping his hand tightly.
“Yes, Grandpa!”
Roger blinked, startled, then smiled warmly.
“Of course, my lady.”
His wrinkled hand closed over mine, steady and kind.
***
“Woooow…”
The moment I stepped into the main building, my mouth fell open.
The main manor—where Duchess Sharon Abner herself resided—was even more spectacular than I’d imagined.
It wasn’t just that the floors or walls were luxurious. It was something more.
“Th-this is… huge…”
Roger laughed.
“Haha, I’m glad it pleases you, my lady. I haven’t even shown you your room yet.”
The east wing could have fit three times inside this hall.
On the floor lay a massive animal pelt, so large I couldn’t even imagine how anyone had hunted it.
Mounted trophies decorated the walls—wolves, bears, and a giant stag with glittering antlers.
Roger crouched to meet my gaze.
“Her Grace enjoys hunting. Even with her busy schedule, she never misses her annual trip to the northern glaciers.”
I pointed toward the enormous mount on the staircase wall.
“What’s that?”
“That, my lady, is a wolf from the northern Chandler Mountains.
They’re far larger and more aggressive than normal wolves.”
“Eek… a wolf…”
“Are you frightened?”
I shook my head quickly.
“No! Not at all!”
Even so, my eyes darted away from the glassy, snarling muzzle.
Roger laughed kindly and pointed down a long corridor to our right.
“That side leads to the reception hall for important guests—and to the Duchess’s study.”
Sunlight poured through tall windows, making the marble floors glow.
I nodded, looking thoughtful.
So that’s where the Crown Prince ran from that day.
Later, I’d learned the prince had visited the mansion with Queen Consort Karin.
It made sense—after all, the Duchess’s weapons business was directly tied to the imperial palace.
He must’ve gotten scolded by the Queen again.
Remembering the way he’d gone pale at a mere hand gesture made me sigh.
I hope he’s doing okay.
I’d given him some advice back then—subtle but useful, I thought.
Whether he took it or not wasn’t my problem anymore.
I’ve got my own life to handle.
That was my new motto in this life:
Don’t get too involved in other people’s problems.
***
“On the other side,” Roger continued, “we have the ballroom and the smaller dining hall used by the family.”
“I wanna see!” I chirped, grinning.
But just as Roger pointed that way—
“Roger.”
A sharp voice cut through the air behind us.
We both froze.
The doors of the main hall, which had been closed moments ago, were now wide open.
Behind them stood a cluster of startled servants—Miel, Soya, and several others—
and leaning lazily against the doorway was—
“You didn’t hear me calling, old man?” he said coolly. “You planning to ignore me all day?”
The man looked almost identical to Sharon Abner, except younger—
his sharp violet eyes and the curl of his mouth were unmistakable.
“…Young Master Jaden,” Roger said quietly.
He released my hand at once and hurried to the door.
I glanced down at my now-empty hand, then back up at him.
So that’s Jaden.
Jaden Abner.
The Duchess’s only son—and the heir who would one day inherit the entire estate.
Except… he hasn’t officially been named “Young Duke” yet.
Roger bowed low, his tone calm but uneasy.
“My apologies, sir. My hearing must be failing. I didn’t—”
SLAP!
A harsh, echoing sound filled the hall.
Roger’s head snapped sideways. His glasses flew to the floor.
I froze in disbelief.
A thin line of blood formed on Roger’s lip.
“Can you hear now?” Jaden said, his tone dripping with mockery.
He flicked his hand like it was dirty, shaking off the sting.
“If you’re going deaf, maybe see a healer—or dig up a dark mage’s grave and get your ears replaced.”
“I… I apologize, young master,” Roger murmured.
Jaden tapped his shoulder twice, the gesture almost casual.
“Do I really have to teach you basic manners in my own house?”
“That wasn’t my intent, sir. Forgive me—”
“Shut up. Go see who’s arrived.”
Roger’s gaze shifted toward the open doorway.
Jaden sighed as though bored out of his mind.
“Trying to be a good son today, volunteering to greet guests myself… and you make me wait at the door?”
He turned on his heel and strode outside.
A moment later, someone else entered through the door.
“Ah… Marchioness Camilla, ma’am!” Roger said quickly.
“Oh, Roger, honestly. How long were you planning to keep me standing out there, hm?”
The woman’s hair was elegantly coiled and glittering with jeweled pins.
Her gown shimmered with expensive fabric, embroidered with gold thread.
And beside her stood a cheerful young girl, smiling brightly.
“Oh, Mother, it’s fine! I’m perfectly all right. You don’t have to fuss over me so much.”
She curtsied politely—her tone sweet, her eyes sharp.
I couldn’t help but stare.
A noblewoman and her daughter—both clearly trouble.
