Chapter 4
Mona blankly stared out the carriage window as the scenery of the capital flashed past. About two hours had passed like that. The carriage arrived in the Mondschuh district, where the empire’s newly risen aristocrats lived. Originally, the Count Bellose family was a time-honored lineage, so they had lived in the Valois district, where traditional aristocrats gathered. However, around the time Mona was born, the Bellose couple’s business went under, and they had no choice but to sell their townhouse in the capital’s most expensive area at a bargain price.
“Around the time Mona was born, even the Valois house went up for auction, and only unlucky things kept overlapping…….” “That child is just like a child who brings misfortune around. Is that why I can’t feel any affection for her?”
Stepping out of the carriage, Mona inadvertently recalled a conversation she had heard in the past. She knew that linking her birth with the family’s declining fortunes was a classic post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. Yet strangely, every time she came to Mondschuh, her parents’ conversation from long ago suddenly popped up like a long-standing wound. ‘That’s why I didn’t want to come.’ Ever since entering the dormitory, except for times like this when her parents called her, Mona had practically never set foot in this place. ‘Has it been almost two years…?’
The interior garden of the townhouse had become far more extravagant than what Mona remembered. From the decorative fountain and crystal-embedded lighting to various sculptures filling the surroundings. The Bellose family’s spice trading business seemed to be running very well, at least on the surface. ‘Maybe good fortune really does follow when I’m not around.’ Thinking such a ridiculous thought, Mona passed through the garden, took a deep breath, and stepped inside the mansion.
“Olivia……! My daughter, you look so lovely today.” The moment Count Bellose saw his second daughter, Olivia, who appeared after finishing preparations for the banquet, he burst out in admiration. Having reached adulthood this year, Olivia drew massive attention for her beautiful appearance the moment she debuted in high society. Her lustrous brown hair created an exquisite contrast with her cream-like skin, and her pale green dress added a unique freshness, making her look like a fairy emerging from the forest. “My lucky child! Olivia. It was tough work finding a necklace that suits you. Go ahead and put it on.” “It’s so pretty! Thank you! Dad is the best!”
Receiving a large emerald necklace shaped like a four-leaf clover as a gift, Olivia couldn’t hide her joy. At today’s banquet, none other than the hero who protected the empire and the heir to the Grand Duke’s household, Richard Kronel, would be attending. Therefore, she had wanted to attend the banquet looking more perfect than usual, but she had been stressing out because she lacked a suitable accessory. Right in front of such an Olivia, her father had pulled out a necklace that looked extravagant and high-end at a single glance. “Olivia Noona. That necklace really suits you. It’s like a jewel born just for you.” “Really?” “Yeah! Noona, you pull off the emerald color really well, too. It’s not a color anyone can easily pull off.”
Olivia’s twin younger brother Liam offered continuous praise, and the Countess Bellose watched the scene with a content expression. “Among the young ladies attending today’s banquet, my daughter will by far stand out the most.” “Of course. Whose daughter is she!” “Even if I search the academy wide-eyed, there’s no girl prettier than our noona.” Amidst her family’s excessive praise and affection, Olivia fingered her necklace with a smile. Right then. Clack, clack, clack. As Mona descended via the staircase leading to the parlor, the cheerful atmosphere vanished in an instant, and silence blanketed the surroundings. A deep sense of repulsion flashed across Olivia’s green eyes as she looked at Mona.
A sweet dad who granted whatever she asked for, a mom who treasured her like a jewel, an obedient and kind younger brother. Her family was already perfect. Yet a girl who hadn’t even grown up with them suddenly showed up out of nowhere one day and introduced herself as her sister. The repulsion born from that moment only grew larger day by day. ‘…Sister, my foot.’
How utterly unpleasant she was. However, as she grew a little older, apart from hating that woman, she also found it ridiculous. To still be sporting such a gloomy, bookworm-like look. ‘If it were me, I would have begged my father and gotten a decent dress. How stupid.’ Mona Bellose was still wearing the outdated, stiff dress she had bought for her own coming-of-age ceremony. On top of that, because of her poor eyesight, she always insisted on thick glasses, making her beyond unfunny-looking. ‘Well, given that kind of appearance, she does have some use value.’ Olivia swallowed her inner thoughts and silently fingered her new necklace.
“Sigh. Why on earth did she come here?” Also, twin brother Liam didn’t even think to hide his annoyed expression as he muttered to himself and repeatedly swept back his hair. Amidst the suffocating, tense air, the first person to break the ice was Count Bellose. “Mona, it’s been a while.”
Without even looking straight at Mona, Count Bellose turned his head sideways and gave a light cough. “Ahem! You haven’t had any inconveniences in the meantime, have you?” “……” “Well then, everyone is gathered, so let’s start heading out. Since there seem to be many attendees at today’s banquet, it’s best to leave early.”
He had asked about her well-being, but without even properly waiting for Mona’s reply, Count Bellose walked out toward the entrance first. As if to evade this situation. ‘Still the same as ever.’ Placing her body on the edge of the carriage with a cynical feeling, Mona let out a long sigh as if she were already exhausted.
As Count Bellose had anticipated, this victory banquet held at the imperial family had more attendees than usual. Aristocrats had dropped everything to rush over in order to see Richard, the protagonist of the victory banquet and war hero. Normally, despite his fame and popularity, Richard rarely showed his face at banquets, so the banquet hall had been boiling over with anticipation even before it started. ‘Were there always this many people at an imperial banquet?’ Mona, who was unfamiliar with such circumstances, felt overwhelmed as she looked around the crowded banquet hall. ‘Can I really find Professor Thomas here?’ It looked as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack….
Just as Mona was rolling her eyes around with a distant feeling, “Isn’t that Count Bellose? Fancy seeing you here.” A middle-aged man with a harsh impression spoke up smoothly as he approached the direction where the Count Bellose family members were standing. “Oh my! Marquis Roussel. It’s been a long time. I heard you were busy with business, but you came in person!” “Hoho, my wife kept insisting and making a fuss that she absolutely had to see Sir Richard, the war hero, with her own eyes.” “Is that so? My wife is the exact same.” “By the way, Count Bellose, do you know this?” “Yes?” “Young lords around my son’s age have shown a tremendous interest in the Count Bellose family’s jewels rather than the war hero.”
When Marquis Roussel’s gaze landed on Olivia, who had recently emerged as a rising star in high society, the corners of Count Bellose’s eyes twitched minutely. “……You flatter me, Marquis Roussel.” “Flatter you,” you say? If it were mere empty words, would I have sent a matrimonial inquiry letter in person?” “I’m simply grateful that you look favorably upon my daughter. However, since my eldest daughter’s path has not yet been decided, it seems premature to bring up marriage for my second daughter.” “……Eldest daughter?” “Yes. This child. As a scholar of the Imperial Academy, she is already pursuing a master’s degree course.” “Ahem. Is that so?”
Discovering belatedly the eldest daughter, who had dull, lusterless gray hair and wore thick glasses, the marquis let out a dissatisfied cough and walked away. At that sight, Mona inwardly swallowed a bitter smile. ‘Now I finally know why they stood by and watched until now, yet suddenly sent the butler to force me to attend the banquet.’ It was to put her forward as an excuse to brush off a high-ranking aristocrat’s marriage proposal that would have been difficult to refuse. ‘Damn it.’ Mona swallowed her curse.
Fortunately, it seemed there wasn’t yet any young lord who caught Olivia’s eye, but what if a spouse was decided before she even earned her degree? ‘To marry off Olivia, they’d try to recklessly get rid of me, the eldest daughter, first.’ …… As expected, there is only one answer. To earn the Academic Knight title as soon as possible and cut ties with the family. ‘Today, even if I have to sell my soul to a demon, I will find Professor Thomas……!’
Just as Mona was hardening her resolve once more, the musicians’ playing gradually died down, and the chief chamberlain shouted in a loud voice. “His Excellency Richard Kronel, the supreme contributor who brought victory to the empire in this monster war, is now entering.” Richard Kronel. As he revealed his presence, the audience collectively held their breath and gazed at him, completely losing their minds.
