◊ Chapter 7 ◊
One Mountain After Another
A few days later, on a peaceful morning, Macaron’s grand mansion was unusually busy.
At the main gate, Butler Momont and several servants were already waiting to welcome me.
With Momont directing everything, my few belongings were quickly moved inside, and the relocation was finished in no time.
Following his lead through the corridors, we eventually reached the charming east annex.
It was so large that it was almost unbelievable for just Coral and me to live there.
Compared to our previous home, there wasn’t even a comparison.
The size was incredible, and the interior was flawless.
The room was decorated in clean white tones, giving it a cozy atmosphere that naturally made me gasp.
‘So this is his way of saying, “I don’t like you, but I’ll at least show some sincerity”?’
Thinking back to the hall I’d seen before, the colors here looked completely different.
It was likely that this place had been remodeled.
‘Just for me?’
For a moment, I wondered if Macaron had always been this considerate.
Then I shook my head.
‘He said he was worried I might have feelings for him.’
The memory instantly destroyed the touching moment.
Coral also seemed to love the room.
Her eyes curved into happy crescents as she looked around.
Momont watched her with a gentle smile.
But the moment our eyes met, he immediately returned to his professional expression.
“If there’s anything you’re dissatisfied with, please let me know.”
Trying not to sound greedy while still expressing my gratitude, I carefully chose my words.
“No, I love it. Thank you.”
“Please feel free to speak comfortably.”
“I will once I get used to it.”
After exchanging a few polite greetings, Momont finished introducing the mansion and quietly left.
Only then did we begin unpacking.
Since we had so little luggage, everything was organized very quickly.
After laying Coral on the bed, she immediately fell asleep without moving an inch.
She must have been exhausted.
I smiled quietly while watching her sleep before organizing my workspace and preparing everything for my makeup work.
Just then—
Bang! Bang!
Without even knocking, a woman wearing a maid’s uniform barged inside.
She must have been the head maid Momont had mentioned.
In a lifeless voice, she introduced herself.
“I’m Seira, the head maid. If you need anything, tell me.”
She had braided blonde hair,
sharp eyes,
and an openly irritated expression.
‘She doesn’t like that I’ve moved in.’
Seira had a talent for making people uncomfortable just by looking at them.
She stood with one leg lazily bent.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of respect in her attitude.
Macaron had spent years on the battlefield.
He’d been too busy to concern himself with household matters.
The butler and the other servants had also never interfered in work outside their own duties.
That was exactly why I had insisted on receiving full authority beforehand.
Whenever someone new entered a household,
conflict was inevitable.
And it had to be dealt with immediately.
‘She thinks I’ve stolen her position.’
Until now,
she had controlled everything.
Now all of that authority belonged to me.
Servants always followed the flow set by the person above them.
The first thing I had to do
was establish my position.
If someone respected me,
I would treat them with equal respect.
But…
There was no reason to be polite to someone who didn’t respect me first.
If the Princess Consort was looked down on,
everyone in this mansion would begin treating me the same way.
And eventually…
they would treat Coral that way too.
I needed to establish authority from the very beginning.
I looked straight into Seira’s eyes.
“Leave.”
She stood there as if she hadn’t heard me.
“Didn’t you hear me?”
“I said leave.”
A flicker of surprise crossed her face.
But it quickly disappeared,
replaced by open annoyance and contempt.
“Didn’t you call me because you had something to say?”
Of course I had something to say.
Just…
not yet.
“You don’t seem ready to hear it.”
“So leave.”
“I’ll call you again.”
After hesitating for a moment,
Seira angrily walked out.
A moment later—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The door flew open again.
She slammed it shut behind her,
looking as though she’d done what I’d asked.
“Leave.”
“…”
I simply repeated the same word.
Without giving her any explanation.
After making her enter and leave nearly ten times,
Seira finally exploded.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
I slowly turned around.
Her face was red with anger.
“Knocking means asking for permission.”
“Isn’t that the most basic courtesy?”
Without another word,
Seira went outside again.
She knocked once more.
This time,
I deliberately stayed silent.
After waiting for a long while,
she knocked again.
“Come in.”
When she entered,
her face had gone completely pale.
Her fists were tightly clenched,
and her body trembled.
But she no longer acted arrogantly.
That was enough for today.
“Bring me Kai’s education records.”
“And the payroll records for everyone employed by House Crade.”
But Seira remained standing where she was.
People always struggled the hardest when cornered.
She no longer hid her hostility.
“I’ve always been responsible for Young Master’s education.”
“You don’t need to worry about it.”
“…?”
“And I’ve also handled the payroll all this time.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary for you to review it.”
“…!”
Of course she had.
Until now.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“But…”
“That was never your responsibility.”
I stepped closer,
my smile disappearing completely.
“Bring them.”
Seira’s body shook slightly.
That wasn’t my concern.
Her lips trembled.
The arrogance she’d shown earlier had completely vanished.
“But… His Highness ordered me—”
Was she really this slow?
Or was she pretending not to understand?
“Are you pretending not to understand?”
“Or do you truly not understand?”
“…”
“From now on, you work for me, not His Highness.”
“Do you understand?”
“…!!”
I leaned closer and whispered into her ear.
“If you don’t like it, say so now.”
“I’ll gladly let you leave.”
“…!!!”
Throwing out the head maid myself on my very first day would damage my reputation.
But if she chose to leave on her own,
there would be no reason to stop her.
Of course,
I already knew Seira wouldn’t quit.
She simply stood there,
staring blankly at me
as though she’d seen a ghost.
Then,
biting her lip in frustration,
she stormed out.
Not long afterward,
she returned with the documents I’d requested.
This time,
she remembered to knock.
Other than Seira’s visit,
the day passed peacefully.
I’d barely touched my makeup work,
yet the household duties never seemed to end.
I never imagined being the lady of a noble house would be this exhausting.
I’d already spent an entire week sorting documents.
Just then,
a bird tapped lightly on the window.
A cute little owl,
clever enough to serve as a familiar,
held out one leg with a letter tied to it.
‘I didn’t expect a reply this quickly…’
“Coral is always welcome at the Imperial Academy.”
“Her entrance exam results ranked among the highest, so she can immediately join the regular class.”
The regular Chemistry class normally required students to complete the beginner,
intermediate,
and advanced courses first.
Coral was the first student ever allowed to skip directly into it.
I already knew she was the genius heroine.
Still…
she had exceeded even my expectations.
She would now attend classes alongside older students who had already completed their debutante ceremonies.
But I wasn’t worried.
After all…
Coral was a genius.
‘Besides… Kai would be watching over her at the Academy.’
When Coral heard she’d be returning to the Imperial Academy,
she was so happy she nearly jumped for joy.
As far as I knew,
this wasn’t yet the point where Kai and Coral’s romance had truly begun.
Their story was only just starting.
But…
‘Was I mistaken?’
The smile on Coral’s face…
felt different from before.
Of course,
she might simply be happy to return.
Still…
seeing her smile like this made me suspicious.
“Is there someone you like at the Academy?”
“N-No…”
“It’s not like that…”
Coral denied it over and over,
her face turning as red as an apple.
Watching her only made me more suspicious.
Still,
I pretended not to notice.
“What kind of prince would you like to meet, Coral?”
Coral loved fairy tales.
Just as I expected,
her eyes sparkled at the mention of a prince.
Her little fingers fidgeted for a while
before finally forming tiny fists.
“I’m not going to marry a prince.”
Well…
Fairy tales weren’t only about princes.
Especially now,
Coral was old enough to start thinking about reality instead.
“So you don’t like princes?”
“Then what about someone who studies pharmacy?”
“A handsome man with black hair?”
Before I knew it,
every description I gave sounded exactly like Kai.
Maybe it was because I already knew the ending.
Coral only disliked the idea of a prince
because she didn’t know Kai would one day become Emperor.
But then…
“That’s not it…”
“If I marry a prince… I won’t be able to stay with Mom anymore.”
…What?
“Coral… likes Mom the most.”
Before I realized it,
I had pulled Coral tightly into my arms.
She looked up at me.
“I’m going to stay with Mom forever.”
For a moment,
I couldn’t speak.
My tears nearly escaped again.
‘If Coral sees me crying, she’ll worry again.’
After calming myself,
I finally looked back at her.
Honestly…
part of me wanted exactly what she said.
To stay with Coral forever.
Kai…
wasn’t worthy of my precious Coral.
‘Did Kai and I already have some kind of fight?’
If we had,
I probably wouldn’t feel this conflicted.
I’d confidently planned to give Kai strict Spartan training.
Yet…
I hadn’t even had a proper conversation with him.
Just then,
someone knocked on the door.
‘Who would visit Coral?’
Coral’s eyes widened.
She seemed to know exactly who it was.
Her cheeks turned slightly red.
No way…
I nodded.
She happily ran to open the door.
Standing there…
was Kai.
But—
‘Why is his face so pale?’
He looked like he’d run all the way here.
He was even breathing heavily.
‘What was he in such a hurry for?’
The moment our eyes met,
Kai looked as though he might faint.
Even Coral…
suddenly looked gloomy.
‘Did Kai do something wrong?’
Kai stood awkwardly outside,
unable to step inside.
‘They’re having a lovers’ quarrel… and I’m the third wheel.’
After telling Kai to come in,
I quietly excused myself.
‘Coral’s expression worries me a little…’
‘I’ll ask her about it later.’
After Calypse left the room,
Kai forced a smile onto his pale face.
“The chemistry notebook I lent you this morning…”
“Where is it?”
“Here.”
Kai quickly snatched the notebook from Coral.
Then he pulled a single sheet of paper from inside.
His voice trembled slightly.
“Did you…”
“Read this?”
The paper contained his plan
to drive his future stepmother out of the house.
‘If… Coral already saw it…’
‘What should I do?’
Kai struggled to keep the cold sweat from showing,
forcing himself to smile naturally.
“What is it?”
Fortunately,
Coral seemed completely unaware.
The tension instantly disappeared from Kai’s eyes.
He smiled gently.
“It’s nothing.”
“If you have trouble keeping up with class, let me know.”
Coral’s expression changed ever so slightly.
But Kai,
relieved that she hadn’t seen the paper,
failed to notice.
“Thank you.”
“Thanks to you, I think I’ll do well this semester too.”
Kai flashed a bright smile
and waved goodbye.
Coral smiled and waved back.
But the moment he disappeared from sight…
she slowly sank to the floor.
‘Oppa… I’m sorry.’
