We couldn’t keep living like this forever. We needed to get ready for the day we’d slowly become rich. To do that, the first thing to discard was this pathetic mindset of clinging obsessively to every single worn-out scrap.
“Bella…”
“It’s fine! A hairpin is meant to hold your hair in place. I’ll buy you ten brand-new ones!”
“…Can I put ten all at once in my hair, though? Won’t it be heavy?”
“Well… I didn’t mean that literally! The point is, I’ll buy you something far nicer and prettier!”
When I wiggled my fingers to mimic sparkling gems, the worry on Rose’s face gave way to a smile. The mere thought of something pretty seemed to lift her spirits.
“Th-then what about my dress?”
“Toss it!”
“What about yours, Bella?”
“Throw it all away!”
Ah, I’d wanted to say that for so long! Having Rose sit beside me as I flung everything away with grand gestures washed away weeks of built-up stress. What else was there? Looking around, I peeled off my gloves, the lace already completely frayed.
“Rose, what do we do with this?”
Whoosh! I threw it upward like a stack of cash, and the little kitten—already brainwashed like a chirping sparrow—shouted at the top of her lungs.
“Towss it!”
* * *
“Yaaaah!”
“…I suppose you intend to fight with your voice.”
Clang! Sir Lear, lunging forward with his pale-blue blade leveled, was sent flying backward. Veins bulged dark on his neck, in stark contrast to Kiers, who casually inspected his sword with utter indifference.
“Is that all?”
“Y-Your Grace. I can’t… any longer…”
“Disappointing. I thought you would hold out a little longer.”
Kiers’s sword, which had vibrated in the air as though riding the wind, slotted into its scabbard in a single motion. That was dull. Sir Lear, reading the unspoken thought loud and clear, hung his head as his face flushed red.
“I-I apologize, Your Grace.”
“If you know better, do better.”
“…”
Watching Kiers’s unruffled reaction, the twins wore thoroughly overwhelmed expressions.
Sir Lear’s skill was far beyond exceptional; he had reached the realm of a master swordsman. A kingdom in the Balic Islands had once courted him with offers of a marquisate and the post of Knight Commander, leaving no room to question his prowess.
“…What?”
Kiers untied his cloak and cast an annoyed glance their way, prompting the twins to clear their throats. No matter how outstanding a knight might be, holding one’s own against the Grand Duke was a near-impossible feat. In truth, even if Sir Lear and every knight present attacked him together, none could guarantee survival.
Awe and admiration for an overwhelming existence. That was precisely why they had sworn their loyalty to him.
“Are you returning inside, Your Grace?”
“Mm.”
As the Grand Duke turned away without having broken a sweat—as if he had merely stepped out for a cup of tea—a solemn mood settled over the men left behind. Though this unfolded day in and day out, it was hardly something one could ever get used to. None dared harbor resentment toward His Grace, but they couldn’t help wishing he’d at least grant them a moment to catch their breath.
“Your Grace, so this is where you were.”
“Count.”
The Count entered the training grounds, his expression distinctly grim. This was a man who rarely ever frowned; lately, people had even begun whispering that he seemed to walk on clouds.
Yet the moment the gold envelope in his hand came into view, the reason became all too clear.
“…Word travels fast when it comes to matters like this.”
Kiers, too, offered a dry smile after a single glance at the envelope, having already deduced its contents. As the Count handed it over, Kiers grimaced without even bothering to look closer.
“It seems His Noble Majesty couldn't resist sending someone after all.”
“H-He likely wishes to verify it for himself.”
“Whether his monstrous half-brother is truly getting married or not?”
“…”
Kiers merely returned the letter with a self-deprecating laugh, but it was the Count who bristled with anger instead.
“They call it a congratulatory delegation, but their intentions are obvious. To think it’s Duke and Duchess Verna…”
“…Well, it hardly matters who it is.”
“Still, they will surely be desperate to find any fault they can. Hadn't we better prepare on our end as well?”
“What would I gain from currying favor with them?”
Kiers swept back his hair with an air of complete indifference. Duke Verna was another of the Emperor’s half-brothers, meaning he shared blood with Kiers as well. Yet unlike Kiers, who was deemed a threat to the throne, Verna had prostrated himself on his belly from the start to secure his current position—essentially the Emperor’s unofficial hound.
“Even so, it would be best to make some preparations. If they were to harm Lady Elijah—”
“Who would?”
Who on earth would dare, in this place, think they could pull that off?
The sheer weight of what Kiers left unsaid weighed heavily on the shoulders of everyone present. While the knights remained in total silence, he brushed a hand over his lips to conceal a smile.
“Besides, I’d rather our preparations be directed elsewhere.”
“Pardon?”
“I need craftsmen. As soon as possible, and as many as you can find.”
It was an abrupt order, but coming from Kiers, it could hardly be dismissed.
Craftsmen? The Count glanced around the training grounds, which had already fallen into shambles.
“Is there an area in need of repair?”
“No. It would only be broken again anyway.”
“Then what kind of craftsmen do you mean?”
“…”
Resting a hand habitually against his mask, Kiers finally lifted his gaze into the distance.
There was only the boundless expanse of the Grand Duke's Castle, and within it, the winter garden filled with barren trees. Slowly sweeping his eyes across his surroundings, his gaze landed on the armed knights, turning meaningful.
“Well, it shouldn’t be bad for your training either.”
* * *
Holding Rose’s hand firmly in one of mine, I carried a large basket in the other. Inside were the remnants of the past that would mark the end of our wretched lives: Rose’s ribbon pins, my worn clothes, and an endless heap of things to be thrown away.
One must discard the old to welcome the new. Such rubbish had no place with someone like me, who was destined to live to the fullest before becoming the empire’s wealthiest divorcée.
“Bella, do we ‘towss’ all of this away?”
“Of course! We’re going to burn every single bit of it!”
Standing before the incinerator, I showed Rose the overflowing basket one last time. People who knew no better might fret over whether it was a waste to throw away the memories attached to old things, but that was merely the delusion of sentimentalists who had never known hardship.
“Oh my, memories are the greatest treasure of all!”
I could spout nonsense like that too. Anyone could say pretty words while wearing fine clothes, sitting in a warm parlor, and eating food prepared by others.
A true keepsake was a lace glove left behind by a first love—not a glove stained with blood from gathering firewood. I was ready to bet my entire fortune that anyone throwing such phrases around had never tasted real poverty. Well, maybe not my entire fortune, considering how absurdly rich I was going to be.
“Hehe, Rose, do you remember this? We didn’t have a ribbon for your waist, so I tore up my skirt to make one. The back is all worn and unraveling.”
“Mm-hmm. But when I’m bored, it’s fun to touch it like this with my fingers.”
“Really? Then maybe I’ll try… No! What am I doing?!”
Caught off guard as I squeezed nostalgia out of those destitute days, I yanked the basket away in fright. I had to throw out this poverty-stricken mindset first. Having lived with next to nothing for so long, parting with a single object was an uphill battle.
“…Bella.”
The same went for our Rose. Having never possessed a proper toy, she had found amusement in a frayed sash, and her shoulders slumped at once.
“Should we just keep it, Bella?”
“No! Let’s throw out the miserable stuff! That’s the only way good things will come along!”
“…Okay. I understand.”
Rose, if you stop me one more time, I might actually turn back.
To protect my already wavering resolve, I hastily tossed the basket into the incinerator. Then I quickly pulled Rose into a hug as her eyes went wide in surprise.
“All right, preparation to be rich complete!”
“Bella.”
“Shall we be on our way, Deputy Guildmaster of the Platinum Guild?”
I put an intentional bounce in my step.
Mm, this was usually when a new face ought to show up and liven the mood.
Not a single one of the knights was anywhere to be seen today, which suggested they were all in training. They’d spent days on end trailing after Rose, so perhaps they’d finally caught an earful.
“Rose, the winter garden is just around this corner, so let’s go see if there are any berries… Oh!”
“Lady Elijah, Lady Rose. Here you are.”
“Sir Jerome!”
The moment we rounded the corner of the outer wall, a handsome, brown-haired man appeared before us. Startled, I pressed a hand to my leaping chest, and he dropped down onto one knee with an apologetic look.
“N-No, please, there’s no need for that.”
“Not at all. In any case… were you out somewhere? I stopped by the main castle first, but you were not there.”
“Yes, I had to clear out some… entrenched habits. But you were looking for me?”
Given that he had gone all the way to the main castle, Sir Jerome seemed quite pressed for time, prompting me to tilt my head. Come to think of it, why was Sir Jerome here instead of at the training grounds?
“Yes. There is something I must show you.”
“…To me?”
“More specifically, to Lady Rose as well.”
Rose, who had been a bit downcast after parting with her ribbons, blinked up at me with round, curious eyes. Like the child she was, she seemed bashful yet pleased that someone had come looking for her.
“…Bella.”
A call like that meant she wanted to pretend she had no choice and follow along. All right. We needed a change of pace anyway, so I smiled and gave a nod.
I tried probing Sir Jerome as he walked a step ahead of us, but he merely offered a pleasant smile.
“Take your time. The wind is picking up.”
“Yes, which is precisely why I would appreciate it if you could hurry just a bit.”
What is this sweet, handsome man plotting?
“…Rose, stay on your guard.”
When I playfully whispered to her, Rose took on a solemn expression without even understanding what I meant. I will! Nodding firmly first, she and I stayed right behind him.
Not that anything could possibly happen at this point, but one could never let their guard down in the Grand Duke's Castle. This was, after all, the domain of the fearsome Beast who had conquered the entire North!
“…B-Bella.”
The moment little Rose stepped into the winter garden with her light, fluttery steps, she froze in absolute awe. And as for me, who was supposed to look after her and keep my footing, my entire soul seemed to abandon my body.
I spun around on the spot, taking in the garden, until the strength gave out in my knees.
“Wh-where on earth are we?”
