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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: An Expensive Outing
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After hearing Lumina’s candid answer, Endymion fell silent for a long moment, his expression complicated. He then asked cautiously.
“Do you not wish to carry on Father’s legacy, sister?”
“Not really. I’m not interested in that sort of thing.”
Even if the drugs had made her foolish, she had lived her life completely under Joseph’s thumb.
A family head in name only.
For Lumina, it was the worst of memories.
There was no way the words “I want to be the head of the family” would come easily to her lips.
“From now on, I’ve decided to become a person of moderation and integrity.”
A short laugh was heard.
The source was Endymion.
He quickly schooled his features, but Lumina, who had heard the laugh clearly, felt her pride sting.
*Did he think it was some kind of joke?*
But Lumina was serious.
She had been ruined by extravagance, so she was done with any further luxury.
However, from ten-year-old Endymion’s perspective, Lumina had never once lived extravagantly.
So for her to suddenly preach moderation was so absurd that he couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
Feeling awkward, Lumina looked out the window, crunching on a cookie that didn’t suit her taste.
*Endymion’s room is decorated with the best of everything, down to the smallest detail. But the view from the window isn’t great.*
Objectively, it wasn’t so bad as to deserve such a harsh evaluation.
But her standards had been raised so high by her past extravagance that it simply wasn’t to her liking.
“Listening to you, sister, it sounds as though the outcome is already decided, no matter what I do. Do you have a plan?”
She heard Endymion’s question clearly.
But Lumina kept her gaze fixed outside the window and changed the subject.
“If things go well, maybe I’ll redo the garden first. Looking at it now, it seems terribly out of fashion.”
“…”
“I won’t be able to go out much for a while since I’ll be focusing on my treatment. A vibrant garden would be a nice change of pace.”
“Didn’t you just say you were going to be a person of moderation? Redoing the garden will cost a fortune.”
“I meant I’ll be moderate with money spent on myself. I won’t be stingy with my people.”
“…Am I one of your people?”
“Yes, you’re family.”
Turning her head to meet Endymion’s eyes, Lumina smiled brightly.
Unfortunately, it seemed the ten-year-old Endymion had little intention of upholding any familial duty with Lumina.
His face was still completely devoid of trust.
*I must have had the same expression when you saved me.*
So, that made them even.
***
The funeral was over, and things had settled down to some extent, but the relatives had not left the estate.
They made the excuse that they would stay a few more days to mourn the deceased.
But no one was naive enough to take those words at face value.
A decision had yet to be made about what to do with Lumina and Endymion.
With the Count and Countess’s sudden death, there was no will, leaving only a pack of greedy relatives.
Since the two children with direct inheritance rights were dragging their feet, the relatives fought amongst themselves behind the scenes every day.
*Endymion is still recovering, so dealing with the adults must be tiring… but he’s holding up better than I expected.*
Compared to Endymion, Lumina’s days were rather peaceful.
This was because the relatives on her father’s side, having witnessed her slap her aunt, were now reluctant to even step on her shadow.
But there was always a persistent one in every crowd.
“Lumina, this uncle would like to have a word…”
“Lumi…!”
“Lu…!”
It was her maternal uncle, Joseph.
“I really hate him!”
His obsession was on the level of a stalker.
He pursued her relentlessly, just to exchange a single word.
It had gotten to the point where she would have a fit just seeing a hair color similar to Joseph’s.
*At this rate, he’ll probably ask to come with me when I go out.*
And her premonition was not wrong in the slightest.
“Lumina, where are you off to in such a hurry?”
A shiver ran down her spine as she came face to face with Joseph, who was stealthily approaching her.
Lumina was tormented by the impulse to slap both of Joseph’s cheeks, punch him in the solar plexus, and then send him flying with a kick.
*If I did that, he might stop trying to coax me and resort to coercion.*
Being the target of his obsession once more, she could clearly feel Joseph’s ambition to swallow the Lanshuss family by any means necessary.
“Ah, Uncle. It’s just…”
“My goodness. What are you wearing! You look like you’ve borrowed clothes from a passing beggar.”
As Lumina trailed off, Joseph exclaimed in an urgent tone.
He was rushing, afraid she would run away again.
But Joseph wasn’t wrong. Living in the attic, her clothes were indeed shabby.
“I’m sorry. These are the only clothes I have. Are they that awful?”
“I had some idea after my sister passed, but it seems the Count and Countess truly paid you no mind.”
Joseph’s eyes welled with tears as he abruptly grabbed Lumina’s hand.
In that moment, a physiological revulsion reared its head.
*I almost ‘accidentally’ slapped both his cheeks, punched him in the solar plexus, and then kicked him in the shin. Good job holding back, me!*
Even if it had all been undone, the memories were vivid.
Her grudge wasn’t something that could be resolved by hitting Joseph a few times.
*He used me to his heart’s content. So I’ll suck him dry and then throw him away.*
Unaware of Lumina’s inner thoughts, Joseph spoke.
“I have a daughter your age, so I know a thing or two about what girls your age like.”
“…”
“I happen to have something to discuss with you, so let’s you and I go out, just the two of us. Don’t tell anyone else.”
“Really… is that okay?”
It was a cautious question.
Thanks to Lumina’s round, gentle features, the remark sounded all the more pitiful.
*So, the venom I saw at the funeral was just my imagination.*
The child’s anger must have boiled over, leading to an impulsive act.
She’s still young, so it’s understandable.
To Joseph, Lumina was a shy and timid child.
Her diligent efforts to avoid him for the past while were proof of that. Moreover, she was ignorant of the ways of the world, so she was easily swayed by a few words.
“Of course, it’s more than okay.”
Having finally gotten his chance, Joseph smiled with utmost satisfaction.
*I made him anxious by avoiding him for a while, and now he’s creating an opportunity for me himself.*
It had been difficult to go out, as the atmosphere in the mansion was still one of mourning for the deceased.
Lumina smiled triumphantly to herself.
***
“I like this dress. And…”
This one, and that one, and that one over there, too!
Lumina pointed at the dresses with a cautious demeanor.
At her gesture, the clerks moved with perfect coordination.
*This isn’t extravagance! This is draining a villain’s coffers!*
Squeeze!
Lumina squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them.
Not long after telling Endymion she would become a person of moderation and integrity, here she was, spending money like water.
Because of this, her triangular-shaped conscience, which she firmly believed didn’t exist, was currently rolling around in her head.
That conscience was soon scheduled to become a circle.
“The young lady has excellent taste.”
An employee of the boutique who had been watching offered a compliment.
It might have looked like she was choosing randomly, but Lumina was expertly picking out only the most expensive clothes.
Regardless of the fact that they didn’t suit her at all.
It wasn’t as if she was checking price tags; they didn’t have such things in a boutique frequented by nobles.
It was simply a skill she had naturally developed from spending money like water—the ability to see the price without looking at a tag.
Unable to bring himself to admit he was short on cash in front of his twelve-year-old niece, Joseph’s facial muscles, which had been forced into a smile, were gradually becoming paralyzed.
“Lumina, this is a bit…”
It seemed he was slowly reaching his limit.
Joseph began to hedge.
Even now, he had held out this long only because of his pride.
But that was his problem. Lumina, who had no intention of letting him off the hook yet, made the first move.
“Oh, could it be that I’m making things difficult for you? I must have gotten carried away because I felt so at ease with you, Uncle.”
Lumina murmured, her eyes cast down pitifully.
“I thought this must be what it would feel like if Father were here…”
“…”
“Gasp. I’m sorry. It hasn’t been long since Father passed away, what am I saying.”
As if her mouth had a mind of its own, Lumina quickly covered it with her hand.
Her wide, round eyes filled with dismay.
“I understand how you feel. It’s a bit much to say this about the deceased, but I imagine there were many things you found lacking in the Count.”
…said the liar who was trying to swindle his niece.
“We are family, so please feel at ease.”
A satisfied smile naturally formed on Joseph’s lips.
Lumina’s current behavior was the very picture of innocence.
What was the cost of a few dresses when he could win the child’s favor and swallow the family whole?
“Feel free to ask for things, just like you would with your father.”
*Oh, I’m sure you’d like that.*
*Since you probably see me as your golden goose.*
“Really? I’m so happy! You’re all I have, Uncle!”
Ha, ha, ho, ho.
The two of them faced each other, laughing while hiding their pitch-black intentions.
***
*I’ve thoroughly emptied my uncle’s wallet. I guess it’s about time to make my move.*
Joseph’s complexion was a little pale, a sign of a significant financial hemorrhage.
Though he was putting on a brave face, it was obvious he had never spent this kind of money even on his own daughter.
“Would it be all right if I stepped away for a moment?”
She feigned shyness, and the quick-witted boutique employee instantly understood that she wanted to use the restroom.
“I’ll show you the way.”
Joseph was displeased at the thought of Lumina leaving his sight.
However, he couldn’t very well follow her into the restroom. He had no choice but to permit it.
Trot, trot.
Lumina followed behind the employee.
And then she found the perfect excuse to resolve her situation.
*Ah, there it is.*
It was a vase decorating the hallway.
As she drew near the vase, Lumina feigned innocence, pretending it was an accident as she pushed it over.
Crash—
The vase shattered with a loud noise.
“Oh my, are you all right?”
Lumina put on a flustered expression.
As she reached for a piece of glass, the employee hastily stopped her.
“What are you doing? You’ll cut your hand! I’ll clean up the shards, so don’t you worry. Please, go take care of your business first. It’s that way.”
“Yes, yes.”
The employee quickly disappeared, and Lumina, pretending to go to the restroom, dashed toward the back door.
*I’ve been here a few times, so I already know where the back door is.*
She had slipped out onto the street without her uncle’s knowledge with surprising ease.
The next problem was what to do now.
*I have to find Duke Heart. According to the rumors, I should be able to meet him around here.*
Before that, she was worried that Joseph, having noticed her escape, would come looking for her.
And her worry soon became reality. Men with grim faces were looking around as if searching for someone.
*Could they be people my uncle hired?*
Thinking back, Joseph had dabbled in illegal activities.
Though he said it would be just the two of them, he might have had people follow them.
She weaved through the alleys to avoid being seen.
How much further had she walked?
Lumina spotted Joseph, who was clearly looking for her.
*Gasp.*
Lumina gasped and pressed herself flat against a wall.
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have noticed her yet.
*I’m so close! At this rate, he’ll catch me before I can meet the Duke!*
Lumina chewed on her lip.
It was then.
“Found you.”
Someone pulled her into their embrace.
