Translator: Nox
***
Mona gazed blankly out the carriage window as the scenery of the Imperial Capital drifted past.
Perhaps two hours had elapsed that way.
The carriage arrived in the Montdechu district, where the Empire's newly risen nobility gathered to live.
Originally, the Count's family of Bellose had boasted a venerable lineage and lived in the Valois district, home to the traditional nobility.
However, around the time Mona was born, the Bellose couple's business ventures collapsed, leaving them no choice but to sell their townhouse in the capital's most expensive district for a song.
"Right around the time Mona was born, the house in Valois went to auction, and one misfortune followed another...."
"It's as if that child is a harbinger of ill fortune. Is that why I simply cannot warm to her?"
Stepping down from the carriage, Mona inadvertently recalled the conversation she had overheard in the past.
She knew that tying her birth to the family's decline was a classic post hoc fallacy.
Yet, strangely, whenever she came to Montdechu, that old conversation between her parents flared up like an unhealed wound.
'This is precisely why I didn't want to come.'
Ever since entering the dormitory, Mona had scarcely set foot here except on occasions like this, when her parents summoned her.
'Has it been nearly two years...?'
The townhouse's inner garden had grown even more lavish than she remembered.
From ornamental fountains and crystal-studded lamps to the various sculptures lining the space around them.
The spice trade business of the Count Bellose household seemed, on the surface at least, to be thriving.
'Perhaps fortune really does smile on them because I'm not around.'
Brushing aside the absurd thought, Mona passed through the garden, took one steadying breath, and stepped inside the mansion.
***
"Olivia...! My sweet girl, you look exceptionally lovely today."
The moment Count Bellose caught sight of his second daughter, Olivia, emerging fully dressed for the banquet, he burst into open admiration.
Having come of age this year, Olivia had drawn immense attention the instant she debuted in high society thanks to her striking beauty.
Her glossy chestnut hair formed an exquisite contrast with her cream-like skin, and the pale green gown enhanced her signature freshness, making her look just like a fairy stepping out of the woods.
"My lucky charm! Olivia. I went through quite a bit of trouble to find a necklace worthy of you. Hurry and try it on."
"It's so beautiful! Thank you! You're the best, Father!"
Presented with a large emerald necklace shaped like a four-leaf clover, Olivia could not conceal her delight.
None other than Rihart Cronel—the hero who had saved the Empire and the heir to the Grand Duchy—would be attending today's banquet.
She had been anxious about not having the right jewelry when she wanted to appear more flawless than ever before.
And right before her, her father had presented a necklace that was unmistakably opulent and exquisite at first glance.
"Olivia noona, that necklace looks amazing on you. It's like the gemstone was born just for you."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yeah! Emerald green suits you so well, noona. It's not an easy color to pull off, either."
As Olivia's twin brother, Liam, showered her with endless praise, Countess Bellose watched the scene with a proud, fond smile.
"Among all the young ladies attending today's banquet, my daughter will easily stand out the most."
"Of course. Whose daughter is she, after all!"
"No matter how hard you look, there isn't a single girl at the Academy prettier than my noona."
Amidst her family's lavish compliments and affectionate fussing, Olivia fingered her necklace with a lingering smile.
It was just then.
Step, step.
As Mona descended the staircase leading into the drawing room, the warm, harmonious atmosphere vanished in an instant, giving way to silence on all sides.
A deep aversion flashed across Olivia's green eyes as she looked at Mona.
A doting father who gave her whatever she asked for, a mother who treasured her like a gem, and an obedient, sweet younger brother.
Her family was already perfect.
Yet some girl who had never even grown up with them suddenly showed up out of the blue one day, introducing herself as her unnie.
The repulsion that had taken root back then only continued to grow with every passing day.
'…Unnie, my foot.'
When all she brought was such displeasure.
Only, as she grew older and wiser, quite apart from her hatred of the woman, Olivia also found her laughable.
To think she still looked like such a gloomy, bookish prude.
'If it were me, I would have badgered Father until I got a decent dress. Idiot.'
Mona Bellose was still dressed in the hopelessly outdated, frumpy gown bought for her coming-of-age ceremony.
On top of that, citing poor eyesight, she persistently clung to thick spectacles, making her look indescribably dowdy.
'Well, looking like that actually makes her more useful.'
Swallowing her true thoughts, Olivia wordlessly toyed with her new necklace.
"Haa. Why did she even come all of a sudden?"
Her twin brother, Liam, made no attempt to conceal his irritation either, repeatedly raking a hand through his hair as he grumbled under his breath.
Amid the suffocating, tense silence, it was Count Bellose who spoke first.
"Mona, it has been a while."
Count Bellose cleared his throat softly, his head turned aside, unable to look Mona straight in the eye.
“Ahem! I trust you have been well?”
“…”
“Well then, now that everyone is gathered, we had best get going. It seems there will be many attendees at today's banquet, so it would be wise to leave early.”
Though he had inquired after her well-being, Count Bellose walked out toward the foyer without even waiting to hear Mona's reply.
As if fleeing from the situation.
‘Unchanged as ever.’
Climbing into the edge of the carriage with cynical detachment, Mona let out a long sigh, feeling exhausted already.
***
Just as Count Bellose had anticipated, this victory banquet hosted by the Imperial Family drew far more attendees than usual.
The nobles had dropped everything and rushed here just to catch a glimpse of Rihart, the war hero and the star of the victory banquet.
Since Rihart rarely made an appearance at banquets despite his fame and popularity, the venue was already buzzing with anticipation long before the event even began.
‘Were imperial banquets always this crowded?’
Unaware of such circumstances, Mona looked around the packed banquet hall and felt thoroughly overwhelmed.
‘Will I really be able to find Professor Thomas in this crowd?’
It seemed as daunting as searching for a needle on a sandy beach....
It was just as Mona’s eyes darted here and there in a daze.
“Well, isn’t this Count Bellose? What a surprise to run into you here.”
A middle-aged man with a harsh, severe face spoke up slyly as he strode toward where the Bellose family stood.
“Oh, my! Marquis Roussel. It has been far too long. I heard you were busy with your business ventures, yet you came in person!”
“Haha, my wife was utterly stubborn, insisting she simply had to see Sir Rihart, the war hero, with her own eyes.”
“Is that so? My wife is the very same.”
“By the way, Count Bellose, are you aware of something?”
“Pardon?”
“The young lords around my son’s age seem far more interested in the jewel of the Bellose family than in any war hero.”
As Marquis Roussel’s gaze landed on Olivia—the high society's newly risen star—the corner of Count Bellose’s eye twitched faintly.
“...You flatter her too much, Marquis Roussel.”
“Flattery, you say? If these were mere empty words, would I have personally sent a formal marriage proposal?”
“I am merely grateful that you look so favorably upon my daughter. However, since the future of my eldest daughter has not yet been settled, it feels premature to speak of marriage for my second daughter.”
“...The eldest daughter?”
“Yes. This child right here. A talented mind at the Imperial Academy, already pursuing her master’s degree.”
“Ahem. Is that so?”
Only belatedly noticing the eldest daughter—her dull, ashen hair utterly devoid of luster, thick glasses perched on her nose—the marquis let out a dissatisfied cough and took his leave.
Watching his retreating back, Mona swallowed a bitter smile.
‘Now I understand why they ignored me all this time, only to suddenly send the butler and force me to attend this banquet.’
It was to use her as an excuse to brush off marriage proposals from high-ranking nobles that would otherwise be difficult to refuse.
‘Damn it all.’
Mona swallowed down a curse.
Fortunately, it seemed no young nobleman had caught Olivia's eye just yet, but what if a spouse were chosen before she could even earn her degree?
‘To marry Olivia off, they’ll try to recklessly shove me, the eldest daughter, out of the way first.’
...As expected, there was only one answer.
To obtain the title of Academic Knight as soon as possible and sever ties with the family.
‘Even if I have to sell my soul to the devil today, I will find Professor Thomas...!’
It was just as Mona was hardening her resolve once more.
The musicians' playing gradually faded, and the chamberlain cried out in a booming voice.
"Presenting the greatest contributor who brought victory to the Empire in this monster war: His Grace, Rihart Cronel, approaches."
Rihart Cronel.
As he revealed himself, the entire hall held its breath and watched in rapt fascination.
