“What did you just say...!”
Bang!
Startled, Balderic slammed his chair backward.
The other second generation members were shocked too.
What did he say—?
Chief responsible?
That basically meant Daymond would now control the entire continent’s white jade trade!
“No way...”
“No matter what...”
This time, the Astras were the ones in uproar.
Daymond never socialized much with the other second generation.
It meant he never got a share of any perks.
So no one welcomed the idea of Daymond becoming the chief responsible.
“That’s nonsense.”
“Why him?”
“Why my brother Daymond of all people...!”
Daymond was still aggressively expanding the domain, gaining momentum.
If all the credit for the white jade monopoly deal went to Daymond?
Not only the Astras, but the empire, in fact every nation on the continent, would tremble before Daymond because of the white jade.
‘Why? Why on earth?’
Balderic’s face flushed bright red.
Anger and inferiority toward Daymond boiled over.
‘What has that guy ever done?!’
So the other Astras started saying aloud what they hadn’t dared to before.
“Come on... haha, Prince Belen. My brother is already busy overseeing the army.”
Forcing a tight smile, he continued.
“There’s no way he could handle something as complicated as white jade distribution. The Astras have plenty of other capable people—”
Belen quietly looked at Balderic.
Flinching.
Though Belen had shown weakness over Abino, he was the first prince of a powerful nation.
His presence was far too strong for a mere Balderic to face.
Balderic couldn’t hold Belen’s gaze long and lowered his head.
“......”
“I’m a man who values loyalty.”
Belen looked back at Daymond.
Daymond didn’t avert his gaze, meeting Belen’s eyes.
Wondering what scheme made this proposal so advantageous to him alone.
But Belen truly meant only sincere goodwill and gratitude.
To Daymond.
No, to Erilot, precisely.
“I will never forget that you saved my son today.”
“My daughter did it; I did nothing.”
Belen smiled.
Some believe a child’s achievements belong to the parents.
But Daymond thought the credit belonged solely to his daughter.
Such a father, such a daughter.
That’s why no one noticed Abino’s oddities until now.
Belen smiled warmly and said to Daymond,
“You are lucky to have such a daughter.”
“......It’s true my daughter is a blessing.”
Daymond had no choice but to admit it.
Erilot was his undeserved good fortune.
Balderic restrained his urge to tear his hair out and lose his mind.
‘What is this...! It’s just kids’ stuff! How dare they drag it into business!’
What kind of matter was this that they were appointing a person responsible?
The other second generation members looked displeased as well.
“......”
Their eyes glaring at Daymond were full of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Daymond had always been impressive, but only in military power.
Strong, overwhelming force.
But he struggled to govern his domain properly, with little budget and little recognition from the Duke.
Yet after returning from war, or rather after Erilot began to shine, Daymond’s status changed drastically.
‘Erilot. What did that kid do...!’
‘I could do as well as Daymond if I had such a child!’
‘Damn it. Should I have had a daughter from a commoner too?’
While swallowing jealous words and grinding their teeth, the mother of Dionera, Basile, smiled gently.
Basile recalled what Dionera said about Erilot.
“Erilot is a strange child. Smart, strong, cool... Somehow, I feel she will accomplish something great. She already is great.”
“That’s the first time I’ve heard you say that.”
“Mother, to be honest... I hated kinship lessons.”
“What?”
A daughter who never said such a thing.
Her mouth opened and closed in surprise, but her daughter smiled sheepishly.
“My cousins all ignored me, called me a crow, and said I was stupid...”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“I was afraid you’d worry...”
It was heartbreaking.
They struggled in the Astra manor to raise their only daughter well.
But the daughter’s heart was rotting away.
“My goodness, Dionera...”
“I hated the crow so much, but years ago, Erilot said something.”
“......”
“That the crow is Astra’s symbol. That means it’s very strong and cool.”
“......”
“The cousins who didn’t know that were actually the fools.”
“......”
“Erilot’s greatest strength is giving courage to those around her. When I’m beside Erilot, I feel brave too!”
I still vividly remember Dionera’s bright smile when she said that.
“So now, I really like the crow. And I like myself too...”
The timid daughter who always hid behind her hair changed after meeting Erilot.
Though a mother thinks her child is perfect, Basile only felt pity that Dionera didn’t know her own talent and strengths.
𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶 That daughter had changed and even said such courageous words.
It was the first time.
So Basile liked Erilot.
Not only because she changed Dionera but because such a positive force was very rare.
But the problem was—
‘Her father’s reaction.’
The well-known conflict between Daymond and Duke Astra.
Though there were rumors the Duke favored Erilot, that didn’t [N O V E L I G H T] mean the feud was gone.
‘Would he dislike it?’
But what Basile saw was totally different from what she expected.
A twitching mouth.
A twitching cheek.
Pretending nothing was wrong but eyes softened.
‘Ah...’
Basile smiled and looked away.
‘Maybe I should get connected too.’
Not to Daymond, but to Erilot.
Heh heh.
Pretending to cough, Basile laughed while thinking of what gift to give Erilot.
A few days later.
Today was the day the Aligiosa people were leaving.
Just like when they came, all the Astra direct descendants came to see them off.
Prince Belen and Prince Abino led the Aligiosa people.
Prince Abino looked at me with teary eyes, like he might cry.
On the day of the kidnapping.
Prince Belen couldn’t entrust Abino to anyone else and slept in the same bed with his son.
Even nobles who were married usually slept separately, so this showed how much Belen cherished Abino.
The next day, Abino woke in his father’s arms and heard a self-punishing reprimand from Belen.
After that, he ran to me right away to express his thanks.
“Erilot! You’re my lifesaver!”
Since then, Belen never left Abino’s side, and Abino never left mine.
Follow, follow, follow.
The three of us walking like a duck parade, Aligiosa people would come and plead to me.
“Your Highness, the schedule right now is...!”
“There are things you need to confirm...!”
Since Belen wouldn’t listen, they appealed to me.
Just like our domain officials.
Why are there so many people asking me for favors everywhere?
“Lord Abino, shall we play together?”
“Yes! Father, please go to work now.”
“Abino, but...”
“Hurry!”
“...Okay. Got it.”
Whenever I talked to Abino, he told Belen, and the subordinates became happy several times.
Those funny days passed, and finally, the day of departure came.
Suddenly.
Abino grabbed my hand.
‘Does this kid not fear the twin’s intimidating glare?’
He was already glaring as if ready to tear me apart.
Guess it’s because he’s a prince.
Other boys trembled just at the sight of such eyes, but surprisingly, he was bold.
Blinking his tearful eyes, Abino asked me.
‘Ah, just like a black poodle again.’
“Will we see each other again?”
Since I’m weak with animals, I didn’t want to disappoint the cute dog.
‘It’s only natural to see each other again business-wise.’
I nodded firmly.
“Of course.”
“Definitely! Definitely! See you again.”
Definitely! Deeeefinitely!
Abino held my hand tightly, shining with hope.
He might be fine, but I was scared now.
‘This is the first time it’s gotten this rough.’
My twin and my father’s expressions were so fierce that I slowly let go of his hand.
Then I went to Prince Belen.
“Um, Your Highness.”
Before I could speak, Belen bowed first and met my gaze.
I brought my face close to his ear and whispered.
Whisper whisper.
“The servant gave hypnotics to erase Lord Abino’s memory.”
“That’s right.”
“Trying to erase memory means... the servant must have been involved in the civil war?”
“Probably...”
Belen probably expected this much.
But I still had a trump card.
“Our maids said that the greatest fear of the castle’s servants is... the mistress.”
“...!”
“To bring in medicine without being caught requires the administrative office’s help.”
You know what that means?
‘Your stepmother and the head of the administrative office are linked to the civil war.’
“Ah...”
Belen groaned in a mix of admiration and pain.
Where royal agony and torment had passed, only a kindly smile remained.
Belen was a good-natured person, but being in such a high position made him suffer many troubles.
He reached out his hand to me.
“You truly surprise me so many times... I will keep this in mind.”
I shook Belen’s hand.
“I hope it helps.”
After letting go, I stepped back and smiled brightly.
How he uses this info was up to him.
I gave him everything.
We all then spent time exchanging farewells.
Just as the Aligiosa people were about to leave,
Belen turned his head to look at my father.
“By the way, Miss Erilot, do you have a fiancé?”
My father’s face twisted sharply.
His fists trembled.
‘Oh no!’
I was tense, worried he might do something.
Thankfully, my father quietly answered.
“...No.”
Though
No. Ex. Ist. ─ he said each word forcefully.
Prince Belen sincerely rejoiced.
Abino listened brightly beside him.
“Oh, is there really no family exchanging proposals?”
“No.”
“Then—”
My father’s red eyes flashed fiercely.
“There is no fiancé in Erilot’s life.”
Belen looked surprised.
Even I, used to my father’s face, found it terrifying.
How would Prince Belen, who grew up seeing only the good, feel?
“No...”
Belen tried to speak, but grandfather interrupted.
“If you stand here so long, you’ll get sick. Please be careful on your way.”
I was taken aback.
They were ushering the Aligiosa prince out like a peddler.
My father wasn’t stopping it but rather aiding...
It was the first time I saw those two so in sync.
“Please go.”
“I want to say goodbye to the young lady...!”
“The carriage is coming.”
“Young lady...”
“Car—! Ri—!”
Thanks to my father’s fierce shout, Abino’s voice was drowned out.
Worried the Aligiosa people might be upset, I shook my head.
‘Well, whatever. We got all we needed.’
No matter how my father and grandfather treated Belen, I was just glad.
After Belen, Abino, and the Aligiosa people left.
Sure, paperwork would pile up like a mountain, but whatever.
‘I’m a ten-year-old; I don’t have to do paperwork.’
That’s the advantage of being a child.
My father was drowning in paperwork.
He had mountains of documents piled front, back, left, and right, looking dazed inside them.
He said he was about to lose his mind from the insane amount.
He even folded paper airplanes from the papers to send to me.
I hummed and wandered the ducal castle.
‘How sweet would power be if Dad became the chief responsible for white jade distribution...’
I sighed with longing.
‘Power is really the best.’
Dad has no power?
He has it now!
I covered my cheeks with both hands and giggled.
A few days later.
The results of this year’s evaluation test were announced.
Who was first?
‘Who else.’
No surprise.
The top scorer was Erilot Astra.
Of course, it was me!