Bam-pa-bam-pa-bam─ bam-pa-bam-pa-bam─ bam! A fanfare sounded in my ears, as if lively music were playing. ‘Don’t start moving your body!’ But countless sounds echoed in my ears. Bwoom-bwoom-bwoom! The sound of trumpets. Clink-clank. The sound of money coming in. Flap-flap-flap. The sound of counting bills. Trying hard to calm my greed-driven excitement, I focused on keeping my expression steady to avoid moving my hips. But I’m originally a K-child who knows how to refuse an adult’s offer at least once out of courtesy. I had to refuse once out of politeness. Reluctantly, I waved my hand. If there were a mind reader here, they might be bewildered to see the difference between my inside and outside. “No, Your Majesty. You said it’s a great honor just to have saved the royals. ...My father!” Oops. I almost forgot to boost Dad after thinking that it would be a problem if the Emperor took my words seriously and didn’t really give me a reward. “Your father?” “Yes! My father, Your Majesty!” That’s right. Our dad is such a loyal person. Store that in your head right now. Quick, save it! “Daymond Astra... Today I’m learning a lot of new things.” The Emperor smiled brightly. He didn’t look as doubtful as before. Earlier there was still some hesitation, but now he seemed to believe me. ‘About 80%? Wow, he’s pretty much convinced.’ “You and Daymond will probably see eye to eye more than Grimier.” “I don’t know much about Uncle Grimier, but my father would.” Right! Our dad’s a total fiery son! So be sure to remember that name. He conquered grape, melon, and peach producing lands for us! Still! Don’t forget he didn’t get the military medal yet. ‘Now if they give him the marquis title, I’ll refuse. He should get at least a count.’ “By the way, you’ve eaten quite a few snacks. Were they tasty?” “They were all delicious, so I tried a bit of everything.” “Is that so? Then I’ll bring you more. I’ll tell the steward to prepare some for you to take when you leave.” “Yes!” Just like the Empress Dowager, the Emperor also prepared snacks to take home. ‘I don’t know if it’s because of my fiery flattery or because I resemble the Empress Dowager.’ Anyway, snacks aren’t to blame. Crunch crunch. “You eat well. Try this too.” Crunch crunch crunch! “You have to drink tea as well. Good.” ‘What is this...? Eating a mukbang in front of the Emperor?’ It felt a little awkward, but since good is good, I finished all the snacks that day, took a handful in each hand, and left the palace. Felt like I just buttered up my boss and got holiday gifts! Thump thump. Heartbeat pounding. After several days of endurance, today finally came. Finally. ‘Mi-li-ta-ry me-dal!’ An imperial courtier, bearing the Emperor’s order, came personally to present Dad with the military medal. The medal ceremony was magnificent. A golden carpet laid on the floor, trumpet players on the side. Since the medal ceremony was already announced, the four of us siblings busied ourselves preparing since morning. Dressed even more beautifully and elegantly than when going to the palace, I watched Dad’s chest proudly receive the medal with great emotion. What comes attached to the medal? A title. And what did I say the title should be at minimum? Everyone shout it! Our dad is now a Count! ‘Coun-t!’ Seeing Dad’s medal shining on his broad chest, the four of us cheered. “Long live the Count!” “Count Astra!” “Count Daymond!” “Hooray, hooray!” The medal sparkling on Dad’s broad chest was commanding. Seeing it finally settled there made me laugh naturally. ‘After a long tug of war, you finally came. Military medal.’ “Is it that good?” Dad asked, and I nodded vigorously. “Of course! Congratulations, Dad!” “Yeah.” Dad spread his arms, and I was the first to rush into his embrace. Then my three brothers slowly joined him. They seemed embarrassed but didn’t refuse, so I guess our brothers are really kind. Hug. Hug hug hug! “Ugh!” I felt like I was sandwiched tightly between Dad’s hard chest in front and three brothers behind, but the feeling was like flying. Now Dad has entered the ranks of high nobility. He’s stepped into the central nobility! Why are they called central nobles? The answer is simple. ‘Because they have mansions within the palace’s radius, they are called central nobles.’ The reason for the name and the privilege central nobles have is this: They have the right to purchase a mansion within 20 km of the palace! Of course, becoming a central noble doesn’t mean they get a mansion for free, just the right to buy one. But that right itself is a huge privilege. Because mansions in this area aren’t just for anyone with money to buy. The limited space breeds exclusivity and cohesion. This is the privilege central nobles enjoy. The area within 20 km of the palace. This is called District 1. How many things happen only in District 1? Those stories rarely become news. Even rumors spread only among the nobles living in District 1. District 1 nobles secretly sneer at nobles who couldn’t enter District 1. Naturally, the Astra Duke family has a mansion in District 1. ‘Of course, it’s not ours.’ Grandfather entrusted it to Uncle Grimier. Since there is already a house in the center, other Astra relatives can’t buy one inside District 1. There is already one mansion. ‘But we can!’ Because Dad became a Count. Once more, shout it. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖 Coun-t! Our family, who came carrying all our luggage to Astra Manor, looked around our home with sparkling eyes. We liked the serenely decorated garden. We liked the corridor with sunlight filtering softly in. We liked the cleanly tidied interior, knowing we were coming. ‘Ta-da-dat, ta~ ta-da-da~’ A hum slipped out naturally. Michélan carefully selected the mansion candidates. Among them, I chose this house. Because... “Michélan, are you sure this was the late emperor’s secret residence?” “Yes. It’s said to be a place spoken of only secretly to the late empress.” “I see. Michélan, you’re the best!” I knew from Michélan that this was the late emperor’s secret residence. A secret residence with “secret” attached to it. Why? Because there are many things hidden in the house. ‘Even the current emperor didn’t know how much the late emperor’s personal wealth was.’ The late emperor didn’t trust even his own children. He only trusted money and strict security. So besides this secret residence, the late emperor’s fortune is hidden all over, locked away in secrecy. The current emperor couldn’t even find this secret residence. Now this secret residence is mine. I can investigate it as I ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) please. While looking around the house, I found a spot that seemed to hide a secret safe. Tap tap tap. I knocked comparing with the nearby walls. Boom boom boom. I even stomped on the floor. ‘Maybe it’s here.’ No, it’s not maybe. All my instincts tell me this is it! I called Dad. Though the house is mine, it’s really Dad’s. But well. Dad’s is mine. “Dad.” “Yes.” “How about we do some interior work on our house? It’s already nice, but we should show off that we’re in District 1...” —And then I stopped talking. Dad and my three brothers were all focused on me. Ah, I spoke too smartly. Of course, I’m a smart ten-year-old, but there’s no need to be too clever in front of family. I quickly corrected myself. “...That’s what Michélan said.” “Michélan?” Michélan was embarrassed as Dad suddenly looked at him. “Ah... yes, I told you.” “Michélan is competent and very smart!” “Indeed.” Dad nodded. He told Michélan, “Don’t worry about the cost. This is our house.” Gasp. Saying that to interior people is really dangerous. It stirs up a wild urge to spend all the money! But our Dad has the means to handle that. With the Baek Soojeong distribution margin, we were basically billionaires before even becoming a count family. “Do your best, but find good craftsmen since many will be coming and going.” “Yes, sir.” Michélan bowed respectfully after receiving the checkbook from Dad. “Sir...! Ah, such a sweet title.” Now Dad is “Sir.” “Sir” isn’t a word used for a marquis. And since Dad is a Count, I’m the Count Astra’s young lady! ‘Now who will dare call me dirty Astra blood?’ Of course, before, not many dared say it openly because of my brothers. But being scared and not speaking, and not speaking because I’m the Count’s young lady, are two different things. Hehe. Giggle giggle. Laughing like a villain, Balzac asked, “Lotti, which room will you take? The middle room on the second floor? The window room?” “Hmm. I haven’t thought about it.” “You wandered around the house but didn’t pick a room? I was going to take the room next to you.” “What are you talking about? The room next to Erilot is mine.” When Joshua butted in, Rishimond quietly stepped up. “Because I’m the eldest.” While the three brothers fought briefly, Michélan was walking toward me from afar. Dodo-do, I ran, and Michélan was holding something. “Miss, I was about to come to you.” “It’s okay. I’m tired of my brothers fighting too. What’s that?” “An invitation from the Lily Garden.” How did he pull something like that out just after moving in? The shiny silver tray showed Michélan’s competence. He handed me the invitation on the tray. The sealing wax on the envelope was stamped with a lily pattern. Rustle. Carefully peeling off the wax and opening the envelope, a fragrant lily scent floated out. ‘Lily Garden.’ The Lily Garden is a very famous gathering. A party held exactly once a month, only for underage daughters of central nobles. Getting an invitation on the day we moved in means many central nobles are paying attention to us. Dad probably got the military medal and the count title, and Michélan was busy hunting mansions in District 1, so they were probably already watching when we would move in. ‘Interesting.’ Heh heh heh. A smile like a villain’s daughter slipped out unconsciously. ‘I shouldn’t do that. I’m the protagonist!’ “Will you attend?” Michélan asked, and I answered without hesitation. “Of course!” The Lily Garden is a networking field only for daughters of central nobles; there’s no reason not to go. But the problem is... “At a party, you need a partner, right?” “That’s right.” “What should I do? I don’t know anyone in the center.” “No, many attend with their brothers as well.” “Oh, I see...” Then no worries. I have three brothers. ‘Good thing I don’t have to worry about partners.’ But. I had a bad feeling. While talking with Michélan, I turned my head toward my brothers. “The room next to Erilot is mine!” “Are you stupid? There are two rooms: left and right. If only you give up, Rishimond and I will...” “I don’t intend to give up.” ‘...’ They’re still fighting over rooms. But... they won’t fight over my party partner, right? So I pretended not to notice the fight as I talked with Michélan. I believed my brothers weren’t that childish. That belief was my downfall. I really didn’t know. —From now on, every month when the Lily Garden opens, the desperate blood feud between Erilot’s partner and the third son of Daymond would take place. This was the start of the infamous Lily Garden riot incident recorded in history.