A piece of paper appeared in front of Butler Carlton’s eyes. Carlton knew what that paper was.
‘A report on Lady Viola.’
Reports on potential heirs were usually read once and then discarded, with the information the stewards provided staying in the Duke’s mind.
‘Why didn’t you throw that away two weeks ago?’
Unable to contain his curiosity, Carlton finally asked.
“What could possibly be in there for you to keep it for two weeks?”
“Oh, it’s nothing special.”
The Duke handed the report to Carlton as if there was nothing to hide. After reading the report, Carlton fell into thought.
‘A report related to Viola Bellato’s escort for her societal debut.’
Carlton was slightly puzzled. He couldn’t figure out the significance of this report. It seemed like unimportant information, so why had the Duke kept it for two weeks?
‘There must be a reason.’
The Duke showed the report without hesitation. As the head butler, Carlton needed to discern the Duke’s true intentions.
‘If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have known, but I’ve already read the report.’
Carlton recalled other information pertinent to this report. He was the head butler after all and he had to act like one.
“Now I understand why you kept this report for two weeks.”
“…”
Heron sat in his chair, chin in hand, looking up at Carlton. In truth, Heron couldn’t understand why he hadn’t thrown the report away. It was a mystery even to himself.
“Heir competitor, Prince Vicen, offered himself as an escort. The boy swordsman Tundra, who calls himself a hound, does the same.”
Both are considered rising stars. Needless to say, Vicen is a pure-blooded Bellato and Tundra is astonishing all of Bellato with his rapid growth.
“Hickson is also grumbling that if he were just ten years younger, he would personally escort Viola. Even Lady Medea subtly expressed interest in being her escort.”
There was one more.
“Lady Hera, who outwardly enjoys social gatherings and appears very enthusiastic but in reality despises them to the extreme, is also showing tremendous interest in Viola’s debut into society.”
What does it all mean? Vicen. Tundra. Hickson. Medea. Even Hera.
“This could be interpreted as Viola Bellato showcasing her abilities as the White Bellato.”
For generations, the White Bellatos had played a supporting role to the Black Bellatos. The rulers of Bellato were always Black Bellatos.
“It’s the birth of an unprecedented White Bellato.”
The Duke seemed to have a significant interest in the butler’s hypothesis. He must have been pondering the report for quite some time.
“Your Grace, you’ve always said that you can’t create a true Bellato with just power.”
“That’s right.”
“Perhaps you’ve judged that Lady Viola Bellato might be the one to achieve the completion of Bellato…?”
In just five years, she had garnered so many Bellato supporters on her side. Although it wasn’t in the report, Xenon also seemed subtly interested in escorting Viola. If Xenon’s body had been in good condition, there was a high probability that he would have volunteered to escort Viola.
“Being strong alone won’t make a ‘complete’ Bellato. Those were your words to me. Lady Viola Bellato acts as if she can read your mind. That’s why you keep examining the report.”
“Butler.”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
In fact, Heron didn’t know much about social gatherings. Like most Bellatos, he had never shown much interest in social events, so he knew nothing about the rules or unwritten customs of social gatherings.
“Is there a separate qualification for escorting a debutante?”
“No, it’s entirely up to the debutante’s choice.”
It didn’t matter the escort’s status, wealth, or gender.
“Nevertheless, twelve-year-old boys and girls select the most outstanding and splendid escorts. The person who escorts them becomes an endorsement of the debutantes’ status and abilities.”
That was the unwritten rule of society. Whoever escorted the debutante would determine their practical power in society.
“Can fathers also be escorts?”
“It does happen occasionally, but it’s not common.”
“Why not? Didn’t you say that the most outstanding and splendid escort is chosen?”
“Not all fathers in the world are like you, Your Grace.”
Heron was far from being in the category of an ordinary father. Heron’s inherently powerful mana had completely halted his aging. Outwardly, he looked like he was in his mid-thirties yet he exuded an aura and charisma befitting a mature ruler. Despite his youthful appearance, the aura and charisma he naturally emitted could make any woman become infatuated with him.
“Oh, recently a mother escorted her son.”
“Is that so?”
“They called him ‘Mama’s Boy’ and made fun of him until he burst into tears.”
It must have been the worst experience of his twelve-year-old life.
“In other words, fathers or mothers escorting can often have an unfavorable impact on the debutante’s social standing with their peers.”
Carlton chuckled lightly.
“And honestly, in the eyes of young debutantes, the most impressive person is often someone of their own age, right? For example, Prince Jeremy.”
“I forbid Jeremy.”
“May I ask why?”
“He’s more famous for being a ‘teen idol’ than for being a ‘small storm’.”
If he were a Bellato, the situation would have been very different. If he were a Bellato, the name ‘Small Storm’ would have been much more prestigious than being a teen idol.
“That’s like a title given because he’s excessively beautiful…”
Carlton suddenly cleared his throat before continuing.
“However, even though he’s excessively beautiful, The Thousand-Kill Duke is here.”
“When is Viola’s society debut?”
In other words, he was asking when Viola’s birthday was.
“In two weeks.”
“What’s my schedule then?”
“You have no official engagements, but there are unofficial ones.”
Carlton smiled inwardly. There had never been such interest in the debut of a successor candidate in society. Why would the Duke be interested? Because his daughter, the White Bellato, was entering society with special qualities. He must be curious about how she will demonstrate her abilities as the White Bellato.
‘You must show well, my lady.’
Viola was growing up wonderfully, but at 12 years of age, she was still too young. It was a little too late to compete with Medea, so she must show herself as a true Bellato in society.
‘Because His Grace is hyper-focused on you as the White Bellato.’
That’s what Carlton thought.
***
“I need you to come with me to Parr Viscounty.”
Hera looked at Viola from her wheelchair and refused to accept any objections. Hera’s expression was reflected in Viola’s eyes. Her eyes were filled with resolute determination and her lips were firmly set. It was a resolute demeanor that had no intention of backing down.
“Go to Parr Viscounty? With my sister?”
“Yes.”
Parr Viscounty held a very special meaning even in the central continent. The first Parr Viscountess was originally a commoner, an outstanding woman who received her title from the emperor 120 years ago. She was a legendary figure mentioned in the novel “The Shadow of Bellato.”
“The dresses and bags created by Parr always cause a sensation among noblewomen. Parr soon became a brand name and even the empress became enamored with Parr’s works. Among the nobility, Parr began to be called a master.”
The Parr who gained the empress’s favor eventually became the first commoner to receive the title of viscountess along with a special territory, ‘Parr Viscounty.’ For 120 years, Parr Viscounty has been a mecca for designers and master craftsmen who led the continent’s fashion trends.
“The most beautiful clothes are born in Parr. Glittering luxury is born from the hands of masters, and masters are born in Parr. If you want to become a top designer, you must study at Parr Viscounty.”
“Do I have to go?”
“Of course.”
“Why?”
“Is it strange for a young lady about to debut in society to go to Parr?”
In fact, when Parr received the Viscounty, there was much opposition from nobles. So the emperor, after much consideration, bestowed a territory among the rugged and famous Epherian Peak. A place where people with ordinary strength were unable to climb. At first, Parr Viscounty was only known for being rugged and remote, however, the place soon began to gain a reputation.
“The number of noblewomen and young ladies visiting Parr Viscounty gradually started to increase.”
120 years ago, countless noblewomen and young ladies headed to Parr Viscounty. At the time, there were not many women who could handle mana properly because 120 years ago, mana was thought to be the exclusive domain of men. A woman who could climb to the top of Epherian Peak with her own strength was almost non-existent. Noblewomen and young ladies had to rely on the help of hired hands to reach the top. Not to mention the various magical tools and items needed for support. So, if a young lady entered Parr Viscounty, it meant that she was an affluent young lady who had enough wealth and power.
‘Even now, the tradition is still being maintained.’
The number of women who could skillfully handle mana had increased tremendously. However, not many of these women visited Parr Viscounty as they were busy protecting human territory from demonic creatures.
Gender was largely irrelevant. Regardless of gender, those who could handle mana were mostly nobles, and in exchange for their power and authority, nobles also had the responsibility to protect humanity.
“Not everyone in the world can handle mana. Parr Viscounty was still a luxurious and lofty place that only high-ranking nobles who could handle mana could reach.”
It was said that it was extremely difficult to climb to the peak. With Viola’s blessed physique, she could manage the climb. However, Viola hated mountain climbing.
“That place is known for having roads that even carriages can’t travel, right? How does my sister plan to go?”
“I’m going to hire a mage.”
“A mage?”
Hiring a mage came with astronomical costs. Most mages had high pride and self-esteem, they would never consider themselves as a mere ‘means of transportation.’ You would have to spend an enormous amount of money to hire them.
“Do I really have to go?”
“Of course. As the White Bellato, as the Bellato I’ve chosen, you can’t be free in society. I want you to shine the brightest that day.”
“What is that strange desire I see in your eyes, sister? You’re not planning to throw me into society and then step back, are you?”
“Well, that’s not entirely wrong.”
Hera looked serious. After a moment of silence, she spoke again.
“Viola, I mean it. I want my sister to be the most beautiful, more than anyone else. You are more than capable of that.”
It wasn’t just about being pretty. Viola got a different feeling from Hera. There was definitely something more, a kind of urgency that could be seen.
‘Oh? Come to think of it…’
At that moment, Viola recalled some information related to Hera from the novel. She suddenly seemed to understand why Hera was acting so assertively.
“Sister, wait a moment.”
Viola took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. After a pause, she decided to tell Hera what she wanted to hear.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on October, 26.
Want to read more?
