I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

A well-dressed pair, a man and a woman politely bowed and spoke in unison.

 

“Welcome to the Louis Bartengan store. We are honored to have guests of Lord Serphon.”

 

They looked very alike, almost like twins. Serphon smiled and replied, “Thank you. I would like to request some assistance.”

 

His attitude was aristocratic, poised in a manner suitable for someone from a prestigious family. It seemed that the store attendants didn’t dislike Serphon.

 

However, a bizarre scene unfolded there. Viola couldn’t help but chuckle, ‘What’s this?’

 

It was just too obvious. The female shop assistant who had just bowed was giving Serphon a peculiar look, as if saying, ‘I’m in love with you.’ She gazed at him fervently, openly expressing her admiration.

 

‘If you’re going to make it so obvious, it’s not even strange that people would notice,’ Viola thought. He really was the ultimate playboy in this world. She didn’t take her eyes off Serphon.

 

‘He brushed his hand against hers for a moment, didn’t he?’

 

It was like a move from a card shark, their hands touching slightly as he passed by. The female servant smiled slightly, seemingly in a very good mood.

 

‘He’s good at this. I’ll wager my strawberry ade that Serphon has over ten women like her.’

 

Viola glanced at Ersa, who was observing the scene as well. ‘Of course, I saw it. There’s no way Ersa would miss something I saw.’

 

Does Serphon know? No matter how fast and discreet his card-playing skills are, he can’t escape the Sword Demon’s sharp eyes.

 

‘Anyway, it’s called a famous luxury store…  it’s huge.’

 

The most eye-catching items in the store were the luxurious bags. There were more than a hundred of them, each in various colors.

 

On the other side, there were swords adorned with gemstones. They seemed more ceremonial or decorative than practical for combat.

 

“There are so many of them,” Hera commented.

 

“Usually, I don’t like to give displayed items as a gift to my sister.”

 

At this, Serphon looked at Hera with a slightly surprised expression.

 

“Although they are publicly available items, they are works that the craftsmen at Louis Bartengan have poured their blood and sweat into.”

 

“Is that so?” Hera chuckled meaningfully. “I’ve heard they’ve significantly lowered the production costs, allowing more people to experience Louis Bartengan’s craftsmanship. I consider it a positive thing from that perspective.”

 

“…”

 

“Some people still criticize them for turning luxury items into commodities.”

 

In the past, all luxury items were handmade by craftsmen. However, recent luxury goods had been mass-produced like commodities, which improved accessibility but also drew criticism from true luxury enthusiasts.

 

“But that doesn’t mean I doubt the spirit of the Louis Bartengan master craftsmen. I just want to see something beyond what’s on display.”

 

“It seems the Lady Ten-Day Flower already knows what she wants?”

 

There was contempt in Serphon’s eyes as if to say, ‘As if someone from Bellato would know anything!’ It was a look of total disregard and was so blatant that Viola and Hera could easily read it.

 

Hera continued to speak without showing displeasure, “I’d like to see Chief Designer Carlo’s works.”

 

“Chief Designer Carlo?”

 

Serphon seemed relaxed, but his body began to tremble. 

 

“That is…”

 

“Is this an impossible request due to the authority of Lord Serafon?”

 

Serafon laughed, “Hahaha!” Although he laughed leisurely, his hands were shaking slightly.

 

Serafon thought fiercely, ‘Such a barbaric and ignorant clan! How dare they even mention the name of the Chief Designer Carlo?! He is the most famous and authoritative designer in the family. You don’t have any sense and yet you want a pearl necklace to put around a pig’s neck? A luxury item is only a luxury item if it’s in the hands of someone who recognizes its value! Bellato isn’t suitable for luxury items. How can I phrase it nicely, so she’ll give up on her own? I can’t simply ignore her, no matter how barbaric a clan is, a duke’s family is still a duke’s family. On the other hand, I can’t arbitrarily offer to allow her to meet Chief Designer Carlo. I can’t tell her it’s beyond my power. Lady Ersa will be disappointed if I do that.’

 

Whether she knew Serphon’s mind or not, Hera spoke comfortably.

 

“In the first place, I came here to see the personal works of Chief Designer Carlo.”

 

“To see the works of Chief Designer Carlo, reservations must be made at least six months in advance…”

 

Serphon, who was momentarily flustered, regained his composure. ‘Yes! To see the works of Chief Designer Carlo, reservations must be made at least six months in advance!’

 

“Perhaps you have a reservation?”

 

He said it with a somewhat regretful expression as if it was a pity.

 

‘It’s not as if he accepts reservations from just anyone. You seem rather pathetic. As if it would be possible for you to have a reservation… Hmm?’

 

“Yes.”

 

Serphon doubted his own ears.

 

“You mentioned there is a reservation?”

 

Carlo, the Chief Designer, was known for his arrogance. He was a figure who wouldn’t budge easily even at the command of the Louis Bartengan family head.

 

‘No wonder Bellato is called barbaric! To lie about something like this…! There was absolutely no reservation made in Bellato’s name,’ he grumbled to himself. 

 

His impression of the young lady dimmed. ‘She’s a mischievous one, making up lies without even batting an eye. Very clever.’

 

To lie so blatantly about Carlo, the designer, of all people… He was not someone to be trifled with within the family. In his younger years, Serphon had even been Carlo’s apprentice, and he still feared Carlo.

 

Yet, Hera continued to speak. “Yes, it has been guaranteed with the seal of Heron Bellato, the Lord of Winter Castle.”

 

She pulled out an invitation from her pocket.

 

“It should have been reserved under the name of Terra Merchant’s top executive, Mr. Keros.”

 

Serphon’s tone grew somewhat serious. “Pardon me… but how are you related to Mr. Keros, Terra Merchant’s top executive?”

 

Terra Merchants was a rapidly growing major corporation within the continent. They already held more than half the market share in the Northern region of the continent and were rapidly expanding their influence. They were even referred to as the divine god of the distribution industry. If you looked at the size of the assets they managed, they far surpassed the Louis Bartengan family. However, there wasn’t much known about the identity of the company’s owner.

 

“He’s my personal servant.”

 

“…?”

 

Serphon was skeptical. Her personal servant was the top executive? That implied they were employer and employee, didn’t it?

 

“I employed Mr. Keros and gave him the position of top executive at Terra Merchants.”

 

“…”

 

Viola felt a sense of assurance. She was glad she had become friends with Hera.

 

‘As expected, my rich older sister never disappoints!’

 

Viola was again impressed with Hera. A rich older sister was a great sibling to have.

 

“So, are you saying Princess Hera is the actual owner of Terra Merchants?”

 

“What’s wrong with that?”

 

Serphon alternated his gaze between the invitation and Hera with a bewildered expression. He couldn’t believe it. So in the end, the sacred Terra Merchants ultimately belonged to Bellato.

 

At that time, a magic circle appeared on the wall. The building appeared to be a three-story structure from the outside, however, another space existed. It was a floor concealed by magic, a secret space for VIPs. The Louis Bartengan family called it the ‘fourth floor.’

 

Thud! Thud! 

 

Someone descended in haste. The man had a bald head and a long white beard that extended down to his chest.

 

“Lady Hera!”

 

He was Louis Bartengan’s elder and the Chief Designer, Carlo.

 

“Oh, how could you come here without notice? If you had informed me in advance, I would have personally gone to greet you! Oh my.”

 

“It’s okay. Lord Serphon provided excellent guidance.”

 

“Oh! You mean Serphon guided you?”

 

‘The mischievous second son who is always causing trouble? He was acting exceptionally gallant now? How did that idiot do such an amazing thing?’

 

Carlo’s eyes gleamed with relief. 

 

Hera slowly spoke. “Yes, he holds me in high regard as Lady Ten-Day Flower.”

 

“L-Lady Ten-Day Flower?”

 

Carlo, the Chief Designer, even doubted his own ears for a moment. Lady Ten-Day Flower? The flower that completely crumbles after ten days?

 

He glanced at Serphon with a flabbergasted expression.

 

“Ah, ahaha!”

 

‘First things first, this has to be resolved!’

 

“It seems our Serphon confused that flower with Semilha, the beautiful flower from the eastern continent.”

 

Hera smiled warmly and Carlo’s expression, which had been tense with anxiety, finally relaxed.

 

“Was there anything uncomfortable during your journey here?”

 

“No, thanks to Lord Serphon.”

 

“Serphon has done a good job.”

 

“However, there is one thing that I’m disappointed about.”

 

“If there’s something disappointing…”

 

Hera pulled out a wheelchair from her pocket dimension and that’s when Carlo noticed that something was off. It was odd that Hera wasn’t sitting in her wheelchair. Instead, she was carried on her butler’s back.

 

“I was very sad that the wheelchair Chief Designer Carlo gifted me was not allowed to be transported on the Gold Road.”

 

Carlo’s face and scalp turned bright red. It wouldn’t be much of a lie to say that steam began to leak from his ears. As Carlo’s face turned red, Serphon’s face turned ashen.

 

Hera didn’t hesitate to present her Bellato side. Once you bite someone’s neck, you have to finish them. Hera had grown up learning that way, and she lived that way.

 

Hera’s face lost its smile. “Is my beauty akin to a ten-day flower in the eyes of the chief designer?”

 

Although no one else noticed, Viola’s face also turned ashen.

 

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Translator Note:

 

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