I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

Viola was momentarily taken aback but she quickly thought about how to respond and act.

 

‘I can’t act too smart but I don’t want to look too stupid. I have to find the right balance.’

 

At best, young Hera was a supporting character in a truly terrifying plot. However now she was having to deal with a well-versed strategist in her late 30s.

 

‘No, it’s still worth it.’

 

Because she knew everything about Celine’s personality and tendencies. Celine was a character who was involved in many episodes of the latter part of the original, causing a lot of trouble for Viola. In the story, Celine decided that Viola should not become Bellato’s successor.

 

“Viola Bellato is too dangerous. Eventually, she will threaten the Monarch.”

 

In fact, in the second half of the novel, Viola’s most powerful and dangerous enemy was none other than Celine. Information related to Celine came to Viola’s mind, one line after another.

 

‘When I think about it, she crossed an irreversible river with Celine.’

 

Celine was originally scheduled to become Empress, however, she wasn’t able to because of Viola’s evil scheme.

 

“They say you are incapable of conceiving a child, Your Majesty.”

 

For Celine, it was like a death sentence.

 

“A person who cannot give birth to the Emperor’s child is not qualified to be Empress.”

 

“That’s not true! Children or bloodlines are not important to me. There is only you for me, Celine. You are the only one in my world, and if it’s not you, I won’t get married.”

 

But Celine was stubborn.

 

“That’s not true. Think Monarch! A person of Nelac’s bloodline is absolutely necessary for the Empire.”

 

Eventually, Celine gave up on becoming Empress and she urged the Emperor to marry another woman. She cried secretly every night. Of course, Nelac was as stubborn as Celine and ended up being single for the rest of his life. Later, Celine found out about this plot and became very angry with Viola Bellato. She was a very important supporting character who, due to her uncontrollable anger, ended up making a mistake and was killed by Viola.

 

‘It was Viola and the Warlock Sea Dogs who made Celine like that.’

 

“Princess Viola?”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry. When I saw Minister Celine, of whom there are many rumors, my eyes were so dazzled that I was at a loss for words.”

 

Hera’s body flinched.

 

‘Did I know Viola could say something like that?’

 

In fact, Hera had been very worried. She was worried that Viola would have a stiff neck and act overly rude in front of Celine, but her worries were unfounded.

 

“I heard that Lady Viola is an iron-blooded princess, but it looks like the rumor is a bit misleading.”

 

“I don’t treat everyone the same. I am now standing in front of Lady Celine and I thought there was no need to be an iron-blooded princess in front of Lady Celine.”

 

Celine grinned.

 

“That’s a good thing. So, can you tell me what’s strange about my suggestion?”

 

Viola sighed inwardly. She shook her head vigorously to create the right impression, neither very good nor very bad.

 

“The Lady Celine I have seen from afar is someone who is always devoted to our Monarch. She puts our Monarch above all else, and she is willing to give up and put down many things for the advancement and glory of our Monarch.”

 

“Thank you for saying that. I work hard to do that every day.”

 

In her own way, Viola was shocked by Celine’s facial expressions and eyes. Her attitude toward people as well as her every gesture were graceful. They said her elegance was something money couldn’t buy, and Viola now thought she understood what they meant. She felt a different kind of grace and dignity from Celine than what came from Bellato.

 

“And I understand that you are someone who places great importance on harmony and cooperation among nobles.”

 

“How do you know that?”

 

In fact, this was an assessment of Celine spread across the continent. As it wasn’t anything special or secret, Viola was able to continue her speech without feeling too much pressure.

 

“You just have to look at Goldenrod to see that,” she said. “So far, Bellato and Winter Castle have been intentionally excluded from central power. Of course, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it. Bellato was never very interested in central power, and I think their interests aligned.”

 

“That’s an interesting story. I’ll keep listening.”

 

“But Minister Celine said she would build a trade road connecting Bellato and the Monarch. A huge sword called Bellato could now be pointed at the Monarch.”

 

Hera’s body flinched because those words could sound like treason if interpreted incorrectly.

 

“When I saw such a courageous decision, I felt that Minister Celine prioritized unity and cooperation. That is the kind of person I see, Lady Celine.”

 

“A person who doesn’t care about danger and is crazy about the prosperity of the empire. Did you see this much?”

 

“Actually, I wanted to say that.”

 

To put it simply, she was a capable strategist who was crazy about the empire. She could see it like this.

 

“Great. So what’s next?”

 

“It just felt very strange to me that such a person would suggest forming political forces and factions at the Forget-Me-Not Banquet, and not anywhere else.”

 

“I never said that. The message was to find boys and girls who had been given a special mission.”

 

There was no way! Viola believed that couldn’t be the case.

 

‘No, it was an order to form factions more actively and we will only be able to form those factions more actively under the pretext of finding and uniting people with special missions.’

 

Viola was sure of this on the inside but on the outside she said otherwise.

 

“Then it was my misunderstanding. I’m sorry. I think I looked at Minister Celine’s great intentions with too narrow a vision.”

 

Viola secretly noticed.

 

‘Good. Now let me show my childish side.’

 

“I just want you to find someone special regardless of the conditions, and I will give a big gift to those who are able to find a good match,” said Minister Celine.

 

“I see. Well, I already found the person who is most special to me at the Forget-Me-Not Banquet.”

 

Viola strengthened the hands holding the wheelchair and turned her gaze to the back of Hera’s head. Hera felt her body flinch slightly.

 

“The most special person to me is my sister.”

 

Viola was secretly satisfied with her answer.

 

‘Celine will be very disappointed in me.’

 

Celine was definitely a warm person, but when she was cold, she was colder than anyone else. In any case, she was now in the process of building political power and forming factions, fighting a war that was not a war. By saying, ‘The most special person to me is my sister,’ Viola avoided the war and showed an extremely childlike way of thinking. 

 

‘By now, Celine should have made her rational and political calculations about me. I may have acted smart, but now I look like a child steeped in idealistic dreams.’

 

This was certainly how Celine would think in the later part of the novel.

 

‘Good job, Viola! You came across as just a little kid.’

 

Viola was sure that while she may have looked like a schemer, now she appeared to be just a baby. Viola was very satisfied with today’s meeting.

 

* * *

 

After that, Celine returned to the Hyrils’ property. When she entered her room, which she had used since childhood, she saw a mysterious masked person.

 

“You!”

 

Celine wasn’t scared. Even if he was wearing a mask, she could tell who it was right away.

 

“I secretly came here because I wanted to see you.”

 

“You can’t because you’re the Emperor. Aren’t there business hours to see me?”

 

“Before I am the Emperor, I am a man who loves you.”

 

“I’m hearing an increase of very strange words.”

 

“We can get married soon.”

 

Celine could tell from his eyes that, although it was hidden under his mask, Nelac’s face was very red.

 

“Shall we take a look at Your Majesty’s handsome face?”

 

Celine and Nelac continued to chat in secret.

 

“So, did you meet Viola?”

 

“Yes. She is a great and upright kid.”

 

“Your expression is very happy. It looks like you really like her.”

 

“Yes. She saw very clearly the purpose of my proposal and the message I was sending.”

 

“What was your message?”

 

“It was about taking care of the precious people next to us before anyone else.”

 

If Viola had heard this, she would have been shocked, saying that wasn’t what she saw. Viola’s thoughts were wrong because the Celine at this point was very different from the Celine at the end of the novel. What Viola knew and understood was only the Celine in the latter part of the novel. Celine was one of the characters who showed the most dramatic personality change throughout the novel. But Celine’s supporting character only arrived in the second half of the novel and all Viola could deduce was from her personality at that time.

 

“Did you really think I would send out a message to form factions and build power at the Forget-Me-Not Banquet?”

 

“I’m sure everyone thought so.”

 

“Does Your Majesty see me like that?”

 

Celine’s eyes narrowed and slightly protruded her lips. Nelac, the Emperor of Swords, felt the greatest crisis of his life.

 

“Of course I don’t.”

 

Cold sweat broke out along his back. He actually had thought it because everyone said that.

 

“Princess Viola, who read my hidden meaning, couldn’t be more admirable. I could feel her sincerity in her attitude toward her sister.”

 

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you praise someone like this.”

 

Nelac suddenly felt a desire to be praised by Celine. However, he was the great Emperor of Swords, and he did not show his feelings.

 

“Actually, even if she figured out my hidden intention, there was no need for her to leave the Forget-Me-Not Banquet. Princess Viola actually tried to do her best at the Forget-Me-Not Banquet.”

 

She had known everything and must have been carefully preparing for the banquet when she met with Chief Designer Carlo. After all, the light purple dress she was wearing was a masterpiece by Kurumkrum, a master of the dwarf tribe.

 

“She drew attention to herself even before I appeared. As if they were aiming to be the main character of this Forget-Me-Not Banquet.”

 

“Then it’s strange that she left the banquet to spend time alone with Princess Hera.” 

 

“I think she was sending me a message.”

 

Celine saw so many things that others did not see and used her extraordinary mind to think of things that others would not be able to think of. When Celine looked at Viola, she admired her sincerity because her choices were not the choices of a twelve-year-old child. The Viola that Celine saw was a very talented person.

 

“I see! She was sending me such a positive message.”

 

Celine’s eyes and lips drew up in an arc.

 

“I think it can be interpreted to mean that she wants to work hard for the Empire in the future. More precisely, it means that she wants to revive both the Empire and Bellato.”

 

“Shouldn’t we wait and see?”

 

“There is a famous proverb in the Eastern Continent. A mature tree can be recognized by its seedling.”

 

“Is Viola meant to become a tree?”

 

“I think so. In the future, she plans to try scouting officially. I have a feeling she will be a great tree for the Empire. She is a child with plenty of enthusiasm. So to speak, she just submitted an application for a job. And it was a very, very good application. I feel so happy that I found a great dream tree. Could you give me a hug?”

 

At the same time, Viola, who had returned to her room, felt a little creeped out.

 

‘Why is it so cold?’

 

After she said so, another day passed.

 

—————————————————————

Translator Note: