I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

The Forget-Me-Not Banquet was a social gathering for the young children of noble families and had various special traditions. On the sixth day, a continental hero was always invited to give a speech to encourage the young children to develop their dreams and hopes. But today’s speech had someone extra special, a person who rarely appeared in public came forward in person.

 

A few days ago, Celine received a letter.

 

“Duke Heron Bellato wrote to me and made a request. He offered to speak.”

 

“Duke Heron?”

 

Even for Nelac, it was surprising.

 

“He is well qualified, but…”

 

“Surprising, right? He’s a person who hates social gatherings.”

 

“Surprising. I can’t believe he asked first.”

 

“Anyway, why did Duke Heron suddenly decide to give a Forget-Me-Not Speech?”

 

“Well, I don’t know.”

 

“Is it because he wants to capture a view of his lovely daughter’s debutante debut?”

 

“That is the most absurd joke I’ve ever heard from you.”

 

“What did you expect?”

 

That couldn’t be possible. Weren’t they talking about the Thousand-Kill Duke, Heron Bellato?

 

“Anyway, I think it’ll be fun. If it’s Duke Heron, it will be a big challenge for the children.”

 

Celine accepted Duke Heron’s request. She still didn’t know why he wanted to but she could vaguely infer that it must be related to Viola. However, today, Celine was able to understand Duke Heron’s intentions.

 

‘It wasn’t without reason, after all.’

 

In fact, Celine already knew what was going on between Viola and Princess Senna. Although she was far away, she used her magic powers to monitor the situation.

 

‘Princess Senna probably doesn’t have the insight to distinguish such an outstanding artifact.’

 

That wasn’t wrong. When Celine first saw it, she also thought it was an ordinary ring. Thus it was no wonder that Senna, who was still a young lady, didn’t know the value of Viola’s ring.

 

‘Senna gave Viola, who was looking for the perfect opportunity, a good excuse.’

 

Celine knew that Viola was at the heart of a deep conflict between Bellato and Mariantu. After all, the Mariantus were the family that most strongly opposed the Golden Road plan. Therefore… 

 

‘Viola threw her bait, and Senna took it.’

 

Celine understood that Viola was a princess who never did anything foolish. Just now, not only didn’t she avoid a confrontation with Senna, but she escalated such a childish fight?

 

‘There is clearly something she’s aiming for.’

 

Celine thought it must be ‘the big picture’ that Viola and Duke Heron were painting. It could also be interpreted to mean that Viola has an important position within Bellato, enough to plot something with Duke Heron. 

 

‘Princess Viola has already grown that much.’

 

Celine was so smart that she interpreted Viola’s intentions completely backward.

 

‘You’re going to show me something.’

 

She decided to wait.

 

* * *

 

With the appearance of the Thousand-Kill Duke, Heron Bellato, the surroundings suddenly became quiet. It became so quiet that his footsteps echoed throughout the entire banquet hall.

 

Duke Heron’s speech was brief. His speech, which contained the message, ‘Overcome fear and move forward,’ was simple and clean. When his speech ended, applause erupted.

 

Minister Celine said, “Thank you Lord Heron for your valuable time. Is there anyone among you who would like to ask Duke Bellato a question?”

 

Minister Celine sat expectantly while the nobles’ battle of wits began. Depending on how informative and smart the question a person asked, they might end up in the eye of Celine. Princess Senna raised her hand.

 

“I am Senna, daughter of Duke Mariantu. It is an honor to meet the great ruler of the North and the front-line shield that protects humanity. If you don’t mind, is it okay if I ask you a question?”

 

She was convinced that Viola was lying. It’s not uncommon for a father to give his daughter a ring, but the Thousand-Kill Duke? A ring that was refined and made by a magic master?

 

‘It’s pure bullshit!’

 

She thought it couldn’t be so.

 

‘Fuck you, Viola.’

 

Senna confidently asked.

 

“I heard that the Duke is a fair and thorough person. I understand that he oversees and coordinates the succession competition among successors from a neutral standpoint. But did he perhaps give preferential treatment to his youngest daughter and gift her with a precious and rare ring? A certain someone got angry and said that her ring was precious, the only ring of its kind in the world. However, I find that hard to believe, so I ask the question.”

 

Senna believed Viola to be a pathetic adopted princess who lied and sold her father’s great name. She would be sure to treat Viola like that in the future.

 

Heron, looking at Senna who was thinking like that, slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I gave it as a gift.”

 

For a moment, Senna couldn’t believe her ears. First, she was shocked by the fact that Duke Heron had given it to Viola as a gift, but she also had no idea that he would speak so rudely to her at such a public event. Even Celine treated her with respect. This was an outright insult.

 

‘I guess they really are a barbaric family!’

 

Her pride was badly hurt and Heron could easily read Celine’s thoughts.

 

“Do you feel bad?”

 

“I didn’t know you would speak so rudely to me at an official event. Minister Celine even treats me with respect here.”

 

“But I am not Celine.”

 

Senna’s legs were shaking. As Heron made eye contact with her, it felt like the world was going dark. He didn’t intentionally project his aura, but he wasn’t the type to intentionally control it either. When Heron’s dispersed aura reached Senna, Senna had a hard time breathing.

 

Celine clapped her hands once.

 

“Dear Duke Heron. You are an extremely talented warrior, and Princess Senna is not equipped to properly handle even your natural aura. I earnestly ask you to help her regain her strength.”

 

Heron respected Celine. In Heron’s view, Celine was capable enough and fully qualified to be called a minister. As Heron retracted his aura, Senna began to gasp, finally catching her breath. Senna thought Heron had intentionally insulted and harassed her.

 

‘Bellato…!’

 

But it was clear to Senna that if people saw her angry here, it would only make them laugh at her situation. To be honest, she was also afraid of Duke Heron. 

 

Heron opened his mouth.

 

“Bellato does not shy away from challenges.”

 

In an instant, a heavy silence fell.

 

“Those who feel that their honor has been tarnished may visit Winter Castle at any time. That’s how Bellatos live.”

 

It was a declaration of war against Senna. This meant that if she felt that her honor had been damaged, she had to resolve it through a duel. It also meant that it didn’t matter whether she hired mercenaries or sent her family’s outstanding knights.

 

The young nobles didn’t know what to say. There were a lot of rumors about Heron Bellato, but none of them really knew Heron Bellato. Those who saw Heron in front of them were so consumed by instinctive fear that they couldn’t even move, but they couldn’t take their eyes off of him.

 

On the other hand, Viola was more confused than afraid.

 

‘What are you doing? Is that a declaration of war?’

 

If it was, it wasn’t just a declaration of war addressed to Duke Mariantu. It was clearly expressed to any ‘who think their honor has been tarnished.’ This meant that anyone could challenge Bellato to a duel.

 

‘That won’t happen, but what if Celine is upset?’

 

Then the Sword Emperor Nelac would move. There was no way Heron didn’t know that. Since it was expressed as a ‘challenge’ earlier, it could also be interpreted to mean ‘I will accept the challenge of territory.’ It was such an arrogant remark, yet no one felt that Heron’s words were arrogant. It seemed like he was just calmly telling the truth.

 

“My youngest daughter will fight a duel with her honor at stake.”

 

Heron slightly bowed his head towards Celine, and Celine also smiled and lowered her head. 

 

Tap. Tap.

 

The only sound was the sound of Heron’s footsteps. Even after Heron went out, there was silence in the Forget-Me-Not banquet hall for a long time.

 

Viola stood blankly.

 

‘What did I hear just now?’

 

* * *

 

Sebastian Marcos, who was waiting in the carriage, laughed heartily. He had stretched out a thread, which received waves and vibrations from inside the banquet hall, and he was able to interpret everything said.

 

“Did you do that on purpose?”

 

Heron didn’t answer and felt that Sebastian was too talkative. Sebastian felt an even greater attraction to Heron.

 

“You did it on purpose to give Princess Viola a chance, right?”

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Sebastian grinned. He told the coachman to move and then sat down again. Lost in thought, he sat admiring Heron’s handsome face.

 

‘Duke Mariantu will not be able to tolerate it.’

 

Heron had made the situation in such a way that Princess Senna couldn’t bear it. If she holds back, things will get really funny. Mariantu will have to challenge Bellato to a duel for their honor.

 

‘And the person who will step forward for Bellato is 12-year-old Princess Viola.’

 

Mariantu will have a lot to worry about. If they have a duel with Viola, they can’t send a regular knight to do it. Moreover, Viola was not a Black Bellato, but a White Bellato. So they would have to send a challenger at the appropriate level.

 

‘No matter who comes at that level, they can’t beat Princess Viola. She is an elegant killer.’

 

Sebastian smiled.

 

‘You’re warmhearted, Duke.’

 

It was as if the Duke had deliberately set the stage for Viola, the youngest who started very slowly, to win. Sebastian admired Heron to his heart’s content as they returned to the Winter Castle. He was an expert disguise and make-up artist and was able to read even the slightest microexpressions of a person’s face.

 

‘The corners of your eyes and mouth are moving very, very slightly.’

 

Sebastian Marcos was convinced.

 

‘You are very proud of her!’

 

Heron probably thought he had given his daughter a very nice gift. Then, suddenly, something strange occurred to Sebastian.

 

‘When you were giving the speech, your voice trembled more than usual.’

 

Sebastian knew about that tremble.

 

‘That kind of tremble only comes out when you’re angry.’

 

This was a fact that only Sebastian knew. It was clear to him that immediately after entering the banquet hall, Duke Heron was angry.

 

‘Why were you angry?’

 

Sebastian didn’t know but Heron had entered when Viola and Senna were arguing.

 

* * *

 

It was the last day of the Forget-Me-Not Banquet. Jeremy’s popularity had skyrocketed and numerous ladies surrounded him. The ladies who hadn’t seen Jeremy yesterday came in like a wave.

 

“Wow!”

 

“I think I made eye contact with Prince Jeremy!”

 

“No! He made eye contact with me!”

 

“Ah! How can he be so beautiful!”

 

Hearing screaming cheers, Jeremy looked around.

 

‘Tch. I should have come to the banquet hall yesterday.’

 

It was a calculation mistake.

 

‘I thought she wouldn’t come to the banquet hall, so I waited in front of the hotel.’

 

However, Viola attended the banquet and it was rumored that she had a tiff with Princess Senna. There was also a rumor that Senna would send someone from the Mariantu Duchy to have a duel with Viola.

 

‘Where on earth is she?’

 

Meeting Viola was fun. He didn’t know why but she kept pushing him away. It was strange and yet fascinating. However, she was also a benefactor who greatly helped him gain a spirit contract.

 

‘We must become friends.’

 

It was the last day and he really wanted to become friends with Viola. He also prepared a small gift for her.

 

‘There is a gift exchange ceremony on the last day, right?’

 

He would definitely meet Viola today! With that promise to himself, he went looking for Viola. 

 

As the Forget-Me-Not Banquet came to a close, Minister Celine spoke.

 

“I’m sure you remember everything I suggested on the first day, right?”

 

She was speaking of the blue diamond proposal.

 

“I’m about to announce the results.”

 

Numerous noble children focused on Celine’s words. Who were the ‘special people’ that Celine mentioned? Who understood Celine’s intentions best and built better connections?

 

“The lady to whom I will present the blue diamond…”

 

Disappointment flashed across the boys’ faces at those words. First of all, ‘young ladies’ were not boys. In contrast, all the girls’ expressions became lively. Everyone focused on Celine’s mouth.

 

Celine smiled and began to speak again.

 

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