‘My name probably won’t be called. Honestly, it’s not that the Blue Diamond isn’t tempting. It would be an excellent retirement fund. But well, it’s not like I’ll starve to death without it.’
Viola knew that being too greedy might lead to trouble. Getting such a rare treasure could be dangerous and unpleasant for her well-being.
‘Let’s just stay in the middle. Yes, the middle.’
Knowing that the middle of the road was the best way to live happily, Viola didn’t even glance toward the Blue Diamond.
‘Oh, this doesn’t taste good. Zenon’s strawberry ade is the best. Yes, let’s have some of his strawberry ade.’
Thinking that Celine would be greatly disappointed in her, Violet was in a state of great relief.
‘Moreover, Father ruined the atmosphere by talking about a duel.’
The Forget-Me-Not Banquet was hosted by Marchioness Hyrils.
‘The Marchioness can’t call me if she wants to maintain her reputation. And as a double-layered safety measure, she cannot give the gift to a Bellato.’
Thus, there wouldn’t be any more attention on Viola. It was regrettable that she couldn’t build a friendship with Baron Raimon’s family, but it couldn’t be helped.
“I will give the Blue Diamond as a gift to Viola Bellato, the 6th Lady of Bellato.”
Stillness filled the air as no one expected that choice. Viola herself felt the same way.
‘Me? Why?’
Viola felt the gazes. Hundreds of eyes were focused on her and in these eyes, there was confusion.
‘Don’t stare at me like that. I find it strange too!’
They had been told to form a group to find a ‘special person.’ That was Celine’s order. Viola neither formed a group nor built any significant relationships. She simply enjoyed delicious desserts with Hera.
‘No! No matter how open-minded someone is, why? Why? Why me? Duke Bellato even ruined the atmosphere of the Forget-Me-Not Banquet, didn’t he?’
Then, someone shouted loudly and it was a familiar voice.
“Wow! Viola! Congratulations!”
The owner of that voice was none other than Jeremy. Jeremy had always learned from his father, and one of the things his father taught him was that a friend shared both sadness during difficult times as well as joy and happiness during good times. Jeremy faithfully followed his father’s teachings.
“You got the treasure. I’m happy too! Really happy!”
Jeremy grinned happily.
“Oh, right. I also prepared a gift. Can I give it to you later?”
Jeremy’s lovely smile was directed at Viola. At the same time, numerous scrutinizing glares were focused on Viola. Viola’s face turned pale. Everything was ruined. At this moment, Viola’s dress and makeup shone. The dress amplified Viola’s distinctive arrogant and fierce demeanor, and Sebastian Marcos’ subtle makeup technique only amplified that. Viola looked haughty as if she already knew this would happen.
‘What’s this? I’m so unlucky.’
“What’s with that arrogant expression?”
“Our good Jeremy congratulated her and she responded with an attitude like that!”
Viola had a hunch. Jeremy was a first-generation idol and she had just caught the attention of his fanatical followers.
‘I’ve been properly caught!’
Viola wanted to punch Jeremy’s smiling face. Viola knew how persistent and dreadful Jeremy’s followers could be. If anyone had even the slightest scandal involving a first-generation idol, they would be harassed with all sorts of death threats. In fact, there was a case where a young lady even committed suicide after a scandal with Jeremy.
‘Is this how I get exposed?’
Why did they have to make such an unnecessary commotion just because he was so handsome? Viola hadn’t even cast a glance in Jeremy’s direction. Whether she gave attention to him or not, she would be criticized. She just hoped it would be a bit less if she ignored him.
‘I just want to avoid a scandal.’
In this world, if you were over 12 years old, you could freely date. In reality, teenagers between 12 and 17 tended to see each other as potential romantic partners. Even though Viola was only 12 years old, a scandal could still arise.
“Princess?”
Zenon extended a white-gloved hand. Viola, feeling awkward, accepted Zenon’s escort and turned towards the stage. As they walked forward, Viola’s feelings became more complicated.
‘Why aren’t you disappointed in me?!’
Celine smiled and said, “You’re still young and I believe everyone has the right to enjoy happiness appropriate for their age.”
What Celine was saying roughly meant, ‘There is a kind of happiness that can be enjoyed when you are young. Don’t miss out on that happiness. Don’t neglect the precious people around you. Don’t take for granted those who love you the most.’
Viola realized she had made a big mistake.
‘Oh, I see. This is just the beginning of the novel.’
Celine didn’t start to play an active role until the latter part of the novel and Viola had judged Celine based on her personality at that time.
‘I was wrong.’
Indeed. In the novel, Celine was a character with a sad fate. She fell into Viola’s scheme and, unable to bear a child, forced her lover to marry another woman.
‘Experiencing that in the latter part of the novel must have changed her a lot. Yeah, after that, I guess my personality would change too. Why didn’t I think of that?’
The current Celine seemed warmer, someone who could still dream of something more.
“Congratulations, Lady Viola.”
“Thank you.”
Hiding her despair, Viola accepted the jewelry box containing the blue diamond. Applause was heard, but Viola’s heart was uneasy.
‘Wow. Look at this extravagant lifestyle.’
Viola’s body was very sensitive to the atmosphere and her keen senses felt it was currently very ‘sharp.’ It was calling her the living embodiment of a villain. In a certain sense, it was scarier to live this refined life of a noble.
‘Thanks to the ring, the overflowing atmosphere isn’t too uncomfortable.’
Fortunately, despite such a brutal(?) atmosphere, it didn’t have much of an impact on her. Viola was unaware that her appearance seemed very relaxed and produced a lot of ill will against her. Zenon grinned and reached out again.
“Be careful. There are four steps.”
Zenon’s heart fluttered as he escorted Viola.
‘Today, you made history again.’
Zenon thought that today’s events were very important because Viola accurately understood Celine’s intentions and acted accordingly. No one else but Viola could read Celine’s mind. It may seem strange for Viola to behave completely differently than the other nobles, but there must be an important reason behind it.
‘Lady Viola is truly different.’
It seemed that Viola had shown everything she could as a White Bellato. A rich sense of satisfaction filled Zenon’s heart.
‘I’m so proud of you, Princess Viola.’
***
Tundra wiped his blood-stained sword. At that moment, a man with a pair of axes in hand rushed in from behind him.
“Die!”
With enough momentum to split Tundra’s skull, the man swung his axes.
‘I’ll kill you!’
He had been hiding, waiting for an opportunity, and now was his chance. It was time to seek revenge for the bandit members who were closer than family.
‘Huh?’
Something was strange. Suddenly, his arm felt light.
Thunk!
The axe fell to the ground. To be precise, the hand that was holding the axe fell to the ground, completely severed. The man couldn’t even feel the pain, he was so stunned.
‘What… what is that?’
It was the first time he had seen mana take a physical form. He knew that only high-ranking knights could achieve such a feat. It was in a realm that ordinary people couldn’t even dream of. But the appearance of this mana was a bit strange.
‘A tail? A tail… attacked me?
The manifestation of mana was mysterious in and of itself, but the fact that it took the form of a tail was quite puzzling.
“Yeah, that’s right. It would’ve been better if you left when I asked nicely.”
Only then did the bandit cry out in pain.
“Kraaaah!”
Tundra didn’t kill the bandits. Instead, he gathered them together. The bandits, terrified, could do nothing but kneel in fear. Tundra threw down a map in front of them.
“Our group will be traveling along this road. Spread the word so that nothing troublesome happens.”
“Why? Why are you doing this?!”
The leader of the bandits asked, crying. One side of his face had no ear.
“Why?”
Viola had just obtained a treasure and Tundra thought that there were bandits who would cause trouble. Even if she didn’t have a treasure, there were scoundrels who would attack without recognizing her as Bellato.
“My mistress likes things to go smoothly.”
Tundra didn’t want anything troublesome happening around Viola, so he attacked the largest group of mountain bandits in the area, clearing them out. Tundra’s eyes flashed and a sharp energy circulated. To the bandits, it felt sharp and cold.
“There will be no bandits like you on her planned route.”
After firmly warning the bandits, Tundra found a nearby waterfall. It was a large waterfall where water fell harshly.
‘If I smell like blood, she won’t like it, right?’
Tundra bathed for four hours under the waterfall. He had no desire to emit the smell that Viola disliked. Then he washed his body again with the spirit water that Pom-Pom had spat out while crying.
Sniff.
Flaring his nose, he made sure that the scent of blood had completely washed away.
‘Good.’
The fierce glint in his eyes disappeared. It was time to meet his master. In front of the bandits, he was a hunting dog, but in front of Viola, he was a companion.
‘Let’s go to my mistress.’
Tundra walked slowly with steady footsteps, carrying the demeanor of a well-trained warrior. In the atmosphere around him, the heavy aura of a knight could be felt. However, behind him, a tail made of mana was swaying.
***
Realizing she had made a big mistake, Viola returned to her lodging, concealing her embarrassment. She had undoubtedly left a significant mark in high society, but she had also engendered too much ill will against her. Hera burst into laughter.
“Something seemed off about your behavior.”
Viola extended the jewelry box to Hera.
“This is for you, sister.”
“Can I have it? This is an incredibly expensive treasure.”
“That’s why I’m giving it to you. Because it’s expensive.”
Hera nodded.
“It’s expensive, but why are you giving it to me?”
“Sister, long ago, there was a piggy bank.”
“That’s random.”
“Listen. It was a magical piggy bank. If you put in 100 dahlias, the next day, it would turn into 200 dahlias.”
Hera burst into laughter again.
“So, I am the magical piggy bank?”
“Yes! If it’s you, you’ll use this valuable blue diamond much better than me.”
Today’s 100 dahlias will become tomorrow’s 200 dahlias. Today’s one blue diamond will become tomorrow’s two blue diamonds. If it’s Hera, she’ll make it happen.
Hera nodded.
“It sounds like an invitation to accompany me.”
Viola flopped down on the bed. She was too tired today. It felt like she had made too many enemies, and the exhaustion drained her.
“I’m sleepy.”
“I’m happy to be able to accompany you on your grand dream.”
That was Hera’s murmuring and Viola didn’t hear it. Viola woke up because of the noisy commotion outside. How much time had passed?
“Sister?”
Hera wasn’t there beside her. Viola was alone in the room.
“Why is it so noisy?”
She walked to the window and looked down. People were crowded together, watching something.
“Huh? What’s that?”
Something strange was happening.
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Translator Note:
Next 15 chapters will be translated by me. Hi!
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on Februeary, 8.
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