I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

It seemed excessively luxurious for just an envelope, but that was because it contained a letter from the Emperor.

 

Viola took the Emperor’s letter in both hands.

 

[To the esteemed Miss Viola.]

 

Throughout the reading, Viola felt uneasy, as if her chest was tightly constricted. It turned out this was not a letter from the Emperor. It bore the Emperor’s seal, but in fact, it was a letter from Celine.

 

[…therefore, I propose to recruit you.]

 

In other words, this letter was an offer to scout Viola for the empire. Behind her, Quiesa chuckled. 

 

“What? Is it a scouting offer thrown out by Celine’s proxy?”

 

“You knew about this?”

 

“Of course. At the beginning of every year, she sends out letters to the talents she has discovered.”

 

It was both an honor and a badge of prestige for the offspring of each family. Who received the letter first became a matter of pride for the children. But at the moment, it was the end of the year and Celine’s letter with the Emperor’s seal had already arrived. These letters were typically sent at the beginning of the following year. 

 

“Looks like Celine is quite heated up.”

 

It was unprecedented to send a scouting offer at the end of the year instead of the beginning.

 

“Indeed, our daughter-in-law is loved in many quarters, hmm.”

 

*** 

 

Viola headed to Heron’s study.

 

“Ah.”

 

The timing couldn’t be worse. Instead of Heron, Isabella was there. The same Isabella who had ordered Viola’s assassination. It wasn’t unusual for her to be here as Isabella acted in Heron’s stead when he was away, but it was extremely uncomfortable. Isabella looked up from the documents she was reviewing and saw Viola.

 

“Sixth Princess, you have returned.”

 

“Yes, thank you Mother for worrying so much about me.”

 

Isabella’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and although Viola was scared, she didn’t show it. 

 

‘I mustn’t show fear.’

 

Showing weakness to Isabella was like inviting her to devour you. You must never appear weak.

 

“The one hiding in the shadows must be my sister.”

 

Something wriggled and rose from Viola’s shadow. Viola almost convulsed but managed to control herself.

 

‘Why are you there?!’

 

A tall, slender woman appeared. It was Quiesa Qualton, the head of the Qualton family.

 

“Indeed, my sister’s perceptiveness is as sharp as ever.”

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“Hmm, well, why do you think I’m here?”

 

All three in the room knew. Isabella had ordered Quiesa to kill Viola, and Quiesa had failed the assignment. Naturally, Viola was the intended assassination target. They all knew but tacitly did not speak of it.

 

“Quiesa, I am currently in the Duke’s study.”

 

When the Duke was absent, Isabella acted with his authority. This meant that she was not simply her sister but was now acting with the Duke’s authority. 

 

“Aye, sister, you do make things tough. We’re sisters, after all. I dislike adhering to such formalities and laws.”

 

“Dislike it or not, we must observe what needs to be observed. If there’s no official business, please leave.”

 

“Sister, are you angry?”

 

“What reason do I have to be angry?”

 

“Because I failed the commission?”

 

“Not failed, but gave up.”

 

“I had to give up because I ended up liking this child too much.”

 

“You like her?”

 

“Yes. I want to make her my daughter-in-law.”

 

‘Um, excuse me, everyone. Are you really discussing this in front of me?’

 

Viola felt a throbbing headache coming on. Isabella’s gaze turned towards Viola.

 

“What do you think, Viola?”

 

Isabella didn’t seem particularly intent on hiding the ‘assassination commission.’ She probably had several justifications prepared in advance. 

 

So, instead of directly confronting the issue of the ‘assassination commission,’ Viola responded, “I’m just going to quietly go my own way.”

 

“I see.”

 

Isabella removed her glasses. The atmosphere seemed to subtly shift.

 

“It’s a good idea.”

 

‘Huh?’ 

 

“A marriage with the Qualton family would benefit both Bellato and Qualton, especially since Viola has a weak support base.”

 

‘No, excuse me? What kind of pedigree is that!!’

 

Even if the universe allows it, even if they aren’t blood-related, still!

 

Isabella said, “I’ll propose it to the Duke on behalf of the Sixth Princess.”

 

Isabella seemed quite pleased with Quiesa’s idea. In her view, Viola was an exceptional child.

 

‘If this child marries Kiraell, she could become an ally of mine.’

 

She still disliked Viola, thinking of her as a demon that had corrupted Vichen. However, absorbing Viola as an asset was a different matter. She had to think without emotion.

 

“My marriage is for me to decide, Mother.”

 

“Daughter, Kiraell would make an excellent husband. The Duke would surely approve.”

 

Logically, it could indeed be true. Viola was the adopted daughter of Bellato, and Kiraell was the legitimate heir of Qualton. If you only consider their statuses, Kiraell would seem far more advantageous. Actually, having Viola backed by such a strong support would be advantageous too, and logically and rationally, Heron might agree to the marriage.

 

‘No.’

 

Kiraell was a psychopath. She had no desire to be entangled with a psychopath.

 

Viola inquired calmly, “Kiraell is a fine young man?”

 

That won’t do. She needed to make a clean break. Viola smirked, seemingly full of arrogance.

 

“Would he still be a fine young man beside me?”

 

She looked back and forth between Isabella and Quiesa. 

 

“I hope you will accurately compare what I have achieved and what Prince Kiraell has achieved.”

 

The implication was that Kiraell was no match for her. It was an incredibly arrogant statement, but Isabella and Quiesa could only keep silent. It was a valid point, after all. In reality, Viola had accomplished many things, while Kiraell had no significant achievements to his name.

 

“Sixth Princess, overconfidence can be arrogance…” but then, the door opened.

 

“Not incorrect.”

 

It was Heron. He looked as if he had just come from a battle, covered in dirt, with a light wound on his forehead. His usual cleanliness was nowhere to be found.

 

“Hmm, Heron, or rather, brother-in-law, long time no see.”

 

“I decline the proposal. Viola has shown so much from our welcome banquet until now. Kiraell is not her match.”

 

Isabella felt something was off. 

 

‘The Duke’s breathing is rough…’  

 

Did he come from fighting a great beast? Even so, there’s no reason for him to be so out of breath.

 

‘Could he have suffered a serious injury?’ 

 

That was probably the case. An invisible, serious injury. That must be why his breathing was rough. 

 

“And Viola is still too young.”

 

“Let’s discuss the marriage proposal later.”

 

“Brother-in-law, at least greet an old friend, we used to be close.”

 

“Did we ever get along?”

 

Heron’s eyes showed no particular emotion. 

 

“Tch, it didn’t work.”

 

“I just want to rest.”

 

“You mean you want me to leave?”

 

It was a clear order to leave. At that point, Viola also sensed something was off. If he wanted to rest, he would have gone to his room… Isabella, competent as she was, could handle the major and minor affairs of Winter Castle. If he wanted to rest, he would have returned to his room.

 

‘It must be something urgent.’

 

What could it be? Is it a matter directly related to her survival? There was no way to know right then.

 

Quiesa turned around, saying, “Hmm, we’ll talk later!”

 

Isabella also rose from her seat to leave, Viola was about to follow them.

 

“Viola, stay here.”

 

*** 

 

Contrary to Isabella’s assumption, Heron had not been fighting a great beast. He had merely been in a life-threatening duel with Hickson.

 

Breathing heavily, Hickson asked, “Why are you suddenly training so hard?”

 

“I have a family now.”

 

Hickson didn’t pry any further. He understood how much was implied in that single statement.

 

‘I don’t dislike your change.’

 

Hickson asked, “Did she get a scouting offer from the royal family?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Suddenly, the ground hummed. Heron’s mana responded, causing a minor earthquake.

 

“Why? Is Viola going to accept it?”

 

“It would be a great offer for the White Bellato. Especially since it’s a direct recruitment under Celine of the royal family.”

 

“Wow, that’s the real power player route, isn’t it? A celebration for Bellato!”

 

Above all the people stands the Emperor, and above the Emperor stands Celine. 

 

“The Emperor rules the world, but Celine rules the Emperor.”

 

It was a commonly known saying across the continent. Even the Emperor himself didn’t deny it.

 

“Are you upset because your daughter might leave you?”

 

“What a silly thing to say.”

 

Hickson burst into laughter and thumped Heron on the back.

 

“Do you still not understand Viola?”

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

“Ah, go on. It’s about time for Viola to return.”

 

Heron and Hickson headed toward Winter Castle where they heard from the guards that Viola had already returned.

 

“Huh? Viola already came back…?”

 

Hickson laughed incredulously.

 

‘He can move that quickly?’

 

It seemed Heron had taken it easy on him during their sparring. There was no longer anyone where the Duke had been standing.

 

‘Moving faster than the speed of sound.’

 

Even for Heron, moving in such a way should be exhausting. Hickson leisurely started walking towards the Duke’s residence. Meanwhile, Heron, who had returned to the Duke’s residence at a speed faster than sound, caught a strange conversation with his keen hearing. 

 

“A marriage with the Qualton family would benefit both Bellato and Qualton, especially since Viola has a weak support base.”

 

His pace quickened. Then Viola’s voice was heard.

 

“I hope you will accurately compare what I have achieved and what Prince Kiraell has achieved.”

 

Heron spoke breathlessly, his mouth moving faster than his brain.

 

“I decline the proposal. Viola has shown so much from our welcome banquet until now. Kiraell is not her match.”

 

No one, not even Viola, knew why Heron’s breathing was so labored. Heron didn’t seem inclined to calm his breathing. He also had a conversation with Quiesa.

 

“Did we ever get along?”

 

“Tch, it didn’t work.”

 

“I just want to rest.”

 

“You mean you want me to leave?”

 

Eventually, Quiesa and Isabella went outside, and Viola followed them. But then Heron’s voice was heard. 

 

“Viola, stay here.  Why are you trying to leave the room?”

 

The Duke seemed slightly angry and Viola felt unjustly treated.

 

‘You said you wanted to rest! You told me to leave!’

 

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Translator Note:
Next 15 will be translated by RJR!

 

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