I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

The fact that the Duke himself came out to the south gate for Viola’s farewell was a big issue in itself.

 

“But isn’t that Princess Medea?”

 

“I think you’re right.”

 

From the perspective of the people in Winter Castle, this event was full of strange things. 

 

“The fact that the Duke came out in public, showing us his dignified appearance… Isn’t this an action that further acknowledges Princess Viola’s right to succession?”

 

“I guess so.”

 

Viola’s position within Winter Castle was much higher than that of any of the other potential successors except Medea. When Viola brought beggars from the Magic Tower to Winter Castle, a large number of technicians, who were lacking in Winter Castle, were brought in. Thanks to this, the quality of life enjoyed by Winter Castle’s residents improved.

 

“Princess Medea is the number one successor candidate.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Unlike Viola, Medea had never obtained any achievements that directly affected the residents of Winter Castle. However, since each thing she had done was nothing short of a miracle, even if they couldn’t feel the miracle directly, they couldn’t help but ‘feel it.’ Most of the residents of Winter Castle firmly believed that Medea would be the next duke.

 

“Now, let’s summarize the situation. The Duke is acknowledging Princess Viola and is intentionally showing it to the outside world. The first successor is there.”

 

The residents thought that there was no way Medea didn’t know what they knew. Therefore, Medea must be well aware that this situation was ‘a situation in which the Duke was intentionally giving strength to Viola.’

 

“Then doesn’t this mean that Princess Medea also recognizes and supports Princess Viola?”

 

“I guess that’s how the story goes?”

 

So reporters from many newspapers once again visited the Beggar Gang. Keitarun, who had been a king of the slums and was now a famous cobbler in Winter Castle, had to be interviewed several times a day.

 

“You’re right. She, Princess Medea, came to see me and asked me many questions. ‘What happened at the Magic Tower?’ ‘What kind of consideration did Princess Viola give you?’ ‘How was she able to lead you to the new world?’”

 

It was difficult for Keitarun to concentrate on his main job due to the influx of newspaper reporters, but it wasn’t much of a problem for Keitarun. His main job wasn’t really that important. There were things he wanted to make known to the world, even if it meant risking his life.

 

“Because she taught us how to live like human beings.”

 

He had said the same thing to Medea. That Viola had taught the beggars how to live like human beings.

 

“She took all those risks for the sake of insignificant and foolish people like us and led us.”

 

They knew now too. How Viola rescued them from the Magic Tower, even risking war against the Magic Tower. Regardless of Viola’s intentions, she gave a humane life to the beggars known to the world as such.

 

“Yes, that’s right. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was definitely Princess Medea. With her flowing black hair and blazing red eyes, she was truly fascinating and noble. She asked many questions about Princess Viola.”

 

Medea learned from Viola’s actions. Externally, it was interpreted that way. New facts were continuously disseminated by the newspaper reporters.

 

<Duke Heron gives strength to Princess Viola.>

 

<A father’s orders for his youngest child, Viola, to watch and learn?>

 

In the process of the rapidly spreading, expanding, and reproduction of such stories, Medea’s current companionship left great implications.

 

<Medea, accompanying Viola on her journey.>

 

This journey was Viola’s journey to visit Celine. In other words, the ‘main role’ of this journey was Viola, and the ‘supporting role’ was Medea. The rumor took on an increasingly concrete shape.

 

<Heron and Medea both acknowledge Viola.>

 

Because it was ‘Medea’ and not someone else, this news had a huge impact. This was because Medea had competed for her successor more fiercely than anyone else. In people’s eyes, Medea was a successor who had a true desire to become the duke.

 

“Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t do anything to empower another successor, right?”

 

“Of course. She was born to become a successor.”

 

Medea was acting to give strength to Viola, going so far as to endure the humiliation of becoming her supporting character. The implications of that were huge.

 

<Bellato’s adopted daughter, recognized even by Medea.>

 

<Viola, the next rising Winter monarch.>

 

Regardless of Viola’s intentions, Viola was a rising candidate for successorship. And at the young age of just thirteen. However, because Viola was moving in the carriage, she was unable to check the contents of the newspapers delivered in real-time. In fact, Viola was confused the entire time she was traveling in her carriage. 

 

“I have no idea why Sister is with us.”

 

“Do you need a reason?”

 

Yes, Viola needed it. After all, her older sister was supposed to be working hard to become the successor. Viola wanted to announce it (after all, the next duke was her older sister).

 

“Aren’t you being too leisurely as the first heir?”

 

“Why? Are you upset that you won’t be my rival?”

 

Viola felt that something was clearly wrong. There’s no way she’d be upset about that!

Medea, unaware of Viola’s inner thoughts, continued her words.

 

“Don’t worry. If you’re not good enough, I won’t give up my position as successor.”

 

“What if I’m good enough?”

 

“I don’t care who becomes the head of the family. That’s what I think.”

 

Cough! 

 

Viola almost choked. Although Medea actually thought that way, she never revealed her inner thoughts like this until the latter part of the novel.

 

“I think that someone qualified to lead Bellato in a better direction should become the head of the family.”

 

“Don’t you think that person is my older sister?”

 

It was Medea! She was worthy of the position of family head. Viola was sure of that. However, the actual reaction of the person concerned was a bit sour. 

 

“Well.”

 

‘No! Not ‘well,’ just no!’

 

She only had a sister!

 

“Sometimes I think that someone better than me will come along.”

 

“It must be difficult for that person to show up.”

 

“Yes, it must be difficult. But I don’t think it’s impossible.”

 

“Because there is nothing impossible in this world.”

 

Viola had to seriously think about who Medea said was ‘a better person.’ 

 

‘Who could that be? I’m sure it’s not me.’

 

She consciously denied everything. Meanwhile, Medea looked at her youngest sibling with loving eyes. 

 

‘I guess this is enough for you to understand what I’m saying, right?’

 

The ‘genius beyond herself’ that Medea thought of was, of course, Viola. 

 

‘Besides military power, Viola has many things I don’t have.’

 

She became convinced after meeting Keitarune, the leader of the Beggar Gang. There was hope in Keitarun’s eyes.

 

‘The power to find hope for those who have lost it.’

 

That power was noble and sublime. 

 

‘She already did it, and she will do it better in the future.’

 

What kind of world did Viola dream of? Maybe her world was much warmer and more beautiful than the world Medea thought and dreamed of. 

 

“If you don’t have enough might…”

 

Considering her current growth rate, it seemed unlikely. However, the human body usually had room for one thing, and it was not easy to have both might and resourcefulness. 

 

‘But I can fill in for the lack of power.’

 

A monarch did not have to be good at everything. Rather, a good monarch was someone who selected talented people and placed them in the right positions to achieve the highest efficiency. In that sense, Viola had very outstanding qualities. 

 

“You said you placed the Mercenary King in the garrison?”

 

It wasn’t Viola’s doing. Kaiser did that himself to compensate for damages.

 

“…That was his decision.”

 

“The most difficult thing is to get someone to act from the heart.”

 

‘That’s not it!’

 

Viola was silent and Medea interpreted that silence as humility. Even Viola’s appearance was lovely. She couldn’t believe she learned the virtue of humility at such a young age.

 

“You were the one who just recruited a large number of talents needed for Winter Castle. You also awakened Black Whale Hickson and Storm Sword Jackal. I remember the many things you accomplished when you were dispatched to Storm Fortress as a special envoy.”

 

‘…That was to prevent Archmage Vengas from being born.’ 

 

Medea glanced to the side. She could see Tundra quietly gazing out of the window.

 

“And your dog is no longer a dog.”

 

Medea could also feel Tundra’s growth. Although she couldn’t tell precisely because she didn’t directly cross swords with Tundra, she could feel that Tundra had a level of power almost similar to that of Medea herself.

 

‘You made it that way. I also know well about the ‘Sanctuary of Ancient Warriors.’’

 

How difficult it was to endure there. The reason Tundra was able to survive there was because of the presence of Viola. And Medea had never seen a coachman with such outstanding skills. Seriously! A person with that level of skill was working as a coachman? It would have been an insult to most warriors. Nevertheless, the coachman carried out his work with a happy heart.

 

“I asked the coachman, ‘With such skills, why were you hired as a coachman?’ Do you know what the coachman answered?”

 

“…What did he say?”

 

“Because my disciple is small and precious.”

 

Medea decided that this may be Viola’s mercenary skill. 

 

* * *

 

A few days passed and Viola and her party were able to arrive at Giltan, the capital city of the Monarch Empire. Since she had obtained passage permission in advance, she was able to easily enter the capital and headed straight to the imperial palace. The Emperor was not at the imperial palace due to external schedules, thus Viola and her group moved into the ‘Spring Pavilion’ within the imperial palace. The ‘Spring Pavilion’ was where Minister Celine mainly carried out her duties, being in charge of both the Empire’s major and minor affairs. 

 

“It’s been a while, Princess Viola.”

 

Minister Celine’s office was not fancy and wasn’t much different from the Duke’s study. Celine at the banquet was gorgeous and beautiful, but Celine in her office was not. Dressed very neatly, she welcomed Viola and her group with a simple face sans makeup. It wasn’t long before Celine got to the point.

 

“Is the reason you came to see me in person to reject the scouting offer?”

 

“I am deeply grateful for the generous opportunity given to me. But unfortunately, I think it will be difficult to accept Minister Celine’s proposal.”

 

Celine grinned.

 

“I thought you’d say that.”

 

Her smile got deeper and Viola became somewhat anxious.

 

“Then how about this?”

 

Celine took something out from her desk drawer.

 

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Translator Note: