The Abandoned Lady Lives in a Dollhouse

Peter, who had been silent for a moment, nodded. “That’s right.”

“Then doll-making isn’t an option.”

“Will you make weapons?”

That wasn’t good either. Since it would be used throughout the entire continent and potentially the world, the weapon can’t be used to kill people. People won’t be satisfied with that.

“I’ll think about it.”

What should she do to be recognized? How will it benefit the world? What can she do to increase her worth? Juno looked at the books that she had yet to read. Fortunately, as her knowledge increased, the time it took to read a book decreased. Of course, there were some books she didn’t fully understand.

Juno saw Peter was focused on making a doll. “What are you doing now?”

“For the future.”

“I see.” She didn’t understand what he meant and peeked at the basic framework of the doll head.

“Go study, you fool,” Peter scolded.

Juno pouted. It was true she wasn’t as capable as her teacher, but she wasn’t an idiot. Regardless, she stepped back. As he said, she only had a year left.

“Yes, Teacher.” She sat down at the desk and opened a book. Only the sounds of a moving quill pen and clinking doll parts could be heard in the workshop.

***

Nusrion glared at his son who was standing before him. “You’re insane.”

Jupiter smiled. “Father touched what was mine first.”

Over the past year, Jupiter learned a lot. What was Nusrion doing? Well, whatever he did behind the scenes, it was none of Jupiter’s business. I can never forgive you for hurting Juno.

It was Nusrion who prevented the other branch families from stopping Juno’s marriage.

She must have thought it wouldn’t be a bad thing to marry Count Sergien.

Acquiring the title of marquis would take more time, but more importantly, Nusrion figured he could take control of House Trish without relying on legitimacy. He even put in a clause that took away Juno’s right of inheritance, so she could never return.

“…Are you going to do it?” Nusrion clutched his chest in pain.

Jupiter’s expression was as beautifully dangerous as a blooming rose covered in thorns. Just as his father abandoned Juno, Jupiter would abandon Nusrion.

Jupiter tilted his head to the side. “I have no use for a father now.”

Lilith gave birth to a girl. She said that she can give birth to another child, but no one else knew she couldn’t get pregnant anymore.

Nusrion gritted his teeth. “…It will take longer to…”

“I don’t mind. It means they can suffer longer.”

They will experience the pain that Juno felt. They will cower in fear and regret what they’ve done.

Nusrion almost wanted to laugh. “I was… part of that…”

“Worry not. I’ll become the next marquis like you always wanted.”

Crimson blood flowed out of Nusrion’s mouth.

Jupiter stepped back. “I would prefer you not get any blood on me.” He glanced at the documents that pertained to the family expenses on Nusrion’s desk. “Of course, what’s mine also belongs to Juno.”

“…Do you think she’ll accept you after finding out who you really are?” Yet his words didn’t elicit the reaction he wanted from Jupiter.

Still smiling, Jupiter said, “Father, do you truly believe I’ll be caught? Even you weren’t aware I was this kind of person, hm?”

Nusrion had a disgusted look on his face. He never thought Jupiter, his perfect son, was actually a madman. “Hahaha, I’m glad I get to die without… Ugh…”

The smile on Jupiter’s face disappeared. “You’re surprisingly tough. Why are you still talking?”

Nusrion breathed heavily in response to Jupiter’s words as if he had no more strength to speak.

Looking down at him with an indifferent gaze, Jupiter murmured, “Your death will put more pressure on Marquis Robert. And of course, his new daughter.” Nusrion’s death was a fine card in Jupiter’s hand, so there was no need to be upset.

Time passed very slowly. At last, Nusrion closed his eyes.

“Good, you’re finally dead.” Jupiter’s gaze went from Nusrion’s lifeless body covered in blood to the cup of tea and letter on the desk.

Both were sent by Lilith to celebrate her daughter living for one hundred days. As soon as that proud woman found out her child was a girl, she tried to please the branch families. Every time she saw Jupiter, she wanted to win his favor.

A disgusting woman. Of course, Marquis Robert was disgusting too.

On the day of Juno’s marriage, Jupiter made a promise in her empty bedroom once she left. He would make them pay. Then, a month afterward, Count Sergien forbade anyone from contacting his residence. Jupiter’s heart sank.

Juno. She said she would contact him if something bad happened, but she hadn’t sent anything. Jupiter thought it meant she was okay. But what if she’s not telling me anything on purpose?

Juno could have done that. She pretends to be tough, but she’s kind. I’d be fine if that was the case.

However, what if Juno couldn’t contact him even when she wanted to? Then she… Every day, Jupiter imagined the worst: Juno, laying in a coffin. While he was here, Juno might have already died. What was the point of telling her to ask him for help?

Please be safe. Jupiter didn’t want to think about it, but he was worried. Juno was never seen outside ever since she arrived at Count Sergien’s mansion. Count Sergien rarely went out anyway, but the situation changed with how he announced he’ll be shutting himself off from the world. There were two popular rumors about why he did such a thing. Either Peter Sergien was so enamored with his young wife that he put off his work, or he made his young wife into a doll.

Don’t think about it. Whatever the case, it was bad. Jupiter tried to contact Count Sergien multiple times, but it was all in vain. Whenever Jupiter was on the brink of despair, he remembered Juno’s words. Calm down. Look at the reality of the situation. Those with no power couldn’t do anything. So, Jupiter tried harder to inherit the position of marquis. The heir of a powerful noble family and the head of the family were bound by different laws.

“I thought I could bring you back.”

If Lilith’s child was a girl, Juno could return. If the child was a boy, Jupiter would have killed him. And that was when he found out about the marriage contract.

Jupiter briefly recalled the first time he saw it. “I was naïve.”

That clause made Juno unable to return to House Trish and to him. It was all because of Nusrion, his greedy father. Jupiter was furious and wanted to murder him right then and there, but he recalled Juno’s words. Yes, let’s look at the reality of the situation. At that time, he needed his father.

Waiting this long was worth it. His father’s death wasn’t done purely with personal feelings in mind. Nusrion did a lot of questionable things; he either had to die for Jupiter’s future or disappear so that his son could become the marquis. Since you’re dead, you can keep the marquis and Lilith company when they join you.

“I hate blood, but it can’t be helped.” Jupiter pushed the chair Nusrion was sitting in, which caused the body to fall onto the floor. With a panicked expression, he shouted, “Father! Wake up! Please, you must open your eyes!”

The door to the study opened.

“What happened?”

Looking at the servants, Jupiter picked up the body, which caused his hands to be stained with blood. “My father has been poisoned! Don’t let anyone leave the mansion! Check my father’s room as well!”

Nodding, the servants rushed out of the room. Once they left, Jupiter’s panicked expression vanished instantly. He watched the death of Nusrion throw House Trish into a state of chaos.

The next day, rumors spread throughout the empire that Nusrion had been poisoned, and Lilith was the culprit.