Hebe, who had been acting cute in Juno’s arms for a while, looked up and said, “I hear a carriage.”
“She’s here,” Juno said.
“Are you going out?”
She shrugged. “Why not? I should see her for dinner.”
“Do you not like her?”
Juno knew that child was innocent, but she shouldn’t give her any affection.
“I don’t hate her, but I hate my father and the emperor.”
Still, Juno couldn’t understand why Marquis Robert entrusted that child to her. Why leave Juno with a daughter that wasn’t even his own? Is this to take revenge on Lilith? Whatever the case, the child wasn’t lovely because of her father or the emperor.
Looking at Hebe, Juno said, “Don’t get attached to her. She’s only living with us because I know I can use her. She’ll be gone soon.” That child was a card to make Argos the emperor.
Hebe nodded. “I understand.”
“Am I being too mean?”
Hebe shook his head. “No! Um… Mother is kind, but I’m worried you’re too nice. I’m sure you’ll treat her well.”
Her father and Lilith’s daughter. Even though Juno disliked her, the child didn’t know anyone else.
Juno, who had been silent, said, “…I’m not sure about that.”
“Hm.” Hebe squinted his eyes at Juno’s words.
Juno pinched his nose. “Who makes fun of his mother?”
Hebe giggled, grabbed her hand, and said, “Let’s go see my father.”
“Huh?”
“Jupiter!”
“Ah, yes. Let’s go.”
As she was led to Jupiter’s room by Hebe, Juno made a promise to herself. I doubt it will happen, but don’t get too attached. Juno planned not to see the child much; there was nothing to worry about.
***
Lily clenched her hand. She was a little worried since she was heading to the residence of House Sergien. The place where Juno Sergien, the alchemist, lives.
Lily remembered what her drunk mother said while holding Lily’s face. Mother said Juno was also my father’s daughter.
Mother said the worst thing she had done in her life was marry off a woman named Juno to Count Sergien. Mother whispered that to Lily all the time. However, the best thing Mother did was take away House Trish from Juno. She laughed at how Juno wouldn’t get an inheritance as well.
Mother didn’t often look at me. Whenever Mother drank, she would visit Lily and act as if she loved her. Lily’s father didn’t love Lily either. Did my father love Juno? It might have been the case. Maybe that was why Juno married into a great noble family and was given the surname Trish. The same surname Lily didn’t receive.
Lily didn’t know much else about Juno. Father and Mother hated talking about Juno. What kind of person is she?
Juno might not be a bad person, given she accepted Lily as her half-sister.
The man sitting across from her said, “Miss Lily.”
“What?”
He smiled. “We’ll be there any minute now.”
“I see. Um…”
Normally, she wouldn’t ask this question, but she didn’t know a lot about the place where she’d be living from now on. Charles had always been a kind man during their time together, so Lily thought he’d be fine with answering.
“What is it?”
“What kind of lady is she? Father and Mother don’t talk to me that much.” Lily didn’t converse much with her parents or the servants. She was no different from a ghost wandering around the mansion. Although she was the child of a marquis, she didn’t receive the proper education for an illegitimate child.
Pretending to hesitate for a moment, Charles spoke slowly. “Miss, I’ve known you for only a month, but I think you’re a smart girl.” He smiled.
Lily knew her life wouldn’t be much different from before.
“I’ll be honest with you.” He continued, “Countess Sergien… The alchemist hates Marquis Trish and Miss Lilith.”
“Huh?”
“Have you not heard?”
Lily may have been no different from a ghost in the mansion, but she was also one in high society. She couldn’t make any friends, for she was unwelcomed by commoners and nobles. That’s why she hadn’t heard any rumors.
“…I don’t even have a surname. I can’t go out in public.”
“Countess Sergien got married because she was kicked out.”
Lily must have thought her father loved Juno. Charles said, “Perhaps… you’ll be fine.”
“…Yes.” I hope she doesn’t hit me. Lily didn’t mind being ignored or becoming a target of someone’s anger, but she didn’t want to be hit.
“If you have any difficulties, please contact me. Here’s my address.” He handed her a piece of paper. “You’re still a child, so you don’t have to be an adult.”
“Thank you.”
It was the first time someone treated her kindly.
Charles nodded. “You’re welcome. We’ve arrived. Shall we get off then?”
Lily took a deep breath. “…I’m ready.”
With the help of Charles, Lily got out of the carriage and looked at the residence of House Sergien. It was a magnificent and large mansion that resembled House Trish’s. It looks nice. She noticed a man walking out of the mansion.
“Hello, I’m Charles Vallen.”
The man responded, “I am John, the butler of Countess Sergien.”
Butler. Lily remembered the middle-aged butler from House Trish. This was the first time she knew a young man could be a butler. He was very handsome.
Charles said, “This is Miss Lily.”
“Where is her luggage?”
“The carriage.”
“Understood.”
Then dolls appeared behind John. Lily, who had never seen a doll in her life, was amazed.
“Wow! Oh…!” She covered her mouth when she saw John glance at her.
“Where is the countess?” Charles asked
“She is busy,” John replied.
“…All right. Miss Lily, don’t forget to contact me,” Charles said.
He was such a kind man. Lily didn’t think she needed to contact him, but she smiled in response.
“I understand.”
“Young Miss, please follow me,” John said.
“Okay.”
Lily waved at Charles before hurrying after John. She resolved herself as she followed him. I’ll be as quiet as possible. Don’t offend the countess.
Thus, Lily entered the mansion of House Sergien.
***
Lily couldn’t hide her nervousness as she followed a doll through the hallway. She had a room with a window on the second floor. When she heard what Charles told her, she thought her room would be small and windowless; however, the room she got was very good. Everything in the room was nice as well. I heard Countess Sergien had a lot of money. It must be true.
Lily was most curious about the dolls. House Trish didn’t use dolls as servants. There seemed to be no other human servants besides John. Well, of course, there would be dolls here.
Lily stopped following the doll. John stood before her and looked aloof.
“There you are. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Lily stared at the slightly opened door. Let’s be on our best behavior.
This was her first meeting with Juno, her half-sister. Based on Mother’s words, Juno was rude and mean; however, Lily didn’t believe her words. Mother was a person who hated everyone except her father. Charles said Juno hated Mother and Father, though… Lily decided to only believe half of her mother’s words. Lily opened the door and looked at Juno who was sitting at a table.
“H-Hello.”
“…Have a seat,” Juno said.
Lily thought she wouldn’t acknowledge her greeting, but she did. As she thought, Mother was only half-right.
“Yes!”
Juno Sergien was popular, but not many people saw her. It was hard for those like Lily to see Juno. I didn’t think she’d be very pretty. Juno looked nothing like Father. She was dressed in fancy clothes, but her face was different from Mother’s.
“What are you looking at?” It was a child’s voice.
“Huh?”
Lily noticed there was a child sitting nearby.
