kscans

Chapter 14 - What Happened to Her, and an Unwanted Favor, Part 3

The Alcioni Count Family. If you were to ask what they were famous for, most people would probably answer 'trade.' A network of contacts they had built on their own, and connections with merchant guilds and other nobles. The transactions carried out using these resources were famous not only among commoners but also among nobles, both at home and abroad. It was a given that they could procure any desired item, but they also gained a reputation for intuiting what their clients wanted beyond that and recommending it, and over a long period, they built up an enormous fortune. Among them, the current head of the Alcioni family, and his successor, Vernella's brother, were gifted with incredible business sense and a talent for winning people over with their words. But Vernella, by comparison, was 'ordinary,' and had always been told so. Rather than winning people's hearts or building connections here and there, Vernella herself wished for a quiet life. Every time people with business connections came to the house, she couldn't seem to relax. She understood that it was unavoidable, having been born a noble, but on the contrary, her spirit was continuously worn down.

Choosing a fiancé, making connections in high society, the chatter of noble ladies—none of it mattered to her. She knew she shouldn't think that way, but for some reason, she just couldn't.

It was then that the Alcioni Count Family was invited to a tea party hosted by the royal palace every six months, gathering nobles from all over the country. And there, Vernella had a fateful encounter.

It was with none other than Lupia.

Her dignified posture. Her powerful gaze, looking straight ahead with her back straight. A talented woman who was not only receiving education as the next duchess but also as a Crown Princess candidate.

There wasn't a single person who looked down on her. Various people, including nobles who wanted to get on her good side, gathered around Lupia, greeting her and chatting in turns. From Vernella's perspective, just handling all that with a smile was worthy of praise. She didn't want to get too close to people, but she felt a strong desire to get to know Lupia. 'Drawn to her' was probably the most fitting expression. She wandered towards Lupia, trying to find the right timing to greet her, when Lupia said, "Excuse me for a moment," and slipped away from the circle of people. This is my chance, Vernella thought, and followed after her.

"How can I... talk to her..."

Humming to herself, Vernella unconsciously followed Lupia, maintaining a certain distance. She walked naturally, keeping pace and distance, in a rhythmic way. So naturally, in fact, that Lupia didn't notice.

After walking for a short while, Lupia entered a room that had been prepared as a rest area. Vernella, who had thought she was heading to the powder room, tilted her head in confusion and took a step forward. At that moment.

"Who are you!"

A swoosh cut through the air, and a dagger was pressed against her throat. Surprised, yet somehow calm, Vernella lowered her gaze to the dagger.

"Answer me. Why were you stalking my sister?"

Rupert's sharp voice.

"Um... I didn't mean to stalk her..."

"Don't lie!"

Rupert's voice grew sharper with irritation at Vernella's answer, but Lupia stopped him.

"Wait, Rupert."

"But sister!"

"...Wait. ...I only just noticed this girl following me a moment ago myself, you know."

"...What?"

Vernella had no idea how dangerous, let alone how difficult, it was to tail Lupia.

"Um...?"

"You are Lady Vernella of the Alcioni Count Family, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes."

"...Why on earth has Count Alcioni not noticed this daughter's value..."

Muttering to herself, Lupia grabbed Rupert's arm, which was still holding the dagger, and forced it down. Even if he had done that, Vernella probably wouldn't have cared. On the contrary, she might have even dodged it.

"Lady Vernella. I will speak slowly, so please try to understand."

"...?"

"In your family, aren't you constantly being told you're 'ordinary'?"

"How did you..."

"It's often said in high society. The Alcioni daughter is, for some reason, ordinary..."

"That's, um..."

"Ordinary? That's impossible."

She was at a loss for words. Ah, in this person's eyes, I must seem not just ordinary, but incompetent, she thought, about to retreat into herself. But then.

"You are incredibly 'abnormal,' 'extraordinary.'"

"...................What?"

Lupia's expression was one of genuine bewilderment, a stark contrast to Rupert's, who clearly didn't understand. What on earth? Rupert began to think, then let out a small "Ah."

"You. How did you follow my sister?"

"How...?"

"Normally," Vernella answered timidly, and the twins stared at her as if she were something unbelievable. It was impossible. The Calmond Ducal Family had been involved in the country's defense for generations. And Lupia was being educated as the next head of the family. She had been drilled in all sorts of self-defense techniques and was extremely sensitive to the presence of others. Moreover, she would never allow anyone she didn't trust within a certain distance. How could anyone have followed Lupia, who was so used to constantly scanning her surroundings and keeping her guard up while walking?

"Normally."

Rupert stared at Vernella, who had answered hesitantly, with a shocked expression. To put it bluntly, he couldn't imagine how a seemingly ordinary noble lady could just casually follow his sister. But in reality, she had followed her all this way without being shaken off.

"Ah... I see. ...Yeah, you are indeed a bundle of 'extraordinary,' Lady Alcioni."

With a deep sigh, Rupert crouched down on the spot. Worried that she had done something wrong, Vernella panicked, but Lupia gave her a soft smile.

"Lady Vernella, you might be suited for the 'underground' work of the Alcioni Count Family. You can leave the 'public' work to your brother."

"Uh, ...um, ...y-yes...?"

Hehe, Lupia laughed beautifully and extended a hand to Vernella.

"Ah, as for what the 'underground' is, your father should be able to tell you. There's an aptitude test, but you'll be fine. ...I guarantee it."

True to her words, after taking the 'aptitude test,' Vernella was never called 'ordinary' again.

There were very few people with the aptitude to handle the 'underground' work. Because of this, the problem of who would succeed them had arisen, but the people involved in the 'underground' rejoiced, completely changing their tune. And Vernella's talent blossomed in no time; she learned to carry herself as she did now and even became Rupert's fiancée. Vernella looked at the two baron's sons lying on the floor. There was no kindness in her eyes. Only an icy coldness. These people had been rude to the Lupia she revered. And they had even forced their way into the ducal mansion. They didn't know their place.

"...Our house has no desire to associate with a family that has people who would commit such an insult against the Calmond Ducal Family."

Her voice was filled with rage. It wasn't very loud, yet for some reason, the baron's sons heard it clearly.

What? they thought, turning only their eyes toward her.

"Hk!"

A strange gasp escaped their throats. Call them pathetic, but it didn't matter. They had made an enemy of another monster.

"I... will report this to my father and brother, sister-in-law, Rupert."

"Yeah, thanks."

"Leave it to me. ...If I tell them to cut off all contact with these two, my father and brother will understand."

People have their strengths and weaknesses. Vernella just wasn't suited for the 'public stage.' But in the right place, with the right education, she could shine this brightly and beautifully.

"Listen here. You who don't know your place. I think it's fine to be devoted to the Crown Princess, and you can do as you please, but..."

She smiled, a smile so beautiful it was out of place, and continued.

"You must not take actions that are not befitting of your station. ...Because I will never, ever forgive you."

And so, the Garibaldi and Ginasmo baronies. Without the two family heads knowing a thing, their connection with a house they absolutely could not afford to sever was cut off all too easily. It would only be a little while longer before their families despaired upon learning the heavy price of their sons' blunder.