Chapter 7
The marquis, who had been smiling brightly at Elzer, suddenly furrowed his brow.
“A request? As expected of you, Cecenia. You never do anything that puts you at a loss.”
“I also have something small I want to do.”
“Something small? Are you planning to compete with your sister?”
“No. I have no intention of inheriting the marquisate at all.”
“Then what do you want?”
His reaction was extreme.
‘He would probably treat even an adopted child with more kindness than this.’
Cecenia, who had vowed not to live kindly, looked at him with a cold expression.
“Since I was young, I wanted to have a small business of my own. Please allow me to do that. If you grant me this, I will not ask for any rights regarding the marquisate.”
“Even if you asked, do you think you could inherit the marquisate?”
She was about to say “Yes” but closed her mouth. Without her, the marquisate would collapse.
It had been the same in the past, and it wouldn’t be any different now. But she had no desire to argue here. Right now, she needed the marquis’s help.
Her normally indifferent lips curved slightly.
‘Fawning before you ends here.’
Once she got what she needed, she no longer had to act like a dog wagging its tail, seeking love.
Waiting for that day, Cecenia nodded.
“I know. I wouldn’t dare dream of taking that position. I only said it that way because asking for a favor felt awkward. Father.”
“Hmm.”
Perhaps being gentle worked better than being forceful, as the marquis awkwardly nodded.
“It makes me feel as if I’ve done something wrong.”
If he could realize that much, at least he wasn’t completely clueless.
“No way. Father is always right.”
Cecenia was never one to flatter. In that way, she and Elzer were stark opposites. Because of this, Cecenia was often misunderstood or disliked by others.
‘But for my future, and to ensure that woman doesn’t have everything, I can do at least this much.’
“Hmm. Hm. Fine. If that’s what you want… What kind of business do you plan to do?”
“I want to open a small shop. It was my mother’s dream, after all. To open a small shop in the empire’s capital.”
Cecenia’s mother, who passed away when she was five due to poor health, had been a humble woman. As a commoner by birth, she had always felt disillusioned with the noble life. She would often tell young Cecenia that when they all grew up, she wanted to open a small shop and live as herself, not as a noble.
But the marquis, who had loved his wife deeply and feared losing her to someone else, ignored her wishes.
“…That’s true.”
“I want to do that. If you just provide a small amount of support… I want to live like my mother. I want to open a shop named after her.”
Cecenia knew that the marquis’s greatest weakness was his late wife, so she wore a sorrowful expression.
“W-What do you mean, naming a shop after your mother? That’s ridiculous…”
Elzer immediately refuted the idea, unable to understand. But the marquis slowly nodded, stopping Elzer.
“Fine. If you’re honoring your mother’s wishes… I appreciate it.”
“Father!”
“Why are you shouting, Elzer?”
“I… No… It’s just… Cecenia is starting her own business. Does that even make sense? And you promised to entrust the marquisate to me, yet you’re making decisions without consulting me…”
The marquis suddenly shouted.
“Elzer, do you already think you are the marquis?”
“Father, are you angry at me? I’m shocked…”
“Be quiet. You are not the marquis yet. I am still evaluating who among you should take the title. If I find you unworthy, I can discard you at any time!”
Elzer did not understand his father at all. He had always gotten his way by acting charming, so he must have thought it would work this time too. But the marquis never let anyone challenge his authority so easily—how had Elzer not realized this yet?
Perhaps overwhelmed by the marquis’s presence, Elzer pouted like a child.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Good. In any case, your sister is not being greedy; she is simply honoring your mother’s wishes. Help her.”
“Yes.”
Could a person change so quickly? The marquis smiled as he looked at Cecenia.
“So, have you decided what kind of business to start?”
“Not yet.”
“I see, I see. Take your time. Since you’re doing this in your mother’s name… don’t feel too pressured. I will provide some financial support. You can get the money through the steward and handle it yourself. Starting something new will be difficult, but since it’s entirely yours, it will be enjoyable.”
“Yes.”
Though he said so, he had no intention of ever passing the marquisate to Cecenia.
He had never planned to in the first place, so Cecenia felt nothing about it. She simply bowed and stood up.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Go on.”
With that, Cecenia left the room. But Elzer trailed after her, sticking by her side.
“Cecenia, you’re acting strange.”
“How so?”
“You sweet-talked Father, something you never do.”
“Sweet-talked? Do you think every interaction with a man has to be about seduction, Sister?”
Elzer’s face flushed red, as if she had hit the mark.
“H-How can you say that about me?”
“How else would I see it?”
A woman who seduced men left and right, even her own sister’s husband. A heartless wretch who had her own sibling killed for her own benefit.
‘No other words can describe you. Sister, you are simply trash.’
Cecenia smirked and patted Elzer’s shoulder.
“Anyway, do your best. The marquisate is yours now.”
“Are you provoking me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think I’ll be scared? Just don’t come to me later, begging for money.”
“Sure.”
Cecenia replied briefly and turned away. She could hear Elzer fuming behind her but paid no attention. Instead, a smile spread across her face. When she returned to her room, Lisbet spoke to her.
“My lady, you’re really different.”
“Me?”
“Yes. It feels like you’ve become a different person.”
“Maybe turning into an adult changed my perspective. I’ve never had anything of my own, so I want to be greedy for once.”
“I love it! Then I’ll do my best to help you. What will you do first?”
Cecenia simply smiled at Lisbet.
‘Clothing, food, and shelter—those are the essentials of life.’
She had studied diligently and knew what was coming. A severe winter was on the way, and she would turn that into an opportunity…
