episode_0010

The sun set and it became dark. Nevertheless, Maria’s studies were not over.

‘it’s hard… .’

A huge amount of classes. But it wasn’t the class that was really giving the girl a hard time.

“As expected, Lady Maria. Just do it like this. Then the Duchess will no longer have to be criticized.”

From then on, the deacon mentioned the girl’s mother whenever he had the chance.

“……”

Even saying it as a compliment got on the girl’s nerves.

‘mom……’

Maria couldn’t understand.

‘Why…is it wrong to be a woman?’

The girl lowered her head. A book that just happened to catch my eye. It was a law book containing the laws of the empire. Countless phrases. Among them, the one that caught the girl’s attention.

[Unless there are special reasons for disqualification, women and men have equal succession rights.]

-I proclaim this in the name of Hyman La Ruan Chiron, the Sun of the Empire. Empire 1108

‘Imperial law…’

This was a law enacted immediately after the current emperor ascended to the throne, and was so famous that no one knew about it even though it had been more than 20 years since it was enacted.

They take issue with being a woman. in other words. It is no different from challenging the authority of the emperor.

In Maria’s mind, countless words to refute the deacon’s words came to mind, but she did not say them out loud. This was because she did not want her mother to hear other people’s words coming out of her mouth.

When Maria said nothing, the deacon bent down and grabbed her shoulders with his large hands.

“Ugh…!”

“Lady Maria! Please keep this in mind. If a young lady makes a mistake, the late Duchess will be criticized. A young lady has to be perfect in everything.”

Then he urged in a low voice.

“But… my younger brother… I have to protect him…”

“Then even more so! A young lady must be perfect to protect her younger brother too!”

“……Okay.”

Maria bit her lip. No matter how smart she was, she was still only 4 years old. Moreover, her mother and younger brother were her weaknesses.

* * *

The next day, Aden summoned his vassals.

“What on earth does that mean!”

“This is ridiculous, matriarch!”

The first meeting in a long time was particularly noisy.

“You are giving the entire eastern annex to a blood clot that has just been born?!”

“Yes. Isn’t there an annex in front of Lady Maria?!”

In particular, old elders who were strict about rules were caught in the back.

“This is unprecedented.”

“It’s against the rules!”

As Aden looked at them with an expressionless face, the retainers, who thought this was an opportunity, continued speaking in rapid fire.

The power of the family head is comparable to that of the emperor, but Aden has withdrawn from all business as well as politics for the past five years.

So, it was no wonder that the vassals he had taken lightly began to attack him like a swarm of bees.

“Say something, matriarch!”

“Because the head of the family is like this!”

“Did everyone talk?”

“Yes?”

“I am giving my house to my daughter, so why do I need to get your permission?”

The atmosphere became cold.

“Ah, no…at least it’s a discussion…”

The retainers, surprised by the bloody force, hesitated.

“Was it such a waste to give a house to that cute child? These little things…”

“…????”

They all gaped with the same feeling.

‘It’s not just one house.’

“It’s not that I don’t give it to you… It’s the order… And Lady Maria…”

“Hmm… What you say makes sense…”

The moment I was about to breathe a sigh of relief when I heard the voice soften, albeit slightly.

“Then. I guess I can give the western annex to Maria.”

Aden detonated the second bomb.

‘what? This isn’t right, no, it’s not wrong…’

The more we talked, the more I felt like I was being stopped, and I broke into a cold sweat.

“But… the family’s historical tradition of giving the annex to the duke…”

“So. What do you care if I give you what’s mine?”

Aden was adamant.

“……”

Oh, that makes sense too…?

“Matriarch… At least the young lady is a little taller… And what I give to you…”

“Are you trying to make me a person who says two things with one mouth?”

“…Yes? What are you talking about…”

Arden closed his eyes and remembered. My daughter smiled brightly when I told her that I would be given an annex.

If you cancel, you will most likely be disappointed.

‘Absolutely not.’

“What is the difference between this week and a few years from now?”

“Are you… planning to turn me, the head of the family, into a petty father who can’t even keep the promise he made to his daughter!?”

The moment an enraged Aden uttered an irritated word, the air became heavy.

“Ugh…”

The vassals swallowed their silence.

4th ducal family. There is a legend that the ancestors had the power of a god. It’s a false rumor, but all of those bloodlines had exceptional talent. If it’s magic, it’s magic. As long as it was a sword, he was successful no matter what he did.

The current head of the family, Aden, is also a great wizard and the axis that supports the empire. As he spread his momentum, I couldn’t say any more.

“Aren’t my words the same? Why are you saying so much when you say you want to give a gift to my daughters? Is there a better gift than that?”

‘No, since when did you care so much about your daughter?’

‘Didn’t Lady Maria leave it alone for over four years?’

The head of the family they knew was as helpless as a corpse after losing his wife. But it was so different. Those eyes shining with madness. It was clear that no matter what I said, it wouldn’t work.

“…pretty. How about giving a pony as a gift?”

“I think a magic tool that protects the body would be fine.”

One by one, they began to express their opinions.

“It’s a pony…”

Only then did his cruel expression soften.

“And?”

“Yes?”

Seeing him nod his head as if asking her to say more, the retainers helped him write a gift list for a while and realized his love for his daughter.

* * *

I’ve heard of conglomerates giving each of their children a building, but when I received it in person, I was shocked.

Of course I’m happy! I’m happy, but they said it’s too light… Honestly, it’s just a villa… maybe?

I thought so…

After receiving it, I realized it was not a villa but a department store…? This is just a castle…?

“These are also gifts from the head of the family to the young lady.”

For some reason, Emilia looks happy, as if she received a gift. Of course, it doesn’t matter if my sister uses it…

Furniture so luxurious that it’s hard to believe it’s a baby product, and colorful clothes that can’t even be worn yet and are divided by age group.

‘What on earth is going on?’

After taking a short walk, there were lots of gifts I hadn’t seen before.

“Miss, all the children’s books here are written by famous authors!”

Elaine smiles and opens the book, wondering what’s so good about it.

“Aww…”

What is this… I’m touched.

When have you ever received such gifts? As I was looking at it, I felt a tingling deep in my heart.

Even when I lived with my mother as a child, I couldn’t even read children’s books, and it was the same when I grew up.

21 years… my first children’s book…

I didn’t want to expect it… but I really didn’t want to believe it…

At this point, no matter how heartless the father of the original knowledge is…

‘Hi-Hi…’

“Would you like me to read you a storybook?”

Emilia asked softly. Even though he is a baby, he always asks this question. I nodded my head furiously.

“Dau!”(Good!)

The book Emilia read to me was Little Red Riding Hood.

“So Little Red Riding Hood is going to grandma’s house! A hunter appeared, a hunter… he said something really strange that Little Red Riding Hood could not understand. Little Red Riding Hood felt bad for some reason and walked quickly.”

“And the moment I finally arrived at my grandmother’s house and opened the door………”

“Ta, ta woo!”(So, so?)

Even though I knew the story because it was so famous in my past life, Emilia read it so realistically with her amazing acting skills that I was very immersed in it. Well, it was very slightly different. Could the description be a bit more realistic?

My sleepy eyes opened brightly.

“Hmm…”

Emilia’s expression became strange.

“Dau…? follow. Dau!?” (Sister? What’s wrong? So? Was there a wolf disguised as a grandmother?)

Out of curiosity, I reached for the book, but Emilia stood up.

“…….Grandma was preparing a delicious cake! So, I ate with Little Red Riding Hood… Ko~! And I slept.”

“…To? Oh wow?! Ta da ta ta?” (Sister…? Isn’t that something strange?! Isn’t that right?)

“Ah, it’s time for our lady to sleep too.”

“Aww! Taa au. Taaw!” (No! No matter how pretty you are, it’s not true! I really can’t sleep!)

“Tawoo!”

‘No sister! painting! I need to at least look at a picture. A picture! ‘Show me the picture!’

Contrary to expectations, consciousness quickly fell to the surface.

‘No… You’re so good at putting my sister to sleep…’

* * *

“Hehe. My lady, she looks like an angel when she sleeps. Indeed. Emilia. Is the story in the storybook from earlier true? Something…? It seemed like there were quite a few pages left…?”

Emilia hands a storybook to Elaine, who tilts her head.

“……Report and dispose of.”

“Disposal…?”

After a while.

There was a knock and the door was opened carefully.

“Matriarch, are you here?”

It was Aden who came in.

The maids, starting with Elaine, bowed their heads politely, but Emilia was the only exception. She was looking at the bookshelf, quickly turning the pages.

Still, Aden didn’t care.

“Soon, additional gifts from Marian will arrive.”

“Extra gift?”

Elaine’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, I’m going to make a private flower garden with ponies and…”

“Tsk. Pony?”

“Gasp…”

The maids were startled by the sound of him clicking his tongue as if cutting off his words.

“Let’s all go out.”

“““Yes, yes!!!”””

All the maids except Emilia left the room.

Aden and her made eye contact and had a strange battle of nerves.

“Is it jealousy? That’s not like you, no matter how much Marianne likes the gift I gave her, it’s only natural.”

“Ha, it’s really absurd, isn’t it? I wondered why he was so good at it. I inspected the children’s book in the girl’s room one more time.”

“Inspection…?”

Emilia opened her mouth in a soft voice.

“While Little Red Riding Hood was on her way to her grandmother’s house, a hunter appeared. The hunter looked up and down Little Red Riding Hood’s body and said something strange with an unpleasant expression on his face. Little Red Riding Hood got goosebumps and ran quickly until she reached her grandmother’s house.”

“To shake off the fear, I said in a bright voice, “Grandma, I’m here!” The moment I opened the door, there was a bloody smell, and the whole house was a sea of blood… And I ran into a wolf eating the grandmother’s body in the corner.”

“Little Red Riding Hood was terrified and ran away screaming. But I was quickly caught up and bitten on the leg.”

“…….”

“Ah… It hurts… Mom… Mom…”

“Little Red Riding Hood sobbed.”

Emilia spoke in a realistic voice.