episode_0069

I suffered public humiliation.

If I knelt here, our plan would be for naught.

I would become a laughingstock for the entire three days until the banquet ended.

I’m sorry, but… I had no intention of letting that happen.

How could I have come all this way?

I, who had walked tirelessly from distant Breezedon to Deseo, solely with the heart to save Ritsu.

If they thought I would get scared by that trivial mouth and run away…

…they were wrong.

“Truly, you are beyond rude, Sir Rudy Piolo.”

Rudy, whose name was called, flinched.

*Snap.*

I closed the bothersome fan covering my face.

I revealed a dignified, serious expression and asked him.

“Before you ask me about my lineage, I wonder if you can name your family’s entire lineage yourself.”

Nobles had strong pride in their bloodline.

They believed they were ‘chosen’ because they inherited that sacred blood.

As if it were a natural right.

Would such an arrogant fellow show gratitude to his ancestors?

I guarantee he wouldn’t even know his grandfather’s name.

The flustered Rudy laughed as if it were nothing.

“Haha! What a ridiculous thing to say… Do you think I don’t know my own family?”

“If you know so well, then answer.”

“That’s easy. From the predecessors: Ludwig III, Rodri, Goldic, Ivanne…”

“Wrong.”

Although the plan had slightly deviated.

I really wanted to shatter that fellow’s sweet dream.

Towards Rudy, who wore a surprised expression, I corrected the Piolo family’s lineage precisely.

“From the predecessors, it is Ludwig III, Rodri, Ivanne, Goldic, and Ludwig II, in that order.”

“……!”

Rudy mumbled, folding his fingers one by one as if he couldn’t believe it.

But soon, he realized my words were accurate and shut his mouth.

Seeing him not refute, the people were also quite flustered.

If they wanted more, I could do it endlessly.

Because I had prepared thoroughly for this banquet, reading books all night and mastering all the refined etiquette.

“He doesn’t even know his own lineage?”

“And he’s been going around saying things like that… How shameful.”

The atmosphere of the banquet hall changed.

All traces of laughter vanished, and the arrows of blame that had been aimed at me began to turn towards Rudy.

He had provoked by talking about qualifications, and then conversely showed that his own qualifications were abysmal.

They were enraged by his un-noble behavior.

Rudy hurriedly made an excuse.

“I, I was momentarily mistaken. Haha!”

“Sir Ludwig would be impressed if he knew.”

“Tsk tsk. There are some things you shouldn’t make mistakes about.”

“No…”

An anxious look appeared on his face at the cold reactions.

If a noble ruined their reputation, they were immediately ignored.

This was a cold rule of this world.

“Everyone.”

I stepped forward in front of the cornered Rudy.

“Please do not fault our friend too much. It is true that our names are unfamiliar, and I believe it is natural to be suspicious.”

“Madam…”

“Of course, family and lineage are important, but what is even more important is the fact that it is we, now, who can make that glory shine.”

The banquet hall fell silent for a moment.

Now everyone was looking at me.

“But do you truly believe that we are living as honorably as our great ancestors did?”

“……”

“Are you not perhaps worried that the brilliant era might have been swept away by a fierce storm, gone forever?”

“*Ahem.*”

Everyone remained silent, but various expressions of agreement were visible.

In Deseo, they were no different from candles in the wind.

They had managed to live by relying on their family’s glory, but they were gradually losing their control over this city.

It would not be an exaggeration to call it a ‘noble crisis.’

I raised my voice.

“Please listen. From now on, the ‘Modaless Business’ will… restore our lost honor once again.”

Everyone looked at me with astonished eyes, asking.

How? By what means?

Just as they waited for my next words, their faces full of such questions.

*Dong. Dong. Dong.*

The sound of a bell rang, breaking the heightened atmosphere of the banquet hall.

It was time to end the banquet.

I held the hem of my dress and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you. I will continue the detailed discussion tomorrow.”

* * *

We returned straight to our guest room.

The guest room was very luxurious, as it was prepared for honored guests.

The bathroom was large, and there were separate beds.

Fortunately, it seemed we could sleep comfortably.

As soon as we entered the room, Uncle Fosao let out a choked breath.

His face was completely drenched in sweat.

“T-Tia… Are we… g-going to be okay like this…?”

“We’ve successfully announced the business, so we should give everyone time to think for themselves.”

“Somehow, it’s s-scary…”

“It’s alright. There’s no need for us to rush. We’ve done well just getting to this point.”

Honestly, I had only intended to do just enough and then withdraw.

But as I spoke with people, I became more determined and made the matter bigger.

It was as if I had taken the leading role in the banquet.

*Giggle giggle,* a laugh escaped me.

Mr. Aban probably didn’t expect us to go this far either.

Perhaps because I had already seen rock bottom, or because I felt there was nothing more to lose.

Instead of being nervous, I just felt comfortable.

How to put it, it was as if this was where I was originally meant to be.

“B-But, Tia… You s-spoke so well… It was amazing…”

“Uncle’s clearing his throat also sounded great, you know? Thanks to that, everyone’s attention was drawn, which made it easier for me to speak.”

“*Hehe*… Thank you…”

“And hurry and get some sleep. They say there’s a breakfast banquet early tomorrow morning.”

It was when I went into the bathroom to take off my dress.

“Ex-excuse me… Tia.”

“*Kyaa!*”

Suddenly, Uncle opened the door and burst in.

Fortunately, I quickly pulled my clothes up as I hadn’t yet lowered my shoulder strap.

“…What is it?”

“That… that… this…”

“Yes?”

Something was held in Uncle Fosao’s hand.

A transparent, blue sapphire.

It was a brooch where crafted silver wrapped around the sapphire in the shape of a ribbon.

It was different from ordinary decorations.

Although it was a brooch, its function as a brooch had little meaning, and the sapphire was so large that it was truly at the level of being simply called a ‘gemstone.’

“Isn’t this… yours, Uncle?”

“Y-Yes, it is.”

Uncle Fosao had three treasures.

A gold ring, an ivory cup, and this sapphire brooch.

While coming to Deseo, the gold ring and ivory cup had been disposed of.

Only the sapphire brooch remained.

“Why are you… giving this to me?”

“I w-was bothered by it.”

Uncle stammered his explanation.

When Rudy had pointed at my ruby necklace and humiliated me by calling it shabby.

Uncle said he could tolerate other things, but he couldn’t tolerate that.

He regretted not having spent some money to buy me a good necklace if he had known this would happen.

So, even now, he wanted to lend me this sapphire brooch.

“Hmm…”

I stared intently at the sapphire.

Certainly.

If I went to the banquet hall wearing such a lavish ornament, no one would look at me strangely.

To be honest, when I was publicly insulted, I wasn’t embarrassed at all.

No. I didn’t even think of it as humiliation.

Because this ruby necklace was a gift from Ritsu, and no one else!

Even if I were given a gold necklace, there was no item more important than this one.

So, I was about to refuse the sapphire brooch, saying I didn’t need it.

But Uncle was readily lending me this expensive gem out of consideration for my reputation.

Shouldn’t I also consider Uncle’s reputation?

“…Shall I try putting it on? This brooch.”

“Y-Yes! I-I’ll help you… *Hehe*…”

Uncle approached, breathing roughly.

And carefully held the lapel covering my chest.

*Click.*

The moment he clipped the sapphire brooch onto the lapel and let go naturally.

I was slightly surprised by my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

“Wow…”

“As expected… Y-You’re beautiful… You truly look like a noble. Ti-Tia…”

The blue gem resting on the pure white dress.

Its clarity, contrasting with my red hair, truly stood out.

I inhaled deeply and exhaled.

As my chest rose and fell, the sapphire glittered.

At the same time, my heart felt like it was sparkling.

I smiled faintly.

I decided.

For the three days the banquet would last, I would wear this brooch.

We finished preparing and lay down in bed.

I still felt somewhat bewildered.

It had been barely a month since I arrived in Deseo.

It felt like only yesterday that I was harassed by men in a bar and slept on the streets.

Somehow, now I was being treated as a noble and lying in a luxurious bed.

When I closed my eyes, everything passed quickly.

So many things had happened.

Was it perhaps a sharp warning from the Divine Dragon, scolding me for leaving my hometown?

As if trampling the dreams of a girl who loved adventure and dreamed of being an adventurer.

I realized that this world wasn’t always bright; it was filled with terror.

Sometimes I was completely exhausted and wanted to give up.

Harsh trials held my neck, preventing me from moving forward.

…But it wasn’t always dark.

Because as harsh as the world was, there were also many good people.

The court physician-nim who saved Ritsu.

Teacher Vincent-nim who taught me swordsmanship.

The *eonnies* who warmly accepted me when I was an outsider at the tribute station.

Robert-nim who broke down the wall of status and taught me many things.

The children of Tsarrakh who taught me pure hope.

Mr. Aban who decided to offer kindness without expecting anything in return.

And…

I turned my head.

In the darkened bedroom, I could faintly see Uncle Fosao lying in the bed next to mine.

Why was that?

Uncle also turned his head and was staring at me.

As our eyes met, Uncle awkwardly greeted me.

“Good night… Ti-Tia…”

It was when I was about to return the goodnight greeting similarly.

Uncle hurriedly added.

“Ah, no… Now, should I say ‘h-honey’? *Hehe*…”

“……”

“Sorry…”

“…*Hehe*.”

A laugh escaped me.

“Good night.”

I pulled the blanket up over my face.

“…You.”

* * *

Day 2.

We intentionally skipped breakfast.

Partly because Uncle Fosao’s routine of oversleeping, washing, putting on his wig, getting dressed, and grooming took a long time.

But more importantly, it was with the thought that it would be more effective for the nobles to discuss thoroughly among themselves before hearing about my business.

We moved to the banquet hall around the time lunch was served.

Indeed, people recognized us and approached.

I met each noble’s gaze, called them by their correct names, and exchanged greetings.

This memory was important for building connections.

Because they believed that initiating recognition first solidified mutual acquaintance.

By the time I finished circulating the banquet hall.

I could distinctly feel the atmosphere of trust the nobles had for us.

“Madam Modaless. May I ask how exactly you intend to conduct this business?”

“Even discussing it among ourselves, we couldn’t find a suitable answer.”

As expected, it seemed they had diligently discussed what the ‘business’ I mentioned entailed.

The time had come.

Instead of answering, I first called a servant.

*Thud.*

The servant knelt and held up ‘Rose Shabel.’

I immediately took the scabbard and skillfully drew the sword.

*Swish!*

“Ooh—”

As the dazzling blade appeared, people looked on in wonder.

Then, smoothly, I spun once.

“Is that a sword dance?”

“A beautiful dance.”

To these nobles who had forgotten glory, it might look like a dance, but this was… the most fundamental of fundamentals taught by my Teacher-nim.

It was a swordsmanship stance.

Holding Rose Shabel, I replied.

“My answer is ‘this’.”