Chapter 13

“Master, may I say something?”

It was just after I had dressed up nicely, taking off my black dress for the first time in a long while, and was adjusting my appearance after sending the maids away.

Terry, who was helping me fix the ornament on my head, slipped in a comment.

I met Terry’s eyes through the mirror in front of me.

A small scar remained on her face, which was so smooth it was hard to believe she was an assassin.

Unfortunately, the scar crossed her right eyebrow and eyelid, making it quite noticeable.

Since only a day had passed since the wound was inflicted, even the Elixir of Life couldn’t heal it completely, leaving a scar.

I deliberately took my eyes off Terry’s scar and nodded.

“Go ahead.”

“Ahem. I don’t usually say flattering things, but I feel I must say this. Today you look very beauti—”

“You look like a princess!”

At that moment, Leo, who had been hovering around me with sparkling eyes, suddenly whispered.

Since Leo himself looked cute enough to bite, I suppressed my violent affection and kneaded his cheeks instead.

“My little Ratchet looks especially soft and delicious today.”

“…!”

Leo made a shocked expression at my words before pouting his lips, but he didn’t avoid my touch.

Oh, so cute. This is why I can’t stop teasing Leo.

I gently soothed the child’s feelings to prevent him from getting upset, then asked Terry again.

“What were you saying just now?”

Terry sighed briefly, then shrugged and answered.

“I was going to say that my scar is a badge of honor that everyone from the slums has at least one of, so I’m actually quite satisfied with it. I’ve been so strong until now that I never got a single scar.”

It seemed like she was going to say something else, but I quietly let it pass.

It appears she noticed that I was secretly concerned about her scar…

“You got beaten up and came back with nothing but a smart mouth. Just lead the way.”

I retorted coldly, feeling somewhat annoyed that she could get hurt even knowing I’d be fine with her losing.

I got up and naturally accepted Sir Penadel’s escort, who was waiting for me outside the door, and asked.

“How do I look, Sir?”

Though not as much as the day I attended the royal ball, today was a very special day for me, so I put effort into my appearance.

I thought this might be enough to draw some kind of reaction from the stoic Sir Penadel.

“You’re…”

Fortunately, I could see his jaw tensing stiffly.

“Beautiful and…”

Oh, surprisingly giving me a nice compliment.

“And?”

“Beautiful and…”

“…And?”

“You are beautiful.”

Right… What was I expecting from Sir Penadel? I momentarily forgot he’s like a tin can that can’t produce output beyond his input.

“I understand your assessment, Sir, but next time, when a woman asks like this, please answer in detail about what is beautiful, how, and to what extent.”

“Yes.”

He always responds well, I’ll give him that.

I shook my head and looked out the window.

Several carriages could be seen crossing the main gate toward the main building.

Now feeling excited rather than nervous or afraid, I took a step forward.

***

Immediately after Sybel’s execution.

The atmosphere at the Blanche residence was unsettled.

The employees stared blankly at the butler and head maid like children sucking their fingers, not knowing what to do.

But even they had no other options.

Although they played a pivotal role in managing all employees and keeping the mansion running, broadly speaking, they too were just employees following orders.

In short, they also needed a master to give them commands.

That’s when Belinda Blanche appeared.

Entering the main building with her three Dobermans as before, she began handling the family’s backlogged affairs one by one, as if she had been preparing for this day for a very long time.

Of course, the first thing she did was to gather all the employees and expel those who had testified against her in the divine trial.

She drove them out without severance pay or even a letter of recommendation, but the individuals left the Blanche residence with resigned faces, packing their belongings.

Opposition arose when dismissal was announced for all employees who had testified against Sybel in the royal trial.

For those who had expected generous rewards from Belinda, it was literally a bolt from the blue.

However, Belinda dismissed people’s opposition with a single statement.

“They could have refused the trial summons. Yet they responded and testified against their master. Are you asking me to keep someone who spreads their master’s faults in front of everyone?”

Unwavering loyalty wasn’t necessary.

At the very least, Belinda intended to distinguish between those who could keep secrets and those who couldn’t, and many lost their jobs because of it.

“Butler, from now on, report important matters to me or my assistant.”

“By assistant, do you mean Miss Terry?”

“You have quite a perceptive eye.”

After complimenting the butler in an uncharacteristic manner, Belinda continued.

“I know there will be many vacant positions and you’ll be busy for a while. Nevertheless, all events will proceed without any disruption.”

“Um, Miss, no, Acting Head…”

The butler, looking very troubled about how to address Belinda, yet managing to use an appropriate title, continued.

“Could you possibly be referring to the first monthly meeting in spring?”

“You remembered. Send invitations to Rechel, Dukoff, Silvio, and even the hangers-on from the branch families. It will be an occasion to let the hungry wolves know that I am alive and well, so there must be no mistakes.”

The butler swallowed dryly and nodded.

She was remarkably adept at controlling the internal affairs of the mansion and keeping external forces in check.

Only then did the butler recall that Belinda had once received successor training.

He realized that the Blanche family had quickly found a new master and prepared for the monthly meeting without fail.

And so, on the day of the monthly meeting.

Those invited realized that the new master of the Blanche family would be decided at this gathering today.

The acting head, Sybel, had been executed without leaving any will, and it was revealed that he wasn’t even the rightful successor to begin with.

Perhaps this time, they might sit on the throne that would give them control of the Blanche gold veins.

The branch family members harbored such thoughts.

‘I hear Belinda Blanche has awakened her ability, so it will be difficult to claim the successor position.’

But that impudent young thing could still be manipulated and used as a figurehead.

The faces of the branch members, who had entered the Blanche residence with their own agendas, subtly contorted when they discovered Belinda sitting in the highest seat as if it were natural.

“Belinda, it hasn’t even been a week since Sybel was executed. Wouldn’t it be better to leave that seat empty for a while, out of consideration for him?”

Belinda stared at the person who addressed her, then let out an “Ah” of realization.

“You’re the husband of grandfather’s third daughter.”

“…If you put it that way, our relationship sounds too distant. Just call me uncle.”

“Well, I’d rather maintain a distant relationship, as I might get burned if I get too close to someone who defends criminals. Please sit at the far end, husband of grandfather’s third daughter.”

The man who was assigned to the seat furthest from the head table after his misstep bit his lip but couldn’t say anything.

Eventually, the agenda of determining the new master of the Blanche family was brought to the table.

Just as the branch members were about to open their mouths to recommend the second son of the previous generation as planned.

The relaxed-looking Lord Rechel spoke first.

“Our Rechel’s victory music will always sing only of the glory of Lady Belinda Blanche, I promise.”

“…!”

Has Rechel gone mad!

The branch members couldn’t hide their agitation.

Since Sybel was summoned to the royal trial, they had sent all kinds of bribes to the heads of Rechel, Silvio, and Dukoff, hoping for a favorable outcome.

Among them, only Dukoff returned the bribe.

Laughing at her as a young girl who didn’t understand politics, they were reassured that they had successfully won over Rechel and Silvio.

But to think that Rechel would take the bribe and then betray them!

‘No, it’s only Rechel so far. If we can turn the hearts of Silvio and Dukoff…’

As if sensing their inner thoughts, Dukoff, who had been silent with an uncomfortable expression, raised his hand.

“Dukoff will also choose Lady Belinda Blanche as the person with the heaviest value on the golden scale at any time.”

“What!”

One of the branch members couldn’t contain himself and stood up abruptly.

Belinda, who had been calmly observing the situation from the head seat, nodded at him.

“Second son of grandfather’s brother, do you have something to say?”

“I, I cannot accept this!”

“Yes, I understand your opinion. But, so what?”

“…What?”

“This gathering is not a place to hear the opinions of branch family members. So all of you just need to quietly listen to what conclusion today’s meeting reaches.”

“What insolence is this, Belinda! We are your relatives!”

As the agitated branch member’s face turned crimson, ready to rush at Belinda, a man who had been rolling his eyes cleared his throat and interjected.

“There’s no need to get so heated.”

Though he had a gentle appearance like a polar bear, he was quite large, causing the branch member to flinch and lower his posture.

“Who are you?”

“I am the first son of Lord Silvio, attending this meeting today in place of my father, who is unwell.”

With that one statement, everyone’s attention focused on him.

The man cleared his throat several times, visibly uncomfortable with the attention, then began to speak.