“Keep the ability to be safe from magical malice a secret?”

Since this is a world where magic and holy power clearly exist, it’s not like I’ll be captured as an experimental subject by some suspicious government agency, so why?

As if reading the puzzlement on my face, Mikhail calmly explained the reason.

“The south is a place where the Pirate Lord controls monsters and confronts the navy. …The Young Lady, who is dating Admiral Aquilus, has already used the artifact’s second ability thoughtlessly… no, indiscriminately, causing unnecessary rumors about being a saint. If the last ability becomes known to outsiders, you might be put in danger because of the pirates.”

Now that I hear it, it all makes sense.

Since I had no desire to make enemies unnecessarily, I nodded in agreement.

But Mikhail… I thought he had let it go without saying much, but apparently he had been keeping track of my unintentional incident at the temple.

“I understand. I’ll do as Mikhail says.”

“Yes, I also think it would be best to follow Lord Hasloff’s opinion. …But I think there was something strange mixed in there.”

Teaerik, who made an even stranger face than when he heard I was called a saint at the Sea God Temple, looked at Mikhail.

“‘Dating’ Admiral Aquilus? Lord Hasloff, perhaps in the south, does the word ‘dating’ have a different meaning than in Rainfeld? That must be it, right?”

This guy has been really…

I was irritated, but with a smiling face, I spoke clearly to Teaerik.

“Richard and I are indeed dating. It’s been about a month.”

“…Good heavens. Admiral Aquilus was known for his excellent judgment. A man who lacks nothing, how did he end up with you… You didn’t threaten him using the Rabius ducal name, did you?”

I stopped holding back and stomped hard on Teaerik’s foot.

“Ouch! So it wasn’t threats but violence?”

“Want me to show you what real violence is?”

When I glared at him fiercely, Teaerik flinched and shook his head.

“Enough. Getting involved in your love life won’t do me any good… Still, it’s truly puzzling. The Aquilus ducal family isn’t in a situation where strategic marriages are important like the Schwerin ducal family…”

Bringing up my ex-fiancé’s family, too. Is there really any reason to let this guy keep talking?

No. Just as I finished making my decision and was about to raise my arm toward Teaerik.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that? Alright, alright, I’ll stop.”

“…Anyway, thanks for coming all the way to distant Basium to tell me about the artifact. It seems you even studied ancient language for this, which helped me understand the situation.”

When I spoke kindly with the mindset of giving an extra piece of bread to someone I disliked, Teaerik avoided my gaze with an uncomfortable expression.

“…These days, everyone seems to be into anonymity…”

“What are you muttering about?”

When I asked because I couldn’t hear his mumbling, Teaerik grunted.

“Never mind. More importantly, Father said he plans to transfer the territorial management rights of Basium and the operating budget to you, so you should know.”

“…What? Transfer what?”

“The right to manage this land where your mansion is as its lord, and the money needed for its operation.”

Do you think I asked because I don’t know what the words mean?

‘I’m happy living as a wealthy unemployed person like this!’

Shocked by this thunderbolt of a work assignment, I anxiously asked Teaerik.

“Why is Fa- Father giving that to me?”

“Unlike when you were in Rainfeld, you’re living well in the south without causing trouble, so it’s like a reward for being good.”

Who gives work as a reward!

It hasn’t even been half a year since I died from overwork as a forced workaholic.

Besides, even though I took on all kinds of tasks regardless of department at my company, I’ve never managed a territory before.

Seeing my burdened expression, Teaerik narrowed his eyes.

“Are you really Callia? The old you would have first asked how much the budget was, regardless of territorial management rights…”

“H-how much is it then?”

When I asked to avoid suspicion from his dubious voice, Teaerik smiled in an extremely annoying way, as if saying, ‘that’s more like it.’

“1.5 billion golden. Three times the usual annual operating budget for Basium.”

“Why three times…? To manage it three times better…?”

If they gave just 500 million, I could follow the previous usage records and do similarly. With such a generous budget, it feels like I need to work harder.

“What’s with that reaction? Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of properly managing the territory? You?”

“Well… not particularly, so don’t expect anything.”

“Fine. Father and Mother don’t have such expectations of you either. Since you probably went broke after donating 30 billion to the Grand Temple recently, consider 1 billion golden as pocket money.”

As Teaerik scolded me, saying the remaining 500 million was for the territory’s people, so I shouldn’t spend it all, I felt strange.

‘I still have well over 15 billion left even after donating 30 billion…’

But since my deal with Richard was confidential, I kept my mouth shut.

“As for territory management… Lord Hasloff, you’ll handle it, I suppose.”

“That’s fine. It’s what I’ve been doing all along anyway.”

Mikhail said calmly.

“From now on, I’ll understand my role as managing the territory as the Young Lady’s assistant rather than the Duke’s.”

Whether the superior changes or not, the fact that he works alone won’t change – that’s the expression on his face. …I feel sorry for him.

“Brother. When will the territorial management rights and budget be transferred?”

“Are you that impatient? It will take about two weeks, so be patient.”

Then I should give Mikhail paid leave during that time.

‘I should add other benefits too.’

To prevent the resignation of my one-of-a-kind butler, I tried hard to recall what was written in posts like ‘TOP 10 Benefits at Major Companies’ from online communities in my previous life.

“Look at her, eyes shining at the thought of spending money. Next time you see our parents, apologize for worrying them.”

“…Huh? What worries?”

Teaerik glared at me as if I were the most unfilial daughter in the world.

“Don’t you remember appearing at the May Festival covered in food after making some public apology, then immediately leaving for the south? And not sending a proper letter to check in with them since?”

Even the letters you did send were only to ask for favors related to your business, Teaerik said, flicking my forehead.

“Ow! Damn it…”

“It’s not the first time you’ve worried them, but you seem to have come to your senses more than before. They said they would wait, so write back.”

With those words, Teaerik handed me a white envelope. The red sealing wax bore the official seal of the Duke of Rabius.

“……”

The envelope I received felt heavy.

“If you understand, I’ll be going now.”

Teaerik glanced at my forehead, roughly tousled my hair, and got up from the sofa.

I quietly gazed at the red hair and green eyes identical to Callia’s colors and her striking features.

“Why are you looking at me so wistfully? Don’t tell me you’re sad that your dear brother is leaving?”

“As if. …Just, when you go back, be good to our parents for me.”

“You really are terminally ill…”

“I’m not. Just go already.”

I pushed Teaerik’s back to send him away.

“I’ll visit again sometime. Stay healthy until then.”

Boarding the ducal carriage in front of the main entrance, Teaerik spoke while looking at me.

Affection for his difficult sister showed in those green eyes, and I couldn’t easily respond, awkwardly waving my hand.

***

“Su-a~ I bought ice cream. I chose your favorite this time, so come out to the living room.”

My mom, who understood and embraced her teenage middle school daughter even when she was prickly and sensitive.

“What? You want to go hiking together on the weekend? Did the sun rise from the west today? No, cancel that! I’m happy! What do you want to eat after we come down, my daughter? Just tell me!”

My dad, who smiled brightly with his whole face at the words I said while showing off. Even after becoming an adult and regretting and missing them for years, I thought I had finally forgotten everything. But even with my face buried in my knees, the images of my parents from my memories were vivid.

“…Why are they coming back to me now…”, I muttered resentfully, curled up in a corner of the study where not a single ray of light entered.

“Our beloved daughter. Thank you for being born as Mom and Dad’s child.”

…Actually, I know the reason.

The Duke and Duchess of Rabius in ‘Callia’s’ memories aren’t much different from my parents.

Of course, their wealth and social status are completely different… but they are the same in that they deeply love their child.

The concern and affection contained in the letter inside the thick, soft white envelope feel heavy.

「To my beloved daughter.」

Just reading the first line made my chest feel tight.

Even though it wasn’t intentional, I keep realizing that I’ve taken the place of their real daughter.

This isn’t a problem that can be solved by bearing it. I know this well too.

“…That’s why it’s harder…”

“What are you doing here?”

The tips of black shoes and suit pants entered my field of vision. But I had already recognized who it was from the cold voice before that.

“Mikhail. Hello?”

When I waved weakly with a feeble smile, his silver-gray eyes crinkled.

Beads of sweat had formed on his white forehead, as if he had been outside.