Lena hurriedly tried to follow Klen as he departed. However, she was immediately stopped by Chelino.

“Father, Mother.”

“Lavian, go up to your room.”

“……Yes.”

The count and his wife didn’t give Lavian time to understand the situation. Since this was a common occurrence, Lavian obediently answered and turned around.

“Do you know what you’ve just ruined?!”

“Why must it be my sister? Wouldn’t it be better if my sister marries into a better family and I marry him?”

“How could you fulfill that man’s purpose when you’re not even a legitimate child?!”

The count roughly released Lena’s arm, which he had been gripping tightly, and ran his hand through his hair that was beginning to turn white.

“That man wants to enter central noble society now. He wants money and honor, everything! You’ve ruined it! Who will pay our debts now?! What about our living expenses?!”

Lavian’s feet stopped abruptly on her way to her room.

Who had thrown the honor and glory created by their ancestors into the mud? Who had ruined this path built with high self-respect and pride rather than money?

It was none other than Count Elder himself who had shattered the Elder family’s brilliant glory.

‘The person who planted that dazzling brilliance in the mud is saying such things.’

For a moment, Lavian couldn’t hide her true feelings and turned toward them, her lips moving.

“Ah……”

But the words that rose to the tip of her tongue ended in a clumsy swallow.

The helplessness she learned over many years easily prevented her from moving forward.

“Where else could we find someone like von Leschel?! With no relatives, where would he spend that vast fortune? Lavian has what he needs. D*mn it!”

“Then you should have forbidden me from attending the dinner in the first place! Why did you let me be seen? Were you giving me a chance too……”

“Shut up! Do you think he doesn’t know about your birth? What chance for someone like you!”

“You used me?!”

“Yes, so your sister would shine more!”

“Father!!”

“How dare you talk back!”

Count Elder raised his hand toward Lena, who was charging at him angrily.

The forcefully descending hand looked quite threatening.

Feeling that something terrible would happen if she continued watching, Lavian instinctively raised her voice.

“I’ll! I’ll go find the baron!”

“What?”

Count Elder looked at Lavian, who was tightly gripping the hem of her dress, with a face that said, ‘What did I just hear?’

Lavian realized what she had just said only when she became aware of her father’s approaching gaze, filled with astonishment. She thought, ‘Oh no!’

She felt like she might hiccup from shock at her own action.

“Sister!”

Lena’s face brightened as she tried to rush toward Lavian. But Count Elder held her by the scruff of her neck and wouldn’t let go.

“Father, let me go.”

“You’ll go?”

Various scenarios tangled in Lavian’s mind.

The words she regretted saying came back to her, along with her awkward promise to Lena. Following that, all her past experiences resurfaced.

‘No matter how I think about it, there’s no other way but to secure him.’

In this unfavorable situation, she didn’t have many options.

After reviewing everything in that fleeting moment, Lavian thought that if she had to marry anyway, she might as well end it with this one.

At this point, Klen seemed like her only savior.

For the first time in her life, Lavian showed her own will in front of her father. It was also the first time she would break a promise made to someone.

“If it was me he wanted in the first place… I’ll go see him.”

“Sister!! You promised!”

“I’m sorry. But you know our family situation. We don’t have many options. We don’t have time either. We can’t all end up on the streets.”

The most important aspect of this marriage was resolving the debt.

Though Lavian was disgusted with her materialistic self, with no other options, she spoke directly.

“Aaaargh!”

Lena stomped her feet, her face crumpling as if she might cry. But since she wasn’t ignorant of the family situation, she didn’t push any further.

“Thanks to Lena’s meddling, he must firmly believe we were trying to deceive him. It’s already ruined.”

“Baron von Leschel wants to advance into the capital society, right? He’ll need someone to cover his background. I’m quite a suitable candidate, so perhaps he’s still interested.”

Having almost no history of looking her father in the eye and expressing her opinion, Lavian found this situation frightening. She even doubted whether she was speaking properly.

However, recalling her debate classes from the academy, she skillfully hid her trembling insides and expressed her opinion.

“Tsk. Looks like we’ll have to concede.”

Fortunately, Lavian’s words had an effect on the count.

But even in such a moment, Chelino didn’t want to lose out, so he weighed the gains and losses. He released Lena and clenched his fist, trembling with anger.

“If he officially enters the marriage market, many will seek to form connections with him. And as a businessman, he won’t delay his plans either.”

Lavian gained more confidence and faced her father with a clearer voice and pronunciation.

“D*mn it! I was going to get a higher price! If you’re going, hurry up.”

Count Elder ordered harshly while running his hand through his hair.

While gaining confidence in her choice today, Lavian’s head grew cold at her father’s heartless remarks.

For the count, the existence of a daughter rather than a son had always been this way, but hearing it directly felt different. Though she should have been accustomed to it by now and shouldn’t be hurt, she still felt cold and aching.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll sell myself quickly to get you a good price.’

Lavian thoroughly killed herself inside as she made her decision.

For someone used to killing herself to avoid abandonment, this resolve wasn’t particularly difficult.

Anyway, this was the first choice ever made by someone who had lived according to predetermined paths, someone who had never made her own decisions.

So she wanted to do it properly and correctly.

Lavian firmly closed her lips, repeating her firm resolve.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

In the swaying carriage, Lavian pondered her late grandfather’s teachings. To recall these words clearly, she had to dig through her diary from when she was just 9 years old.

She ruminated once more on those words, now his last will.

“No matter how much you must bow and enter, be humble but never appear servile. The moment you become servile, the other party will become arrogant.”

‘Be humble but not servile.’

“That doesn’t mean you should be rude. But be dignified. You are sufficiently excellent as yourself. Your value is remarkable. Believe in yourself, Lavian. You are this family’s only legitimate daughter and my precious granddaughter. Don’t forget that.”

‘Don’t be rude. But be dignified. I am the Elder family’s only legitimate daughter. I am Grandfather’s granddaughter.’

She continuously repeated her grandfather’s words that floated up in her mind.

She mentally rehearsed the expressions and voice tones she had practiced countless times before coming to meet him today. Yet her legs hidden under her dress kept trembling.

Striving not to reveal her trembling, Lavian repeatedly checked her reflection in the window to ensure her face didn’t look strange or intimidated.

“Let’s get out.”

The sound of hooves stopped, and the carriage door opened.

Lavian calmly organized her thoughts and stepped out of the carriage with elegant poise. Though still trembling, she thoroughly pretended to be her usual self and looked at the scene before her.

In the large merchant’s yard, porters were busy coming and going, but one man stood out.

It was Baron von Leschel.

Under the brilliantly shining sun, he radiated like the sun god himself.

“How rude to invite a guest and then be so inconsiderate!”

Melang raised her voice sharply.

However, her voice was immediately drowned out by the vigorous shouts of the working men.

Lavian carefully observed him as he rolled up his sleeves and moved large loads among the numerous men. Each time his tense arm muscles flexed, Lavian felt her throat go dry for no reason.

“Miss.”

“He seems busy, so let’s not disturb him and go directly.”

“But!”

Ignoring the fussy Melang, Lavian took the first step forward.

With her taking the lead, Melang and the guard had no choice but to follow.

For their duty, they couldn’t be separated from Lavian even for a moment.

“Baron von Leschel.”

“Who… Ah. I forgot. Amelia!”

Lavian blocked Klen’s path as he was going to move more loads.

Though Klen knew she would come around this time, he pretended to have forgotten and called for Amelia.

Amelia, who was checking items while flipping through documents not far away, approached, displaying acting skills no less impressive than Klen’s.

“Yes! What do you need… Oh my, it’s already this time. I apologize, Lady Lavian.”

“It’s fine. I’ve heard and understand that you’re busy moving to the capital.”

Though Lavian felt a dryness in her mouth at their rudeness, she didn’t show it and held her head even higher with pride.

Without taking her eyes off him as he wiped away his sweat, she responded with the distinctive accent of the upper class and waited for guidance without the slightest discomposure.

Amelia led Lavian to the reception room with a businesslike smile.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll have tea brought out.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Lavian nodded calmly and stared straight ahead, straightening her back. Though she heard dissatisfied murmurs from behind, she paid no attention.

Amelia surveyed Lavian and those standing behind her, then bowed her head slightly in courtesy and left.

“Is this acceptable?”

“What’s not acceptable? Should I feel guilt that even that family doesn’t feel?”

“Well……”

“They talk about valuing honor over money but then trade their children. I should just play along with that tune. They’re the ones in a hurry. We have no reason to take a submissive stance. Let her wait.”

Though Klen also needed what they had, Lavian’s side was the urgent one now. There was no reason to be anxious or impatient. If not this family, he could find another.

He was merely maintaining a relaxed attitude like a merchant, trying to gain the upper hand in this transaction. That’s why he even went so far as to personally carry loads that no longer needed to be carried.

“Yes. Ah, shall I serve coffee again this time?”

“……No, make it black tea.”

Klen paused briefly before speaking indifferently and resumed his work.

“I’ll serve black tea…, what?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself when you heard me.”

“I apologize. I’ll have black tea served.”

Klen frowned with displeasure.

At his furrowed brow, Amelia swallowed dryly and quickly had someone bring out black tea.

‘He always told me to serve coffee to the noble folks, but why black tea today?’