“Some people have been busy since dawn and haven’t even had time to sleep, but here you are, sleeping in. If you’re a noble, you should wake up early and present yourself properly. What’s with that appearance?”
When I woke up in the morning and headed to the dining room for breakfast, I found two unfamiliar women already seated there. The younger woman began scanning me up and down with a disapproving look, while the older woman quietly sipped her tea.
‘Who are they?’
Judging by their comfortable demeanor and the fact that they were wearing extravagant dresses so early in the morning, they didn’t seem to be outsiders.
‘Then they must be Espin’s new stepmother and stepsister.’
From what Flaria had said yesterday at the temple—complaining endlessly about how Espin’s stepsister kept coming to see Haren—it was clear that these two had been tormenting Espin for a long time.
I thought they had gone to the Count’s estate with him, but seeing them here now, it seemed they had returned to the capital with Father.

“I heard you fired all the servants in this house?”
The stepmother, who had been seated, turned her gaze toward me. Her sharp eyes made it evident that she didn’t like me at all.
“Yes.”
“Espin, I’ve always told you this: if you act so selfishly, no one will like you. Punishing the servants out of anger—how could any maid ever like you in the future?”

The Countess raised her voice, clearly intending for the maids standing near the dining room to overhear her. As she intended, the maids’ eyes wavered at the story of me supposedly firing the servants out of anger.

The Countess, noticing the maids’ reaction, stood up and approached me. She adjusted the shoulder of my indoor clothes and shook her head disapprovingly.
“The Leon family has a reputation to uphold. No matter how casual it is indoors, don’t you think those clothes are a bit much? Go change into something else. That’s the only way people will see you as the daughter of the Count’s family. Right now, you’re no different from a commoner.”
At her words, I glanced down at my outfit. It was just ordinary indoor wear.
If anything, the person dressed inappropriately was the Countess. Wearing a dress adorned with jewels to a family breakfast was far more peculiar.
When I raised my head at the absurdity of the situation, the Countess frowned.
“And that vulgar pink hair. I’ve told you so many times to change your hair color. Espin, I’m always worried. I’m constantly concerned that you’ll embarrass the Leon family with that vulgar pink hair. So today, make sure to change it. Butler, prepare the dye.”
“Madam, hair dye is not good for the skin. Many people who’ve used it have experienced not only changes to their hair color but also to their skin tone. That dye is…”
“How dare you talk back to me, Butler? If I say to do it, then do it. Are you looking down on me just because you’ve worked for this family for a long time?”
“No, that’s not it. I was merely concerned for the young lady’s well-being…”
“Your concern is of no help to Espin, so just prepare the dye.”
The Countess snapped irritably and turned away.
‘So… she’s using her supposed concern for Espin as an excuse to control her?’
I had wondered why Espin had grown up with such a lack of affection despite being in such a comfortable environment, and it seemed this woman had played a significant role.
She claimed to be worried about Espin, but her words were laced with disdain. And her constant remarks about how others wouldn’t like Espin—that was clearly gaslighting.
“What are you doing? Hurry up.”
Ignoring the Countess, who was raising her voice irritably, I sat down at the table. She looked at me in shock, clearly unprepared for my defiance.

“What do you think you’re doing? Didn’t you hear me?”
“I heard you.”
“Then why are you sitting down? I told you to go and change your clothes. And your hair color, too. Do it now.”
“Didn’t you hear Mother? What are you doing right now?”
My stepsister, Rose, rolled up her sleeves and chimed in to support her mother’s words.
Watching the two of them glare at me as if they wanted to kill me, I couldn’t help but feel amused.
What was this? A Cinderella story?
As I observed their childish behavior, the dining room door suddenly burst open, and my father entered.
“Count, you’re here?”
At the Count’s arrival, the Countess and Rose immediately changed their expressions, dropping the accusatory looks they had been directing at me.
“What’s going on here?”
“Oh, it’s nothing… I was just checking in on Espin since it’s been a while. I was asking how she’s been and expressing some concerns as a mother.”
‘Oh, so she pretends to be a kind mother in front of the Count.’
This really was no different from Cinderella.
“Let’s eat. By the way, I heard Espin went to the temple yesterday on behalf of the family. Well done.”
The Countess quickly changed the subject. Father glanced at my face, but seeing no change in my expression, he took his seat.
“The social season is starting soon. I’m looking forward to seeing how Espin and Rose will shine during the season.”
The Countess smiled insincerely, attempting to lighten the mood.
‘So this is how she’s been deceiving the Count.’
It seemed she had been pretending to care for Espin more than Rose in front of him, acting as though she cherished her like a real daughter.
The Count, who hadn’t shown much interest in Espin, likely hadn’t noticed the truth. Or perhaps he did know but simply didn’t care.
He wouldn’t have paid attention to how Espin was treated. That’s why he wouldn’t have realized when she was conned by people pretending to approach her with good intentions, squandering her wealth. And for that reason, he had cast her out of the family, sending her to a prayer house that was no better than a prison.
‘I should cut ties with this family.’
There was no reason to maintain a relationship with people who lacked any familial affection. It would be better for my mental health to separate from them at the right time.

“By the way, Count, I think it’s time to start looking for a marriage partner for Rose…”
The Countess carefully observed the Count’s expression.
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
“Handle it as you see fit.”
“Really? Then I’ll take care of finding partners for both Rose and Espin…”
“Let’s wait a little longer for Espin.”
“Then I’ll focus on finding a match for Rose. I already have someone in mind.”
“Do as you wish.”
“Could you perhaps speak to the Ameron Ducal Family about a marriage proposal?”
“……”
Father didn’t respond and simply continued cutting his food. It was clear he had no intention of arranging a marriage between the Ameron Ducal Family and Rose.
The Countess, understanding his unspoken refusal, bit her lip and glared at him before shifting her gaze to me. She seemed to think the reason Father wasn’t arranging the marriage was because of me.
‘Well, Haren is too good for Rose anyway.’
Despite her flashy, peacock-like attire, Rose wasn’t particularly beautiful. She had put in a lot of effort, but her appearance wasn’t very appealing, and the overpowering scent of her perfume was more off-putting than attractive.
Moreover, Rose wasn’t even the Count’s daughter. She was the Countess’s daughter from her previous marriage, making her a commoner by blood. This was why many nobles looked down on her.
That explains the Countess’s obsession with Rose’s marriage prospects.

“Hahaha. I suppose it’s hard to bring up such matters with close acquaintances. I’ll handle it myself. Girls, why don’t we go dress shopping today? The social season is just around the corner, so we should prepare in advance.”
Despite her cheerful tone, the Countess’s eyes were still glaring at me.