It was a moment that made her realize again how difficult it was for a young lady who hadn’t even entered the academy to receive an invitation to the Imperial Palace in her own name. 

 Then, Duke Posilia, who returned to her side with sparkling eyes, asked her. 

 “May I ask why the Imperial Palace invited you?” 

 At the Duke’s question, she nodded. 

 “I can speak the ancient demon race language.” 

 She wasn’t sure how many times the banquet hall had cycled between silence and buzzing because of her statements.

People who heard her words stared at her blankly for a while, then one by one began to laugh. 

 “Haha, it seems the young lady wanted to brag about visiting the Imperial Palace.”

“That happens sometimes at that age.”

“For a young lady who hasn’t even entered the academy to claim she can speak the ancient demon race language, isn’t that too absurd?” 

 At this completely predictable reaction, she just stood quietly looking at Father.

Then Father nodded toward the nobles who were looking at her with triumphant expressions. 

 People’s expressions changed to shock once again. 

 Goodness, thinking about it, today must be the day she received the most attention in both her previous and current lives, just like brother Rubert.

Brother Bershua couldn’t even be seen anymore, probably stuck in some corner somewhere. 

 Duke Posilia scribbled something on the paper and pen we had used earlier to write the formula and held it out to her.

It was written in the ancient demon race language. 

 She took the note and read the Duke’s sentences fluently without hesitation.

After reading it aloud and interpreting its meaning, people now seemed to look at her with expressions close to shock. 

 And behind her, Father was still watching the scene with a triumphant expression. 

 Seeing an expression 180 degrees different from when he had scolded her for ruining Leila’s adoption celebration party when she hurt her leg, she could only turn her gaze elsewhere, unable to say anything. 

 “The Masipacius bloodline has always been known for intelligence.”

“That’s right, Bershua is getting good grades at the academy, and Rembro always ranks at the top too.”

“But being able to use the ancient demon race language without even entering the academy is on a completely different level.”

“I heard the Marchioness was extremely intelligent, it seems Miss Rowenloa inherited her blood directly.” 

 Finally, the atmosphere in the banquet hall began to completely revolve around her.

People began talking about how she was the future of the Masipacius marquis family and how fierce the competition for the next Marquis would be. 

 Though the talk about her and brother Rubert ended as discussion turned to business matters which were the main purpose of this gathering, she was definitely the protagonist of this party.

So she was able to return to the Masipacius mansion with a very satisfied expression. 

 ***

 After the party, Father and her other brothers generally didn’t bother her.

Though brother Bershua always made a very displeased expression whenever he encountered her.

Though Leila occasionally spoke to her, no one criticized her even when she didn’t bother responding to her. 

 Thus, her plan ended somewhat successfully.

Even if the people of the family disliked her, she had made it so they couldn’t touch her. 

 Ah, but there was one person whose attitude toward her completely changed after the party.

Brother Rubert.

Even when talking with Leila, if he saw her, he would wave at her with an extremely welcoming expression. 

 Though she actually avoided him because she wasn’t used to receiving attention from him, she eventually became accustomed enough to his constant greetings that she could smile and return them.

Though she wasn’t sure what caused his change of heart, recently brother Rubert paid as much attention to her as Leila did. 

 Though he couldn’t openly speak to her due to being conscious of the other brothers’ reactions, whenever she was alone he would always approach to greet her and tell her about things that happened that day and gossip he had heard. 

 …Unexpectedly, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. 

 Thus, she was able to spend very peaceful days for about 2 weeks after the party ended.

Though there were occasional unpleasant events where she had to eat meals with Father, her brothers, and Leila, besides that there weren’t many people who bothered her. 

 Due to the incident where she had unintentionally protected Mollin before, the number of servants who ignored her in the marquis residence had noticeably decreased as well. 

 While she was very satisfyingly continuing her somewhat peaceful days, another event that seemed likely to break her peace occurred.

Father called her to his study. 

 Father calling her to his study could mean two things.

Either she had done something wrong by Father’s standards, or Father had something he wanted to personally ask of her. 

 And this time, for better or worse, it was the latter. 

 “There’s something I need to discuss with the Imperial Palace regarding a new business venture we’re starting, and I thought it would be good if you came along when we visit.” 

 The new business that the Masipacius family was starting at this time.

It was the project to develop unused land in the Gellions Empire into dams.

The plan was to create new economic opportunities by developing the surrounding land along with the dams to create living environments for people. Though Father became foolish only regarding Leila, his business acumen was excellent so this venture would be highly successful. 

 And several years later, when a terrible drought would hit the Gellions Empire, the Masipacius family would establish good relations with the Imperial Palace as the Empire began borrowing water from the dams. 

 However, Imperial Palace permission was needed to purchase land of that size in the Gellions Empire.

Someone of Father’s status would probably need to present the business plan directly to the Emperor and receive land purchase permit documents.

The reason he wanted to bring her along was probably because he thought having her, who had received an invitation from the Crown Prince, would help create a somewhat more positive image. 

 It was a business that would succeed greatly even without her, so there was no harm in getting involved. 

 And, who knows.

A small problem would arise later in the negotiations with the Imperial Palace, and if she suggested the solution, something might come her way. 

 She nodded toward Father.

Father’s expression relaxed considerably.

No matter how successful a noble was, standing before the Emperor would always be nerve-wracking. 

 “Ah, but next week there’s the party I was invited to by Duchess Posilia.”

“I know. The Imperial Palace visit will likely be after that so don’t worry about it.” 

 With that, Father immediately buried his head back in the pile of documents.

The mountain of papers seemed to show just how busy Father was. 

 Just as she was about to leave since she had no other business, a knock was heard from outside the door. 

 “Miss Leila has arrived.” 

 Hearing those words, Father lifted his head with a bright expression and walked out from behind the pile of documents to open the study door himself. 

 “Dad!” 

 As soon as the study door opened, Leila with a bright smile threw herself into Father’s arms.

Father looked at Leila with loving eyes as he carefully stroked her head. 

 Having seen something she shouldn’t have, she felt sick and gave Father a quick nod before leaving the study. 

 “Why was sister Rowenloa in the study?”

“Ah, I called Rowenloa because I thought she could help with the business I’m currently planning.”

“Dad, I want to be helpful to you too!” 

 The sound of the happy father and daughter’s chatter carried far down the corridor. 

 ***

 “Miss, I heard the Marquis called Miss Rowenloa to his study!” 

 Mollin urgently delivered the news she had heard from passing maids to Leila.

Hearing those words, Leila’s expression quickly hardened. 

 “Father…… called sister separately?” 

 Leila began to feel anxious.

Unlike when she first entered the marquis residence, it seemed the people of the residence were one by one showing goodwill toward Rowenloa. 

 ‘Brother Rubert also seemed to want to get along well with sister…… Young Duke Posilia also only liked sister…… And now even Father called her separately? He usually didn’t call sister separately unless there was an issue between me and sister….’ 

 Anxiously, she gritted her teeth, then changed clothes and left her room.

Then she hurriedly made her way to Marquis Masipacius’s study. 

 Though she put her ear to the study door, she couldn’t hear anything which made her even more anxious.

When she gave Mollin a signal, Mollin knocked on the study door to announce Leila’s arrival. 

 The scene revealed when the study door opened was completely different from what Leila had imagined. 

 Father looking at her with loving eyes and Rowenloa behind him looking at her and Father with an unreadable gaze.

Leila let out a short sigh of relief and called “Dad!” in an adorable voice as she threw herself into the Marquis’s arms. 

 Only after Rowenloa left the study could Leila erase her anxiety. 

 “Dad, please call me anytime if you ever need my help, okay?”

“Haha, but I want to raise you as an innocent tomboy who knows nothing.” 

 The happy father and daughter’s laughter filled the study and nearby corridor.