For a moment, silence fell over the conference room. The vassals began to exchange glances among themselves.

Elodie was still smiling leisurely, observing the serious atmosphere.

Soon, as if they had finished coordinating their opinions, one of the vassals cleared his throat and spoke as if making a threat.

“Ahem, if it belongs to the Perdia family, we’re not interested.”

“That’s right! We have no intention of begging from the cunning Perdia.”

Another person stepped forward to chime in.

Elodie glanced sideways at Richard and made direct eye contact with her dad.

He was looking at her as if she were a child left by the waterside, seemingly worried about something.

‘Don’t worry!’

Elodie clenched her fist under the table, showing her determination.

Seeing the tightly clenched fist, Richard couldn’t help but feel tense.

‘…Does she mean to fight?’

Richard hid his troubled feelings and looked warmly at his daughter.

He didn’t like violence, but if it was something Elodie was doing, he could gladly support it.

He felt mixed emotions, bitter yet proud, wondering how she had grown up to be so mature and brave.

‘I suppose she had no choice but to grow up so tough, having no one to rely on…’

Unaware that Richard was making such a misunderstanding, Elodie looked around at the vassals who were wearing stubborn expressions.

“I never said that the mana stone mine I own belongs to the Perdia family, did I?”

At this, one of the vassals snorted.

“Even if it’s not family property, it must have been bought by Duke Perdia.”

“You seem to be ignorant of the ways of the world due to your youth. Just because it’s in Lady Perdia’s name doesn’t mean it’s entirely your own property.”

They spoke as if lecturing a child who knew nothing about the world.

But Elodie didn’t care at all whether they disrespected her or not.

“It’s a mine that has nothing to do with Duke Perdia, it’s entirely my own property. If you don’t believe me, would you like to check the documents?”

Elodie took out the mine-related documents she had requested and received before Raeyan left. The family servant distributed copies of the documents to the vassals.

“How could a mere duke’s daughter create personal assets?”

“In the end, that too is Perdia’s property.”

Tsk tsk. The vassals clicked their tongues and reluctantly opened the documents.

But the name of the mine owner in the documents was beyond imagination.

It wasn’t Elodie’s name that was written there.

“…Lili Arcel?”

A familiar name was written in the owner’s section of the mine.

Lili Arcel. Lili Arcel…

As some vassals were quietly muttering the familiar name under their breath, it was then.

“Lili Arcel!”

A relatively young vassal exclaimed with wide eyes. Unable to hide his excitement at the attention focused on him, he added an explanation.

“That, that’s the mysterious investor! The ‘Divine Investor’ who is said to be the sole investor in the hit magical tools recently released by the Western Magic Tower!”

“The Divine Investor?!”

The Divine Investor, Lili Arcel.

It was a name that every noble residing in Somnia had heard of.

Gender and age unknown.

Many had tried to find out the identity of Lili Arcel, the big hand with a keen eye for investment, but the information that could be obtained was extremely limited as the Western Magic Tower strictly maintained confidentiality.

The identity of Lili Arcel, who appeared out of nowhere and amassed a fortune as the sole investor in hit magical tools… was Elodie Perdia right in front of them?

“Actually, that’s me.”

Elodie said such an incredible fact in a light tone as if asking about someone’s meal.

Murmur, murmur.

This time, it wasn’t a matter that could be dealt with just by exchanging glances.

Realizing that the situation was taking a strange turn, the vassals huddled together and urgently entered into a conference.

The document was indeed the ownership document for the mana stone mine. Moreover, it was a mine in the Bruman area known for extracting high-quality mana stones.

Most had fallen into Perdia’s hands, but a fairly large mine was owned by Lili Arcel.

Since she had brought the documents, this couldn’t be a lie. Elodie wouldn’t be foolish enough to impersonate someone.

They had thought she was just an ignorant duke’s daughter raised in Perdia, but she was no ordinary person.

They had underestimated her, but she was not to be taken lightly.

The vassals admitted that they had misjudged her.

“Even so, receiving help from Lady Perdia…”

“Hasn’t she been raised as a Perdia after all?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to request a deal with the Western Magic Tower instead?”

Although the vassals were whispering in low voices, everything was audible. Elodie crushed their plans in one breath.

“Ah! By the way, I’m very close with the head of the Western Magic Tower.”

Just like that.

Every time she opened her mouth, she made a bombshell declaration, leaving the vassals utterly unable to gather their wits.

“Ugh, my head…”

“You need to pull yourself together, Baron Hildeo…!”

One of the older vassals even complained of a headache and dizziness.

Elodie’s inner state was cool and collected, contrary to her outwardly relaxed smiling appearance.

‘I’ve laid all my cards on the table for now.’

She had emphasized that she could solve the biggest problem facing the Severes family, which was the supply of mana stones.

Moreover, she had made them recognize her existence not just as Perdia’s daughter, but as Lili Arcel.

Elodie kindly asked the vassals.

“From what I’ve heard, it seems the Severes family needs mana stones. Well, shall I help you?”

The vassals openly twisted their faces as if their pride was hurt.

“Are you saying you’ll just hand over the mana stone mine?”

“Well, I can’t just give it away for free.”

Of course not.

Is she finally showing her true colors?

“What is it that you want?”

“First, I intend to transfer the mana stone mine to the Severes family.”

“Are you saying you’ll transfer it for free?”

To think she would give it away for free. What on earth could she be demanding?

But Elodie’s next words were unexpected.

“Yes. But I will go through the transfer process under the name of ‘Elodie Severes’, not ‘Lili Arcel’.”

“…!”

Looking at the shocked vassals, Elodie continued gently.

“However, if even one person opposes, this deal will be off.”

If you want to solve the mana stone supply problem, recognize me as ‘Elodie Severes’.

It sounded like a threat, but it was a condition that would bring enormous benefits to Severes. The value of the mana stone mine far exceeded the cost of the vassals’ recognition.

But Elodie readily offered the mine without hesitation or calculation.

“I believe trust is the most important thing in any transaction. So, I would like you to trust me.”

Making eye contact with each of the vassals, Elodie added one more thing.

“I will also trust the vassals of Severes.”

Unbelievably, everyone present was overwhelmed.

By Elodie’s momentum.

Elodie’s appearance as she declared with a face devoid of the smile she had worn earlier resembled Richard Severes from some time ago.

At that moment, someone imagined.

The figure of a young family head who would one day lead Severes.

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There were still those who couldn’t accept her as a member of Severes, but they weren’t foolish enough to reveal their true feelings.

Soon, the result of the final agenda was announced.

[-We acknowledge Elodie Severes as the heir of Severes.]

It was unanimous.

***

Richard quietly observed his daughter during the meal. Elodie was cutting into her salmon steak with a happy face.

The moment Elodie had gained the vassals’ recognition a few hours ago still lingered in his mind like an afterimage.

In truth, Richard felt ashamed of himself.

He had boasted to Elodie that there was nothing to worry about and that he would gain their recognition, but in reality, Elodie had drawn out the vassals’ acknowledgment on her own.

Unlike him who had failed, Elodie had concluded everything in just one meeting.

“Dad. Aren’t you eating?”

“I am.”

“It doesn’t seem to have decreased at all. The physician said you should eat a balanced diet, remember? Please eat.”

Richard nodded with a smile. Elodie’s nagging was simply sweet to him.

Richard asked Elodie something he had been curious about.

“The surname Arcel… did you take it from Arcelia?”

It wasn’t easy to speak, his throat tightening just from uttering the name.

“Yes. I took it from Mom’s name.”

“…I see.”

As Richard wore a heavy expression, Elodie gently put down her cutlery.

“I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”

“No, Elodie. If you remember her like that, Arcelia would be happy. Certainly.”

The Arcelia he knew would be like that. After all, she was someone who loved her unborn child more than anyone else.

Richard averted his gaze to hide his reddening eyes and changed the subject.

“I didn’t expect you to gain the vassals’ recognition like that.”

“Did I do well?”

“Yes. You did very well.”

He was proud and impressed with Elodie.

Almost to the point where it felt excessive to call her his daughter.

‘Arcel. You would surely think the same as me.’

He deeply regretted the 20 years he had lost, unable to witness the growth of such a lovable daughter.

***

It was Saturday morning.

I had to rub my sleepy eyes and wake up to the Severes butler’s visit, interrupting my deep sleep.

The butler informed me with a somewhat flustered face.

“Young lady. There’s a Perdia carriage in front of the mansion. They say they’ve come to pick you up, but…”

“What? Already?!”

I checked the time in shock.

5 AM. It was naturally a time when one should be sleeping.

Sending a carriage at such an hour that some might still call dawn?

Since we couldn’t keep the carriage waiting, I had to hurriedly prepare to go out, having barely woken up. Of course, there was no time to enjoy the Severes mansion chef’s wonderful breakfast.

“Sob, my meal…”

As I lamented, the sins in the sealing stone chimed in one by one.

[Sob sob, my meal is gone too…]

[Sleepy, sleepy… Let’s overturn the carriage…]

The sins seemed to be in a bad mood from having their early morning deep sleep disturbed.

But I couldn’t ignore Perdia’s kindness in sending a carriage first, so I hurriedly boarded it.

Since the nobles’ residential areas were all in the same vicinity, it didn’t take long to reach Perdia.

As soon as I got off the carriage upon the coachman’s announcement of our arrival, someone rushed towards me.

“Young ladyyyyy…!”

The person who ran and hugged me was Martha. Unlike me, who was glad to see her after a long time, Martha poured out her resentment towards me.

“Young lady, isn’t this too much? How could you leave me behind and go! You should have taken me with you!”

“Martha, you have your own life, I couldn’t just ask you to come along without warning. You must have friends at the Perdia mansion too…”

“You once told me I was family. No matter what, family comes before friends!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

There was nothing wrong with Martha’s words. Martha and her mother, my nanny, were servants of Perdia, but they treated me like their own daughter and sister.

The reason I could endure at Perdia was because of their care.

In my way, I had decided to consider Martha, but I ended up making her feel left out.

Martha pouted and urged me.

“Then you’re taking me to Severes, right?”

“Perdia and Severes have completely different atmospheres, will you be okay?”

“Of course. You know how great my people skills are!”

“Hmm, I’ll think about it.”

Just as I was about to postpone the decision, thinking it wasn’t something to decide right away.

“If she insists that much, take her with you.”

I turned my head at the familiar voice to see the ever-alluring Duchess.

As soon as I greeted the Duchess, Carlot ran over and clung to me like glue.

“Sister! I’ve been waiting!”

I could also see Jansi standing behind the Duchess with a faint smile.

“Welcome back, Lili.”

It was hard to express in words how it felt to return to Perdia after being acknowledged by Severes.

But I decided not to think too deeply about it.

I don’t care if I’m pointed at as being greedy.

After all, both Severes and Perdia are my home.

I greeted them brightly.

“I’m back!”