Looking at Marit who kept examining the bankbook with a bright smile made her feel good.

“Ah, and since I manifested my magic attribute, my budget will increase from next month! How much was it again, 300,000 lutz per month?”

“Gasp, s-such a large amount of money is coming in?”

“Yes! Now we’re rich!”

“Then it’s enough to cover living expenses with plenty left over. We should open an account in your name and save money there.”

“Ah, that’s for later. More importantly, I want to raise the salaries of hardworking Marit and Yuphi.”

“My young lady, you’ve thought of such things? But I’m fine.”

“Why? Marit should quickly save money and become rich too!”

Marit picked up Liria, who was looking up at her with a clear smile and felt her heart thrumming.

With reddened eyes, she hugged Liria even tighter to her chest.

“I was already rich, young lady. Because I get to see and hear our Liria’s cute voice and face every day. Ah, I should bring the new catalog I’ve been eyeing!”

She dashed off somewhere and returned with a fashion catalog.

“…Alright, Marit should stop wearing the same clothes every day and get some pretty ones too. Don’t just buy things for me…”

As expected.

It was a high-end clothing store’s children’s brand catalog.

“Young lady, young lady. Isn’t this pink cherry pattern dress so cute? Let’s go buy it right away!”

“No! The price isn’t cute at all.”

Glancing at it, she saw it was expensive enough to exceed Marit’s monthly salary.

“But we have plenty of budget now, young lady.”

By the way, there was one thing she had forgotten.

“Ah, right. Marit, I’ve officially passed now, haven’t I? I want to see Father. Take me to his sick room.”

Liria quickly slung her white bear bag over her shoulder and stood in front of the mirror.

“Alright. But there’s a smell coming from the bag, young lady?”

Marit slightly wrinkled her nose and looked at the bag suspiciously.

“Huh?”

“It’s kind of musky, like something that hasn’t been washed for a month?”

Ah, she knew what it was.

Ferrets had scent glands that gave off a distinctive smell. Right now, Kiki was sleeping like a dead mouse inside Liria’s bag.

The little creature slept more than 10 hours a day.

“Ah, that. I put beef jerky in my bag yesterday!”

Liria tried to make an excuse, but Marit took the entire bag off her.

“Huh?”

“Then I’ll tell Yuphi to wash it thoroughly, young lady.”

“Ah, nooo!”

Liria jumped up and stretched her short arms toward the bag.

Then Marit admonished her in a strict tone.

“Liria isn’t a child who throws tantrums, right?”

“Yes. Oh well, never mind. Listen… I have a confession to make. There’s something in the bag.”

“In the bag, are you talking about the ferret doll you mentioned before…?”

Marit reached her hand into the bag and immediately screamed at the soft sensation.

Kyaaaak.

***

There was a small commotion due to Kiki being disturbed from his nap and Marit being startled by the unexpected wild animal.

But everything was resolved.

She thought Marit would oppose keeping Kiki…

“No one plays with Liria at the main castle. Kiki is my only friend…”

Was it because she pretended to be pitiful?

Fortunately, Marit gave permission without much protest, just a bit of surprise.

Thanks to that, Liria, holding Yuphi’s hand, was able to go out with Kiki.

In exchange, she promised to bathe him once a week and always use a leash when going out together.

Since she hadn’t commissioned one yet, she put him in a basket.

“Young lady, we’ve already arrived.”

The path to Father’s sick room was closer than when she was in the east wing.

“That was really quick. I’ll go up quickly to see Father and come back.”

“Alright, young lady. I’ll chat with the gardener for a while. I’ll come to the sick room later to escort you, so take your time.”

“Okay. See you later.”

Waving her hand to Yuphi as he walked away, Liria was about to enter the building when someone approached her.

“…!”

The child approaching with her head held high and proud was none other than Clara.

“Liria? What are you doing here?”

“Hmm? Hello, sister. Can’t you tell? I came to visit my daddy. What about you?”

“I’m here on Father’s errand.”

She had heard that Osdel had been staying in the imperial capital for months, away from the main castle, to proceed with business.

‘Has he already returned? That would be troublesome…’

Osdel is the most dangerous character in the story.

He was cunning and intelligent, willing to use anything for power. Currently, as the eldest son of Roberg, he held the most power and followers among the three siblings.

Even before the original story begins, he might be preparing to kidnap Adrian.

Above all, since he might be plotting something to make the family his own, if he returns, Liria might not be able to sleep soundly.

Her mouth went dry with tension.

Nevertheless, Liria asked Clara casually.

“An errand?”

“It’s really annoying. Do I have to run errands to visit your father too?”

“What do you mean?”

“Eimi, give that to her quickly.”

“Yes, Lady Clara.”

What Clara delivered through her maid Eimi was a forearm-length box.

“What is this?”

“How would I know? He said it’s a gift wishing for your father’s recovery! I’ll be going now… Ah, no, wait a moment!”

Clara, who was turning to leave, looked at Liria with narrowed eyes.

“You, what did you do?”

Liria tilted her head as if asking what she meant.

“What?”

Then Clara stomped her foot in frustration.

“How, how could someone like you manifest a metal attribute?!”

It seemed Clara had already heard the news.

“….”

“Yes. Do you think you’re something special because you’ve been assigned your own palace? Don’t make me laugh. It must have been Grandfather’s whim. I heard there were similar cases in the past.”

Clara’s face was full of inferiority.

“What kind of cases?”

“There was an heir from a branch family who manifested a rare attribute. That child also received an independent palace at first, but it was canceled after two months. In the end, they couldn’t prove their ability!”

The reason Clara was telling this story was obvious.

She wanted Liria to be scared after hearing this.

But Liria responded in a relaxed tone without any trace of anxiety.

“Two months means Grandfather was generous. But why does that matter?”

“W-what? Don’t you feel any sense of crisis?”

“Well, I believe in myself more than anyone. Thanks for worrying about me, Sister Clara.”

When Liria smiled brightly, Clara frowned, unable to maintain her composure.

“Hmph, let’s see how long you can keep up that pretense. Liria.”

After spitting out those harsh words, Clara glared at Liria.

Just then, there was a rustling sound from Liria’s quiet basket.

It seemed Kiki had woken up because of the noise. Liria, with her ears perked up, had a good idea.

“A mouse! I think there’s a mouse!”

“W-w-what? A mouse?”

At Liria’s cry, Clara’s face showed disgust as she wrapped her arms around herself.

“Yes. What should we do?”

“I don’t know, get out of my way!”

Clara quickly disappeared with her maid.

Yes, go away quickly.

Smiling slyly, Liria opened the basket and checked on Kiki, whose eyes were drowsy.

He was yawning widely and stretching.

By the way, what did Osdel give to Father?

Looking at the item Clara had asked her to deliver, Liria thought.

‘This feels suspicious somehow.’