Chapter 3

“Mom, I want to go to the banquet too.”

“That’s not possible.”

Hela’s refusal was uncalled for.

I thought she’d in fact like the idea.

I was in need of new dresses and jewelry in order to attend the banquet.

I could undoubtedly wear one of my old dresses. However, most noble women would make changes to their outfits, such as the style of their ribbons. The only exception to this were the poor households.

That’s why, when large banquets were being held, visiting dress boutiques and jewelry shops were a part of the aristocratic customs for banquet preparation. Popular areas had nobles wait in order to enter.

In other words, since Estiya would attend a banquet, Hela would go ‘shopping with her daughter’ and at the same time ‘slay people with her wealth.’

Yet, why don’t you like the idea?

“Why, Mom?”

I asked for reasoning, unlike my usual self.

In the Cartina lineage, asking ‘why’ to someone holding a higher position than them was prohibited.

Asking why was none other than a metaphor for, ‘Let’s fight.’

“I’m afraid others will fall for you. Mother gets annoyed just imagining tadpole-looking men flirting with you.”

Eh? Does that mean I’m to be stuck at home?

Hela continued.

“Especially banquets. Do you realize the occasion of the one that will be held? It might seem as having simple conversations; however, all of this is for one purpose only. I have a target I need to seize. That is why, Estiya, you shouldn’t go there. It’ll be a mess, won’t it? People will also gather around you, like how a swarm of bugs would to the summer lanterns. They won’t even recognize their subjects. Estiya, you should just live happily with your dear mother.”

Hela is such an elegant figure.

Only her outer appearance, that is.

I used to feel a subtle joy whenever I heard harsh words dancing out of elegant Hela’s mouth. However, today was not the case.

“Mother is right. I’m not pretty enough to go outside, I need to stay at home, right? My family only loves me because I’m a family member.”

I said so while dejectedly waving my hands.

“Estiya! What are you talking about? You’re the most beautiful woman in the Empire. You’ve been thinking that all this time? This breaks your brother’s heart!”

Kaylan bursted.

Um, oh?

Did I make a mistake?

I learned that humility was a virtue after spending twenty-five years of my life. In Korea.

What I just said was an automatic reflex.

I know I’m pretty.

However, I can’t openly say ‘I’m pretty’ in front of other people just yet.

“Mother, I can’t take this. I don’t think Estiya realizes how beautiful she is. I’ll dig all those eyes who glance at Estiya even once, so please allow her to come with me.”

I was more curious why Kaylan was angry, but the results flowed in a way that wasn’t unpleasant.

“Sigh.”

Hela was mixed in agony.

“Brother, I won’t fall from your side.”

I encouraged Hela’s decision. Hela’s forehead scrunched as I gazed at her with earnest eyes.

After she finally made her decision, the folds on her clear forehead disappeared.

“Alright, go ahead. It is necessary for our Estiya to have an opportunity to recognize herself objectively.”

Hela smiled broadly.

“Alright, how about we go shopping?”

Thud.

I collapsed on my bed as soon as I set foot inside the mansion, belatedly realizing shopping was much more difficult than training.

“My lady, are you drained?”

Jane replied so, realizing everything by a mere glance at the boxes making way into the room.

Jane was my personal maid.

Jane and I were very similar in size, shared the same hair length and color. However, if you observed carefully, I had vivid blonde hair while hers was a brownish blonde.

Jane was but a maid, however, she also acted as my substitute in case of emergency.

“Jane… it’s tough.”

Jane clicked her tongue as I stretched my words and acted like a child.

It was not the common owner-maid relationship.

I always treated Jane like a friend. Jane and I were of the same age and grew up together since we were quite young.

She was the only one whom I could confide my feelings with.

I felt like I was always indebted to Jane, the person who would sacrifice their life any time there was an emergency, so it was hard imagining her as ‘a normal maid.’

“My lady, are you really going to this banquet?”

Jane clicked her tongue once again as she witnessed the boxes piled up on the one wall of the room, which was as big as an ordinary aristocratic mansion.

Jane approached the bed without even thinking of unpacking the packages.

“Why? What, are you afraid I’ll be bothered by the flies?”

“What?”

Jane lifted a corner of her lips and frowned, her expression appeared grotesque.

“Do you think I’m worried about my lady right now?”

“No?”

Jane nodded her head.

“Then, who are you worried about?”

“The flies.”

Jane straightened her finger and drew a circle in the air. As if a fly was there.

“By the time my lady has to get married, there will be at least one fly left. However, Milady will be going to the banquet soon. Whether or not they’ll fall in love with you after this, is questionable. Those men will, however, somehow come in contact with you at least once in their lives. Oh, good Lord. God bless them.”

Jane exaggeratedly placed her hands together, pretended to pray, and continued.

“Will you and the other ladies escape from the flies’ sight that day? Absolutely not.”

Slash, Jane placed her hand against her throat and pretended to slice her neck.

No matter how much a Cartina says she doesn’t care, Jane went too far. We’re going to just kill them if they make eye contact?

I threw a pillow in response to Jane’s silly joke.

Jane dodged the throw as she laughed.

“My lady, it’s sunset.”

Jane pointed out the window. As Jane said, the sun disappeared behind the mountain.

I jumped up.

I forgot, I was too busy speaking.

“Remember to come back early.”

Jane said so as she packed my black clothing and swords hidden inside the closet.

It’s time to go save Young Master Bellot.

It was very easy to get to the Bellot’s. All I had to do was be surrounded by people.

That night, I threw heavy stones and broke all the windows inside the house.

Of course, Bellot’s house was outraged. They thought it was a thief.

Soon after, the capital guards arrived.

I breathed a sigh of relief. With the guards dispatched, no matter how much the Cartina’s take a risk, they wouldn’t be able to finish off Bellot.

It wasn’t worth the risk.

“I’m tired.”

If you’ll give me another chance in life, at least make me a character in a romance novel.

I gritted my teeth and raised my middle finger to God as I headed back home.

A week later, the day of the banquet arrived.

“Beautiful.”

Jane’s compliment was very sincere.

Jane was a good maid who helped me face reality, in case my family’s excessive affection caused me to be blinded.

She was stingy with compliments and wouldn’t utter flattering words.

So, whenever I earned praise from her, I naturally gained confidence.

On top of that, it was clear to see Stefan standing by the door and stealing glance with a tearful handkerchief in his hand.

On top of that, it became all clear to me when I witnessed Stefan standing by the door, stealing glances with a wet handkerchief in hand.

I’m pretty.

I checked my reflection against the mirror. I inherited Hela’s blonde hair. The brilliant blonde, managed by money earned from evil deeds was excessively lustrous.

My clear and transparent face, along with my big, sharp nose and red lips appeared to shine as if pearl powder had been applied on it.

I was a typical beauty.

The killing point was the tiny dot located on the tip of my right eye that folded smoothly when smiling.

Having inherited only quality characteristics from my mother and father, I was much more good looking than my twin sisters, who were known to be quite beautiful.

It was not a princess disease but an objective fact. It was stated like so in the novel.

“Estiya, why don’t you change your mind now? Why don’t we go to a banquet where daddy can be with you? No, daddy will hold a banquet just for you.”

Stefan approached as he attempted changing my mind.

That’s a lie.

There is one thing I learned while preparing for the banquet.

I am seventeen years old this year. That meant I would be an adult next year.

In the Pillémon Empire, one could make their debut two years before they became an adult.

Most families with both money and power rushed to prepare for their daughters’ debut as soon as they turned sixteen.

Their intentions were to leave them in society a little earlier and catch themselves a good husband.

However, although I was a Cartina that wielded both money and power, I haven’t been able to make my debut when I reached sixteen.

The reason was simple.

That is because Stefan obstructed my social debut by openly claiming, ‘A Cartina isn’t forced to get married.’

This was completely different from when he bestowed my two older sisters a grand debut after they reached sixteen.

“I’ll be back.”

So today would be my official social debut.

Debutants weren’t really much.

Attending the first banquet of the aristocrats as a young lady, that is basically what a debut was.

The more powerful the host in charge of the banquet, the better the debutante stage. However, that didn’t mean much to me. I am a Cartina.

Even if I made my debut atop a shabby stable, no one would be able to simply ignore me.

I stood up and kissed Stefan on both his cheeks.

If I delayed the kiss a bit longer, Stefan may have driven me unconscious and prevented me from attending the banquet.

Stefan’s body smelled like a specific drug that was in charge of driving people unconscious almost instantly.

As I tried to swiftly move away from Stefan, he called me urgently.

“Estiya, wait a minute.”

Stefan pulled brightly colored feather ornaments from his pocket.

He carefully placed a few feathers on top of my head.

“Father …”

I was very grateful to Stefan, who handed me a gift despite his unhappiness and unwillingness toward me attending the banquet.

An affectionate gaze lingered on my face for a while.

It was none other than Stefan who broke the peaceful silence.

“Estiya, I’ve placed poison underneath, so when the tadpoles come from their dens, stab them with it. Daddy will fix everything.”

I did think it was strange for him to place the fancy feather on my head, turns out there was a hidden motive.

I laughed awkwardly.

“Thank you, Father.”

It was time to enter the carriage.

Hela wasn’t in the mansion due to province duties. Stefan was to leave soon, so he didn’t hold me any longer.

Both my brother and sisters perched on the horses.

The carriage which I was in seemed visibly weighty.

Was I the reason for such weight? No, the carriage was loaded with weapons.

Finally, it was time to meet the male lead, Rodrigo.

I’ll save you.

So you can save me too.

I clenched my fists.