Chapter 13

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Albertina is trying her best to think things through. While her thoughts often veer off in odd directions, she does try to consider others... I think.

Unfortunately, her mind is somewhat lacking. That's just the kind of girl she is.

She has no allies.

She pleaded with her father to let her enter a convent and live a modest life, but he refused.

Julius, her personal servant, confessed his love to her without any proper setup. Moreover, he seemed to have a lot of baggage. She wanted to be a nun, so the idea of a romantic relationship with a man felt like a death flag. He was too kind. Her father's terrifying nature was something Julius should have known better than she did.

To begin with, Julius is quite a mystery. He's a smart and capable servant who always calmly responds to her whims. There are even rumors among the maids that he might be of noble birth. While it's common for upper nobles to employ lower nobles, it's unusual that he also serves as her bodyguard and is even stronger than Raven. The main family, Albert, was also involved in assassination, dangerous drugs, and human trafficking.

The reclusive lady, Albert, only mediates in recommending delicious recipes and cute, convenient clothing. It's too peaceful.

Unfortunately, being a reclusive lady, Albertina can only maintain her appearance. The villainous lady has already dropped out and is pursuing her own desires. She's doing it through legitimate business, though.

As a result, she has become a clueless, bumbling lady paired with an extremely capable elite servant. Everyone around her, despite her bumbling nature, supports her because of her noble lineage. She feels very apologetic for being such a bumbling lady.

However, why did the elite servant fall in love with a bumbling lady? This bumbling lady is a dangerous woman who attracts the Great Demon King.

Her father's love is deep as the sea and high as the sky, but it's as narrow as a cat's forehead. Moreover, it's unbearably heavy. Albertina is just a dangerous woman.

She is a dangerous person, but she loves her father. She thinks his slightly dangerous nature is the only adorable flaw in an otherwise perfect man. However, no one agrees with her. She thinks it's because her father's benevolence is focused solely on her.

Basically, she's a daughter of the Demon King, with only her appearance as her strong point. She feels very apologetic for being a reclusive lady and not fulfilling her noble obligations.

Among the people who bow to her, Julius, who treats her casually, is very helpful. He is also extremely capable. As a bumbling lady, she finds him invaluable and can't let him go.

Raven is also capable, but he's not as sharp as Julius. Rather, Julius is just too capable.

But Raven is cute, so it's fine. He's comforting. While Kistaria and Julius find it hard to understand, Anna and her mother show a certain level of understanding.

However, when she mentions his cuteness, Raven's usually expressionless face shows a hint of dissatisfaction. It's cute. That makes it even cuter.

Anyway, this is the current situation.

The next problem is Kistaria.

She thought he was her brother, but he treats her as a member of the opposite sex. She doesn't understand.

What about the heroine? After a year, it should be the time when the heroine starts to narrow down her targets, but is Kistaria different? What's wrong with him? He's handsome, smart, has magic, and is skilled with a sword. She's never seen him use it, but he's a duke's son. He should be a promising prospect in society, excelling in every aspect. He's her pride, so what's the problem?

......Am I a bit of a brother complex?

Wait, not a bit, but a lot? According to Anna, from an outsider's perspective, she's obviously overprotective. Normally, one doesn't constantly give gifts to their brother, let alone start a business. He was perfect for the male models of the Rose brand. She wanted to give him something that suited him. He's so wonderful, even her father thinks so.

It's just a side project, right? In this country, in this world, things are generally in short supply compared to her previous life. Everything is traditional and outdated, as if it's fossilized. It feels like everything is stagnant. She's bored, but there's no creativity.

She sends gifts, but Gibril is also a model for the Rose brand. While her mother targets madams, Gibril targets debutantes and ladies in the marriage season.

Her mother and Gibril, who is like a younger sister, are both proud. However, Gibril is Mikaels' sister, not hers.

Mikael is a bit uncomfortable with how much she dotes on Gibril. But it's fine. Thanks to her, Gibril has become a bright and cheerful girl. She doesn't have a bad feeling towards Mikael and is lively. She mentioned that Kistaria is too strong, but Albert doesn't know about it. She thinks it's good that a cute girl is cheerful.

Anyway, Kistaria...... Is that childhood confession still valid? He said ten years later, but if this continues, does it mean he's had the same feelings for almost ten years?

He must have seen many beautiful and charming young ladies at school, right? Unlike her, they have spotless and impressive backgrounds.

"What do you think, Raven?"

"......I understand that you have very pitiful thoughts, my lady."

Raven, the cute one, is also disappointed! Looking at her like she's a disappointment, just like Julius and the others!!

"I have been to the school to report to Master Julius."

"But? There must have been many beautiful and charming young ladies, right?"

After all, depending on the route, there's a super heroine who can manipulate the sons of nobles and royalty. The rival ladies are also talented and beautiful! There should be plenty to choose from!

In the game, it was luxurious and splendid, with the best artists and voice actors. The three-dimensional version is so dazzling that it almost hurts her eyes, which is probably because she's a reclusive lady. The beauty standards are so high. But if the others are getting into love and battles, she's a bit curious.

If there weren't so many dangerous flags, she would have peeked into the school.

She leans in, eager to hear about their school life and love stories, but Raven remains dry.

"Nothing special."

"Nothing special?"

"I don't think there was anything in particular."

"Eh? Um, the young lady Gibril mentioned?"

"The commoner... no, the baron's daughter who has the princes hot and bothered?"

"Yes, that one!"

Of course, there is! She encourages him to continue, but Raven, who usually has a serious or expressionless face, distorts his face in a very rare way. It's not a good memory, but a bad one.

"......A slut?"

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

What did he just say!? Raven! Raven... said a dirty word... What!?

Suddenly in a mini panic, Raven tilts his head as if trying to remember.

"She was quite promiscuous. Not only the princes, but also Master Kistaria and Master Mikael. She approached other noble sons as well, and even Master Julius when she got tired of them.

She would spread her legs for any good-looking man with money or power."

Anna, who had been silent, finally spoke, her words as cold as diamond dust. She wasn't shouting, but her voice was flat and falling. Raven immediately clamped his mouth shut.

"......I can say with certainty that she is not someone you should see, my lady."

"But she's a student at the school. I'm not the kind of child who would interfere in other people's relationships."

"But if you see her, someone's head might literally fly off.

Master Kistaria and Master Julius would do that much to keep her out of your sight."

"I understand. I won't ask anymore."

Not her father! She wants to say, but red influences red. Maybe because she's a super sheltered daughter, Julius and Kistaria have become more overprotective over the years. If they start talking to her in baby talk, she'll snap! She won't talk to them! Once, Julius whispered, "Do you want to go up high?" She's being treated like a child. She's not that age anymore! ...Lies, she's happy. Is she stupid? She's weak for heights and thrilling things. Maybe it's a reaction to her parents always trying to keep her safe?

Isn't it strange to even suggest such a thing? Do they really see her as a member of the opposite sex... especially Julius. Is he a pedophile who likes to play with children? No, if that were the case, he would be more attracted to the childlike heroine. Albertina is cute, but she has a beautiful face. In terms of cuteness, the heroine is stronger.

Unfortunately, while her appearance is that of Albertina, she knows she's as useless as possible inside. She's a useless person who can't live without the help of maids and servants. Does that mean she likes useless people?

She's trying to become independent to go to the convent, but the people around her seem to be taking her will and doing the work for her.

She was folding origami out of frustration. She's also making a kusudama for her mother. It's a large, ornate one. It's the largest size, but she'll make one for her father later, so it's fine! If she doesn't, she'll pout.

The origami paper is thin, beautiful, and strong. Her father is developing new paper, and it takes time to supply his share.

A shadow falls on her fingers as she folds. No one has spoken to her—only one person can enter her room so rudely.

"More origami, Albert?"

"Welcome back, Father!"

Looking down at her with a gentle smile was Grail von Lattiche, the Duke and her father.

Father, you're still so beautiful, even with a daughter.

We're in the middle of a dispute over the convent, but I'm not the kind of daughter who would ignore my father after work or treat him coldly out of rebellion.

She immediately stands up and throws herself into her father's chest, which opens wide with a deeper smile. The familiar perfume and warmth of her father envelop her.

"Albert."

"Yes, Father."

"Julius seems to have acted on his own. Should I punish him?"

Her heart froze.

The incident with Julius happened in the back garden of the ducal mansion, a place rarely visited by anyone. Even the gardener only comes for regular pruning. Only she, Julius, and Anna, who has been with her for a long time, could have found that place. Even Raven, who is often around, and Sebastian, who is with her father, would find it difficult.

Punishment, in this case, means just that. To her father, Julius, a servant, no matter how capable, is of little value. He could have a position second only to Sebastian in the future.

No one should have known about that day's incident.

On one hand, she wonders why and how, but on the other, it's because he's her father.

"......Julius is necessary. Please don't dispose of my servant without my permission."

"I see? I thought he wasn't as useful as I expected."

"It will be difficult to find a replacement for him."

Raven is excellent, but in a protective sense.

He doesn't seem to be very good at understanding human emotions or business. Julius, on the other hand, is almost too perfect.

She can't let go of Julius, who has always fulfilled her whims, knowing the danger. Her father would act immediately if she let him go.

Without her, the Rose brand would be in chaos. With Julius, it would be stable even without her.

Her father reluctantly agreed with a bored "I see?"

Why is he so full of murderous intent, Father? Julius is a servant he prepared and has been with her for a long time.

"Then what about Kistaria? Is he still around?"

Her spine froze. Kistaria is the duke's son. Is her father going to dispose of such a well-bred young man so easily?

Depending on her answer, the treatment of Lattiche mother could be decided in a chain reaction. Neither of them has done anything wrong—oh, Kistaria came to her room at night and was scolded by her mother. Honestly, her mother's rage was more memorable than Kistaria's confession.

Since then, her mother has been even more concerned about her—rather, almost overprotective. Especially when it comes to the opposite sex and relationships. She even checks with the servants to make sure the merchants who come to the house don't have any strange feelings towards her.

She thought it would be fine since they were familiar, but her bumbling nature is worse than she expected. She feels apologetic.

Anyway... um, let's put it aside for now. She thought her father had dropped his criticism of Kistaria after her mother's rage, but it seems he hadn't.

According to her mother, she could have been forced to marry Kistaria if she had made a mistake that night. If there had been a mistake, then he would have been justified in being angry, but there wasn't, so why be so angry?

For her father, who is always focused on his daughter, that incident might be a lifelong source of teasing.

Perhaps he was just silent at the time, but it was brewing inside him? It's scary...

"Kistaria is necessary for the ducal family."

Her father is not immortal. Despite his inhuman abilities, his beauty is starting to show age-appropriate wrinkles. His physical strength and magic will decline with age, and he will eventually retire from his social and military duties.

This will happen before she does, for sure.

"No, I'm asking if he's necessary for Albertina, not the ducal family."

His voice is gentle, but his words are cruel.

To her father, even the enviable position of the ducal family can be erased by her will.

What about her father's efforts and hard work? What about the positions of her mother and Kistaria? What about the servants? To her father, her words and will are that important?

This is a value system far removed from that of ordinary nobles. Most people wouldn't understand, not just nobles.

"Kistaria is an important brother."

She chooses her words carefully.

"Please don't take away my 'family.'

He is one of the few important things in my narrow world—losing him would be very sad."

"Then I'll keep him for now."

Stop it! Kistaria is a super popular duke's son who makes the social scene sparkle! Don't be disappointed... it's really bad for my heart.

Doesn't her father have any affection for a stepson he's been with for ten years? ...No,