Chapter 1

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"Edith, you must absolutely not enter this house from now on. No matter what happens, you must hide and stay in the annex, making sure not to be noticed. Understand?"

"Yes, Sister-in-law. I have prepared the medicine for the guild, so I will return to the annex immediately."

As Edith nodded obediently, despite being taken aback by her usually flamboyant sister-in-law Daria, who was dressed even more elaborately than ever before, she couldn't help but feel a slight dizziness at the thought of the gold coins that must have been spent to achieve such an appearance. Daria, with her striking golden hair and deep blue eyes, had a somewhat sharp and intense face, but she was undeniably beautiful. Her blue silk dress, adorned with ample lace, and the large sapphire necklace encircled by diamonds at her neck, sparkled brilliantly. Even as Edith acknowledged Daria's beauty, she felt a light dizziness at the thought of the gold coins that must have been spent to achieve such an appearance.

"Um, Sister-in-law, are those expensive... no, beautiful dress and necklace made specifically for today?"

"Yes, of course. I'm going to meet my future husband, so it's only natural to prepare to look my best. Hehe, isn't it beautiful?"

Edith nodded with a sigh at Daria's proud smile.

"Yes, very."

Edith managed to swallow the words that almost slipped out, questioning where the Earldom of Oakridge had the means for such extravagance.

It had been about a year and a half since Edith was adopted into the Earldom of Oakridge. Edith was Daria's cousin. Edith's father was the eldest son of the Earldom of Oakridge, but he fell in love with a commoner, Edith's mother, and left home in a manner similar to eloping. Edith's parents ran a small pharmacy in a lush, rural town. After losing her parents in a sudden accident, Edith, who had always thought her parents were commoners, was shocked to learn that her father was from the Earldom of Oakridge. Edith's paternal grandfather, regretting his opposition to his son's marriage, had been searching for his son for a long time. When he finally found his son, it was already too late, but he quickly brought his granddaughter Edith into the Earldom of Oakridge. Following the grandfather's decision that it would be better for Edith to have a guardian, she was adopted by her uncle and aunt, who already had a daughter older than Edith. However, Edith was not welcomed by her adoptive parents.

"How can we have a daughter with the blood of a lowly commoner?"

"She hasn't even received proper noble education. I can't possibly show such a girl in public."

Not only did her uncle and aunt treat Edith poorly, but her sister-in-law Daria also despised her and treated her cruelly. After losing her grandfather, her last support, six months ago, Edith was confined to a small annex by Daria, who refused to acknowledge her as a sister-in-law and did not want to live in the same house. Edith wore patched-up servants' clothes and ate the same food as the servants. Daria, on the other hand, spent money lavishly on herself. Her doting uncle and aunt, who adored Daria, turned a blind eye to her behavior, which was clearly one of the reasons the Earldom of Oakridge was in financial trouble. Since losing her grandfather, the household's financial situation had worsened, and the debt had increased.

(They always say I lack refinement, but why don't Father, Mother, and Sister-in-law live within their means and stop complaining about the lack of money...?)

Edith, who had grown up with her frugal and practical parents, found this behavior incomprehensible. To prevent the family from going bankrupt, Edith had been quietly supporting the poorly managed pharmaceutical business of the Earldom of Oakridge since she came to live there. However, the income from the business, which Edith was trying to revive, was barely covering the interest on the debts incurred by Daria's lavish lifestyle.

Faced with Daria's extravagant dress and necklace, Edith was momentarily stunned. Daria raised the corners of her mouth in a smirk.

"I can guess what you're thinking, you cheeky girl. ...The person I'm meeting today is Lionel, the eldest son of the Grand Duke of Granville. They have proposed a marriage alliance. If our engagement is finalized, not only will the debt to their family be forgiven, but they have also promised further financial support."

"Oh, I see."

The Grand Duke of Granville was the largest creditor of the Earldom of Oakridge. Surprised by Daria's unexpected words, Edith felt a sense of relief. Daria continued:

"Besides..."

Daria narrowed her blue eyes dreamily.

"I only saw Lionel once a long time ago, but even as a child, he was very beautiful...! Recently, he has been unwell and hasn't been seen much in society, but I am looking forward to meeting him. So..."

Daria then looked at Edith with a cold gaze, contrasting with her own flamboyant appearance. She scrutinized Edith's modest, inherited light blonde hair and lilac-like pale purple eyes, as well as her simple clothing, from head to toe before speaking again.

"You must never show yourself to Lionel. Your presence, so plain and lacking in refinement, would only lower the reputation of the Earldom of Oakridge. If you happen to meet him, you must act as if you are a servant in this house. Understand?"

"Yes, I understand, Sister-in-law."

Edith nodded again. What Daria said was no different from what she always did. In other words, Daria was just reminding her not to come to the main house when her suitor was visiting, and Edith interpreted this as meaning she could spend her time as usual in the annex.

Just as Edith hurried back to her room in the annex, the sound of horse hooves and the creaking of a carriage stopping at the outer gate reached her ears. As she sighed in relief, Edith heard Daria's shrill scream, which seemed to reach the heavens.

"…!!?"

Edith couldn't help but look out the window of the annex. She saw Daria, pale as a ghost, and her red-faced father-in-law, both running towards the annex.

"Edith! Come out of there immediately!!"

Edith's shoulders trembled at the force of her father-in-law's angry shout.