Chapter 78

"I've played the role of the adopted daughter a bit too well." In Chapter 78, Bella Tu's chief butler Carlton saw a piece of paper in front of him. Carlton knew what that paper was. 'A report on Lady Viola.' Normally, reports on successor candidates are read once and then disposed of. So, the information about successor candidates submitted by the butlers remains only in the mind of the duke. 'Why hasn't he thrown this away for two weeks?' Unable to contain his curiosity, Carlton finally asked, "What's in there that you've kept it for two weeks?" "Oh, nothing much." The duke handed the report to Carlton as if there was nothing to hide. After reading the entire report, Carlton fell into thought. 'A report on Lady Viola's debut in society and the escort related to it.' Carlton was a bit puzzled. He couldn't understand what significance this report held. It didn't seem particularly important, so why hadn't the duke disposed of it for two weeks? 'There must be a reason.' The duke had shown the report to him without hesitation. As the chief butler, he had to read the true intentions behind it. 'If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't know, but I've already read the report. I recalled the deeper meaning behind the report. As the chief butler, he had to show a proper demeanor. "I understand why you haven't thrown away the report for two weeks." "......" Heron, sitting in his chair with his chin in his hand, looked up at Carlton. In fact, Heron himself didn't fully understand why he hadn't thrown away the report. "Both the direct competitor, Lord Bizhen, and the young swordsman Tundra, who calls himself a pet, have offered to be her escort." Both are more than worthy of being called rising stars. Bizhen is of pure Bella Tu blood, and Tundra has amazed the people of Bella Tu with his incredible growth rate. "Sir Hixon also grumbles that if he were ten years younger, he would have escorted Viola himself. Moreover, Lady Medeya is also showing subtle interest." There was one more thing. "Even Lady Hera, who outwardly seems very enthusiastic and enjoys social gatherings but actually detests them, is showing tremendous interest in Lady Viola's debut in society." What does this mean? Bizhen, Tundra, Hixon, Medeya, and even Hera. "This could be interpreted as Lady Viola Bella Tu showcasing her abilities as the 'White Bella Tu.'" For generations, the White Bella Tu has played a supporting role to the Black Bella Tu. The main body of Bella Tu has always been the Black Bella Tu. "The unprecedented birth of a White Bella Tu." The duke seemed to have a great interest in this proposition. That's why he had kept the report for so long, pondering over it. "The duke always said that a complete Bella Tu cannot be created with military power alone." "That's right." "Perhaps you believe that Lady Viola Bella Tu might be the one to achieve the completion of Bella Tu...?" In just five years, she has won over so many people of Bella Tu. Though not mentioned in the report, Xenon also seems to want to escort Viola subtly. If Xenon's body were in good condition, the probability of him offering to escort Viola would be very high. "A complete Bella Tu cannot be achieved with strength alone. That's what the duke told me. Lady Viola seems to be acting as if she read the duke's thoughts. That's why the duke keeps reviewing the report." "Chief Butler." "Yes, Duke." Heron actually knows little about social gatherings. Like most Bella Tu, he has never been interested in them. Therefore, he knows nothing about the rules or implicit behaviors of social gatherings. "Is there a specific qualification for a debutante's escort?" "No, it's entirely up to the choice of the debutante." Regardless of social status, wealth, or gender. None of that matters. "Nevertheless, twelve-year-old boys and girls choose the most excellent and splendid partners. The person who escorts them becomes a kind of identity card proving the debutante's status and abilities." This is an unwritten rule of society. Who escorts them. That is almost equivalent to power in society. "Is it common for a father to be the escort?" "It does happen, but it's not common." "Why? Didn't you say the most excellent and splendid partner?" "Not every father is like the duke." Heron is far from an ordinary father. The powerful mana within him has completely halted his aging, and he maintains the appearance of a man in his early to mid-thirties. He also exudes the dignity and majesty of an absolute ruler. Despite his young appearance, his aura and charisma are enough to make many young ladies swoon. Oh, and recently, there was a case where a mother escorted her son. "Really?" "She was mocked and subtly ignored, and eventually cried." It was probably the worst experience of her twelve-year-old life. "In other words, when a father or mother acts as the escort, it often doesn't have a good impact on the social gathering for someone of that age." Carlton smiled lightly and continued. "And honestly, the most attractive person in the eyes of young ladies is someone of their own age, like a handsome young lord, for example, Lord Jermi." "I forbid Jermi." "Can you give me a reason?" "The name 'Pretty Lord' is more famous than 'Little Storm.'" If it were Bella Tu, this would have been a major issue. If it were Bella Tu, the name 'Little Storm' should have been far more prestigious than 'Pretty Lord.' "That's probably a stigma attached to Lord Jermi because he is excessively beautiful..." Carlton coughed. "Speaking of which, there is someone here who, despite being excessively beautiful, is called 'Thousand Killer.'" "When is Viola's debut in society?" In other words, when is Viola's birthday? "In two weeks." "What's my schedule then?" "There are no official events, but there are some unofficial ones." Carlton smiled inwardly. 'The duke has never shown such interest in a successor candidate's debut in society. Why is the duke interested? Because his daughter, who has a special characteristic as a White Bella Tu, is making her debut in society. He must be curious about how much she can prove her abilities as a 'White Bella Tu.' 'You will have to show a lot, Lady Viola.' Viola is growing excellently, but she is too young. She is only twelve years old. It feels too late to compete with Medeya. Therefore, she must show a Bella Tu-like demeanor in society. 'The duke is so focused on the 'White Bella Tu.' Carlton thought. *** "You need to go with me to the Barony of Farah." Hera seemed unwilling to accept any objections. She looked up at Viola from her wheelchair. Viola's eyes reflected Hera's expression. Her eyes were filled with firm resolve, her lips were tightly pressed, and her attitude was resolute, showing no intention of changing her mind. "The Barony of Farah? With you?" "Yes." The Barony of Farah holds a very special significance in the central continent. The first Baroness Farah was originally a commoner who received the title of baroness from the emperor 120 years ago. She was a legendary figure mentioned in the novel 'The Shadow of Bella Tu.' "The dresses and bags created by Farah caused a sensation among noblewomen. They soon became the brand of Farah, and even the empress was captivated by Farah's works. Farah began to be called a master among the nobility." Having gained the empress's favor, Farah eventually became the first commoner to receive the title of baroness and a special fief. That place was the 'Barony of Farah.' The Barony of Farah has been the holy land of designers and masters leading the continent's fashion for 120 years. "The most beautiful clothes are born in Farah. Shining masterpieces are created by the hands of masters, and masters are born in Farah. It is said that anyone who wants to become a top designer must study in the Barony of Farah." "Do we really have to go?" "Of course." "Why?" "Is it strange for a young lady about to debut in society to go to Farah?" In fact, when Farah received the barony, there was a lot of opposition from the nobility. So, the emperor, after much deliberation, granted her a valley at the top of the treacherous Mount Ephir. A place that ordinary people with normal physical strength could never climb. The Barony of Farah started like that. Interestingly, the land of such a remote and treacherous place began to gain popularity. "Noblewomen and young ladies visiting the Barony of Farah gradually increased." 120 years ago. Many noblewomen and young ladies headed to the Barony of Farah. At that time, there were not many women who could properly handle mana. 120 years ago, mana was considered the exclusive domain of men. There were almost no women who could climb to the top of Mount Ephir on their own. Noblewomen and young ladies had to rely on the help of their servants to reach the top of the mountain. Moreover, they needed the assistance of various magical tools and items. Therefore, a young lady who entered the Barony of Farah also meant a young lady with sufficient wealth and power. "Even now, 120 years later, this tradition continues." The number of women who can skillfully handle mana has increased