Chapter 79

I ended up playing the role of the adopted daughter too well 079. Viola recalled the content from the novel.

While the novel doesn't heavily focus on social events, there are chapters that do address them.

When the novel covers social events, it is mostly from Hera's perspective.

The other Bellaus rarely attended social gatherings.

Anyway, whenever social events appeared in the novel, Hera was always present, and whenever Hera was present, there was always one family that appeared.

That family was the 'Mariantu.'

"I'll thoroughly trample Mariantu."

"Trample them?"

Hera burst out laughing.

The Mariantu family is one of the richest in the continent, second to none.

To call the 3rd daughter of the Mariantu family a beggar was something only Viola could do.

"I wanted to have Sena's portrait put up for arrest the moment I heard about it."

"Why?"

In fact, it was a lie, but she answered in a way that was typical of Viola Bellaus.

"To kill her when I meet her."

"That would cause a big problem."

"I'll do it discreetly. Step by step."

"Haha."

Hera laughed again.

It was absurd, but it felt good.

It felt like Viola was on her side.

"Didn't we learn that gossip is bad?

But it doesn't seem so bad."

"They'll probably say a lot worse about you behind your back, anyway."

The 3rd daughter of the Mariantu family always ignored and mocked Hera.

From the fact that the Bellaus' real power was with the Black Bellaus, not the White Bellaus, to the fact that Hera was a cripple who couldn't walk.

Despite all this, Sена was always close to Hera because of the Bellaus' pure blood and her status as a duchess.

Moreover, the Bellaus' position in society wasn't that high.

The Bellaus were a family located at the northern end of the continent and didn't have much presence in the central region.

For various reasons, the social scene wasn't a pleasant place for Hera.

"I kept thinking about what Sena said to you."

"However, the world is very different from theory."

This meant that Hera had only experienced the world through books.

It was a roundabout way of saying that she was a naive child with little worldly experience.

"I know you are busy protecting humanity from the blinding snow."

No one thought Hera fought monsters directly.

That was the job of the Black Bellaus.

Yet, being busy protecting humanity?

'You can't do anything.'

'For a White Bellau with no real power.'

It was a clear mockery.

And the final insult.

"Perhaps one day, I will invite you to our duchy. Thanks to the Winter City, I enjoy peace, and I would like to introduce you to our highly civilized and mature society."

On the surface, it praised the Winter City, but in fact, it meant that the Bellaus were a barbaric and backward society.

It also implied that they were an underdeveloped and immature society, unlike the advanced one of the Mariantu.

"The most infuriating thing is that you calmly drank herbal tea there."

That was Hera's way.

Later, Hera proved her own worth by becoming a merchant.

But that wasn't the way of 'Viola Bellaus,' the protagonist of *The Shadow of Bellaus*.

"Is there a more rational way?"

Viola looked at Hera.

Hera was someone she had to make her ally.

A promising heiress and even now, a wealthy landowner.

'And...'

Over time, she had become a bit more human.

The Bellaus were still terrifying, unpleasant, and strange, but Viola and Hera felt closer.

"Don't forget. You're my sister."

"You asked if there was a rational way, but you're giving an emotional answer."

"I won't let anyone touch my sister."

"So, how exactly?"

Viola smiled.

"I'll cut her hair."

It was technically 'cut her hair,' but she had given an answer.

Hera laughed again.

"It's not realistic, but it feels good. Anyway, are you going to the Parua Viscountcy with me?"

***

Hera returned to her room.

A smile lingered on her face.

The butler, who was tidying up her bed, straightened up.

"You look happy."

"Yeah."

"Your expression is the brightest I've seen in the year I've known you."

"I feel relieved."

"Your expression always improves after talking with Viola."

Hera's butler was hired a year ago.

She was a woman in her mid-30s with jet-black hair and dark eyes.

She was much smaller in stature than most people, but no one ever looked down on her.

"Your nickname was 'Sword Demon,' right?"

"I was called that until five years ago, but now I serve as your only butler."

She answered with a warm tone and expression.

It was as if she were looking at a beloved daughter.

"Can a Sword Demon be this warm?"

"Even demons can be warm to their own people."

Five years ago, the Sword Demon.

Ersa, now Hera's butler, smiled.

"I'm happy when you're happy."

"Why do you like me so much?"

It had only been a year since they met.

And it was a relationship of employer and employee.

"Does liking someone always require a reason? Do you have a special reason for liking Viola?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"That child is more Bellaus than anyone. I think she will break the limits of being a White Bellaus someday."

Ersa nodded.

"Viola always seems like she will be on your side."

Hera thought for a moment.

Thinking about it, the butler was right.

'Don't forget. You're my sister.'

'I won't let anyone touch my sister.'

When she heard those words, she felt a bit excited.

A Bellaus saying such things for family.

No Bellaus ever said such things for family.

Usually, such words were close to an insult, 'You can't do anything.'

But when Viola said it, it was different.

"Viola somehow always seems like she will be on my side."

Ersa nodded.

"I will always be on your side. Use me as you wish.

As a Sword Demon or as a butler."

***

One year ago.

On a rainy day.

Ersa wiped her blood-stained hands and entered a general store to buy a large teddy bear.

'It's a bit late, but... it should be okay.'

Her six-year-old daughter and a nanny were waiting at home.

She recalled the child waving her small hand from the wheelchair a few days ago, bidding her farewell.

The little girl, who always came to greet her at the door despite her physical limitations.

Her precious daughter.

Thinking of her, a smile escaped her lips.

'I have a birthday in four days!

Do you know? You have to come quickly!'

'Of course. I'll be back before then. Don't worry. I'll be there soon.'

However, the noble's request was more complicated than she thought and took a lot of time.

In the end, she couldn't be there for her daughter's birthday.

And she would never be able to celebrate it with her again.

'What is this...?'

While she was on the mission, a burglar broke in and killed Ersa's young daughter and the nanny.

The burglar's goal was the valuables in Ersa's house.

The nanny fought with a hatchet to protect Ersa's daughter, but it was no match.

Ersa cried for three days and nights.

"I'm sorry, my dear."

She worked tirelessly every day.

For a better future.

For her daughter to live a happier life.

She lived each day with determination.

But all the strength drained from her body. She even began to question why she should live.

'I don't want to live.'

The reason to live was gone.

But ironically, she didn't want to die either.

'I don't want to die, but I have no reason to live.'

"Be useful to me."

Strangely, Ersa found comfort in those words.

"I need you. As a Sword Demon.

And as someone I can rely on."

Someone needed Ersa.

At that time, it was the most important thing for her.

"You are needed."

Those words were a small spark.

The sudden appearance of a girl helped her hold the funeral for her daughter and nanny and helped her get back on her feet.

The girl's name was Hera, the 4th daughter of the famous Bellaus family.

A few days after becoming Hera's butler, Ersa said:

"I don't know if it's appropriate to say... but my daughter couldn't walk either."

"So?"

"I keep seeing you as my daughter. I might be projecting my daughter onto you."

"It's fine."

Hera didn't care about such facts.

"Find your need in me. You can find a reason to live, project your daughter, or use me as an escape from reality."

"..."

"I need you. I will find my need in you."

Hera said this without much emotion, and Ersa nodded.

Hera filled the void left by losing her daughter.

That was the motivation and reason for Ersa to serve Hera.

A year passed like that.

*****

"Everything is ready."

"Good."

"Going with Viola makes me excited."

"Why are you excited?"

"Because she is one of the few people who can make our duchess happy."

Ersa smiled and pushed Hera's wheelchair.

Viola and Hera, along with their family's butler, Xenon, and Ersa, gathered in one place.

Ersa placed one hand on her chest and bowed.

"As you all know, I will formally introduce myself again. I am Ersa, the butler of the 4th duchess, who will lead this schedule. I will ensure everything goes smoothly."

But Ersa felt a strange energy.

As the person in charge of this schedule, she had a strong intuition that she couldn't ignore this energy.

"Princess Viola, I have a question..."