Chapter 94

I overdid it with the role of the adopted daughter 094

"Here, take it."

The duke extended a small platinum ring.

Despite being platinum, it appeared in various colors depending on the angle of the light.

It seemed to emit a greenish hue at times and a yellowish one at others.

Sometimes, it even looked white.

It was a mysterious color.

Upon closer inspection, there were intricate and tiny patterns engraved on it, and a faint light was emanating from within.

Though not an expert in jewelry or accessories, it was clearly a masterpiece among masterpieces.

"What is this...?"

Heron is not the type to give gifts to anyone.

He hasn't given a gift to anyone since losing his beloved Rael.

"Soon, the forget-me-not ball will be held."

Viola was well aware of this.

It would be the debut of Viola in the social circle.

There, she would strive to build good relationships with the children of various noble families, laying the foundation for a smooth life in the future.

"Wear it then."

"Thank you."

She accepted it since he was giving it to her.

For a moment, her shoulders almost gave out.

'Heavens...!'

What could be so heavy?

It wasn't just heavy for its size; it was genuinely heavy.

'I can't fail. Hold on, my arm.'

She couldn't lose to this small ring.

This wasn't a matter of pride but of survival.

If she were to drop or lose this ring?

If she couldn't bear its weight?

'The thought alone is terrifying.'

This was clearly a test.

Drawing on her desire to survive and her fear of Heron, she summoned her strength.

'I can... hold it!'

Fortunately, as the body of the novel's heroine Viola, she could manage this weight.

Her arm trembled, but she smiled outwardly.

"I've never received a ring from anyone before. It feels good that it's from my father."

"Is it heavy?"

Viola hesitated for a moment.

Should she be honest and say it was heavy?

Or should she put on a show and say it wasn't?

'He must have already read that I find it heavy. Lying would be pointless.'

He was a monstrous warrior who could read even the movements of muscles and nerves.

Deciding that lying would be meaningless, she spoke honestly.

"It's heavy. What is this ring made of?"

"Flowers."

"Excuse me?"

With that, Duke Heron turned away, seemingly without any regret.

He didn't seem disappointed that Viola found the small ring heavy.

It was as if the weight was expected.

Creak—

The door closed with a sound.

Though Viola prided herself on knowing Heron well, she found it difficult to understand his actions today.

***

That night.

The head butler Carlton came to Viola's room.

"I heard that Butler Zephon's strawberry ade is exceptional."

"Yes, it is exceptional."

"Using the Lasborn Ice Sword Technique to make strawberry ade. If it's not too much trouble, could you treat me to some, Lady Viola?"

Viola nodded.

In the afternoon, Duke Heron had come and gone, and now Carlton had visited in the evening.

These were people who, in the grand world of *The Shadow of Bellato*, were considered absolute figures.

Moreover, Carlton was a former assassin who had once targeted Heron.

A man whose profession was to kill.

'I'm scared.'

Though he now wore a kind smile, he was described as a ruthless and terrifying person.

From lunchtime until now,

She couldn't relax at all.

After a while, Zephon brought the strawberry ade.

"Really delicious. It's a taste I've never experienced before."

"What's the main point?"

The strawberry ade was indeed delicious, but at this moment, she couldn't fully appreciate its taste.

She wanted to quickly get out of this uncomfortable situation.

"The main point?"

"Yes. The head butler wouldn't come to my room without a reason. It can't just be for a simple strawberry ade."

"I understand your concern, but it's a bit hurtful to call it just a strawberry ade."

Carlton smiled and looked at Zephon, who also smiled and nodded.

"The strawberry ade I make for Lady Viola is crafted with all my dedication and effort."

"Listening to your conversation, it seems this strawberry ade isn't just a simple drink."

"Initially, it was heavy."

"Now, it seems fine."

"Yes, it's fine."

Carlton was greatly shocked.

"This ring contains no less than 28.7 million marguerite flowers."

...

Viola was momentarily speechless.

"A ring refined by the power of the great mage Kulumkulum."

"Kulumkulum?"

"Yes. He is an elder of the dwarf race, renowned as a master among great mages."

Even without an explanation, she knew.

Kulumkulum, the great mage.

In the novel, he was the pinnacle of all craftsmen.

'A quirky old man who only makes things for the people he likes.'

In the later part of the novel, Viola orders a dagger from Kulumkulum, but he refuses without hesitation.

Angered, Viola tries to kill Kulumkulum, but fails due to the protection of the rare artifacts he wears.

Feeling a great deal of disgust with the human world, Kulumkulum returns to the dwarves' forest and never comes out again.

'Kulumkulum made this ring and gave it to me?'

She was momentarily stunned.

'28.7 million flowers melted into a ring?'

Why would he give her something like this?

What was the reason?

Viola calmly continued to think.

It had been five years since she possessed this body.

'Don't panic, stay calm, and think.'

Viola could come to a sufficiently reasonable and logical conclusion.

"Father's expectations for me have become clear."

A ring made by the great mage Kulumkulum.

If the social circle were a battlefield, this ring could be considered a weapon for soldiers.

In terms of rarity, it would be more rare and valuable than any limited edition piece from Louis Vartenga.

"Strengthen your position as the White Bellato. That must be the meaning."

Carlton remained silent.

His thoughts aligned perfectly with hers.

Why would Duke Heron go through the trouble of having this ring made?

'Even a duke would find it difficult to place an order with the great mage Kulumkulum.

Duke Heron could only place three orders in his lifetime.

One was for 'Frigid,' another for this ring, leaving him with only one more opportunity.

'That must mean he has high hopes for me as the White Bellato.'

No other Bellato had ever received such extraordinary support.

Perhaps this was the duke's sponsorship for Viola, who had entered the succession competition very late.

"By coming here and teaching me these facts, you're also warning me not to make any mistakes. I will uphold the dignity of the White Bellato and return."

Though she spoke calmly, her heart was burning with anxiety.

***

After talking with Tundra, Hixon snorted.

"What a show-off."

Hixon looked a bit annoyed.

"That damn brat."

"...Damn brat?"

"Yes. Heron."

Tundra looked around.

Fortunately, no one was in the training ground.

"Master, you should still be careful with your words."

"Hey, it's fine. Don't be scared. Why are you so afraid of him? He's actually quite broad-minded. He doesn't act like a prick."

You can curse a bit,

And use some vulgar language.

As long as it doesn't greatly undermine Heron 'Bellato's' prestige or tarnish the name of Bellato, Heron doesn't really mind.

It's just that people are too afraid to do so.

"Why did he give her that?"

Hixon saw through his old friend's heart.

"Have you ever given Viola flowers?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because she seemed to like them."

"Exactly."

Hixon said this, but Tundra still didn't understand.

"He just gave her flowers."

"...What?"

"Flowers, just like that."

Tundra's eyes widened.

He gave her flowers?

Millions of them?

Evaporated an entire flower field to do it?

"So, that damn brat gave his daughter flowers?"

"No way."

"I'll bet my right wrist that he did."

"Why my wrist?"

"Because it's not my wrist."

Hixon, who was speaking, tilted his head.

"Huh? But she was fine after receiving it? Didn't her wrist break or her shoulder dislocate? No, I have to go see her."

The ring contained an immense vitality of flowers.

An ordinary person wouldn't be able to hold it, and even a skilled warrior would struggle.

For a twelve-year-old body, it would be a heavy burden.

'That young girl must have pretended to hold it easily in front of Heron.'

That cold yet stubborn child wouldn't have shown any sign of its weight.

'Damn. I hope she's not hurt.'

What kind of gift is he giving to a child?

If he was going to give it, he should at least explain how heavy it is.

'He probably didn't explain it.'

Given his character, he likely didn't explain it.

Hixon's pace quickened.

"Viola, are you okay?"

When Hixon entered Viola's room, an absurd scene was unfolding.