Chapter 7

It's a bit short.

Then, what happened next.

"Miss, which dress will you wear today?"

"Since it seems colder than yesterday, how about this one? It will be warmer when paired with this shawl."

"Miss, which hair accessory will you wear? This pearl hair accessory seems to match this dress well."

"This ruby would also make a good accent."

With her large violet eyes spinning, she was busily getting dressed.

How did it come to this.

Lord Biliel Bakurin was taken into custody by the knights.

Kidnapping and confining a noble lady (?!), followed by assault. Even though they were of the same noble status, the Rumbek family, who served as the royal family's wet nurses, had a high standing and a fortunate reputation. Even if she was an adopted daughter, kidnapping and assaulting a daughter of the Rumbek family was considered a serious issue. Given that the adopted daughter had a close relationship with the second prince, Lord Biliel Bakurin was thoroughly investigated.

The investigation revealed that the Bakurin family was illegally manufacturing drugs, and they were being investigated for distribution and other crimes.

His title would likely be stripped, and the drug manufacturing facility would be seized. The territory would be returned to the royal family, and a suitable person would eventually become the lord.

This was the revenge Berta had planned over the course of three years, the things she wanted to achieve by ingratiating herself with the powerful.

It was executed so quickly that her mouth gaped open in disbelief.

She would have liked to punch him, but the last image of the lord that Berta saw was him lying on the floor. If she couldn't punch him, she didn't want to see him again, so that was fine.

The problem was Berta.

She was really adopted by the Rumbek family.

Why?

"It was already being discussed."

Matthias told the stunned Berta.

Three days after the Berta kidnapping incident. With the treatment of her injuries and the questioning about the incident, Berta was brought straight to the Rumbek family's mansion.

Berta was greeted by a smiling Matthias and her new parents. The servants bowed and said, "Welcome home, Miss," to Berta.

Why.

Berta was entrusted to the Rumbek family, while Benedikt, Hannes, and Rennart handled the aftermath. Matthias was tasked with explaining the situation, but Berta was allowed to rest after her injuries were treated, as she was likely exhausted. The room she was given was not a guest room but a private room for a noble lady. It was luxurious, spacious, and a bit scary. Berta trembled and fell asleep. She slept soundly.

For a while, she moved her few belongings, was questioned, and the final adoption papers were confirmed (the papers were already signed, though she had no memory of signing them. Was it fraud...?). Before she knew it, three days had passed.

Currently, she is in the Rumbek family's parlor, facing her new brother, Matthias.

Berta, who was suddenly dressed in a sparkling dress, is still in a daze with her large violet eyes wide open. She still feels like she's being dressed by the dress, but a properly dressed lady is there.

According to Matthias, there were quite a few nobles who saw potential in Berta, a commoner, and wanted to adopt her.

Such inquiries are first sent to the academy, which investigates to ensure that the adoption is not for nefarious reasons, to protect the students. Currently, it is in the investigation period, and the earliest Berta would receive an inquiry would be before her next grade.

"By the way, an inquiry also came from the Leidholm Duke family."

"Princess Margareta..."

A commoner becoming a duchess is a bit too much of a step up.

"But because of this incident, we decided to bring Berta to the Rumbek family quickly. If Berta remained a commoner, we couldn't control the Bakurin family."

If Berta, a commoner, was disciplined, it would only be a verbal warning, but if Berta, a noble lady, was disciplined, it could lead to a suspension. They could even demand compensation. It seems the Bakurin family was already under investigation, and they wanted to take this opportunity to expose their crimes.

Therefore, they needed to adopt Berta quickly. It took a little time to gather the necessary documents and get approval, which is why they were a bit late.

...They were said to be late, but it was a very quick response. Why? Because from the time Berta was kidnapped to her rescue, less than half a day had passed. It was impossible for the application to be approved in such a short time.

So.

"Using power to force it through..."

"By the way, the notice to the Bakurin family and the adoption application were issued simultaneously."

"Really, they sent the notice properly..."

She thought it was just a formality for the operation.

It was a formality, but it seems they did send it properly.

"Why me..."

Even after hearing the flow of events leading to her rescue, she couldn't grasp the reality of it.

Because, an adoption... even if it was a post-facto approval... it was strange for Berta to receive such an offer.

Indeed, Berta worked hard. She worked hard, even for herself. To stay at the academy as a scholarship student, she worked very hard. Thanks to that, she never fell below fifth place.

But that's all.

She didn't do any research. She doesn't remember achieving any results outside of her grades.

She doesn't understand why the nobles saw potential in her.

Berta just wanted the help of someone with more power than the Bakurin family, to gain connections at the academy, and that was all.

But why, why did she evolve into a noble lady...?

Unable to understand, her mind not working, Berta spent the time in a daze.