Chapter 1

With the development of magical science, trade flourished around the world, and many wealthy people emerged from the common folk.

Perhaps it was because of this that the long-standing aristocratic system began to decline.

Now, the world was dominated by the Four Great Financial Powers.

The Northern Financial Power

The Southern Financial Power

The Eastern Financial Power

The Western Financial Power

They divided the world into roughly four parts, each managing their territory.

They bought everything with money and had deep roots everywhere.

Their power was said to far surpass that of the nobility.

These Four Great Financial Powers originally derived from a single merchant family.

Each head of the family had the middle initial 'Z,' and their family crest featured two dragons wearing crowns.

No one outside their family was allowed to use this crest.

---

Although the aristocratic system had declined, most countries in the world were still feudal, and on the surface, they were ruled by the nobility.

The Kingdom of Bran was one of them.

The Seiford Earl's territory was located at the northernmost part of the Kingdom of Bran, a land rich in nature, and the Seiford family was famous for being descendants of the spirits.

About 200 years ago, the Queen of the Spirits descended upon a desolate, unexplored land and created a rich forest and fertile earth.

This was said to be the beginning of the current Seiford territory, and this legend was so well-known that there was hardly anyone in the Kingdom of Bran who didn't know it.

Olivia, the only daughter of the Seiford family, had beautiful silver-blue hair and eyes inherited from her mother, but she was a very peculiar girl.

Since infancy, she hardly cried and would often stare at a single point without moving much.

She had very little expression of joy, anger, or sorrow, and her stillness made her look like a doll without a soul.

Her real father, Alec, found her eerie and never approached her, but her mother, Shera, doted on her.

However, Shera passed away when Olivia turned 10.

---

"Um... I have something important to talk about... to consult with you..."

At 12 years old, Olivia called out to Arthur, who was about to mount his stirrup and leave.

"…?"

Surprised by Olivia's rare words, Arthur turned around.

There, he saw Olivia standing with an unusually serious look in her eyes.

Arthur Nolundi.

The second son of the Nolundi Duke's territory, which bordered the Seiford territory, a 15-year-old young man with brown hair and eyes and a well-defined face.

They had been engaged for 9 years.

Despite Olivia's unusually few words, she had built a good relationship with Arthur, who understood her.

At least, Olivia felt that way.

"…Alright, then at the next tea party."

Arthur answered curtly, mounted his horse with a flick, and left her mansion.

---

Seven days later.

Olivia, informed by a servant of Arthur's visit, was making her way to the pavilion in the earl's family's pride, the garden.

As she walked down the path leading to the pavilion, she heard cheerful voices from a distance.

"Of course! Lord Arthur, to already be thinking about this territory! It's impressive!"

Olivia stopped and turned her gaze toward the voices, where she saw her step-sister, Anna, talking animatedly with Arthur, their bodies almost touching.

"Once Lord Arthur takes charge of this land, it will surely become even more prosperous. Mother said so too. This territory is rich in nature, but that's all it is."

Pleased by Anna's words, Arthur pointed to the forest in the distance.

"I plan to develop half of the forest visible from here and turn it into a vacation spot for the nobility. No other territory has more than half of its land covered by forest. Despite the legacy, this place is too underdeveloped. The trees here are the finest and can be sold at high prices, and the natural beauty will make it popular with the people of the capital. The lack of people coming and going is also a problem, but by attracting more merchants and settlers, it will surely become more prosperous."

"Of course! Lord Arthur!"

Anna clung to Arthur's arm, delighted.

At that moment, her ample chest deliberately pressed against him.

"This is still in the planning stages, but once the proposal is complete, the government will surely provide subsidies."

Arthur spoke loudly to Anna, holding up the documents he had placed on the table.

Indeed, the Seiford territory was a borderland where more than half of the vast land was covered by forest.

However, there was a good reason for this.

Olivia sighed deeply and continued walking.

"Oh, sister, to keep a guest waiting is not proper."

Anna, who had noticed Olivia, called out to her with a mocking tone.

Anna, her step-sister, was a lovely girl of the same age as Olivia, with beautiful red hair and large, dark green eyes.

About two years ago, after Olivia's mother, Shera, passed away, her father, Alec, remarried and brought in her stepmother, Laura, to live in the mansion.

"…"

Olivia, who had been called by a servant, bowed her head and sat down across from the two.

At the same time, a servant placed tea and snacks in front of her.

"It's fine, I don't mind. What did you want to talk about?"

Arthur asked curtly, not taking his eyes off the documents he had created.

"…"

Olivia stared at Arthur's face with a blank expression.

Indeed, Olivia had told Arthur.

"I have something to consult with you."

However, a servant was standing by, and Anna was sitting next to Arthur.

What could she possibly consult about in such a situation?

"Huh? What? Didn't you say you had something to consult with me?"

Impatient with Olivia's silence, Arthur finally looked at her face for the first time today.

"Um, what? Sister, you have something to consult with Lord Arthur? I do too."

Anna, who had joined the conversation, turned to Arthur as if Olivia didn't exist and started talking excitedly.

"Sister is really scary. She yells at me loudly and slaps me if I make a small mistake in manners. I always cry in secret because I'm so scared. And the way she spends money is so vulgar..."

Anna was wearing a delicate dress with plenty of white lace, and a white lace ribbon was tied in her hair, which sparkled in the sunlight, enhancing her beauty.

On the other hand, Olivia was wearing a yellowish-brown dress that didn't fit her, and she sat in front of the two with a blank expression.

When Anna's large eyes met Arthur's, he seemed to be quite taken with her, lowering his eyebrows and blushing.

Olivia sighed softly and took a sip of the tea in front of her.

However, the saltiness was too much, and she quickly stopped drinking.

Looking into the cup, she saw a large amount of salt-like substance settled at the bottom.

Olivia gave up on the tea and tried to eat a muffin on the plate with a fork, but it hit something hard.

Looking inside, she saw several small stone-like lumps.

The servants, whom she glanced at, had dark smiles on their faces.

Olivia gave up and put down the fork.

"Isn't that terrible, Lord Arthur?"

"Right. Olivia, are you listening?"

At Arthur's voice, Olivia raised her eyes and saw him frowning at her.

"I've told you many times, you shouldn't be so harsh on Anna."

"..."

"Even today, the dress suits Anna very well. No matter how beautiful your sister is, jealousy is ugly. A woman with a dirty heart is disappointing."

Olivia tilted her head at Arthur's words.

"Besides, you shouldn't be spending so much money on yourself. You should use it more for the family. This is something we need to consider, like Mrs. Laura's proposal."

"Proposal?"

Olivia asked, unfamiliar with the word.

"You haven't heard anything, have you...?"

Arthur sighed, exasperated.

"I received a proposal from Mrs. Laura to change the engagement to Anna. I was surprised, but I can understand her feelings. To be honest, I don't think you are suitable for me."

Arthur sighed again and furrowed his brow deeply.

"Besides, you are ill. With such a body, you might not even be able to bear an heir."

Arthur said this firmly, without any hesitation.

He was clearly stating that he found Olivia distasteful.

"…Is that so."

Olivia answered softly and then lowered her head, not saying another word.

"Olivia, you..."

Arthur called her name with disgust, but

"Lord Arthur, why don't we take a walk? The roses in the garden are in full bloom. Staying here any longer will make me feel sick."

Anna pulled Arthur's arm almost forcefully, and the two left the pavilion.

At that moment, Arthur didn't even look at the bowed Olivia, but Anna turned back and smiled maliciously.