Chapter 4

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After her uncle left, Iris knocked on Dean's door, holding a small homemade cake on a plate and a tea set. When a weak voice said "Come in," she opened the door to find Dean sitting up in bed, looking at her.

"Dean, how are you feeling?"

"Pretty good, I guess."

Dean smiled weakly. Seeing his pale face, Iris frowned.

"Happy birthday, Dean. You're seventeen today."

"Thank you. Happy birthday to you too, sis."

"Today, I baked a cake. It's your favorite cheese cake. Would you like to share it with me for your birthday?"

Iris held out the plate of cake on the tray to Dean. Dean smiled and said, "Thank you."

"Earlier, Uncle Serrick came, didn't he?"

"Yes. Did he say something?"

Iris asked Dean hesitantly.

Earlier, Serrick had proposed a marriage arrangement, and she had hastily claimed to have found a job as a governess to decline it. However, that was a lie. She wondered if Dean had asked about it.

"He suggested that I transfer the viscount title to Uncle Serrick."

"What?!"

Iris exclaimed in shock, quickly covering her mouth. Dean looked at her with a troubled expression, his eyebrows drooping.

"I'm bedridden, as you can see. I'm old enough to work, but I can't fulfill my duties as a knight or a viscount. Uncle Serrick suggested that I transfer the title to him. He said he wouldn't treat the household staff badly if I did—"

"No way!"

Iris instinctively shouted in protest.

Handing the title to that uncle? Out of the question.

Dean, who had been bedridden for nearly a year, had no involvement in the financial affairs of the Costa viscount family. He was unaware that his uncle was using the term "guardian" to exploit the Costa viscount family.

– That's why he was trying to marry me off so quickly…

Now his attitude made sense. If he could quickly marry her off to a wealthy family, he could get rid of a nuisance and extort money from them as well.

"No, Dean. If you do that, Father and Mother in heaven will be sad. You'll get better soon, I promise."

"But—"

"It's okay, trust me. I found a job in the capital recently. It pays very well. So, we can manage until you get better."

Iris smiled encouragingly at Dean.

Her hand, which she held, was as slender as a woman's. Perhaps due to his year-long illness, his arm was thin and frail, even though he was seventeen.

In Iris's eyes, she saw a delicate, fragile boy with the same green eyes and amber hair as herself.

"So, don't even think about such nonsense. By spring, Dean will be healthy and join the knights. Come, let's eat the cake together for your birthday?"

Iris smiled at Dean.

It was a modest celebration for just the two of them.

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Back in her room, Iris thought deeply.

There was no real job as a governess. But if she didn't do something, the Costa viscount family would be taken over by her uncle.

No matter how much she thought, no good ideas came to mind. Ideally, Dean was supposed to join the empire's knight corps this spring, and her uncle's guardianship would end.

"…That's it."

An idea formed in Iris's mind.

Children from families that have served as knights for generations typically join the Highland Empire's knight corps. Dean was supposed to join as a new recruit next spring.

"If I can serve as a temporary replacement until Dean gets better…"

This was a very dangerous gamble. Iris would have to impersonate Dean and join the knight corps, working there.

Fortunately, although Iris and Dean were of different genders, they looked very similar. Not only their hair and eye color, but also their overall aura was often remarked upon.

There was a height difference, but Iris was tall for a woman, so it wouldn't be too suspicious.

If she could transfer back to the Costa territory when Dean was well enough, the change in personnel would be so significant that no one would realize the switch.

"Can I do it…?"

If it worked, Iris could earn money and buy time until Dean recovered. But if it failed, the Costa viscount family could end with her generation.

She was scared. Terrified.

One decision could change everything.

But—

"If I transfer the title to Uncle, the Costa viscount family will be as good as gone."

For a seventeen-year-old girl, it was a heavy decision to make.