Chapter 2

Amelia was what is known as an "unwanted child."

Seventeen years ago, she was born out of an affair between her father, Cedric, the head of the Haggle household, and a maid.

Cedric had a long history of causing trouble with women, and just when everyone thought he had finally settled down after getting married, he committed this act of infidelity.

Even though it was just one night of indiscretion, it was the worst possible event for Lea, who had married into the Haggle family from a noble lineage.

To save face, Cedric insisted that the maid had seduced him, and he managed to get through the situation with this claim.

He had a history of similar troubles and was adept at talking his way out of situations with lies.

For a while, Cedric and Lea had an awkward married life, but after dismissing the servants who knew the truth and with Cedric's (self-proclaimed) repentance, they gradually mended their relationship.

When Lea finally became pregnant two years after Amelia's birth and gave birth to a legitimate child of the Haggle family, it somewhat eased the tension.

The child was named Erin and was raised with great care, as if to erase the memory of the infidelity.

On the other hand, the maid—Amelia's mother, Sophie—was branded as a "lecherous woman who committed adultery with the head of the household" and was confined to a separate house with Amelia.

Sophie, a merchant's daughter but of common birth, had no other place to go after being brought into the Haggle household in a semi-indentured form.

Life in the separate house was like a form of house arrest. Entry to the main house was forbidden, and they were given only meager food and bedding.

Moreover, due to Cedric's spreading rumors about Sophie, the new maids, who believed these stories, constantly harassed her, making her life bitter.

Despite these circumstances, Sophie cherished and raised Amelia.

She shared her limited food with Amelia and taught her reading, writing, social norms, and survival skills.

This was Sophie's way of atoning for her sins, at least to some extent.

Fortunately, the separate house was also used as a library, so they had no shortage of educational materials.

Sophie and Amelia lived a peaceful, albeit poor, life.

However, this came to an end when Amelia was seven years old.

Sophie fell ill with a contagious disease and passed away.

Amelia, now truly alone, found her situation worsening rather than improving.

The harassment from the maids, which had been directed at Sophie, now targeted the young Amelia, and the cruelty from Erin, who could freely roam the estate, never ceased.

Up until her seventeenth birthday, Amelia's environment remained unchanged.

◇◇◇

"You're late."

"…I apologize."

As soon as she arrived at the main house, Amelia was scolded by her stepmother, Lea, and she reflexively bowed her head.

In the living room, her parents and Erin were seated on the sofa.

Amelia was not given permission to sit and remained standing.

Lea, seated on the most luxurious sofa in the living room, closed her ornate fan with a snap and directed it at Amelia.

"And what is this dirty dress? I specifically told you to dress properly when coming to the main house. What if you stain the carpet?"

Lea said this, but the dress Amelia was wearing was the best she had. As an illegitimate child, Amelia was never given money to buy new dresses. Lea knew this but said it anyway.

If Amelia were to voice even a single complaint, Lea would likely accuse her of "not knowing how to speak properly" and unleash further insults.

Amelia, knowing this from experience, responded accordingly.

"…Yes, I have no words to excuse myself. I am deeply sorry."

As Amelia bowed deeper, Lea clenched her teeth in disgust.

"This is why children of the poor are so troublesome…"

Her voice was filled with hatred, a sentiment Amelia had faced many times. She had long since become accustomed to the hatred of others and could say things she didn't mean with a blank heart.

"Mother, please forgive her."

Erin, sitting next to Lea, looked up and said.

"I think Amelia is trying her best. She just has a poor memory, which is probably due to her poor blood!"

"Oh, is that so?"

Lea's expression softened as she looked at her beloved daughter with affection.

"Defending your sister like that, Erin, you are so kind."

"Hehe, not really," Erin said, letting out a deliberately cloying purr as Lea gently stroked her.

Erin glanced at Amelia and smiled triumphantly.

A small pain shot through Amelia's chest. She took a small, unnoticed breath and asked her father, Cedric, who was standing nearby.

"So, what is the matter?"

Immediately, the atmosphere in the room tightened.

"Ah, about that matter."

Cedric took out some documents and said.

"Amelia, there is a marriage proposal for you."