Chapter 80

Pom pom pam pam— pom!

It felt as if a fanfare burst in my ears, and lively music was flowing.

‘I mustn’t move my body!’

However, numerous sounds were echoing in my ears.

Pom pom pom!

The sound of a trumpet.

Jingle, jingle.

The sound of money coming in.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of counting bills.

I tried hard to calm my heart, excited by the desire for material things, and focused on my expression to prevent my hips from swaying.

But I am originally a child who knows how to refuse once when given something by an adult.

Out of politeness, I should refuse once.

Although I didn’t really want to, I waved my hand first.

If there were a mind reader here, they might find it ridiculous to see the difference between my outward appearance and my inner thoughts.

“No, Your Majesty. It is already a great honor to have saved the royal family. ……Father!”

Oh.

If the emperor takes my words seriously and really doesn’t give the reward, it would be troublesome— I almost forgot to mention Father.

“Your father?”

“Yes! My father, Father!”

Right.

My father is such a loyal person.

Store it in your mind right now.

Quickly, store it!

“Daimond Astra… You seem to have learned a lot of new facts today.”

He smiled brightly.

It wasn’t the uncertain face he had a moment ago.

While there was some doubt earlier, now he almost believes it.

‘About 80%? Wow, he’s really convinced.’

“Daimond seems to be more in line with my thoughts than the deeply filial Grimaie.”

“Uncle Grimaie, I don’t know him well, but Father would be the one.”

Right!

My father is a complete firecracker of filial piety!

So, remember his name.

He conquered the lands of grapes, melons, and peaches!

And still!

Remember that he hasn’t received the Military Merit Medal.

‘Now, if he gives me a barony, I’ll refuse. He should start with at least a count.’

“By the way, you’ve eaten quite a lot of snacks. Were they delicious?”

“Yes, they were all delicious, so I tried them all.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll have more brought. I’ll tell the head butler to make sure you take some when you leave.”

“Yes!”

Even the empress dowager gave snacks to take home, and now the emperor does too.

‘Maybe it’s because of my fire flattery, or maybe it’s because I resemble the empress dowager.’

Anyway, snacks are innocent.

Chomp chomp.

“You’re eating well. Try this too.”

Chomp, chomp chomp!

“You should drink some tea too. Right.”

‘What is this…? It feels like I’m doing a food broadcast in front of the emperor.’

It felt a bit awkward, but since it was a good thing, I finished the snack platter that day, took a lot of snacks in both hands, and left the palace.

It feels like I’ve been flattering my boss and received a holiday gift!

* * *

Thump thump.

Thump thump.

After several days of hard work, finally today.

Finally, it’s here.

‘M-i-l-i-t-a-r-y M-e-d-a-l!’

A palace attendant, acting on the emperor’s orders, came to deliver the Military Merit Medal to Father.

The awarding of the Military Merit Medal was splendid.

A golden carpet was laid on the floor, and there were people playing trumpets on the side.

Since the awarding was already announced, my four siblings and I prepared busily from early morning.

I, who was dressed more beautifully than when we went to the palace, watched very emotionally as the medal was pinned to Father’s chest.

What comes with the medal?

A title.

What title did I say at least?

Everyone, shout it out!

Our father is now a count!

‘C-o-u-n-t!’

Seeing the medal pinned to Father’s chest, the four of us cheered.

“Count, hooray!”

“Astra Count!”

“Daimond Count!”

“Hooray, hooray!”

Click. Click.

The medal shining on Father’s broad chest had a great presence.

Seeing the medal finally settled on Father’s chest made me smile.

‘After a long tug of war, you’ve finally arrived. Military Merit Medal.’

“Are you that happy?”

When Father asked, I nodded vigorously.

“Of course! Congratulations, Father!”

“Good.”

When Father opened his arms, I was the first to hug him.

Then, my three brothers slowly joined in.

Although they were embarrassed, they didn’t refuse, which shows how good my brothers are.

Hug.

Hug hug!

“Ugh!”

With Father’s hard chest in front and three brothers behind, it felt like I was sandwiched between walls, but my mood was soaring.

Now Father has entered the ranks of the great nobles.

He has entered the central nobility!

* * *

Why are the central nobles called central nobles?

The answer is very simple.

‘Because they have mansions within the radius of the palace, hence the name central nobles.’

This is the reason for the name central nobles and the privilege given to central nobles.

It means they can purchase a mansion within a 20km radius of the palace!

Of course, becoming a central noble doesn’t mean you get a mansion for free; it just gives you the right to purchase one.

However, this right itself is a significant privilege and special favor.

This area’s mansions are a symbol that not just anyone can live in, even if they have money.

Limited space creates exclusivity and cohesion.

This is the privilege that central nobles possess.

The area within a 20km radius of the palace.

This area is called the 1st District.

How many things happen only within the 1st District.

These stories rarely become news.

Rumors spread only among the 1st District’s nobles.

The 1st District’s nobles subtly mock those who haven’t entered the 1st District.

Of course, the Astra Dukedom also has a mansion in the 1st District.

‘Of course, it’s not ours.’

It’s the place Grandfather entrusted to Uncle Grimaie.

Since we already have a house in the center, other Astra relatives cannot buy a house in the 1st District.

We already have one.

‘But we can!’

Now that Father is a count.

Shout it again.

C-o-u-n-t!

Our family, who had packed up and moved from the Astra estate, looked around our new house with sparkling eyes.

We liked the garden, which was beautifully landscaped.

We liked the hallway where sunlight filtered in.

We liked the house, which was already cleaned up in anticipation of our arrival.

‘Ding ding ding, ding~ ding ding~’

A tune spontaneously flowed from my nose.

The mansion candidates that Michelan carefully selected.

I chose this house as the final one.

Why?

“Michelan, is it true that this was the former emperor’s secret residence?”

“Yes, it was a place only secretly mentioned to the former empress.”

“Right. Michelan is really the best!”

I knew this place was the former emperor’s secret residence because Michelan told me.

The former emperor’s secret residence.

Why is it called a secret?

Because there are many hidden things in the house.

‘Even the current emperor didn’t know how much personal wealth the former emperor had, right?’

The former emperor didn’t even trust his own children.

He only trusted money and thorough security.

So, in addition to this secret residence, the former emperor’s wealth is hidden in various places but remains locked in secrecy.

The secret residence that even the current emperor couldn’t find.

Now, it’s mine.

I can dig it up as I please.

I looked around the house and found a place where a secret safe might be.

Knock knock knock.

I compared it by knocking on the surrounding walls.

Thump thump thump.

I also jumped on the floor.

‘Maybe it’s here.’

No, it’s not just maybe.

All my instincts are telling me. It’s definitely here!

I called Father.

Although I said this house is mine, it’s actually Father’s.

But, it’s fine.

Father’s is mine.

“Father.”

“Yes.”

“About our house, what do you think about doing some interior renovation? It’s already beautiful, but we need to advertise that we’ve entered the 1st District….”

I stopped talking.

Father and my three brothers were all focused on me.

Ah, I spoke too intelligently.

Of course, I’m a smart ten-year-old, but I don’t need to be too smart in front of my family.

I quickly corrected myself.

“…Michelan said that.”

“Michelan?”

Michelan was taken aback by Father suddenly looking at him.

“Ah… Yes, I told you.”

“Michelan is very capable and incredibly smart!”

“Yes.”

Father nodded.

Father told Michelan.

“Don’t worry about the cost. It’s our home.”

Phew. That’s a dangerous thing to say to interior designers.

The urge to splurge really bubbles up!

But our Father can handle such a statement.

We were already tycoons before becoming a count, thanks to the profit from white jade distribution.

“I’ll take care of it, but since they’ll be coming in and out of the house, find reputable companies.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Michelan received a check from Father and bowed deeply.

‘Your Excellency…! Oh, such a sweet title.’

Now Father is Your Excellency.

He’s a count.

Your Excellency is a title that can’t be used for a baron.

And since Father is a count, I am Lady Astra!

‘Now, who will call me the dirty blood of Astra?’

Of course, there weren’t many people who openly said it before because of my brothers.

But there’s a difference between not saying it out of fear and not saying it because I’m a countess.

Hehehe.

Giggle giggle.

While I was laughing like a villain, Balzac asked.

“Lotte, which room will you use? The middle room on the second floor? The room by the window?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”

“You’ve been walking around the house, but you haven’t chosen a room? I was going to use the room next to yours.”

“What are you talking about? The room next to Erylot is mine.”

When Joshua joined in, Richmond also approached.

“I’m the eldest son.”

While the three brothers were having a brief confrontation.

Michelan was walking towards me from the other side.

Doodle, I ran over and saw that Michelan was holding something.

“Miss, I was about to go.”

“It’s fine. I came out because I was tired of watching my brothers fight. What’s that?”

“It’s an invitation from the Lily Garden.”

How did they get this so quickly after we just moved in?

The shiny silver tray seemed to measure Michelan’s competence.

Michelan handed me the invitation on the silver tray.

The sealing wax on the invitation had a lily pattern.

Rustle.

I carefully peeled off the wax and opened the envelope, and a fragrant lily scent wafted out.

‘The Lily Garden.’

The Lily Garden is a very famous gathering.

A monthly party where only the underage daughters of central nobles can attend.

The fact that we received an invitation on the day we moved into the mansion means that many central nobles are paying attention to us.

They must have been paying attention to when we would move in since Father received the Military Merit Medal and the barony, and Michelan was looking for a house in the 1st District.

‘Interesting.’

Hehehe.

I couldn’t help but laugh like the daughter of a villain.

‘I shouldn’t. I’m the protagonist!’

“Will you attend?”

Without thinking, I answered Michelan.

“Of course!”

The Lily Garden is a field of connections where only the daughters of central nobles can attend, so there’s no reason not to attend.

But the problem is…

“For a party, you need a partner, right?”

“Yes.”

“What should I do? I don’t know any young nobles in the center.”

“No, many attend with their siblings.”

“I see….”

Then there’s no need to worry.

I have three brothers.

‘I’m lucky I don’t have to worry about a partner.’

But.

I had a bad feeling.

While talking with Michelan, I turned my head to look at my brothers.

“The room next to Erylot is mine!”

“Are you stupid? There are two rooms, the left and the right. So if you give up, Joshua and I can….”

“I have no intention of giving up.”

‘…’

They’re still fighting over rooms.

But… they won’t fight over my party partner, right?

So, I pretended not to notice my brothers’ fight while talking with Michelan.

I believed my brothers weren’t that immature.

That belief was my mistake.

I really didn’t know.

—Every month, when the Lily Garden opens, the fierce battle for Erylot’s partner among the three Daimond princes would begin.

This was the beginning of the Lily Garden chaos, recorded in history.