Chapter 5: I Like the Side Characters More Than the Capture Targets
Time passed, and I grew steadily.
Recently, I succeeded in slimming down through pony riding as part of my riding diet, and the flabbiness around my lower body and stomach has completely disappeared.
Mother as well has become even more beautiful thanks to riding.
The lady fashion brand Under the Rose seems to be quite a hit.
I say “seems” because I do not attend social gatherings at all, so I only hear about it from Lady Latine.
Apparently many women had grown sick to death of the overly sweet, exclusively romantic fashion that had dominated until now.
While it suits young girls, it is not kind to adult or married women.
That style only truly fits proper, cute beauties.
For others, it makes people tilt their heads.
Princess-line dresses remain popular among young ladies, but mermaid and empire dresses are now at the forefront of fashion.
Dresses are expensive, and the Rose brand is so difficult to reserve that many cannot even secure an order.
Recently we have expanded into accessories such as brooches, corsages, rosettes, bags, and shoes.
Frankly, I do not like the current sharp-pointed high heels.
I prefer rounded, charming lines.
So I am having them made.
Because I want to wear them!
Dora claims it is improper for a lady to run a business, yet when she sees prototype brooches and earrings, her eyes shine while she keeps silent.
Why is someone like her still in the ducal household while Father says nothing?
Because Dora is my late mother’s milk sibling.
My real mother collapsed from the shock of my kidnapping and, already frail, never recovered.
Incidentally, I resemble her exactly.
Father, who is terrifying to everyone except his daughter, had a grand love marriage with my mother.
He fell in love at first sight, though she was engaged, and won her in a duel.
Given that, his love for me is self-explanatory.
And so is his hatred toward the royal family.
Dora is the one who knew Mother best.
Yet since Mother’s passing, she has grown domineering and tries to control me, leading to constant cold war with Julius, Anna, Kishutaria, and Lady Latine.
I am certain Dora contributed to the twisted personality of the original Albertina.
Her method is self-made heroics.
She deliberately creates darkness or enclosed spaces I fear, then appears dramatically as if to save me.
Recently Julius and Anna have begun thwarting her tactics.
It is harder for her to act now that I spend more time with Lady Latine and Kishutaria.
Especially Kishutaria, who sticks close to me.
“Ahh… dorayaki is so delicious.”
“Lady Albertina, there are still white bean and chestnut, fresh cream and chocolate cream, and custard cream left, so please do not overeat.”
“What?
This is not a snack but a tasting?”
“Tomorrow is daifuku and yokan.
To prevent weight gain, riding will be intensive in the afternoon.
Now, please fill out the evaluation form.
We rely on your palate.”
“Ehhh, I want to savor it slowly.”
“After commercialization, you may eat as much as you like.”
Is this not strange?
I am a ducal daughter, right?
Why am I being rushed while eating?
Even if I appeal to Julius, behind him stand chefs and pâtissiers waiting for my verdict like condemned criminals.
“By the way, Young Lady.”
“What is it?”
“We received an invitation to the First Prince’s birthday tea party—”
“I will not attend.”
I answered immediately, cutting him off.
I pushed Kishutaria forward to hide behind him, though sitting down means I am not truly hidden.
The future duke can attend instead.
Since I never appear in society, rumors say I am too ugly to behold.
That I have a gouged face or terrible burns.
In reality, only a faint scar remains on my back.
So Anna says.
When I firmly insisted, Julius smiled wryly, and Kishutaria shrugged.
“I am curious about palace sweets, though.
Kishutaria, do you know?
If the prince hosts it, perhaps both traditional and cutting-edge delicacies will be served?”
“Traditional dishes are that dry bread wrapped in sugar glaze we used to eat.
As for cutting-edge sweets, probably the cream puffs and cakes developed at the merchant guild six months ago.”
“Close.
Cream puffs and macarons.
The royal household has placed reservations.”
Those again?
I am sick of them from endless tastings.
I do not want to eat them for three years.
The choux pastry was so troublesome.
Macaron flavor selection was a nightmare.
I even considered cookie choux and éclairs, but grew so tired of cream that I postponed them.
Having eliminated the First Prince, who condemns Albertina, from my life and thoroughly tamed my stepbrother Kishutaria into caring for me, I have no blind spots.
As long as I look happy, Father, the guardian deity of Lattiche, is satisfied.
I reject every tea party and banquet, staying home enjoying delicious food and sweets.
Then, the third assassin appeared.
His name is Michaelis von Dimitrias, heir of the Dimitrias count family.
In his route I barely interact with him, but since he is a main character, ignoring him would be dangerous.
I shall tame him thoroughly.
Primarily using Julius and Kishutaria.
Michaelis is a beautiful boy with blazing red hair and red eyes.
He seems hot-blooded, yet is calm and serious.
More accurately, his facial muscles barely move.
He dotes on his younger sister Jibril, but his cool demeanor makes their relationship awkward.
Rather than closeness, she feels inferior and keeps distance from him.
A pitiful older brother.
Hahaha!
Too bad!
I have already tamed a stepbrother not even related by blood!
This victory is mine!
The triumph of authority!
That superiority vanished when I saw them.
Why do these children look so pale?
“The head of the Dimitrias family, Count Gaius, is my friend, but he has fallen ill.
During his inability to oversee affairs, his younger brother and wife caused trouble.”
Before us stood the gentle countess and two young siblings.
The uncle and aunt, arrogant and ill-mannered, had occupied the main house and run rampant during the count’s illness.
Unable to endure their tyranny, the countess swallowed her pride and sought help from Grail von Lattiche.
Though their ranks differ, the territories of Lattiche and Dimitrias border each other.
If the neighboring land falls into chaos, Lattiche will be affected.
Thus, Father agreed to act as guardian for Michaelis and train him until he can manage affairs himself.
This favor will heavily influence both houses.
At the very least, Dimitrias will never oppose Lattiche.
“Albertina, the Dimitrias territory is very fertile.
Did you not say you wanted a new farm?”
So that is your aim, Father!?
To seize their land over my idle comment!?
Or perhaps force a contract demanding harvests for pennies?
That is not kind to the farmers.
I have indeed begun producing cosmetics like lotions and soaps.
Soap requires oil extraction.
Various blends, but that is the base.
Michaelis’s shoulders trembled slightly.
“There are plants I wish to cultivate.
And artisans I hope to nurture.
As good neighbors of Lattiche, I would like continued relations.”
“Growing plants is fine, but artisans can be gathered in Lattiche.”
“If power concentrates too much in one place, imbalance occurs.
Besides, the numerous royal invitations lately are truly tiresome.”
“…That is unacceptable.”
I would be lying if I said I did not want advantage, but I do not wish to incur Michaelis’s resentment.
Lattiche is wealthy enough.
Father’s focus shifted immediately to my complaint about royal invitations.
Smiling reassuringly, he patted my head.
“I have some work.”
When I glanced at Michaelis, he instinctively shielded his sister.
Jibril, however, gazed at me with sparkling eyes.
“A beautiful princess…”
Red twin braids and straight bangs.
Her coloring matches her brother’s.
She stares dreamily at me.
…
…Ah!
That is right!
Albertina is meant to be a peerless beauty!
Even if the inside is hopeless!
No one treats me like one!
I smile and approach Jibril.
“Nice to meet you.
I am Albertina von Lattiche, eldest daughter of the Lattiche ducal house.
May I know your name?”
“I-I am Jibril!
Jibril von Dimitrias!”
“Pleased to meet you, Jibril.”
“Yes!”
Then I notice something odd.
She is a count’s daughter.
The Dimitrias family is not poor.
Yet her clothes are worn and dirty at the hem.
Her skin and hair are rough.
Her youthful complexion looks almost powdered dry.
I gently touch her cheek.
The texture is poor.
But she is young.
With proper care, she will regain egg-smooth skin.
“Let us change before dinner.
Julius, prepare the bath.
Select some of my clothes that would fit her.”
“As you wish.”
Julius bows smoothly.
Michaelis’s attire is similarly worn.
The uncle and aunt must have been tyrannical indeed.
The future head and daughter unable even to dress properly.
Not street urchins, but unacceptable for nobles.
Father should have at least tidied them first.
“As for Michaelis’s clothes…
Kishutaria’s likely will not fit.”
Though thin, Michaelis is taller.
Adult sizes are too large.
Julius’s clothes would fit, but giving a count’s heir a servant’s attire is improper.
“There are Rose brand prototypes.
How about those?”
“They are for women.”
“Riding outfits or casual suits can be altered slightly.”
“Then summon the seamstresses and designers to fit him.
It would be unfair if only his sister receives new clothes.”
Though slightly worn, Jibril is a vibrant beauty with ruby-like eyes and vivid red hair.
A gem waiting to shine.
We have never had a younger girl in this house.
I want to dress her up completely.
As for myself?
Pass.
That is Anna’s job.
“Michaelis, what do you think suits Jibril?
I recommend a silk dress with white lace and muslin.
Her red hair would shine!
Or perhaps pink?
Or pale green layered high-waist skirts?”
“Sister, calm down!
Michaelis is overwhelmed!”
“Oh my, how improper.
My apologies, Michaelis.
We shall see you at dinner.”
I grow dizzy from excitement.
When attempting a curtsey, I wobble.
Kishutaria rushes to steady me.
While supported, I gleefully imagine dressing Jibril.
Then I develop a fever and am tucked into bed by Anna and Julius.
They press blankets over me so I cannot move.
Stop, it is suffocating.
I cannot sleep like this… zzz.
Apparently the Dimitrias siblings stressed me more than expected.
This fragile lady collapsed easily.
Why?
Kishutaria and Lady Latine were fine.
Father laments.
He prepared “friends” for me, yet this happened.
“Shall I dispose of them, Albertina?”
Stop it!
Father is terrifying!
The original Albertina’s cruelty clearly runs in the bloodline!
Do not smile while issuing execution orders!