Chapter 24: The Young Lady’s New Ambition
My father had hung the royal retainers and royal guards in a bloody carnival, yet strangely, there was no reprimand from anyone around us.
Even if the House of Lattiche is a great noble family and Father is a key figure, shouldn’t there be at least some punishment?
Perhaps it simply hasn’t reached the ears of a shut-in like me.
Perhaps the capital is actually tense behind the scenes.
I worried about it.
But worrying wouldn’t help.
So I resolved to ask Sebas.
He lowered his brows and replied,
“Rather, everyone is desperately trying to appease the master’s mood.”
Why?
Apparently, both the First Prince and Second Prince had become infatuated with a lower noble lady, Renaria, and had caused various problems.
This had already been a source of discontent among the nobles, nearing an explosion.
Lucas and Leold had not yet been decided as Crown Prince.
They should have been striving to earn that position.
Instead, they were preoccupied with pleasing Lady Renaria, growing negligent.
They ignored their fiancées, neglected social duties, abandoned official work, and focused solely on chasing after a girl who chased men herself.
That is absolutely awful.
Capable people distanced themselves from those princes all at once.
Only those bound from childhood remained, and even they were infatuated with Renaria…
In short, a disaster.
The academy is a miniature version of noble society.
The once brilliant and fiercely competitive princes had fallen.
Meanwhile, the First Princess faction had begun rising behind the scenes.
It seemed those who could not join the princes’ factions gathered there instead.
Is that really okay for a royal family…?
Amidst this mess, Prince Lucas caused his incident.
He falsely accused a noble lady.
Apparently, this had happened before, but victims often endured it silently due to royal authority.
However, this time it was a lady of the highest-ranking nobility.
And not only was she insulted—she was injured.
Worse, she was the daughter of a man even the royal family treated with near fear.
A genius, but notoriously difficult.
And in the past, that man’s beloved daughter had already had her life ruined once by royal negligence.
Father, who normally ignored dangerous matters involving others, had come to the academy to see his daughter—me.
And also to demand punishment for the girl spreading slander about me despite not even knowing me.
Wow, where did Father even get academy information… Julius? Raven? Kishtarial?
Anyway, at that point, Lady Renaria was already doomed.
Apparently, it wouldn’t have been strange for heads to roll immediately.
But Father restrained himself because I was present.
Then Lady Renaria blamed me for being rejected by Kishtarial.
She reported this to Prince Lucas.
And that led to him dragging me out of my carriage without investigation.
He probably intended to publicly condemn and humiliate me.
But really…
Why target me?
It was clearly a luxurious carriage with knights escorting it.
A duchess’s daughter.
Granddaughter of a royal princess.
Daughter of a father who is absurdly capable and absurdly obsessed with his child.
There is no saving him.
That prince is hopeless.
The Sandis royal family had already been terrified once by Father.
The second time must be even worse.
…Albert doesn’t care anymore!
Anyway, since the princes had repeatedly caused problems, people were apparently just laughing at their downfall after Father crushed them.
Even the king seemed to think, “As long as they’re alive and not crippled, it’s fine.”
I didn’t know this, but since entering the academy, the princes’ behavior had worsened after awakening to so-called “true love.”
The king had repeatedly warned them.
Even ministers were exasperated.
Competing fiercely for the throne is one thing.
But causing repeated scandals over women is unacceptable.
The current king himself suffered from predecessors who were too fond of women.
So of course he’d be troubled if the next king turned out like this.
Wait… these are our princes.
Is the Sandis Kingdom doomed?
In the game, there was a grand wedding parade ending…
No way! That’s unacceptable!
Even a shut-in like me knows that’s ridiculous for a nation’s leader!
Ugh… I can’t believe things got this bad without a villainess present…
Honestly, I want to laugh at that blond prince faction’s downfall.
Meanwhile, Father is working hard to secure leave for my birthday.
And apparently that includes disciplining the princes and their factions.
Then I shall also do my best to make delicious cakes!
I’ve already introduced meat sauce and white sauce.
Tomato-based dishes too… gratin, lasagna, pizza, pasta…
Though I’m not even allowed near knives or stoves.
I’ll just beg the chefs!
Sneaking past Anna, I went into the backyard.
It was sunny, filled with white clover.
They bloomed all year round.
Spring was best, but always abundant.
Perfect for making flower crowns.
I picked one and began weaving.
Not glamorous like roses.
Not elegant like lilies.
Not pure like narcissus.
Simple and modest.
That’s what I liked.
I once tried making one for Raven here.
But Julius found me first, so I gave it to him instead.
Both had black hair, so it suited them.
Raven… I haven’t seen him since that day.
He must still be undergoing “re-education.”
Will I see him again?
I hope so.
I wanted to give him a crown and say thank you.
I wanted to see if he would smile.
That day never came.
This was also where Julius confessed to me.
It felt more like a confession of guilt.
I rejected him immediately.
But I can’t forget that desperate look in his eyes.
And yet—
Why did he fall for me?
He always calls me incompetent.
I’m just a girl with looks, status, and lineage given by birth.
Julius should prefer someone more capable.
Kishtarial is handsome too.
He is a proper duke’s son now.
At the academy, many ladies admired him.
So why does he seem to like me?
It makes no sense.
Michaelis also seems to like me.
No—definitely does.
He expresses it clearly.
Sometimes boldly.
A serious, diligent man.
A beautiful knight admired by many women.
And yet—
Why me?
He’s dangerous for my heart.
If this were my past life, I would have fallen instantly.
But I cannot accept it.
I love them all.
They are precious to me.
But whose hand could I take?
Could I take a hand knowing it might lead to ruin?
Aaaaah!!!
I’m going in circles again!
Useless!
I’ve decided!
“I’ll become independent!
I’ll become a commoner and support myself!”
I fear falling because I stand too high.
Fortunately, in my past life, I was a commoner.
…
If someone would still love me even if I were no longer a duchess…
If they loved me as just Albertina…
Then I would take their hand.
Even if it wasn’t those three.
Even if no one chose me.
Even if Father abandoned me.
Yes—if he doesn’t abandon me, I can’t become a commoner.
Alright! I’ll do it!
I’ll even go to another country!
…
But then I won’t see Father anymore.
That would be sad.
“…From a convent to becoming a commoner?”
A cold voice descended.
“Milady, if you descend alone into the lower districts, you will be deceived or kidnapped immediately.
Your body will be defiled by filthy men.”
Julius.
“Or would you prefer I take you first?”
“Julius…?”
“Just advice.”
“I won’t know unless I try!”
“You will fail.”
“Why assume that?!”
“Even if the duke permits it, I will find you.
No matter your condition.
Even if you belong to someone else, I will take you.”
His smile turned dangerous.
“I will make you unable to live without me.”
“No thank you! That makes me useless!”
“…This incompetent girl truly lacks danger awareness.”
“I heard that!”
He sighed.
“Try saying it.”
“What?”
“Say: ‘A commoner should not speak so freely.’”
“…A commoner should not speak so freely?”
“More forcefully.”
“Don’t speak so freely!”
“Not like a child’s play! Like the duke!”
I recalled Father’s cold presence.
“…A commoner should not speak so freely.”
“…Well done.”
He praised me.
My face trembled.
“That was only five seconds.”
“I’ll improve!”
He sighed and took the flower crown from my hand.
“Let’s return. It’s tea time.”
“Oh, already?”
He took my hand.
I held on tightly.
I missed his tea.
“Julius’s tea is the best.”
“…Milady, becoming a commoner is impossible for you.
At most, I can arrange a viscount title.
Please settle for that.”