Don't Trust the Heroine

After the selection of dresses was over, the staff went out, and the two sat face to face as they drank tea. 

“Why did you try so hard to stop me?” 

“Medenna always chooses to wear dark clothes when I’m not there.” 

“It’s not necessarily like that… anyways, 

Since I chose white as the main color, it’s okay, right?” 

“Yes. It will go really well with Medenna’s hair color. You’re going to wear the pink beryl accessory that’s going to be made this time, right?” 

“Yes.” 

“I’m really looking forward to the completion.” 

Medenna fitting her dresses has always been a thing, but  Farren would always do his best to advise her on her outfits and praise the way she wore the clothes.

‘He’s hitting his puberty soon. When he started to rebel, I hope this side of him will not change.’

Medenna reached out and stroked his soft hair. 

Farren visibly looked pleasant like a cat.

“Oh, pink beryl reminds me of this. There’s no problem with the supply of orichalcum, right?”

“Yes, you don’t have to worry.” 

“I’ll organize the report and give it to you right away.” 

“Farren, you’ll do well on your own. I always believe in you.” 

“Yes.” 

“Thank you.” 

When Medenna lowered the hand that was stroking him, Farren pulled it and held it. 

He pressed her finger and fiddled with it, he seemed to have something to say. 

“….What’s wrong?” 

“Your partner, have you decided?”

“….Huh?” 

“Have you decided on your debutante partner?” 

“Hmm, not yet. The partner who will escort me to the party I’m going to attend is probably my mom.”

Farren sighed a little. 

“How great would it be if I could be Medenna’s partner?” 

“I think that’s hard.” 

“I know. I’m young, but there’s also a problem with my status.” 

If Medenna had not sponsored Farren as in the original, he would have faced the end of being punished by Suzanne

No matter how talented he is, human values are determined according to the status attached from birth. 

But in the new country, Farenn will be the emperor, and the high society will be overturned. 

Medenna couldn’t say that, but she stroked Farren’s hand with encouragement instead. 

She patted his hand.

“It’s just a formal event anyway. More than my debutante, I look forward to the day you become an adult and debut.”

“Hmm… Becoming an adult…” 

“When you’re young, you want to become an adult quickly, right?” 

“I know. Medenna always treats me like a baby.” 

“Hey, you’re still young.” 

Farren looked relaxed, kissed her hand lightly, and let go. 

“If you’re done drinking tea, I’ll give you the report right away. And the next schedule…”

At that time, the door to the drawing-room opened without a knock. 

There was only one person in this family who could open the door without asking permission. 

“Oh, mother.” 

“Lord, how are you?” 

Luciola made a gesture to the two who were about to get up from their seats to stay comfortable. 

“I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

“What do you mean disturbance? Is there anything you want to check about my debutante?” 

“I heard that the dresses have been decided. More than that…”

Luciola’s eyes are on Farren. 

“May I borrow your Farren?” 

“Uh… go ahead.” 

Medenna was a little surprised because it was rare for her mother to take only Farren without her. 

Farren also seemed surprised, but he got up in a polite manner and walked toward Luciola. 

“Thank you. It won’t take long.” 

“It’s okay, there’s no problem if you keep him for a long time.” 

“I’ll be right back.” 

Farren bowed and followed Luciola. 

The door to the drawing-room was closed, and Medenna muttered, leaning deeply against the back of the sofa. 

“……What is it? If it’s about Lucas Mercenary Guild, it’s like my mother implicitly allowed it.” 

Luciola is smart. 

There was no way she didn’t know it. 

However, Luciola has not so far asked Medenna or expressed any doubts about Lucas Mercenary Guild. 

“I’ll check it when Farren comes back later.” 

She doesn’t remember doing anything special, but Medenna emptied the cold cup with an uneasy feeling. 

The place where Luciola took Farren… 

It was a terrace. 

The summer sun in the afternoon was hot, but it was refreshing when the wind blew due to the tree. 

“…Do you have anything to ask?” 

As soon as Luciola stood silently holding the railing, Farren broke the silence first. 

Luciola smiling with wrinkles in her eyes I looked up at Farren.

“You’ve grown a lot. You’re taller than me now.” 

“….Yes.” 

“I heard Medenna made a personal mercenary guild while she was dealing with the Rodenherg Mercenary Guild. Maybe you’re helping with that too. I believe you will do well there.”

“Yes. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Okay. Now you’re an adult too.” 

Luciola turned around again and put her arm on the railing. 

The garden was decorated with red and blue flowers, and the vivid colors were dazzling. 

Thinking of her daughter, who would carry the weight of her status later, she decided and opened her mouth. 

“In fact, Medenna’s debutante is late. Usually, it happens as soon as they become an adult.”

“Yes, it seems that she wasn’t interested in it.”

“That’s right. I was like that when I was young too. The successor’s class alone was overwhelming.”

 “She said the same thing.” 

“Yes. Debutante was burdensome because it was the first stage that led to the marriage.” 

“Medenna is now slowly at an age to think about marriage.” 

A cold silence that did not match the summer weather surrounded the place.

Luciola peeked at Farren. 

He pretended to be calm, but his blood-like red eyes were about to burn. 

“Farren. You’ll become an adult in a few years.” 

“Yes.” 

“Actually, I was going to talk to you after you became an adult… I think it’s time. I have a story to tell you.” 

Luciola swept her hair back and started talking. 

“It was about twenty years ago. I had a friend. Let’s call the young man Ruth. Ruth was the heir to the Viscount.”

“. …Yes.” 

“The sponsorship culture is not as popular as it is now. Ruth did not like the culture, since they’re using people as ornaments.”

Luciola continued to explain in a clear voice. 

Then one day, Ruth helps a commoner girl who was abused and collapsed on the street. 

He pitied the girl’s situation, who was abused by her biological parents.

So, he used a sponsorship system that he did not like originally and break ties with his parents to support the girl. 

“…If it had ended here, it would have been just a warm story, but unfortunately, a feeling of affection grew between the two, who were similar in age. Each other’s feelings were clear, but there was a wall of status between the two.  After deep consideration, Ruth made a very arrogant choice. He asked her if she had any intention of becoming his mistress. Listening to Ruth, she cried for a long time and went away. Since then, they have never met again.” 

“I see…” 

“Maybe she was wise. If she had accepted Ruth’s words and became a mistress, the relationship might have ended more miserably.” 

Farren looked at Luciola’s face silently. 

“Still… I sometimes think about whether it could have had a better ending.” 

“It’s hard to control emotions.” 

“……” 

“I hope this lame story will be a good lesson for you. Farren.” 

It seemed like her eyes saw through everything inside him. 

Farren looked straight at her eyes without avoiding them. 

“I understand what you’re concerned about. I swear that I won’t hurt your daughter.”

“…Okay.” 

Luciola loosened her expression.

“Tell Medenna that you were moderately questioned about her mercenary guild.” 

“Yes.” 

She took her hand off the railing and turned around. She seemed to be leaving the terrace first. 

Luciola grabbed the door leading to the corridor and murmured. 

“……I didn’t mean to let go of your feelings right away, Farren. Don’t be too upset.” 

The door closed quickly. 

Farren stared at the side where Luciola disappeared for a while and headed to the garden. 

He exchanged genders under the pseudonym “Ruth” but it was evident that the story was Luciola’s own experience. 

Luciola deliberately spins around and gives advice through experience. 

He knew she was worried about her daughter. 

“Even the countess who is not at home often notices my feelings right away. Why is her daughter so dull?” 

Farren which grumbled, suddenly looked cold. 

“But countess. If there comes a moment when status, system, rules, and everything collapses, such assumptions will be meaningless.” 

When he waved his hand, a dark light came out.

The light moved, caressing the branches that stretched out to the terrace. 

At the same time, the leaves withered rapidly as if it had eaten and spread throughout the tree. 

As if autumn had come in an instant, the tree could not withstand it and dropped the fallen leaves on the ground. 

“May the day come as soon as possible.” 

Farren muttered to himself and left the terrace behind.