The party hall erupted in a deafening noise.

I glanced around at the people.

“They probably didn’t expect the Emperor to get involved to this extent.”

I didn’t expect it either.

I thought the worst would be taking away the voting rights in the Central Tower.

Of course, that was still a disgrace like no ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) other.

It would surely be recorded in history and cursed for a long time.

The family would be completely ruined.

The Chatobriand family was a great noble house owning large estates.

How many would be after the headship of the house?

In the worst case, they could be pushed out of the position of head.

“But if they’re being brought to trial...”

Not only would their voting rights be stripped,

They’d also have to serve time in prison.

Then, the Chatobriand family would have to elect a proxy head in their place.

“That’s how they lose the headship.”

Being brought to trial meant the Emperor had made a decisive move.

He was completely abandoning the current head, Stephan Chatobriand.

“Ah, ah... aaah...”

Silin slowly collapsed.

She was nearly unconscious.

For a girl who valued her pride most, collapsing onto the floor like that was extreme.

Isabella fussed, exclaiming, “Oh dear! Silin! Are you alright?”

Though she asked if Silin was okay, there was unmistakable delight in her voice.

Sebastia, the older sister, said, “Even though it’s a family crisis, she seems excited.”

“The family’s in trouble, but for her, this is an opportunity. If the current duke is ousted, wouldn’t her father become head?”

“Exactly. It’s better for the biological father to become duke than being adopted. That way, he might be able to push out Jerez Chatobriand and become heir...”

Sebastia was sharp, as expected.

It’s no wonder people say, “If you want to read people’s moods, think BiPerry.”

Sebastia, who resembled the BiPerry duke, had a good eye for people.

“She’s definitely the type overflowing with ambition.”

But to me, it seemed she wasn’t just happy for that reason alone.

“It looks like Silin has caused a lot of trouble for her...”

I muttered, and Sebastia replied.

“You knew?”

“Just guessed.”

“Yeah, Silin blocked her so badly she barely got into the capital. Almost no nobles helped her with her debutante ball either.”

That spoke volumes about how badly Silin had treated others.

No one mourned her downfall.

Instead, they were chuckling.

On one side...

“Don’t laugh so much. She’s pitiful.”

“But think about how much she suffered. And yet, some still side with that girl...”

“As for me...”

“That awful rumor about spending the night with some noble to kick the young lady out of society—that was also Silin Chatobriand’s doing.”

“That was truly painful.”

On the other side...

“It must be because the late grandmother helped her!”

“You sure are blatant about liking her.”

“How much I suffered, sister. I just got a little attention at the southern preliminary tournament and got on their bad side.”

“They nitpicked everything and treated me like a dog.”

“Yeah, and if I resisted, they’d threaten my parents. I cried so much.”

“It’s a relief her true nature is finally revealed. Otherwise, you’d be the only weird one.”

Anyway, she was a girl with a lot of karma.

Then, at that moment,

A commotion rose outside the party hall, and the Paante young lady hurried to the doorway.

“Guard, what’s going on here?”

The Imperial Guards were entering the party hall.

Not just any guards—

‘The Peacekeepers.’

Like the police in Yuhyemin’s world.

“I apologize, young lady. By order of His Majesty the Emperor, we are here to arrest the ringleader of the Outer Palace raid.”

“Oh my...”

“Silin Hyacinth Chatobriand, you are under imperial arrest─!”

The attendees flinched, staring at Silin.

Silin, staggering to her feet, stepped back.

“W-What... what are you doing...? Do you know who I am? How dare you, dare...!”

“If you do not comply peacefully, we will use force.”

“W-What?!”

Silin’s face went pale as she struggled with the guards.

After a moment, the squad leader shouted,

“Subdue her!”

“L-Let go of me! Let me go! Do you know who I am?! Father...! Aaah!! Father!!”

Silin was dragged out, her arms held tight.

I shook my head.

‘At least she’s getting her comeuppance now.’

Whether in Yuhyemin’s world or this one, it was the same.

If parents don’t teach you, society will teach you harshly.

‘Better to learn at a young age.’

I shrugged.

After that, Silin completely disappeared from the capital.

I heard later that she spent two years in a juvenile detention center.

She never truly reformed.

Rumor had it she caused trouble in the Chatobriand estate and was completely erased from the family’s name.

A few days later,

I was spending peaceful, uneventful days.

I stretched my legs out on a chair said to be crafted with the utmost care by a master craftsman, gazing out the window.

The room was warm, there was delicious iced tea beside me, and I didn’t have to go to work.

“Sick leave... is a wonderful thing...”

I sighed contentedly.

Because I’d been in poor health after being defeated by Silin in the 5v5 public battle, I was granted sick leave.

No need to go to work.

I could avoid meeting anyone by pretending to be sick.

Most importantly...

“How does it taste, Miss?”

Jeanne, who was brushing my hair, asked with a bright smile.

I was eating pudding Jeanne had bought for me.

“It’s really, very, incredibly delicious.”

Like something that might sell only 30 pieces a day at a specialty store in Yuhyemin’s world.

It was richly nutty and sweet enough to make me tingle.

I used to think I had a picky palate, but I guess not.

“Maybe it was just that fancy dishes didn’t suit me...”

I didn’t really like dishes that emphasized the natural taste of ingredients with minimal seasoning.

Thinking back, that made sense.

“I’ve always believed, even in Yuhyemin’s world, that more sugar and salt make food tastier.”

Of course, my veins didn’t agree.

“But really, anything tastes better with more seasoning.”

But top chefs in great noble houses like Astra took care of health carefully.

“This is soooo delicious, Jeanne!”

“I’m glad. I was worried it might not suit your taste. When I was sick as a child, my sister used to bring me pudding like this.”

“Jeanne’s sister is so kind.”

“Yes. She lost her parents early and became the head of the family when young. She’s like a parent and my best friend.”

“Hmm!”

“She wanted to share the best food with you, Miss.”

Thanks to that, I learned exactly what my tongue liked.

I was already on my seventh pudding.

“Nice, I like it.”

When Dad becomes the head, I’ll be able to live like this forever.

I won’t have to worry about relatives attacking me.

“Life like this is the best...”

I opened my eighth pudding with a blissful expression.

“Another moment just for us...”

“I could make pudding like that too...!”

Heidi and Betty glared at Jeanne, biting their handkerchiefs nervously.

At that moment, a young maid came in and whispered to Heidi.

Heidi nodded and said,

“The master has been given the Central Tower’s emblem.”

It meant Dad was accepted into the Central Tower!

I jumped up.

“Really? Where is Dad?”

“He’s receiving the emblem in the central courtyard.”

I knew it already, but hearing it made me even more excited.

I hurried out of the room.

I ran down to the courtyard, and there was Dad with the emblem pinned to his clothes.

Dad was wearing the Ouroboros-shaped badge, the symbol of the Central Tower!

I excitedly grabbed Dad’s arm and jumped up and down.

“Awesome! You look amazing, Dad!”

Dad smiled gently and hugged me.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

“I really made it splendid.”

I teased, rubbing my face against Dad’s cheek.

Dad smiled warmly, and the people who had come from the Central Tower let out admiring sighs.

They straightened up at once when they noticed me.

‘Yeah, yeah. Handsome, right? I know.’

I was always surprised when I saw him.

Even in Yuhyemin’s world, there was no actor like him.

Not just because he was my dad, but objectively, his looks seemed divinely crafted.

‘And with the Central Tower emblem, he looks even cooler.’

Dad smiled softly and asked,

“Shall we dine out today? I heard there’s a new restaurant. A place for nobles.”

“Yeah! Sounds great.”

My older brothers, who were smiling at me around Dad, said,

“Strange that you agreed so easily today. You’re the one who values home the most.”

Balzac said this, and I hugged Dad’s neck.

“I’m going out to brag. Our dad’s super cool.”

“What about me? Am I cool too?”

“Balzac, not so much...”

“What?!”

Balzac narrowed his eyes and grabbed my cheeks.

“Say that again.”

“Dad’s cooler.”

“Comparing to Dad is cheating. How can you beat that face?”

Joshua chuckled.

He let go of Balzac’s hand and said to me,

“Even if you’re not as good as Dad, you have to dress up well enough to look good to yourself.”

Joshua also looked very pleased.

He was smart enough to realize that the situation was completely in our favor.

‘He’s entering the Central Tower before Uncle Grimyé, the eldest son.’

Grandfather had cast his vote in favor of Dad’s admission.

Dad’s status now was incomparable to before.

Many already considered Dad the next duke.

Balzac and Richmond also seemed happy.

Richmond asked kindly,

“Shall we get ready to go out then?”

“Yeah.”

Michelan, the chief steward, instructed the servants to make a reservation at the restaurant.

We greeted the people who came to deliver the emblem from the Central Tower, then went up to our rooms.

Jeanne and the maids helped me prepare to go out.

I wore a dress with a full skirt made of deep red velour fabric.

My hair was braided on both sides and curled into round buns.

My coat was a cloak embroidered with delicate patterns and trimmed with fluffy fur at the hem.

Heidi and Betty squealed and rubbed my face from both sides.

“You look so beautiful again today~.”

“A masterpiece of the gods for sure~.”

Jeanne, who tied the ribbons on my cloak, smiled too.

“Have a good time.”

“Thanks.”

Just as I was about to leave, I paused and looked back at Jeanne and the maids.

“You three are on vacation starting today.”

“Vacation?”

“Vacation?!”

“Vacation...?”

I smiled gently.

“There won’t be any problems for a while, so go see your families.”

“Miss...”

“Uu, Miss...”

The maids looked deeply moved.

I nodded and looked at Jeanne.

“Jeanne, have a good time with your sister in the capital.”

“Thank you.”

“Okay! I’ll be back soon!”

I said this to the maids and went down to the courtyard.

Dad and my older brothers were already ready and waiting for me.

No sooner had I joined them than the carriage was prepared.

It was our first outing as a family.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I said “Wow...” as I looked around the interior.

‘They said it was built for nobles, and it’s truly splendid.’

The interior seemed to mimic the Paante salon; the layout and furnishings felt familiar.

At the entrance was a fountain with an angel statue holding a jar in the center.

Clear water continuously flowed from the jar.

‘So pretty.’

The customer service was impeccable.

As soon as we got out of the carriage, a man who looked like the general manager and several attendants greeted us.

They guided us to our seats with kindness and precision.

I held Dad’s hand as we walked, looking around.

“Huh?”

I muttered after spotting something, and my family looked at me.

“What is it?”

Joshua asked, and I tilted my head in response.

“That emblem on the wall—isn’t that the coat of arms of the Jermo dukes?”

A snake holding an apple.

Sure enough, the Jermo duke and his son Cassian Jermo wore similar emblems on their clothes.

Dad answered,

“It’s a restaurant funded by the Jermo family.”

“Oh.”

I nodded, and my twins said,

“The baby has sharp eyes.”

“Erylote has a good memory. And don’t call me baby anymore.”

“Uh, it’s stuck in my mouth.”

We chatted idly as we reached our seats.

After sitting and wiping our hands, Dad was served an aperitif and we got juice.

Aperitifs are drinks served before a meal; this one was not sharp but drinkable.

I nodded in approval.

The meal was excellent.

It could easily compete with meals from the Astra estate.

‘Hmm, not bad.’

Though I wished it were a bit spicier.

‘This dish is spicy, reminds me of dak-galbi. Dak-galbi... sounds delicious.’

While eating, we chatted quietly.

“What happened to Duke Chatobriand?”

“Well, I heard from His Majesty that he’s likely to get a 3-year sentence.”

“Only three years despite all his corruption?”

“It’s the first time a duke is sent to prison, so it’s significant. Besides, he’ll lose everything for those three years.”

“What about his daughter? She tried to kill Erylote!”

“She’s going to juvenile detention. It’s a social death in noble society.”

“And now the Central Royal Guard seat is vacant...”

We were talking when—

Clang—!!

A sharp noise rang out.

“What’s that?”

I turned my head.

Over the partitions on each table, familiar faces peeked out.

“That’s...”

Wolfgang.

The referee of the 5v5 public battle, Wolfgang.

He was shouting loudly.

“What do you think I am, to be treated like this...!”

It seemed he was yelling at a staff member.

Below the partition, the hands and feet of someone lying flat on the floor were visible.

“I-I'm sorry, sir.”

Huh?

An incredibly familiar voice.