A few days ago, Ollie, who had thrown an important topic and disturbed everyone, was pouring milk into her teacup with a gloomy face. It was quite interesting to see only the other wizards chattering.

Jade pretended to listen to the wizards’ criticism and said with a laugh.

“I think His Majesty told you to research an easy way to kill monsters.”

“That’s true. But it wouldn’t be fun if we only do that, young wizard.”

So why are they doing this at my house…

Jade half-gave up and politely handed several unnamed envelopes to the wizards.

Anyway, they were all renowned wizards, so it was good to build a relationship with them. The cost of hot water and fresh milk was not regrettable at all. The bursting eardrums were a bit difficult, though.

“I will soon have my coming-of-age ceremony. We’ve become acquaintances, albeit small, so I would be most grateful if you could come and celebrate.”

“Oh, congratulations. How old are you that you’re just now having your coming-of-age ceremony? You must have some stubborn elders, haha!”

“How rude of you to say that. The older you get, the more careful you should be with your words. Will there be plenty of delicious food and fine wine?”

“Haha, of course.”

“I must go then. I’ve been spending too much money on research lately that I don’t even have money to buy wine!”

“Oh my, you’re giving me a hint. I’ll call a servant to bring a bottle right away. You can taste even better ones when you come.”

The coming-of-age ceremony itself was simple, but Bernard was working day and night to prepare a fancy party for the invited guests. Of course, Jade, who received reports by letter each time, was also having a hard time.

While looking forward to the day, feelings of fear and curled toes alternated each time.

What kind of face would Grandmother make, what reaction would Felix show? No, could I really stop it in the first place?

But if I really did it, Asela would probably smile at me. Or maybe not.

The moment she smiled slightly, an uninvited servant poked his head through the open door.

“Young lady, I’m sorry, but…”

“What is it?”

The young man, whose hair was well-oiled, approached and whispered quietly. When Jade nodded, the servant stepped out the door again.

Seeing the wizards looking at her with curious faces, Jade smiled as if nothing happened.

“I’ll prepare the wine with a nice aroma. Please have a pleasant discussion while dining, and don’t forget to let me know the contents too.”

And she turned around. But her face, standing out of sight, had become very cold.

Jade descended the stairs, passed through the corridor, and headed to the smallest reception room. It was the smallest, but also the most soundproof room with the thickest walls.

As soon as she entered, she said nonchalantly.

“There are quite a lot of guests today.”

“Gu, ests! How dare you call me a guest!”

Felix Broen, whom she faced, was already in a state of heavy drunkenness, slightly twisting his body. Judging by his appearance, he must have visited the largest town casino in the El Cion Kingdom located in Siena.

It was definitely something Mabel Broen had forbidden. But he must not have been able to bear it, already addicted. I don’t know well, but I heard there’s no other way for gambling addicts than locking them up.

Jade said nonchalantly.

“Guests are correct. After all, I’m the closest to being the owner of this townhouse.”

“You im, impudent…!”

When Felix raised his hand with a mumble, saying such things, I used to stand stiffly and pretend nothing happened when I was young, but I was afraid inside. I was worried that his hand, thick like a magic potion pot, would hit my head.

But now, I really didn’t care at all. All the movements of the man with a distorted face felt distant, as if observing from afar.

Now I didn’t want to be afraid of him or put up with him anymore.

This man was the culprit who ruined all the children of Broen Castle. Recalling Asela, who used to hide her bruises with her hair, made me want to laugh hollowly.

Did he really need to be so brutal even to his own daughter?

Why on earth did this man do that? Because of greed, as everyone naturally assumes?

But what has this man done to make that greed a reality?

Felix Broen just spread false rumors to ruin Jade’s reputation, jumped into businesses without proper investigation and lost his fortune, and repeated a life of gambling to get it back.

They were not the actions of someone who really wanted something. Not even a little effort was seen in the years he had passed.

Then anger boiled up. There were so many days when I had to give up even what I wanted most.

“The door is open. Be careful.”

Jade gestured coldly to the back. The sound of servants passing by, peeking through the door, and being startled was heard.

“You value your reputation. Don’t you? After all, the rumor that you’re trying to take your niece’s place, taking advantage of your elder brother’s death, is not very good.”

“I’ve always told you to watch your mouth!”

“I’ve lived like that for a very long time. But today, I don’t feel like doing that.”

I’ve endured until now, so why don’t you endure a little this time, Uncle? At the insincere reply, Felix gritted his teeth.

“You don’t know many things. That I’m after your position? No! That position was open to me from the beginning. But no one gave me a chance.”

“They didn’t give you a chance.”

“Yes. Now that I’m demanding what’s mine, you may feel unpleasant, but ask your grandmother. I lived my whole life being crushed under your father!”

A deflating sound was heard.

The moment Felix widened his eyes and tried to shout, a soft voice cut in.

“You missed the right timing to demand it, didn’t you?”

Jade explained with a bored face, and at the same time, in a very kind tone as if talking to a stupid person.

“If you felt it was unfair, you should have been angry then. You should have demanded a proper evaluation and competed for the position.”

“You d, don’t know your father! Elder brother was…”

“No. I know my father. I wasn’t that young. I remember when you and my father stood together. You always had gentle conversations. Thank you, I appreciate it, thanks to you, no, I respect you, elder brother…”

Felix gritted his teeth. But the voice that cut through the lies and revealed the truth did not stop.

“And now, after all that, saying it’s all elder brother’s fault, that can’t be.”

Jade smiled.

“What you did to me is not my father’s fault. Spreading false rumors that Jade Broen’s mother was from a brothel, poisoning many things I drink, telling Grandmother every time that if she doesn’t suppress me, I’ll grow up doing whatever I want like elder brother and die…”

She approached the man who was standing stiffly and awkwardly, and whispered quietly in his ear.

“And giving money to the transfer wizard and telling him to fail the magic.”

Felix Broen stepped back, hit the wall, and was startled. He looked at his niece’s face in front of him several times, but it only felt strangely unfamiliar. Her expression was not properly readable…

“I’ve never…”

“You don’t have to deny it. I said it too bluntly, but well, isn’t it what everyone expects? But I don’t know what will be left for you at the end of all this, Uncle. I’ll tell the servants to bring you tea. You’d better sober up a bit before returning to the castle.”

Jade left the room first, leaving Felix Broen standing with a dumbfounded face. The sound of the door closing behind her was heard.

She quickly climbed the stairs with quick steps. A passing servant greeted her with a smile and she smiled back. And when no one was left in the corridor, she squatted down.

She cooled her head by putting the back of her head against the wall.

Yes, it was fortunate that she pulled out her body at the right time. Anger towards Felix often led to anger towards Mabel. She shouldn’t pour out the contemptuous feelings too much and indiscriminately empty out everything inside.

Jade had to be a successor who disliked Mabel until the coming-of-age ceremony, but diligently followed her words without refusing.

She had to endure a little more.

Even after Jade left, Felix Broen stood dumbfounded as if he had been hit, then staggered back. And he took a low table’s silver candlestick that stood like a decoration and left the townhouse.

There was no carriage. As he strode and put his feet down, people quickly made way with surprised eyes.

Felix didn’t know, but his appearance was a mess for an aristocratic family’s son, and his eyes were red and his pupils were loose, looking dangerous.

But he had no mind to care about such things.

Whenever the sunlight poured down on the top of his head as the day was still bright, his face would turn red as if it were burning, then cool down to pale with some unknown emotion, repeating this.

The place he finally arrived at, as if running away, was a large town casino located on the main street. As soon as the servant guarding the door saw Felix, he bowed deeply and politely opened the door.

This is right. This is the right reaction.

He felt relieved for some reason. Felix walked confidently through the luxurious corridor with his chin up.

When he shoved the silver candlestick to the person who came out to check his identity, the person roughly examined the item and handed over several gold coins.

“I gave you enough as the craftsmanship seems delicate.”

“I have a lot of money, but this was more convenient to bring.”

Despite the obvious pretense, the casino staff bowed politely.

“Of course you would. I will guide you to the place you always go.”

“Yes.”

When he saw the familiar chandelier and the familiar red table, Felix finally let out a sigh he had been holding back.

“What. You came back right away?”

The man called Usher laughed with a scar near his eye.