Effort was needed to change even a little bit of a person’s innate nature. To avoid living like she did in the past, Cessenia tried hard. She scratched and scraped the wounds of the past, reminding herself of the pain, and changed herself.

Despite all her efforts, she, too, still had the appearance of the past. But the idea that her father was changing was unbelievable.

“I might have been a bit harsh. Seeing you talk like that.”

“You weren’t harsh. So, did you call me today to talk about that?”
“Quite clever. Anyway, well done. I’m very proud.”

“Father, I also did that work.”

It was then. Elzé spoke in a cutesy voice, as if she had thrown away any sense of shame.

“Hmm?”

“Hepria wool. I did it too, Father.”

“Oh… Right…”

“I had bad luck, so I couldn’t finish it, but I also did it. Please praise me. I did well.”

With Elzé speaking like the spring breeze, the Marquis awkwardly smiled.

“That’s right. Elzé, you also had something in mind. Well done.”

“So, don’t just take one side. I’m getting a little upset.”

“Well, whether you’re upset or not. I’ve leaned too much towards my pride. I’m sorry.”

It had always been like this. Elzé’s deeds were considered mistakes, no matter how significant the wrongdoing, while even a small mistake by Cessenia became a major offense. It was the same now.

Since it wasn’t a big deal, Cessenia cut her steak into small pieces with a fork.

“Of course, there was quite a bit of loss.”

“I was just trying my best. It’s just a very small loss. Our family won’t collapse just because of that.”

“Right.”

It was a huge loss that left a bitter taste, but the Marquis nodded as if possessed by something.

“Still, Elzé, this started because of Cessenia, and I think it’s right to praise Cessenia…”

“I just started buying late. I thought about it a lot. You know that, right?”

“Haha. Yeah. Well… that’s true.”

Expecting it to turn out this way, Cessenia stared at them in silence.

‘Even so, I can’t turn this into my achievement at the national founding ceremony like in the past.’

In the past, she distributed Hepria wool under the name of the Marquis. But this time, it was a completely independent entity. Moreover, Elzé, who had the wool, had accidentally ruined it due to improper storage, and the rumor had already spread.

The cause was spreading the advantages of Hepria wool everywhere and signing many distribution contracts. Elzé, who had tried to sell even the ruined wool to compensate for the losses, ended up having her true intentions exposed.

“So, Father, please acknowledge that Cessenia also buying Hepria wool at the national founding ceremony was also my achievement.”

Here it comes.

Cessenia swallowed the morsel of meat she was chewing on. Her throat was blocked.

“Hmm? Isn’t that something Cessenia did?”

“I just let Cessenia know that I was aware of her actions and moved first. So, wouldn’t it be thanks to me? So, Father~”

Elzé’s voice, mixed with aegyo, shook the Marquis’s heart.

Elzé, who resembled the woman the Marquis had loved so much. Was that why he wavered again this time?

“It’s my achievement, right? So, please be sure to mention it at the national founding ceremony?”

As always, when the Marquis saw his eldest daughter, he couldn’t say no. As if the first daughter was someone who had to be pleased with everything she wanted.
Awkwardly, he smiled and looked at Cessenia.

“Cessenia…”

“If you want to say that, go ahead.”

Once again, Cessenia had to attribute her achievements to Elzé.

“See? Why would Cessenia give up? It’s all thanks to me, right?”

“Oh, I see!”

A natural way of smoothing over their guilt. And every time this happened, Cessenia felt it. She thought her adoptive father, the author, seemed really insane. Unless he was truly possessed, how could he so easily respond to the foolish words of that idiot?

“Yeah. Cessenia, everything is because of your sister…”

“But will people really believe that?”

In the past, it might have become Elzé’s achievement. But not now. The current Cessenia was different from back then.

“What?”

“No, because it’s your sister’s achievement, make sure to mention it at the national founding ceremony.”