When the National Assembly convenes, members gather at Valiant Palace where the assembly hall is located.

Surprisingly, most of the nobles who make up the Senate do not attend this assembly.

So Louisa Allen, who attends diligently every session, was certainly an unusual type among them.

“Senator Allen. You’ve come.”

“Chairman Bradford, Your Excellency. It’s been a while.”

Louisa greeted him with a very delighted face.

James Bradford was an elderly man with white hair who currently held the position of Senate President.

“I heard about the accident. You must be quite tired for a while.”

“It can’t be helped. I hope things wrap up well.”

Louisa smiled brightly as if nothing was wrong. Bradford chuckled as he picked up his monocle.

“I’ve been thinking this for a few years now, but I don’t think I need to worry anymore. Isn’t that right?”

The soft sound of a cloth rubbing against the lens could be heard.

“I remember what I thought when a child who hadn’t even lost her baby fat entered this chamber wearing barely proper attire.”

“Baby fat? I wasn’t that young, no matter how you look at it.”

“Don’t dismiss an old man’s memories, Senator Allen. Back then, you were a very young lady with rosy cheeks and plump cheeks.”

“My goodness. That’s the first time I’ve heard myself described that way.”

Louisa made a slightly pouty face. Bradford let out a hearty laugh and said,

“Anyway, seeing you today like this is quite moving. Philip can truly rest in peace now, I’m sure.”

Bradford gazed at her with admiring eyes for a moment before bidding farewell, saying he should get to his seat now.

Philip Averitt.

She murmured her father’s name, which had now become somewhat unfamiliar.

In life, there are times when misfortunes seem to pile up to an excessive degree. For her, it was the winter of her eighteenth year.

At first, she just sat in front of her parents’ gravestones and cried endlessly. She resented the god who had allotted her this fate and those who had betrayed them, grieving.

But when she realized there was a young man who, like her, had no decision-making power or ability to solve problems.

And when he stood before her looking as if he might die at any moment, she realized.

Ah, how is that person any different from me now?

The young Edward Allen knelt before the two remaining Averitts, bowed his head, and said:

[I will take responsibility for my father’s wrongdoings. I will surely find a way to set everything right, so please give me time.] [Your sense of responsibility is admirable, Edward Allen. But those who have already passed cannot return.] [That’s…]

Watching the young man who couldn’t even raise his head at her brother’s questioning, Louisa thought.

That this resentment and sorrow should not be directed at this man, at least.

So she said:

[No, it’s fine. Let’s give you time.] […Louisa?] [Brother. Let’s get the maximum we can from this person.] [You mean to give him a chance?] [If waiting until he has the ability means giving him a chance, then yes. Let’s give him a chance.] [Louisa. Blindly trusting people is not a good habit. You know that.] [I just think we’re all victims of Benjamin Allen.] [Yes… That’s right.]

And Allen, who took on his father’s debt, and the two Averitts left behind, lived their best lives.

They minimized sleep and meals to the extreme, balancing studies and work.

Instead of the research lab they wanted to go to, they entered one that paid well.

They learned things they had never done before and worked as private tutors in other homes.

And fortunately, perhaps luckily, their efforts did not betray them.

As time passed, Edward Allen became the best engineer and businessman, and Allen became a household name known to the entire nation.

Back then, she thought she would be happier when such a day came. At least, the girl who had fallen for a man who was doing his best thought so.

But she was young. So foolishly, she thought they could truly love each other.

Without even considering the guilt that must have weighed heavily on him, mistakenly thinking that this man staying by her side felt the same way.

Louisa hid her sardonic smile by taking a sip of water from her bottle.

Chairman Bradford, whom she met after a long time, smiled with a relieved face, saying he was no longer worried.

But was that really the case? She couldn’t be sure.

Her father, Philip, always used to ask if his daughter was happy, but now she couldn’t answer that question.

* * *

The quiet engine sound of a car made with magic stones resonated.

Allen Company’s latest car smoothly passed through the mansion’s main gate. Johnson got out of the driver’s seat of the vehicle that stopped in front of the mansion’s porch.

“We’ve arrived, Madam.”

He opened the door of the rear seat.

As soon as the door opened, a cool breeze rushed in. Louisa wrapped her shawl tighter as she got out of the car.

“Welcome home, Madam!”

Rachel, who had come out to greet her, bowed her head in greeting.

Today was particularly tiring. Using the news of Allen Company’s accident as an excuse, various checks flew in to see if there were any illegal matters in the operation of the research institute.

Because of that, she couldn’t even properly progress the discussion on the education-related agenda she had wanted to discuss.

Rachel’s movements as she received Louisa’s coat were light. Despite it being evening, she seemed excited, indicating something good had happened.

Louisa smiled slightly and said,

“You look bright today.”

Rachel let out an ‘Oh!’ and whispered softly in her ear.

“The master is here today. Mrs. Johnson put in a bit of effort since it’s a day when both of you are having dinner together after a long time!”

So that’s what it was. Louisa smiled faintly.

“Please tell Mrs. Johnson thank you for her consideration.”

“Yes, Madam! Then I’ll go tell the lady to prepare to serve the food.”

Rachel hurried towards the kitchen with her characteristically light steps.

After changing into a simple indoor dress and coming down, she saw Edward already seated and waiting.

Louisa hurriedly walked to her seat and said,

“Did you wait because of me? I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

As Louisa sat opposite Edward, she said,

“You got off work early today.”

“I’ve been busy for a while. The atmosphere was unsettling, so I let everyone go home early.”

As soon as she took her seat, the prepared dishes were served, emitting delicious aromas.

Edward, who had been adjusting the angle of his cutlery for a while, finally seemed to find a satisfactory position and moved his hand to the salad plate.

As he scooped up a full serving of salad, he asked,

“I heard you went to Valiant Palace? I guess the meetings are starting again from today?”

“Yes. I mentioned last time that the summer recess period was ending soon… You must have forgotten because you were busy.”

“Ah… Was that so?”

Edward just quietly ate his salad, perhaps trying to recall. After a moment of silence, Louisa cautiously observed his mood and said,

“So there will be occasional meetings for the time being.”

“You know. There’s one thing I want to ask.”

Edward, who had been silent for a moment, looked at Louisa and said,

“Are you perhaps thinking of going into a high government position later?”

Louisa tried to smile as she said,

“I haven’t thought that far yet. Did something happen?”

“If not that, then why do you keep going to such places?”

As expected.

Louisa felt helpless.

Her husband had always disapproved of her position as a senator. She had expected him to be sensitive due to the research institute issue, but when it actually happened, her preparation seemed futile and she felt at a loss.

How should she handle this situation that only repeats without any resolution in sight?

Edward continued, seemingly sarcastic,

“Isn’t it just a place full of people obsessed with slandering others? I’m sure they were busy gossiping about the recent research institute explosion incident. Why do you insist on going to such places to hear things you don’t need to hear?”

“I told you. I go to the palace just like you go to the company. Because it’s my job.”

“Job? Going out of your way to listen to nonsense?”

“That’s not it—”

It’s not about going to listen to nonsense, but because I have things I want to achieve, things I need to do despite that.

But Louisa couldn’t bring herself to continue her words.

The countless things she had said to persuade this person flashed through her mind.

How much emotion had she and he wasted in that process?

The familiar ending she had seen countless times played out in her head. As the familiar scene unfolded like a panorama, she felt her chest tighten as if she couldn’t breathe.

Louisa took a deep breath, pressing her chest.

“Do you think those people will look at you favorably just because you do that? Not a chance. I know the true nature of such people better.”

“I told you I’m not going there expecting that.”

“Then why on earth are you going?”

He asked as if it was incomprehensible.

Certainly, the title of senator, which was close to an honorary position, didn’t even serve as a proper source of income.

Nevertheless, she had approached it with a sense of responsibility. As she had promised herself many times while looking at him, as she had said many times.

“Because I hope the world will change, even a little. I’ve told you many times. That’s what a senator’s position is for.”

Edward furrowed his brows and frowned. It seemed he was not the only one tired of the repetition that led to no conclusion.

“…You hope the world will change.”

He let out a deep sigh.

“No matter how much you try alone, a protruding stone is bound to be chiseled down. If such things were accepted, all nobles would diligently attend like you. But do you know why they don’t?”

He spoke each word clearly, as if telling Louisa to listen carefully.

“Because there’s no need to do meaningless work.”

“If it were truly meaningless, such positions would have disappeared long ago, Edward.”

Edward raised his eyebrows as if he was about to rebuke Louisa, who was arguing back without backing down. However, he soon sighed and continued speaking calmly.

“If that’s the case, you’d be better off attending some social gathering. I hear that Mrs. Bryce, whom you’re close with? It seems she holds something like a book club with some people. You should join them too. It’ll be fun.”

“Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll think about the book club. But that doesn’t mean I’m quitting my position as a senator.”

“Louisa!”

Unable to hold back any longer, he shouted.