On the morning before the family introduction ceremony, an unwelcome guest visited Riley.

“It seems to be someone sent by Baron Ryan. Shall I let them in?”

“……Uncle?”

“Yes.”

Why suddenly?

Riley stood up with a disgruntled expression.

The door opened and Richelle brought in the unwelcome visitor.

A maid whose name she didn’t know but whose appearance was familiar looked around nervously, then immediately bowed deeply upon seeing Riley.

“Oh, it’s been a long time, young lady.”

Riley didn’t know her name, but remembered that she was one of the group that often bullied her. The bullying wasn’t too severe, but she mainly chimed in with Claire and her personal maid Liz’s insults.

She was terrified. Even though Riley hadn’t threatened or glared at her, she was bowing deeply out of her own guilty conscience.

“Why have you come here?”

“We finished packing today.”

“And?”

“My lord said he would like to arrange a lunch meeting, to discuss tomorrow’s family introduction…”

Dining with Uncle and Aunt was enough just for the family introduction.

However, the part about discussing the family introduction was concerning.

In any case, Uncle and Aunt will be attending the family introduction as family tomorrow. To avoid mistakes, it was right to coordinate what to say. Since they didn’t invite Givnen, it didn’t seem like pleasant conversation would take place.

After pondering for a moment, Riley answered.

“Tell them I’ll visit in an hour.”

“Yes, young lady!”

The nameless maid hurriedly left the mansion. She looked like a thief caught by the homeowner and fleeing in a rush.

Richelle spoke to Riley in a worried voice.

“Young lady, will you be alright? You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine.”

“Just in case, I’ll report this to the master.”

“Okay.”

Riley sighed and headed to the dressing room.

Usually she preferred simple dresses that weren’t too flashy, so this time she reached for a pure white dress. However, as Riley was about to put it on, she put it back and took out a more elegant dress adorned with lace.

Then she said to Richelle.

“Call Madame Blanche.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Madame Blanche was an up-and-coming designer who had recently gained fame here in Blestage.

The boutique she ran was so popular that reservations had to be made a month in advance to barely get in. Madame Blanche’s designed clothes were popular, but what was most popular was Madame Blanche’s makeup skills.

She had an uncanny ability to find makeup and hair that matched the clothes, so many people of all ages and genders sought her out, especially young nobles.

“It’s been a while, young lady.”

Riley and Madame Blanche were already acquainted.

When she first came to this mansion, she visited directly to make clothes on Givnen’s orders and that’s when they first met while taking measurements. Madame Blanche had a close cooperative relationship with Givnen and promised to come running whenever needed.

Of course, Riley thought she would never have a reason to call her directly.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. I didn’t expect you to call for me so soon.”

“Why is that?”

“You seemed completely uninterested in adorning yourself.”

“I’m still not very interested, but… I called because I wanted your help.”

“I see. How may I assist you?”

“Just make me look appropriate for a formal occasion, not too flashy but not too plain either.”

The lunch meeting wasn’t really a formal occasion that required dressing up, but Riley knew well enough that one’s appearance shows their level.

Why nobles care about outward appearances, why they consciously groom themselves while being aware of others’ gazes.

“To the point where no one can look down on me.”

She no longer wanted to be looked down upon by none other than Ryan, her aunt, and Claire.

It was a childish thought, but it couldn’t be helped. If she showed them how she had changed, they would no longer ignore and belittle her.

She wanted to show them how happily she was living. That she was doing fine without them. That she could live well. That she was loved. That she had finally found happiness.

And if she went looking shabby, it would disgrace Givnen that much. There was no need to create reasons to be criticized.

Madame Blanche nodded with a bright smile.

“Leave it to me.”

[This is the timeline separator]

“They arranged a separate lunch meeting?”

“Yes, they invited young lady Riley.”

“Why today of all days? Are they trying to threaten her behind my back again?”

Givnen recalled today’s schedule with an expressionless face.

As it happened, today’s lunch schedule was relatively free compared to usual. There was a lunch appointment, but not with someone important enough that the appointment had to be kept.

A lunch appointment with someone who had just enough shares to be good to maintain friendly relations with, but not enough to matter if skipped. Compared to the image of Riley having to eat while minding her manners among family members who abused her, it was clear which took priority.

“Cancel the lunch appointment.”

[This is the timeline separator]

“Welcome.”

Ryan awkwardly welcomed Riley’s visit. The baroness next to him fidgeted nervously. Just then, Claire came out of the room, saw Riley, and startled before starting to tremble with clenched fists.

“You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

The reason Ryan, the baroness, and Claire were surprised was because they didn’t recognize Riley.

When they first took Riley in, they thought they had brought in someone else. Her once scrawny body had filled out nicely, and her gloomy, shadowed face was now full of life.

Her always tangled hair was now neatly combed up and tied, highlighting her lively and small face. Wearing an evening dress that hugged her body and a pearl necklace, she looked as sophisticated as nobles from big cities.

It truly showed how clothes make the person, and it was clear that Riley’s circumstances were now different from before.

“Your face looks livelier. I’m glad you seem to be doing well.”

“I can’t help but do well. The living environment is completely different.”

“Ahem, let’s have dinner first.”

They moved to the dining room where the meal was prepared.

From Ryan’s perspective, it was quite a lavish meal, but to Riley’s eyes the menu seemed quite meager. It felt like less than half of what she usually ate.

As soon as Riley sat down, Ryan spoke as if he had been waiting.

“What have you been doing all this time?”

“I’ve been eating well and living well. Recently I’ve been busy studying.”

“What are you studying?”

“I’m preparing for the Horizon Academy entrance exam.”

At Riley’s words, Claire, who had been sitting with a stiff face, burst out laughing.

“Pfft, you? Preparing for the Horizon Academy entrance exam?”

“……I don’t think it’s that funny.”

“It is funny, really funny. It’s the funniest thing in the world. You’re preparing to enter Horizon Academy, the top elite educational institution, with your brain? You still don’t know your place, do you?”

The baroness was startled by Claire’s behavior and quickly defended Riley.

“Claire, what kind of manners are those!”

“Mother, isn’t it funny? There’s supposed to be an order to everything. But without even basic education and with such a short education, you’re aiming for Horizon Academy when you should be starting from the bottom and working your way up? The Academy isn’t just an educational institution, it’s far above higher education institutions and only elites can go there.”

Claire patted Riley’s shoulder a couple times as if amused.

“Hey, did becoming nouveau riche make you lose your mind? You can buy education with money, but you can’t buy a smart brain.”

“Right, the person in charge of my education said something interesting.”

“What?”

“That there are studying brains and idiot brains. Looking at you, I can see what they meant.”

“What? Are you calling me stupid? Hey, get your head on straight. I’m a top student who’s never once lost first place.”

“That’s why I said studying brains and idiot brains are separate. You don’t even realize that you’ve been pushed behind me in priority in this family and are running your mouth recklessly. Or do you only become stupid in front of me?”

“……”

“This house, this meal, even the clothes in your newly filled closet all came from the money I received in exchange for marrying Duke Reanster.”

Ryan and the baroness looked around nervously. Claire grabbed Riley’s collar while breathing heavily.

“Don’t get cocky just because you married well and had a stroke of luck. You’ve never achieved anything on your own.”

“Don’t you remember what you always used to tell me?”

“……”

“That luck is also a skill.”

It was something Claire said over and over when mocking Riley.

‘Luck is also a skill, and catching that luck is talent.’

Claire said she studied hard and honed her knowledge in order to catch that luck when it came, whenever that might be. That catching that luck was the real talent.

− Blame your parents for having bad ones, luck is also a skill. Blame your lack of luck. Is it my fault that you’re looked down on by others, or is it the fault of your irresponsible parents who left you alone in the world?

− Isn’t being added to our father’s family registry the luckiest thing in your life? If it weren’t for our father, you wouldn’t even be alive right now. You don’t know how harsh this world is for an orphan, especially a woman living alone.

− The Ermeints count family would be too good a match for you. Riley, you’re very lucky. Marrying into a noble family in the capital is truly blessed, I’m envious. Finding a good man is also luck, and you’re so lucky.

“By your logic, marrying Duke Reanster is my luck, and catching that luck is my talent, right? Isn’t that so, Father?”

Claire gritted her teeth but couldn’t retort. After all, Claire had repeatedly said that luck was also a skill.

“That’s right, Riley is correct. Claire, please control your temper. You can’t even congratulate your sister on marrying into a good family.”

“……Father and Mother shouldn’t be like this. I’m your real daughter! Me!”

“Hey now! Who said you weren’t our real daughter? Riley is like my own daughter too. So please get along with each other. Do we have to raise our voices at a meal we’re having after so long? Wouldn’t it be nice if we all got along? Riley, don’t react to every little thing your sister says either. Aren’t you more mature?”

At Ryan’s words, Riley let out a laugh as if dumbfounded.

“I didn’t want to get worked up at a meal after so long either. I had no intention of childishly arguing with Claire. But I’m no longer in a position where I just have to keep my mouth shut and endure, am I?”

“Well, that’s true……”

Ryan looked at Riley nervously while sweating profusely, and Riley continued eating with her mouth firmly shut.

“By the way, about the family introduction……”

“That’s why you called me, right? What do you have to say?”

“It’s nothing much, just that we need to present a harmonious image so we should coordinate our stories in advance.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Ryan talked about topics to discuss at the family introduction.

Starting with made-up family vacation stories, he even decided what subjects Riley had supposedly learned from tutors. They who had never given her proper educational opportunities agreed to say that Riley had taken lessons together with the tutor who taught Claire.

When Riley looked bewildered, the baroness said with an embarrassed expression.

“We can’t let on that you received no basic education at all. But since you say you’re preparing for Horizon Academy, if such topics come up, you should just focus on mentioning your Horizon Academy preparations.”

“……Deceive those you can deceive. They probably already know everything about our family, do you think such lies will work?”

“But you did receive a month of lessons under Lady Baerixeed. She said your comprehension and learning abilities were outstanding compared to children your age.”

“I’m going to tell the truth as it is. Why should I hide myself and lie? I’m not ashamed of myself. What should be ashamed is you, Uncle and Aunt.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Ryan burst out angrily.

“Why are you always so stubborn! Didn’t we agree to forget everything that happened before?”

“I didn’t agree to forget. I agreed not to hold you accountable for those old matters.”

“We’re trying to get along now, why are you being so uncooperative!”

“If you truly want to get along now, you shouldn’t act this way. Uncle, you’re still trying to control me.”

Just as Ryan was pounding his chest in frustration, that’s when:

“Master!”

“What is it!”

“Um… the Archmage of Horizon has come to visit.”

Startled.

Everyone, without exception, stopped moving. The sound of cutlery clinking and food being swallowed abruptly ceased.

The most surprised was Riley.

·

·

·

“This is really too much, Father-in-law. Leaving me out of a gathering like this.”

Givnen, who visited unexpectedly without notice, confidently took a seat next to Riley as if it were his own home. He smirked while taking Riley’s surprised hand.

“Elder sister, you should have told me if there was such a gathering.”

“Huh? Uh… that’s.”

“Would it be alright if I join, sir?”

“O-Of course. Duke Reanster. Please, have a seat.”

He sat down and the meal resumed, but unlike before, only a chilly silence hung in the air.

This was like people who had heard news of Earth’s destruction gathering to enjoy a last supper. The atmosphere was so gloomy and heavy that Riley felt needlessly restless.

In a mood where anything eaten would cause indigestion, she could barely tell if the food was going into her nose or mouth as she kept watching everyone’s reactions.

‘Why on earth did he come here?’

Regardless, Givnen enjoyed the meal gracefully as usual.

“It seemed lively until just now, but it’s become so bleak since I arrived, as if cold water was poured on everything.”

“Huh? Ah, no. That’s not it……”

“What were you talking about?”

“Just… catching up on recent news.”

“That’s a relief.”

He said as he cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and pressed down with his fork.

“I was worried you might be mistreating my wife when I’m not around.”

Ryan showed a troubled expression as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Then Givnen said in a voice that was half-joking, half-serious.

“The baron seems to be very sensitive to heat. It’s not even that hot today.”

“Haha, it happens sometimes at my age.”

It was like a predator coming to threaten at the dining table of herbivores.

Everyone except Givnen watched his reactions carefully. This was true for Riley as well.

At that moment, Givnen quietly removed the fish in front of Riley and instead pushed forward a plate of fruit. When Riley stared at him, Givnen shrugged and answered.

“You can’t eat seafood, right? And you like sweet things.”

Then he pierced a nicely cut piece of pineapple with his fork and held it out to Riley.

“Ah, open up.”

Everyone except Givnen gaped in shock. Regardless, Givnen didn’t seem to care about the stares around him at all.

Right now, in this place, he was truly a caring husband. Grateful for his act of portraying her as a beloved wife, Riley opened her mouth.

A faint smile spread across Riley’s lips as she ate the pineapple he fed her.

The pineapple he fed her was the sweetest and most delicious she had ever tasted.