VFAI 16

Chapter 16

Well done, Elodie
2022.08.25.

[Angelos Family abruptly announces withdrawal from the military industry!]

[Unable to find buyers after putting magic stone mines up for sale…!]

[Bruman region mines fall into the hands of Perdia!]

Various imperial newspapers competed to report on the Angelos family’s sudden change of direction.

At the same time, they also widely reported that the Perdia family had acquired the Bruman region mines.

Though not openly stated, the articles subtly praised Perdia while mocking Angelos.

It was a complete victory for Perdia.

“I guess that uncle is probably really furious right about now.”

In the original story, Count Angelos was the father of Dorothea Angelos, the villain.

He was a greedy man who constantly opposed the House of Perdia and obstructed them at every turn.

I had never spoken to him directly due to lack of contact, but outwardly he looked quite refined—like a gentleman.

Originally, events like this were supposed to happen much later, but because I interfered, it had been resolved much earlier.

‘Well, I guess that’s a good thing.’

If it’s repayment for raising me all this time, then so be it.

While flipping through Trenette Weekly, I tried to find any way to make money, but I soon realized I simply lacked the capital to start anything.

“Guess I should make an antidote instead.”

Last time I tried, the first prince showed up, and I had to go to the banquet hall before I could even drink it.

I sat back down at my desk and stared at the poison bottles.

Something felt off.

‘Why does it feel like there are fewer?’

I hadn’t exactly counted them carefully enough to be certain, but something felt strange.

I should ask the lady later.

Just as I picked up one of the poison bottles, there was a knock.

At that moment, I knew instinctively.

“…Not today either.”

I wouldn’t be able to make any antidote again today.

After I granted permission to enter, the strict-faced butler stepped inside.

“The head of the household requests your presence. Please hurry, young lady.”

“Me? Why?”

“I would not dare presume to know His Lordship’s intent, but it is likely about the recent matter involving House Angelos.”

Given the Duke of Perdia’s personality, it was probably to reward me again, just like when he discovered the traitor among his aides.

But in truth, I had only solved this incident by essentially borrowing the solution Yansi would have used in the future, so claiming credit would be embarrassing.

But what could I do? If I was called, I had to go.

Soon after, I arrived at the Duke’s office—and felt slightly startled.

Since the matter had been handled by his two sons, I expected Yansi and Karlot to be there too, but it was just the Duke and me alone.

As I hesitantly approached, the Duke, who had been reading a newspaper on the table, lifted his gaze.

His clear golden eyes looked at me.

“Relax. I’m not going to eat you.”

“…!”

It was probably meant as a joke to ease my tension, but instead my heart only tightened more.

‘If you say that with such a serious face, it doesn’t sound like a joke at all.’

Seeing me still tense, the Duke let out a small chuckle.

As if he found me amusing.

‘There’s no way he’d find me cute.’

No. Don’t get your hopes up, Elodie!

“Sit.”

At his command, I glanced at the newspaper he had been reading. It was the Trenette Weekly, which I had been reading earlier, reporting Angelos’ defeat and Perdia’s victory.

Noticing my gaze, the Duke leaned back and spoke lazily.

“The editor-in-chief is quite perceptive.”

“Don’t tell me… Father pressured the newspaper?”

“Well. I wouldn’t say I forced them.”

He definitely did.

That face, that atmosphere—even just sitting still was basically intimidation.

After all, he was Silvester Perdia, the head of the Perdia household.

A man whose very existence was a weapon.

That was why sitting face-to-face with him like this was uncomfortable for me too.

Trying to escape as quickly as possible, I spoke first.

“Why did you call me?”

Instead of answering, the Duke just stared at me.

“W-why—”

“Did you not want to come?”

Before I could finish, he suddenly asked.

Did I not want to come?

Caught off guard, I couldn’t answer.

If I said no, it would be a lie. If I said yes, it might make him dislike me even more than he already did.

Fortunately, he spoke first again.

“I called you to give you a reward. Thanks to you, I’ve been helped twice now, Elodie.”

“It just… happened that way. I was lucky.”

“Luck?”

What did he mean?

I tried to read his expression, but there was no way I could decipher the Duke of Perdia.

It had always been like this. Ever since I could remember anything, he had always looked at me with an emotionless face.

But recently, something about him had been strange.

He called me for reasons he normally wouldn’t, paid attention to things I did, even increased my allowance because I wasn’t buying anything, and assigned one of his sons as my escort. None of this was like him.

He had never cared about where I was or what I did.

‘Maybe it’s just because he didn’t want me around and kept me in the annex.’

What bothered me most was the meaningful look he gave me whenever I regained my past-life memories.

As if he were seeing someone else through me.

‘My mother?’

But I couldn’t say that out loud. In Perdia, her name was forbidden.

I lifted my head.

My eyes met his, as he had been watching me the whole time.

“I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you ask for my opinion…?”

During the banquet with the first prince, I had said nothing, simply existing without really existing.

An outsider who carried the Perdia name but was not truly family.

The one who pulled me—standing outside the boundary—into the conversation was the Duke.

“Elodie.”

“I was curious about your thoughts.”

In that moment, the fact that I existed there—did anyone even recognize it?

With just that one question, I had no choice but to enter the conversation.

There were many things about the Duke I couldn’t understand, but this was the most incomprehensible.

He had never once asked for my opinion before. Not once in all my life.

So I needed to know why.

The Duke, who had been quietly watching me, finally answered.

“Because I thought the you of now could handle it.”

“The me… now?”

Was he comparing me to my past self, who used to act out wildly?

Before I could think further, he continued.

“I have always been watching you.”

“…!”

“You’ve changed recently, haven’t you? You seem to think more deeply, so I asked for your opinion.”

He had been watching me?

It was something I had never even imagined.

Because I—.

‘I was an unwanted illegitimate child…’

But his words sounded as if he had always considered me his daughter.

“I thought you had no interest in me.”

“As you know, I’m not good at expressing things. I simply didn’t show it.”

“Ah…”

“Especially since children tend to cry when they see me, I kept my distance.”

As if making an excuse, he added a few words.

‘So he avoided looking after me as a child because he thought I’d be scared?’

He had no reason to lie, so it must have been true—but it felt unreal.

Like a dream.

Dazed, I looked down at my hands.

The Duke said,

“Tell me what you want.”

What I wanted… I did have something.

The one thing I desperately wanted above all else was not to be killed.

A generous assurance that I would not be killed even if my true identity as a daughter was revealed.

But in truth, what I wanted most was—

“Then… please praise me.”

I wanted to feel what it was like to be loved, even for a single moment.

Even if it was the first and last time, it would be enough. One memory of belonging to a family would be sufficient.

‘Yes, that’s right. I know my place.’

Even if the Duke truly saw me as his daughter, I wasn’t really one.

What would happen if he found out? Would he still treat me the same?

Trying to steady my trembling emotions, I felt his hand reach out.

“Come here.”

I hesitantly stepped closer, and he gently placed his hand on my head.

It was an awkward, unpracticed touch.

“….”

“Well done.”

“….”

“Well done, Elodie.”

“Yes.”

It felt like I might cry. But I forced myself not to.

A thought suddenly surfaced.

‘Why… now of all times?’

The three-year-old Elodie who once only had the maid’s daughter Martha to talk to…
The ten-year-old Elodie who cried after being called a “dirty illegitimate child” by her younger brother she wanted to be close to…
The fourteen-year-old Elodie who was hurt by the cold yet polite world of high society…

No, all versions of Elodie had wanted this attention.

If she had believed she was truly his daughter back then, would she have been genuinely happy?

Even now, knowing the truth of her birth, the Duke’s praise still made her happy.

She had wanted family. She had wanted recognition. She had wanted love.

‘…This is okay.’

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was deceiving him by acting like his daughter.

So once she finished preparing for independence, she would leave this family without hesitation.

That was her only goal.

Unaware of her thoughts, the Duke remained as indifferent and gentle as ever.

“But this is still not enough as a reward.”

“I’m fine.”

“No. A father praising his daughter cannot be considered a reward.”

“….”

“Think about it.”

Sniff…

The tears I had been holding back burst out as soon as I left the office.

I hadn’t wanted to cry, but it didn’t matter.

Not wanting anyone to see me like this, I walked down a path with no people—but of all people, Karlot was coming from the opposite direction.

Trying to avoid him, I passed by silently, but he stepped in front of me.

“Hey, aren’t you going to at least acknowledge me—”

His words stopped abruptly.

He looked closely at my lowered face.

“…Hey. Are you… crying? Why?”

His expression was full of confusion.

‘Never seen someone cry before?’

I glared at him slightly, then tried to walk away, but he blocked my path again.

“Did Father punish you? What did you do this time?”

“It’s nothing like that.”

“Yeah right. Did you try to break off your engagement again?”

He hadn’t even spoken to me lately, yet suddenly acting like this was annoying.

“Just move, Karl. Like you always do.”

After wiping my tears with my sleeve, I lifted my head—and saw him frowning.

I tilted my head.

“Why? Do you have something to say?”

“Uh… no. I don’t.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I said no! And seriously, what are you going to do walking around crying like that? What if someone sees you and starts rumors? Are you going to take responsibility? Act like a Perdia and keep your dignity!”

“I was going to say, you’re the only one who saw me—”

“I don’t care! I’m busy. I’m leaving!”

Hah…

I watched his retreating back as he stomped away.

“Well, he says he has nothing to say, but he sure talks a lot…”

Thanks to him, my tears stopped completely.