BTGDF 2

Chapter 2

‘Damn it…….’

The central hall of Claustra Castle.

Evelyn Libro muttered to herself in her head as she stared at the scene before her, dripping wet.

The outing clothes she had taken such care to dress up in—along with the hat adorned with the ribbon Aibera treasured so much—were completely soaked. And on such a clear, cloudless day, no less.

‘This ribbon is ruined. Vera is going to be so heartbroken.’

Closing her eyes, she could picture a tearful Aibera. That cute face with big, tear-brimming eyes that looked ready to spill over at any second.

“A-Ah, Lady!”

The maid who had been guiding her just a moment ago stammered in utter shock.

Yet Evelyn, the one who was actually drenched to the bone and dripping wet, stood stock-still in her place without moving a muscle. She was counting internally just to keep herself from screaming.

If this were at home, and if it had been her twin siblings who pulled a prank like this, she would have rushed over, grabbed them, and given them a scolding right away, but……

‘This is the Grand Duchy. This isn’t our home. It’s not our home.’

Repeating it like a chant, by the time she counted up to twenty-five, Evelyn was able to put on her usual smile.

And after counting another twenty-five or so, a set of hurried footsteps approached, accompanied by the chief butler of the Alpereon Grand Duchy.

“My deepest apologies, Young Lady.”

The butler bowed deeply in greeting. His face remained composure-bound, but a hint of fluster was undeniably noticeable.

“Was it the Prince?”

Even though she was dripping wet, Evelyn asked with a serene, unbothered smile as if nothing had happened. Of course, unlike her external appearance, her insides were boiling toward a breaking point.

At her question, the butler bowed again and offered his apologies.

“I am truly sorry. I will guide you to the reception room. Please change your clothes first.”

“No need. Let us proceed like this. Is His Highness inside?”

“That is……”

When the butler failed to finish his sentence, looking troubled, Evelyn’s expression hardened.

Scheduling an interview and then leaving the place empty? What kind of etiquette was this?

Drip, drip.

The water falling from Evelyn’s body began to pool and form marks on the floor. Watching this, the butler quickly added:

“Please do not misunderstand. Originally, interviews are conducted by Baron Million, His Highness’s aide.”

“Is there a specific reason for that?”

“When the Grand Duchy posts a recruitment notice, many young women like yourself apply. As you know, His Highness the Grand Duke is unmarried……”

Ah. Evelyn found herself nodding involuntarily.

The position of tutor was likely just a pretext; many applicants had probably come aiming for the position of Grand Duchess. That was why his aide, rather than the Grand Duke himself, was conducting the interviews.

“Could you give me something to dry myself off? I’ll wipe off the water and take the interview right away.”

“Pardon?”

As if this were a first, the butler’s expression wavered slightly. Seeing that, Evelyn curled the corners of her lips slightly upward.

“Greetings, Lady Libro. I am Russo Million.”

The brown-haired man who introduced himself as Russo Million spoke carefully to her, drenched as she was.

“…You seem to be in quite a predicament.”

“The Grand Duchy’s welcome was certainly unique.”

Having barely managed to wipe off the water, Evelyn bowed her head slightly toward him in a refined posture. Normally, she would have formally introduced herself in accordance with etiquette, but right now, she was in no mood for that.

He might think it rude, but he couldn’t blame her. And even if he did, so what? It was none of her concern. If he said anything—

‘I’ll just say I had no choice because my clothes were too wet.’

Fortunately, Russo Million seemed to have no intention of doing so.

“Shall we sit?”

“Thank you.”

Evelyn sat down lightly right in the center of the sofa with grace. A moment later, moisture began to spread from where she sat.

‘Damn it.’

Evelyn cursed inwardly once more. She had expected to be somewhat wet, but surely not to this extent.

Unable to watch any longer, the butler brought over a warm air heater, but Evelyn’s expression remained grim.

The person opposite her didn’t look much different, either.

‘She actually sat down. We’ll have to replace that sofa.’

The velvet in the middle of the sofa was already stained dark. With it absorbing that much water, that fabric would be unsalvageable.

Without feeling much regret about it, Russo looked at Evelyn.

“Before we begin the interview, may I ask you one question?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“How did you find out about this and apply? We haven’t officially posted the notice yet.”

At his words, Evelyn tilted her head slightly before offering an ambiguous answer.

“A benefactor told me.”

“Pardon?”

Well, yes, a benefactor. A person who appeared out of nowhere, saved her, and informed her.

Russo stared at her with puzzled eyes, but Evelyn simply lowered her gaze slightly and smiled in lieu of a response.

If you were to ask about the most fertile land in the Traugia Empire, four out of ten people would name the Alpereon Grand Duchy in the south.

Of course, that prosperity was not granted to everyone.

“I can’t live like this anymore!”

Such was the case for the Viscountcy of Libro, located in Rauspel, the capital of the Grand Duchy, not far from the main castle where the Grand Duke resided.

Evelyn glared fiercely as she clutched her mother’s ring. She grit her teeth, fearing tears would fall if she let her guard down even for a moment.

“Father, I respect you. I acknowledge that there is no scholar as grand as you in this entire Empire.”

“R-Right… Thank—”

“But we need to make a living! You sold off the territory and blew through the inheritance. Academic studies and ancient books are fine and dandy, but do they put food on the table?!”

Viscount Libro could only stare with blank eyes as his normally calm and composed eldest daughter exploded.

Opening his mouth with an “Uh,” he seemed to want to say something, but that was all.

As if he lacked the presence of mind to string his thoughts into sentences, the man who used to boast eloquent speech on ancient books and scholarship was busy breaking into a cold sweat and avoiding his daughter’s gaze.

And that only made Evelyn angrier.

“Just you watch! I am going to be the one to support this damned household!”

For some reason, the conclusion arrived at that direction, but regardless, on that day, Evelyn declared that she would jump into the job market herself and boldly stormed out of the house.

“I must be crazy.”

Evelyn muttered as she rested her chin in her hand, sitting by the plaza fountain and staring blankly into space.

“I’ve lost my mind.”

Shouting grandly at her father before walking out was all well and good, but no matter how much she thought about it, no brilliant idea came to mind.

They had sold everything that could be sold and converted everything that could be turned into cash into money—though her father’s ancient texts were a failure.

Now, all that remained were the jewels left behind as her mother’s keepsakes.

“…Do I really have to sell this too?”

Evelyn raised her hand and looked at the ring sparkling on her finger. It was the ring her mother had left to her.

After hesitating for a long while, Evelyn made up her mind, slipped the ring off her finger, and put it into her jewelry pouch.

‘Keepsakes are important, but we need to survive first.’

She couldn’t let her younger siblings starve. It didn’t matter if her father starved a bit, but her growing siblings needed to eat properly.

‘Please take care of Eddie and Vera.’

“Haaah.”

As she slumped her head deep down, her wavy red hair fell forward.

She stayed curled up in front of the fountain like that for a long time, sighing repeatedly, when something suddenly tapped her hair.

No—was it pulling on it?

“Huh?”

Evelyn raised her head, and a jet-black cat came into her view.