chapter 24
Startled by what Panda said, Caroline unconsciously reached out her hand.
But she quickly came to her senses and twisted her arm back, pretending she had only meant to cross her arms from the start.
“…W-well, do whatever you want.”
She said something she didn’t need to say at all, just to protect her pride.
Even though her mind was clearly a mess, she was desperately pretending it wasn’t, which made her pitiful to watch.
Someone needed to comfort her, or at least look after her a little—but in our wretched family, there wasn’t a single person with a heart generous enough for that.
In the meantime, the corrected documents arrived.
Serena signed the new papers, where Caroline’s name had been removed.
Jeremy quietly watched Serena’s unexpectedly neat signature for someone her age, then took out a small rectangular slip of paper from his drawer.
“Your grandmother left the inheritance in cash, but since it would be heavy to carry, I prepared a check.”
Serena took it and confirmed the amount—100,000 gold.
She had seen the number on the inheritance list, but actually holding it in her hands made it feel unreal.
Serena stared at the check with trembling eyes for a long time.
“To think I could hand this to a bank and get 100,000 gold…”
She wasn’t unfamiliar with checks, but she had never touched or used one before. Being poor meant she never had the chance. The idea that a single slip of paper could contain such a massive amount was hard to grasp.
Noticing her confusion, Jeremy gently explained.
“It’s issued by the Imperial Central Bank. You can exchange it for gold at any bank in the city. And if you prefer, you can change it into smaller checks for easier use.”
Now that he mentioned it, the imperial crest—a sword and shield—was engraved in the center. Serena raised it toward the light, and the emblem shimmered in rainbow colors.
Finally relieved, Serena bent her arm to tuck the check safely into her inner pocket—only for her elbow to bump into something soft.
“Ugh!”
It was Ashubel’s ribs. He had been standing directly behind her, trying to peek at the check.
It was only a slight bump from a ten-year-old girl, but because he was nowhere near athletic, he clutched his side in pain.
“Watch where you’re swinging that! That could’ve been dangerous!”
Dangerous, my foot.
Serena massaged her elbow, scowling.
“Why were you standing so close behind me?”
“I couldn’t see!”
“So you tried to peek from behind?”
“Peek?! I was just trying to get a closer look!”
“That’s literally what peeking is.”
How could someone be unlikable with every single thing they did? How did her father manage that while being perfectly sober?
There was no way she would ever show him the check. Serena shoved it deep into her inner pocket.
Amused by the pathetic sight, Jeremy gave Hans a small signal.
Hans handed Serena a pink pouch, about the size of a grown man’s palm.
A golden embroidered rose decorated the center—just the sort of thing that suited a blonde girl with pink eyes like Serena.
“What’s this? Is it for me?”
When she touched it, she felt weight and heard clinking from inside.
An expensive-looking pouch…? That wasn’t in the inheritance list…
She remembered skipping the complicated sections, but she was sure she never saw anything like this.
“It’s a personal gift from me. Go ahead and open it.”
Serena hurriedly peeked inside—gold coins gleamed brightly, reflecting the light.
A rough count said there were around fifty.
He’s giving me this much money… as a gift?
She stared up at Jeremy with wide, disbelieving eyes.
He nodded.
“It’s nothing grand. Just a small thank-you gift, since you brought back memories of Mother. It felt too empty to give you just a wallet, so I added a little travel money. Don’t feel burdened.”
Jeremy smiled warmly.
Serena was speechless. How could her father and Jeremy possibly have come from the same family?
He’s not human—he’s a literal angel!
Maybe her father was so awful that a real angel had descended, disguised as a sibling, just to keep the family from collapsing.
She had been worrying about having no money to use until the check was exchanged, and about having to walk into the bustling city to convert it. But Jeremy had already taken care of that for her.
Moved by his thoughtfulness, Serena bowed.
“Thank you so much, Uncle. I really needed this. I never imagined I’d receive something like it. I’ll use it carefully.”
Jeremy smiled again.
But of course, Ashubel couldn’t read the room.
“Ahem… well, I mean, it’s temporary, but I did earn my title too…”
His shamelessness was microscopic—no, microscopic would be too generous. It didn’t exist at all.
Serena was about to change the subject out of embarrassment when Jeremy spoke first, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“Ah, that reminds me. Since my brother has obtained the title of Baron Rosengold, we will no longer be providing monthly living funds. I always enjoyed seeing you each month, so it’s unfortunate.”
“W-WHAT?!”
Ashubel’s eyes went wide—not only did he not receive a gift, he was losing the allowance that had been sent to him every single month.
Jeremy continued explaining, smiling gently the entire time.
“But at the same time, I’m excited to see what kind of magnificent territory you’ll develop on your own. Rather than sadness… congratulations should come first, shouldn’t they?”
Jeremy held out his hand.
Ashubel, stunned and empty-headed, shook it before he even realized what he was doing.
“You’ll surely become a respected lord. The brother I know is a wonderful man. I sincerely wish your future is full of blessings.”
“R-right… th-thank… you.”
Ashubel, who moments ago wanted to beg for money, was struck speechless by the pure faith and kindness in Jeremy’s words.
“I shouldn’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you’re eager to visit your new territory as soon as possible.”
Jeremy glanced at Hans.
Hans bowed.
“The carriage is ready to depart whenever you are, sir.”
“I see. Then, shall we? Allow me to see you off.”
Serena was genuinely impressed—so this was how angels gracefully kicked people out.
“Y-yes… thank you…”
Judging from how naturally this was unfolding, this was not the first time Jeremy had dealt with him like this.
With a gentle smile, Jeremy accompanied Ashubel all the way to the main entrance.
For some reason, two carriages were waiting.
Jeremy pointed to the unfamiliar one.
“Hans, what’s that carriage?”
Just then, Isabella—who had been waiting near the entrance—greeted Jeremy and the family politely.
“It belongs to Isabella Boutique. It contains Miss Serena’s tailored clothing. We will deliver them to the estate without a single wrinkle.”
At the words Isabella Boutique, Lianna’s eyes flew wide.
“I-Isabella Boutique…?! Don’t tell me—the clothes you’re wearing right now… those are from Isabella Boutique?!”
Just how prestigious was this Isabella person if even her mother, who only heard of boutiques by rumor, reacted like that?
Serena only shrugged instead of answering.
Lianna reached to grab Serena’s shoulder, but stopped. Instead, she grabbed Serena’s thin wrist sticking out of her sleeve.
“How many outfits did you buy that the boutique sent a carriage?!”
“About twenty. I didn’t count properly.”
“You didn’t count and just bought them all?!”
Since Lianna was shaking Serena so hard, Serena pulled her hand free. And sure enough, a bright red mark had formed on her wrist.
While Serena rubbed her sore wrist, Jeremy handed a letter to Ashubel.
“Oh, and this. Father asked me to deliver this to you. You can read it on the way back.”
“F-father wrote… to me?”
He didn’t even want to see his face, much less hear his voice. But suddenly, a letter?
And right after cutting off his allowance? Serena thought it was a warning never to show his face again—but apparently not.
Jeremy gently patted his stunned brother’s back.
“A lot has changed. I’m sure Father’s heart has, too.”
Ashubel’s nose turned red. He hadn’t even opened the letter yet, and already his eyes were watering.
Of course. No matter how cold a father was, he wouldn’t abandon his son for good.
Now that Ashubel had a title, he was probably offering support in a new way.
“Ahem… yes, well! Since everything is settled, we should head back. Thank you for everything today, Jeremy. We’ll be going now.”
“Of course. Contact me if you need anything.”
Eager to read the letter, Ashubel hurried everyone along—before they could even finish saying goodbye.
Daisy, who’d been desperately waiting to go home, sprinted toward the carriage. Ashubel, clutching the letter like treasure, followed.
“Come, let’s go.”
Lianna guided Caroline, who had been dazed this whole time.
She clearly had a million questions—especially how much money Serena inherited if she could buy enough Isabella clothing to fill a carriage.
If only everyone would move faster. But both Caroline and Serena were slow.
“You! What are you doing?”
She tried to grab Serena’s wrist again—but Serena stepped back.
“I still have something to say.”
She turned to Jeremy.
“Uncle, may I ask one favor? I need your help.”
Jeremy raised an eyebrow at the unexpected request.
Serena continued.
“Please take care of Caroline. She said she’s going to live as the daughter of Count Rozelantis. So she should stay in the count’s estate, shouldn’t she? Right, Caroline?”
