Chapter 2
No way… right
…It can’t be. It must not be…!
Niveia forced herself to think again about anywhere she might have money hidden.
If she wanted to run away someday, she needed funds—and the most reliable source had always been her monthly allowance.
Even though her allowance had been cut for now, if she had saved well in the past, she could still use that money.
If only I hadn’t spent money like water…
But no matter how much she searched her memories, she couldn’t recall a single instance of “saving.”
“Where did all my allowance from last month even go?”
The cold water she had just drunk helped her only for a moment.
Her headache returned full force. She grabbed her hair with both hands and muttered to herself.
“If it’s last month you’re talking about… didn’t you order several new dresses and buy some jewels?”
Selly, standing beside her, gently recited last month’s purchase list.
“And if I remember correctly, you also bought seats in the best sections for operas, plays, and exhibitions.”
The culprit was right beside her.
It was her.
Every time Selly listed another item like reading out a crime report, Niveia remembered each happy impulse purchase.
“Did I remember anything wrong, my lady?”
“No. You remembered it perfectly.”
Of course she did. How could any of that be wrong?
Her mouth tasted bitter.
Who else would’ve blown through that much money? The me from just a month ago did. And not only last month—every month before that too.
All her funds were surely gone.
As soon as money became a problem, her escape plan shifted instantly in her mind.
Forget running away—she needed money first.
The real issue is: where do I get money?
She let go of her hair and fell deep into thought.
Then suddenly, an idea came to her.
She stood up immediately and headed somewhere.
“You’re planning to go out, my lady?”
Selly asked quickly the moment Niveia grabbed her jewelry box.
She must have assumed Niveia wanted to dress in full jewelry and go outside, since she wasn’t technically grounded.
“If not… do you want to replace the jewelry box, my lady?”
But it was neither.
“No. I’m going to sell all the jewelry in here.”
She had already worn each piece once, and jewelry wasn’t more important than her life.
“All of them, my lady?”
“Yes. Every last one.”
As she spoke firmly, Selly’s eyes flickered wildly like candles in a gust of wind.
“Before you misunderstand—just because I sell the jewels doesn’t mean I’ll sell my clothes. A lady must still be presentable.”
Normally, she never wore the same outfit twice, but desperate times called for exceptions.
This counts as living modestly… right?
She decided she’d rotate through her existing daywear and outerwear for now.
With this determination, she clenched her fist.
***
Inside the Marquis’s Office
Vivian Loren—now officially recognized as the heir—couldn’t believe her ears.
The news was so absurd that even their father sat frozen in shock.
There must be a mistake.
Her sweet little sister Nini—Niveia—did something like that?
Impossible.
Certain it was a misunderstanding, Vivian calmly asked for clarification.
“I’m sorry, I must’ve been distracted. Could you repeat it from the start?”
The maid who was in charge of cleaning Niveia’s room nodded.
In the clearest voice she could manage, she repeated the exact same words:
“The young lady said she’s going to sell all the jewelry she owns!”
Hearing it twice made it impossible to deny.
And it wasn’t just any maid—it was the one Niveia herself trusted and chose.
No one cared more about their life than a maid serving Niveia. She would not lie.
“And she said she’s not planning to buy new jewelry with the money either!”
The maid even looked a bit proud as she insisted she heard it clearly.
Father was so startled that he knocked over an ink bottle with his elbow. The ink spilled everywhere—right onto his favorite carpet.
“There’s one more shocking detail, my lady…”
The maid pressed her trembling hands together.
Vivian wondered what could possibly be more shocking than that.
“The young lady said she felt stuffy staying inside the house and wanted to go out. And this time… she didn’t look for a new dress.”
Going out wasn’t forbidden, since no discipline order had been issued.
But the next part was beyond imagination.
“Instead, she wore the outfit she wore last week.”
…What?
“And the shoes she wore were from the week before that.”
This was as bizarre as planting a pumpkin seed and harvesting a cucumber.
“She also didn’t plan to use the money from the jewelry to buy new dresses.”
Niveia, who used an entire dressing room full of clothes and still craved new ones?
It was simply unbelievable.
“So you’re telling me my daughter plans to go outside without jewelry, without new clothes, wearing reused outfits?”
Father’s voice dropped, and an awkward silence filled the room.
Everything pointed to “yes.”
Well… ‘unpresentable’ is a bit much.
Niveia’s outfits were still beautiful—even if worn twice—but the idea was still shocking.
“Leave us.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
The maid left.
Father rubbed his forehead with a troubled expression.
“I knew the punishment would be difficult for her, but I didn’t expect this reaction…”
Vivian bit her lip.
“We’ve never punished her like this before. It must’ve been overwhelming.”
And she wondered:
Would grounding her have been better?
There was no answer.
***
Back to Niveia
After looking through every outfit in her dressing room, Niveia decided she didn’t want to stay gloomy, angry, or frustrated.
So she came up with a special plan.
My past self was actually useful for once.
Thanks to all the money she wasted, she had prepaid reservations to various art events.
One of them was an art exhibition—and conveniently, the reservation was for today.
Right. This is exactly when I should enjoy my hobbies.
She dressed herself carefully and stood in front of the mirror.
Her reflection was flawless.
No matter when I look, I’m always so beautiful.
Her short, softly curled, bright-yellow hair resembled freesia petals. Her snow-white skin and amethyst-colored eyes sparkled.
Her father always said her eyes reminded him of someone he missed dearly.
And suitors had compared them to expensive jewels.
Selling all my jewelry is slightly heartbreaking…
As she admired her reflection, she thought of all the rings she used to wear—ten at once to cheer herself up.
Now she couldn’t.
“Shall we go, my lady?”
Selly reminded her it was time.
After gathering her thoughts, Niveia took the scroll Selly gave her and tore it vertically.
Magic is truly amazing.
Travel from the southern region to the capital normally took ages, but Niveia had a stash of magical teleportation scrolls.
In an instant, she and Selly appeared inside the exhibition building.
Quiet and perfect.
Today was the preview day for VIP members, with only seven visitors per time slot.
She expected a peaceful viewing experience.
“Welcome, Lady Niveia Loren. We’ve been expecting you.”
A familiar staff member greeted her warmly. She handed over her ticket.
“Confirmed. Enjoy the exhibition.”
Inside, a few people were already admiring the artwork.
Some familiar faces from other exhibitions, as usual.
But then—
What… are they looking at?
Instead of looking at the masterpieces, several people kept glancing toward someone.
Curiosity got the better of her.
She turned her head.
“…?”
Shiiiiing—!
Her vision was suddenly filled with golden light—as if coins were raining in a sparkling waterfall behind a certain man.
