CHAPTER 05
“As expected of the Sergio family’s banquet. It seems like every notable figure from the South is here. Such a splendid event—this doesn’t lose out to the parties of any major noble family in the capital.”
“Well, there are rumors that the heir will be announced soon, so they must have gone all out. As you know, Lady Adel, who’s to become the heir, is just a little too…”
“Good evening, Viscountess Denia. Thank you for coming today.”
“L-Lady Adel.”
“I know I’m lacking in many ways, but I hope you enjoy yourself. We feel so reassured having House Denia supply us with the finest fabrics every time.”
“Haha… You’re too kind. I’m only doing my part…”
No one knew when Adel had appeared, but she greeted them with a smile as perfect as a painting. The viscountess began to sweat nervously.
It seemed she hadn’t heard their previous words. The viscountess attempted to recover with some belated flattery, but Adel had already given a slight bow and turned away gracefully.
Jacqueline, walking behind Adel, glanced sideways at the viscountess with open disdain.
“Hmph! It’s not just today. I heard the Viscountess of Denia has been badmouthing you at every banquet lately.”
“Really? …Oh my, hello there, Baron.”
Adel, who had been exchanging greetings with everyone she passed, smiled brightly and continued the conversation with Jacqueline without even moving her lips—so practiced and discreet it was almost imperceptible.
“What did she say?”
“Oh, the usual. That you’re too cold and calculating. That if you become head of the merchant guild, you’ll be even more ruthless than the Count.”
“Oh my, how scandalous.”
“Aren’t you going to do something about her? How dare she speak like that here of all places? You should’ve put her in her place.”
“Here? In front of all these people?”
You know better than that.
Adel smiled softly and narrowed her eyes, then approached an investor who had been looking for her.
“Oh my, you came again!”
Clutching her chest in exaggerated delight, Adel leaned slightly toward Jacqueline and whispered rapidly:
“Tomorrow, comb through every fabric House Denia supplied. There’s bound to be at least one defective item. We’ll hold them accountable then.”
“…But what if there’s nothing?”
“There will be. I’ve decided there is.”
“…”
“I don’t care what people say or where they say it. But if they insult me in my own house, that’s crossing a line.”
Wearing a sweet smile, Adel returned to her seat and lifted her champagne glass. When the viscountess flinched and avoided her gaze, Adel lightly swirled her glass.
‘You should’ve known your limits.’
She picked the wrong person to mess with.
Adel had worked in the business world herself—she knew what it was like to be the underdog. But never once had she made the rookie mistake of talking trash about her company at a company event.
In fact, this wasn’t the first issue with House Denia. They had been getting lax lately, likely from growing complacent with their exclusive contract.
“Maybe it’s a good time to shake things up a little. It’ll make the others more cautious too.”
“You must be exhausted, my lady. Having to watch over every little thing…”
“Huh? Why?”
Adel raised her brows in confusion at Jacqueline’s sudden concern, letting out a light laugh over her champagne glass.
“I’m having fun.”
This kind of power play is essential for any conglomerate heiress.
If someone just wants to exchange pleasantries with their neighbors, they should stay home and play Animal Crossing.
This life—this exact life—is what Adel had always dreamed of. She loved every piece of it. Even Noella, who had just entered the hall, didn’t seem so bad.
“Looks like the young lady has arrived. Oh, and next to her…”
“Mm? Ah, it’s Jer.”
“…Are you sure you’re okay?”
Jacqueline glanced nervously at Adel after seeing Jerox holding Noella’s hand.
She must be hurting inside.
But Adel waved off the concern.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, he did confess to you once…”
“If I accepted every confession I received, I’d be dating half the men here.”
In fact, some still couldn’t meet her eyes.
She wasn’t called the Flower of the South for nothing.
The only reason she had considered Jerox as a partner was because he had been the most suitable choice for a strategic marriage—nothing more, nothing less.
His family background? Acceptable. His looks? Quite handsome.
Most importantly, he had the competence to assist in managing the merchant guild. As far as arranged marriages go, he was a decent pick.
‘…I really need to improve my judgment.’
Watching Jerox blush at Noella’s smile, Adel took a sip of champagne.
He’d confessed to her with that same expression.
She remembered vividly how he’d knelt in front of her three years ago, claiming he’d joined the guild just to be by her side. It was the textbook ‘from friends to lovers’ moment.
She hadn’t rejected him because she wanted some idealized true love.
She simply had too much to do to bother with that.
The only thing that had made her uncomfortable about being a conglomerate heiress was the messy love lives of such families. Just look at her father—how many illegitimate children did he have?
A true scion of a chaebol family, the count had quite the history with women.
She couldn’t openly criticize him, but even considering her mother had passed away, he was far too libertine in that regard.
Live and let live—that was his philosophy.
Even Adel, who thrived in the cutthroat world of the elite, was disillusioned by that lifestyle.
“If your feelings are real, confess again in three years. If you still feel the same then, I’ll seriously consider it.”
It had been a test.
If his feelings didn’t waver in that time, she figured she could trust him.
But he failed.
Her father had liked Jerox, sure, but that couldn’t be helped. The moment he got involved with her sister, any possibility of a strategic marriage was off the table.
‘…But when did he fall for her, exactly?’
Adel sipped her champagne while watching Jerox fumble beside Noella.
She felt no more than a twinge of betrayal as a friend—and surprisingly, she was fine. So fine it startled her. She’d even slept like a baby last night.
“…Sister.”
Noticing Adel’s gaze, Noella approached with a wistful expression, instantly drawing the attention of the entire banquet hall.
Oh, here we go again.
Adel lowered her glass and looked up coolly.
‘What, are we some kind of spectacle now?’
Everyone present had ties to the merchant guild. There was no hiding the tension between the sisters.
The man who used to stand at Adel’s side was now holding Noella’s hand—people were practically gaping.
‘Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying the party?’
With a faint sigh, Adel straightened her shoulders and met Noella on the balcony.
“…I’m sorry, sister. I told Jer it’d be better to come separately…”
“Noella.”
The problem was, Adel was the only one who knew what a snake this girl truly was.
Who would suspect such an angelic face?
Adel smiled faintly at the girl wringing her hands with guilt.
“It’s fine. If you two are happy, that’s a good thing.”
And she meant it.
She hadn’t realized it in the moment, but on reflection, it wasn’t a bad outcome.
If Noella really did settle for Jerox—whether out of jealousy or provocation—it might mean she wouldn’t obsess over the crown prince, the actual male lead of the story.
She might not be able to change her terminal fate, but at least she could avoid being vilified as an evil woman.
“Jer said he insisted on coming together. He said, unlike me, you’re so capable that you’d be fine on your own anywhere.”
…Yeah, right.
Even if Noella married someone else, she’d still stir up trouble. A villainess disguised as a clueless innocent—what a tired trope.
Adel feigned a nod of understanding.
“Sure. You two do make a good couple. I’ll have to tell Father once he’s back.”
“…I didn’t want to be a burden to you, sister.”
“What burden? Don’t be silly.”
Adel patted Noella’s shoulder gently, beaming like a saint. Noella’s expression soured.
This isn’t how it was supposed to go.
Her blue eyes trembled, but Adel just winked and gestured toward the hall.
“Now go. Your lover is waiting.”
“B-but…”
“Look at the hearts in his eyes. He might start drooling.”
The villainess exits, stage right.
Adel gently nudged Noella’s back and hid her smile behind her champagne glass. Jacqueline, who had been refilling her glass, bit her lip.
“My lady… you didn’t have to go that far. Young lady Noella looked quite upset…”
“You wanted me to act like I was hurt?”
Leaning against the balcony railing, Adel snorted.
Jacqueline was perceptive enough to know something about Noella wasn’t right.
“She seemed to be worried about you, in her own way…”
“Please. If she cared about me, she wouldn’t have come at all.”
Adel savored her drink.
Everyone who mattered in the South was present.
If Noella had even the slightest concern about how she’d make her sister look, she wouldn’t have shown up.
‘…Should I have acted more upset?’
Taunting someone like her could lead to more drama—Adel might’ve made things worse for herself.
Still, what could she do? She wasn’t actually upset.
Adel practiced the most pitiful expression she could manage and turned to Jacqueline.
“How’s this? Do I look anxious?”
“Hmm… you’re a little too composed, I think.”
“What, should I fake tears now?”
“…You could do it easily, though.”
True.
Adel, hit with the truth, casually pulled out a handkerchief.
In this world, a few fake tears weren’t even considered acting—and Adel was practically a master of emotional manipulation.
“Maybe I should throw myself on the floor, pound the ground, and wail.”
“Hrk!”
What was that?
Adel froze mid-gesture, her handkerchief raised.
She’d definitely heard something.
She looked around quickly, but aside from the breeze rustling the curtains, there was nothing.
“My lady, what is it?”
“I… I thought I heard something. A man’s voice.”
“What voice? It’s just you and me here.”
“No, I’m sure I—”
“Adel, there you are.”
Adel turned toward the voice. It was her cousin, Mertel.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“…Brother.”
What now?
Technically a cousin, but in families like theirs, closeness was rare. Mertel especially disliked the idea of a woman inheriting the family business.
Still, she’d carved him out a position, but he was never satisfied. He always acted like Adel had stolen what was rightfully his.
“I saw you were with Noella. I take it that’s done now?”
“…Did you come all this way just to ask that?”
Of course.
Adel bit back a bitter laugh and stepped into the hall.
So that smug grin had a reason.
Mertel followed her, persistent as ever, and pointed toward Noella, now surrounded by a crowd.
“Most of those people were originally hanging around you, weren’t they?”
“They’ll come back. Nothing to get worked up about.”
Why is everyone here so free?
Adel dropped her fake cheerfulness. Sure, Noella was surrounded—but she’d come in holding Jerox’s hand. That kind of entrance naturally drew attention.
“You should be focusing on your own work. Father’s coming back next week. You know how unforgiving he is—even with family.”
“That’s my line.”
What?
Adel stopped and turned around. Mertel was usually full of hot air, but today he seemed oddly serious.
“You think those people are stupid? You think they’re hanging around Noella for no reason?”
“Get to the point.”
“I heard Uncle’s really going to name the next heir this time.”
He gave her a sly grin and leaned in close.
What’s it to you?
Adel narrowed her eyes at the mention of an heir. Mertel shrugged gleefully.
“Did you know? The Sergio heir must be married.”
