MFWSP 71

Chapter 71

“Don’t want to?”

When Demeira didn’t respond immediately, Iris asked again.

“If you prefer your current life…”

“I didn’t refuse!”

As Iris seemed ready to withdraw the offer, Demeira hurriedly interrupted. She glanced back at the stable, still filled with horse dung, and her limbs ached from the endless cleaning.

More than anything, she wanted to distance herself from her family.

She couldn’t bear dealing any longer with people who told her to steal money or kidnap Iris.

“…Until when?”

“Until I decide it’s enough.”

Iris answered without the slightest hesitation.

“…”

“Ha, fine. It won’t be for long. Once everything is finished…”

As Demeira trailed off again, Iris sighed and spoke once more.

She studied Demeira’s face as if trying to figure out what it was she truly wanted, then added,

“I’ll arrange a marriage for you.”

“What?”

“It’s what you’ve always wanted, right?”

Iris raised her eyebrows as she continued,

“I’ll try to find you a noble family, but I can’t guarantee it. Just someone decent enough that you’ll be satisfied—”

“No.”

Demeira cut her off.

“No?”

“Well…”

Not only Iris, but even Demeira herself widened her eyes at the words she had just spoken.

Was marriage not that appealing after all? She had always longed for a good match.

Then what was it that she truly wanted right now?

“I’ll take care of marriage myself. Instead, I want something else.”

As she spoke, Demeira finally realized what her true desire was.

“What is it?”

“You’re here because you need a member of the Penten family, right? And out of everyone, I’m the only one you can tolerate.”

“…”

“My father said it himself. The only reason you didn’t immediately throw us out was because we still have some influence over your reputation. That means you need me.”

“…”

“So… So… I want money. Raise my pay.”

What Demeira wanted was independence.

She wanted to own something completely hers. Not as the daughter of Baron Penten, but as Demeira—her own person—she wanted to have even a small part of the world to herself.

“If you do that, I’ll… I’ll do anything you ask. I currently make 100 gold a month, so can’t you raise it by 50? No, even 40 more would be fine.”

She just wanted to achieve something.

“I’ll really try my best. I want to be helpful to you.”

Like Iris, like Lissian and his siblings, like Marie.

Iris stood calmly, looking quietly at Demeira.

Demeira worried she might get angry, but strangely enough, Iris listened to her intently, with an almost focused expression on her face.

After a long, long silence, Iris finally opened her mouth.

“Triple it.”

She said briefly.

“What?”

“You said your monthly pay is 100 gold, right? I’ll triple it.”

“R-Really?”

“But you have to keep your promise. From now on, you must do exactly as I say. No quitting halfway.”

“Y-Yes!”

Demeira nodded vigorously.

Her heart beat in a strange way.

It wasn’t like when she first saw Anthony—this was a completely different kind of excitement, something she had never felt before in her life.

Someone had chosen her.

Sure, her three competitors were utterly hopeless, but still, among them, Demeira had been acknowledged as the most useful.

Maybe… maybe her life wasn’t over yet after all. That thought gave her hope.

“Are we done? Shall we head back?”

Lissian asked Iris. His sharp gaze was still fixed on Bartol.

Not far from Bartol, the Julius couple glared resentfully at Iris.

Their eyes were filled with unspoken accusations—why had Demeira been given a chance while they weren’t?

“Just a moment.”

Iris fell into thought.

The situation was turning out a bit different than she had expected.

As Ray had advised, Demeira was indeed estranged from the rest of her family.

But Demeira was also a far more determined person than Iris had imagined—someone who still wished to live life on her own terms.

Her resolve hadn’t been broken—only redirected. She even had the guts to negotiate with Iris.

Well, whether for good or bad, Demeira had always been persistent.

She had the tenacity to stalk one man for years, after all.

In other words, Demeira could play the role Iris needed in high society. And as long as she was around, Iris could escape the accusation of neglecting her kin.

Which also meant the other three were no longer needed at all.

“Lissian, tell David on the way back: Julius Penten, Lucilla Penten, and Bartol Penten can now be kicked out.”

Iris looked toward the three in the stable and gave her order.

Their eyes widened in shock as they listened closely to her every word.

“W-What did you say?”

“How are we supposed to live once we’re kicked out?”

“Iris, how can you be so cruel?”

“Cruel? I didn’t torture you, I didn’t kill you.”

Iris replied indifferently.

Having been preoccupied with the Marquess Adelon, Grace, and Karsiel, she no longer even held any lingering resentment toward them.

“Without Demeira, the three of you wouldn’t work—you’d just eat and slack off. I’ve trained you enough in basic job skills.”

She continued calmly as the three stared at her in horror.

“Get a job anywhere. You might get beaten at first, but if you work hard, some sucker of a master will at least feed you. Just not me…”

“W-Wait! I can’t do anything!”

“Iris! Are you really ending things like this?”

“You heartless wretch! Don’t you have any compassion?!”

Shiiing—

The moment Lissian unsheathed his sword, the three—who had been charging toward her covered in filth—flinched and retreated.

“I won’t accept your goodbyes. Let’s never see each other again.”

Without sparing them another glance, Iris turned around.

As she re-entered the mansion, she thought she caught a glimpse of Demeira letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

* * *

On the final day of the banquet, everyone gathered in the Imperial Palace was in high spirits.

The heavy and solemn mood unique to a victory celebration had already passed, and the main figure of the triumph—Karsiel and the knights—had skipped the final banquet to resume their training.

Naturally, the gossip among nobles became the hot topic of conversation.

Among the many stories floating around, the one everyone talked about most was none other than Grace’s arrival—and her prophecy.

“The lady looks stunning as ever today.”

Louis Dican whispered as he escorted Grace.

“The blue adorning the walls and ceiling is just like your eyes, my lady.”

“Ah, I thought the same. No, your eyes are far more beautiful. You are the most beautiful woman in the Empire, after all.”

“Of course. Isn’t she the prophet sent by the gods? It’s only right the entire universe is reflected in those eyes.”

A few other nobles had gathered around, throwing in compliments of their own.

Some looked at her with affection, while others clearly wanted to curry favor with House Cerve.

Grace smiled at them all.

It was a truly pleasant day.

The imperial household had treated her as a distinguished guest, letting her spend the night at the palace. Thanks to that, she had been dressed and pampered by maids more elegant than even the nobility, then gracefully made her way to the banquet hall.

Everyone who met her gaze recognized her—and not only recognized her, but respected her.

After all, the body she had possessed belonged to the most beautiful woman in the empire…

“The most beautiful woman in the empire… Hearing that makes me wonder what the Duke of Apellemeon is doing.”

A nobleman suddenly spoke up.

“He’s also quite the beauty himself, after all.”

“Well, don’t they say that villains and witches are traditionally stunning?”

Louis let out a hearty laugh.

“What’s there to wonder? He’s probably panicking, having heard the rumors and realizing his behavior has been exposed.”

“Oh dear, maybe he’s even torturing the Penten family more out of anger? Scary thought.”

Céline Wimer, who had joined them unnoticed, shivered dramatically.

“If he has any brains, he’ll just declare they’re not his kin. Since they’re not related by blood, he can easily weasel his way out.”

Anthony Morin added.