Chapter 08 …
The Villainous Heir’s Daughter!
“Why on earth does he keep going around beating people up?”
Doesn’t his own fist hurt?
I tilted my head, genuinely puzzled.
In the original story, Father’s delinquent behavior was described countless times, but from an objective perspective, there was never any explanation for why he did such things.
Which meant there wasn’t even a single line I could use to defend him in front of Grandfather.
“If only they’d just explain why. Then I wouldn’t have to run around like this.”
Sigh.
Or… was there not even the slightest possibility of taking Father’s side to begin with?
Maybe even the original author couldn’t defend Leonardo because he was just that hopeless, and couldn’t bring themselves to write even a single line in his favor.
I quickly shook my head, pushing away the worst-case scenario.
“If I get kicked out, what then? I’ll suffer like crazy.”
Even if I somehow avoided the carriage accident by luck, there was no guarantee I’d survive on my own afterward.
Right now, the best thing for me was to stick quietly and unobtrusively to the Shablin Ducal House.
Reminding myself of that, I looked over the exterior of the social club. It looked like an old-fashioned museum, built of dark wood—a tavern of sorts.
Inside, along with drinks, all kinds of games were being played. Only noblemen who enjoyed entertainment frequented the place.
I’d heard it was busy even during the day, and sure enough, in the distance, rows of luxurious carriages were parked.
“But why don’t I see anyone? Oh.”
Just then, two well-dressed men—likely employees—came out from the entrance on the left.
Ebot and I immediately straightened up and hurried toward them.
“Excuse me, can I ask you something?”
“…?”
At Ebot’s call, the men turned toward me with puzzled expressions.
They looked me up and down, their gaze lingering on the high-quality dress visible beneath my cloak.
“Hmm, which family’s young lady are you?”
“Did you come looking for your father?”
The men exchanged glances, looking troubled.
It seemed they were quite surprised to see a young noble girl at a social club meant only for men.
“Ahem! This young lady is from the Shablin Ducal House. She has something she’d like to ask, so please spare us a moment.”
“The Shablin Ducal House?”
“Sh-Shablin Ducal House…?!”
The employees were visibly shocked.
It seemed they knew well the overwhelming influence of the Shablin Ducal House.
“Heh.”
Feeling my shoulders rise slightly, I lifted my chin.
Wow. So this is what it feels like to enjoy the power of one’s family.
In my past life, I was an illegitimate child, and even after my birth secret was revealed, I had to endure criticism and scorn.
I never got to enjoy any benefits of being born into a wealthy family.
But here… could it be that I’d receive admiration like this because of it?
“By the way, who is your father?”
“We’ve heard that Sir Louis Shablin has two daughters.”
“Ah….”
So I wasn’t even a candidate?
I had a bad feeling about this.
I was, after all, the daughter of a notorious troublemaker who lived in seclusion as if dead.
The daughters they were referring to were Briana Shablin and Diana Shablin.
Louis Shablin was Grandfather’s fourth son, and he had two daughters.
Unlike Ersha, Briana and Diana were treated like precious jewels, receiving all the love of the family and the envy of the empire—because aside from me, they were the only granddaughters of the Duke of Shablin.
The employees smiled brightly.
“What brings a young lady from such a noble family here?”
“Did you come to see Sir Louis Shablin?”
I stepped closer, already anticipating their imminent disappointment.
“My name is Ersha Shablin. I’m the daughter of Marquis Leonardo Shablin.”
“Wh-Who?”
When they didn’t understand immediately, Ebot emphasized it again.
“This is the only daughter of His Excellency Marquis Leonardo Shablin.”
“……”
After a few seconds of silence—
The employees frowned as if they now understood everything.
“Ah, that troublemaker’s daughter?”
“The one even the marquis ignores? The abandoned child?”
“…!”
They clicked their tongues, and my jaw dropped.
Is this treatment for real?
I wasn’t expecting the kind of warm welcome Briana and her sister would get, but still—wasn’t this too much for someone of the Shablin bloodline?
If Duke Shurman saw this situation, how would he feel?
Wouldn’t he punish them severely?
“No! He’d probably just remove me from the family registry.”
What greater disgrace to the family could there be?
One of the employees looked me over with annoyance.
“Aren’t you someone who isn’t even allowed outside? Why show up here? Because of Marquis Shablin, this place is already suffering enough.”
“Even yesterday, expensive display cases and chairs were all smashed.”
“…S-sorry. I came to find out what really happened.”
“What really happened? A thug beats people—what ‘truth’ is there?”
“Hey, watch your mouth.”
One employee nudged the other, seemingly worried I might tattle to my father.
I clasped my hands together more earnestly and stepped closer.
“I won’t tell my dad! Was there something yesterday? Did the person who got hit really deserve it?”
“Ugh.”
They shook their heads.
“We have nothing to say. Please go back. This involves important people—what could we possibly say?”
“Just tell me what you saw!”
“I can’t believe this—how ridiculous.”
A sudden unfamiliar voice cut in.
Not just me and Ebot, but even the employees flinched.
Turning toward the sound, I saw a young boy glaring at us. Maybe a year or two older than me?
“W-who is that?”
He was handsome.
Jet-black hair that seemed to glow with light, and eyes even more dazzling.
A perfectly shaped face, a dignified expression paired with soft, cute cheeks.
Even a seasoned noble would hesitate to meet his imposing gaze.
Anyone would fall for him at first sight.
“What is this? Such a promising kid?”
I rubbed my eyes and looked again.
The boy practically shone. When he grew up, he’d surely make many young ladies cry.
What must it feel like for his parents, having such a child?
As useless thoughts drifted through my head, the boy examined me with suspicion.
“Are you really the daughter of Marquis Leonardo Shablin?”
“Huh? Y-yes!”
I nodded vigorously twice.
“Hm.”
Still unconvinced, he looked me over again before turning his sharp gaze to the employees.
“What kind of manner of speech is that toward a young lady of a ducal house?”
“S-sorry!”
“Even if she’s a cast-off child, she’s not someone you can speak of carelessly.”
“……”
My heart thumped.
Was this little kid… defending me?
I was so touched…
The employees bowed repeatedly under his stern yet accurate reprimand.
“We’re sorry! It won’t happen again!”
“Good. Now leave.”
At his command, the employees scrambled away.
Startled, I reached out.
“W-wait—!”
I had questions!
Important ones…!
But they disappeared in a flash.
I stared blankly at where they’d gone. Then the boy’s calm voice reached my ears again.
“Your name is Ersha?”
“Huh? Y-yeah.”
“I heard you live almost locked up in the mansion. Seems you do go out sometimes.”
“The young lady wasn’t confined by force. She’s only just decided to step out into the world.”
“…I see.”
At Ebot’s correction, the boy nodded.
Judging by his attitude and how the employees reacted, he seemed to be from a prestigious noble family.
Whose son could he be?
Still, he had interrupted me unexpectedly.
“Thanks for helping me. But who are you? Ersha was doing something important.”
“You don’t need to know who I am. Don’t wander around and get into trouble—go back home. Marquis Shablin has many enemies.”
“…?”
The boy turned sharply and walked past me with perfect posture. The knights behind him followed.
I was so taken aback that I could only stand there and watch him go.
