Murloc, of course, couldn't say a word. Even he seemed to think that, in his drunken state, he might have done it.
Grandfather clicked his tongue with a disapproving expression.
“What a fine sight in front of your nephews, Murloc. You got drunk and broke a gift?”
“I won’t bother asking you to compensate for it since it was cheap, but you’ll reflect in confinement for a week.”
“It’s not about the bracelet. It’s the fact that you’re a disgrace! If something happens again, I’ll put you on a lifetime prohibition.”
“...Yes, Father. I-I will be more careful.”
I exchanged glances with Ethan.
Roystan was definitely going to get scolded again by Murloc later for bringing up the bracelet.
Either way, the matter was settled.
I lightly held onto the seal and returned to my seat.
Grandfather let out a sigh before changing the subject.
“Oh, and Rosie. There’s something else I need to discuss.”
“Yes, Grandfather. Please go ahead.”
“Come to my office during lunch. We need to talk about the engagement with the Dyfenril Duchy.”
Everyone’s eyes widened. Grandfather looked slightly displeased as he continued.
“Last night, Dyfenril Duchy contacted us directly. Their council of elders has included Rosie Noart among the candidates for consideration.”
That was excellent news.
‘Finally, I can meet Zahid!’
Meanwhile, the faces of my relatives all turned pale.
If I became engaged to the Dyfenril Duchy in this situation, I would no longer be someone they could ignore.
“Father, about that engagement.”
Murloc, who had been dejected moments ago, immediately spoke up.
“In the long run, it won’t benefit the Noart Count Family. Dyfenril is about to collapse. What use is the former glory of a duchy that’s on the brink of ruin?”
Grandfather shot Murloc a terrifying glare and then exploded.
“Benefit? Do I look like someone who trades away my granddaughter’s marriage for profit? Even after amassing this much wealth, do you think I’d be so obsessed with money that I’d marry off a twelve-year-old girl for it? Huh?”
Murloc immediately lowered his gaze.
Then Felide stepped in.
“But Father, joining forces with Dyfenril to counter the Temple would come at too great a cost. Noart’s enemy may be the Temple, but Rosie still carries a trace of Temple blood. It’s too risky to involve her in such a major matter...”
“What a fool. And does Rosie not carry my blood?”
I rolled my eyes and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
One thing that had worried me all this time was my lineage connected to the Temple.
But Grandfather didn’t seem to have any particular resentment about it.
“Did she ask to awaken divine power herself? I despise the Temple, not an innocent child.”
For a moment, warmth spread through my chest.
This was practically Grandfather making a public declaration at breakfast—
That he had no issues with my background.
That the rest of the family had no right to challenge it.
My aunt, Monica, stepped forward.
“Putting everything else aside, Rosie is still too young. And, beyond her age, she is terribly foolish. Marriage is a union between families. If we present Rosie as she is now, it will only bring us shame.”
Monica didn’t even spare me a glance as she continued.
“You’ve all heard, haven’t you? How my brother’s 1.37 trillion gold was squandered into thin air.”
Julian muttered a quiet curse under his breath and shoved his hands into his pockets.
It seemed like he was reaching for that damned slingshot again.
“Just because Julian once mentioned investing in magic stones, she threw away an absurd amount of money without hesitation... Who knows when Julian even said that, but it was definitely before the development of the Romseok Mines.”
I looked at Julian and shook my head, silently telling him not to do it.
The last thing I wanted was for that slingshot to make an appearance here.
“No sense of time, no concept of investment, no grasp of numbers... How can we present such an idiot to the Dyfenril Duchy?”
Monica’s words were precise and cutting.
“Even if they are facing an unavoidable crisis, Dyfenril is still Dyfenril. If we approach them with someone so beneath their status, it will only bring disgrace.”
Her pointed statement had all the uncles nodding in agreement.
Even Grandfather narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.
“Gotta sting a bit. Can’t argue with the facts. Is 1.37 trillion gold some mutt’s name? From a rational perspective, dumping it all into magic stones was an idiotic move.”
I shrugged. Ethan kept mumbling.
“Investments are judged by results. How much of that 1.37 trillion gold is left? Even a billion? If you lose the numbers game, there’s no way to win.”
Meanwhile, Julian was grinding his teeth, his legs bouncing anxiously.
He gripped the slingshot tightly, looking like he was about to jump in at any second.
“Brother, please. Just hold on for a bit.”
I desperately tried to calm him down.
And in that moment, I made up my mind—I had to get rid of that damn slingshot today.
"Just for a moment. Please."
Right then, the dining hall doors opened, and the servants entered carrying dessert plates.
‘And now’s the moment.’
In their hands, along with the plates, were today’s newspapers.
This was the usual time for the papers to be delivered.
“See, they always bring the newspaper along with dessert plates? Then Grandfather starts a full-blown discussion about the state of the world. Every single word is a test. You can’t even eat properly.”
Julian had explained this breakfast ritual to me before.
"Rosie-Rosie is a Noart too, so someday you should come with me. The food's great. But not yet... That atmosphere is way too brutal. You’d get indigestion."
"Of course. Sometimes they even make you read it aloud. You know how Grandfather is obsessed with newspapers. He even has them delivered to the annex every morning with breakfast... If you're going to breakfast, at least make sure you can read."
I had only smiled quietly in response.
And now, I waited silently for the dessert plates and newspaper to arrive.
A few moments later, people’s eyes widened as they skimmed the headlines.
The front page had a shocking report.
Romseok Mine Development Failure.
At that moment, I was the only one who reached for my dessert plate.
Contrary to the Temple’s expectations, the inner veins were completely empty. The supply was less than 1% of the estimated yield.
The chocolate cake was soft and incredibly delicious.
Magic Stone Prices Begin to Skyrocket.
Everyone remained frozen, their gazes fixed on the newspaper.
I smiled gently and turned to Ethan.
"Ethan, you said investments are judged by results, right? So... can I speak now?"
The dining hall fell into complete silence.
And the one who finally broke that silence was Julian.
“Wow... I really was a genius, huh...?”
It was inevitable that I had credited Julian with the magic stone investment.
If suspicions ever arose later, it would be troublesome.
If they asked why I had dumped all that money into magic stones, I wouldn't have a good answer.
So I had no choice but to say I had vaguely remembered Julian mentioning it once.
“I was seriously insane... What do I do with this absurd talent...?”
Muttering to himself, Julian suddenly smacked the table and burst into laughter.
“I was the only genius among these idiots! The only one! Of course, they had to keep me in check, I was just too brilliant! Hahahahahaha!”
I slowly lowered my head.
In the deafening silence, only Julian’s triumphant voice rang through the dining hall.
“You think all-in investments are easy? Do you?! But I made that call! Me! And my little sister even remembered it! Hahahaha!”
It was a little embarrassing, but... well, if Julian was happy, that was all that mattered, right?
Still... why couldn’t I bring myself to lift my head...?
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? Why isn’t anyone ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) saying anything? You were all running your mouths just a moment ago—come on, say something with those flapping lips of yours! Hahahaha!”
The dining hall was soon filled with Julian’s laughter.
And finally, Grandfather cut through the noise.
“You will stay behind after breakfast.”
“Your table manners alone confirm your memory loss, but regardless, you need to fully grasp the situation.”
And just like that, Julian was summoned to face Grandfather.
I chuckled to myself, thinking—
We finally have the money.
I can come save you now.
Just wait a little longer.