Grandfather flashed a triumphant grin at Julian, whose face was twisted in disbelief, then handed me a large gift box.
"You'll definitely like it."
"Thank you. Can I open it?"
"Open it right this instant!"
As soon as I lifted the lid, a radiant pearl necklace lay inside.
The pearls were so large that I gasped without thinking.
"When visiting the sea, of course, you'd expect pearls! What kind of nonsense is a seashell? A seashell!"
Grandfather scolded loudly, but he looked immensely pleased with himself.
He had always enjoyed spending money on luxuries after achieving success.
Despite his rough appearance, he was often decked out in flashy jewelry, truly resembling a pirate king.
Some people sneered, calling him a "vulgar nouveau riche," but ultimately, Grandfather earned far more than he spent. That was why the Noart Count Family’s wealth only continued to grow.
So, buying me an expensive accessory was, in a way, to be expected.
"I got this so you can compare and learn! So you know what has real value! If it had been a pearl necklace, that damned murloc stepping on it wouldn’t have broken it so easily!"
At his words, I slumped my shoulders and muttered,
"But I really liked the seashell bracelet, Grandfather. I’m actually really upset that it got ruined."
Grandfather waved a dismissive hand as if I was worrying over nothing.
"Forget it. It wasn’t even expensive, so I never had much interest in it."
"Oh, I see! I was actually planning to make you a thread bracelet as a thank-you gift, but I’ll stop now. I almost ended up giving you something uninteresting."
Grandfather immediately exploded.
"Coldhearted little brat! People can say one thing and mean another, and yet you don’t cut anyone any slack! Huh?!"
"Eek! I’m sorry! From now on, even if an adult gets all awkward and roundabout in their refusals, I’ll be a precocious little child who quickly catches on to their true intentions!"
Just then, our meal arrived.
Grandfather announced that he would be assigning Julian a whole lineup of formal tutors.
"Since you're still in need of basic education, it has to be done."
"Originally, when you first came here, you were nineteen and declared that since you were nearly an adult, you’d take care of everything yourself."
Grandfather spoke to Julian in a low voice.
"But now that things have changed, you should take the opportunity to learn the basics from excellent teachers. You can’t attend the noble academies because of your age, after all."
I looked at Grandfather with my mouth slightly open.
"I always regretted bringing you here so late, but this isn’t bad. Of course, your body is already twenty-four, but don’t rush. In the long run, this might actually be better for you."
Even though things had been tense earlier, it seemed Grandfather still planned to look after Julian, despite him being a brutish idiot.
"Understood," Julian replied crisply.
"I'm not in a hurry."
So the two of them did get along.
Just as I clasped my hands together in delight, Julian suddenly burst into laughter.
"After all, I’m a genius! Hahaha! You saw my mana stone investments, didn’t you? Hahaha! If I managed that much without formal education, imagine what’ll happen if I actually learn systematically!"
Hmm. This was kind of embarrassing...
"Even my table manners have improved dramatically!"
Now that I thought about it, Julian’s dining etiquette had indeed gotten much better.
"Exactly! That’s why Rosie doesn’t need to sit next to you anymore!"
Grandfather retorted triumphantly.
Julian muttered under his breath as if he had just realized something profound.
"Lacking? That’s putting it mildly, you brat!"
And then Grandfather erupted in anger again.
"Why the hell did you stamp that engagement contract so thoughtlessly, huh?! Are you out of your mind?!"
With an exhausted sigh, Grandfather rubbed his temples.
"When you regain your memory, you’ll probably cut off your own damn hand for stamping that contract!"
I clenched both fists and shouted,
"That was me! I made him stamp it while he was half-asleep! It’s not his fault!"
Julian, not backing down, shot back,
"Oh, come on! She just did that to impress you! To connect the Noart family with the duke’s house!"
Tension flared between them again.
‘This won’t do. I need to settle this once and for all.’
Between the two of them growling at each other, I raised my voice.
Grandfather and Julian immediately fell silent. I took a deep breath and declared,
"I want to be engaged to the Duke of Dyfenril. I’m completely serious about this."
Then, with sharp eyes, I firmly proclaimed,
"I’ve had my sights set on him since childhood. I made sure no one could touch him, and when I become an adult, I plan to marry him, just as I intended."
Grandfather looked at me, completely dumbfounded.
"The Dyfenril Duchy? It’s nothing special. Ever since the previous duke and duchess were taken out, their relatives have been leeching off them, and their wealth has dwindled. If I really put my mind to it, Noart’s wealth is probably greater."
Julian, who had suddenly found himself on the same side as Grandfather, chimed in.
"Kid, even though I lost my memory, I’m still a genius. If it’s backing you need, just wait a little longer. I’ll chew everything up and protect you myself. Why the hell are you so obsessed with getting engaged to some kid from Dyfenril that you’ve never even met?"
Before my regression, I had received Zahid’s kindness.
But I couldn’t say that.
And I certainly couldn’t admit that I had liked him.
At this moment in time, there was no real connection between Zahid and me.
Which meant the only thing I could say was...
“I fell in love at first sight. I felt it was fate.”
Grandfather and Julian froze on the spot.
“I saw his picture in the newspaper. He was so handsome. That’s why I want to be engaged to him.”
I rolled my eyes as I recalled the way the maids whispered about their ideal husbands. Then, with determination, I added,
The forks in Grandfather’s and Julian’s hands clattered to the floor at the same time.
“So, with that in mind, I’ll be visiting the Dyfenril estate in person soon.”
I widened my eyes as I spoke, then delivered the most terrifying threat I could muster.
“If you interfere... I won’t make you a thread bracelet.”
Grandfather’s eyes widened in pure shock.
While he remained speechless, Julian slammed his fists on the table and shouted,
“I! I will interfere! I’ll do whatever it takes to stop this!”
“Oh, you don’t matter.”
“You don’t know anything and have nothing to your name right now, so you don’t even have a way to interfere.”
That night, after much trembling and hushed discussion, Grandfather and Julian sent me several books.
Titles included The Dangers of Superficiality and Becoming a Child Who Looks at Inner Beauty.
Well, at least the two of them had grown closer. That was a relief.
The day of the Senate meeting to select Zahid’s fifth fiancée.
Technically, the person being decided on didn’t need to attend.
The Senate would send an official letter with the results after the meeting.
But I had no intention of waiting.
I was heading to the Dyfenril estate in person.
For my companions, I chose Ethan and Shulva.
“I have to go! I’m coming too! I want to see that brat’s face at least once! Huh?!”
Julian, still relying on crutches, was making a scene, but I simply smiled.
“You have lessons to attend. Your schedule is packed, isn’t it?”
“Damn it! Then you take classes too! You need to get smarter! Isn’t what you’re learning now still not enough? Huh?”
“Well, I’m still young enough to attend a noble academy. Unlike you, I don’t have to study all day long.”
“You little brat! If you’re bored, you can at least stare at my handsome face! Huh?! Didn’t you say just looking at me was entertaining?!”
I shook my head, my expression full of regret.
“Sorry, Julian. These days, I’m trying to become a child who looks beyond appearances and overcomes ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) the dangers of superficiality.”
“Wow, what a nice carriage. The windows are big. Ah, don’t close the curtains—I like the sunlight coming in. Well, Julian, I’m off to claim my handsome fiancé.”
I patted Julian’s shoulder and climbed into the carriage.
“Damn it! He’s just photogenic! It’s all just good photography!”
Even as we rode off, Julian kept cursing Zahid at the top of his lungs, shouting after our departing carriage.