KDPCD 12

Chapter 12

“Bellady Alton, explain what happened—no, never mind.”

Father, who had started to question me, let out a heavy sigh and turned his head toward the back.

“Robber.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

“You explain it. Objectively.”

Robber’s shoulders stiffened at Father’s command.

Taking advantage of Father turning away, I subtly signaled to Robber with my eyes.

‘If you don’t want trouble later, choose your words carefully.’

Both Father and Meldor weren’t the type to hold grudges. That’s why the servants often said they were easy masters to serve.

Unfortunately for them, I wasn’t such a convenient master.

‘I’m sure Emily briefed him on how to act around me that day.’

Robber swallowed hard, apparently understanding the unspoken warning.

“I’ll report exactly what I witnessed, Your Grace.”

He bowed respectfully and began.

“Lady Bellady had begun redecorating the neglected mansion, and she intended to replace the sofas and tables in the greenhouse to match the changing seasons.”

Despite his nervousness, his voice remained serious and proper—befitting a butler.

“While the furniture was being moved, the Young Lord entered the greenhouse. Upon seeing us rearranging the furniture, he misunderstood the situation and—”

“She’s so arrogant!”

Meldor’s nasal voice cut in.

“What gives her the right to touch Mother’s greenhouse?! She rejected most of Mother’s invitations, and now she thinks she can do whatever she wants?!”

Back then, I did try to attend Mother’s invitations whenever possible.

But after that incident, just looking at the greenhouse made my chest ache. How could I sit there and drink tea with a calm face?

So I started rejecting all her invitations. Neither Mother nor Meldor understood. That incident meant nothing to them.

As always, the only one haunted by the clear memory of that day… was me.

‘Why the hell would I go watch Mother dote on you like that? I’d rather spend the time shooting practice arrows.’

At Meldor’s outburst, Father’s gaze shifted to the frozen sapphire.

“What about that sapphire, then?”

“T-that’s…”

As Meldor fumbled, Robber stepped in.

“There was a brief dispute between Lady Bellady and the Young Lord. During it, the Young Lord used magic, and an accident occurred.”

“I was just trying to scare her! But she suddenly redirected the spell! She usually dodges just fine!”

I stepped in with the excuse I had prepared.

“It was a reflex. The sudden attack made me instinctively channel my mana. I didn’t mean to, but it altered the direction of Meldor’s spell.”

“Don’t lie! Everyone knows you did it on purpose!”

Meldor shouted but immediately shrank back like a scolded puppy under Father’s piercing glare.

Father didn’t even look at the servants huddled in the corner as he spoke.

“Robber, take the attendants and leave.”

“Y-yes, Your Grace! You heard him—get up!”

Robber and the servants quickly filed out, visibly relieved. They had been holding their breath since the fight started.

Once they were gone and the room was quiet, Father looked at Meldor.

“I told you not to use magic driven by emotion, Meldor Alton.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“If I hear again that you’ve used magic recklessly, I’ll pull you from the magic curriculum.”

“F-Father!”

“I allowed it because you have potential beyond your heir training. But if you’re going to use it irresponsibly, then it’s pointless.”

“I understand…”

Meldor sniffled.

Despite starting off stern, Father seemed to soften. He clumsily reached out and wiped away Meldor’s tears.

“I know you feel overwhelmed with your other studies and want to escape into magic. But you’re the heir to House Alton. Hang in there just a bit more.”

At Father’s unusually gentle words, Meldor nodded fervently. Pleased, Father patted his head a few times before finally turning his eyes to me.

His gaze toward me was noticeably colder than the one he gave Meldor.

“Bellady Alton.”

“Yes, Father.”

“You know what this greenhouse means to your little brother, who just lost his mother.”

“…I do.”

“Yet you acted without thought and created conflict, even though I haven’t formally handed over the mansion’s management to you.”

Father frowned as if the entire matter was exhausting.

It was Meldor who used dangerous magic first, yet his actions were quietly brushed aside. Meanwhile, I was the one being thoroughly reprimanded.

Still, I lowered my head in silence. I was used to this—and I had anticipated it.

“I let my desire for redecorating get the better of me. I’ll correct that, Father.”

Seeing me accept blame, Father sighed deeply.

“Don’t go causing unnecessary trouble. Behave.”

“Yes, Father.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Meldor grinning smugly.

‘What a brat.’

I was seething inside, but I held it in.

I had a plan for what would come next.

After a few more warnings, Father dismissed us from the greenhouse. I made my way toward the bustling first floor, where redecorating was underway.

Behind me, Meldor mocked,

“Hope you listened to Father. Don’t touch anything of Mother’s again.”

“A daughter can touch her mother’s things. What’s it to you?”

“Like you were ever even close to her!”

I didn’t bother replying and kept walking.

I had no business with him now. The incident had happened—now all I had to do was wait.

I continued with the redecorating, completely at ease.

That night.

I waited in my room without sleeping.

Knock knock.

“Lady Bellady. His Grace has summoned you.”

“He’s here.”

I straightened my slightly disheveled nightgown and signaled to my maid to open the door.

She quickly complied, revealing Robber on the other side.

“Let’s go.”

I walked past him and headed toward Father’s office.

Robber followed, speaking quietly.

“Afterwards, His Grace asked me to provide more details. I reported everything properly.”

“Do you think he believed you?”

“Definitely. I made sure the other servants present gave matching testimonies too. I instructed them beforehand.”

Satisfied, I glanced at Robber with a faint smile.

“Well done, Robber.”

“Thank you, Lady Bellady.”

He placed a hand on his chest and bowed.

‘Didn’t even need to tell him—he handled everything on his own.’

Robber had probably figured it out by now. Who in this mansion was truly dangerous when crossed.

‘Once tonight’s over, I’ll have to secure Robber on my side for good.’

That was precisely why I hadn’t sent the servants out during the fight with Meldor.

‘They needed to be witnesses—to support my version of the story.’

Like most married couples, Father resembled Mother in some ways. He was normally composed but became emotionally reactive when it came to Meldor.

Growing up, whenever we fought, Father always scolded me first.

‘Only after learning the full story would he summon me privately.’

Then he’d offer compensation in his own way, asking me what I wanted.

I had always found it both comforting and frustrating.

It felt nice to know he did care about me in his way. But being blamed first every time—just because I was the older sibling—was deeply unfair.

‘But now? I’m fine with it.’

Father’s cold stares?

He’d done it at the hunting competition, too. They didn’t faze me anymore.

In fact, the thought of the reward I’d soon receive made me smile.

Hiding that grin, I arrived at the door to his office.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Robber opened the door, and I stepped inside.
As always, Father sat behind a desk piled high with papers.

“You summoned me, Father.”

I approached and spoke. Father looked up from the documents.

“Yes, I heard the details about the greenhouse incident.”

He set down his pen and rubbed his temples.

“You may have rushed into redecorating, but I realize I was too harsh with you.”

“I understand, Father. It’s true I didn’t consider how hard this must be for Meldor as his older sister.”

Ugh, ‘considering Meldor’s feelings’? If I keep this up, I’ll need to change my name to Bellady the Bootlicker.

But who said words had to match feelings?
Wearing a face of remorse, I continued my lie.

“I feel awful. Because of me, Mother’s greenhouse is ruined. The ground is completely frozen by Meldor’s spell… It can’t be used as a greenhouse anymore.”

“…There’s nothing to be done.”

Father sighed, his face darkening.

That was my cue.

“Father, I’d like to take responsibility for Mother’s greenhouse.”

“Responsibility?”

“Yes. Since this happened because of a misunderstanding between me and Meldor… It may not function as a greenhouse anymore, but if I turn it into something more useful, I believe even he’ll come around.”

Like, say… a personal gem vault?

Of course, I had no intention of actually seeking Meldor’s understanding.

Father’s red eyes wavered briefly at my polished words.

‘What, recalling memories of Mother now?’

Good for you. I had nothing but scars from her, so I felt nothing.

The silence stretched on, like when Alexander was mentioned. But I wasn’t worried.

He had called me here to make peace. There was no way he’d deny me now.

Sure enough, Father nodded.

“Very well. I’ll leave the greenhouse to you. Finish the rest of the mansion’s redecorating too.”

I calmly bowed my head.

“Yes, Father. Thank you.”

‘Yes! The greenhouse is mine now!’

To think I acquired the annex so easily. I should dedicate this victory to Meldor.

Father returned to his papers.

“You may go now.”

“Yes, Father. And… don’t stay up too late. Please get some rest.”

At my words, his hand paused mid-signature.