🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 13
A few days later.
Dylan was standing in front of Fleur’s desk, summoned by her.
“Are you saying you want to throw a party?”
“Yes. With the money we have right now, I’m going to throw the biggest party possible.”
His brows furrowed slightly.
“Must you really do it now?”
“Why?”
“It’s only been about a month since the previous heads of the family passed away. Others won’t look at it kindly.”
“That’s exactly why I’m doing it.”
Fleur answered casually.
“A young lady throwing a party so soon after her parents’ death? That’s free publicity.”
“Publicity…? What do you mean?”
“I mean people will spread the word for me. I want as many people as possible to come see me.”
“Why?”
“Because at that party, I’m going to announce that I will become the head of House Valen.”
The clearer her smile became, the deeper Dylan’s worry grew.
“Is it really necessary to make such an announcement at a party? You could just keep working as you’re doing now.”
“What head of a house only works shut away in a mansion? To interact with other houses as head, I need to make myself known. That way, marriage proposals will stop too.”
She gestured toward the envelopes tossed onto the corner of the desk. Gossip among noble families was quick—before her broken engagement with Aidan was even officially announced, letters had poured in from young men.
Some of them were even married already, writing with disgusting sincerity that they would pay off her debts if she became their mistress.
Dylan looked down at those letters with an equally cold expression.
“Officially declaring yourself head of house is fine, but business-wise you could take a loss.”
“Because marriage is the biggest business deal?”
“Yes. How about at least pretending to keep the option open and reaping the benefits?”
She shook her head firmly.
“Marriage may be the biggest business deal, but in the end it binds you to just one house. I want to turn it around and do business with many houses instead.”
Her decisive tone made it clear she wouldn’t be swayed, so Dylan only nodded.
“I’ll follow your will, Lady Fleur. I am the Valen family’s aide, after all.”
His words of support made Fleur smile with satisfaction.
“I’ll send invitations to as many noble houses as possible. Add a note that I’ll be making some kind of announcement at the party.”
“Understood. When are you thinking of holding it?”
“Two months from now. It’ll be an outdoor party, so tell them to halt work in the fields that have just been harvested.”
“Pardon? Not inside the mansion?”
“Our mansion doesn’t even have a hall. Building one just for the party would cost far too much.”
“The garden will be too small, though.”
“I won’t use the garden. I’ll use the fields.”
This time Dylan couldn’t even reply right away.
“Why are you so shocked?”
“…No noble has ever held a party in a field.”
“That’s why I’ll be the first.”
“Don’t you think there’s a reason no one does it?”
“They hold parties in their mansions to show off their big estates, newly built halls, or imported treasures. But what I want to show off are my fields. That’s why I’ll hold it there.”
Her confidence left him dumbfounded for a moment, then he chuckled.
“Understood. We’ll be the first to attempt it all.”
“That’s exactly what I want.”
“I’ll inform the servants as well.”
With their agreement, preparations began quickly.
The bumpy fields were leveled, and menus were prepared using the harvested crops.
From tableware to field maintenance, Fleur personally oversaw every detail, keeping the entire household busy with party preparations.
“Lady Fleur.”
Dylan approached, holding a burgundy envelope.
“If it’s another marriage proposal, I told you to throw it away without showing me.”
“That’s not what this is, which is why I brought it.”
“Not?”
Fleur blinked and accepted the letter.
“It’s from Colin Martin, the third son of Duke Martin’s family.”
At the name Colin Martin, the corners of her lips lifted knowingly.
He was one of the capture targets in the game. During gameplay, once Fleur repaid part of her debts, she would be invited to the mansion and meet him.
Since it was hard to earn money in the game, it usually took quite a while before she met him. For him to send a letter this early meant an opportunity.
A chance to use him to gather even more wealth.
She opened the letter and read its contents.
How do you do? I am Colin Martin of House Martin. I’ve recently become interested in your business, Lady Valen, and so I’ve written you this letter. If it isn’t too much trouble, could we meet in person sometime soon?
Her guess had been right. Fleur handed the letter back to Dylan with her instructions.
“Send a reply that I’ll visit him at his mansion tomorrow.”
The next day.
“Hm…”
Fleur stood before the mirror, studying herself intently.
“Not satisfied with your appearance?”
Her new personal maid, Genie, was helping her from behind.
“I’d like to look more dignified.”
“Then a dark-colored dress would be best, but all of yours are in light colors.”
“I haven’t spent much on clothes recently…”
She had been focused on paying off debts. She’d even sold many of her jewels for initial investments, so her wardrobe was modest.
A pale pink square-neck dress, a small pearl bracelet, and sapphire earrings didn’t match well at all.
The awkward adornments only made her seem fragile, which displeased her as she stared at her reflection.
“What if you matched all accessories in gold instead?”
After thinking for a moment, she shook her head.
“No, take everything off.”
“You mean, no accessories at all?”
“Yes. Better nothing than looking mismatched like this.”
She removed her necklace and earrings herself.
This was her first invitation where she would attend as head of the Valen house, not as its weak only daughter. She wanted to show herself as she was, not merely pretty.
Without the accessories, her intelligent golden eyes shone even more brightly.
“Perfect. Now I look like myself.”
At the gates of the Martin estate.
The moment she stepped out of the carriage, she couldn’t help but exclaim.
“This isn’t a mansion—it’s a palace. The duke’s house really is on another level.”
While House Valen’s home was a small, single-story residence, House Martin’s was a grand three-story building shaped like an “L.”
During gameplay, she had always rushed to interact with characters, so she had never properly admired the estate before. Now the vast difference in status between them was undeniable.
“How may I help you?”
While Fleur was still marveling, a guard approached.
“I’ve come at the invitation of Colin Martin.”
“Ah, one moment please.”
Dylan, who had come with her, presented the invitation. After a short wait, the gates opened, and they were led inside together.
“This way, please.”
A butler-like man guided them into a reception room on the first floor to the left.
She sat calmly alone on the sofa, waiting for Colin.
Knock, knock. With a rap on the door, it opened.
“Lady Fleur Valen?”
A new capture character has been discovered.
Colin Martin.
The moment they faced each other, a status window appeared.
His dark indigo hair was sleek and neatly kept.
Beneath the fringe that fell evenly across his forehead, his cheddar-cheese-colored golden eyes were direct.
His faint double-lidded eyes curved gently, giving him a mild appearance.
His sharp nose, steady lips, and pointed jawline balanced perfectly.
He had the flawless, universally likable face that made for the perfect first meeting—handsome to the textbook definition.
Even in a perfectly fitted three-piece suit, his broad shoulders and solid build were apparent.
Just seeing him smile as he entered the reception room lifted one’s mood.
“Thank you for coming. I’m Colin Martin.”
“I’m Fleur Valen. A pleasure to meet you.”
Fleur rose from her seat and offered a handshake first.
His eyes narrowed briefly before returning to normal.
It was unusual—noble ladies typically either held their skirts and curtsied, or if the man’s status was lower, offered their hand for a kiss.
But she stood straight and confidently offered a handshake—exactly the way heads of houses did. Colin, without comment, only smiled faintly and shook her hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Lady Valen.”
They shook briefly before letting go.
A capture character’s favorability can grant random rewards. Increase their affection and make them your husband.
Current favorability with Colin Martin: 0%.
