FMLDM 07

Chapter 07

 Mountain After Mountain

Several days later, on a morning that was otherwise peaceful, the grand mansion of Macaron was bustling with activity. At the main gate, butler Momont and a few servants were waiting to welcome me. The few belongings were efficiently carried inside under Momont’s instructions, and the move was over in an instant. Following his guidance down the hallway, I arrived at the quaint eastern annex. The space for just Coral and me was so large that I was left speechless. It was on a completely different level compared to where we had stayed before, with perfect interior design. The room had a clean, white-toned, cozy atmosphere that made me involuntarily sigh in admiration.

“I don’t like it, but I suppose it shows some sincerity, huh?”

Recalling the hall I had seen before, it seemed likely this space had been remodeled.

“Just for me?”

I shook my head, wondering if Macaron was really that considerate.

“Worried I might have other intentions?”

That scene flashed back, instantly destroying the touching feeling. Coral’s eyes curved into a smile as she looked around, apparently liking the room. Lord Momont watched Coral with a smile, then caught my eye and immediately switched back to a professional, expressionless demeanor.

“If there’s anything you don’t like, please let me know.”

I carefully chose words that would express my gratitude while not seeming insincere.

“No, I really like it.”

“Please feel free to speak freely.”

“I’ll do that once I’m comfortable.”

After the formal greetings, Lord Momont finished a brief introduction of the house and soon left the room. Then the real tidying began. Since we had few belongings, organizing was done quickly. Coral was placed on the bed and, exhausted from the day, she fell asleep without even a twitch. Watching her quietly, I smiled, finished tidying my workspace, and prepared to start work in earnest.

Then—thud thud—with a rough noise, a woman in a maid’s outfit entered without knocking. Apparently, she was the head steward Momont had said would come soon. She introduced herself with a soulless voice.

“I am Seira, the head steward. If you need anything, please tell me.”

Her blonde hair was braided up, her eyes narrow and sharp. A scowl revealed just how unpleasant she was feeling.

“She must be displeased that I came in.”

Seira had a talent for giving people unpleasant feelings with just her gaze. Standing with one leg slightly bent, her posture lacked even the slightest trace of courtesy. Macaron had been too busy handling the battlefield for a long time to worry about household affairs. Other retainers, including the butler, also refrained from touching matters outside their duties. That was why I had been given full authority in advance. New arrivals inevitably cause conflicts, and organization was essential.

“She probably thinks her position has been taken.”

All the authority she had held until now was now mine. Those below naturally follow the flow from above. The first thing I had to do was firmly establish my position. If she respected me, I would treat her accordingly—but…

“There’s no need to be polite to someone who doesn’t.”

If I, the princess consort, were ignored, that attitude would spread throughout this place. It would obviously affect Coral as well. It was important to assert dominance clearly from the start. I looked at Seira’s eyes mockingly.

“Leave.”

Seira stood still, as if she hadn’t heard.

“Didn’t you hear me? Leave.”

Her expression flickered with surprise, but quickly twisted into full disdain and irritation.

“Didn’t you call me because you had something to say?”

Of course I did, but not right now.

“You don’t seem ready to hear that yet, so leave. I’ll call you back.”

Seira hesitated briefly, then stormed out, visibly furious. Shortly after, bang bang bang—there was a heavy knock and the door suddenly swung open again. Seira came in forcefully and shut the door behind her, frowning.

“Leave.”

I repeated the order without explanation. After about ten times of going out and coming back, Seira became predictably enraged.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

She turned slowly, face flushed with anger.

“Knocking means asking for permission. Isn’t that basic etiquette?”

Seira left again and knocked once more. When I didn’t say “come in” for a long time, she knocked again.

“Come in.”

When Seira entered again, her face was pale and drained of color. She clenched her fists and trembled, but showed no further arrogance. I decided to end it there for the day.

“Bring Kai’s educational documents and the payroll records for the employees at the Craide household.”

Seira didn’t leave, just stood silently. When people are cornered, they tend to struggle in desperation. Seira didn’t hide her hostility toward me.

“I’m in charge of the young master’s education, so you don’t need to worry.”

“…?”

“And I have been managing the payroll myself. I don’t think you need to see it.”

“…!”

That had probably been true until now.

“You’ve worked hard, but that’s not your job anymore.”

I stepped forward, closing the distance, and looked at Seira with all the warmth wiped from my face.

“Bring them here immediately.”

Seira’s body trembled violently, but I didn’t care. Her lips quivered, and the arrogance she’d shown just moments ago vanished as she lowered her head.

“But Your Highness ordered me to…”

I wondered whether she was stupid or just pretending, because she still hadn’t grasped the situation.

“Are you pretending not to understand, or are you just incapable?”

“…”

“From now on, you only do what I tell you, not His Highness. Understood?”

“…!!”

I took a step closer and whispered in her ear.

“If you don’t want to do it, say so now. I’ll let you leave.”

“…!!!”

Kicking out the head steward by my own hand right after entering the mansion might affect my reputation. But if she left on her own, there was no reason to stop her. Of course, Seira would never leave willingly. She stood there dumbfounded, staring at me as if possessed by a ghost. Then, biting her lip in frustration, she stormed outside. Not long after, Seira returned with the requested documents and disappeared again—this time, she didn’t forget to knock.

Apart from Seira’s visit, the day was peaceful. Even though I took a short break from my main job doing makeup, there was no end to household chores. Ladies’ lives were so busy. I’d been sorting paperwork for a whole week already. Then a bird flew in and gently tapped the window. The cute owl, fittingly a clever familiar, stretched out a leg with a letter tied to it. I hadn’t expected a reply so soon…

“Coral is always welcome if she comes to the Imperial Academy. Her test scores are among the top, so she can immediately enter the regular class.”

The regular chemistry class was for those who had passed beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Coral was the first student to enter the regular class so quickly. As a genius heroine, I had guessed it, but she had indeed surpassed expectations. Once in the regular class, she would take lessons alongside older siblings who had already debuted as debutantes, but I was not worried. After all, Coral was a genius…

“Kai will be watching with wide-open eyes at the academy.”

Coral was ecstatic upon hearing about re-admission to the Imperial Academy. As far as I knew, the romance between Kai and Coral hadn’t fully developed yet—the story was just beginning. But…

“Am I wrong?”

The smile that never left Coral’s lips was definitely different from before. Of course, she might simply be happy to return to where she belonged. But seeing such a bright expression made me suspicious.

“Does Coral have someone she likes at the Imperial Academy?”

“No. That’s not… no.”

Coral’s face blushed as red as an apple as she repeatedly denied it. That made me even more suspicious, but I pretended not to notice.

“Who do you want to meet, Coral? Any prince?”

Coral loved reading fairy tales. As expected, her eyes widened at the mention of princes in the stories. Her wriggling fingers finally clenched into a fist as if coming to a decision.

“I won’t meet any prince.”

That’s true—fairy tales don’t only have princes. Especially now, Coral’s perspective was shifting away from fairy tales to reality.

“You don’t like princes? The one who oppresses you? A handsome black-haired guy?”

Perhaps because I already knew the outcome, the conversation somehow drifted toward Kai. Coral probably disliked princes because she didn’t know Kai would become emperor someday. But…

“It’s not that… If I meet a prince, I won’t be able to be with mom.”

What?

“Coral… likes mom the most.”

Without thinking, I hugged Coral tightly. Coral lifted her head in my arms.

“I’ll live with mom until I die.”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words and felt tears welling up.

“If I cry, Coral will get scared again, right?”

After calming my tears with many thoughts, I was finally able to look at Coral properly. I wished I could live forever with Coral, just as she said. Coral was too precious for Kai.

“Did Kai and I have a fight?”

If we had fought, things wouldn’t be like this. Unlike the ambitious plan I had to put Kai through Spartan education, I hadn’t even had a proper conversation with him yet. Then someone knocked on the door.

“Was someone coming to Coral’s room?”

Coral’s eyes opened wide, seemingly recognizing the visitor. Her face flushed slightly—could it be…? When I nodded, Coral ran to open the door. There stood Kai. But…

“Why does his face look so pale?”

Had he been running? Kai was panting for breath.

“What’s so urgent…?”

After our eyes met, Kai looked like he was about to faint. For some reason, Coral’s expression also seemed gloomy.

“Did Kai make a mistake?”

Kai saw me but couldn’t enter, pacing nervously.

“Feels like I’m a troublemaker interrupting a lovers’ quarrel…”

After telling Kai to come in, I quietly slipped out.

“Coral’s expression bothers me a little… I’ll ask her later.”

After Calypso left, Kai forced a smile over his still pale face.

“Where’s the chemistry notebook I lent you this morning?”

“Here.”

Kai snatched the notebook Coral handed him and took out a piece of paper.

“Did you happen to see this?”

His voice trembled slightly. The paper contained a plan to kick out the stepmother.

“What if… Coral saw it?”

Trying not to show his cold sweat, Kai forced a clear expression.

“What’s this…?”

Fortunately, Coral seemed unaware. Kai wiped the tension from his eyes and smiled gently.

“It’s nothing. Let me know if you’re falling behind.”

Coral’s expression changed subtly, but Kai didn’t notice as he relaxed.

“Thanks. I think I’ll do well this semester, thanks to you.”

Kai grinned and waved his hand to Coral. Watching that, Coral waved back but then suddenly slumped down on the floor.

“Sorry, oppa.”