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Chapter 49
Heyris no longer laughed as freely as he used to, nor did he playfully interact with the servants of the mansion.
The series of events he had experienced in such a short time had forced him to grow rapidly. And that seemed to apply to Lucy to some extent as well.
“I can feel myself changing little by little too…”
Though she deeply empathized with Heyris’s sorrow, Lucy did not feel the need to step forward and console him. At that time, she even thought that forming any kind of emotional bond with others had become meaningless.
What she had painfully realized through her experiences was that money, power, and one’s own abilities were what truly mattered. Without ability, one could only end up living a life dependent on others.
Lucy wanted to achieve complete independence through her own strength.
Hadn’t she already experienced firsthand how difficult it was for a young, ignorant girl to stand alone in this world?
She still thought that the Lucy of the original story was more unfortunate than herself.
“At least I didn’t conform to reality—I ran away. But the real Lucy… she never managed to escape that hell, did she?”
By now, she could fully empathize with the circumstances that had forced the original Lucy to become a villainess.
And having gone through her own trials, Lucy began to think that she too must become a villainess, like her, as it was the only way to survive in this world.
Then one day, by sheer chance, she discovered an astonishing fact tied to her past—and from that moment, her life began to change completely.
Three years later.
In Tyren, the major city of the northern Kretein Duchy of the Fujis Empire, a grand banquet was being held today.
Prominent figures from the duchy had gathered in the spacious banquet hall, engaged in conversations on various topics.
But their discussion centered around just one person.
The northern region’s most influential merchant, rumored to be appearing at this banquet for the first time—the head of the Pablo Trading Company.
“Finally, we might get to see them? The head of the trading company, whom no one has ever seen before?”
“This banquet is hosted by Marquis Villian, but I hear it’s sponsored by the Pablo Trading Company. So surely they’ll attend this time, right?”
Lately, among noble ladies, interest in the Pablo Trading Company had been growing—not only in the north but throughout the capital’s social scene.
Especially curious was the rumor that the new head of the company was a young, capable woman.
Yet no one knew the truth, as she had not yet officially participated in any social events.
“But I hear the Pablo head is serving as a proxy for Count Raeford? How does that work? Why would a trading company head take on a countship proxy?”
Whenever the nobles gathered, discussions inevitably turned to why she had been appointed proxy of Count Raeford.
“She should have inherited the countship long ago. Her late mother was the previous young countess, wasn’t she?”
“Hah, nonsense! It’s unfortunate for young Countess Valencia Raeford, but naturally, her younger brother would inherit the title next.”
A middle-aged noble, who had been quietly listening to the ladies, interjected.
“So Heyris Raeford, the son of the current Count Raeford, should have become count, yet suddenly his deceased sister’s daughter returned! The count and his son are quite fortunate…”
He clicked his tongue and shook his head in disbelief.
“But isn’t the story of the Raeford proxy also tragic? She must have grown up thinking she was an orphan, all alone. And her mother died so tragically…”
“Indeed. Taking an infant as a hostage… that arsonist must surely be punished by heaven!”
The Pablo Trading Company’s history was well-known in the north. About twenty years ago, a middle manager embezzled a large sum of company funds.
When caught, he set fire to the Raeford residence and kidnapped the newborn daughter of the then-Pablo deputy, Valencia Raeford, as a hostage.
Valencia died in the fire, and her infant daughter vanished without a trace.
Yet one day, the girl—once believed dead—returned, became the Raeford proxy, and soon began making a name for herself as the new head of the Pablo Trading Company.
It was a story that drew everyone’s attention.
Each person whispered about the head of the company for their own reasons, curious to see her.
Then, the moment arrived.
“His Grace, Duke Lucas Kretein, and his partner, Miss Lucy Raeford, are entering!”
The banquet hall fell silent at the appearance of the person everyone had been so eager to see.
What surprised everyone most was that Duke Lucas himself had attended today’s banquet—accompanied by Lucy Raeford as his partner.
The hall buzzed again with murmurs.
“Good heavens! That… that must be Valencia’s daughter! For a moment, I thought Valencia Raeford herself had returned!”
Middle-aged nobles who had secretly admired Valencia in her youth began to comment one after another.
“Oh my, oh my! Another storm in the hearts of northern young nobles, hohoho!”
“Ah, I remember when I was young and hopelessly in love with Miss Raeford…”
To the middle-aged noblewomen, Valencia Raeford had been both a figure of admiration and one of envy and jealousy.
“That woman is the head of the Pablo Trading Company? She’s stunning!”
“Beautiful and young, leading a wealthy company. Men will line up to marry her.”
“But what is her relationship with Duke Kretein? He hardly attends banquets… They mustn’t be involved, right?”
The young nobles and ladies whispered among themselves, showing curiosity about Lucy and Lucas alike.
From the moment Lucas entered the hall with her, he could not take his eyes off Lucy.
Today, she wore an elegant dress of navy silk accented with ivory mesh fabric, matching Lucas’s navy tailcoat.
Unlike the nervous Lucas at their first banquet together, Lucy looked relaxed, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she glanced at him.
“Lucas? You’re uncomfortable at these gatherings, aren’t you? Perhaps I made an unnecessary request,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Lucas quickly shook his head.
“Not at all! I was only concerned that you might feel uneasy under the gaze of others…”
“Not at all! I’ve told you many times, I’m no longer the old Lucy DiArlo. No one will point fingers or speak ill of me anymore!”
Lucy smiled confidently, her tone radiant.
Seeing her, Lucas couldn’t help but smile widely, his eyes sparkling.
“A good mindset! If you need more power, feel free to use me as much as you like.”
“I won’t refuse! But you won’t back out later, right?” Lucy asked, smiling sweetly.
She no longer declined Lucas’s favor.
“I’m someone worthy of it!”
Now, Lucy was more confident and self-assured than anyone.
And for a happier, better future, she was taking her first step right now.
“Lucas, you can handle this today, right?”
“Of course! This is a business I invested heavily in, so I’ll promote it diligently!”
At Lucy’s words, Lucas adjusted his tailcoat once more.
The luxurious suit was made from a new fabric developed by the Pablo Trading Company.
Today, Lucy planned to promote products wearing a dress made from this new fabric, produced by them.
“Baron DiArlo, Edwin! Wait just a little longer. Soon I’ll come to where you are!”
Lucy thought of those in the Fujis Empire capital and smiled knowingly.
