308 - Beggar Sibling: The Sarina Broom
At that ti, Lean was inside the mansion.
He was watching Jenia as she got ready, but the preparations seed never-ending. Jenia kept ordering her maids to fix this and that, repeatedly erasing and reapplying her makeup. Unable to hold back anymore, Lean smiled wryly and said:
"Why are you erasing sothing that's already beautiful?"
Jenia, sitting upright at her vanity, turned her head, pleased with the powder applied to her face. Honestly, she looked more than fine already, but...
"Sorry, just wait a little longer. I think shading here would look nice, what do you think?"
"Yes, just a mont."
The maid responded patiently. Lean, realizing it would take quite so ti, perched himself by the nearby window.
Today, Jenia was wearing a red dress. It was a bold color, requiring much attention to detail.
Especially since the vibrant red didn't quite complent her wavy black hair, she had to pin it up and wear a red floral headband to make it work. To top it off, she adorned herself with long, dangling earrings and a lace choker that elegantly encircled her exposed neck. Jenia had gone to such extravagant lengths because of the overwhelming influence of Lerialia's appearance.
She knew there was no way to win by looking similar.
So, she had decided to emphasize her own lavish image.
Lean thought she was already beautiful enough but held his tongue.
He, too, had dressed up with nervous excitent for his upcoming engagent. His blonde hair, tinged with blue hues, stood out sharply against his deep black suit, creating a striking contrast.
Growing bored of waiting, Lean pulled out the engagent ring from his pocket and fiddled with it. It was a promise to marry. Unable to hold back any longer, he slid the ring onto Jenia's busy hand.
Jenia blushed.
"...You're impatient."
"Am I the only one in a hurry?"
"I prefer to savor things patiently."
"I don't."
Lean leaned in and kissed Jenia. The maids gasped in surprise, exclaiming, "Oh my, oh my!" When their lips finally parted, Jenia glared at him.
"Go away. You're in the way."
Though her tone suggested she didn’t mind that muChapter Lean, with a playful "Oops," raised both hands in surrender and returned to his seat by the window.
The sound of gentle tapping resud as the makeup brush struck her face. The woman preparing and the man already prepared—there was a quiet tension that teased the two of them.
Soon, this man and,
Finally, this woman,
They would be engaged. Both were secretly blushing in anticipation when Lean, looking absentmindedly out the window, suddenly froze.
The sibling Katrina was supposed to bring was walking across the banquet hall. If that had been all, it might have been fine, but unfortunately...
'Why is she going that way?'
The sibling was heading toward Marquis Benar Tatian. She said sothing, and the music that had been playing throughout the ceremony fell into silence.
Lean abruptly stood up and dashed out of the room, leaving a startled Jenia behind.
*
"Indeed, Your Highness, Princess Lerialia de Yeriel."
A bomb had just dropped on the banquet hall.
It wasn't just anyone, but the most prestigious noble in the Kingdom of Bellita, Marquis Benar Tatian, who had spoken these words. The weight of his declaration froze the nobles in their tracks.
Princess.
It was not a title that could be given to just anyone.
The title "princess" referred specifically to unmarried daughters of the royal family, with the highest status being those born to the queen. Only two won on the entire continent could currently hold the title: Chloe de Tatalia of the Kingdom of Bellita and the newborn daughter of King Klaus of the Kingdom of Aslan.
But a princess? Of the Yeriel royal family?
There was only one person who fit that description...
In other words, Marquis Benar Tatian had accurately pinpointed and exposed Lerialia de Yeriel’s identity. The attendees at the banquet quickly realized who she was and that she was, in fact, still alive.
While the room was in shock, Lerialia herself was equally stunned.
Princess? ?
Yet, it didn't feel entirely unfamiliar. It was simply that the boundary between dream and reality had collapsed. Even amidst her confusion, her eyes sparkled as she asked:
"I'm a princess?"
"...Did you not know?"
"No. But now I understand who I am. Who are you?"
"I am Benar Tatian."
"Oh! The Marquis of Bellita! I've always wanted to et you... Ah, no, forget what I just said. What was that? I'm so confused. Anyway... nice to et you. I’m Lerialia."
She was unsure of how to anchor herself in reality and picked sothing at random. Marquis Tatian flinched.
[Lerialia de Isadora]
[Final Occupation: Princess]
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
The once innocent princess was gone, replaced by a graceful royal standing before the marquis.
With perfect etiquette, she bowed gently. Caught off guard, the marquis instinctively bowed back, despite being a man ticulous about his posture. He could hardly believe he had done such a thing.
Yet the soft, regal dignity of the princess left him no choice but to lower his head.
It was as if he were in the presence of a queen.
"And the person beside you, may I be introduced?"
While the marquis was still reeling, Count Gustav waved his hand hurriedly and spoke:
"No, I am not soone the marquis needs to introduce to a princess. I am Gustav Peter, and this is my wife, Edlin Peter."
Wasn't she supposed to remain hidden? Was it alright to expose the princess? Gustav tried his best to smooth over the situation, but it was all in vain.
"Oh! You're Jenia’s parents. It’s a pleasure to et you. My brother has told so much about you."
"...Your brother?"
"Yes! My brother."
Edlin’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. The brother of the supposedly deceased Princess Lerialia de Yeriel was... Lean de Yeriel. The na matched that of their future son-in-law. It all made sense now.
So that’s why her husband hadn't opposed the "commoner" their daughter had brought ho. He must have known all along!
"...Dear, we need to have a quick talk."
"Well, now’s not the best ti..."
"Right. Now."
Edlyn's eyes widened as if they were lanterns. The older brother of Princess Lerialia de Yeriel, who was believed to be dead, was none other than... Lean de Yeriel. The na was the sa as her prospective son-in-law's, and now, she finally understood.
No wonder her husband hadn’t objected to the "commoner" her daughter had brought ho. This man had known all along!
“...Honey. Can we have a quick chat?”
“Well, uh... now’s not really a good ti...”
“I said. Now.”
Though she was smiling, Edlyn was clearly furious. Lying to , are you? Gustave barely escaped being grabbed by the ear as he was all but dragged off.
Count Peter, being a son-in-law, and knowing that noblen always said, "When a young lady or a wife is angry, they are like an unstoppable force, and there is no way to handle it except to flee," could only back down.
Left behind in the absence of Count Peter and his wife were murmuring nobles, Marquis Benar Tatian, and the princess.
“They left, huh?” Lerialia suddenly uttered in an oddly casual tone, before clearing her throat with a cough.
“More importantly, Marquis, are you going to keep standing here?”
“No, please, take a seat...”
Before he could finish speaking, she had already seated herself. She took the spot next to him, elegantly crossed her legs, and reached for his wine glass with a casual clink. But...
[ Lena de Yeriel ]
[ Final Occupation: High-Class Hostess ]
‘What? This feels a bit rude,’ she thought.
It didn’t seem right to behave this way toward a man old enough to be her father. Lerialia, recalling the elders of the Rauno family, hastily put the glass back down.
She uncrossed her legs as well. Confused about where the line between dream and reality lay, she asked,
“So, I’m a princess... and you’re a great marquis. In that case, would you do a favor?”
“...It depends on the favor,” Benar replied, equally confused. Revealing her identity as the princess was a ploy to corner Prince Lean de Yeriel, who had been wielding bizarre powers.
Since she had no reason to keep hiding it, she wanted to observe how he would respond and then decide his fate. But it seed the princess was just as strange as the prince.
Innocent princess,
Highborn queen,
A young lady exuding sensuality—all were present, only to revert to innocence. Benar, who could usually read people well, felt dizzy. And the next words left him even more dumbfounded.
“Just give a house.”
What on earth... his head felt like it might explode.
“Why?”
“Because I need it.”
‘What kind of nonsense is this?’ he wondered. But the princess seed to be speaking without any deeper thought.
This was getting annoying.
With a rising headache and growing irritation, the marquis answered curtly,
“And why exactly should I give Your Highness a house? If you're just going to make pointless requests like this...”
“You might gain sothing in return,” she replied, her tone changing. Benar, turning his head due to the headache, glanced at her and groaned.
The atmosphere had shifted again.
The girl who had seed so innocent monts ago now exuded an oppressive air. In her eyes was the glint of an enraged tyrant, and her delicate neck was no longer graceful. Arrogant authority enveloped her.
Simultaneously, there was a thick scent of nobility, one that Benar imdiately recognized.
A duke—a noble whose veins carried royal blood. He was at a loss for words.
[ Lena Yeriel ]
[ Final Occupation: Duke of Yeriel ]
“Marquis Benar Tatian. Surely there’s sothing you could gain from this?” Lerialia asked again, pointing her finger at him, as if mocking his intelligence. Benar, montarily entranced by the sa authoritative aura, responded.
“...The Kingdom of Conrad, is it?”
“Ding-ding! Hahaha! That should be enough, don’t you think?”
Lerialia let out a rough laugh. The unraveling dream was beginning to consu her.
I will reclaim my throne.
With the help of this foolish marquis, I’ll restore my kingdom, and avenge my brother’s untily death. My brother yearned to reclaim his bloodline, so I will... I will make sure...
Lerialia Yeriel, Duke of Yeriel.
As strategies, sches, incitent, oratory, and monarchic theory—everything she had desperately learned in the past—started flooding back into her mind, she began to contemplate how to use this foolish marquis. But then—
“Lerialia!!”
She heard a voice that could only exist in dreams, the voice of her long-lost brother.
Brother, I’ve waited so long for you.
Jenia, my knight, didn’t return, and I’ve been all alone for so long...
“Lerialia!”
“What?”
It was a voice she’d heard countless tis in her head, but Lerialia had stopped turning back, not wanting to be deceived by an illusion. That was until hands grabbed her.
Was this still a dream...? Or not? A dream? Not a dream?
“What are you doing right now?!”
She was about to get scolded. Quickly, she summoned another dream.
[ Lena de Yeriel ]
[ Final Occupation: Stage Actress ]
“Brother, you’re here? Just a mont! Brother, I just learned sothing important...”
She whispered into his ear, pretending to be the innocent little sister again, as if she had just made a fortunate discovery.
- “I’m the princess of the Kingdom of Conrad. And guess what? This man here, I think he could help us. Just look at him—doesn’t he seem like the type who’d be great at managing finances? At least, you know, for money matters.”
“...Sigh.”
However, there was no hiding the brilliant golden light in her eyes.
It was the ancient blood of the Arcaea Empire. As her brother, Lean, saw her awakening noble blood and how she now viewed the marquis as nothing more than a bookkeeper, he sighed.
It didn’t matter if their royal status was exposed; he could handle that.
But if things continued like this, Lerialia’s life—the life he wanted for his sister—would be ruined. She was being consud by her own talent, to the point where she even tried to deceive her own brother.
Like a long, thin broom.
Was Lerialia sweeping the broom, or was the broom sweeping her? No one could tell. But it certainly wasn’t the kind of life that could bring happiness.
- “Well? Brother, it’s a good plan, right? You did great too! If you marry Lady Jenia, we can also gain Count Peter’s support.”
Lerialia’s smile deepened. She was even trying to manipulate her brother with praise. Until now, Minseo and Leo had always given in to whatever their sister wanted...
“I must have raised you wrong.”
Placing a hand on Lerialia’s shoulder, Lean scolded her. His shocked sister hiccupped, while he, like a father, looked his mischievous sister straight in the eyes.
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