A battle of wits with a scheming type.

Sauvel was struggling to hold onto the raw diamond he still had in his hand.

"Ah, my lord... should I return this to Father?"

But Father just asked, "Elen, what should we do with this?"

"Sure, sell it if you want!"

I reply, stunned, and am immediately stopped by Sauvel, Isabella, and Lauren, all gaping.

"Absolutely not, Elen-chan! Something this big doesn't just go out into the world! There'll be a scandal!"

Isabella's words make me pause. Yeah, she's right. I hand the raw diamond over.

"Then here's what we do."

The massive chunk shatters in my hand, pulverized into small, irregular pieces about a centimeter across.

The three adults stare, utterly speechless.

"Here you go."

Smiling, I hand it to Sauvel, who takes it with a dazed expression.

"Isn't it fine since Elen said she's giving it to you?"

Father says it like it's nothing, but Sauvel’s body moves like it’s rusted shut, stiff and awkward.

"Still, what do we do with all this gold? You’re giving too much, Elen-chan~"

Mother scolds me, but I’m not sorry at all. I just say, "I’ll be more careful from now on," and my mind drifts straight back to the cake. Right now, I’m completely obsessed with the cake.

"Wait—this is really…?"

"If you’re selling it, you should do it bit by bit. Otherwise the market’ll go haywire. Oh, and since the gold’s completely pure, maybe it’d be better to mix in some impurities before selling it?"

I’m already back at the cake, shoving another bite in my mouth, chewing with that familiar, blissful rhythm. Among the three frozen in place, Lauren was the first to snap back.

"Elen-sama… are you really certain you want to sell these?"

"Fine! Just buy another cake with it!!"

I say, bouncing with excitement, and Lauren just chuckles, shaking her head. "Well, you could buy a whole bakery full of cakes, not just one."

"Anyway," Isabella says, "if this child ends up in the royal family’s hands, things’ll go horribly wrong. You absolutely cannot tell anyone about this. Lauren, if you’re selling it, you’ll need to come up with some other source."

She finishes speaking, and I sink into silence, realizing I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

"Then… don’t you have a mine somewhere? We could stage a dig! Pretend it came from there!"

I say it with too much energy, and this time, no need for stunned silence—just a long, weary sigh from the three of them.

Did I just say something terrible? I fidget, flustered.

"Good grief… what a clever little thing you are…"

"Yeah… really a spirit, now I see it… no way anyone else could pull something like that off."

Sauvel and the others nod, finally convinced. The daughter of the goddess of plenty, after all.

"There was supposed to be a small mine, right?"

"Nothing worth mining is left these days—so we’ll just say we found it there?"

"Even diamonds alone would seem suspicious. We’ll throw in some stuff that was actually mineable to make it believable."

"...Impressive. At your age, you’re already thinking like an adult."

Isabella’s comment reached my ears, and I felt a little pleased.

We’d decide the rest of it later, together with my father.

If there was anything I could help with from the Vanklyft Family’s ventures, I’d quietly assist alongside my father.

Just then, a maid informed us the dinner party was ready, and we headed toward the great hall.

Placed beside my father, lifted up by my mother, I was instantly bathed in stares the moment we entered.

"Sorry for the sudden delay. Thank you all for the preparations. And now, I have an announcement to make."

Sauvel’s divorce from Agiel, Lovell’s return, and Lovell’s marriage. The servants burst into cheers and gasps of astonishment.

“Let me introduce them. My wife and daughter.”

“Hello, Ori. And this little one is Elen.”

Bowing slightly after being set down by Mother, I greeted them, and a chorus of awe rose from the servants.

The male servants blushed faintly at the sight of Mother. The maids cooed over me, their cheeks pink with delight.

“Not only has my elder brother returned, but our family has grown! You’ve all been wonderful—endured Agiel’s nonsense with such patience! Now, drink, laugh, and celebrate as you please!”

With Sauvel’s toast, the servants raised their glasses and cheered in unison.

While Lauren and Isabella fuss over me, plates keep arriving one after another right before my eyes.

Meat dishes, salads, soups—so many were brought out that chairs and a table had to be hastily brought in. Father, mother, and I sat together, tasting everything with relish.

We weren’t all able to eat everything, so we shared bits of each dish, murmuring our thoughts aloud. Then, suddenly, I realized everyone was watching us with fond smiles.

The servants who’d been in the house for ten years were so moved by Lovell’s ever-changing expressions they nearly burst into tears.

When a maid timidly offered mother a dish, mother would smile and thank her, her cheeks flushing pink.

And over in the corner, even though they were far away, I could just barely hear whispers—“Completely different from Lord Agiel,” “So wonderful,” “Such a kind master.”

It made me happy to see mother praised, like a daughter. I was grinning from ear to ear when Lauren and Isabella gently patted my head, their faces all soft and dreamy.

“Grandpa! This is delicious!”

When I pointed out something I particularly liked, she hurriedly jotted it down, saying, “We must compliment the head chef!”

I blinked—was she checking off my favorites?—when Grandpa noticed and explained.

Turns out, since Mother and I are spirits, he’d been carefully noting what I could eat and what I liked. I was so touched, I could barely contain myself.

“Grandpa, thank you!”

Smiling my thanks, I got a flustered, “Of course” in return—completely ruined by the adorably dazed look on his face. *Oh, for the love of…*

“Look, look—Lady Lauren’s face…!”

Even the servants were stunned by Lauren’s dreamy expression.

“Lauren, you’re practically melting,” Sauvel said with a wry smile.

I shot him a cool, sharp look—just to remind him who’s in charge.

“Naturally. One doesn’t often meet someone so… *rewarding* to care for. My hands are practically tingling.”

Sauvel chuckled, watching the old man puff out his chest.

"Such a good grasp of servants' feelings, Elen-chan. Really impressive."

Isabella ran her fingers through my hair again. I swear, I’ve been getting my head petted all day.

(…Wait, isn’t that normal?)

I thought that—then immediately remembered Agiel.

That woman, who treated servants like nothing more than tools, with no regard for their worth.

I really, truly hope the people in this house are finally free of her.

＊＊＊

While the Vanklyft Family hosted a dinner party, a man stood facing the owner of a private chamber in Laviselle’s quarters.

"Stop reporting?"

Laviselle’s voice echoed through the room, sharp with displeasure.

"Lord Lovell found out. I’ve been removed from his side."

"Ah, I see. Quick work. Just as expected of Lovell."

Albert gives a puzzled look as Lavissel speaks with cheerful enthusiasm.

Hmm, Lavissel muses, glancing briefly in my direction.

"Have you seen your daughter’s face?"

"Yes."

"Then it’s perfect."

He picks up a sheet of paper from the table, dips his quill into ink, and begins writing smoothly.

While the ink dries, he scribbles something onto an envelope too.

I watch silently as the Prince folds the letter, tucks it into the envelope, and applies wax.

He presses the sigil ring—bearing the royal crest—into the wax.

Then he hands it to Albert.

"Deliver this."

"...I’ve been placed under house arrest. I don’t think Lord Lovell would even grant me an audience."

"No. To your daughter."

The Prince smiles sweetly. Albert turns pale.

＊＊＊

Dinner ended, and Mother and Father headed back to the Spirit World.

I watched them leave with a narrow-eyed glare, remembering the smile on Father’s face this morning—“I’ll come get you tomorrow,” he’d said.

Spending the night surrounded by Isabella and Lauren and the maids.

Even getting into the bath was a production—several maids fussing over me like I was made of glass. I was utterly drained.

And with my stomach stuffed from dinner, I dozed off almost instantly, drifting off into sleep with the rhythm of rowing.

“Ah, ah, sleepyhead…”

I grunted, rubbing my eyes—no, no, don’t do that, Isabella chided me.

“Sleep with Grandma? Just like old times?”

“…Yeah.”

I nodded vigorously, and Isabella let out a delighted squeal.

“Then let’s go to bed first. Grandma’ll join us after her bath. Go on, get some rest now.”

Once in bed, my head was gently stroked.

Lying down, I was off to sleep in an instant.

Felt like only a short while had passed. A gentle tapping on my shoulder pulled me back to consciousness.

I opened my eyes, and there he was—Albert, who was supposed to be under house arrest.

"...?"

I sat up, frowning. Albert, voice hushed, handed me something.

"...This."

I looked at it. A letter.

Why’s he giving this to me? I’d learned to read from my father, but normally he’d hand this to him first, wouldn’t he? Then I remembered my father’s words.

"Prince’ll try to use my daughter to solve the problem."

"Ahh, so that scheming bastard… Prince, huh?"

I said it aloud, and Albert flinched, shoulders jerking.

If I don’t take this letter, he’ll be punished by the Prince for sure.

I take the letter without hesitation, but don’t open it. Instead, I speak to Albert.

“Does Uncle dislike this house?”

“Of course not!!”

Albert’s voice cracks, startled. I stare up at him, frozen as he claps a hand over his mouth.

“Then why are you doing this? Papa’s furious, you know.”

“…I know.”

“You think I’ll secure the family’s safety by linking with the royal family, is that it?”

“…! How—how did you—”

“From Papa and your side, I’d say that’s none of our business.”

Albert’s face goes pale at my words.

“Papa and I are human, yes—but we’re spirits too. To the royal family, we’re undoubtedly priceless. They’d leap at the chance. But from our side? It’s a massive headache.”

“…Why?”

"The chain won’t end as long as the royal family stays oblivious. We can’t get near any of them. Pointless."

"Can’t you be told…?"

"If I were to offer advice, it’d be about this household’s relationship with Agiel."

"Agiel?!"

"Do you understand why this household despises Agiel? Apply that logic. Would these people ever forgive Agiel?"

"...That can’t be… seriously…?"

"The royal family’s always been like that."

I fluttered the letter I’d been handed.

"Personal summons, huh?"

Albert fell silent, staring at me, already guessing the contents without even looking.

"Uncle, cut ties with the Prince right now. If Papa finds out, it won’t end well."

Still frozen, I added, "You know what I mean."

The Prince doesn’t care about an uncle. That scheming bastard won’t feel a thing if your uncle gets cut loose from this house. If you’re grateful to this household, don’t misunderstand.

I said it straight. Albert flinched, then bowed deeply, a proper servant’s bow.

"Forgive me, Elen-sama..."

"...But likely, Papa already knows about this situation. He’s watching from somewhere."

Albert stiffened, shoulders locking up. I waved him off.

"Papa’s my responsibility. I’ll handle him. Tell the scheming bastard I refuse to deliver your reply—Papa’ll be furious if he hears it."

"...Yes."

Hearing his reply, I burned the letter in my hands—unopened, unsealed.

Then I rearranged its ash into new structure, bound it with oxygen, and turned it into smoke.

Albert stood there, eyes wide, utterly speechless at the sight of it vanishing in an instant.

I gave a single yawn at that expression—just enough to make it clear—then whispered, "Good night," and pulled the sheet over myself.