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46. Beggar Siblings – Adopted Son and Daughter

“Hiya!”

In the spacious yard of the family mansion, Lena’s kick was executed flawlessly. Leo easily blocked that kick, which held some weight, but was a bit surprised.

“Wow! Our little sister can do anything. So adorable.”

“Let go of this!”

He easily approached his younger sister, who had puffed up like a hedgehog, and pinched her cheek.

In retaliation, her elbow shot up toward his chin, but Leo deftly leaned back to avoid it.

Lena soon gave up and with her cheeks drooping in disappointment said, “Haa… I didn’t hit you at all…”

“Hahaha. Where do you think you’re swinging at someone as majestic as your brother? But you’re really doing well! I’m amazed.”

Lena was learning a traditional martial art called Hiberuna.

It was a technique once used by soldiers of the Acaian Empire, but with the development of various weapons and armor, it had become somewhat obsolete in the army.

However, it was still practical for self-defense in civilian life.

Knights also reference martial arts during their training, so Leo Dexter knew a fair bit about it, and having experienced Leo’s physique, he had a decent understanding as well.

“Tch. Just you wait.”

Lena pouted her lips. Her younger sister seemed unsatisfied, but Leo thought that even this much was impressive.

‘How long has it been since she started learning, and she’s already at this level…’

Lena was exceptionally talented.

No matter what she learned, she achieved results quickly and made great use of them.

‘Maybe I should just teach Lena swordsmanship?’

A thought occurred to him. What if his younger sister was about to become the youngest Swordmaster?

It was a ridiculous thought, but just thinking about it brought a smile to Leo’s face.

As quick as Lena was to learn, reaching that degree was far-fetched. A Swordmaster was a genius in weapon skills bestowed by the heavens. Having a talent like Lena’s doesn’t come without limits.

‘Honestly, with her looks alone, she’s already the best on the continent; adding any more talent on top of that… That’s already too much.’

The dice of the gods couldn’t possibly be that unfair. Just look at Lena Ainar. She couldn’t do anything well aside from swordsmanship.

While Leo was chuckling to himself recalling Lena Ainar’s absurdity, his sister interrupted.

“What are you laughing at? Is my skill funny?”

Lena slitted her eyes at him.

Oops. He was about to get scolded. Leo quickly waved his hands in denial.

“No, no! I’m just proud of you. You’ve only been learning for a few months, so this is really impressive. I’d better be on my toes next time, huh?”

“Hey, quit the flattery.”

Lena perhaps ran out of energy as she plopped down beside him.

Even in the shade, it felt a bit warm. Leo handed Lena some water and looked around. A few family members were chatting at a distance, but no one was near them.

He cautiously opened his mouth.

“Lena, I have something to say.”

Lena gulped down her water and answered with her pretty eyes, encouraging him to speak, while Leo whispered quietly, as if afraid someone might overhear.

“Let’s go become the adopted children of the Marquis we visited last time.”

– Ptoo!

Lena spat out the water she was drinking.

“Ugh! What is this? I’m soaked now.”

“Cough, cough! Brother, what did you just say? Adopted daughter?”

“Yeah. I think you’ll become the adopted daughter, and I’ll become the adopted son.”

“Really? You’re not joking, right?”

“Yeah. Really. Isn’t it great?”

“……”

Lena’s expression darkened.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

“…Yeah. I don’t like it.”

“Why not? You saw that magnificent mansion last time. Plus, you’d be a noble. We could become nobles!”

Lena watched her older brother swinging his arms while thinking about the mansion she had seen and that Marquis.

And she remembered her older brother’s tense expression…

In that moment, Lena realized something and became even more sullen. Her voice lacked its usual energy as she responded.

“…So you want to take me there, huh? To show me off to that man.”

“……”

Leo was too shocked to say anything, and Lena pursed her lips tightly.

It had already been almost a year since she entered this mansion. During that time, she had studied and experienced a lot.

Boys her age all tried to get on her good side. Even the older men seemed to dote on her, making Lena feel a peculiar gap.

She received more kindness than the other girls. The difference was so obvious that she couldn’t help but notice it.

The ladies also praised Lena, but there was always concern in their words. They seemed perplexed when she asked, “Why do I need to be careful?”

While they emphasized that she needed to be cautious to avoid bad things and to meet a good man, they never explained why she had to be careful or what bad things could happen.

Yet, she could infer that because of her looks, there were men who might act excessively.

Finally, Lena started to grasp her brother’s past actions a little better.

Leo always got dirt or grime on her face.

When they were begging in their little village, he would hide her beneath the town walls and go in alone.

He desperately tried to shield her face.

‘To protect me…’

When she realized that, Lena understood how big of a burden she had been to her brother.

She wasn’t just following him around asking for food. He had done so much more for her.

To keep her away from those “bad things.”

Lena gazed at her brother, who was fumbling and unable to say anything. The feeling in her chest was a bit… crushing.

‘I should have realized it when I was dressed up in those outfits and accessories…’

At first, she was just happy because the clothes were pretty, but when she entered the massive mansion, she understood. It was customary to wear such clothes when dining in such a wonderful house.

But there was another reason why her brother was bringing those clothes.

He was wrapping her up.

“…I want to go in.”

With a voice mixed with resentment and disappointment, Lena left her hesitating brother behind and returned to the room.

A cool breeze blew in through the wide-open window, but it didn’t feel refreshing at all.

As she slammed the door shut, the wind ceased as well.

From the open window, faint sounds of her family’s laughter and the cheerful shouts of peers playing could be heard.

No. It didn’t sound like anything at all.

Lena lay on her bed. She had to press her hands against her chest to stifle that painful ache in one corner of her heart.

She felt sad but couldn’t cry.

After a while, she lay there quietly, recalling her brother weakly.

‘…I should listen to him.’

I’m really the best at listening to my brother.

Following him everywhere…

Eating whatever he gives me…

‘…I should listen to him.’

Everything he does is for me.

Becoming an adopted daughter of a noble family would likely be the same. Even if it seemed like it was using my looks, that too must be for my sake.

‘…I should listen to him.’

Thoughts of Tian and her beloved family floated to her mind.

The sound outside happened to be blended with Tian’s voice.

If I go to a noble family as an adopted daughter, I suppose I won’t be able to come back here, huh? I probably wouldn’t come back ever again?

‘Still, I should listen to him…’

Lena drifted off into thoughts before she struggled to rise from her seat. She felt guilty for leaving her brother behind.

When she went back down to the yard, her brother was still in the same spot, holding his head in his hands.

Seeing her shrinking brother like that made her heart ache, so Lena gathered her resolve. She approached him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Brother.”

Leo looked back in surprise. Lena, feeling awkward, murmured in a locked voice.

“I’ll go. I’ll become the adopted daughter.”

It was her dream to live together with her brother for life. If she could go in together with him, instead of entering the Marquis’ household alone… that would be enough.

“But I have a condition.”

To her brother, who brightened at her words, she laid down her condition. For the first time, she challenged her brother’s saying.

This should be okay. ─ she thought.

*

In front of the Marquis’ mansion, Leo extended his hand. Lena took it and jumped down from the tall carriage.

“Thank you.”

Lena felt gloomy but tried hard to smile. Becoming the adopted daughter of the Marquis was already a confirmed matter.

Lena thought that showing continued signs of gloominess about something already settled would only make her brother suffer, so she brought up some good topics.

“This outfit is pretty too.”

“Yeah. It’s really beautiful. But isn’t it a bit chilly?”

“Not at all. I’ll just drape it this way.”

Lena demonstrated how to drape the shawl over her shoulder, putting Leo’s concerns to rest.

The Marquis sent new clothes every day. Because of that, Lena’s room was practically bursting with clothing he had sent, but none of it could be thrown away.

All the clothes were made just for Lena. Thanks to that, every time she visited the Marquis’ household, she wore a different outfit. Yet, there were many outfits she hadn’t even tried on once.

Today, the outfit Lena wore was a blue silk dress that looked simple at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it quickly changed one’s mindset.

Silk alone was a precious fabric, and with silver thread embroidered densely upon it, it was nothing short of elegant.

From a distance, it accentuated Lena’s appearance, and up close, it made her look like a celestial being descended from the heavens.

And the blue jewels hanging around her neck and wrists were accessories that came with this outfit.

A barely visible necklace and bracelet carefully adorned her lovely neck and wrists. The gems seemed tiny and humble compared to their wearer.

Lena gently adjusted the dress that left her shoulders fully exposed.

Since it was her first time wearing an outfit in this style, she didn’t know how to wear it and fumbled around.

With autumn rolling in, she worried that her bare shoulders might feel cold, but there was a shawl included with the dress as a set.

Thinking it was unnecessary concern, she turned her gaze to her brother.

Leo was also wearing the clothes gifted by the Marquis.

His crimson-colored uniform, with a faint red hue, fit his body perfectly as if it wouldn’t permit a single error in size.

‘He does look handsome.’

However, Lena didn’t feel particularly happy about it.

Compared to all this…

Leo led Lena toward the mansion.

As the well-dressed siblings stood in front of the mansion, a butler came out and politely bowed.

“Welcome.”

He seemed to show a face that suggested he had seen them many times but couldn’t quite adjust. With some reluctance, he tore his gaze away from Lena and guided the siblings inside.

Leo followed behind comfortably. He had been visiting the Marquis’ mansion daily for several months now.

He learned under the Marquis as his unofficial adopted son. Three different butlers took turns teaching him about the mansion’s affairs.

First, he met the mansion’s servants. Hundreds of servants bowed deeply to Leo.

He was shocked by the number, but that was nothing. The truly astounding part lay in the journal detailing the mansion’s major and minor affairs. Of course, it was the Marquis’ household. The Tatian family spent astronomical amounts just on maintaining the mansion.

Servants’ wages made up just a small fraction. Banquets held regularly devoured enormous sums of money every time, and the gifts exchanged with other nobles were on a whole different level.

Yet even that was just the tip of the iceberg. Leo had only seen the mansion in the capital.

The Marquis owned two domains. One was that of the Tatian family, and the other was a border territory that he held as the Western Duke. The Marquis collected taxes from an impressive four cities.

Dozens of large and small towns were so numerous they didn’t even need to be counted. The Grand Officers dispatched to each city managed everything.

Moreover, the Marquis had thirty knights under his command.

It was rare for a single family to possess so many knights, but considering that the Tatian family was not a knight family, the number was impressive.

The Royal Guard for the Belita Kingdom consisted of one hundred fifty knights, and since there were three knight orders, the total knights owned by the royal family amounted to four hundred fifty.

If you simply compared thirty to four hundred fifty, the Marquis’ power might seem a bit lacking, but that kind of comparison was misleading.

The royal family of the Belita Kingdom, the Tatalia family, officially held four hundred fifty knights, but since the knight orders were maintained under the name and budget of the kingdom, it was hard to regard it as solely the Tatalia family’s military force.

The Belita Kingdom should be seen as a collective of numerous families centered around the Tatalia family.

Furthermore, the knight orders tried to maintain as much political neutrality as possible, with different commanders to whom they owed their loyalty as soldiers.

Currently, Count Hermann Forte, the Swordmaster and commander of the First Knight Order, held significant influence over all three knight orders.

Recently, he had taken the lead of the First and Second Knight Orders and headed to the battlefield.

So, to accurately calculate the Tatalia family’s military strength, one should count the number of Royal Knights. Royal Knights were the ones defending the royal palace and followed only the King’s orders. The exact number was never disclosed, but it was typically believed to be in the range of sixty to seventy.

Thus, the Tatian family possessed a military force nearly equivalent to half of the royal family, and the Marquis was indeed the master of the West.

As Leo walked down the wide, extravagant corridor, recalling the Marquis’ incredible strength, he smiled contentedly and envisioned a rosy future ahead.

In his mind, it was only a matter of time before his sister became a princess. The Marquis would introduce her to the prince, and Lena would marry him.

Leo had not an ounce of doubt that the prince would like Lena. Moreover, Leo, as the Marquis’ unofficial son, was the first to notice the prince’s character; he was quite a fine person.

The prince of Belita Kingdom, Klian de Tatalia, was said to have a gentle demeanor and was handsome, just like Princess Chloe de Tatalia.

Thinking of that troublesome princess sent a slight chill down his spine, but he reassured himself that it was merely a political maneuver and dismissed the anxiety.

The siblings soon found themselves standing in front of the reception room.

Today wasn’t about visiting the Marquis’ study. Today was a day set apart for a different appointment.

Recently, the Marquis had begun introducing Lena and Leo to the nobles with whom he was close.

It was groundwork for publicly revealing them as his unofficial adopted son and daughter.

Thus, Leo brought his sister with him once a week to meet the nobles.

“Welcome!”

The Marquis beamed and stood up.

Next to him sat two nobles, one dressed in a manner so extravagant it seemed almost comical, and the other wearing no adornments whatsoever.

As the Marquis sat the siblings down, he proceeded with the introductions.

He first presented the flamboyantly dressed noble. “This is Lord Brian Zauer.”

“Hello. I’m Leo.”

“Hello. I’m Lena.”

The lord had an oddly wrinkled face that seemed to have more creases than a laundry basket.

He smiled with all his wrinkles, rolling his gray eyes to gaze at Lena.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Brian Zauer. I heard from the Marquis that he’d be introducing his son and daughter today! I never imagined you two would be such marvelous individuals!”

He adopted exaggerated manners, the latest trend in etiquette from the Belita Kingdom.

Leo returned the greeting with the honest etiquette of the Acaian Empire, while Lena simply lowered her head.

“And this is Count Gustave Peter. The one I mentioned before? The person who broke the plates and my close friend.”

The siblings greeted the Count as well. Count Peter returned their salutation with a restrained demeanor and maintained an indifferent expression.

After completing the introductions, the Marquis moved behind the seated siblings. Casually placing his hands on their shoulders, he spoke.

“These are to be my son and daughter. I hope you’ll treat them kindly. We should enjoy a cup of tea, no? I’ve procured some fine tea.”

The Marquis gave Lena a sideways glance and summoned a servant to bring the tea.

That day’s meeting was no different from any other.

They enjoyed light snacks and fragrant tea while exchanging pleasantries. Lena remained quietly seated, while Leo aimed to leave a good impression on the nobles.

Then, at one point, talk arose regarding the border regions, and it seemed Lord Zauer had made a slip of the tongue, causing the Marquis to throw him a sidelong glance.

At the time, Leo was unaware of who Lord Zauer was.

Later, when he found out that Lord Zauer was the owner of all the brothels in Oberg, he turned red with disgust, but it was already a thing of the past.

Also, Lord Zauer was the half-brother of Brestin Zauer, the brothel manager Lena had met in a previous scenario, but thankfully Leo never learned that fact.

Had he known, it would have gone beyond mere discomfort.