칼튼’s eyes fell upon a piece of paper.

He knew exactly what that paper was.

“A report on Princess Viola.”

Typically, reports on heir candidates are read once and tossed aside.

Thus, the information that the butlers gather about heir candidates only remains in the Duke’s mind.

“Why hasn’t he thrown it away for two weeks?”

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Carlton eventually asked.

“What’s in it that you’ve kept it for two weeks?”

“Oh. It’s nothing special.”

The Duke handed the report to Carlton as if there were no secrets to hide.

After reading the report, Carlton fell into thought for a moment.

“Princess Viola’s entrance into the social circle. And it’s related to her escort.”

Carlton found himself slightly puzzled.

He couldn’t quite understand the significance of this report.

It seemed to be of little importance, so why hadn’t the Duke discarded it for two weeks?

“There must be a reason.”

The Duke displayed the report without hesitation.

As the chief butler, it was Carlton’s job to read between the lines.

“If I hadn’t looked at it, I wouldn’t know, but I’ve already read it.”

He recalled other details hidden behind the report.

He was the chief butler and had to show a proper demeanor as such.

“I understand now why you’ve kept the report for two weeks.”

“………..”

Heron looked up at Carlton, resting his chin on his hand.

In fact, Heron didn’t fully understand himself why he hadn’t discarded the report.

“The direct competitor, Prince Bichen, has taken on the role of escort, and the boy swordsman Tundra, who calls himself a pet dog, feels the same way.”

Both of them are sufficiently regarded as rising stars.

Bichen is a pureblood of Bellatu, and Tundra is surprising everyone in the Bellatu family with his rapid growth.

“It’s even said that Sir Hixson grumbles that if he were ten years younger, he would be the one escorting Viola. Not to mention, Lady Medea has also subtly expressed interest.”

There was more.

“On the surface, Princess Hela appears highly active and joyful in social gatherings, yet she harbors extreme aversion but is still showing tremendous interest in Princess Viola’s entrance into society.”

What does this indicate?

Bichen, Tundra, Hixson, Medea, and even Hela.

“This could be interpreted as Viola Bellatu showcasing her abilities as the ‘White Bellatu.’”

Historically, the White Bellatu has always played a supporting role to the Black Bellatu.

The main focus of Bellatu has always been the Black Bellatu.

“The unprecedented birth of the White Bellatu.”

It seems the Duke is particularly interested in this premise.

That’s probably why he’s been mulling over the report for so long.

“The Duke has always said this: Without power alone, one cannot create a complete Bellatu.”

“Indeed.”

“Perhaps Viola Bellatu could be the one to achieve the completion of Bellatu… wouldn’t you agree?”

In just five years, she has gained the loyalty of so many people within Bellatu.

Though it’s not mentioned in the report, Zeno also seems to have a subtle desire to escort Viola.

If Zeno were physically capable, the likelihood that he would take on the role of her escort would be very high.

“One cannot complete Bellatu alone. That’s what the Duke told me. Princess Viola appears to be acting as if she can read the Duke’s thoughts. Hence, it is deemed that the Duke is continuously examining the report.”

“Chief Butler.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Heron, in fact, didn’t know much about social gatherings.

Like most of the Bellatu, he had never shown interest in them.

Thus, he was completely unaware of the rules or implicit behaviors surrounding social events.

“Are there any qualifications for being an escort for a debutante?”

“There are none. It is entirely up to the choice of the child debuting into society.”

Neither ranking, wealth, nor gender mattered.

“Still, twelve-year-old boys and girls choose the most magnificent and dazzling partners. The one who escorts them essentially becomes their identification card of status and ability in society.”

That was said to be the unwritten rule of the social circle.

Who escorts whom?

That’s essentially the power in the social world.

“Are there cases where a father acts as the escort?”

“It does happen occasionally, but it’s not common.”

“Why not? Didn’t you just say that the most splendid and dazzling partners are chosen?”

“Not every father is like you, Duke.”

Heron is quite far removed from the average father.

The immense mana embedded in Heron’s body has completely halted his aging, maintaining a youthful appearance of someone in their early thirties.

Yet, he carries the dignity and majesty of a supreme being.

Despite his young looks, the aura and charisma he exudes is enough to send countless young noblewomen swooning.

Oh, by the way. Recently, his mother did act as his escort once.

“Really?”

“She was subtly mocked and teased as a ‘mama’s boy’ and eventually ended up crying.”

That must have been the worst experience of his twelve-year life.

“In other words, having one’s father or mother as an escort tends to have a negative impact in social circles at that age.”

Carlton chuckled lightly and continued.

“And honestly, the most dazzling person in the eyes of noble girls is usually princes of their age, right? Like the Prince Jeremy….”

“Jeremy is forbidden.”

“May I ask why?”

“His name ‘Little Storm’ is overshadowed by the title of Prince.”

Had it been Bellatu, there would have been a serious backlash.

If he were Bellatu, the name ‘Little Storm’ should have been worth much more than the title of prince.

“That sounds like the stigma attached to Prince Jeremy due to his excessive beauty…”

As Carlton was speaking, he cleared his throat.

“Speaking of which, despite being excessively beautiful, there stands one called the Thousand Kills.”

“When is Viola’s debut in the social circle?”

In other words, he was asking when Viola’s birthday was.

“In two weeks.”

“What’s my schedule then?”

“There’s no official schedule, but there’s an unofficial one.”

Carlton smiled inwardly.

‘The Duke has never shown this much interest in the heir candidate’s entrance into society.

Why would the Duke be interested?

Because the daughter with the special trait of being a ‘White Bellatu’ was entering society.

He must be curious about how much she can prove her capabilities as a ‘White Bellatu.’

‘You must show a lot, my lady.’

Viola is growing beautifully, but she is still so young.

She is only twelve years old.

It feels too late to compete against Medea.

So she must show a proper Bellatu demeanor in society.

‘Since the Duke is so focused on the ‘White Bellatu’…’

That’s what Carlton thought.

*

“You have to go with me to the Parah Viscountcy.”

Hela seemed to have no intention of accepting any counterarguments.

She looked up at Viola from her wheelchair.

Hela’s expression was reflected in Viola’s eyes.

A steadfast resolve. Firmly set lips, and an expression that showed no sign of retracting her words.

“The Parah Viscountcy? With you, sister?”

“Yes.”

The Parah Viscountcy holds significant meaning even on the Central Continent.

The first Parah Viscount was originally of common birth, a remarkable woman who received her viscountcy from the Emperor 120 years ago.

She was a legendary figure mentioned in the novel [Shadow of Bellatu].

“The dresses and bags made by Parah caused a sensation among noblewomen.

It became Parah’s brand, and even the Empress was captivated by Parah’s creations.

Parah began to be referred to as a master among the nobility.”

Having gained the favor of the Empress, Parah eventually became the first common-born to receive a viscountcy and a special domain.

That domain was known as the ‘Parah Viscountcy.’

For 120 years, the Parah Viscountcy has been a holy land for designers and masters leading trends throughout the continent.

“The most beautiful clothes are born in Parah.

Shining luxury is born from the hands of masters, and masters are born from Parah.

There’s even a saying that anyone who wants to become a top designer must study at the Parah Viscountcy.”

“Is it really necessary to go?”

“Of course.”

“Why?”

“Is it strange for a noblewoman about to enter society to visit Parah?”

In fact, when Parah received her viscountcy, there was considerable opposition from other nobles.

As a result, the Emperor, after much deliberation, granted her a territory located on the treacherous summit of Mount Epir, which was known for its steep terrain.

For someone with an average constitution, climbing there would be impossible.

So, the Parah Viscountcy began with such a foundation.

Interestingly, the land, although remote and rugged, began to gain word of mouth.

“The number of noblewomen and young ladies visiting the Parah Viscountcy gradually began to rise.”

120 years ago.

Numerous noblewomen and young ladies headed to the Parah Viscountcy.

At that time, very few women could properly utilize mana.

120 years ago, mana was considered a man’s domain.

Barely any women could reach the summit of Mount Epir with their own strength.

The noblewomen and young ladies could only reach the top with the help of retainers.

They also needed various magical tools and items as assistance.

Thus, being a young lady who entered the Parah Viscountcy signified ample wealth and power.

“Even after 120 years, that tradition continues.”

The number of women skilled in using mana has significantly increased.

However, those women rarely visited the Parah Viscountcy.

“They focused more on protecting their territories from monsters of the world.”

Gender didn’t matter significantly.

Regardless of gender, those who knew how to handle mana were mostly nobles, and nobles had the responsibility of protecting humanity alongside their power and authority.

“Not every human can wield mana. Even now, the Parah Viscountcy remains a luxurious and noble place only accessible to high-ranking nobles who hire those who can wield mana.”

It is said that reaching there is incredibly tough.

With Viola’s blessed physique, she could probably manage the climb somehow.

However, Viola abhorred hiking.

“That place is famously known for its inaccessibility to carriages. How are you going to get there?”

“I’ll hire a mage.”

“A mage?”

Hiring a mage comes with astronomical costs.

Most mages are prideful and wouldn’t be keen on being thought of as a mere ‘means of transportation.’

You’d need a ridiculously high sum to convince them to lower their pride.

“Is it really necessary to go?”

“Of course. You chose to become a Bellatu, and now as the White Bellatu, you cannot be free from society.

I want you to shine the brightest that day.”

“I see a strange desire in your eyes, sister. You want to throw me into society while you want to back off, don’t you?”

“That’s not entirely incorrect.”

Hela’s expression became serious.

After a brief silence, she opened her mouth again.

“Viola, what I want is for my little sister to be the most beautiful. More than anyone else. You are more than capable of being that.”

It wasn’t just a mere wish for her to be pretty.

There was something more profound in it. Hela’s longing could be felt deeply.

‘Oh? Now that I think about it…’

In that moment, Viola recalled details from the novel connected to Hela.

She understood why Hela was acting with such urgency.

“Sister, wait a moment.”

Viola took a deep breath and decided to say the words Hela had been so eager to hear.