비올라 recalled the events from the novel.

Although the content related to the social circle in the novel was quite limited, there were chapters that treated it significantly.

Most of the social content within Bellatu was narrated from Hela’s perspective.

The other Bellatus, aside from Hela, barely attended social gatherings.

Anyway, whenever the theme of the social circle appeared in the novel, Hela would definitely show up, and there was one family that always followed her.

That family was none other than ‘Mariantu.’

“I’ll thoroughly trample down Mariantu.”

The Duke House of Mariantu.

One of only four duke houses in the Central Continent.

Located in the fertile plains alongside the vast waterway ‘Hain River’ that runs through the Central Continent, this family boasted incredible power, holding possession of gold mines within their domain.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I know well about the story involving the 3rd Princess of Mariantu and your sister.”

“Such a policy may seem punitive toward the wealthy at first glance, but they ultimately shift all the burden onto the people.”

“Hela seems to really want to show off her vast knowledge. It really looks like she’s studied hard at her desk.”

The 3rd Princess of Mariantu, Sena, sipped her tea gracefully.

Outwardly, she appeared elegant and dignified, but her eyes were filled with contempt.

“But the world is very different from theory. I know you’re busy protecting humanity from ‘the Place Where the Eye Shines.’ If the opportunity arises, I’d love to invite you to our duke’s territory. Since I’m enjoying peace thanks to Winter Castle, I’d like to introduce you to a highly civilized, mature society as a token of my gratitude.”

Viola said.

“That beggar-like person told my sister a lot of nonsense.”

“Beggar-like person?”

Hela burst into laughter.

Mariantu’s Duke House was incredibly wealthy, second to none on the continent. To refer to the 3rd Princess of that Duke House as a beggar-like person was certainly something only Viola could say.

“When I heard that anecdote, I immediately sought out a portrait of Sena.”

“Why?”

It was a comment she didn’t truly mean, but as expected of Viola Bellatu.

“I’ll kill her when we meet.”

“Then it becomes a bigger problem.”

“I have to do it discreetly. Step by step.”

“Kek.”

Hela couldn’t help but laugh.

It was a ridiculous statement, but it felt good.

It felt like Viola was on her side.

“I was taught that gossiping is bad.”

“But it doesn’t seem so bad.”

“She probably gossiped way more about you, you know.”

The 3rd Princess of Mariantu always looked down on and mocked Hela.

From the fact that the real power of Bellatu isn’t White Bellatu but Black Bellatu, to the fact that Hela couldn’t walk and was a cripple.

Because of those subjects, Sena always disliked Hela, especially since Bellatu’s standing in the social circle wasn’t that high either.

Bellatu was, after all, a family situated at the northern end and didn’t really reach into the central regions.

With so many circumstances intertwining, the social circle was not a very pleasant place for Hela.

“I’ve been thinking deeply about what Sena said to you.”

“But the world is very different from theory.”

That statement implied that Hela was merely a bookworm who experienced the world through books.

It was just a roundabout way of saying that she was an inexperienced kid with little worldly experience.

“Also, I know that you are busy protecting humanity from ‘the Place Where the Eye Shines.'”

No one thinks that Hela is facing monsters directly.

That was the job of the Black Bellatus.

Yet, busy protecting humanity?

“You’re just some useless White Bellatu.”

An obvious mockery.

And then, to top it off.

“If the opportunity arises, I’d love to invite you to our duke’s territory. I’m happy to enjoy peace thanks to Winter Castle, and I’d like to introduce you to a highly civilized, mature society.”

While seemingly praising Winter Castle, it really meant that Mariantu’s society was a barbaric and regressive one.

“You couldn’t even be civilized while fighting monsters, and your society is immature. Come experience a developed society like ours.”

“The most infuriating part is that my sister calmly sipped herbal tea there.”

That was Hela’s style.

In the future, Hela solidified her qualities as a deserving person.

However, that wasn’t the way of the main character ‘Viola Bellatu.’

“Then is there a more rational method?”

Viola gazed at Hela.

Hela was someone she needed to have on her side.

A rich and promising supporting character, even now, she was rich and a property owner.

“And….”

As time passed, she started to feel a bit more.

While the Duke House of Bellatu still seemed scary and unsettling, Bichen and Hela felt rather close to her.

“Don’t forget. She’s my sister.”

“I asked if there’s a rational method, but you’re giving me an emotional response.”

“Touch my sister, and you’re done for.”

“So, what exactly do you plan to do?”

Viola grinned.

“I’ll cut off her hair.”

Technically, it was “I’ll cut off her hair,” but anyway, she gave a reply.

Hela burst into another laugh.

“It’s not realistic, but it feels refreshing. Anyway, we’re going to Parah Viscountcy together, right?”

*

Hela returned to her room.

A smile adorned her face.

Just then, the butler, who had been tidying Hela’s bed, straightened up.

“You look happy.”

“Yep.”

“It’s been a year since we met the Princess, and this is the brightest expression I’ve seen on you.”

“I feel refreshed.”

“Your expression always brightens after conversing with Princess Viola.”

Hela’s butler was newly hired a year ago.

She was a woman in her mid-thirties with jet-black hair and dark eyes.

She was quite petite compared to ordinary people, but no one dared to disrespect or underestimate her.

“Your alias used to be Sword Demon, right?”

“That was until five years ago, but now I’m serving as the only butler to the Princess.”

She answered in a warm tone and gaze.

It was a look akin to that of a loving mother gazing at her daughter.

“Isn’t it okay for the Sword Demon to be this warm?”

“Demons can be warm to their own people.”

Five years ago, she was the Sword Demon.

Now, with her duties as Hela’s butler, Ersa smiled brightly.

“When the Princess is happy, I’m happy too.”

“Why do you like me so much?”

They had only met for a year.

And it was a relationship between employer and employee.

“Is it necessary to have a reason to like someone? Is there a special reason you like Princess Viola?”

“I do have one.”

“What is it?”

“That girl is more Bellatu than anyone else. I feel like she will someday break the limits of being a White Bellatu.”

Ersa moved closer to Hela.

“Though it’s presumptuous, you can be a bit more honest, Princess. I’ve fully determined to serve you. Please show me a little more of your heart.

Then I would be really happy.”

Hela sunk into thought for a moment.

In retrospect, the butler’s words seemed fitting.

“Don’t forget. She’s my sister.”

“If you touch my sister, you’re done for.”

When she heard that, honestly, it gave her a little thrill.

What kind of Bellatu would say that for family?

None of the Bellatus would ever say such things for family.

Generally, saying such things would be close to an insult: “You’re just an incapable little brat.”

That was normally the case, but it was different when Viola said it.

“Somehow, it feels like Viola will always be on my side.”

Ersa nodded.

“I will always be on your side, Princess. Feel free to use me.

As the Sword Demon and as your butler.”

*

A year ago.

On that rainy day.

Ersa wiped her bloodied hands and entered a general store, buying a large teddy bear.

“I’m a bit late, but… it should be okay?”

At home, her six-year-old daughter was waiting with her nanny.

The memory of her daughter, waving goodbye to her while sitting in a wheelchair with her little hand, flashed in her mind.

The little girl always came out to greet her, pulling her wheelchair to the door despite her discomfort.

Her precious daughter.

Thinking about that made an involuntary smile escape her lips.

“I will turn seven in four nights!

You know? You have to come quickly!”

“Of course, I’ll be there before that. Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon.”

But the requests from high-ranking nobles were more complicated than expected and took much longer than anticipated.

In the end, she couldn’t be there for her daughter’s birthday.

And she could never be there again.

“What in the world…?”

While she was carrying out her mission, robbers invaded and killed Ersa’s young daughter and the nanny.

They aimed for the valuables inside Ersa’s home.

The nanny raised an axe to resist in order to protect Ersa’s daughter, but it was futile.

Ersa cried for three days and nights.

“I’m sorry, my baby.”

She had lived immersed in her work every day.

For a better future.

She had hoped her daughter could live a happier life.

She had fought fiercely for that day by day.

All of her strength drained away. She even began to question the fundamental reason for living.

“I don’t want to live.”

She lost her reason for living.

Yet, unsettlingly, she didn’t want to die.

“I don’t want to die, but I have no reason to live.”

“Make me someone useful.”

In an absurd twist of fate, Ersa found solace in that statement.

“I need you. As the Sword Demon.

And as my person.”

Someone needed Ersa.

That was the most important thing for Ersa at that time.

“You are a needed person.”

That became a small spark.

The girl who suddenly appeared helped her hold a funeral for her daughter and the nanny and helped Ersa stand up again.

That girl’s name was Hela, the 4th Princess of the renowned Duke House of Bellatu.

Only a few days after becoming Hela’s butler, Ersa said this.

“I don’t know if it’s an impolite comment, but… my daughter couldn’t walk either.”

“And so?”

“I keep seeing you as my daughter. Perhaps it’s rude, but I might be projecting my daughter onto you.”

“I don’t mind.”

Hela didn’t care about such things at all.

“You fulfill your needs through me. You can seek a reason to live or project your daughter. You can even use me as an escape from reality.”

“…”

“I need you. I will fulfill my needs through you.”

Hela said that without much emotion, and Ersa nodded.

She began to fill the void of losing her daughter with Hela.

That was the motivation and reason for Ersa to start serving Hela.

And thus, a year passed.

*

“We’re all set.”

“Great.”

“Going on a schedule with Princess Viola. I’m excited too.”

“Why are you excited?”

“Because it’s a schedule with someone who is almost the only person that makes our Princess feel good.”

Ersa smiled as she pushed Hela’s wheelchair.

Viola and Hela, along with their butler Zeno and Ersa gathered in one place.

Ersa placed one hand on her chest and bowed.

“As you all know, I would like to formally reintroduce myself. I am Ersa, the butler of the 4th Princess who will be leading this schedule. I shall ensure that everything goes smoothly.”

However, Ersa sensed something strange.

As the chief organizer of this schedule, she had a strong gut feeling that she shouldn’t overlook that energy.

“Princess Viola, may I ask you something….”