입양딸 역할을 지나치게 잘해버렸다 094화

“Take this.”

What the Duke handed me was a small platinum ring.

Despite being platinum, it shimmered in different colors depending on the angle of the light.

It looked greenish at times, and yellowish at others.

In some lights, it even resembled white.

It had a mysterious color.

Upon closer inspection, there were tiny patterns engraved that were so fine, they were almost indistinguishable, with a faint light seeping out.

I didn’t know much about jewels or accessories, but just a glance revealed it was truly a luxury item among luxury items.

“What is this…?”

Heron was not someone who gave gifts to others.

Since losing the one he loved, Rael, he hadn’t given gifts to anyone.

“The Forget-Me-Not Ball will be held soon.”

Viola was already well aware of this fact.

It would be her debut into the social circle, a place where she’d work to establish good relationships with children from various noble households, laying the foundation for a smooth life in the future.

“Use it then.”

“Thank you.”

Since it was being given to me, I accepted it.

In that moment, I almost had my shoulder dislocated.

‘Whoa…!’

Why is it so heavy?

This wasn’t just heavy for something small—it was genuinely heavy.

‘No way. Hold on, my arm.’

I couldn’t lose to this tiny ring.

This was about pride, not merely survival.

What if I were to drop this ring?

What if I struggled under its weight?

‘Just thinking about it is terrifying.’

This was clearly a test as well.

Drawing strength from my desire to survive and my fear of Heron, I managed to hold on.

‘I can… do it!’

Fortunately, I had the physicality of Viola, the female lead of the novel, which allowed me to endure this weight.

My arm was trembling, but outwardly, I forced a smile.

“It’s my first time receiving a ring from someone. It feels special that it’s from you, Father.”

“Is it heavy?”

Viola hesitated for a moment.

Should she be honest and say it was heavy?

Or should she pretend it wasn’t?

‘He probably already reads my discomfort. Lying serves no purpose.’

He’s a monster of a martial artist who can read muscle and nerve movements.

She determined lying was meaningless and chose to be honest.

“It is heavy. What is this ring made of?”

“Flowers.”

“Huh?”

With that single statement, Duke Heron turned away, seemingly without any regrets.

It appeared he wasn’t particularly disappointed that Viola struggled with the tiny ring.

It was as if it was only natural for it to be heavy.

Creeeak—

With a sound, the door closed.

Viola, who prided herself on knowing Heron well, found it difficult to understand his behavior today.

*

That night.

Chief Butler Carlton came to Viola’s room.

“I’ve heard that Butler Zeno’s strawberry ade is exquisite.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I can’t believe he uses the Rasbone Ice Blade technique to make strawberry ade. If it’s not too much trouble, could you serve me some as well, Your Highness?”

Viola nodded.

During the day, Duke Heron had visited, and now at night, Carlton had come.

In the great world of Bellatu, even shadows like these are of the highest rank.

Besides, Carlton was a former assassin who had targeted Heron.

He was someone whose profession was killing people.

‘Scary.’

Though he currently wore a friendly smile, he was described as cold and terrifying.

From lunch until now, I couldn’t let my guard down.

After a while, Zeno brought the strawberry ade.

“This is truly delicious. It’s a flavor I’ve never tasted before.”

“What’s the point?”

The strawberry ade was tasty, but in this moment, I could barely appreciate it.

I wanted to escape this uncomfortable situation quickly.

“The point?”

“Yes. The Chief Butler wouldn’t just visit my room without reason. Surely, you’d not come here merely for strawberry ade.”

“To say just strawberry ade would be a bit of an understatement, don’t you think?”

Carlton smiled, glancing at Zeno, who stood next to Viola.

Zeno nodded back with a smile.

“The strawberry ade I serve to the princess is made with all my effort and utmost care.”

“I wonder how delicate the mana control needs to be to make strawberry ade using the terrifying Rasbone Ice Blade technique.”

“It’s nothing compared to the Chief Butler’s skill in assassination.”

Listening to their conversation, it seemed the strawberry ade was no simple matter.

But regardless of that, it wasn’t what was important to Viola right now.

“It doesn’t seem wise for the Chief Butler, close aide of my father, to personally meet with an heir candidate.”

“True. There are matters of fairness, and it wouldn’t particularly appear proper. However, excluding Duke Heron, no one else knows I’m here, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

Carlton got down from his chair and knelt on one knee.

He then looked up at Viola, who was sitting in the chair.

“What are you doing?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I take a look at your finger? Specifically, the one with the ring on it.”

Carlton held up his palm politely, and Viola, with a composed demeanor, placed her hand on top of his.

Carlton was taken aback inside.

‘She’s not straining at all with the ring on, huh?’

This ring wasn’t something a twelve-year-old princess could easily wear.

Even twelve-year-old Medea would not have worn it so easily.

“Isn’t it… heavy?”

“At first, it was heavy.”

“You seem fine now.”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Carlton was greatly shocked.

“This ring contains a staggering 28.7 million Marguerite flowers.”

……

In an instant, Viola was left speechless.

“It’s a ring forged by Master Mage Kurumkurum.”

“Kurumkurum?”

“Yes. He’s a renowned master among master mages and an elder of the dwarven clan.”

I didn’t need an explanation to know who he was.

Master Mage Kurumkurum.

He was the pinnacle among all craftsmen featured in the novel.

‘He’s a weirdo who only makes items for those he desires.’

In the latter part of the novel, Viola orders a dagger from Kurumkurum, but he refuses her order without a moment’s hesitation.

Angered, Viola tried to kill Kurumkurum, but due to the rare artifacts he wore, her attempt failed, and feeling a great disdain for the human world, Kurumkurum returned to the dwarven forest and never appeared again.

‘That Kurumkurum gave me this ring?’

In that moment, I felt dazed.

A ring infused with 28.7 million flowers?’

Why would he give me something like this?

What could the reason be?

Calmly, Viola continued her thoughts.

It had been five years since I transmigrated.

‘Don’t panic, stay calm, think.’

She arrived at a sufficiently rational and reasonable conclusion.

“My father’s desires for me have become clear.”

This was a ring forged by Master Mage Kurumkurum.

If one were to liken the social circle to a battlefield, this ring could be considered a weapon for the soldiers.

In terms of rarity, it would be more valuable and rarer than limited edition items from Louis Varten.

“Establish your status as the White Bellatu. That must be the meaning.”

Carlton fell silent.

His thoughts aligned precisely with hers.

Why would Duke Heron go through the trouble of creating that ring?

‘Even for the Duke, ordering from Master Mage Kurumkurum is no easy feat.

Duke Heron could order only three times in total.

Once he ordered ‘Frost,’ and once he ordered the ring, meaning he now had only one opportunity left.

‘It’s clear that he has great expectations for the White Bellatu.

No other Bellatu has ever received such extraordinary support.

This act could also be interpreted as the Duke’s blessing for Viola, who had entered the succession race rather late.

“With the Chief Butler also revealing this to me, it serves as a warning not to misstep. I will embody the essence of the White Bellatu and return.”

Though she spoke leisurely on the outside, her insides were burning with tension.

*

Tundra, having conversed with Hixson, snorted with a huff.

“Quite something, huh?”

Hixson looked a bit displeased.

“That cunning bastard.”

“…Cunning bastard?”

“Yeah. Heron.”

Tundra glanced around.

Fortunately, the training grounds were empty.

“Master, I think it’s better to watch your words a bit.”

“Hey, it’s fine. Don’t be so scared. Why is everyone so afraid of him? He’s surprisingly easygoing. He’s not someone who would act like a jerk.”

Curse a bit,

Use some foul language.

As long as it doesn’t significantly tarnish the prestige of Duke ‘Bellatu’ or mar the Bellatu name, Heron doesn’t particularly mind.

It’s just that people are overly afraid and don’t dare to do it.

“Why do you think he gave it?”

Hixson saw through the heart of his long-time friend.

“Have you ever given flowers to Viola?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I thought she’d like them.”

“Right?”

Hixson paused at that but Tundra still didn’t understand.

With a sigh of frustration, Hixson shook his head.

“She’s the same.”

“…What?”

“She just gave her flowers.”

Tundra’s eyes widened.

He gave flowers?

Millions of them?

As if he evaporated a whole flower field?

“So this cunning bastard gave flowers to my daughter?”

“No way.”

“He offered flowers, I’ll stake your right wrist on it.”

“Why my wrist?”

“Because it’s not my wrist, is it?”

While Hixson was speaking, he tilted his head.

“Wait? But she seemed fine after receiving it? Not like her wrist got smashed or her shoulder dislocated, right? Ah, no, I need to check on her.”

That ring was infused with an enormous vitality of flowers.

Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to even lift it, and even most martial artists would struggle.

It would be burdensome for the body of a twelve-year-old.

‘That child must have held it up proudly in front of Heron, without showing her struggle.’

That cool yet reckless kid probably didn’t even show how heavy it was.

‘Ugh. I swear, if she’s hurt…’

Why would someone give such a gift to a child?

If you’re going to give it, at least explain that it’s heavy.

‘But you didn’t explain, did you?’

I couldn’t imagine him explaining it, based on his personality.

Hixson quickened his pace.

“Viola. Are you alright?”

When Hixson stepped into Viola’s room, an absurd situation unfolded.