I Don’t Want to Be a Lady

“Baroness, aren’t you going?”

I responded angrily to Madrenne’s question, who appeared dressed in her going-out clothes.

“What a nice view.”

At my words, Madrenne immediately removed her hat and soon removed her gloves. Seeing her like that, I asked. “Aren’t you going?”

Madrenne answered. “Where would I go? Lady can’t do anything without me. So I should stay too.”

The corner of my mouth curved loosely as I looked at Madrenne, who was grumbling, saying how the master she was serving didn’t know how important this event was.

It was the execution of Duke Krow, the traitor. The square was packed with people. The empire’s citizens were enraged by the news of the treason of the duke, who enjoyed wealth and honor as the emperor’s right-hand man. Even people flocked from distant borders to see his end.  

“Oh my gosh. Treason! What on earth is going on?”

“I know, right? I don’t understand. What was he lacking that he did treason?”

“Well, he’s the head of the nobles. I guess he wasn’t satisfied just being a duke.”

“What the. I don’t think I would have any wishes even if they just gave me the title of baron.”

“

Be quiet. I guess it’s about to start.”

The square, which had been noisy due to the appearance of the imperial guard, suddenly became quiet.

A moment later, the emperor appeared on the balcony of the third floor. He glanced at the crowds gathered in the square for a moment and opened his mouth with a heavy expression.

“Today is the day to execute the criminal who betrayed this Harpion Empire. The crime deserves punishment for attacking the imperial palace and clouding public sentiment for personal greed. At the same time, our people risked their lives to protect this empire. The nobles of this empire, including me, exist to ensure citizens can live comfortably, and those who forget their mission and only pursue their own greed will be dealt with severely in the future.”

The emperor took a short breath and continued. “Get the sinner out.”

At the emperor’s order, five knights of the imperial guard dragged the sinner.

Duke Krow had become a completely different person just in a few days. Aside from his messy hair and unorganized clothes, his eyes changed the most.  He, who always gave off a good-natured impression with a smiling face, was constantly muttering something with unfocused eyes, like a person who had lost his mind.

“No. My son… No. My son…”

He stood before the guillotine as led by the knights without resistance.

“Execute the sinner.”

The emperor ordered the execution immediately without giving people time to mock and insult him. It was his last courtesy to the man who helped him and took the lead in establishing this empire. Even though he ended up committing treason, it was an undeniable fact that it was thanks to him that the empire could come this far without being destroyed.

From the appearance of Duke Krow to his execution, it passed instantly. The crowd gathered in the square murmured, unable to choose whether to cheer the execution of the sinner or curse at the sinner.

“The execution has been carried out, so now you can leave.” After finishing his speech, the emperor turned back and disappeared.

The knights quickly recovered Krow’s body. It happened so quickly that people were confused and had no idea what was happening.

The next day, the emperor announced the amendment of the law along with the news of the truce. The main amendment was to abolish the law of inheritance of the eldest son in the Harpion Empire law. From now on, the second son and women can inherit the family name and property.

In addition, a law about marriage was enacted. Regardless of man or woman, if a person has a concubine, the relationship is recognized as a marriage, any children born between the two must be registered on the family register, and a large amount of alimony must be paid when the couple separates.

Marquis Hood became a duke, Arianne and Viscount Bening became Countess and Count, and Bein became the first commoner to receive the title of baron. Alice refused to be given the title and asked for something else. She immediately joined the imperial guard. Everyone knew what she was thinking when she decided to join the imperial guard, but they pretended not to know and turned a blind eye.

Instead of Mozar, Luiden ascended to the position of the crown prince. Everyone initially sympathized with the fallen Mozar but no longer sympathized after learning that he had entered the Grand Duke Federut family. To them, it was too much for him.

The empress took Duke Krow’s son and went into seclusion in a secluded empire estate. Peace was restored to the Harpion Empire after a brief period of turmoil.

“The emperor must be senile. Abolish the firstborn inheritance law? Law of marriage? Give a title to a commoner?”

Count Bornes, who was glaring at the official documents sent by the emperor to each family, let out a bewildered laugh.

There was no way the nobles would remain silent in response to the emperor’s arbitrary amendment of the law. Count Bornes intended to use this opportunity to show his power.

After a large number of traitors, including Duke Krow, were purged, a major change occurred in the existing power structure. Count Bornes was trying to secure a seat in the gap. The seat of Duke Krow, that was the position he was after.

“Master! We’re in big trouble!”

At the urgent shout of the butler, Count Bornes showed his discomfort. “How dare you speak so loudly!”

Instead of apologizing at the Count’s scolding, the butler instead started shouting again. “Now is not the time to get angry about that! The imperial investigation team has arrived! I tried to stop them, but…”

It was then. A group of men shoved in on the butler and confronted Count Bornes. The one in front of them opened his mouth.

“Count Bornes, I will arrest you on charges of illegal lending, gambling, and human trafficking.”

“What? How dare you arrest me?” Count Bornes glared fiercely and gave a warning.

In response, one of the imperial investigation team members drew out a restraining rod and spoke. “If you cooperate obediently, you won’t get hurt.”

Count Bornes clicked his tongue at the absurdity. “

You have some nerves. Do you even know who you’ve just provoked? I’m Count Bornes. Invading my home without evidence? You all better be prepared for the consequences.”

Despite Count Bornes’s warning, the investigator responded firmly and business-like without even blinking. “If it’s evidence, there’s plenty of it, so don’t worry and cooperate.”

“What? Evidence?”

Count Bornes’ face is distorted.

Everyone knows that he has been involved in all kinds of criminal activities, but no one has ever reported him. Because there was no solid physical evidence. That’s how meticulous he was. It wasn’t just because of luck that he had survived so far. But what on earth is going on here?

The moment you resist, you’ll be in trouble for obstructing official duties.

Count Bornes thought there must be something wrong. So he obediently followed them. Little did he know that he would never be able to come back again.

* * *

A few days later, someone visited Kaien Duchy.”

“Little Madam, a guest has arrived.”

When Sebastian informed me that a guest had come, I responded with disgust. “I told you to stop calling me Little Madam! Just call me Countess.”

Sebastian smiled kindly as he watched me shiver at the embarrassment. “Yes. I will do that from now on. Shall I take the guest to the parlor?”

“But who is it?”

“She said she’s Madam Irene.”

“…Ah.”

I then realized that I had never contacted her at all.

I blamed myself for my carelessness, knowing clearly what her situation would be like.

I told Sebastian to take her to the parlor, took something, and went down the stairs.

“Welcome, Madam.” As soon as I saw her, I greeted her brightly.

Madam Irene’s eyes widened at the hospitality she received for the first time. The middle-aged woman with a gentle appearance soon smiled calmly and greeted me.

“I came to see you too late. I’m glad you came back safely.”

“Thank you for your concern. Have a seat.”

Holding out something, Madam Irene, who was sitting across from me, said. “ I wanted to bring it to you right away, but I finally found the time.”

I couldn’t say anything for a while as I took the box she offered.

“…This.”

Madam Irene smiled softly. “It’s Arianne’s favorite flower pot. When I left the mansion, I didn’t forget to pack it.”

“…”

I felt like something was going to come up in my throat due to the feeling of being choked. When I didn’t answer back, Madam Irene smiled bitterly at the familiar situation.

“Then, I’ll be going now.”

Just as Madam Irene was about to get up from her seat, I hurriedly spoke to her. “Have you got a place to stay?”

Madam Irene looked puzzled at the moment but soon returned to her usual gentle expression. “Yes. Fortunately, someone I knew found a position for me as a tutor. I’m leaving the capital tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

I let out a small sigh of relief. How glad I was to see her before she left…

I smiled brightly and handed Madam Irene a paper bag. “Take it.”

“…What is this?”

“Open it.”

Madam Irene carefully opened the paper bag and took out the documents inside. Shen then said with a face full of questions. “Arianne. These are…”

“Those are Count Bornes’s property registration documents.”

“Why are you giving this…?” Madam Irene asked with a puzzled look.

“Then who should I give it to? The mansion belongs to you.”

Surprised by my words, Madam Irene hurriedly put the documents back in the paper bag and returned them to me.  “What do you mean it’s mine? That’s ridiculous.”

I said, pushing the paper bag away without taking it. “Madam deserves what you deserve.”

She didn’t hate the mean, immature lady who only did ugly things, right? If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to continue living in that mansion alone with my father. I was able to endure it because there was a human being, which was her. Her recognition saved my life. In fact, even if she didn’t like me, she gave me a breather. This is my small repayment.

“No. These… I can’t take it.”

When I saw her repeatedly refusing with a stiff face, I complained with an expression that I had no choice. “Then what should I do about this…? No one wants to buy the mansion where Count Bornes lived… After all, I have no choice but to leave it as an abandoned mansion.”

Madam Irene’s eyes shook. It was a mansion she had lived in for years. Even though she was living there as a concubine, she was saddened by the fact that the mansion would be abandoned.

“I’m joking. Please think of it as a small repayment for the recognition Madam has shown me.”

“Small…repayment?”

How can this be a small repayment? Madam Irene was at a loss for words.

“You passed on your jewels to me. Also, you have always been kind and sweet to me. Honestly, for me… you were like a mother.”

“Ah…”

Madam Irene’s eyes turned red. Because she never imagined that the word ‘mother’ would come out of my mouth.

“And if you lived that long with my father, shouldn’t you get this much? You lived with that terrible Count Bornes? Even if they take everything, it’s unfair that all that’s left is that mansion!”

Madam Irene burst into laughter as she looked at Arianne, who was suddenly angry. No matter how tall and big Arianne grew, she was still a child to her. A child who didn’t want to get her soft heart hurt, so she disguised herself as a mean child.

“I’m glad you have brightened up, Arianne.”

Madam Irene thought she was truly loved here. Arianne was no longer a pitiful child. She could feel that she had grown into a mature adult who was loved and knew how to love.

“Thank you, Arianne.”

* * *

“Countess, another letter arrived. Are you really not going to open it?”

At Madrenne’s urging, I furrowed my brows and said, “It’s really annoying.”

I glared at the letter that Madrenne held to me. The letter was beautifully stamped with an amber seal. A seal embossed with a tiger symbolizes the Federut family.

“Madrenne, get ready.”

“Suddenly? Where are we going?”

I said, tapping the letter. “To the person who sent this letter.”