Chapter 128

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 128

Chapter Title: The Nymph's Source Stone

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I threw myself into Daddy's arms and burst into giggles, and his eyes crinkled softly in response.

The crowd murmured even louder at the sight of the Duke of Duvered with that tender expression than they had when they'd heard about the fifty million francs.

Daddy gently stroked my back and asked,

"So, what is it you want?"

I'd been waiting for those words.

'I've heard all the talk about people giving me pocket money, so now...'

I fidgeted with my hands and put on the most innocent, childlike face I could muster.

"There is something. I went to the fountain in the shopping district today, and the chairman told me the legend of the nymphs."

"Nymphs?"

"Yes! They say there's a mystical stone called the Source Stone in the Nymph's Lake. Long, long ago, the hero had a sword, a shield, and the Source Stone."

The nobles listening to my tale nodded along.

"The legend of Hero Tesla."

"I know the story of the hero and the demon king too. I remember begging my parents for Tesla's sword when I was little."

"That was our generation. Kids these days probably don't know it."

I thrust my arms up triumphantly and continued,

"Daddy's the strongest in the world, right?"

"That's right."

"They say the hero was the strongest person in the world. Daddy's the hero. So I'm going to buy the Source Stone!"

Laughter erupted from the crowd all at once.

"Now I see why Duke Duvered is so smitten with his daughter."

"Who wouldn't adore a girl like that?"

Right? I totally nailed the kid act, didn't I?

The soul that had regressed three times screamed in shame somewhere inside me, but I ignored it and smirked wickedly to myself.

Daddy chuckled and patted my head.

"Is that so? Let's see if our little girl can snag that Source Stone."

"Yeah!"

I hugged his neck and beamed innocently.

'I'm definitely getting it.'

The express ticket to propel Duvered to the pinnacle of power.

I returned to the mansion with Daddy and the chairman.

Daddy was in a great mood the whole way.

"I'll head up now."

"Alright."

After chatting with a smile, I grabbed the chairman and hurried to the greenhouse.

"Tell Curtis to spread the rumor right away."

"A rumor?"

"That I'm going after the Source Stone from the Nymph's Lake. And that Daddy's backing me with over fifty million francs."

"So you mentioned it in front of everyone on purpose?"

"Every battle in the capital starts with public opinion."

I puffed up proudly and tilted my chin high, and the chairman chuckled.

"Wise move, Little One. Once the rumor spreads, House Nodelli might get cold feet and back off."

That would mean no bidding war with Nodelli from the start, so prices wouldn't inflate.

If things went well, I could snap up the abandoned mines for half—no, even less—than my budgeted amount.

"Even if not, hyenas with dollar signs in their eyes will sniff out anything related to the Nymph's Lake. If they bite on the abandoned mine angle, the owners will come begging to sell to me."

"I'll pass the details to Curtis."

I nodded.

The problem was that Ceria wasn't at the Hof Trading Company right now.

House Nodelli had already started buying up the abandoned mines. We needed to spread the rumor before they sank too much money in and couldn't pull out.

'Can Curtis execute my orders as thoroughly and swiftly as Ceria?'

But contrary to my worries, Curtis's efficiency outshone even Ceria's.

In just three days, the rumor blanketed the entire empire.

And most satisfactorily, too.

A few days later.

As I walked the shopping street, I overheard whispers around me.

"They say Duke Duvered's searching for the Nymph's Lake to preserve his daughter's innocence?"

"Is it ridiculous... or romantic...?"

"If it's Duke Duvered, he'll find it—or make it if he has to."

I smirked at the tittering laughter.

'Put Daddy's name front and center in the rumor. Perfect.'

Nice work, Curtis!

Rumors swell and spread faster when tangled with the powerful.

With Duke Duvered leading the headline instead of the Lady Duvered, every soul in the empire knew "Duvered's after the Source Stone."

'Guess I've got good luck with people this life.'

I covered my mouth with both fists and snickered.

The grand madam beside me asked,

"Someone's in high spirits today."

"Yeah."

"Good to see."

"You look happy too, Grand Madam."

"A nagging issue's been resolved."

She hid her smile behind her fan, but her eyes curved gently.

I lowered my voice and asked,

"About the daughter-in-law?"

"Sharp as ever."

Lady Camilla the Grand Madam and I had grown quite close. She shared all sorts of stories with me—innocent as a child, yet sometimes quieter than any adult.

'Even about the Grand Duchess.'

"The Grand Duchess's family has finally withdrawn from the capital!"

"About time. They held out longer than I expected."

The grand madam snapped her fan shut with a sharp click.

'Even Grand Madam's got a scary side.'

She'd spent a lifetime draining the Grand Duchess's bloodline dry, then utterly crushed her in-laws—who'd clung like leeches even after the marriage, hungry for more.

I didn't know her methods, but she'd reduced that desire-fueled family to begging for their lives as they fled the capital.

'She leaves no loose ends.'

Even amid the chaos, she'd kept high society in check so tightly that the Emperor now trusted the Grand Duchess far more than his own mother.

"Good riddance."

The grand madam chuckled and stroked my hair.

"Thank you, dear. Shall we head in?"

"Yes."

Today was the big charity gala, a highlight of high society.

Hosted by Lady Camilla's dear friend, Lady Estera, the grand madam and I were attending together.

"Young ladies and lords my age will be there, right?"

"Yes, and... no, I'll save that as a surprise."

I tilted my head, but she changed the subject.

"You'll enter the Divine Academy soon, won't you?"

"Yeah. This fall, once my brothers leave for academies abroad, I'll start at the Divine Academy."

All noble children in the capital attend the Divine Academy before advancing to the Imperial Academy or the Prodigy Institute.

It was practically mandatory for capital nobles.

Genius prodigies like my brothers might skip straight to the Prodigy Institute, but most went through the Divine Academy.

It was the prime spot for building connections, after all—everyone's kids went there.

'I'll just attend the Divine Academy and get tutored at home.'

With so many after my life or power, it was the safest choice.

The Divine Academy allowed escorts, and commuting from home made security easy.

"I'll get to know the kids starting there at today's charity gala."

"That's why everyone's scrambling for invitations!"

"Exactly. The spring charity gala doubles as prep for forming the elite cliques at the Divine Academy."

I nodded inwardly.

'The cradle of capital cliques, huh.'

The grand madam gently brushed near my eyes and said,

"Don't worry about a thing."

I grinned and leaned into her hand.

Worth carefully selecting my grand madam.

As we entered the venue, the noble ladies rose.

"Glory to the Imperial House. We greet the Grand Madam."

"We greet the Grand Madam."

The grand madam smiled and nodded.

"Thank you for the warm welcome. Please, be seated."

I curtsied politely beside her.

"Hello, Lady Yuscelta, Lady Roden, Lady Ariud."

The ladies tittered warmly.

"Lovely to see you, little lady."

Quite a few familiar faces among those greeting us.

With the grand madam's close friends hosting, her circle was out in force.

She favored kind souls, so they were all gentle and caring.

They fussed over me tenderly, ensuring the motherless girl at the gala with her grand madam felt no loneliness.

"The children are gathered in the garden over there. Go play with them. Want some juice?"

"Thank you!"

I bowed and headed to the garden.

"Lady!"

"Come here! Over here!"

'How are they all so sweet and adorable?'

I gazed blissfully at the children reaching out with their tiny, maple-leaf hands.

They'd clearly been told by their parents to look after me—they were all trying so hard.

"Hello, ladies."

"Hello. Oh, you already have juice..."

The little girl with pumpkin-orange hair looked crestfallen; she'd been holding some out for me.

"I can drink two glasses!"

"I prepared some too..."

"I can do three!"

"Thank you!"

We passed juice around and dissolved into giggles.

'This is bliss...'

The kids were cute, the garden beautiful, everyone so kind.

'Feels like I fell into a gentle world.'

Having never been close with peers in my past lives, I was overjoyed.

'But people vary, so—'

"Hey, I called dibs on that spot."

"Move."

—not everyone's sweet.

A blonde lady with a prominent cheek mole and a redheaded lady with gorgeous wavy curls shoved the ladies beside me with haughty looks.

'Lady Yuscelta and Lady Lloyd.'

Precious heirs of powerhouse families, they were always the ringleaders at any gathering.

Lady Yuscelta beamed and seized my hand.

"Hello, Lady Duvered."

"Hello."

"I watched the mock battle from the royal box last time. My father's the captain of the palace guard! How's Lord Yohan doing?"

Lady Lloyd grabbed my other hand from the opposite side.

"You were amazing in the mock battle! But didn't Lord Ishak come?"

Then, a thrilled lady scampered over from afar.

"Lady Hadelloro."

"You remember me! I'm thrilled. How's Lord Henri?"

Having three handsome brothers made me popular even among them.

The other children, pushed back by the trio, flushed and gazed dreamily.

"Lord Yohan..."

"Lord Henri..."

"Knight Ishak..."

Their stares were intense; I smiled awkwardly.

"Should I bring them next time...?"

"Please!"

"Yes, please!"

"Pretty please!"

Their simultaneous outburst startled me. I flinched, and they giggled "ehehet."

"The young lords rarely attend galas."

"We hardly see them, so we're curious..."

I let out a soft chuckle.

'Good timing.'

I'd known my brothers were popular, but did they pierce the heavens?

Curious, I asked,

"Are my brothers that popular?"

They gaped wide-eyed and shouted,

"Of course!"

"Absolutely! The three young lords of Duvered are just... ahh."

"Lonesome Silver, Lord Yohan..."

"Crimson Melody, Lord Henri."

"Shadow Charisma, Lord Ishak!"

What?

I blinked in shock.

"Lonesome... what?"

"Lonesome Silver, Crimson Melody, Shadow Charisma! That's what they're called lately!"

"Whoever came up with them nailed it, right?"

My brothers would turn into three demons if they heard.

I swallowed hard.

That was when it happened.

"Hello, ladies!"

A bubbly blonde beauty swept into the garden.

I whipped around in surprise.

'Lady Nodelli?'

Why her?

Marquise Nodelli, daughter of the Empress Dowager, was sworn enemies with Lady Camilla and rarely attended such events.

Lady Nodelli tilted her head at the sight of me.

"Oh my, whatever is Lady Duvered doing here?"

"Pardon?"

"This doesn't seem your scene. It's a mother-daughter event, and you're... without a mother, aren't you?"

"...Yes?"

"Oh, right. Not just a mother."

She raked her eyes over me from head to toe.

'Well, well?'