Chapter 4

Ayla had no intention of standing by and watching that happen.

She had already given up expecting anything from the rest of her family, so their cruelty no longer wounded her.

But her mother was different.

She refused to let her mother become the target of her brothers’ attacks.

If that happens…

I’ll probably forget all about my plans and lose control.

Just then, just like in the original novel, Irene drew a breath, about to reject Rosia’s proposal.

But before she could speak—

Ayla beat her to it.

“I’ll leave the family.”

The dining hall fell silent.

Duke Kalios narrowed his eyes at her.

Throughout the entire meal, not a single member of the family had spared Ayla so much as a glance.

Only now, after she announced her departure, did all their eyes finally turn toward her.

The irony almost made her laugh.

Kalios spoke first.

“…What do you mean by that, Ayla?”

“I said I’ll leave House Blanche, Your Grace.”

The stiff, formal title struck him harder than he expected.

His expression froze.

In truth, Ayla had already decided she would leave long before things escalated.

She wanted to avoid the endless conflicts between her mother and the rest of the family…

And she certainly had no intention of enduring the suffocating misery waiting for her here.

Compared to everything that would happen later…

Being forced out of her seat at dinner was insignificant.

Rosia’s schemes were only beginning.

She would attack Ayla in countless different ways from now on.

And as long as the bloodline test declared Ayla wasn’t the duke’s real daughter…

She would have no way to fight back.

After a long, oppressive silence, Kalios finally asked,

“Why do you suddenly want to leave?”

Ayla lowered her gaze.

“I’m sure my presence puts Your Grace in a difficult position.”

“I’m not a member of House Blanche.”

“I don’t want to make everyone uncomfortable by staying.”

Her voice remained quiet and composed.

There was one unspoken rule every regret-story heroine seemed destined to follow.

No matter how horribly her family treated her…

She stubbornly stayed by their side.

She endured humiliation after humiliation.

Ayla had no intention of following that script.

Why stay?

There’s nothing here except suffering.

If she wanted to avoid becoming the tragic heroine…

The answer lay somewhere else.

At the academy.

“If you’ll arrange a room for me in the academy dormitory…”

“I’ll quietly live there instead.”

Honestly, life there would probably be easier.

At least she wouldn’t have to constantly watch everyone’s expressions before speaking or eating.

Besides…

Sooner or later, they’re going to throw me out anyway.

Because of Rosia’s manipulation.

Because of Kalios’s decision.

If that future was inevitable…

Then she’d leave on her own terms.

Kalios frowned deeply.

“And you think you’ll be able to survive there?”

“The Imperial Academy is the Empire’s finest institution.”

“The only reason you’ve been able to study there until now…”

“…is because you were Lady Blanche.”

He looked at her as if she were being absurd.

“But now you’re a commoner.”

“You expect to continue studying among the children of the Empire’s greatest noble families?”

“And that’s despite having less magical talent than even ordinary commoners.”

It wasn’t an unfair assessment.

Ayla possessed exceptional knowledge of magic.

Unfortunately…

She suffered from mana insensitivity.

No matter how much mana surrounded her…

She couldn’t perceive it at all.

She lowered her eyes once more, allowing a trace of quiet sorrow to color her expression.

“I’ll figure that out myself.”

“You’ve already done more than enough by raising me.”

“I have no right to ask for anything more.”

Kalios massaged his forehead as though a headache were coming on.

Her brothers looked equally troubled.

“Ayla.”

“Our father is right.”

“If a commoner attends the academy…”

“You know exactly how they’ll be treated.”

“That’s right.”

“Haven’t you seen how commoners live there?”

“Even your friends will change the way they look at you.”

One after another, the family voiced their concerns.

Unable to remain silent any longer—

Rosia stepped forward.

“If this is because of me…”

“Then please don’t leave, Lady Ayla.”

Her eyes quickly reddened.

Moments later, tears began rolling down her cheeks.

“I already felt terrible…”

“I ruined such a happy family gathering.”

“I even felt guilty just for sitting in your seat…”

As soon as Rosia started crying…

The brothers who had been firmly opposing Ayla moments ago immediately fell silent.

Ayla already knew exactly why Rosia had intervened.

She can’t afford to let my brothers’ attention drift away from her.

Not if she wants to keep maintaining her magic.

Her intentions were painfully obvious.

Still…

Ayla simply smiled gently and shook her head.

“No, Rosia.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“I was never meant to belong here in the first place.”

Her voice was calm…

Yet tinged with quiet loneliness.

“If you’re apologizing this much…”

“Then I only feel worse.”

“This place belongs to you.”

“So…”

“You should hold your head high.”

For the briefest moment—

Rosia’s expression stiffened.

Exactly as Ayla expected.

Getting told to be confident… by the girl who just became a commoner.

No wonder she doesn’t know how to react.

But in this situation…

There was nothing Rosia could say.

She remained silent.

An odd atmosphere settled over the dining hall.

Cedric—

who had ignored Ayla until now—

could only bite his lip.

Gerard quietly gripped his utensils without speaking.

Only Duchess Irene continued looking at Ayla…

Her eyes shimmering with tears.

Meeting her mother’s gaze, Ayla smiled warmly.

“I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll manage at the academy.”

“So please…”

“Don’t worry about me.”

She looked like someone who had already accepted reality.

Completely.

Finally—

Kalios sighed.

“…Very well.”

“Go.”

“It may indeed be best if you live separately at the academy.”

“It’s time everyone returned to where they belong.”

“…”

“Rosia.”

“You should also begin learning how to manage this household.”

Perfect.

Ayla smiled inwardly.

Good work, Rosia.

Had Rosia not spoken up…

Kalios might never have agreed to let her leave.

After all…

I was still useful to this family.

Rosia, unaware of that fact, was probably celebrating inside.

She likely believed she’d succeeded in driving Ayla out with ease.

But that was her mistake.

By trying to appear kind…

She had planted something unexpected in the hearts of the Blanche family.

Guilt.

Regret.

Sympathy.

And those feelings…

Will become obstacles when she tries to completely take over this family.

Either way…

She needed to leave before Kalios changed his mind.

So Ayla immediately bowed.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll prepare to leave for the academy at once.”

“…At once?”

“Yes.”

“The new semester is about to begin.”

“And…”

“There’s no reason for me to stay here anymore.”

Kalios opened his mouth as though he wanted to stop her.

But before he could speak—

Ayla stood.

“I’ll excuse myself.”

“I shouldn’t interrupt your family time.”

“I hope you all enjoy the rest of your meal.”

With that—

She quietly left the dining hall.

✦ ✦ ✦

The moment she returned to her room…

Ayla immediately began packing.

She left behind everything House Blanche had ever given her.

Everything…

Except one thing.

Her herbs.

Every bundle had been personally gathered over many years.

Those belonged to her.

In fact…

Ayla possessed extraordinary talent as an alchemical potion maker.

She couldn’t sense mana…

But her understanding of magical theory and medicinal herbs far surpassed that of most mages.

I’ll use these.

I’ll earn the favor of people who can actually help me.

And eventually…

I’ll find an opportunity to expose Rosia’s true identity.

For now…

Rosia was an overwhelmingly powerful mage.

There was little Ayla could do against her.

But if Ayla herself became powerful…

Everything would change.

With determined eyes, she carefully inspected her luggage several more times, making sure she hadn’t forgotten a single herb.

Before long…

She had finished packing.

Sitting down for a brief rest, she let out a quiet sigh.

Who would’ve thought…

Rosia would actually end up helping me.

Kalios believed that as long as Ayla remained in House Blanche…

Rosia could never truly be acknowledged as the family’s sole young lady.

He had already intended to expel Ayla eventually.

But…

Ayla had spent years managing much of the household’s internal affairs.

Driving her out immediately would have created far too many problems.

That was precisely why…

Leaving of her own accord had become the perfect move.