Episode 3
“I don’t want to.”
“What?”
“I said, I don’t want to apologize. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“De… Delphine!”
Mom looked like she was about to faint as she called my name.
“Original Delphine might’ve apologized. But not me. I can’t live like that.”
“I said no.”
At my firm attitude, Mom and Dad just looked at each other in silence.
“Haa…”
Dad let out a big sigh. Any warmth on his face disappeared.
“Wow, what a cold expression.”
Then, like he was pulling his last card, Dad said,
“You really can’t apologize? No matter what?”
I shook my head. Why should I apologize when I didn’t do anything wrong? No way.
“Yes. I can’t.”
“Then leave my house. You’re no longer a part of the Plerin family.”
I didn’t say anything.
Dad repeated himself, clearly and coldly.
“…”
“You are no longer Delphine Plerin.”
Not part of the Plerin family? Then what…? That means I don’t have to be stuck here, no more dealing with annoying parents or feeling suffocated.
“Isn’t that a win?”
I looked up at Dad’s face. I hadn’t really seen him much before, but even with just a glance, I could tell he was serious.
“Alright.”
I answered calmly. A bitter smile crept onto Dad’s face.
“But give me a week. I can’t leave right this second.”
Thoma slowly shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The bitter smile disappeared from Dad’s face.
“You really mean it, Delphine?”
Dad asked.
“I, Delphine Plerin, do not lie.”
“I don’t have a daughter anymore. You’re no longer my daughter.”
Dad stood up from his seat and walked away. Mom looked at him, then at me, then slowly got up too with a defeated expression. Thoma turned his head, frowning like I was in the wrong.
“If I have to obey everything you say to be your daughter, then I don’t need a father like that.”
Dad paused for a second, but then left without even glancing back at me.
Everything happened so fast. I knew it’d cause a scene, but I didn’t think I’d end up declaring independence. No… this wasn’t just independence. It was cutting ties.
I never had high hopes for the Plerin family, but still… I guess part of me thought they’d at least give me a little sympathy.
I was wrong.
A bitter smile appeared on my lips.
“Wow. I’m making a complete mess of this novel right from the beginning.”
It was crazy, but I had no choice. If I kept following the original story, I’d end up falling into deep depression.
After the last maid left, I was finally alone. It was actually more comfortable that way.
“One week…”
I had so much to prepare if I wanted to leave this house in a week. The most urgent thing was finding a job.
I needed a way to survive. Food and housing were the biggest problems.
Salon de Pieque had a cozy, welcoming vibe. Unlike Salon de Chatte, the fancy place where I met Leo, Pieque was open to everyone regardless of social status.
I always met Carolina at Salon de Pieque. She wasn’t a duke’s daughter, so she wasn’t allowed in Chatte.
“It’s so ridiculous. No matter how rich you are, if your family status isn’t high enough, you can’t even get into a café. If I get kicked out of the Plerin family, I guess I won’t be allowed in Chatte either.”
“……”
“Ugh, just thinking about that family is draining. Let’s just meet Carolina and talk.”
Carolina was Delphine’s only friend. They met at the Royal Academy and became close.
“Carolina’s a genius. Not even from a duke family, but still got into the academy with just her brains.”
After graduation, Carolina stayed in the capital and became a tutor for the royal family. It was a position people from her background couldn’t even dream of. She was a baron’s daughter, and her family only owned a small piece of land.
“She got to that position purely with her skills. In this world? That’s amazing.”
I was really looking forward to seeing Carolina. Sure, I wanted to see her face, but more than anything, I hoped she could help me get a job.
She was the only noblewoman I knew who actually had a job.
In this world, noblewomen didn’t have many choices. You either married a man from a higher-status family or a richer one.
“I can’t get married anyway.”
Marriage wasn’t about love. It was always tied to family status and money. And since Delphine almost got engaged but then broke it off, no one would want to marry her now.
“……”
As I was deep in thought, the door to Salon de Pieque opened.
“Carolina!”
As soon as she entered, everyone turned to look. Her hair was cut short in a clean bob.
“Wow, she looks amazing. That’s Carolina for you. Even in the novel, she was the only one who felt refreshing. She’s different from the moment she walks in.”
I almost clapped out loud. But the people around us didn’t take it the same way.
“Hey, isn’t that Carolina? The baron’s daughter?”
“Yeah, look at her hair. That short? Guess she’s not planning to get married.”
“I heard she’s super smart.”
“That’s why she won’t get married. Smart women aren’t popular. What guy would want to live with someone that smart? It’s intimidating.”
I could hear the whispers clearly.
As usual, this city—Shairo—was way too small for someone like Carolina. I was glad she lived at the palace instead.
The gossip didn’t stop.
“Wait, isn’t she supposed to live at the palace?”
“Yeah, maybe she’s here to meet her friend.”
“Friend? Oh~ Lady Delphine? Can you still call her a ‘lady’ when her house is basically broke? Haha.”
Hey. I can hear you, you know.
I wanted to stand up and yell at them, but I held it in with superhuman patience.
“Don’t cause more trouble. I need a job now, so my reputation matters. I caused enough drama at home yesterday. Time to lay low. Deep breaths.”
Carolina spotted me and gave me a small smile. I stood up a little and waved at her.
She set her leather bag down on the chair next to her and sat across from me.
“Delphine, it’s so good to see you. It’s been a while.”
“Same here, Carolina. How have you been? Are you here on vacation? How long are you staying?”
“Just a week. I had just arrived yesterday when I got your message.”
“Perfect timing!”
This girl… she had such a comforting presence.
Looking at Carolina made me feel like things were going to work out.
Click.
She took a sip of tea and slowly spoke.
“I heard about Leo.”
“Oh, the rumor spread fast, huh?”
We broke up just yesterday, but somehow everyone already knew. Then again, Leo and I were a hot topic in Shairo.
I mean, I’d talk about it too if I were them. The situation was kind of funny.
“You okay?”
Her voice was warm and gentle. I really liked how straightforward and honest she was.
It was simple and sincere comfort. This was what real support looked like.
I nodded slightly, putting on a sad expression. If I looked too cheerful, people would think something was off.
“I’m okay.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t an easy choice. But I know you had a good reason. You’ve always been thoughtful and careful.”
“……”
Carolina smiled a little, like she wanted to lighten the mood. Her eyes crinkled playfully.
“Remember? Back at the academy, you always said you wanted to be a happy wife someday. You remember that?”
Her words made me smile. She really was a good person.
I grinned and answered,
“Of course! And you always said you’d be a famous scholar.”
“Yup. I’m still chasing that dream. One day, I’ll make it.”
“You’re lucky. You’re amazing, Carolina.”
I stared at her without meaning to and blurted it out. I was honestly jealous. She had a dream and was walking toward it.
“Delphine, you’re amazing too.”
She gave a bright smile like she was remembering a happy moment.
“Me? Why would you say that…?”
I trailed off awkwardly.
“Of course you are. You made a decision most people couldn’t. And you know exactly what you want.”
“…Wait.”
“I heard everything. News travels fast. You’re planning to leave the Plerin household soon, right?”
“Ah… so you know.”
“Delphine, if it’s okay with you…”
Carolina’s voice was a little cautious. I slowly raised my head.
“Do you want me to introduce you to a job?”
“…!”
Of course! I’d love that!
I had been hesitant to ask since it’d been so long since we met, but she brought it up first. I was so grateful.
“Uh… yeah, if you’re offering… I’d be really happy.”
I answered awkwardly, a little embarrassed. It felt like she saw right through my reason for calling her.
“If we’re talking pay, it’s actually really good. It was originally offered to tutors and scholars working at the palace.”
My eyes widened. If it’s on par with a royal tutor’s pay, it must be almost as much as what a duke family earns.
