TCBUP 06

6. I’m About to Be Kicked Out

“Miss, the Count is calling for you.”
“Again?”
“Yes. He said to come immediately.”

I hung my head, not bothering to fix my messy hair.
It had been quiet for a while—what is it this time?
I hadn’t taken a single step outside my bedroom to avoid drawing attention, just as I was told.

‘Was I not even supposed to go out to the balcony?’

There’s only so much lying around a person can take before they get restless.
When that happened, I would quietly step out to the balcony and let the sun and breeze wash over me.
Did someone see me then?

‘Don’t tell me I’m not allowed to eat either?’

Since I couldn’t leave the room, I’d been eating all my meals inside.
But what was heartbreaking was how those meals had gotten worse day by day.
It clearly reflected how much my value and place in this household had diminished.

‘Discriminating through food… that’s seriously low.’

I endured it only because poor Mary would lower her head in shame every time she brought me those meager meals.
So I always smiled and emptied the plate, telling her it was fine.
I couldn’t complain or leave any leftovers when I knew she was doing her best.

“Do you think it’ll be another shouting match?”
“Who knows.”

I gave a curt reply and jumped out of bed.
If I was late again, there’d be yelling for sure, so I hurried out at a quick pace.

“You called for me, Father?”
“Yes, have a seat.”

The Count and Countess Hargreaves looked more serious than I had ever seen them.
They didn’t seem angry or ready to scold me, but that somehow made it even more nerve-wracking.

“Sienna.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about your future.”
“Ah, I see.”

About what exactly?
I couldn’t even begin to guess, so I just tilted my head slightly and waited for him to continue.

“Because of what happened, you’ll never have a normal marriage.”
“……”
“Even after time passes and people begin to forget, the stigma will follow you like a shadow.”
“Yes…”

That made sense.
Who would send a marriage proposal to a woman rejected by Duke Ortiz?
I nodded unconsciously—apparently the wrong move, as it only provoked my father further.

“And you think you’ve done well enough to nod your head like that?”
“I’m sorry.”

His sudden outburst made me lower my head once again.
I had learned from repeated experience that staying silent and compliant was the fastest way to end these conversations.

“What are you going to do with yourself now?”
“Excuse me?”
“If you can’t rely on a husband, you’ll have to make a living on your own. What are your plans?”

His question caught me completely off guard, and I stammered, unable to answer.
It had only been a month since the broken engagement—was he already pushing for life plans?
Honestly, I hadn’t given it any thought.
I’d assumed I’d eventually return to my original world.

“Don’t even think about relying on your brother. Why should Martin bear the burden of a useless little sister?”
“……”
“I won’t support you either. I worked myself to the bone to raise and educate you, and look how that turned out. Supporting you any longer would be like pouring water into a bottomless jar—nothing but a waste of time and money.”
“……”

“If you have nowhere to lean on, then stand on your own. Make your own money and take responsibility for your life as an adult.”

It sounded like a well-meaning statement.
But in essence, he was saying: You’re useless. I don’t want to waste any more money or time on you. You’re on your own.

‘So I’m not even family unless I become Duchess Ortiz?’

I didn’t expect unconditional support.
Still, I thought they’d never completely abandon me, bound as we were by blood and name.
But that hope had crumbled into nothing.

“But still, as your parents, we can’t just throw out someone who doesn’t know how to do anything. So I’ll arrange a tutor.”
“A tutor?”
“A practical one—someone to teach you accounting and the like. You should at least be able to read financial records if you’re going to get a job somewhere.”
“Oh…”

“I’ve canceled your etiquette and decorum lessons. You won’t have any use for those anymore.”

He murmured something under his breath, though loud enough for me to hear.

She had all the best tutors to be a proper duchess, and she threw it all away.

“This will be my last bit of support for you. Once you find a job and start earning, you’ll leave this house.”

I left the parlor in shock, my face pale from the Count’s final warning.
Leaning against the corridor wall, I tried to organize my thoughts.

Leave? Leave for where?

Sure, I hadn’t been treated like a proper family member recently,
But still—Sienna was the daughter of the Hargreaves, one of the wealthiest noble houses in the Empire.
Even if she found a job, there was no way she could maintain the lifestyle she was used to.

Of course, for someone like me, who lived independently in my original world,
Standing on my own wasn’t all that scary.
The problem was: I knew nothing about this world.

I’d spent my days tucked away in this mansion, learning dance, flower arranging, and etiquette.
I hadn’t even stepped foot into society, except for formal events.

Will they at least find me a house? Living expenses? Or am I being thrown out with nothing?

As I cooled my head, practical worries began tumbling through my mind.
Hoping to get something—anything—I turned back toward the parlor.

But then I froze just before knocking, halted by voices I heard from inside.

“Do you really think Sienna can handle being taught anything?”
“You still don’t know her? If she were smart, she wouldn’t be in this mess. The only reason she even looked halfway decent as a candidate was because she obsessed over marrying Duke Ortiz.”

The Count clicked his tongue in disgust.
There wasn’t a shred of hope or affection in his tone.

“What are you planning then?”
“The tutor I brought in is quite good. A bit sharp-eyed, but decent-looking. He’s a professor at the Academy and even owns his own company—he makes good money.”
“Dear, you can’t mean…”

“At least Sienna takes after me in looks. With enough time spent together under the pretext of lessons, maybe something will spark.”
“But he’s a commoner!”

The Countess sounded displeased.
Despite everything, she clearly didn’t like the idea of marrying off her daughter to a commoner.

“Is this the time to be picky? Do you think any reputable noble family will want her now? Maybe the Imperial Family, if we were lucky.”
“Still, she could remarry…”
“Only to some half-dead old man with no care for power. And even then, do you think she’d agree to that without a fuss?”

“……”

“You need to face reality. This is the best we can hope for.”

The Countess finally fell silent.
As harsh as it was, I couldn’t argue with the Count’s logic.

The Ortiz family was strong, and Damian was rising as a major political figure.
Even Prince Withro was courting them for power.
No matter how wealthy my family was, no one would risk incurring Damian’s wrath by proposing to his ex-fiancée.

‘The decision’s already made.’

No matter what I said now, they wouldn’t listen.
They had already chosen the path for me.

So instead of begging, I turned away quietly.
Now was the time to face reality and find a practical alternative.

Today was the first day I would meet the “tutor” the Count had arranged.
I quickly checked my appearance in the mirror.

A white blouse and a dark navy skirt—far more modest than my usual attire.
Since he was a commoner, I thought it better to appear like a serious student rather than a spoiled noble lady.

“Miss, your tutor has arrived.”
“Ah, okay.”

I stood respectfully to greet him.
The door to my study—a small room converted from part of the bedroom—opened, and a man entered.

“Good day.”
“Hello.”

He wore a fully buttoned shirt, a crisp collar, and a slim long jacket, complete with matching gloves.
He bowed lightly in greeting.

“My name is Nox Green. I’ll be teaching you from today.”

He pushed his glasses up slightly.
His light brown hair was tied back, and his eyes were a deep forest green.

‘Wait—he’s one of the male leads! Why is he here?!’