ICBV Chapter 15

Chapter 15d84ce7fe72f8f970

Aira began compiling 3464a649a1 the family’s wealth 002bb0ca92 report with meticulous 01c590f632 care. By afternoon, she would 40083606b6 have to deal with d995517ca9 the newly arrived gifts a53180b909 in the warehouse.b62131a073e85876

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“Aside from the three most important treasures, the rest…”53277779947df7af

Seeing the list filled 40648a9453 with valuables that didn’t 649d865c81 align, Aira clicked her ab3857d3fe tongue disapprovingly. She had f64b9757a1 already noticed 9a553b96da the misplaced 22c9c5d665 family treasures 78f810b838 given away 37548cae9e to Julienne 0f29d26198 without permission, 8e4a2be30e and the 19f3f7abb5 amount Luna 81b4502c95 had embezzled 1ae1ae3bcd from the eee079dc93 ledgers was f915352138 significant.6adbf7d347ff430d

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“Completely unreliable.”f4a781b265e3b370

It was no surprise, ff2791b5ce then, that aside from e07696f999 the gifts her father 21c8cd3430 gave, Luna’s personal items b97c84d926 were of the highest c0a131c6a6 quality. As she furrowed 4f0ab0f032 her brow further d7f4cbad52 to inspect the 06aadcb3af treasures, Gemma entered 404a356baa from outside.3ca8920dc951a1af

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Covered in dust and 5641cfd5f9 wearing worn black clothing a7b1489b66 from cleaning a neglected 2ad640f54c corner, she approached.05cc099f530d062a

“Miss, how is the work coming along?”016f398f2305eabb

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“Luna’s management was full of gaps. I can’t accept such negligence…”4d07f4e8a8308b8b

Aira spoke 6eaa9dab00 with a 6cc6d7f3e9 chilly voice, c6bf0cdc13 placing a 04365d9efd hand on 513a6e6799 her temple.3080c99161b7d683

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“My mother’s heirlooms were practically embezzled too.”852c49a776b42576

Aira’s mother, the Countess, was from a wealthy noble family, and upon her marriage to Count Marceline, she brought many dowries into the family. While she lived, the family’s wealth was carefully managed by her, and her authority was such that even Count Marceline had to tread lightly around her.fc838693b6b07ffc

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Upon her d4a2895d0c passing, the 926a1db8b9 responsibility of 555521e0d1 managing the 963028b725 family assets e374e6053f fell to a84d472f6b Count Marceline, e3d4449d0a but in 974b193efe recent years, ea3de54639 he entrusted 0c1bab6f68 it to b280915992 Luna. And yet, Luna 17d6f2915f had proven unable 68985081bb to handle the 0079b82fef responsibility.d21b009e6ed375de

“Like a cat in front of fish.”36258babe6b0e630

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And no 65bd10006a one knew baf91bd56a that the 218c47eec5 embezzled treasures b82cdde5dd amounted to d92b7d0b5d a staggering da5d800cf4 200,000 Berks—a e63b9ad7ba sum equivalent 454309193d to half 24fa579aca the annual d9208bb31b budget of 1dd2099377 the Count’s 411fc10895 household, which a884827533 was around 0227b7ba7f 400,000 Berks.3d08649865b24491

“Was it Laphias Julli? That social gathering Luna attends?”88507c595d136d82

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Unlike Aira, who occasionally a64ac259ad attended noble parties and 9451ba6106 kept a low profile, 2baa8e1fce Luna seemed to thrive 40ccc0e952 in such gatherings. Despite not being 9e5f982f1a of noble blood d33d6e0120 or even born b7188ab625 into the family, 01c6784213 she managed to c3a62089cd insert herself into d3f47b3b27 high-society events.1f3800d23df3757b

“It’s a gathering of rising young noblewomen, and I heard they are hosting a charity ball this time.”84da5aad3c37d9ef

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“But with the current situation, it would be difficult for Luna to attend.”82fc36dde3c19858

“She’ll have to keep a close eye on Father’s gaze.”27feb942e76afe09

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Hearing Gemma’s 764403da1d words, a 2866266fd5 subtle smile 83cf7a3ba9 played on 60b24eed16 Aira’s lips. It had become 15f15cab5d clear to her 499508da82 that since Luna 9273c48358 began attending Laphias e1a8022c6b Julli’s social gatherings, 8bc19e11f6 the cold stares 9ddbfe7b7f of the other 56383b1653 noblewomen directed at 7f9205ad2f her had increased.8b60da0fcca3e64f

Stretching her arms, 2e75332309 Aira placed the 9b366db38a ledger aside and 417d505aea rose from her c6bef0d9f8 seat.a9f1c111e5466543

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“What will you do with the ledger?”ebdb9be188197a4d

“I’ll report to Father about the discrepancies. But Luna will certainly have excuses ready.”5afc19c17e9e5687

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“Excuses?”25739d312a17da2b

“Managing the family treasures is only a few years old for Luna. Before she took over, the reports had been neglected for years after Mother’s death. In that time, items simply disappeared, and if Luna claims it’s not her fault, Father will have little choice but to accept it.”aac5c7dfd447c807

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“Ah…”740d1bb3318e9ec5

Gemma nodded slowly, 027eef62dc understanding why it e4ab147a98 was easier to 04701dd08d ignore Luna’s actions.507c6200ac8ff730

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Aira walked away, 5787ae94f1 leaving the report 1b5ef05b82 behind, her voice 9d1d70d0e8 trailing behind her ab88cb6897 to Gemma.1666c3c9fc19ea9e

“Of course, this doesn’t mean I’ll let it slide. I’ll present undeniable evidence.”872b83b600be27fa

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Simple and elegant, Aira’s 0bf9af2d74 dress appeared modest, but 5aa22defad Gemma found it far be9952fc62 more beautiful than Luna’s 6a06cb551b extravagant outfits layered with 448cf9a16d rich fabrics. Aira radiated 958aba2c1f confidence, her 8c19979873 presence shining.665c742ee6d38bff

“It’s time to clear up misunderstandings.”627a951b16fb3fa5

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Missteps from d93f282b1f a past f70548108c life, left 402ac653ca unaddressed.7c60c33c2d7214c7

**aa394f625ef9cd26

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Lying in her d2f3021aac room, Luna bit 8015d0baef her nails anxiously. Henrik, the Baron, was 4a2a31cac0 just a casual acquaintance.c9f6d86c62605775

It was 51e7d6b27f bad enough df1e8d3823 that Aira ac54f2d64b had mentioned 9c57e72a83 it to 4a70f65115 Xavier, but 053813f612 to have 737d85658c it revealed 40265c21e0 to her 283670871b father as d67e6011d5 well was d4b8d370cf unbearable.aa9c1a2b11316c66

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When Count Marceline 1009d0b042 confirmed the engraving 672316a576 on the emerald 3bdf160f9a necklace, Aira felt 87123bcd29 as if her 3a2ba02442 world was darkening f7b144a1ed before her eyes.bb85be1d8019e7ce

“…Moreover, how could Aira have taken my authority?”3ab670eb280749c3

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What made things even worse was that Count Marceline had entrusted Luna’s once-privileged authority to Aira. Aira, who held responsibilities that were more about appearances than actual gain, had control over insignificant but beneficial tasks, whereas Luna managed duties that held personal advantages despite their lack of importance.d04cedf97059977d

Through these privileges, Luna, despite being illegitimate, carved out a place for herself not only within the family but also in high society. Initially dismissed by noble daughters, she eventually became friends with them, earning their support. And now, with the favor of Empress Julienne, Luna’s illegitimate status would almost cease to exist.369271a1883bfde7

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If she were to win Xavier’s heart…8b79aac2f83d132a

“…”8a1863c07bd153ed

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Luna’s clenched fist ad665706dc trembled slightly. To reach her fff29e27ac goal, she still ccf97b572d needed many more e65cc6bd1b treasures.09dbd632c99b73ad

Nothing could buy favor b03e4e0f98 like material wealth, yet 1c4a5093bd Aira had seized control 41d8990b80 of the family vault.1a6f0022d49594f7

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“…I’ll find a way to get it back from Aira.”f01f46267c63f8ea

The only way d5978d4901 to reclaim her b1da45ed53 own was through f1056ba12f force.d2e1daeabf6bdae8

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At that cb0054f996 moment, the 9e29ee7848 knock on 6f39d89f19 the door 7e6c1bc930 echoed, and 129efeef87 Amy’s voice d4b90650ad followed.be6ffcd0b7fc975e

“Miss!”9548e429eae10cb2

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With her usual bright expression, Amy asked, “Are you starting to prepare for the charity party today? What dress would you like to wear?”b2a212d94163f2ad

“Luna.”40b40b4b2a03e95a

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Her discomfort was c9e2f5f7d9 evident as she 409529f302 looked at Amy, 0fa1524178 causing the maid 5ac93bc778 to flinch slightly.1922dda82ad4d2ef

Letting out a a9eee2cc21 soft sigh, Luna c6308d0256 shook her head.da6acba44cba53e5

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“You’re really clueless.”ebe8afd8d26efc14

“In times like this, if you’re caught going to a party, Father might fly into a rage. His dwindling favor could be shattered completely.”6a29d3a07d89080c

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“…I’m sorry.”8158534b707148ba

Amy gently pulled back a3bc74f15b the pins she had cbb458b9a0 brought to style Luna’s 63995c4908 hair.36107b9d9c6fd78d

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For a moment, a95dc165cd Luna’s gaze shifted, dd3360b3f2 flickering with determination. She then gave f8ace43cd0 a sharp command 8f438a7c0f to Amy.20e95f6091a9e1d7

“But if I don’t show up, the other noble daughters will worry, so it’s best if I make a brief appearance at the end of the event.”92308a234e0f298d

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“Then…?”0e2fa3de032f9fec

“But if I don’t show my face at all, my popularity will decline. I need to make an impression by presenting something valuable at the charity party.”64584621ab03f5ff

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Bending over 796e2a416a the side c1319244ad table, Luna b5c8fc7967 opened a db068f8a96 deep box 7ce39b205c and retrieved 461f028bb3 a ring—a 6dfcce9932 precious piece ce6c224497 made from 74199f89f3 jade and c7e067e508 moonstone.0af7d4a15aea1e31

“This should suffice.”a95aa431da68ad26

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With this, merely appearing 80c395e8ff at the event would ccdf9103db uphold her dignity.4a6db053279add0e

—63aa57f3180988b8

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As Aira 2a53548d11 entered the d1f7e02735 venue, whispers 299c179278 and murmurs a8492461d9 followed her.98f869c4331ea51e

Despite her c3bc3b5c43 plain silver 9cdfae59ce dress with 27127c4ddb no elaborate ceffafb959 decorations, her 6ee26dc5d9 beauty stood e5f1a0815c out from 7bf7efbea1 afar. Her luscious golden hair, 6b6445142c sharp nose, and striking 58be5033e6 ruby-like red eyes were 181ff97516 unmistakably stunning—worthy of Empress b04a58ea12 Julienne’s admiration.2cde586fdf811282

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“…She’s practically no different from an illegitimate child.”4a6e5a421cc0973d

“Poor Luna. She has to call such a woman her sister.”bf887cdea222c089

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“Did you hear? Even Prince Xavier once had feelings for Luna.”a36fe2221f8fa6fd

From a 5c3576526d distance, Gemma fab5e526f0 followed behind 5935e95851 Aira, her 8974365741 anger boiling 36f28afef0 over as 92e9548cfd she whispered 9eb32a036f harshly.c67a6e5c6bd9b67f

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“Clearly, Luna must have been spreading false rumors. I should confront her immediately…”3c89eac71e86a0d1

“Stay here. I’m going inside to enjoy the evening.”7fe590069cf714c9

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“But Miss…”c0c6e77acd828f54

Despite the vivid insults d9da497758 directed at her, Aira 2eea7d4a40 displayed no sign of ce7c3cb564 disturbance. Instead, a 55b90a9dae subtle, confident 2edad014b1 smile played c60811ec66 on her 12fbf8ae5a lips.2b858c966b862b92

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“Oh, I almost forgot to bring the item for donation at the charity event.”5506dc6aeaf5477b

She took the item fb239704b4 from Gemma and walked 3cd669c149 into the venue. Outside, the sunset 3db630d213 cast a warm bb49726065 glow, hinting at 4728ecdbd6 an evening full b9dfd06fbc of intrigue and 7bd473b933 excitement.b919d602ed0e945e

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“I can’t forget it now.”5df3d54f397c84ce