YLSB Chapter 1

Bam, bam, bam—  

 

The sound of hammering as the wooden sign was being put up echoed loudly. Madame Natalie took a step back and tilted her head.  

 

“It looks a little crooked to me.”  

 

“No matter how perfectly I align it, it’ll always look crooked to your eyes, ma’am,” the worker replied, lowering the hammer. Though not entirely satisfied, she found it difficult to nitpick further and handed him his payment from her purse. The worker bowed and disappeared.  

 

[Benjamin Bennet Law Office]

 

Madame Natalie gazed at the sign with satisfaction, then beckoned to her two daughters standing a short distance away.  

 

“Look at this. Isn’t it splendid? Your father is now both a lawyer and the head of his own firm. Impressive, isn’t it?”  

 

“So, does this mean we’ve joined the royal class now?” Millie asked boldly.  

 

“Millie, we’ve always been part of the nobles. Shall we take a look inside the new office?”  

 

Madame Natalie took Millie’s hand and stepped inside. 

 

Olivia followed a moment later, keeping her distance from the excited mother and daughter as she slowly surveyed the interior. 

 

Watching Olivia, Baron Bennet’s eyes grew moist with emotion.  

 

‘She’s grown up so much already. From a girl to a proper lady.’ 

 

It had already been five years since he started his new life as a lawyer. Though he had taken up the profession after his business had failed and on a friend’s recommendation, he found it both enjoyable and well-suited to his temperament. 

 

The years had been spent buried in work. 

 

As his clientele grew, so did his salary. There were days he lost cases and faced curses or harsh treatment, but he endured well enough. Though he no longer handled large sums of money as he had in business, the joy of staying close to his family—rather than in a foreign land—was immense.  

 

Benjamin Bennet now let his gaze sweep across the entire office. 

 

Overwhelmed with indescribable fulfillment, he wiped his eyes again. 

 

‘My own office. My own family. The title of lawyer. And the sudden granting of the title of baron.’  

 

Two months ago, the system of primogeniture had been abolished. 

 

As revolutionary winds from abroad began to shake the upper classes, the royal family took drastic measures to expand the nobility. 

 

Descendants of ducal houses were granted the title of baron, while others received that of baronet. Noble certificates were issued accordingly.

 

There was also opposition. The existing nobles were not pleased with the royal decree. 

 

It became commonplace for them to coin new terms like ‘faux nobles’ and ‘true nobles,’ mocking the newly integrated upper class.  

 

In response, Madame Natalie strongly advocated for starting their own business. She argued that it was absurd for nobles to work under someone else’s payroll. 

 

Now was the time to uphold the dignity of nobility, she insisted, urging her hesitant husband to take action.  

 

And so, Baron Bennett quit his office job and secured a new foundation—a law firm under his name. Now, he had nothing more to desire.  

 

“How about we go out to eat as a family? There’s a new restaurant that just opened nearby.”  

 

“Sorry, darling. I have a meeting in ten minutes. Why don’t you ladies have lunch without me?”  

 

He replied, glancing at the wall clock.  

 

“Looks like people are lining up to hire a noble-turned-lawyer. Alright, we’ll go by ourselves.”  

 

“Since we’re out, why not stroll around town? It’ll be good for the kids to get some fresh air too.”  

 

“I was actually planning to stop by the dressmaker’s to get Millie’s gown fitted. Her debutante ball is coming up, after all.”  

 

Benjamin almost suggested buying Olivia a new dress as well but stopped himself. He didn’t want to dampen his wife’s excitement.  

 

Last fall, when the doctor declared their daughter’s heart perfectly healthy, his wife had wept so intensely she nearly fainted. Their daughter, who was never expected to live past twenty, had been granted nothing short of a miracle. 

 

Just by the tone of her voice, he could tell how thrilled and busy her heart had become. So, he decided to let her enjoy herself a little.  

 

Unaware that this was always his default attitude, Benjamin grinned broadly and said,  

 

“Of course. Spare no expense—get her the prettiest dress.”  

 

“Naturally. I’ll make sure she’s dressed to perfection.”  

 

After dining at the newly opened restaurant near the main street’s carriage stop, the three headed straight to the dressmaker’s. 

 

The trend-savvy owner showcased a series of dresses popular in Rivoben, completely captivating Madame Natalie and Millie.  

 

They look like a real mother and daughter.  

 

Olivia stood leaning against the wall by the entrance, quietly observing the scene. 

 

It was like a painting. She had once seen a similar composition among the artworks of students who frequented the Camellia atelier. 

 

The only difference was that, instead of the dressmaker, it had featured a noblewoman’s daughter. The title had been something like ‘Three, Mother and Daughters’, hadn’t it?  

 

Millie, the sister who had once spitefully asked if Olivia would be happy if she died, was now preparing for her social debut. 

 

And Madame Natalie no longer treated Olivia with her usual irritability.  

 

At the Shuente residence, Olivia was a ghost—Millie’s discarded doll, now a mere maid.  

 

But outside those walls, her presence was entirely different. 

 

At nineteen, she was an exquisitely beautiful lady. A stunning woman who could halt passersby in their tracks, making them glance back even after walking past.

 

Olivia knew that aspect unsettled Madame Natalie’s temper. 

 

Employees, customers, even the shop owner in the middle of business—everyone glanced at her standing there like a doll. Her heart burned, but there was nothing she could do. She might as well step out into the open street and hide behind the mother and daughter’s backs.  

 

If only this moment would pass quickly.  

 

“Trends and style are important, but what matters most is what suits the wearer. In my opinion, a simple dress would be best for your daughter. Like this—adding a touch of large jewels only at the bust.”  

 

“Too plain. I want the finest.”  

 

Realizing she was dealing with someone unreasonable, the shop owner furrowed her brow. But arguing would only waste time.

 

After all, giving the customer what they wanted was the essence of good business.  

 

Changing her approach, the owner unfolded an extravagant dress.  

 

“Then this dress is the only choice. It’s the very one Princess Esperanto wore at the recent royal palace event. The designer hand-sewed each gem along the seams, and this is the only one left in stock. Just wearing this will make sure everyone talks about you.”  

 

Seeing the noblewoman’s face brighten, the owner smiled inwardly. She’d look like a child wearing a heavy golden crown. 

 

Overpackaging only made the contents seem shabbier. Unconsciously, the owner’s gaze shifted to the quiet young lady standing in the back.  

 

Now, that girl might be different.  

 

Then again, that girl would look beautiful in anything. Just as she did now.  

 

No matter how much more love the eldest daughter received, the noblewoman’s attitude was beyond reason. The way she treated the other girl made it hard to tell if she was a daughter or a maid. 

 

Eventually, the owner asked,  

 

“Is the young lady standing over there not attending the party?”  

 

“Oh, her? She’s not needed. My eldest hasn’t even debuted yet.”  

 

So, she’s the second daughter.  

 

Puzzled by their lack of resemblance, the owner pressed further.  

 

“She’s just as pretty as her sister. Ah, I should say she takes after you, Madam.”  

 

“My eldest is the spitting image of me, but that one’s different. She’s not my real daughter.”  

 

Finally, all the pieces fell into place. 

 

The noblewoman, overly obsessed with aristocratic appearances, and her two daughters—the somewhat dull-looking biological daughter and the poised, charming adopted daughter. Their identities were unmistakable, Lady Millie Bennett, and Olivia Bennett.  

 

Who would have thought she’d see the family she’d only heard about in rumors?  

 

The owner’s eyebrows shot up.  

 

“So, this dress is for the debutante?”  

 

“Yes, that’s right. She’s been raised so delicately at home, and now that we’re introducing her to society, I can’t help but worry. I kept her sheltered to keep her pure, but it seems people see it differently. Still, I can’t keep her hidden forever. It’s time for her to marry, so I’m gathering my courage.”

 

Though the pretentious tone was enough to make anyone frown, the proprietor replied with practiced ease.  

 

“Of course, you must. I’ll pray you find a suitable groom.”  

 

“Who is the most eligible bachelor these days?”  

 

Madame Natalie asked bluntly, disregarding formal niceties.  

 

“Mr. Dennis of the Fisher family or Mr. Raul of the Beckerman family are considered the top candidates,” the proprietor answered kindly.  

 

“What about the second son of the Robert family?”  

 

“Ah, Mr. Eric Robert? He hardly ever attends social events.”  

 

“Is he engaged?”  

 

“Probably not.”  

 

“Then why is that?”  

 

“Some say he dislikes women, others say it’s due to mental illness. There’s plenty of gossip, but no one knows for sure.”  

 

“Mental illness?”  

 

Madame Natalie wrinkled her nose. If his condition was severe enough to be publicly known, it couldn’t be ignored. She decisively crossed Eric Robert off her list of potential grooms.  

 

The conversation continued in a similar vein. The names of eligible sons from prominent families across Heringberg passed through their lips.  

 

Only Olivia kept murmuring one name under her breath. Noticing her preoccupation, an employee asked,  

 

“Did you say something just now?”  

 

“No, nothing.”  

 

Her lips trembled slightly as she brushed it off. The employee tilted their head in confusion before walking away.  

 

The slanting sunlight stung her face, but Olivia remained stuck to the wall like a taxidermied animal.  

 

The laughter of the mother and daughter, who treated her as part of the scenery, continued without pause. 

 

Unlike the turmoil in Olivia’s heart, it was a peaceful afternoon.  

 

Before the year ended, Millie Bennett held a lavish wedding. 

 

Then, the following winter, Olivia applied for a teaching position at Benedict School and received her acceptance letter a little less than a month later. With only a small bag in hand, she left the Shuente Manor.