Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 12

With a heavy thud, the door to my private chambers was thrown open without ceremony. The impact sent a single document from my desk fluttering weightlessly into the air.

“Laila! This invoice, what is the meaning of this?!”

A furious voice. A tone like sparks.

Heh heh, you’ve finally reacted. You were slower than I expected.

As I languidly raised my head, there stood Father, his face flushed crimson. In his hand was that bundle of papers. The invoice was trembling, fluttering lightly.

“Ah, that?”

I blinked deliberately and answered with feigned innocence.

“I merely placed an order at the dressmaker’s shop where Lilith has her gowns made. Was that not allowed?”

“Not allowed, you say!? Combined with Lilith’s portion… th-this amount, there’s no way I can pay it!”

My condolences. Heh heh, I thought as much.

“Well then, Father. Are you telling me, and only me, to give up the dress?”

“Of course! Lilith needs hers…!”

“What a shame. I’ve heard that once that shop accepts an order, they refuse cancellations. And even if a cancellation were possible.”

I rose slowly from my chair and looked Father squarely in the eye.

“—do you intend to tell everyone ‘We’re withdrawing the order because we lack the funds’? A noble family?”

The atmosphere in the room froze solid with a sharp crackle.

“Guh! …You…!”

“If rumors spread that the Marquis’s household is in financial trouble, our trading partners might all withdraw at once.”

You understand, don’t you, that what I’m saying isn’t just an empty threat.

“Until now, you’ve never indulged in such luxuries… Hm?”

Father’s gaze stopped at my chest.

Heh heh, did you notice?

“That necklace. When did you acquire one with such a splendid gemstone?”

“Heh heh. You have a keen eye, Father.”

I gently traced the faintly glowing gem with my fingertip.

“This is a moonstone called ‘Moonlight Flower.’ It’s a one-of-a-kind piece the jeweler delivered yesterday. I fell in love with it at first sight and just couldn’t resist. Oh my, that’s right. I must give you the invoice for this as well.”

Saying this, I smoothly picked up another sheet of paper from my desk and offered it to him.

“Wh-wh-wha…! What is this amount!?”

Father’s mouth opened and closed like a fish’s, wordlessly.

“Sir, some water.”

“I don’t need it!!”

He violently batted away the glass Oscar offered.

“You… until now, you never wanted anything. Why suddenly make such purchases?! This amount, how can I pay it!?”

“Father, you have no choice but to pay.”

I smiled. With a cool expression and a voice like ice.

“As I said before, to relinquish something once acquired. If you were to do such a thing, in noble society, at worst, rumors would fly: ‘Are they settling their affairs? Could they possibly be facing ruin?’ The world is terribly sensitive to such matters.”

Father stood frozen, his eyes wide and unblinking.

“And, you asked earlier why I’m shopping so much now? Well, let me see.”

I deliberately shrugged my shoulders and sighed.

“I’ve been confined due to my probation, with nothing to do. Until now, I had no interest, but like the other young ladies of society, adorning myself with luxuries and taking tea, it’s surprisingly enjoyable. I should have started sooner.”

I tilted my head exaggeratedly, and Father was rendered speechless.

“Well, once I’m allowed to attend the academy again, I suppose such whims will fade. Oh! Now I want a hat. A lovely one adorned with ribbons. I’ll wear it out on the balcony. Oscar, could you summon the milliner?”

“Understood. I shall make the arrangements immediately.”

“Don’t you dare!!”

At Father’s shriek, Oscar halted his movement.

“…Fine. The academy. Your probation is over, you can go starting tomorrow. So, no more purchases!”

“What a wise decision, Father.”

I gave a sweet, elegant smile.

—At that moment, behind me, the wooden door creaked with a soft groan.

I didn’t turn around. But I was certain who was there. …Lilith had come, hoping to watch and laugh at me getting scolded. Too bad for you.

I laughed silently, quietly.

＊＊＊＊＊

The dinner table was, as usual, a formal affair, with my stepmother and Lilith laughing together amiably, and Father avoiding my gaze.

And then.

“Dear sister, that necklace is lovely.”

Here it comes.

“I heard that stone is called ‘Moonlight Flower,’ a moonstone.”

“My, you’re well-informed.”

I took a sip of tea and returned an elegant smile.

“Yes! Actually, I’ve been searching for a gem like that for the longest time. But they’re so hard to find.”

“…So, you want me to give it to you?”

Lilith gave a soft chuckle. It seemed she had no intention of denying it. Father was feigning ignorance. I see, so if it can’t be returned, you’d rather Lilith have it, is that it?

“No, I couldn’t possibly be so presumptuous. It’s just… Sister, you aren’t very interested in jewels, are you? After all, you always yield them to me.”

That’s right. In the end, they always end up taken by you, who’s so good at fake crying. Sometimes they were even stolen. The old me would have found it troublesome and quietly backed down, but—

“Heh heh, that’s true.”

I slowly turned my gaze toward her.

“But now is different.”

I gently lifted the necklace with my fingertips, holding it up to the light.

“This is a gem for me alone. It wasn’t chosen to be given to anyone.”

I made sure the thorns in my words pierced her precisely. Lilith maintained her cheerful smile, but a faint tinge of displeasure seeped into the depths of her eyes.

“But, Sister? If in the future, when I have my engagement ceremony, and I need beautiful adornments. Sister, would you lend it to me? Moonstones symbolize love and fortune, you see. I’d so love to borrow it from you.”

“Well, that sounds lovely. I’ve heard that borrowing a gem from a sister brings happiness.”

Lilith and my stepmother exchanged smiles.

What nonsense. I’ve never heard of such a superstition. And besides lend? You have a habit of making such things your own permanently.

“My, what a charming story. But doesn’t ‘engagement’ require securing a partner first?”

I could see Lilith and my stepmother’s smiles tighten slightly. I smiled elegantly.

“Say, Lilith, do you know? There’s a picture book about a little cat who tried to wear a princess’s tiara, but couldn’t bear the weight and toppled over.”

“…Huh?”

“Lilith. I wonder if it might still be too heavy for you.”

There’s no way a gem symbolizing love and fortune would suit you. Know your place.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

While wearing a smile, I let a cold blade hide within my voice. I rose slowly.

Whether the kitten and princess metaphor had struck a nerve, Lilith bit her pale pink lips, her face tinged with frustration. I gave it a fleeting glance before turning my back.

Walking away without a sound, Oscar drew near like my shadow and whispered softly.

“Superbly done, my lady.”

I returned a faint smile and, facing forward, answered quietly.

“Of course. I have no intention of giving away anything truly important to me anymore; to anyone, yes, absolutely anyone.”

The moonstone hanging at my chest swayed gently in time with my steps.