Chapter 27: The Fake Lady

It had been a long time since Lydia had last visited her father. In fact, the last time she had met him in her previous life was when she was about to be sent to work at the Imperial Authority right after she graduated from Belfort University.

Well, let’s see. In my previous life, I was no longer the Crown Prince’s fiancée, a useless F-Rank Guide, and I didn’t even have any Spirit Animal. Three strikes in one go.

No wonder House Valendorf wanted to throw me out before I could bring them any more shame.

At least her father had made sure she wouldn’t end up homeless, even if he had no intention of keeping her in the ducal household any longer than necessary.

It had been the last act of mercy he had granted her, much to Brother Sylvain and Vincent’s displeasure.

Still, that didn’t change the fact that House Valendorf had effectively kicked her out.

And now, here she was again, standing in front of the same man.

Even after Lydia entered the office, her father didn’t bother to look up. He continued working at his desk, his attention fixed on the blue holographic documents floating above its polished marble surface.

The only sound was the faint tapping of his stylus as he signed one document after another.

Lydia hesitated before approaching the desk. Once she reached a respectful distance, she bowed in greeting, keeping her hands close to her sides to hide her trembling fingers.

"Good evening, Father," she greeted him and bowed politely.

"You’ve come."

Her father finally raised his head slightly.

Like the other members of House Valendorf, he had blue hair and dark blue eyes.

He looked similar to Brother Sylvain, carrying himself with the dignity and authority expected of a high-ranking noble.

Lydia swallowed before asking, "Why have you called?"

"I have heard about your C-Rank reevaluation and the commotion you caused in the Elite Classroom with Baron Fielyn’s daughter." Her father finally raised his eyes from the holographic documents. His gaze settled on her, cold and assessing. "At least the university had the sense to transfer you to the Regular Class afterward."

Of course. So this was what he wanted to discuss.

Even after passing down his title to Sylvain two years ago, the former Duke remained as imposing as ever.

When she remained silent, the Duke put down his pen and lifted his head to face her properly. His sharp, keen eyes settled on her, examining her as though he were trying to determine what sort of trouble she had caused this time.

"It’s not something Father should worry about."

Unfortunately, the words escaped before she could stop them.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

"Lydia."

She flinched at the sound of his voice.

There was no warmth in it, only the same coldness she remembered from her previous life.

Her father didn’t need to raise his voice to make her nervous. Somehow, his calm tone made the situation even more intimidating.

"Has it already been ten years since you came to this house?"

Lydia searched through her memories.

She had been adopted into the Duke’s family when she was twelve. That meant she was twenty-two now, and ten years had indeed passed since she had first entered the Valendorf mansion.

So he was right.

"I don’t know if you know, but it’s not easy to set foot in this house. Only those who have proven their worth may enter through the gates of our Valendorf mansion," the Duke continued.

Lydia remained silent.

"After adopting you, I did not hesitate to fund you as the lady of the family. I even allowed you to spend your money lavishly and tolerated your inexcusable behavior."

"..."

She kept her head lowered, offering no response.

"However, I can’t seem to figure out what good you have brought to our family these past ten years."

And, unfortunately, Lydia couldn’t deny that what he said was true.

There was only one reason she had been allowed to become a lady of the ducal household in the first place.

It was because she resembled the Duke’s deceased daughter, Nathalie.

Both Nathalie and Brother Vincent had inherited the light blue hair of the deceased Duchess and the dark blue eyes characteristic of House Valendorf.

When Lydia was first adopted, her appearance had reminded the Duke of his late daughter, Nathalie. However, as she grew older, the resemblance faded.

Her hair gradually turned silvery blue instead of Nathalie’s light blue, while her ocean-blue eyes were distinctly different from the dark blue eyes shared by the rest of the ducal family.

Eventually, Lydia no longer resembled Nathalie enough to satisfy the Duke’s expectations.

As his interest in her faded, he stopped visiting her, and her situation in the mansion gradually worsened.

Her two stepbrothers grew more abusive, and the servants soon followed their example. The girl who had once been welcomed into the family was now treated as an unwanted burden.

Fake Lady.

That was what they called her.

It was a cruel name, but Lydia had heard it so often that she had almost grown used to it.

No matter how long she lived under their roof, her family never let her forget that she didn’t truly belong.

Now, ten years after her adoption, her father was questioning what she had ever done for the family.

"I heard you just awakened your Spirit Animal recently. Since you aren’t a Sentinel like us, there will be things you can only do as a Guide. And it will be great if you can achieve it without disgracing Valendorf."

Is Father thinking about kicking me out now? But I hadn’t hoard enough to secure my financial crisis! I don’t want to be homeless!

Before she had time to think through her next move, Lydia’s body reacted on its own.

THUD!

She dropped to her knees in front of the Duke, then bent forward until her hands touched the floor before her.

"Lydia, what are you doing?!"

Her father raised his voice in surprise. His eyes widened as he stared at Lydia, looking even more shocked by the loud thud than she was.