I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 24
Bancadium was a house shrouded in countless mysteries.
Family relations, history, customs, wealth—even the location of the main residence itself was kept secret.
The mansion known to the public lay on the outskirts of the Capital, but……
‘That one’s a fake.’
There were endless rumors that the true main house existed elsewhere.
Given the family’s long history and the astronomical wealth accumulated over time, it only made sense they would own multiple properties, not just one.
Bancadium itself never bothered to deny or confirm these rumors.
By neither refuting nor affirming them, the family left people to interpret things however they pleased.
‘I was curious about it too, honestly……’
I never imagined I’d see the truth with my own eyes like this.
I gazed up in slack-jawed wonder at the massive fortress looming before me.
Even living all those years in an attic, I’d seen pretty buildings in books and newspapers.
But the castle before me now was more beautiful than any structure I’d ever laid eyes on. It was less a house than a work of art.
Marble Columns carved with exquisite detail down to the smallest section, and several immense arched windows adorned with ornate Stained Glass.
And that was only the beginning.
It seemed impossible that something nestled so far up a mountainside could have such spacious grounds, and the wind wasn’t nearly as fierce as I’d expected.
‘It’s not even that cold.’
No matter how I looked at it, everything felt miraculous to someone who’d only just begun to see the world.
“Karin, are you alright? We used some Magic to get here faster.”
“I’m fine!”
The journey from Izutale to here had taken nearly half a day.
We could have arrived sooner, but the Duke had deliberately slowed our pace to avoid being tracked, he’d said.
Even so, compared to ordinary carriages and other means of travel, our arrival was remarkably swift.
The sky, now at midday, held only bright sunlight instead of the darkness of dawn.
‘Now I understand why mages are considered elite personnel.’
The reason had become perfectly clear.
“Look at her spirit, our little Karin.”
My sister reached up and stroked my head approvingly. The Duke, who’d been watching us from beside her, let out a dry chuckle.
“At this rate, you’ll start praising her just for breathing.”
“Would you like me to try? Karin’s just so pretty when she……”
“Stop the nonsense and come along.”
“Hmph.”
Veronica snorted dismissively. The Duke, glancing at her sidelong, clicked his tongue.
But my sister was Veronica—a member of Bancadium with such an unshakeable will that no amount of reproach or nagging could sway her.
Taking me from the Duke’s arms, my sister proceeded to give me a leisurely tour of the sprawling residence.
Of course, the place was far too vast to see everything, so we only glimpsed the overall exterior and the outer gardens.
After all, I’d only just left Izutale.
My sister assured me we could explore the rest of the mansion at our leisure later, and soon led us inside.
‘This is amazing.’
The interior was every bit as ornate as the exterior.
‘I remember reading that dragons love shiny things.’
Perhaps because I carried their blood, the rooms were filled with gleaming decorations, paintings, and statues wherever I looked.
As I spun about, marveling at everything, my sister kissed my cheek.
“How adorable. Everything fills you with wonder.”
Her words made me flush slightly.
I wondered if I’d been looking around too eagerly, given that I’d only just escaped from prison.
But before I could feel too embarrassed, the entryway soon filled with commotion.
“Goodness.”
“Your Grace! Miss!”
“Master Sys as well……!”
People from the first and second floors hurried into the hall. From their neat appearance, they seemed to be Bancadium’s household servants.
I watched them gather in bewilderment, then looked up at my sister.
She held me a little tighter and patted my back reassuringly. Just then, an elderly man with white hair came rushing out from deeper within the first floor.
He came to stand before us in a single breath, one hand pressed to his chest.
His deeply lined face bore traces of surprise, joy, and something else besides—relief.
He bowed quickly to both my sister and Sys before speaking.
“It is a relief to see you have returned safely, Your Grace.”
“So word of our arrival spread ahead of us.”
The Duke nodded at the old man’s response.
“We heard that you and the others had executed a Prison Escape, sir. The entire Empire is in quite an uproar over it.”
“In an uproar, you say.”
The Duke laughed quietly.
“Then at least we won’t lack for entertainment. Let Bancadium be the subject of endless gossip.”
The Duke narrowed his brow, observing the obvious course of things. The old man’s expression darkened for a moment.
“Master Hyacinth will provide the details. We have readied both a bedroom and bath for your use at any time. Where shall I have preparations begin?”
“A bath. And prepare another room for the child.”
“Yes, sir……Wait?”
The old man’s eyes went wide as saucers. He tilted his head in sudden confusion.
“A room for a child? Whatever do you……”
“Ah.”
At that moment, my sister patted me gently and answered for him.
“We need a room for our Karin. Alexei.”
Only then did Alexei notice me, staring blankly at where I nestled in my sister’s arms.
The other servants nearby were looking at me with equal surprise. None of them had expected another mouth to feed to arrive.
Suddenly aware of all their gazes, I shrank further into my sister’s embrace.
Alexei was the first to recover, quickly offering an apology.
“My apologies, miss. The child is so small that for a moment I didn’t……”
“She is rather tiny.”
My sister nodded understandingly. Sys, standing beside her, then spoke.
“For now, perhaps it would be best to prepare a bath and meal first. She likely hasn’t eaten properly since last evening.”
“Of course, of course. I shall prepare everything at once.”
Alexei hurried to relay orders to the others around him.
The servants, who had been staring at me, suddenly snapped to attention and nodded.
In the blink of an eye, they dispersed to their various posts, and while preparations were underway, we too moved toward the parlor to wait.
“From now on, you’ll be living here with your sister, little one. Isn’t it lovely?”
My sister asked as we walked. I nodded, my expression growing tense.
“It’s incredibly beautiful!”
“Mm-hm. My little dust mote. Shall we share a room like we did in the prison?”
“Tch.”
The Duke clicked his tongue at our exchange.
It seemed like a signal not to burden my sister. I quickly lowered my head.
“That would be too hard on you, sister!”
“Sister, welcome back!”
……?
‘What was that?’
Without thinking, I turned toward the source of the voice.
A man was descending the central staircase. Unlike the other servants, his eyes met mine first, and he came to an abrupt stop.
“Who, who is that little one?”
“!”
My eyes narrowed without my meaning to.
Little one?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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