I’m The Male Lead’s Biological Daughter, But I Want To Live With The Second Male Lead! - Chapter 54

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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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Episode 54
The patent-approved sunglasses sold like wildfire.
The initial stock ran out so quickly that even retired craftsmen had to be called back into service to meet the demand for additional production.
“Mabel, here. Your friends send their thanks.”
Aselt returned from his outing today with a bundle of letters in hand.
They contained expressions of gratitude for Mabel’s decision to sell the sunglasses at a reasonable price.
“And now that I think about it, not just basilisks but plenty of people with light-sensitive eyes are using them too.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Mabel brightened as she examined the letters Aselt had brought.
Since the item had been developed for beastmen, she’d assumed people would hesitate to buy it.
But it seemed goods know no rank—gardeners and farmers and others who worked outdoors lined up to purchase them.
“It looks like people with illnesses that require them to avoid sunlight are using them well too.”
Every letter envelope bore Mabel’s name.
Yet Zigmund was the one known as the sunglasses’ developer.
“Ah, they must remember when I mentioned before that my sister made these. Of course, I’ve made sure to keep them quiet about it, so don’t worry.”
If word of this somehow reached Asilonia’s ears, she might claim that Zigmund had stolen Mabel’s achievement.
Aselt, who knew well what concerned Mabel most, had nipped any such trouble in the bud.
“I let them know that if word leaks out, there’s no one else to blame but them, and they’ll be added to the Blacklist.”
With that reassurance, Mabel opened the letters without worry.
As thanks poured in one after another, she felt her face grow warm.
It was a little embarrassing, but her heart thrummed with such joy she could hardly bear it.
Yet at the same time, a small disappointment nagged at her.
‘Both investors and users are thinking of the sunglasses as a medical product.’
The current medical product market was quite small.
There were limits to how much profit could be made from it.
Of course, compared to her days as a Ghost Princess with nothing, the sum was unimaginable.
But Mabel felt a stirring of ambition.
‘I’ll need more money if I want to research ways to undo the Mark of Servitude.’
She needed to earn what she could while the opportunity existed.
‘Is there some good way to do this?’
As Mabel sorted through the letters, lost in thought, she lifted her head.
Aselt had already settled into the chair across from her, reading a book beneath the slanting afternoon light.
Sitting cross-legged on the brown leather sofa, the figure could have been a model from a magazine.
‘…Wait. A model?’
In that instant, a brilliant idea struck her.
* * *
Several days later, Mabel was in a frenzy from the moment she woke.
“Today’s weather is even hotter than yesterday! So this dress I picked out won’t do at all!”
“But there aren’t any short dresses! What should I do? Should I tear the hem?”
“Check that everything’s packed! Change of clothes, undergarments, shoes, and since it might get cold, don’t forget the blanket, bonnet, and parasol!”
Before breakfast was even served, the servants were bustling about in a whirlwind, ransacking Mabel’s room.
They all moved with concentrated determination.
“Now then, Miss—how shall we do your hair today~?”
And Ella, too, was resolved as never before.
Crack-crack—the way she flexed her fingers seemed less like preparing a hairstyle and more like gearing up for battle, her expression grave.
Watching Ella through the mirror, Mabel stumbled slightly over her words.
“W-well… ah, however you…”
“Oh no~ there’s no such thing as however~ In that case, I’ll just do it in the style that suits you best, Miss~”
Again, crack-crack! went Ella’s fingers, her eyes glinting with purpose.
Mabel swallowed hard, frozen in place, and could only submit to Ella’s expert hands.
And the result of Mabel’s transformation was…
“Aw~! Truly~ you’re just too adorable today~!”
“Aaah…! This is why I serve Miss!”
“You said a painter’s coming today, right? Is there any way I could get a portrait of Miss~?”
The servants clasped their hands before their chests, their eyes shooting hearts.
“E-hehe…”
Mabel laughed awkwardly, both flustered and embarrassed, as she gazed at herself in the mirror.
Her blonde hair had been gathered into two high tails, each loop coiled and pinned with a crimson ribbon.
The voluminous bangs had been trimmed to look light and airy, and soft curls had been added to the side-swept sections.
To complement the overall freshness of the hairstyle, her outfit had been stripped of excess ornamentation.
The pale blue short-sleeved dress, made from breathable fabric, had its hem cut short and rode well above the knee.
Beneath it, she wore round bloomers that descended to mid-calf, allowing for easy movement.
Not a single detail had been overlooked—care and attention wove through every seam.
It was a world apart from the girl she’d glimpsed in that shattered mirror, back when she’d first realized this world was a novel.
Most strikingly, Mabel’s expression in the mirror had transformed entirely.
The rough defensiveness born of injustice and survival instinct had melted away, replaced by an ease and joy that radiated from her.
‘Though I suppose I’ve overdone it a bit today…….’
She’d dressed carefully when going into town before, but never quite like this.
‘But then again, today’s the first time we’re all going out together…….’
It hadn’t been long since Mabel’s trial ended.
While they sat together at a restaurant having a meal, Zigmund had suddenly spoken up.
– Let’s go shopping.
Of course, Mabel’s first thought was that she had no money and wouldn’t be going.
But then Kellic rolled around on the floor, Aselt fiddled with his Sunglasses, and Zigmund drooped so miserably that she’d had no choice but to relent.
She’d felt uncomfortable about it at the time, but not anymore.
‘I sold the Sunglasses!’
She hadn’t checked the ledger yet so she wasn’t certain how much money she had, but surely it would be enough for a day out.
And so Mabel found herself setting out to the Commercial District with the four of them, feeling wonderfully light-hearted.
When the maidservants heard the news, they were set ablaze with enthusiasm.
– Our young mistress’s first official outing……?
– And shopping with money she earned herself……?
– We absolutely cannot let this pass without a proper send-off!
It was indeed the first time Mabel had appeared in public since the trial.
They couldn’t miss the chance to show just how well she’d been thriving in the Grand Duke’s Castle.
And truthfully, Mabel herself had been eagerly anticipating today’s outing.
For reasons that were perhaps just a touch impure…….
Her crimson eyes gleamed with anticipation as she studied her reflection in the mirror.
“Well then, shall we head out now~?”
“Yes!”
Mabel bounded over and squeezed Ella’s hand tightly.
The other maidservants who’d been excluded from today’s outing bit their handkerchiefs in jealous indignation.
But it lasted only a moment.
“We’re off!”
The moment Mabel slung her beloved Rabbit Bag across her shoulder and broke into a radiant smile, the maidservants’ jealousy was instantly purified.
“The first stop is brunch, isn’t it? Please enjoy lots of delicious food!”
“And have fun and wonderful experiences! Go ahead and play, laugh to your heart’s content!”
The maidservants, their hearts pure once more, cheered wholeheartedly for Mabel’s first official outing.
The four companions, having dressed splendidly, were already waiting in the carriage.
When Mabel emerged, Zigmund, who’d been waiting for her, climbed down from the carriage—then stopped short.
“Hmm? Who are you? I was waiting for my assistant, Mabel.”
“It’s me, it’s me!”
“This voice…… Could it be? My word, you’re so adorable I didn’t recognize you!”
“Ugh, you’re such an old man!”
Mabel’s face flushed red at Zigmund’s teasing, and she fired back with mock indignation.
“That’s because you called me that before.”
Zigmund chuckled and scooped the child up, depositing her into the carriage.
Kellic, sprawled across a seat, and Aselt, who’d been keeping him company, greeted Mabel warmly.
“Hey there, Mabel. We’ve been waiting! You look absolutely beautiful today!”
“Really. I even fussed over my appearance when I heard a painter was coming, but now I’m wondering if I should change clothes.”
At their sincere praise, Mabel’s cheeks flushed once more.
In her eyes, her brothers looked far more handsome.
Once Mabel took her seat, the carriage set off immediately.
She sat beside Zigmund and waved goodbye to the people of the Grand Duke’s household.
“Hehe.”
Once she’d finished waving and shut the window, Zigmund opened his mouth.
“So? Isn’t it about time you told us? Why did you ask us to dress as smartly as possible?”
His gaze fell precisely on Mabel, who was opening her Rabbit Bag.
“Well, you see.”
Mabel produced the Rabbit Bag and held it out before the three people who were now focused entirely on her.
The eyes of all three companions went wide with wonder.

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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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