Resetting Lady - Chapter 245

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Special Side Story 1

Spring had arrived.

The goddess’s hem brushed across the earth, and flowers began to bloom in abundance. Petals filled the sky, tender green grass covered the ground, and the air overflowed with warm breezes, dresses, and ribbons. It was the season when young people busily attended all manner of balls in search of partners, when high society came alive.

“Everyone looks like money to me.”

“I feel the same way, daughter.”

Isella, Sion, and their daughter Isabella’s eyes sparkled as they watched the countless people filling the streets. Sion nodded seriously. Even to him, they all looked like money. The city, where men and women alike were frantically showing off in increasingly beautiful clothes and accessories, was like heaven for merchants.

“There are particularly many people this year.”

“Because His Majesty is single.”

The handsome King Louis, whose reputation had spread to other countries, had broken off his engagement.

All the princes of the neighboring country had died, causing his former fiancée, a princess, to ascend to the throne. The two kingdoms endlessly engaged in bureaucratic maneuvering to devour each other, and the marriage talks completely fell through.

After Louis declared he would marry within his own kingdom, everyone from noble maidens to commoners was swept up in a strange atmosphere. Though no one thought King Louis would actually marry a commoner, the endless succession of banquets stirred excitement regardless of social status. At royal palace balls, in small churches, in taverns, even on the streets. It was truly the season of youth.

For the Isella family, who enjoyed not only business but also the pure pleasure of parties themselves, the city’s excited atmosphere was quite delightful. Sion grinned as he watched a group of hat-wearing gentlemen busily running around getting their formal wear tailored.

“There was a time when I used to dress up so earnestly too.”

“But Dad, you still dress up earnestly every day.”

Isabella glanced at Sion. The man, who boasted skin still smooth despite his age, overflowed with excessive charm from head to toe for a married man. Sion’s daily schedule focused entirely on how to become more beautiful, which made even Isabella, who was at an age to care about appearance, feel burdened and uncomfortable.

“Tsk tsk. The important thing is that I don’t visit shops, daughter.”

“…”

“I don’t work that hard, you see. Grooming is important. It’s just… hehe, their desperate struggling looks a bit pitiful.”

When Sion was a young gigolo, he had to constantly run around to save even a little money, sometimes buying secondhand items and secretly sewing all night in his dormitory. He smiled fondly, remembering how he once got into fistfights with other men over a stylish limited-edition hat. Ah, youth.

‘I succeeded in life by marrying well.’

As he lifted his chin and looked down at the men from inside the luxurious carriage, several young men who noticed his gaze glared at Sion with slightly displeased expressions. It was a look that only men who cared about their appearance could recognize. Hmph, Sion snorted.

‘I’m life’s winner, you youngsters. If you’re envious, go find yourselves good wives.’

A good carriage, good clothes, a good house. And even a child to secure his future. Watching the young gentlemen stamping their feet as they moved around seeking finer clothes, his own success seemed all the more dazzling. Yes, I’m the son-in-law of the Evans Family! Cool, Sion. Awesome, Sion. The best, Sion!

“Those days really seem like yesterday.”

“Hmm.”

Oh no.

When Isella’s voice dropped slightly, Sion immediately turned around.

“What a complete waste of time that was. I spent all that time wanting to meet someone as learned, wise, and intelligent as Lady Isella, and I regret it so much. I wish I had met you right when I became an adult, no, even before I became an adult. Ah, no. If that had happened, I would have only shown you my inadequate side. Still, it would have been good to see you even from afar. I surely would have recognized your elegance and nobility even from a distance, and just occasionally thinking of you would have given me comfort during difficult times.”

“…Ahem.”

At Sion’s smooth talk, Isella folded her fan and smiled softly. Though his intentions were obvious flattery, finding even that flattery endearing was Isella’s magnanimity.

“Sion, you really do exaggerate.”

“Isella, you know well that though I may be frivolous, I never lie. You have always been an Evans.”

If pretense is consistent, it becomes truth. And since everyone knew that if Sion had met Isella early, he surely would have focused on her, this assumption brought peace. Short laughter went back and forth, and Isella placed her hand on Sion’s shoulder.

“Keep trying.”

“I will always try. Until death do us part.”

Wow, Dad really is like a gigolo. Isabella muttered quietly, but her words didn’t reach Sion, who was already on one knee praising Isella’s intelligence and greatness. After enjoying her husband’s performance for a while, Isella turned to Isabella.

“Isabella.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I’m very sorry I can’t be with you throughout this entire season. You must be nervous.”

“No, Mother. I won’t be alone anyway.”

And honestly speaking, being with her parents was sometimes… embarrassing. Isabella nodded while swallowing her words.

“Karen should take good care of you… I’ve asked her, but I’m still worried about not going myself. Parents should really accompany their children to balls… Should we attend together if the contract ends early?”

“Yes, daughter. That would be good.”

“No, no. I can manage well. Don’t worry.”

Though it was something she could never tell her mother Isella, in high society, Countess of Sayertes was actually much more helpful. Strangely, while Isella was skilled at business negotiations with men and accustomed to pushing or threatening, she was quite weak at gaining favor among women.

Well, no woman can be perfect at everything. Mother, who does business, is already a wonderful enough woman. She may lack refinement, but she has negotiating skills. Isella was worthy enough of her child’s respect. Go Mom.

Isabella thought this as she returned her mother’s kiss.

“I’ll learn well from Countess of Sayertes and get along well with Rebecca too. As for Count Raymond.”

No! Watch your words! Isabella blinked at her father, who was frantically shaking his head from an angle where Isella couldn’t see him.

“Well, I probably won’t have much occasion to meet him anyway. I’m not particularly curious either.”

“Hmph. Though meeting him wouldn’t do any good, you still must behave impeccably.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a daughter of the Evans Family too.”

Evans never takes a loss.

Isabella nodded while recalling the family motto. Friendship is friendship, affection is affection, profit is profit. She would thoroughly benefit from Karen and Rebecca, who were social butterflies, and expand her business and relationships.

“I’ll absolutely conduct myself in a way that won’t shame Mother. So Mother can focus only on business.”

“What a good girl.”

“Very reliable, daughter.”

Isella dabbed tears with her handkerchief, and Sion clapped his hands.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Well then, see you later!”

Sion grabbed Isabella’s shoulder.

“Wait, Isabella.”

“Yes?”

Sion whispered in Isabella’s ear in a small, soft voice.

“Still, don’t push yourself too hard. I’m not telling you to become queen.”

“Yes.”

Well, His Majesty would be beyond our family’s reach anyway. Isabella smiled awkwardly. No matter how much money they had and how much their family rivaled the nobility, mixing blood with royalty would still require very long and extensive efforts.

“Just, moderately decent, you know?”

“…Yes.”

“Better than Rebecca.”

“…Yes…”

That seems to put tremendous pressure on me instead. Isabella grumbled internally while nodding. It was hard to argue ‘It’s not a matter of my personal capabilities, is it?’ when her father, who had overcome enormous class differences to marry, was right in front of her.

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