Chapter 13
The voice, soft yet sharp, struck Pierre Jean Pierre’s eardrums.
He dropped his head helplessly. Claire waved her hand dismissively, as if shooing away a bug, and gave an order.
“Ron, open the store.”
“Yes, ma’am! Everyone, the official sale of the Starlight Cream begins now! Those interested, please come inside!”
When he threw open the doors and announced it, people rushed inside in droves.
Whish.
A cold wind swept past Pierre, who was left behind, looking miserable.
From now on, the Pierre Trading Company would only feel cold winds like this. Once branded, it was nearly impossible to recover.
Watching his slumped shoulders as he trudged away, Ron murmured quietly.
“Wow, he got what he deserved. This feels amazing.”
“Right? Good riddance.”
Claire, too, felt a refreshing sense of satisfaction, and a faint smile spread across her lips.
Inside the now bustling Minerva Trading Company, Ron moved around busily among the guests.
Claire adjusted her slipping glasses and headed to the counter to assist him.
Time to make money.
***
The Starlight Cream, having dramatically cleared its name from rumors of side effects, flourished.
It quickly gained popularity among commoners and rose to fame within noble society faster than the Minerva Trading Company had anticipated.
This was because some servants working for noble households introduced the cream to their masters, naturally spreading its trend.
Riding the wave of success, the Minerva Trading Company launched a noble-exclusive version, the “Dawn Starlight Cream.”
Priced higher, it not only treated acne and blemishes but also erased scars.
Both the Midnight Starlight Cream and the Dawn Starlight Cream sold out in no time.
And with that, the Minerva Trading Company’s coffers grew abundant.
“You’ve worked hard, Ron. The success of the Starlight Cream is thanks to your ideas.”
At Claire’s praise, Ron blushed.
“No, Miss. I didn’t really do anything…”
“Pfft, you did a lot. Don’t downplay your efforts. Got it?”
“Yes, I understand.”
Ron smiled brightly.
Claire was unique.
Though younger than him, she had judgment and decisiveness. Sometimes, she spoke with a stern, adult-like tone, but it was strangely not off-putting.
Perhaps it was because she acknowledged people for who they were.
Ron felt as though he had finally met a true superior who wouldn’t betray him, unlike at the Muton Trading Company.
As Ron exuded visible joy, Claire found him endearing and then spoke seriously.
“Ron, I’m going to get much busier from now on.”
For her, the trading company was a stepping stone to achieve her true goal.
It meant she wouldn’t remain here forever.
“I want to make you the deputy head of the company and entrust the operations to you. Is that okay?”
“Not Franz, but me?”
Ron asked, surprised.
He had assumed the company hierarchy was head Claire, deputy head Franz, and himself as secretary.
But now he was being made the deputy head…
Though it felt overwhelming, he couldn’t deny a sense of excitement, and his heart began to race.
His usually half-lidded eyes widened and sparkled, making Claire smile slightly.
“Your company became a foundation for ours, so it’s only natural you should have the deputy head position. Besides, my father has no talent for business.”
“Thank you, Miss. I will repay your trust and ensure I never let you down!”
Ron, steeling himself, accepted the proposal and pledged his commitment.
“Thank you. But don’t feel too pressured. Let me know if it ever gets too hard.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Thinking about how he could freely shape the trading company with abundant resources, Ron’s face lit up.
As his shoulders filled with determination, Claire patted them lightly and stepped out with Franz.
They were headed to the government office to submit the formal registration paperwork.
Claire Ravello, the daughter of Franz Ravello.
Finally, she would have her new legal identity. The emotions were indescribable.
She felt joy, but also sorrow…
‘In the end, my life as Priscilla Muton is a complete failure.’
The memories of her struggles flashed by in an instant before vanishing.
There was no turning back now.
From this moment on, she would live her new life as Claire Ravello. Using her past failures as a stepping stone, she would build a more perfect and happy future.
***
The news that Franz Ravello had a daughter spread quickly. What had previously been a rumor circulating in the western regions became publicly acknowledged.
The Ravello Marquisate, believing their eldest son was quietly living in isolation in the forest, was thrown into an uproar upon hearing of his misdeed.
“That fool! Of all things, he brings a child without even being married!”
The Marquis of Ravello slammed his fist on the table. The disgrace to the family’s honor was too much for him to bear.
“Perhaps it’s not his child. Franz is foolish and naïve enough to have been deceived,” the Marchioness remarked, her tone dripping with disdain.
She had long been wary of Franz having children. More descendants on that side meant less inheritance for Alex, her favored son.
‘I let my guard down because he said he didn’t plan on getting married…’
Now that she thought about it, he never explicitly said he didn’t want children.
Feeling deceived and enraged, the Marchioness urged her husband.
“Summon Franz and order him to annul any claims to that child. Deny her existence at all costs.”
“Of course! I will never acknowledge her!”
Franz’s daughter would have the right to claim a share of the Ravello estate.
The Marquis, unable to accept the bastard as part of the Ravello bloodline, immediately called for his son.
Upon receiving his father’s angry letter, Franz frowned.
“Claire, they want us to go to the Marquisate. What should we do?”
“Really? Let’s go. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my grandparents.”
Claire replied nonchalantly, as if she had been waiting for this moment. She had expected this summons eventually.
There was no way they would let this matter slide.
“I wonder how well they’ve been living after selling off their daughter.”
Thinking about her estranged grandparents brought a faint smile to Claire’s lips.
She hoped they were living comfortably and prosperously.
That way, when they fell, the damage would be more significant, and her gains even greater.
***
The next day.
Franz and Claire arrived at the Ravello estate.
The Marquis and Marchioness glared at the father and daughter as they entered.
The doors to the parlor opened slowly, revealing Franz with his hair tied back and glasses perched on his nose. Beside him stood a familiar golden-haired girl.
“…Priscilla?”
The Marquis rose abruptly, his face filled with shock. The girl was the spitting image of his deceased daughter in her youth.
The Marchioness, equally stunned, fixed her gaze on the girl. Stepping forward, Claire gave a polite bow.
“Hello, Grandfather. Grandmother. It’s nice to meet you. My name is Claire Ravello.”
“…!”
The Marquis and Marchioness were at a loss for words.
Though they had vowed never to acknowledge Claire, her resemblance to Priscilla was undeniable.
Anyone could see that she was Franz’s daughter—a member of the Ravello bloodline.
“How is this possible…?”
“Surprised, Father? I’m sorry I didn’t inform you sooner. This is my daughter, Claire.”
Franz calmly led Claire to sit at the table.
The Marquis, still in a daze, only snapped out of it when his wife shook his arm.
“Who gave you permission to use the Ravello name? I refuse to acknowledge her as my granddaughter!”
“It’s my father’s name, so it’s naturally his decision.”
Claire replied calmly, her expression unaffected.
“W-What?”
“And according to the Empire’s revised kinship laws from fifty years ago, even illegitimate children must inherit their father’s name once their paternity is confirmed. Whether you acknowledge me or not, I am a Ravello.”
“You…! Talking back just like Priscilla used to…!”
The Marquis clutched the back of his neck. Claire’s bold demeanor was reminiscent of a young Priscilla, as was her face.
He slammed the table in frustration.
“Who is this girl’s mother?!”
—
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