Only I Know the War Hero’s Secret Chapter 4

***

 

Mona gazed absentmindedly out the carriage window, watching the scenery of the capital pass by.

After about two hours had passed, the carriage arrived in the Mondschue District, where the empire’s newly established noble families resided.

Originally, the Count Veloz family was a long-established noble house, and they had lived in the Valois District, where the traditional aristocracy resided.

However, around the time Mona was born, the Veloz couple’s business went bankrupt, and they had no choice but to sell their townhouse in the capital’s most expensive district for a fraction of its worth.

“Around the time Mona was born, even our house in Valois ended up being auctioned off. One unfortunate thing after another kept happening…”

“That child really does seem to bring misfortune wherever she goes. Perhaps that’s why I can’t bring myself to feel any affection for her.”

As Mona stepped out of the carriage, she unconsciously recalled a conversation she had overheard in the past.

She knew perfectly well that associating her birth with the family’s financial downfall was a typical case of confusing correlation with causation.

And yet, strangely enough, whenever she came to Mondschue, her parents’ conversation from long ago would resurface like an old wound.

‘That’s why I didn’t want to come here.’

Ever since moving into the dormitory, Mona had hardly set foot in this place, except when her parents summoned her, as they had today.

‘It’s been almost two years…’

The townhouse’s inner garden had become even more extravagant than she remembered.

From the decorative fountains and crystal-encrusted lights to the various sculptures surrounding them, everything was lavishly adorned.

At least from the outside, it seemed that the Count Veloz family’s spice trading business was doing exceptionally well.

‘Perhaps they really have been lucky because I’m gone.’

Amused by her own ridiculous thought, Mona passed through the garden, took a deep breath, and stepped into the mansion.

 

***

 

“Olivia…! My daughter, you’re especially lovely today.”

The Count of Veloz couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration the moment he saw his second daughter, Olivia, appear after finishing her preparations for the banquet.

Having come of age this year, Olivia had attracted considerable attention for her beautiful appearance ever since making her debut in high society.

Her lustrous chestnut hair created a stunning contrast against her creamy skin, while her light green dress enhanced her natural freshness, making her look like a fairy straight out of a forest.

“My lucky child! Olivia. I went through so much trouble finding a necklace worthy of you. Come on, try it on.”

“It’s so beautiful! Thank you! You’re the best, Daddy!”

Unable to hide her delight, Olivia received the large emerald necklace shaped like a four-leaf clover.

The hero who had protected the empire and the heir to the Grand Ducal family, Richard Cronell, would be attending today’s banquet.

That was why Olivia had wanted to look more perfect than usual. She had been worried about not having suitable jewelry to complete her outfit.

And now, her father had presented her with a necklace that was undeniably luxurious and magnificent at first glance.

“Big Sister Olivia, that necklace looks really good on you. It’s as if the gemstone was born just for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! Emerald green suits you so well, too. It’s not a color just anyone can pull off.”

Liam, Olivia’s twin brother, continued showering her with compliments, while the Countess of Veloz watched the scene with satisfaction.

“My daughter will undoubtedly be the most dazzling young lady at today’s banquet.”

“Of course! She’s my daughter, after all!”

“I’ve searched everywhere at the academy, but I haven’t found a single girl prettier than my sister.”

Surrounded by her family’s excessive praise and affection, Olivia smiled as she absentmindedly played with her necklace.

Just then—

Clomp, clomp.

When Mona descended the staircase leading to the drawing room, the cheerful atmosphere vanished in an instant, and silence fell over the room.

A strong sense of rejection flashed through Olivia’s green eyes as she looked at Mona.

A kind father who granted her every wish, a mother who treasured her like a precious jewel, and a well-behaved younger brother who always listened to her.

Her family was already perfect.

And yet, one day, a girl who hadn’t even grown up with them suddenly appeared out of nowhere and introduced herself as her older sister.

Ever since then, the sense of rejection Olivia had felt toward her had only grown stronger.

‘…Older sister, my foot.’

The very thought of it was unpleasant.

However, as she grew older, she had come to find that woman rather amusing, quite apart from how much she disliked her.

Still dressing like such a gloomy bookworm?

‘If I were her, I would have pestered Father until he bought me a decent dress. What an idiot.’

Mona Veloz was still wearing the outdated, old-fashioned dress that had been purchased for her coming-of-age ceremony.

On top of that, she stubbornly insisted on wearing those thick glasses because of her poor eyesight, making her look unbearably unfashionable.

‘Well, at least her appearance makes her useful.’

Swallowing her thoughts, Olivia silently fiddled with her new necklace.

“Haa… Why did she suddenly come here?”

Liam, her twin brother, didn’t even bother hiding his irritation. He muttered to himself and repeatedly ran his fingers through his hair.

Amid the suffocating tension, the Count of Veloz was the first to break the silence.

“Mona, it’s been a long time.”

The Count didn’t even look Mona directly in the eyes. Instead, he turned his head to the side and gave a slight cough.

“Ahem! I hope you haven’t had any difficulties during this time?”

“…”

“Well, now that everyone’s here, let’s get going. There will probably be quite a few guests at today’s banquet, so we’d better leave early.”

Although he had asked after her, the Count didn’t even wait for Mona’s answer before walking toward the entrance.

As though he were trying to avoid the situation altogether.

‘Some things never change.’

In a cynical mood, Mona climbed into the carriage and let out a long sigh, already feeling exhausted.

 

***

 

Just as the Count of Veloz had predicted, the victory banquet held by the Imperial Family was more crowded than usual.

The nobles had set aside everything else and rushed to attend, all hoping to catch a glimpse of Richard, the war hero and guest of honor at the victory banquet.

Despite his fame and popularity, Richard rarely made appearances at banquets. As a result, anticipation had been building throughout the banquet hall even before the event began.

‘Were Imperial banquets always this crowded?’

Unfamiliar with the circumstances, Mona looked around the bustling banquet hall and felt overwhelmed.

‘Will I even be able to find Professor Thomas in this crowd?’

It seemed about as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack…

Just as Mona was feeling utterly discouraged and shifting her gaze from side to side, a voice called out.

“Well, if it isn’t Count Veloz! What a pleasant surprise to see you here.”

A middle-aged man with a stern-looking face approached the Veloz family, speaking in an oily, ingratiating tone.

“My goodness! Marquis Russell! It’s been a long time. I heard you’ve been busy with business, but I see you’ve come in person!”

“Haha! My wife was so insistent that she simply had to see the war hero, Lord Richard, with her own eyes.”

“Is that so? My wife is exactly the same.”

“By the way, Count Veloz, have you heard?”

“Pardon?”

“The young ladies of your daughter Olivia’s generation seem to be attracting far more attention from the young noblemen than the war hero himself.”

When Marquis Russell’s gaze landed on Olivia, who had recently emerged as a rising star in high society, the Count of Veloz’s eyes twitched slightly.

“…You’re too kind, Marquis Russell.”

“Too kind? If I were merely flattering you, would I have gone so far as to send a formal marriage proposal?”

“I’m truly grateful that you’ve taken such an interest in my daughter. However, since my eldest daughter’s future has yet to be decided, I believe it’s still too early to discuss the marriage of my second daughter.”

“…Your eldest daughter?”

“Yes. This is her. She’s a promising talent at the Imperial Academy and is already pursuing a master’s degree.”

“Ahem. I see.”

Only then did the Marquis notice the eldest daughter, wearing thick glasses and sporting dull, lifeless ash-gray hair. He gave an unimpressed cough before leaving.

Watching him, Mona swallowed a bitter laugh.

‘Now I understand why they suddenly sent the butler to force me to attend this banquet after leaving me alone all this time.’

They were using her as an excuse to turn down a marriage proposal from a high-ranking nobleman, one that would otherwise have been difficult to refuse.

‘Damn it.’

Mona cursed inwardly.

Fortunately, it seemed Olivia hadn’t yet found a young nobleman who met her standards. But what if her parents arranged a marriage for her before she could even obtain her degree?

‘They’d probably try to get rid of me by force, starting with the eldest daughter, just so they could marry Olivia off.’

…There was only one answer, after all.

Obtain the title of Academic Knight as soon as possible and sever all ties with the family.

‘Today, even if I have to sell my soul to the devil, I’ll find Professor Thomas…!’

Just as Mona was renewing her determination, the musicians gradually lowered the volume of their performance, and the master of ceremonies announced in a booming voice.

“His Excellency Richard Cronell, the man most responsible for securing the empire’s victory in the recent Monster War, has arrived!”

Richard Cronell.

The moment he appeared, everyone in the hall fell silent, gazing at him in captivated awe.