A Young Lady Who Has Had Everything Exploited By Her Sickly Younger Sister Will Not Let Anyone Take Anything From Her Anymore - Chapter 13

“You ungrateful girl! You’re expelled from this family! I’ll process it immediately!”

“If you’re going to leave, then go! But don’t think you can ever come back!”

“You can die on the streets for all I care!”

“You’ve brought shame to the Count of Milliact! Don’t ever show your face again!”

Even with walls and doors in the way, their shrill yelling was loud and clear.

Colette gave a small scoff and quickly walked to her room.

(Expelled… It’s exactly what I wanted.)

The last bit of hope Colette had was crushed. She cut off all feelings for her family—just like she’d cut her hair.

Not wanting to be locked up in the storage room again, she shut her door and blocked it with nearby furniture to keep anyone from coming in.

As expected, she heard angry footsteps stomping toward her door. Just yelling hadn’t been enough.

But when the door wouldn’t open, they seemed to grow even more furious.

(I need to get out of this house, now…!)

Colette opened a drawer with a hidden key, then lit a match she usually used for her lamp.

She was going to burn all the letters she received from Alexia and Elsa.

She couldn’t let those letters be found and bring trouble to her friends after she left.

The burning smell must have panicked her parents. They seemed more scared than angry now.

Maybe they thought she was trying to burn the house down.

But even if she hated them, Colette had no intention of setting fire to the Milliact estate.

Even though part of her wanted to, she knew if she went that far, she wouldn’t be able to like herself anymore.

(Hurry… just take what’s necessary…!)

She packed a little money and a knife for self-defense, threw on a shawl, and opened the window.

A strong wind blew into the room.

The fire from the letters weakened and nearly went out.

Just as she was about to climb out the window, the wind blew in like it was trying to hold her back.

Tears she’d been holding in welled up.

Her nose stung, and she closed her eyes tightly to keep the tears from falling.

The door behind her creaked—it sounded like it was about to break.

Then a voice inside her asked, like always:

“Are you sure about this?”

If she stayed, even if it was painful, she wouldn’t starve, and she’d have a warm bed.

Maybe someday, when Lilianne got better and married off, she’d finally be free.

Maybe, just maybe, she’d finally get the love she secretly wished for from her parents.

She had clung to that tiny hope and stayed.

But that day would never come.

(I have to go. There’s no place for me here anymore.)

She took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

As if respecting her decision, the wind stopped.

(Goodbye… to the me who always put up with everything.)

Colette climbed out the window.

With her bag and shawl hiding her face, she ran.

They said she was expelled—she didn’t think anyone would come after her.

She just wanted to get far, far away from that house.

She remembered how she used to go in her father’s place to visit the lands and talk to the people.

The townspeople were kind and supported her hard work.

Those memories passed through her mind.

She walked quickly through town, careful not to be recognized.

She found a wagon and was able to get a ride for part of the journey.

She didn’t care where it was going—as long as it took her away.

As she left the estate, a strange mix of fear and freedom swirled inside her.