A Young Lady Who Has Had Everything Exploited By Her Sickly Younger Sister Will Not Let Anyone Take Anything From Her Anymore - Chapter 3

The more time Colette spent away from her family’s home—where Liliane lived—the more she felt like she was finally free.

Then, by chance, she met a boy at a party.

He had silvery white hair like moonlight and mysterious purple eyes.

His clothes were plain and a bit worn, and he was small and thin. He didn’t look like someone from a noble family. But since he was at a noble party, he was probably the son of a baron or viscount.

His quiet eyes seemed cold, but also lonely.

Colette felt a strange connection to him, so she tried to talk to him.

At first, he ignored her or only said a few words.

But she kept looking for him at every party or tea event. She would sit with him, eat sweets, and talk a lot.

Little by little, he started talking more, and they became close friends.

*****

Colette always brought food from the party to share with the boy.

They never met in public. Instead, they met in hidden corners, like behind buildings where no one would see them.

There, Colette would give him lots of sweets.

Even as a child, she must have worried about how thin he was.

“Here, Van! You’re too small—you need to eat more!”

“I’m already full.”

“No way! You have to grow strong so you can come save me someday!”

“…Okay.”

The boy’s name was Van.

As they grew closer, Colette started to fall in love with him.

Maybe that’s why she wanted to protect him so much.

Being with Van made her happy. She always looked forward to parties, just so she could see him.

“I love you so much, Van!”

“…Thanks. I like you too, Colette.”

Even though she was still young, those words made Colette’s heart race with joy.

Only with Van could she be completely honest.

She even told him everything she had bottled up—crying as she talked about her family and her feelings about Liliane.

Van listened and understood, as if he had been through the same pain.

“I know how you feel, Colette,” he had said—and it made her feel like she wasn’t alone anymore.

When she was with Van, the world seemed brighter.

Once, she went to town with a maid and bought a pair of toy rings. She gave one to Van, and for the first time, his quiet purple eyes sparkled with joy.

Colette thought they would always be happy like this.

But it didn’t last.

*****

One day, after coming home from a royal party, Colette happily called out to her parents, who—as usual—were in Liliane’s room.

“Father, Mother! There’s someone I want you to meet! I met a young master at the royal party!”

She was so excited about Van that she spoke without thinking.

That was her first mistake.

What came next broke her heart.

Her mother stood up and walked over. Without warning, she slapped Colette hard across the cheek.

It hurt so much, Colette couldn’t even cry out.

“You like that boy? Don’t say such nonsense!”

“Huh…?”

Her mother’s face was full of anger and tears.

Colette held her stinging cheek, confused.

Then her father’s strong voice came from behind:

“We’ve already picked out several fiancé candidates for you. You’ll marry one of them and inherit the Miriakt estate.”

Colette froze.

She had always known she would inherit the title one day, but no one had ever told her about choosing a husband.