A Young Lady Who Has Had Everything Exploited By Her Sickly Younger Sister Will Not Let Anyone Take Anything From Her Anymore - Chapter 5

After Colette became skilled in her work and finished piles of documents, her father nodded with approval.

“To inherit the earldom…” he said.

For a moment, Colette felt a flicker of happiness. It felt like her parents were finally recognizing her.

She spent her days learning her father’s work and helping him.

If I do well, maybe he’ll truly acknowledge me someday.

But years later, that hope would be crushed—she would realize he only trained her to take over so he could rest.

At the time, though, Colette worked hard, wanting to please him.

Then came another blow.

There was a royal party hosted by the crown prince, an important gathering of nobles.

It would be Colette’s first outing in a long time.

Her mother stayed at the Milliact mansion with Liliane, while Colette slipped away from her father during the event

Maybe I’ll see Van again…!

It had been so long. She searched the whole party—but Van was nowhere to be found.

Even after she was slowly allowed to attend tea parties and social events again, she never saw Van.

His sudden disappearance left Colette heartbroken.

Did this happen because I told my parents about him…?

She blamed herself for that mistake.

It felt like a punishment.

Before she knew it, nearly six years had passed.

*****

Now, Colette sat in Liliane’s room as usual, being asked to talk about the parties.

She glanced around.

The room was overflowing with dresses, hair accessories, cute ornaments, and dolls.

Maybe their parents gave them to her…

All of it was for Liliane—not for her.

Her chest ached.

“I wish I could go to parties like Sister Colette,” Liliane said.

“…”

“I wonder if a prince will ever come take me away.”

“Maybe.”

Unimpressed by Colette’s dry reply, Liliane turned away and began chatting with her maids.

Colette had no maids of her own.

Liliane had two companions who were always at her side.

Colette appeared to have suffered the consequences of her previous mistake, including the loss of her right to have maids to help her.

Strangely, it didn’t hurt anymore. It just seemed pathetic.

“I wonder if anyone would marry someone like me,” Colette said to herself.

“Miss Liliane, a prince will definitely marry you!” one of the maids replied.

“You’re so beautiful!”

Behind Colette, Liliane smiled, hands clasped as she spoke with the maids.

Colette didn’t understand why she had to keep visiting Liliane, only to be ignored while Liliane enjoyed herself.

She simply sat there, waiting for it to end.

Outside the window, the sun shone gently and the breeze blew, as if mocking her.

“Sister Colette, what do you think? What kind of man is your type?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, right! Is there any young master you like?”

“No.”

“…Tch.”

Colette didn’t even look at her. But she heard Liliane’s faint click of the tongue.

Colette had no freedom to choose. She had no right to dream about love or princes.

She didn’t know whether Liliane understood this or not.

Liliane’s questions always sounded like they came from a fantasy world.

“Did I do something to upset Sister Colette?” she asks sweetly.

“…………”

“Miss Liliane, you don’t have to worry about her!”

“You’ve been so kind—inviting her every day, even though she’s so dull and gloomy… how dare she act like this!”

“Don’t say that! Maybe it was my fault. Right, Sister Colette?”

As usual, Colette stared at Liliane’s perfect pink lips, now twisted into a false smile.

Her gaze was cold.

Lately, Liliane had even started using the maids to attack her.

Same as always. I’m bored of this already.

Colette ignored the hidden insults. She snapped shut her book.

“…I’ll take my leave now.”

“You’re leaving already?”

“Father asked me to prepare some documents.”

Liliane shrugged.

“I envy Sister Colette.”