"The Idea of a Woman Stealing Someone Else's Partner is Ridiculous," I laughed. But After Being Reborn, I Became a Victim of Such a Woman. However, My New Fiancée was Absolutely Amazing. - Episode 21

The fact that both of Shirakubo’s parents lost their jobs means that the gates of hell have now opened for them.

The only one who doesn’t realize it yet is that loose woman.

This is just the beginning of her suffering.

In fact, she is still living in her fantasy world, giggling and flirting with men as if nothing has changed.

I get why these noblemen are obsessed with her. Unlike typical noble ladies, she’s easy. But it’s time for them to wake up.

More than anything, she has played with too many inexperienced men.

She’s gone too far.

I can see the other girls in the classroom smirking as they watch her. I wonder if she still thinks they’re looking at her with jealousy.

Honestly, since she helped me get rid of that jerk, I almost feel sorry for her.

But oh well! You two are both “people of the past” now!

Take care of your own problems, will you? ♪

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A few days later, the head of the Ichijou-no-Go main family, Misumi-sama, along with her husband, Reiji-sama, and Kouga-san, arrived at the Kujou-no-Go main family’s residence.

On the Kujou-no-Go side, we had Fumi-sama, the head of the family, her husband Seiichirou-sama, my father, and me, all waiting in the hall.

This is bad. This is really bad.

The atmosphere is overwhelming!

Even my father looks completely tense.

The most terrifying part is that the head of the Ichijou-no-Go family, the second most powerful authority after the Emperor, is here in person with her husband.

Sure, neither of them are from the “Soke” (the main bloodline of the clan).

The main family holds actual power, while the Soke prioritizes maintaining the purity of their lineage and sustaining the barriers that protect us. That’s why they don’t bother with things like political meetings.

But unlike the outer region’s Guardian Ten Clans, which are considered equal, the inner region’s Guardian Ten Clans have a hierarchy.

At the very top is the Ichijou-no-Go family.

It’s finally sinking in that I’m about to get engaged to a family of incredibly high status.

“It has been a while, Fumi-sama. How have you been?”

“Of course, I am well. But I must say, I never expected a marriage proposal from Kouga-sama. I am surprised that Misumi-sama’s mother allowed it.”

Wow, Fumi-sama, you’re coming in at full throttle right from the start.

The head of my main family is terrifying!

She’s going straight for the hard questions!

Even the head of the Ichijou-no-Go main family looks taken aback, eyes wide in surprise!

“F-Fufufu… Fumi-sama, I could never outmatch you. You’re always so direct… After spending so much time in the inner region, where we constantly scheme against each other, meeting you makes all of that seem so ridiculous. Yes, my mother finally realized that if she kept interfering, her youngest son would never get married. She’s not just accepting it—she’s absolutely thrilled.”

“I thought so. She must be eager to see her youngest child… or rather, a grandchild soon, correct?”

“Exactly! She’s so excited. My second and third sisters are keeping her entertained, but ever since Kouga brought up the engagement, she’s been completely obsessed with it!”

This is starting to feel like a casual gossip session…?

Wait… is my main family’s head actually really amazing…?

Everyone, including the husbands, is just sitting here in stunned silence.

…And come to think of it, both families have female heads.

I learned in school that the Guardian Ten Clans are legally required to have the eldest child inherit the family title, regardless of gender.

The eldest child is simply “the firstborn.”

Because of this law, heirs to the Guardian Ten Clans are chosen based on birth order, without regard for personal abilities or wishes.

I was originally not supposed to inherit my family because my biological mother left behind a huge debt before disappearing.

Since my main family had to take responsibility for that debt, they decided there was no need to keep maintaining our branch family.

I’m grateful that I get to live my life however I want, but those born into the Guardian Ten Clans don’t have that luxury.

Kouga-san isn’t the heir either because he isn’t the eldest child.

From what I found out, he actually has five older sisters.

Misumi-sama here is the eldest daughter, which is why she’s the current head of the family, managing both the main family and its branches.

The same goes for Fumi-sama.

This is one area where the inner and outer regions follow the same rule.

Well, regardless of location, their main purpose is the same: maintaining the barrier.

“I heard that Mai-san’s spiritual power is at the highest rank, Class One. I also have Class One power, but being labeled an ‘exceptional’ Class One is truly impressive.”

“I was just as shocked when I heard Mai-san’s reassessment results. At first, I hesitated about allowing a branch family’s daughter to marry into the Ichijou-no-Go family, but with such an extraordinary spiritual power level, we can proudly present her. In fact, I feel honored that someone from our branch family possesses such a level of power.”

“Indeed. Once this is publicly announced, the social circles will be buzzing about it for a while. Kouga really found himself an exceptional bride.”

Wait… are they seriously praising me this much!?

W-What!? Is my spiritual power really that big of a deal!?

I’ve lived as a girl for seventeen years now, and I’ve learned how to read the atmosphere, but I don’t sense any tension between these two…