The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 20

A faint ringing sound came from Fars’ pocket as well.

Otto instructed Fars to place his magical paper on the desk, and another similar document emerged from it.

“Notification of Top Achievers? It says, ‘As a top performer, you are entitled to a private room in the dormitory, with all associated costs covered by the academy.’ What does this mean?” my father asked, bewildered.

“We’re top achievers! How wonderful!” I exclaimed, a smile spreading across my face. “This is another step toward independence. Congratulations, Fars!”

“Thank you, my lady,” Fars replied with a bow.

“Father, I am not needed in this household. I was raised like a commoner, with no magical power and no understanding of what it means to be a noble. I was never nurtured as a proper noblewoman. Please, release me from the family registry,” I said, bowing my head.

My father seemed rattled and avoided meeting my gaze.

“That’s not something I can just do,” he replied hesitantly.

“Is that so? Then in what way am I needed? Am I merely a pawn in your game?” I asked.

“Th-that’s not… Even so, we are bl00d relatives,” he said, faltering.

“Bl00d ties are all we share, Father. Since returning to this household, I’ve endured daily insults at family meals. Aside from you, no one has treated me with respect. I’m ridiculed for lacking magic power—by my siblings and even by my fiancé.

Ah, yes, let’s talk about the fiancé—Count Disley’s son, was it? I met him for the first time today, but apparently, he’s been meeting with Sarah regularly. He even said he wishes to exchange his engagement to me for Sarah. Sarah herself openly stated that she hopes for the same.

This seems like the perfect opportunity. Please, switch the engagement to Sarah. After all, having someone like me—a powerless embarrassment—remain a member of this noble family only brings shame to the house.”

“Impossible. Absolutely not!” my father burst out, his words hurried and flustered by the overwhelming revelations.

“So, you would have me marry a man I didn’t even know existed until recently, who has never sent a single letter, and who openly courts my younger sister?”

“That’s… I’ll speak with Sarah,” my father stammered.

“Do you think she’ll listen? They seem quite fond of each other.

Moreover, the fiancé himself requested I keep the engagement a secret, claiming it would embarrass him if anyone found out.

What should I do, Father? I’m an embarrassment to both this house and the Count’s family. Sarah herself said she’s ashamed to call me her sister. Because I lack magic, I’m not even considered family. It’s… heartbreaking,” I said, my voice softening as I lowered my gaze.

“Marloa, you’re not an embarrassment! That’s not true!” my father exclaimed.

“I was brought back from the village only to be insulted by my family daily. I just want to be left alone, to live in peace… Please,” I said quietly, avoiding eye contact.

For a moment, my father remained silent. Then, with a deep sigh, he said, “…I’m sorry for everything up until now.”

“Then will you release me from the family registry?” I asked.
“That… I cannot do. You are still my daughter.”

“At the very least, allow me to live quietly in the dormitory and annul this engagement,” I said.

“…Very well. Since this engagement wasn’t politically motivated, there shouldn’t be any issues with dissolving it. I’ll begin the process,” he said reluctantly.

I wiped my eyes and glanced at Otto, who promptly retrieved documents from a drawer and handed them to my father.

While I wasn’t expecting an immediate resolution, I wanted to deal with this unwanted engagement as quickly as possible.
My father signed the papers and wrote a note to accompany them.
“Otto, deliver this to Count Disley later,” my father instructed.

“Understood,” Otto replied.

“…Does this satisfy you?” my father asked, looking at me.

“Thank you, Father. I’ll prepare my belongings and move to the academy dormitory.”

“And what do you plan to do with your life, Marloa? Are you aiming to become a Royal Knight?” he asked.

“The Royal Knight position is for Fars. As for me, I plan to become an adventurer,” I replied.

“A marquis’ daughter, an adventurer? That’s absurd,” he said, incredulous.

“Is it? I was raised as a commoner. The only ones who care about this are the family members who’ve lived in the capital. I don’t mind leaving the noble registry. I’ve never lived as a noble anyway, so it wouldn’t make a difference to me,” I said plainly.
“…You won’t find the comfortable life of a noble as an adventurer,” he warned.

“I’m aware. But even as a noblewoman, my future would be bleak—living under the contempt of in-laws and a husband for my lack of magic, surrounded by mistresses, and enduring a lifetime of humiliation. That’s far more hopeless than any path I could take as an adventurer.”

“…I’ll think about what to do from now on,” he said with a sigh.
“I apologize for interrupting your work. I’ll take my leave now,” I said, bowing.

My father, his face strained and grim, said nothing more.

Returning to my room with Fars, I collapsed onto the sofa.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted. Fars, make me some tea,” I said.
“Hey, what happened to that composed and dutiful act from earlier?” Fars teased.

“Hmm, I wonder where it went?” I replied with a smirk.

“Still, you’ve managed to get what you wanted—you’re going to the knight department, living in the dormitory, and the engagement is annulled. Everything worked out in your favor,” he said.

“Fufufu, my negotiation skills are impressive, aren’t they?” I said smugly.

“If you say so,” Fars replied with a laugh.

As we sipped tea, I turned to Fars. “By the way, Fars, let’s go shopping tomorrow. Now that the paperwork has arrived, we need to buy some essentials.”

“Good idea. I heard we can have them sent directly to the dormitory. Let’s make a list,” he said.

Looking over my list, I thought about how refreshing it would be to go out shopping. Life in this house has felt so restrictive.
Being a noble is such a hassle.

The thought of attending social events and tea parties in the future was already making me feel drained.

And so, yet another dreary dinner awaited.
________________________________________
When I sat down at the dinner table, Sarah arrived and launched her usual attack.

“Oh, sister, not wearing that cheap dress again, are you? The sight of it is so unpleasant,” Sarah said mockingly.

“It can’t be helped,” chimed in Tera. “After all, Marloa was raised like a commoner in the countryside.”

Just a little longer. The dormitory awaits next week. I can endure this a bit longer.

“Enough, Sarah, Tera, stop this,” my father said, uncharacteristically stepping in.

“Why, Father? It’s the truth, isn’t it?” Sarah protested.
“Exactly,” Tera agreed.

Both turned their dissatisfaction toward Father, while Mother offered only mild attempts to placate them.

“The clothes you wear were bought with the hard-earned money of the people living in our lands. If you don’t understand their value and continue to waste money thoughtlessly, I’ll stop your allowances for the time being,” Father declared.

“That’s absurd! Why shouldn’t we speak the truth about our magicless sister?” Sarah said, pointing a fork at me, her poor manners showing in her frustration.

Tera nodded in agreement.

“Perhaps I failed in your upbringing,” Father muttered quietly.
It seems there’s a rocky road ahead. Still, the ones who thrive in adversity tend to grow strong and resilient.

I remained silent throughout the meal, finishing quickly before retreating to my room.

“Fars, that’s enough for today. We’ll head out early tomorrow to shop, so you can head to your room now,” I said.

“Got it. Don’t push yourself too hard,” Fars replied.

…I’m completely drained today.

Before going to bed, I wrote letters to Hubert and Violeta, then fell into a deep sleep.