The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 56

I nearly spilled my tea in shock at my father’s words.
“What exactly did Sara do?”

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked him directly. My father, his expression unchanged, calmly took a sip of his tea before replying.

“It happened during your midterm break. At a royal tea party, Sara apparently declared that you were an embarrassment to the marquis family—a failure as a noble. She claimed you were pitiable and unfit to live as a noble and suggested that someone should take you as a mistress or a second wife.

“Unfortunately for her, your classmates and the fiancée of the third prince, Eleanor Noize, were present. Eleanor reprimanded Sara for her behavior.

“However, instead of backing down, Sara caused a scene, accusing Eleanor of bullying her. She was forcibly removed by knights, and the incident led to complaints being sent to our family.”
Sara’s actions were appalling. Yet, neither the prince nor my classmates had said a word to me about it. Why?

“You seem surprised. That’s because the prince specifically instructed us not to burden you with this while you were busy with your studies and training at the dormitory,” my father explained.

I realized that the prince and my classmates had gone out of their way to shield me from the incident.

“And so, Sara was sent to the merchant family. It sounds like she made similar requests at other tea parties. Initially, I was pestered by various nobles at the academy, but now no one says a word about it.”

My father looked genuinely shocked, as though this was news to him. It seemed he truly didn’t know. I wasn’t particularly bothered, though. Eleanor and the others had been protecting me all along.

Someday, I hope I can repay their kindness.
“How is Sara adjusting to life at the merchant family? And what about Tera?”

“The merchants employ mostly commoners, half of whom don’t have magic. Sara works as an apprentice and is treated as just another employee, without any mention of her being a marquis’s daughter. She sends us regular updates, so I believe she’s managing.

“As for Tera, he’s the heir to the marquisate. While Sara can be married off to any noble family, Tera cannot afford to tarnish his reputation with similar behavior. He’s staying at the estate under the care of Hubert and Violeta, who raised you. Reco is with him as well, ensuring his training is strict.”

“I see. And Mother? How is she doing?”

“She was deeply upset when Sara and Tera left the estate and took to her bed for some time. But she’s gradually recovering.”
“I understand. But even if I return to the estate, wouldn’t Mother still resent me?”

“We want to reclaim the lost time with you, Marloa.”

“Returning to the estate now seems difficult. To me, Hubert and Violeta are my parents. Neither you nor Mother visited me even once while I was growing up.

“Why didn’t you ever come? Not even a single letter. Just because I was born without magic, you cast me aside. How could you abandon your own child for something like that?

“The villagers never treated me like that. They were kind and supportive. We played, sang, danced, and helped one another.
“No one ever discriminated against me there.

“Here, I’ve been mocked, insulted, and even attacked just because I lack magic. There are so many people here who’ve hurt me.

“You, Mother, Sara, and Tera—you’ve all been so self-absorbed. Even now, you’re just trying to pass off the responsibility for your failures in raising your children onto someone else. No one wins like this.”

I finally let out the feelings I had kept bottled up for so long.

“You’re right,” Father admitted. “We left you alone for far too long. You should have grown up in comfort, without needing to wield a sword. But I used my work as an excuse to neglect my role as your father, and Shas did the same. We sacrificed you, Marloa, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

My father bowed his head to me.

“It’s all right. I’m not angry anymore,” I replied.

“I made a mistake. But I want to start making things right, even now.”

I could feel the sincerity in his words.

But could I truly belong here?

Would Mother accept me?
Would Sara and Tera ever stop resenting me?

“I… I understand. I’ll spend the midterm break at the estate. But I can’t promise anything beyond that,” I said hesitantly.
“That’s enough for now. Otto will show you to your room. Otto!”
Otto had been waiting and promptly led me to a room at the far end of the second floor.

“My lady, this will be your room,” he said.

“Is it near Sara’s or Tera’s rooms?”

“No, my lady. Sara and Tera’s rooms are on the eastern side of the third floor.”

“I see.”

At least I wouldn’t run into them by accident. The room Otto showed me was, of course, much larger than my dorm room. Inside, a maid named Anna was already waiting.

“My lady Marloa, I’ve been assigned as your personal maid.

Please feel free to call on me or Fars if you need anything.”
With that, Otto left the room.

“Anna, I looked inside the closet, and it’s all dresses.”
“The wardrobe was selected under the madam’s guidance. If there’s anything else you need, I’ll prepare it for you.”

“I’d like some practical clothing. Fars and I train every morning, so I need something easy to move in.”

“Understood. Something similar to what adventurers wear, correct? I’ll prepare it. Shall I arrange for your dorm to be cleared out?”

“No, I’ll wait and see for now.”

I sent a magical mail to inform the seniors and Fars that I had returned to the estate.

After moving only the bare essentials to the estate, I began living there. Of course, Fars joined me as well, and we continued walking to the academy each day as usual.