Chapter 8: Laila’s Top(1)

A special commercial district.

I gaze at the towering, five-story building located on prime land, and admiration flows out.

To think she runs a trading company of this size at the young age of 12!?

From the entrance, people were bustling, and it was obvious that business was booming.

I stood there staring, gaping, and Mom poked my cheek.

“Our youngest, your expression is so cute right now. Can I take a picture?”

“No.”

“…Okay. Then, shall we go in?”

We entered the store holding Mom’s hand, and the employee guided us.

“We’ve been waiting, Duchess. I’ll guide you to the office right away.”

“Thank you.”

Following the employee’s guidance, we moved to the office, and the third sister greeted us.

The third daughter of the Liberica Duke Family and the owner of the ‘Laila’ Trading Company.

‘Liriel Liberica’

The third sister, who resembled Dad with her dark hair and alluring slanted eyes.

She’s, a little suspicious, but she’s beautiful.

“Mother, I’m glad you’re healthy.”

“How have you been, my daughter? I hope our visit isn’t causing you too much trouble, as you must be busy.”

“Huhu, not at all. You are always welcome. And, has our youngest come, too?”

“Uhm, Liriel unnie…”

I’m a little nervous to meet my third sister for the first time after my regression.

Because my relationship with the third sister wasn’t bad before the regression.

I have memories of her taking care of me, even occasionally, despite her always being busy.

I was about to wave my hand with joy when I froze.

She greeted me with a smile on the outside, but when I checked the heart above her head, I saw a pure white heart, which had not been filled at all.

Just like the hearts of the servants who disliked me.

“Our youngest, are you nervous to see your unnie after so long?”

I shuddered as she came closer smiling and stroked my head.

So, all of her kindness until now was just an act…?

…Let’s get a grip. Third sister is quick-witted, she might notice.

I clung to Liriel unnie, who was stroking my head, and acted like a child.

“Liriel unnie! I’m so happy to see you after so long!”

“I’m happy too.”

I was wondering if it wasn’t just my imagination as she greeted me like this, but when I moved away from Liriel unnie a little and checked her heart, I still only saw a pure white heart.

I thought that my ability was wrong, but it wasn’t.

I spent the whole day clinging to Liriel unnie, acting cute, and pretending to be adorable, but I failed to raise her likeability.

The sense of frustration I felt for the first time after my regression weighed on me, and my mental state was lost.

“Is there no way.”

“Miss, what are you worried about?”

“Uhm, no, it’s nothing.”

It’s already been two days since I returned home after going out.

I’ve been racking my brains and worrying, but all I have is a cute appearance and future knowledge, what should I do!?

“Miss, did you hear about it? Laila Trading Company is exhibiting one of the works of the famous artist ‘Neorardo Dobanchi’.”

“Uhm? I’m not interested in that kind of thing… I am!!!”

“Ah, you’re really interested… Eh? You are?”

“Kyahah! Anna is my guardian angel, as expected! I love you!”

Anna was hugging me for a long time, and I felt happy too. But on her head, she had an expression that I felt like I was having a large question mark floating above it.

“Ahem, so Anna. I’ll go to Dad. I have a request.”

“Yes… I’ll be waiting, Miss.”

‘I wonder if I’m not supposed to tell you the answer? I’m disappointed…’ I felt like hearing that in my mind.

I knocked on Dad’s office and went in, and Dad looked happy to see me.

“I was worried since you haven’t been here lately. Did anything happen?”

“Ehehe, nothing, of course. More than that, I have a request for Dad.”

I looked up at Dad with clear eyes, and Dad held his chest and nodded.

Mom’s heart had been full and had disappeared not long after she became completely healthy.

“I have to grant any request from our youngest. Just tell me.”

“I want to go into the treasure vault!”

“…Just tell me.”

“…Eh?”

‘Treasure Vault’

A place where the precious treasures of the Liberica Duke Family, called gold, are gathered.

Even direct family members are not allowed to enter without permission, and only the head of the family can enter.

That’s until just now.

“I’m sorry. I have delegated all authority regarding the treasure vault to my wife.”

“…To Mom!? Why!?”

Even after hearing my words, he ignored me and told me to go to Mom if I wanted to go.

In the end, I didn’t get anything out of Dad’s office, and I had to go to Mom. Would Mom give me permission…?

I entered Mom’s office, where she usually handled her work, and she was working while looking at various documents.

I peeked through the crack in the door, and she noticed and called to me with a smile.

“Our youngest, did you come because you missed Mom?”

“Uhm, of course! I came because I missed Mom!”

“So, what’s the real reason you came to see Mom?”

“…Eh? Ah, no, I just came because I missed you?”

“Then, now that you’ve seen Mom, would you go back? Mom is busy.”

I was in danger of being rejected.

No, why is our Mom so quick-witted!?

In the end, I asked Mom if I could go into the treasure vault, and she refused with a single word.

“The treasure vault is not a place where a child can enter without permission.”

“Uuung, but… Mom, won’t you let me enter just once?”

I looked up at Mom with clear eyes, clinging to her leg, and she looked at me with a softened expression.

“Ugh. Tha, that’s no use, even if you act cute. No.”

There’s no other choice. The timing to use the secret technique I’ve been saving for later has come.

“Mom. Do you know what my favorite animal in the world is?”

“Suddenly? Uhm, I don’t know. What’s our youngest’s favorite animal in the world?”

“Mommy Sheep!”

“……”

Ah, a failure. There was no reaction.

It was a moment when I was trembling, as if she was angry.

‘Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaang’

“Hiiiiiiiiiiiiik!?”

Mom struck the table at that moment, and her handprint remained.

‘Why is her strength so strong!? Ah, did she say she learned swordsmanship as a hobby before…?’

“Kyaaaa! Our youngest is so cute!”

She hugged me and did a bubi-bubi, and this is my chance.

“Mooom. Won’t you let me enter the treasure vault just once?”

“…Okay. Just once.”

“Really!? I love you, Mom!”

“Instead! We’ll go in together, holding hands!”

“Yes!!”

‘Treasure Vault’

A place where the precious treasures of the Liberica Duke Family are gathered, so entry was difficult.

It was guarded by the family’s guardians, and even direct family members were not allowed to enter without permission, boasting a level of security.

After confirming the family’s seal, which I received from Dad, the guardians stepped aside, and they bowed and greeted us!

I held Mom’s hand tightly, and as I approached the entrance, and I placed the family’s ring on the wall, the door slowly began to open.

The door was fully open, and as I went inside, the dazzling treasures were visible before our eyes.

From the greatsword of the Dragon Slayer to the bow said to be made of the branches of the World Tree, there were various kinds of treasures.

Among them, what I was looking for was hanging on a wall.

“Mom. Can I take a picture of this?”

I asked, pointing to the painting on display on one wall, and she seemed to hesitate but then nodded.

“That’s fine. Although I don’t know who the artist is, it seemed unusual, so I’ve been keeping it.”

As expected, my parents didn’t know.

That this is the real Neorardo Dobanchi’s work.

The next morning, I visited Laila Trading Company and went up to the office where Liriel unnie was, and she was already working.

“Liriel unnie! Aria has come!”

“Oh my, did you come alone?”

“Yes! I came because I wanted to see Liriel unnie!”

“Huhu, come here and have some snacks?”

Liriel unnie said in a gentle voice, and told me to sit comfortably on the sofa and went to get some snacks.

In the meantime, I checked her heart, but it was still a pure white color.

She brought the snacks and put them in front of me and sat next to me and stroked my head.

“Huhu, so, is it true that you came to see your unnie?”

“Ehehe, you found out already. Actually, I came to see the painting!”

“…Ah, then, it’s in another room. Shall we go see it with unnie?”

“Really!? I love you, Liriel unnie!”

I clung to Liriel unnie and acted childish, and moved to the room with the painting.

There were various security devices there, and Neorardo Dobanchi’s work was on display in the center.

A fake.

“Uhm, Liriel unnie. Is this really Neorardo Dobanchi’s work?”

“Of course. I got it with difficulty.”

“But, this is fake, isn’t it?”

“……”

At that moment, a cold voice, that I couldn’t believe was Liriel unnie’s gentle voice, was heard.

“…On what grounds?”