I turned around leisurely, facing the people gathered. With a light chuckle, I said, "Please come back in an hour. Right now, I don't know anything either. I'm not even sure how much my brother's fortune amounts to..."
Heidi quickly came to support me. "Then, we'll leave for now."
As I had promised to meet everyone in an hour, no one bothered us until we returned to our room.
Once back in my own space, I sank into deep thought.
"Remember this clearly. There was never a 'trainee' position in this mansion."
Roystan was right. There had never been a position for a trainee here.
To survive here, I needed to be 'Rosie Noart,' competing with relatives from childhood, not a mere apprentice.
Julian knew nothing, and I had no foundation in this mansion. Knowing this, our relatives would certainly press us.
"We can't last long in the Count's mansion if things remain this way. Once they start to unite, there's no way we can win."
I clenched my fist, thinking hard.
"Grandfather needs to return soon."
He was the true master of the Noart Count Family, the only one who could protect Julian and me.
Currently, he was abroad on business, probably rushing back to the empire upon hearing of Julian's accident. However, the distance was vast, and his return would take some time.
Zahid had even warned me about this. "The Count of Noart will encounter a landslide while hurrying back to the empire. That's why he couldn't return until long after Julian died."
"I can't afford to wait that long."
Grandfather dearly loved Julian. Right now, he was the only reliable figure in this household.
"Julian became incredibly strong in just five years previously. So we just need to start over. Even if it's hard for him to regain his former strength due to his injury, he can still become the heir of the Count."
For that to happen, we needed to hold our ground in this household until then.
"I must... find a way to bring Grandfather back sooner."
In my previous life, I had hidden away in the annex, avoiding Grandfather at all costs. But now, I couldn't afford to shrink away.
"I shouldn't be waiting for my brother to protect me. I need to carve out my own place."
I needed to catch Grandfather's eye and increase my influence within the family.
Just like Julian had done before.
*****
Roystan was severely reprimanded.
"I'm sorry, Father! I really didn't know! I had no idea that the apprentice had all that money..."
"You incompetent fool!"
As Roystan began to sob, Murloc grew even angrier and yelled.
"Why are you crying? Huh?"
Murloc Noart, the eldest son of Count Caliban Noart, couldn't contain his soaring irritation and thumped his chest.
"This pathetic man, unable to restrain himself from a few words, and in that moment, squanders such a huge sum?"
He was clearly infuriated, remembering Rosie had said she 'originally intended to entrust it to my great-uncle.' The thought only added to his suffocation.
"Even though that butcher's son must have over a billion gold... I can't stand the sight of it! Get out!"
Ultimately, Roystan staggered backwards and disappeared, weeping.
Unable to contain his anger, Murloc kicked a chair violently.
He always threw tantrums when upset, and his minions dared not interfere.
"Damn it, it was all set! Damn!"
Count Caliban Noart was currently absent. Upon hearing of Julian's accident, he was hurrying back, but the distance was still considerable.
Fortunately, there was still some time before his expected arrival. Everything had to be settled before his return.
"I'm dying of regret..."
Not only Murloc but also his brother Pellide and sister Monica had rushed to seize Julian's assets as soon as he regained consciousness.
It was unbearable to see them act like rivals, eagerly eyeing each other.
But the most significant threat was still Julian.
"I never expected that damned girl Valia to stab me in the back like this..."
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When it was reported that Julian had amnesia, the three siblings of the Noart family had all cheered.
They would have preferred him dead, but amnesia was good enough for now.
"If we just manage this right, it'll extinguish our immediate fires."
Already strapped for cash due to reckless investments and business expansions, obtaining even a portion of Julian's wealth would solve their problems instantly.
"Before the others get wind of it, quickly... before Father returns, quickly..."
Fortunately, neither Pellide's nor Monica's subordinates had made any progress.
"I'm sorry... I'm still not used to reading. Please wait a bit."
Rosie took a long time to read a page because she hadn't learned to read at the temple and was still studying.
Out of frustration, even reading aloud proved useless. There were too many words she didn't know.
"Ha, flaunting her ignorance all by herself. That butcher's boy had all sorts of tutors attached to him for over a year, and she can't learn even one letter?"
But no matter how frustrating Rosie's actions were, no one could give up.
"Right, my brother mentioned investing somewhere... Was it this or that? I can't quite remember, so maybe it would be best to just invest everything whenever something comes to mind..."
Rosie had declared that she would invest all their fortune in 'something she couldn't quite remember.'
Thus, everyone had no choice but to wait patiently and then quietly return.
"From tomorrow, you all go to that apprentice. Just muddle through it, saying there seems to have been some misunderstanding. And, bring some treats or gifts that the kids would go crazy for."
Murloc irritably instructed his subordinates.
"That naive young child who knows nothing, try to sweet-talk her by any means! Oh, and one more thing."
His expression darkened as he gritted his teeth anxiously.
"Find a way to delay Father's return. Break a bridge, sabotage every carriage, cause accidents! Even better if something happens to Father!"
Murloc knew that once Count Noart returned, there would be nothing more he could do.
****
The next morning.
As usual, the newspaper was delivered along with breakfast.
I munched on a tomato while unfolding the front page of the newspaper.
The Never-Ending Tragedy of the Dyfenril Ducal Family
'As expected.'
Fourth Broken Engagement and Yet Another Wave of Marriage Proposals – What Fate Awaits the Young Head of the Family?
There was even a black and white photograph in the newspaper. It was a distant shot of a handsome boy about my age.
Below the photo, it was explained that this was the young lord who had inherited the title of Duke Dyfenril.
'Zahid... So this is what you looked like when you were young.'
The boy was embracing a large wolf, his expression one of deep wariness towards others. Even from the photograph, it was apparent he had been through a lot.
'It must be really tough for you right now? Just wait a little longer.'
I swallowed the tomato and stared intently at the black and white photograph.
'This time, I'll come to find you, and I'll be the one to save you.'