A Sunny Afternoon Stroll
A bright afternoon. Olivia, bundled up thickly against the chill, and I were out for a rare walk from the mansion through the bustling streets of the capital.
"Ricardo, what should we get Dad for a present?"
"Not Dad—it's the family head."
"Exactly. Dad."
Olivia nailed down the nickname for Darbav without a hint of hesitation. Nodding to herself as she pondered a gift for him, she broke into a satisfied smile.
"Heehee..."
If she has a kid someday, she'll probably call her 'Mommy.'
—Mommy, I'm hungry.
Hiet! Not Mommy, it's Mom!
Exactly, Mommy.
Out with you!
It might turn out okay...?
I pictured that future in my head and let out a small chuckle, pinching Olivia's cheek.
"Eeeek! Why?!"
"Just because. I was imagining you as a mom."
Olivia, perched in her Pexri No. 1, looked up at me with a blank expression.
"It'll be pretty, right?"
"Yes. She'll be stunningly beautiful, just like you. Though her personality will probably be a total brat."
"Hiet! Don't badmouth my daughter!"
Olivia, fiercely defending her imaginary daughter. She'd awakened to motherhood. Watching her clench her fists and huff indignantly, I thought she'd make a great mom.
We giggled over our silly banter as we headed to Malik's newly opened Forest Friend Tteokbokki Shop. We'd also come out to pick up a birthday gift for the family head.
We'd planned to meet Malik sooner and exchange greetings, but running into Darbav in the capital had delayed things. I hadn't said exactly when we'd visit, but I'd sent a letter letting him know we were coming, so he might be waiting.
Partnering in business with the godfather of the food industry was tense, but Malik was so savvy that I had no worries. Even if I did, it wouldn't change anything—I'd only given him the tteokbokki recipe, so I had no right to complain.
Olivia and I pressed on toward the address in the letter, dreaming of free tteokbokki.
"What are you getting Dad, Ricardo?"
Olivia huddled in her wheelchair against the cold wind and asked. With the weather turning sharply colder lately, she sniffled and shivered. I buttoned her fur coat and replied.
"Hmm... I'm thinking gloves or a scarf."
"Gloves? A scarf?"
"Yeah. Safe, practical gifts. What about you?"
"Hmm..."
I'd actually prepared something else but pretended to deliberate, asking her opinion.
"Yeah..."
Olivia trailed off, scanning the shops lining the busy street.
In truth, I'd prepared Darbav's birthday gift long ago. I wanted to pay my respects this time and maybe wash away some of the resentment built up over the years. It was a hefty gift.
A mana-boosting potion. That's what I planned to give Darbav for his birthday. The Sage's Potion, one of the heretics' rare treasures, would be perfect for a mage like him.
Darbav, the grand archmage, already wielded immense mana. This potion would push him beyond his limits—it was one of the treasures we'd looted from the Hamel dungeon last time. To a mage, mana was like salt; I figured it'd mean more to him than millions in gold.
That's why I mentioned the lamest gift to Olivia. If I told her the truth, she'd just get down on herself.
I'd considered having her give him the potion instead, but I buried that idea. Darbav would probably prefer something she picked out herself over anything I chose.
"Hmm..."
Olivia furrowed her brow in thought. Having given the family head all sorts of gifts before, she couldn't easily decide on the best one now.
Back when the Desmonts backed her fully, she'd gifted jewels, suits, even a diamond mine. But now funds were tight, and she knew nothing could match those days. Her worries piled up.
"I want to get him something special, but I don't have the money."
To help her out, I murmured softly.
"Borrow from me."
"Interest-free?"
"No. Three percent annual interest."
"...You materialist."
"I think it's a very reasonable offer."
"Charging interest to a pretty, beautiful master like me? You're the bad one, Ricardo."
"You've got solid self-awareness. Fine, one percent. I need to eat too."
"Yay!"
Olivia beamed happily and rolled the wheels of her Pexri No. 1.
About ten minutes later, as she wheeled along, Olivia stopped in front of a tailor's shop.
Royal Boutique
A shop Olivia used to frequent. Dresses there cost as much as a mansion, and she paused, swallowing hard at a necktie pin visible through the glass.
"That one..."
She glanced at me and muttered softly.
"It'd suit Dad perfectly."
The golden necktie pin did seem perfect for Darbav, just as she said. Diamonds were tastefully set around the edge against a gold background—subtle yet elegant. Her eye for quality shone through, a remnant of her noble days.
I shrugged casually, gauging her expression.
"Shall we go with that?"
"It looks expensive."
"Aw, come on~ How much could a tiny thing like that cost?"
"...Right?"
Olivia looked up at me hopefully, and I nodded, gripping the wheelchair handles.
"It's cold out. Let's grab it quick and go."
It was 2 p.m. Better to decide fast than wander in the chill. I puffed white breath and pushed the chair.
"Let's go."
"Yeah...!"
Olivia smiled shyly, her face bright.
*
"Pardon?"
Inside the Royal Boutique, I blurted out in shock to the clerk. I knew making a scene in public was embarrassing, but I never imagined a finger-sized necktie pin would cost more than mansion repairs.
"Haha..."
The clerk smiled awkwardly, eyes flustered. Used to this, she suggested alternatives.
"It's a new release, so the price is a bit high. How about this handkerchief instead? Lots of people buy them as gifts. Made from the finest cotton—great feel, and it folds at just the right angle."
I appreciated her tact, but Olivia's crestfallen face made me hesitate.
"Uh... well..."
Olivia gave a bitter smile at the displayed pin.
"It would've suited Dad so well."
Regret at not getting her chosen gift. I glanced at her, then asked the clerk shakily.
"Um... any discount?"
She smiled sweetly.
"It's already discounted."
Discounted to 300,000 gold? The world was clearly against us, testing us with money. Resenting whatever god was laughing somewhere, I sighed and sent mental regards to my parents.
"Miss."
"Yeah...?"
"Can you wait here a moment?"
"Huh?"
I stared out the window with resolve. Thinking of my account balance and loan limits, I steeled myself. Olivia looked baffled.
"No. Let's get something else."
"No. I want this one."
"It's too expensive..."
"It's a rare gift for the family head. We should go all out."
The master's face is the butler's face. I couldn't bear her disappointment. Clenching my fist, I eyed the bank.
"I'll be right back."
"N-no...! I'll come too...!"
"It's cold. Stay here."
I didn't want her seeing me beg for a loan. I urged the clerk not to sell it and dashed out.
Money. A skill I hadn't touched in ages. Grinding my teeth at the glinting casino next to the bank.
Sorry, folks at home.
Bowing to the future of broke gambling addicts, I geared up to hustle.
*
In the shop Ricardo had left, Olivia sat alone in the corner, sipping hot black tea.
"Ow... hot."
She wanted a gift that suited her father, but reality didn't cooperate. Gazing sadly at her reflection in the cup, she felt forlorn.
"Money..."
Why indulge in luxury without cash? She felt immature, but this time, she yearned to give Dad something worthy.
Picturing him still wearing the uniform tailored two years ago, her face twisted in pain.
The family had crumbled because of her. Guilt over their poverty grew with every day in the mansion. Servants had dwindled, filling the place less; Dad no longer got new uniforms yearly.
Olivia sipped the bitter tea with a wry expression.
"Ugh... so bitter..."
Wind howled outside. Ricardo wasn't back. Loneliness hit suddenly.
Ding-a-ling.
The door opened. New customers entered—Olivia spotted them.
"Kyaa! Did you see the new stuff? Super cute!"
"Totally! I got some freebies from cozying up to Olivia back then, but now? No free rides. Ugh, such a shame!"
"Pfft~ You popped champagne when she got expelled."
"That was then!"
A group of young female students in academy uniforms poured in. Girls who'd stuck to Olivia back in her academy days, fawning for favors.
Olivia ducked her head at the sight.
"Ricardo... come back."
Hiding to avoid them, she shrank, thinking of her absent butler.
About ten minutes passed. Their laughter cut off abruptly as they browsed.
Olivia slowly raised her head.
"Gone...?"
Relieved, she lifted higher—
"It's Olivia, right?"
A plump girl loomed over her.
"Not dead yet? Still kicking?"
Grinning like she'd found a fun toy, the girl's sneer made Olivia's eyes tremble.
"Long time no see."
The malice turned on her.
"How've you been? We heard you died. Guess not."
"Nah, her legs are fucked anyway."
The girl muttered at Olivia's legs. Olivia bowed her head.
"Right. Buy us some bags too."
"Puhaha! What? Like she has money. Heard her family disowned her."
"..."
"Puhahaha, for real, Olivia?"
Girls who wouldn't meet her eyes at the academy now mocked her. Olivia just hung her head silently.
And then.
"Haa..."
She sighed deeply.
Slowly lifting her head, Olivia scanned around. No one nearby. Ricardo gone, clerk away. Empty.
She murmured softly.
Ricardo said not to get mad...
As the jeers grew louder.
A cold voice leaked from Olivia's lips. Not her usual ditzy tone.
A voice like vicious ice.
"Shut the fuck up, you bitches."
Olivia was the wicked woman.
"Before I kill you."