Chapter 10- A Freeloader and Opportunist

Aside from his triumphant return from the Mystical Forest, the news of Duke Gerald's adopting a daughter also spread like wildfire in the capital. The Duke himself was a prominent figure in the kingdom, so whatever information related to him would become a hot topic, especially for those idlers.

Louise was currently inside a private room in one of the kingdom's well-known restaurants, the Myriad Restaurant. She was now sitting with Heron, who reverted herself to a human child form. The kid was silently eating the desserts that she had ordered for her.

Louise's face was covered in a red veil and only showing her blue eyes. She patted the child's head, and the kid continued eating her fill. But, of course, her visit to the restaurant was a secret even from the Duke. She was living in an isolated palace anyway so that no one would know her whereabouts.

One of her purpose in venturing outside was to gather information. Heron told her that Isabella had a hobby of visiting this restaurant, the second daughter of the Viscount. So she closed her eyes and listened to the conversation within the place.

"Hey, did you hear? Duke Gerald brought a girl to his residence and made her his official daughter."

"He even sought the audience of the king for his request. Isn't it a bit unusual?"

"What is the problem with that?"

"Tch! This is the reason why I wouldn't say I like talking to a dimwit like you. If he needed to seek this kingdom's highest person, it means that the adoption cannot be done in a typical process."

Someone snorted to the one who spoke.

"Who knows, she might be one of the Duke's bastard daughters and just put a show to make it as if they are not related by blood."

"Shhh..! Lower your voice. Someone might hear you, and you can be accused of slandering the Duke. Do you want to have your tongue cut-off?"

"Okay, sorry," the other voice responded in a hushed tone.

Louise twitched her brows. "I can hear you, though," she silently thought. "These people are really idle."

A while later, she heard a slight disturbance from the voices that she could listen to.

"Hey, isn't that the Viscount daughter? Oh, and whose with her? She has the guards with the Duke's symbol on their swords. So, could it be, she is the Duke's second daughter to his second wife?"

"How did you know? The Duke has two daughters. Well, three, including her adopted."

"Idiot! His daughter to his first wife is ill, so how can she venture out? Use your common sense, will you?"

Louise tilted her head. These people are really knowledgeable. She didn't expect the Viscount to be with the Duke's daughter to the second wife.

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"Hmmm...if I am not mistaken, her name is Anishina." She spoke while rubbing her chin.

She looked at Heron and smiled.

"This was not included in your report."

Heron was quite indignant as she pursed her little lips.

"I'm sorry, Master, Heron, is incapable."

She waved her hands. "It's fine."

---

The enthusiastic owner of the restaurant greeted Anishina and Isabella.

"Greetings to you, Lady Isabella and Lady Anishina. I have already prepared your room upstairs.

The two ladies nodded their heads. The Myriad Restaurant was very well-known in the capital not only for its food. They are also known for how they treat their guests. The restaurant only has one motto, if you have money, then we will treat you nicely.

The servant behind them gave a handsome tip to the owner, which the latter accepted with a wide smile.

The two ladies settled in the room where the restaurant's crew directed them to. It is unexpectedly next to where Louise was.

Isabella seated graciously and started to sip the fruit juice that the restaurant prepared for them.

"I heard that you have an additional sibling." Isabella opened the conversation, but there was a touch of sarcasm in her tone.

Anishina sneered, "Father just brought her to our household out of pity. Even my mother doesn't like her, much more us."

"You mentioned that only the Duke could see her."

"That's right."

"It's very unusual knowing your father's personality. He was known as a cold person, especially to outsiders. Even my father can attest to that."

"My family could also agree to you. Maybe except for his first wife and daughter." Anishina responded.

"I also heard that your younger sister is still ill? Is that right? We thought that the Duke could get the cure from the cursed forest. So I guess your sister is very unlucky."

"I don't care whether she live or die," Anishina answered venomously.

"Then what is your plan about that girl?" Isabella tactfully changed the topic. "You mentioned that your mother wanted to drag her out of her shell?"

There was a glint on Anishina eyes when she answered.

"Right, my mother is planning to visit the Moon Palace. She will make sure that the life of that bitch will not be easy in our household."

"But you said that the Duke himself specifically told all of you that no one is allowed to visit the Moon Palace except him," Isabella asked curiously.

"Hmph! She's nothing but a freeloader and opportunist. I'm not sure why my father always takes her side. But she is still an outsider; my mother is my father's wife. Do you think that he will choose her over my mother?"

"That makes sense." Isabella agreed, "Well, I hope that Madam Garcy will be successful in teaching her a lesson."

The two continued with their idle chatter while the 'freeloader' and the 'opportunist' they talked about were in the next room listening to them.

Louise lightly yawned.

"I almost fell asleep listening to their chatter."

"They talk badly about you, master," Heron commented.

"I will not die even if they spend their lives cursing me." She answered calmly.

"But, master, isn't what she said true? You are somehow a freeloader, aren't you?"

"Shut up!"

"Hey, isn't that the Chryssum flower that Prince Richard gifted to you? It's beautiful." Anishina suddenly exclaimed while staring at the necklace around Isabella's neck.

Louise subconsciously touched her ear when she heard it, "Now they are talking something significant."

Isabella touched the pendant with her hands and raised her head proudly. A beautiful flower can be seen placed inside the crystal pendant.

"Yes, it's gorgeous," Isabella answered.

"Aren't you afraid that someone might steal it?"

Isabella laughed.

"This beautiful necklace is supposed to be displayed for others to see." She smiled, "And my father hired a Mage to protect me. He might be just around the corner watching us. So I don't have to worry about anything."

Louise, in the other room, tapped the table while listening to them and smiled. She could sense the Mage that Isabella was talking about earlier. To think that she was counting on him for her and her possession's protection...

"How naive."

She stood up and looked at Heron before signaling her.

"I'm done here. Let's go."