TOM Chapter 2

The account... doesn't exist?

"It doesn't exist?"

"No, and even if it had existed, there's no way anything would be left."

"There wouldn't be?"

"According to what you've told me, it's been hundreds of years since you last used the bank. There was no one managing it either."

"No one managing it?"

"...Customer. I'm sorry, but please look into this properly and come back later."

The employee kicked me out with a face that screamed annoyance.

I was driven out going "uh, uh."

Even if I wanted to cause a scene insisting it couldn't be true, I knew nothing, so I couldn't do anything.

Slumping into the carriage seat, I muttered blankly,

"My money..."

Not even a single copper coin?

They definitely said there were church assets at Coltish Bank.

At the very least, it was enough money to buy several castles back then.

In case I ever needed to come outside, I had memorized the account and password until my tongue was raw, but it's gone?

I endured even entering other people's bodies, thinking I'd enjoy being rich someday, but they're saying it doesn't exist?

"My money!"

Those senior believers tricked me!

I collapsed onto my knees and cried.

Even the rattling vibration of the carriage felt upsetting.

Go to hell, all of you.

No wait, you're already dead, so move to hell.

It's dire.

My heart felt as empty as the empty bedroom I climbed up to.

Time remaining: 3 days. No, I wasted a day going to the bank, so now it's only 2 days.

"Let me ask for a recommendation letter, whether for a maid or lady-in-waiting position."

That's the only option left.

Even though the relationship between my adoptive parents and the Count was bad, he'd do at least that much, right?

The villain's grand mansion flickered before my eyes.

"A Count would have that much influence, right?"

Come to think of it, I still don't know which family this house belongs to.

Betty only called him "Count," so how would I know?

Still, judging by the size of the house, it must be a fairly prestigious family.

Before begging for a recommendation letter, I should ask what the people in this house like.

I was about to ring the bell but headed for the door instead.

Since whoever comes to the bedroom would be random anyway, I couldn't keep ringing until Betty came.

I should go find Betty myself while also getting a feel for the atmosphere in the mansion.

Making that calculation, the moment I opened the door.

"Wow."

I locked eyes with a silver-haired young man.

Quite tall with a refreshing atmosphere and sharp eyes.

For my own reasons, my standards had become incredibly high, but this was a face that satisfied my stern aesthetic sense.

"Hey."

His voice was clear too.

I almost answered reflexively but hesitated.

Should I speak formally or informally?

A fifty-fifty gamble either way.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Father wants you to come down for dinner. He wants to eat together one last time."

"Ah, but there are still two or three days left?"

"He's busy, so if not today, he won't have time."

Phew, I thought I was being kicked out tomorrow.

It seems Betty didn't get the date wrong.

I patted my startled heart and followed him with quick steps.

I belatedly felt hungry.

Come to think of it, I haven't eaten a single meal since becoming Siora.

Thinking about the food that would be set on the dining table, I arrived at the dining room.

And.

"Sit down."

I was hit by a cold atmosphere.

Did they really invite me to a meal?

The Count's family didn't even look at me.

No, not only that, they seemed uninterested in each other too.

Honestly, if not for the recommendation letter, I'd have no interest in the people before me either, so I just diligently ate my food.

Only after my stomach was somewhat full did I have the leisure to observe my surroundings.

There were three members, four including me.

A middle-aged man and siblings.

The middle-aged man was probably the Count.

There was also a girl who looked exactly like the young man who came to get me earlier.

The entire family was exceptionally good-looking.

But there was something else that caught my attention.

'What is this?'

I felt a strange energy from all of them.

Similar to divine power but closer to nature.

Is this the spirit power I've only read about in records?

"We can no longer postpone the decision."

The Count spoke heavily.

His gaze was directed at the table, so I couldn't tell exactly.

Wait, is he talking to me? He's not telling me to leave as soon as midnight strikes, is he?

O Fabula?

"Minuet."

It wasn't directed at me.

But I was surprised in a different way and dropped my fork.

Clatter.

Thanks to my excellent manners, the Count paused briefly.

"You know this too, but we have no choice but to accept this marriage proposal."

Clank.

This time it was the spoon.

Two times in a row seemed to annoy him, as the Count gave me a look.

"You will marry Duke Whitedesert."

Crash.

The wine glass shattered, but this time it wasn't my fault.

The Count glared at me, then urgently moved his gaze to find the culprit.

At the end of his gaze stood the young man who had come to get me.

"That's absurd!"

At this point, I should know names to make describing easier.

"What are you doing, Gavotte?"

Thanks for introducing your son.

Separately, I received the finishing blow.

The silver-haired girl was Minuet, and her sibling was Gavotte.

They had spirit-like energy, and a marriage proposal had come from Whitedesert.

Let me recall the first line of 《Destiny》 again.

「That day was Minuet Bonetti's wedding day.」

Incidentally, the villain's family that I hadn't bothered to mention was the 'Duke Whitedesert family.'

That's right.

I was currently at the protagonist's mansion.

No wonder I felt so disconnected from everything - I hadn't switched to the villain's side, but rather to the protagonist's.

Sorry for doubting you, Fabula.

While I was organizing my thoughts, the family fight continued.

"Father, you shouldn't do this either, it's not like you don't know what kind of person the Duke is!"

"That's exactly why we can't refuse! I know what kind of retaliation will come!"

"What would be different if we accept?"

"At least he won't destroy Bonetti completely. They say this marriage proposal was actively pushed by their council of elders."

"It would be better to fall than to offer up all of Bonetti."

"How dare this boy!"

"You should have lived honorably! You should have at least avoided getting caught with weaknesses! Why should Bonetti become the Duke's plaything because of Father's corruption!"

"Be quiet, Gavotte."

"Are you going to shut up now? Minuet! This isn't about someone else, it's your marriage, the young countess's marriage!"

"Then is there another solution? What, is there another Bonetti who'll marry in my place?"

"Minuet!"

Let me summarize that noisy chaos.

Duke Whitedesert sent a marriage proposal to Minuet, and if they refuse, they'll face retaliation.

From the atmosphere, it seemed they wouldn't see anything good even if they accepted.

They seemed to have forgotten a third party was present as they made such a commotion.

I raised my hand brightly and immediately drew all eyes.

"I have a good idea."

Without exception, their faces contorted.

I quickly got to the point before they could cover my mouth.

"What if I take that marriage?"

I'll provide the solution to this difficult problem!

However, the Count didn't immediately recognize the value of my opinion.

"Know your place."

"Hmm, it's not like I eavesdropped, and I was invited to dinner, so isn't this where I belong?"

"That was only out of social obligation... Never mind, what disgrace would we invite by thrusting a branch family member into marriage negotiations?"

"Then you could adopt me."

"What?"

"Uncle—no, Father!"

As long as the surname is 'Bonetti,' that's all that matters, right?

I jumped up from my seat and walked to the head of the table.

Then I knelt down and shouted dramatically.

"I've always wanted to serve you as my father!"

The Count didn't accept immediately.

But he said he'd think about it, so it was somewhat successful.

What bothered me was the Countess who wasn't at the mansion.

She was said to be recuperating in the territory due to poor health, but she was barely mentioned in 《Destiny》 so I don't know what kind of person she is.

Should I go down to the Count's territory to treat and persuade her?

While rolling around on the bed planning my next move, Minuet entered the bedroom.

I slowly got up from the bed and faced her.

"What are you scheming?"

A cold, cool voice suspected me.

I gazed intently at the person standing before me.

Silver hair cascading like a waterfall and delicate, mysterious features.

I'd seen the villain's side to the point of being sick of it, but this was my first time seeing the protagonist.

It was fascinating and gave me a renewed sense of reality.

I could physically feel that the events written in 《Destiny》 weren't far off.

Though now wasn't the time to think about such things.

"Minuet."

I can call her that, right?

I subtly gauged the situation.

"You've been holed up in your bedroom all this time, then suddenly act like this - let's hear the reason."

"It's simple. You don't want to get married and I have nowhere to go, right?"

"So you're going to hell?"

That's quite an exaggeration.

Hell is where my senior believers are staying, and Duke Whitedesert's place is quite livable.

But I couldn't say that, so I put appropriate words on my tongue.

"Where would a penniless, connectionless noble go that would be heaven?"

"Compared to Whitedesert, anywhere would be."

"What, is it really that bad—"

"You annoy me."

Minuet abruptly cut off my words.

I blinked blankly at the contextless statement.

"You've been like that since the funeral. Not talking, no expressions, always like that, so I thought you were some kind of doll."

"Mm."

"So I put someone on you."

"...Who?"

"Betty. She's my person. Lost your memory?"

My goodness, I've already been stabbed in the back.

With that utterly innocent face, she had blabbed about everything. I'd only given her a fingernail's worth of trust, and this is my reward. This is what people are like.

"During the day you went to Coltish Bank. Oh, don't worry. I couldn't hear what was said inside because of security."

The words that followed weren't surprising either.

Right, if there's a will to surveil, what would be difficult?

All the people I used were Bonetti's people anyway.

"I also looked into your background but nothing came up."

"Oh dear."

"I'll ask again, Siora. What do you want from this?"

What do I want?

If I were to list that answer in detail, there'd be no end, but the essence is simple.

"World peace?"

"Ha."

"Don't overthink it, it's exactly as it seems. I have no memory and went to the bank just in case, but I had no money either."

I took a step forward, invading Minuet's personal space.

Then I gripped her shoulder and whispered.

"And you need me."

She couldn't say no to that.

Even while pretending to stop Gavotte, it was clear she didn't welcome the marriage proposal.

In 《Destiny》 too, Minuet thought the same way.

So if I take the protagonist's place, or more practically, the observer's position, wouldn't it be good for both of us?

I pulled up the corners of my mouth into a smile.

"Am I wrong?"