*For everyone's information, the "<" sign means a flashback/memory that can be in second or first point of view. ">" shows the end of the flashback/memory.*
<"Viscount Rustochile." A man large in size dressed head to toe in diamonds and emeralds stepped up to the viscount, a disappointed expression on his face. "You do remember the diamond mine you still owe me from ten years ago. The mine that raised you up to the status of viscount?"
Sweat dripped down the viscount's forehead, for this fat man was Earl Hickerman, a man with a higher status than his.
"Yes, I do sire," Herrin Rustochile stammered. 'Except the diamond mine was already out of business years ago, and I barely managed to get away with it. Darn those kids for spending so much money on dresses and swords!'
The earl raised his eyebrow, suspicious. His gold bracelets jangled as he held up his fingers to examine his nails, and the viscount eyed the treasures with jealousy.
"That diamond mine, starting as of today, is equivalent to 50,000,000 gold in value. The prices go up by 1,000 gold everyday."
'50,000,000 gold?!?!' the viscount thought. Hickerman looked at Rustochile expectantly.
"You... do have it right?" (Earl)
Herrin laughed nervously as he fumbled with his fingers. "Er, about that, sire"
'I don't have enough gold to pay him even half that amount. What else can I do…'
An idea popped into his head, and he grinned. "Sire, you are not married are you?"
The earl raised his eyebrow again, confused. "Huh? Yes of course, my last wife had passed away a few months ago."
Viscount Rustochile chuckled happily. 'He might be 40 years old, and definitely not a good looker, but if it's to pay off such a huge debt, I'm sure my daughter would understand…'
He raised his head and beamed. "H-how about considering marrying my eldest daughter Philadelphina? She has quite the looks, and is very educated."
The earl looked interested, and licked his lips. His interest made Rustochile less nervous. Hickerman walked over to him, eager to know about this 'Philadelphina'.
"H-how old is she this year? You better not be fooling around with me." (Earl)
"I am definitely not fooling around with you, sire. Although she may be 13 years old, she has already begun developing. In two years, she will be a beauty!" (Viscount)
Hickerman looked satisfied, rubbing his chin. The viscount again ogled at the amount of jewelry he had on.
"Alright, Rustochile. In two years, when she turns 15, your daughter and I shall get wed, and I will gift you a dowry of 20,000,000 gold when the time comes," he said. "During those two years, you must turn her into a beautiful, ripe flower."
Rustochile nodded vigorously. "I will, sire! Thank you for letting me go." He scrambled to the door and jumped up with excitement. '20,000,000 gold? That'll keep my family set for three generations!'>
~~~~~~~~~~
Philadelphina flopped onto her bed, tired from beating up the twins. Her hands were stinging from her revenge slaps, and her back was sore from tossing them around. She was about to doze off when the door suddenly burst open again, and she grumbled, "Who the heck is it?"
When she heard a giggle, she quickly sat up to find a girl with the color of mahogany, a color quite hard to miss since she is the only known girl in this novel with this color hair.
"Lorealis," Philadelphina sighed, relieved it wasn't the twins here to start another fight. Hopefully, they already learned their lesson.
Lorealis giggled, skipping over and sitting on the edge of my bed. "Hehe, guess what, Delphi?"
"What?" (Philadelphina)
"I saw something really exciting going on downstairs!" (Lorealis)
"What is it?" (Philadelphina)
When Lorealis only responded with a shrug and another giggle, Delphi repeated her question.
"What is it, Lorealis?"
"Lori," Lorealis replied, causing Delphi to tilt her head, confused.
"Lo...ri?"
"Call me Lori! Like you always did!"
"Ok, 'Lori' what is it?"
"Butler Gilde got an order from your father to renovate you a room downstairs! Now you don't have to sleep in the attic anymore! Isn't that awesome?"
~~
Philadelphina hurried downstairs, with each step a creak echoed through the narrow staircase.
"H-hey Delphi! I know you're excited, but wait up!"
'Don't tell me what Lorealis was saying is actually true-'
Right when Delphi got to the bottom of the staircase, she almost flew into a maid carrying a huge box. Her foot halted to a stop, and her body leaned back to stop her from flying forward. Shortly after, Lorealis caught up to her, huffing like going down the stairs was the most work she has done in her whole life, and put a hand on Delphi's shoulder. "See? Ha... I told you. Ha... ha…"
Philadelphina frowned, suspicious. 'Viscount Rustochile is clearly up to something, judging by how he suddenly treats his daughter so well.'
Lorealis caught her frowning, and asked her what's wrong.
"Don't you think all this is weird?" Philadelphina pointed at a group of maids bustling about, carrying items back and forth. "Why would he suddenly recognize me as his child and prepare a room for me downstairs. And plus, isn't that Avani's old playroom?"
Lorealis shrugged. "I guess it's fine. As long as you finally got everything you deserved, Delphi! I'm so happy for you!" She jumped onto me and gave me a tight hug, and I put my arms around her and smiled. 'The main character is such a good person. No wonder why she got the attention of the three male leads.'