Yes, she would no longer live a poor life. Although, wasn't her luck extremely bad? The universe had made it hard for her, and it would always make it hard. Of all lives, of all people, she was Theresse Halligan, the daughter of a disgraced Baron. She had studied history, general culture, but in no book was it said of the Bernandino Empire, which was where she currently resided. It was a place quite out of date, although it had a unique beauty that she never tired of admiring in the mornings. she wanted to know so many things ...
—Ah— She sigh in solitude, without taking her eyes off the man in the house across the street, who was carrying a large mustache that was rolled around the ends. It was unbelievably funny to see him go out every morning wearing that tall top hat and garish red bowtie. She was about to giggle when her palate turned sour from the bad memory.
Her father, Robert Halligan, is the kind of sweet and honest man. Maybe too honest.
The small amount of money that was assigned to the needs of the population was spent in orphanages and shelters. And what was left was jealously guarded by her mother, who was barely enough to support themselfs.
It seemed strange to her that such a small quantity of copper coins was assigned to such a place, so much so that her father had to go out to solve the problems of the villagers herself, since they could not afford even a servant, much. If someone missed a horse, Robert Halligan would look for it. If workers were needed in the crops, Robert was the man they called. If the children in the shelter needed a bed, Robert would build it.
In a way he was surprised at her father's ability. But she couldn't help but think that those people were taking a little advantage of him. They didn't even pay him a decent salary for all that heavy lifting, besides, wasn't he a Baron? What did all this mean? She knew that the duty of a vassal was to maintain the comfort of his people, no matter how he viewed it, it seemed too much for a mere mortal. They did not even have a decent wealth, and from what he had seen they lived even worse than the average citizen, there was definitely a cat locked up.
Nor did they have any other income, so they only kept from the minuscule amount provided by the benefactor.
She was still rambling when she was called in for lunch. There in front of her, steaming on the china plate was her second problem.
She glanced at her mother, who sat happily at the table asking for her hands to pray.
She was not an ungrateful person, she was really happy with anything, however ...
Bread and eggs.
It was what they ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. For a moment she thought they were the only foods in the cupboard, trying to ignore that voice in her head that yelled that they were too poor to afford anything else.
It was not necessary to check as thoroughly as she thought, it turned out that they hid a variety of ingredients in the warehouse. Lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, rice, corn, flour. They had everything down there, what happened then?
Her father and mother continued to happily drink the orange juice, not caring about the unpleasant expression of their daughter, who was looking at them as if they were strange creatures.
She was already afraid of it, it was the only explanation she could think of.
—Mom, what are you going to cook today?— Immediately the woman's expression became rigid, and as if she hadn't asked anything she ignored her daughter, trying to distract her with something else.
—Hmm, aren't the flowers over there very cute baby?— The lady point to the common daisies from the neighboring garden. Answer the question with another question, such evasion ...
As was to be imagined. Her mother did not know how to cook any other dishes. So her father had been feeding on that alone all those months without uttering any complaint? A good man, too good.
—Mom, I ...— she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. And less after seeing the innocent smile of her mom. She was definitely going to have to do something about this, but not now. It shouldn't be so direct. For the moment she look for another matter to discuss. —How is mom's family?— she asked trying to sound disinterested, looking away from the plate.
Suddenly, the forks in Iris's hands fell, breaking the tenuous harmony of the room, and a deathly silence settled in.
Daze was etched on her beautiful face, while her husband showed some interest in her actions. The tension grew more and more concentrated in the air as the seconds passed.
—What questions are those? They are irrelevant people, unimportant!— nervous, she constantly moved the liquid in her vessel, quickly avoiding the eyes of the rest. Robert muttered.
—I wouldn't describe them as "unimportant", exactly.
—Robert!— Iris bellow angrily. Paying no attention to her gasp, the newly called abstained from drinking the orange concoction, watching her with a deep gaze.
The atmosphere at the table had suddenly turned hostile. From her seat, Theresse kept rolling her eyes from side to side, as if they were going to descompose. She had avoided the subject of food just so as not to muddy things so early in the morning, and they still got out of her now tiny hands. What a bad move!
—Although— the manly voice loaded with that melodic low tenor interrupted the girl's thoughts. —You're right, they are "irrelevant" people.
The look between the two adults was complicated. Thank heavens the rest of the breakfast flowed without further disturbance.
Why hide so many things from a five-year-old girl? What would it be about? It was time to seek answers. Sure, on my own.
Although, when you are a baby things can be difficult, much more than expected.
—Oh, how it will be? ...— In front of the large bookcase in the room, a chubby figurine groaned and stomped, fixing its eyes in one direction.
The "Family Record" backing could be clearly read out in a refined, curvy handwriting.
Despite being in a different world, the language remained the same. Something that made her feel relieved in a great way, it would be annoying to have to learn her first syllables from scratch.
Wistfully, she turned her gaze to her target: the big red book on top.
"If I only had my 170 centimeters back ..."
—No! It is not tiiime for thisc!— Trying to cheer herself up, the pain returned to her.
"Why? ... Why do I have to speak this way?"
Her little baby tongue hadn't finished developing, and her words were nothing more than the incessant babbling of a child. It was so humiliating, so humiliating.
Did she have accumulated bad karma? Was this the cosmic retribution of the universe? So unfair!
She wasn't going to give up so easily. If the universe put obstacles in his way, he would crush them without hesitation!
A desk chair nearby, books ...
—I'm worshking—. She used all the strength her young body could, and pushed the large wooden chair from one side of the room to the other. Placing in front of the bookshelf, and went up. Little by little, she was piling books under her feet, until at last she could reach out her arm and take it.
Going down was a bit more difficult, however she managed it after a while. She arranged everything and left, pretending that nothing happened, her parents spotted her running in a hurry to her bedroom.
—Theresse darling, be careful!
A long chain of capable soldiers and heroes were produced from the roots of Baron Halligan.
Next in line, Michael Halligan, was sent to war in 743 of the second millennium.
Robert Darek Halligan is married to a descendant of Duke Asford, Iris Evanie Asford, on the 7th day of the second spring month of the year 743 of the second millennium.
Theresse Lizet Halligan is born on the 15th day of the second harvest month of the year 744 of the second millennium.
Michael Joseph Halligan passed away, bringing disgrace and dishonor to Halligan's noble surname in the year 746 of the second millennium.
Robert Halligan second son follows succession. Year 746.
Duke Asford and Baron Halligan break off. Year 746.
Carton Mayers Halligan dies on the 21st of the first spring month at 4:07 p.m. Cause of death: failure of the respiratory system. Halligan House. Year 747.
Marquis Delafontaine and Baronado Halligan break off. Year 747.
Teresa of Halligan is the victim of a kidnapping outside Rosegard County, on the 4th of the first month of winter. Year 747.
Teresa Celis de Halligan commits suicide at the hands of thieves on the 30th of the second month of winter. Year 747.
Baronado Halligan files for bankruptcy. Year 749.
One misfortune after another, all after that event. After the exile of Michael Halligan, Theresse's uncle. Like dominoes falling one by one, Michael Halligan was the driving force behind his family's misfortune.