Amelia was what we call an "unwanted child."
She was born seventeen years ago as a result of infidelity between her father Cedric, the head of the Hagulo family, and a chambermaid.
Cedric had a habit of getting into trouble with women since he was a young man, and his infidelity came at a time when everyone around him was relieved that he had finally settled down after getting married.
Even though it was a one-night stand, it was the worst thing that could have happened to Liece, who married into the Hagulo family from the Count's family.
In order to keep up appearances, Cedric insisted that the lady-in-waiting had seduced him.
Cedric had already been in similar trouble many times in the past, and he was adept at muddying the waters with his own words.
For a while, Cedric and Liece had an awkward married life, but after dismissing all the servants who knew the truth, and thanks to Cedric's (self-proclaimed) reformed spirit, they slowly began to get along again.
Two years after Amelia's birth, Liece became pregnant and the Hagulo family had an official child.
The newborn child was named Erin, and was raised carefully and tenderly, as if the infidelity had never happened.
On the other hand, Amelia's mother, Sophie, was stigmatized as a "whore who had wronged the head of the family," and she and Amelia were forced to live in a house away from the family.
Although she was the daughter of a merchant, Sophie was a commoner and had come to the Hagulo family as a result of a trafficking scandal, so she had nowhere else to turn.
She was under house arrest, forbidden to go in and out of the main residence, and given only poor food and sleeping accommodations.
Moreover, Cedric was constantly harassed by the new chambermaid, who believed him and spread rumors about Sophie's doings and sayings, and the days were filled with bitterness and pain.
Even under such circumstances, Sophie took good care of Amelia.
She shared her food, which was not much, and taught her how to read, write, socialize, and live.
This was Sophie's way of atoning for her sins.
Fortunately, the remote house was also used as a library, so there was no shortage of teaching materials.
Sophie and Amelia were poor, but they lived a peaceful life.
However, their peaceful life came to an end when Amelia was seven years old.
Sophie caught an epidemic and lost her life.
Amelia was left completely alone, but the circumstances did not get any better; in fact, they got worse.
The harassment from the maidens directed at Sophie was now directed at Amelia, who was still a child, and there was also constant harassment from Erin, who was allowed to roam freely around the grounds.
Up until today, when she is seventeen, Amelia's circumstances have not changed.
◇◇◇
"You're late."
"... sorry."
As soon as she arrived at the main residence, her stepmother, Liece, reproached her, and Amelia reflexively bowed her head.
Her parents and Erin were seated on the sofa in the reception room.
Amelia was not given permission to sit down and remained standing.
Sitting on the finest sofa in the parlor, Liece snaps open a gleaming folding fan and points it at Amelia.
"What's with the dirty dress? Didn't I tell you to come to the main residence in proper attire? What if the carpet gets dirty?"
Liece says that, but the dress Amelia is wearing now is the best she has in her possession.
There is no way that Amelia, a bastard, would be given the money to buy a new dress in the first place.
Liece, of course, is fully aware of this.
Whenever Amelia tried to complain, she would accuse her of "being unfilial," and would hurl even more abuse at her.
Amelia has experienced this herself plenty of times, which is why she responds apologetically.
"... Yes, I have nothing to say for myself. I am sorry."
As Amelia bowed more deeply, Liece bit her back teeth in abhorrence.
"This is why the children of the poor..."
The voice was filled with hatred.
This is a feeling that has already been directed at her many times.
She had become completely used to hatred from others.
On the surface, she was completely immune to the words of others.
"Mother, please forgive her."
Erin, sitting next to her, looks up at Liece and spoke.
"I think Amelia is making an effort," she said. "She just has a little trouble remembering things, probably because she has poor blood in her!"
"Oh, dear, I see."
Liece's cheeks relaxed as she looked into the eyes of her beloved child, a complete reversal from the way she had looked at Amelia.
"Erin, you're so sweet to stick up for your sister."
"Heh heh heh~, it's not a big deal~"
Liece gently stroked her, and Erin let out a purring sound like a cat.
Glancing over, Erin looked at Amelia and smiled triumphantly.
A slight twinge of pain shot Amelia's chest.
Amelia took a small breath so that no one would notice, and asked her father Cedric, who was sitting on the side.
"So, why did you call me?"
Suddenly, the air in the room started to feel suffocating.
"Oh yeah, about that."
Cedric said, taking out a document.
"Amelia, I have a marriage proposal for you."