***Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse

All right, let’s unlock it! I shall open the door to the secret room!

A seal of that level was child’s play—then in the next moment, I paused.

Cecily should be able to do this much already, right?

[Eh?]

Let’s test it out! If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask away!

—And so, I mercilessly relinquished control to Cecily.

After all, whether Cecily was aware or not, the only time I could help her was now. Things were going well while I was there, but if she couldn’t do anything on her own later, then everything will have been for naught.

—I can’t die and leave things this way.

Compared to that, my desire to enjoy life can be placed on hold.

Amidst all of this, to Cecily’s shock, she dispelled the seal in an instant.

[I-I did it…?]

All right, then let’s go inside!

At my urging, Cecily softly opened the door and said, “Excuse me,” even though there was no one inside.

As expected, the inside was a mess. What was unexpected was finding various authentic books and documents strewn around the place. Many of the books were of management, economics, and history, the kind typical of lords.

“Ah, this document…”

Suddenly, Cecily reached for a certain document in the office.

What is this one about…? Is this a report summarizing the taxes paid so far?

I wondered if the total payment was regularly submitted to the government.

So, that Papa surprisingly takes his job seriously!?

When I was about to reconsider a little, Cecily, with a pale face, muttered.

“This is… tax fraud…”

…Huh, Cecily can actually comprehend it?

“Yes, writing these documents was my duty up until last year when I returned home…”

Uhm, isn’t Cecily too talented?

Cecily wasn’t at all pleased with my compliment. She was making some indescribable noises, so she must be really upset. As she flipped the pages, her hands were shaking.

“The tax wasn’t supposed to be this high… Did he illegally levy taxes? I knew it… No measures were taken to recover the economy…”

Honestly, I don’t know much about economics.

The Incorrigible Villainess was just a magic afficionado.

Even after Cecily explained that a famine a few years ago had lowered the crop yield these past few years, which in turn dropped the revenue raised by taxes, I struggled to understand anything.

In other words, Papa is trying to submit fraudulent documents to raise his stock?

“Yes… If he were to be recognized for his good management, he’ll be rewarded by the kingdom on a yearly basis. Perhaps, that was what Papa is aiming for… No, what if he has already submitted it?”

Oh, then, if his fraud is discovered, will it result in his downfall?

“…”

Cecily froze at the words I spoke so casually.

Downfall… To be honest, I didn’t think it was that bad. I didn’t care about what would happen to Papa, Mama, and Cecily’s sister. After all, I was only concerned with Cecily’s future.

Well, I do feel a bit sorry for the hardworking servants of the household, but that’s what it means to be hired.

Cecily, who was still a student, didn’t have to shoulder that burden.

…And yet, for some reason, Cecily seemed about to cry.

Ah, it’s my fault. I should rightfully apologize.

I don’t really understand modern politics, but it hasn’t been long since he submitted it. If you apologize wholeheartedly, it wouldn’t be a problem?

I don’t think they’ll do anything extreme to your father, otherwise the people of the territory will also be in trouble. At most, it’ll probably end with some guidance and audits?

“…Even if that’s the case, for now, I want my father to explain this properly to me.”

Cecily sniffed with an utterly lofty look on her face.

She turned on her heels, clutching the tampered papers. Apparently, she planned to confront her father on her own.

…Do your best. Good luck, Cecily.

The person in question, Papa, seemed to be still lecturing Neria. However, the location had switched to the office. I didn’t even have to look because I could hear all the screaming loud and clear.

Cecily knocked on the door, but her father’s yelling wouldn’t stop.

Holding her breath, Cecily opened the door herself.

“Father… I’d like to ask you something…”

“Who told you to come in!? Leave it for later!”

He proceeded to throw a book at Cecily, but it missed.

…This old man is really begging me to blow up the entire mansion.

How frustrating. No matter how much I stuck my tongue out, he couldn’t see me. But then, I saw something that made me gulp.

Cecily’s sister, Neria, broken down in tears with a large bruise on her face.

…He hit her, didn’t he?

I didn’t get any opportunities to get a closer look, though. Cecily bit her lips tightly and walked towards her father.

“Father, why did you falsify these documents? If word gets out, not only will it harm the reputation of the Travasta family, but also bring trouble to the people of the territory!”

“Why do you have those document…”

Papa was momentarily taken aback by the documents Cecily shoved onto him, but he immediately regained his composure.

“And how would they find out, exactly? Our Travasta family is a venerable marquis family that has supported the kingdom for generations. Even if a lowly villager or a self-righteous government official were to say anything, will the king give them the time of day? The answer is obvious.”

His smile was so nasty, I wanted to pluck off his short nose.

However, Cecily held back her trembling limbs and spoke firmly.

“But Father is doing something that will ruin that trust!”

“Noisy! A child shouldn’t meddle in adults’ affair”

…WHO WAS THE ONE WHO MADE THAT CHILD WORK UNTIL NOW!?

Aah, it’s so frustrating! Even more so because I can only watch!

…But, I’m a complete outsider on this matter. If Cecily doesn’t ask for help, I have no right to interfere.

“But Father… Committing fraud is wrong. You see, a new system was put in motion last year, one that allows territories with low tax payments to receive aid from the government. If we use that, we can cover this year’s deficit, so you don’t have to impose heavy taxes on the people of the territory—”

“—Are you an idiot? If I use such a thing, the family’s reputation will suffer and I won’t be able to receive any rewards!”

Ooh, as expected of Cecily. I personally thought it was a great suggestion, but this idiot father on the other hand—

—What a fool. A hopeless idiot.

Cecily must’ve reached the same conclusion, too.

“…Then, I’ll correct the documents myself and submit and application.”

Just as Cecily was about to turn on her heels, a loud crashing sound echoed near her feet.

…The fool threw the lamp on his desk.

How would you have taken responsibility if that hit Cecily?

“If you do that, you’ll no longer be my child!”

“Good riddance! Calling such a disappointment of a lord my father is too embarrassing anyway!”

Well said, Cecily, well said!

Cecily was crying, but I also wanted to cry, albeit for a wholly different reason.

Not long ago, she was bullied to the point of saying she wanted to die, but now… She…

…But I didn’t have time to wallow in my emotions.

I thought I saw the foolish old man left his desk, and before I knew it, he had grabbed Cecily by the scruff of her neck and punched her in the face. 

However, Cecily immediately stared back at him, undeterred. When he saw that, the old man swung his leg—

—I don’t need to hold back any longer, right?

I will blow up this entire mansion.

Unable to withstand it anymore, I tried to take over—

“—Stop it!”

Before anything could happen, someone clung to that stupid geezer’s stubby leg with all her might.

She was none other than Cecily’s older sister, Neria, whose face was swollen beyond recognition.

---

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***T/N: Nora: EXPPPPPUUUURRRROOOOOSSSSIOOOOOOOOOOON!!!

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