Father, I Won’t Do Anything

“Oh my!”

Marilyn, who had been nearby, let out an exclamation as her eyes widened in surprise. She was not alone – those who had been furtively glancing their way all expressed astonished gasps.

For when Jaina casually waved her hand, the fan had soared into her grasp as if magnetically drawn to her.

“Impressive. So Jaina can use magic?”

“To be a magician at such a tender age is truly remarkable.”

With a gentle smile, Jaina courteously offered the neatly folded fan back to Chloe Newin.

It was an impeccably graceful gesture, leaving no room for criticism.

“You should be more careful going forward. Dropping your fan could lead to collisions, you know?”

And in that moment, an unexpected person interjected.

“Quite right. Judging by your lack of dexterity, you seem unwell – perhaps you should retire and rest?”

It was Marilyn, who had been quietly observing the situation unfold.

“No, I’m…”

Flustered by the unanticipated circumstances, Chloe’s face reddened then paled repeatedly.

And Elia didn’t let this chance slip by.

“Chloe Newin and the Countess Newin appear indisposed, please escort them outside!”

“Wha-what?”

Before they knew it, Chloe and her mother found themselves surrounded by guards.

“What are you waiting for? See them out promptly!”

Urged on by the hostess, Marchioness Demiton herself, the two had no choice but to be practically dragged from the party venue by the guards.

“Jaina, I’m sorry you had to endure such an unpleasant experience after I invited you here.”

Of course, expelling them over a minor dispute was an excessive measure. However, these weren’t just any words – they came from Princess Elia, the central figure of this high society gathering. Her words held absolute authority.

Moreover, they had provoked a guest brought by Elia herself, leaving the others privately relieved they had been dismissed so leniently.

Once the commotion had settled, Marchioness Demiton, Elia’s former lady-in-waiting and the party’s hostess, approached Jaina.

“Dear Jaina, as the host, I must apologize for the unpleasantness. I had no idea Chloe Newin and her mother were such uncouth individuals.”

Jaina courteously grasped her skirt and bowed her head. It wasn’t the Marchioness’s fault, and Jaina understood this was a formality of sorts on the Marchioness’s part.

“Not at all. I’m grateful for your gracious understanding despite my role in causing a disturbance.”

Jaina’s natural poise prompted a glimmer of admiration in the Marchioness’s eyes.

Watching Jaina turn away, the Marchioness leaned towards Elia to whisper:

“Might she be your potential daughter-in-law?”

“I would be delighted if so, but that is entirely up to Jaina’s heart.”

“You cherish her even if she doesn’t become Crown Prince Rosian’s bride?”

“Yes. As the daughter of an old comrade, and a child of remarkable virtue.”

The Marchioness nodded, seeming to grasp the implied meaning of ‘virtue.’

Social gatherings weren’t merely friendly meetings.

While lighthearted tea parties like today’s existed to foster camaraderie, these events originally served as arenas for vying for power and interests – where moths flocked and fluttered around the light of influential figures like Elia.

Having brought Jaina here, Elia had harbored considerable private misgivings, but was pleased to see her adapting better than expected.

“Not overly ingratiating herself, yet minding her manners while knowing to express gratitude.”

“Attending her first social gathering, yet showing no signs of flustered unease.”

As the Marchioness too bestowed high praise upon Jaina, Elia let out a wistful chuckle.

“It is rare for you to appraise someone so generously, Marchioness.”

“And equally rare for Your Highness to commend another so highly.”

Gazing pensively at Jaina from afar, Elia became lost in contemplation.

‘I had intended to have Chloe Newin serve as a lady-in-waiting at the palace next year…’

Unlike maids, only nobility could apply to become ladies-in-waiting.

As they assisted the imperial family directly while fostering connections, every noble daughter aspired to such a position at some point – the Marchioness herself had cultivated ties with Elia in this manner long ago.

‘A potential daughter-in-law…’

Elia recalled a conversation she had privately with Jaina prior to the social gathering.

-Do you happen to have someone you fancy? You’re at that age, after all.

-Not particularly.

-No one around you who has caught your eye? A handsome young man, perhaps?

Elia had subtly hinted at Rosian with her inquiries.

While not expecting Jaina to utter ‘Rosian’ outright, she had anticipated her admitting to at least harboring a fleeting crush.

However, Elia’s expectations proved utterly mistaken.

-No one like that. Good looks aren’t really my preference.

Taken aback, Elia had hastily followed up:

-Then… what sort of person do you favor?

-My ideal type is rather peculiar, I worry you might find it startling, Your Highness…

-Not at all. Please, feel free to share openly.

Jaina had then softly rattled off her criteria

1. Someone utterly devoid of charm or appeal (unattractive with a short stature).

2. Possessing the audacity to defy their parents’ disapproval (a rebellious upstart).

3. Wealthy yet of low status (a crass nouveau riche).

“…”

Elia was appalled.

For a child’s ideal partner to be so pragmatically specific?

Even if fanciful, when asked their preferred type, most would cite lofty titles or prestigious honors – a Prince, Emperor, or someone of esteemed rank and renown. Yet Jaina’s criteria were the complete opposite.

In utter bewilderment, Elia had asked her:

-Why would you favor someone like that?

-With no charm, I wouldn’t face competition from other women vying for his affections. And parents would never approve of a daughter-in-law like me. As for wealth, since I have nothing to offer, it would sadden me if my partner lacked means as well. I have nothing to give.

Why would this tiny child harbor such bleak pessimism?

For the first time in ages, Elia felt her heart plummet sickeningly.

-Jaina…

Elia had opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately closed it again.

‘What can I even say…? I’m utterly at a loss.’

You deserve to be loved?

You have much to offer others?

None of the reassurances that came to mind felt adequate, so Elia had simply caressed her own lined face.

‘Empty words of consolation would never reach her.’

Jaina was merely thirteen years old.

Still at an age where she should live buoyed by dreams and hopes rather than harsh realities.

Yet Jaina’s eyes remained unnaturally serene for her years. No, to be precise, they seemed to have settled into a profound quietude befitting someone who had experienced the world’s depths.

‘Will those eyes ever regain a brilliant sparkle?’

While fond of Jaina, Elia couldn’t help but feel disheartened by this particular aspect.

‘It’s all that bastard Diamid’s doing.’

She had an inkling as to why this child viewed herself so bleakly and undervalued her self-worth.

Unable to gain her own father’s acceptance, how could she learn to receive love, or even give it in turn?

‘Any words of reassurance from me would likely be dismissed as mere pity.’

In Elia’s eyes, Jaina was more than a decent child.

She had prompted change in Rosian, whom even his own mother had practically given up on.

The very fact that he now devoted himself to swordsmanship training, after initially resisting – it was all due to this child’s influence.

‘Rosian, have strength.’

Teach this selfless child, who doesn’t know how to cherish herself, the ways of loving and being loved.

Briefly envisioning Rosian during his training sessions, Elia soon emerged from her reverie upon hearing Jaina’s voice nearby.

“Thank you, lady Marilyn.”

Jaina was expressing gratitude towards Marilyn, who had interjected a sharp retort on her behalf against Chloe Newin.

“Hmph, you know my name?”

With folded arms, Marilyn let out a derisive snort.

“Don’t misunderstand, I wasn’t helping you out. Besides, to think you’re wearing that ribbon before me right now…”

Only then did Jaina seem to realize she was still wearing the ribbon with its jeweled embellishment, which she had taken from Marilyn.

“I don’t know how you became acquainted with the Princess, but look forward to me avenging that humiliation soon enough! So don’t you dare lose to anyone else until then, understood?”

Without waiting for Jaina’s response, Marilyn said her piece before stalking off.

Jaina let out an amused chuckle.

‘Don’t lose to anyone else?’

She had anticipated Marilyn would only cause her double the headaches, but it seemed the opposite was true.

‘Peculiar, yet entertaining company.’

Feeling the upcoming social gatherings would hardly be dull, Jaina watched Marilyn’s retreating back, only for their eyes to meet as the latter glanced back fleetingly.

“…!”

Flustered as if caught in an untoward act, Marilyn fidgeted before swiftly vanishing from sight.