I Start with a Bad Hand!

There’s no money.

No money at all…

Baron and Baroness Degoph valued noblesse oblige highly, and despite their own financial burdens, they made efforts to generously support the villagers. Although they tried not to neglect Dietrich, it wasn’t to the extent of causing operational difficulties in managing their estate due to overspending.

But the lack of money wasn’t the only problem. There were also no means to earn it.

In this remote estate, where more than half of the population was elderly, there was no chance of wealth unless a diamond mine was discovered. The few young people in the village were either middle-aged children staying to continue the family business or lackluster nobles who had come for recuperation or escape and had somehow lingered.

Even with the best business idea, generating sensational sales was difficult in a consumer group primarily comprised of retired elders. Even if you were lucky enough to expand to the capital, if a noble noticed the idea, they could easily take it and use their capital to monopolize the business, turning your time and money into waste.

“Should I gamble… or should I buy lottery tickets in this world?”

Back before I was possessed, I regularly bought lottery tickets. It seems my opportunistic mindset hasn’t changed much even in this world, as I let out a snicker.

“It sucks…”

Yes, it sucks. Whether living in this world or escaping back to my original world. It’s like starting a card game with nothing but bad hands.

Yet, I had to keep thinking. To return this body to the original Dietrich and go back to my world.

So, I decided to go to the academy, a place where Dietrich, following the flow of the original novel, would have the best chances at her age.

***

What I needed to get into the academy were the passing documents for the entrance exam. And to pass the entrance exam, I needed to study.

Fortunately, the fragmented memories remaining in Dietrich’s mind of lessons from the ducal house provided a foundation, so I didn’t have to start from scratch. However, the books in Baron Degoph’s library seemed insufficient to pass the academy’s entrance exam.

“I’d really like to get in on a scholarship if I can…”

Originally, the royal academy was only accessible to children of the nobility.

“Was a school with an entrance restriction built with tax money?” This question seemed not only mine but had once sparked fierce opposition, leading to the abolition of the restriction.

Nevertheless, the royal academy was still predominantly attended by children of nobility, mainly because they were not burdened by the struggles of daily life and could afford tuition and living expenses. Of course, there were opportunities for exceptional commoner students. Only the valedictorian, salutatorian, and a few others who received recommendations were exempt from tuition and living costs.

Given the precarious financial situation of Baron and Baroness Degoph, I realized the necessity of securing a scholarship, and thus, I needed books to prepare for the academy’s entrance exam.

Baron and Baroness Degoph were not the type to be stingy with money for buying books. However, I wanted to solve this as much as possible on my own, in case I couldn’t secure a scholarship for the academy.

Fortunately, even in Baron Degoph’s seemingly cash-strapped castle, there was still something that could be converted into money.

“Dietrich’s dresses, filled in a bag when she was expelled from the ducal house.”

If they were in good condition, I thought of selling some of them. With this in mind, I approached a secluded wardrobe.

And at that moment, I was struck by an overwhelming sight that made me doubt my eyes.

“This is…!”

The wardrobe was filled with dresses that might be worn by characters from *Secret Jouju*. No need to go that far, the designs were so extravagant they could be settled in the realm of gaudy princess dresses. It was the epitome of nouveau riche style, with every possible ornate decoration and jewel seemingly hammered in.

“Could a lady of the ducal house have worn these?”

Even the princess dresses my niece wore seemed more refined than this. Perhaps there is a different standard of elegance in this world? Looking at the designs that seemed to embody the spirit of ‘kimchi pizza sweet and sour pork’ in dress form, I seriously pondered.

“Like ‘Kimpi-tang’, which might seem strange but tastes good, perhaps these dresses might actually be fine when worn.”

The flamboyant garishness of the dresses might protect Dietrich from other nobles in a different sense. Thankful that Dietrich had outgrown these nearly untouchable dresses, I began removing the tacky decorations and excessive jewels.

Once gathered, a considerable amount of fabric and jewels were available. Baroness Degoph seemed surprised that her foster daughter, who had cherished these dresses since leaving the ducal house, now wanted to dismantle and sell them.

“I’ve outgrown them… and I want to let go of the past now.”

I quickly added an explanation to avoid any suspicion from the Baroness about this sudden change. While I had enjoyed my time at the ducal house, I wanted to focus on the happy days ahead with my mother and father here.

The more I spoke, the more tearful the Baroness looked. Throughout the long years when Dietrich stayed locked away in her room, it seemed the Baroness’s heart had been deeply troubled. Pretending not to notice her tears, I looked at other jewels, waiting for her to respond.

“Do you have something to wear now?”

“Actually, I was going to ask if I could borrow some outdoor clothes from you, Mother. I don’t really have anything to wear besides pajamas.”

Careful with my words, the Baroness then said she had something to show me, and with the help of the butler, she brought something along with the outdoor clothes.

“This is…”

With a warm smile, the butler carefully brought in a deep blue dress that complemented Dietrich’s slate-grey eyes. 

“I made this thinking about the day you’ll attend balls and debutante dances. It’s made by eye, so I’m not sure if it will fit perfectly, but it can be altered.”

The Baroness spoke uncertainly, but the blue dress made to fit by eye suited Dietrich perfectly. The Baroness seemed to cherish every glimpse of her foster daughter, who seldom ventured outside, as if memorizing her every turn.

Although the fabric and jewels of the dress couldn’t compare to the flashy dresses from the ducal house, the care taken in tailoring it for the wearer imbued it with a strange confidence, proving that its value wasn’t influenced by mere fabric or jewels.

Despite the love embedded in the dress not being meant for me, the warmth stirred something strange in my heart. My voice shook slightly as I finally managed to say thank you.

***

“Work hard, miss!”

“Ah, thank you, I mean, thanks.”

Rumors that the young lady of Degoph had broken her leg, and afterward seemed transformed as if struck by lightning, spread quickly through Heylem. In a village where the most exciting news was usually about a foal being born at the bakery on the hillside, or someone’s child joining the capital’s guard, this unexpected good fortune caused a quiet stir.

“It seems after 20 years our estate will finally produce a scholar worthy of the academy.”

“Of course, look at the lord. Didn’t he go to war with the Emperor and the duke and receive a barony? Naturally, his lordship’s intelligence is reflected in his daughter.”

‘But… Dietrich is… an adopted daughter…’

As I gathered money from selling fabrics and accessories, questions naturally arose about how I would use the funds.

“Damn. I should have dodged that question better.”

At the time, I hadn’t realized the implications my casual mention of intending to enroll in the academy would stir in this aged estate, starved for content.

As rumors spread that the sole child of the estate’s lord was entering the academy, the atmosphere became increasingly charged. Eventually, the mood was celebratory, as if I had already secured first place at the academy, even though I hadn’t even been accepted yet.

It was overwhelming.

“What if I fail? Wouldn’t that be utterly embarrassing?”

As I inhaled the musty smell of book dust that seemed a decade old, I began flipping through the pages. There were 8 months left until the academy entrance exam.

Just 8 months. It wasn’t a long time, but it wasn’t short enough to justify giving up without trying.

“Let’s do this.”