Chapter 17

Declaration of seclusion and battle preparations

Upon returning to the mansion, I declared my seclusion.

“For five days, I’ll lock myself in my room to think about my future. Please prepare my meals.”

The maid, Liza, widened her eyes at my words.

“Five days, my lady!?”

I nodded to Liza in response.
Then, I surveyed the entrance hall.

It seemed Father and Mother had not yet returned.
Onee-sama, having fallen ill after her outburst, had been taken away by Felix-sama.

I no longer wanted to face Onee-sama.
I didn’t want to think of her as my sister.

But reality doesn’t allow such sentiments.

Unlike my past life, where I could simply “cut ties and be done,” in this world, my connection with Onee-sama is inescapable.

I could despise Onee-sama and reject her outright. I could, but it would be a poor move.
To others, it would only look like I, driven by jealousy, was treating Onee-sama harshly.

(I need to devise a strategy here…)

Just to be sure, I confirmed with Liza.

“Father and Mother haven’t returned yet, have they?”

“Yes. His Grace is at the gentlemen’s club, and Her Grace has gone to the art gallery.”

“…I see.”

They’ve likely already been informed.
That I requested Felix-sama to dissolve our engagement.

Father, who prioritizes Onee-sama’s wishes above all, probably won’t oppose it.

The problem is Mother.

If she learns I initiated the dissolution of the engagement, Mother will undoubtedly display a chilling, icy anger.

Persuading Mother will be arduous, but—

Before that, I have things to do.

I turned to Liza.

“Liza, I have a favor to ask—”

☆

One hour later.
Holed up in my room, I held what Liza had brought me.

Newspapers from Tsaobera.
From tabloids aimed at commoners to broadsheets for the upper class.

Spreading out several types of newspapers, I focused not on their content—but their design.

Yes—I plan to use (handwritten) PowerPoint to present my future life plans to Father…!!

(Being married off to Arnold after dissolving my engagement with Felix-sama? No way. Absolutely not.)

To avoid that future, I intended to persuade Father.
But Father would likely dismiss the words of a mere girl.

So, I decided to prepare a weapon.
Not a literal item for attack, but a talisman to ensure the success of my presentation.

(Now’s the time to use the document-making skills from my past life…!!)

This world has neither PowerPoint nor Excel, nor even the internet…!!

But if I recall my elementary school social studies projects, I should manage.

(Back in elementary school, we couldn’t use computers for presentation materials, right? We had to search for references in the library and create everything based on that…)

If I remember those times, I can do this.

However.
Even though I made countless presentation materials for work in my past life, there’s no guarantee that the standards of “readability” from my previous world will be accepted here.

That’s why I had Liza bring me newspapers—to study.

Tabloids that the servants personally subscribe to.
Broadsheets that Father has delivered.

Comparing the two, I aimed to understand what “readability” means in this country.

Sitting at my writing desk, I placed the newspapers beside me and jotted down thoughts and observations on parchment.

[Slides, or perhaps more like a picture-story show?]
[Documents, or would a thesis format be better?]

(The tabloids seem to avoid complex words, catering to their audience…)

Most of their readers are commoners.
Many can read simple words but struggle with difficult ones.
After some thought, I added to my notes.

[Use clear, simple language.]

Father would surely think, “A mere girl acting all clever,” if I dove into complex topics right away.

Sparking defiance from the start would be a bad move.
I should begin with content befitting a young lady.

(My goal is to avoid engagement with anyone after dissolving my engagement with Felix-sama.)

To make a living through work as a woman—

(…I’d definitely be disowned, wouldn’t I?)

A daughter of a ducal house becoming a working woman? Father would never allow it.

(In that case… instead of persuading Father, should I aim to make him give up on me?)

My thoughts were scattered, unable to coalesce.

(I’m glad I gave myself five days…)

This will take longer than I thought.

And.

(My foot, too, is worse than I thought—)

It’s bad.

(It… hurts like crazy!! It just hurts!!)

The pain was so intense that past-life words slipped out.
It felt less like throbbing and more like being gouged.

I’d received basic treatment upon returning to the mansion, but the pain hadn’t subsided at all.
If anything, it seemed to worsen with time.

(I could walk, so it’s not broken… but it might be cracked, right?!)

If only this world had X-rays…!!

Tsaobera has magic, but science is entirely undeveloped.
Magic likely stifles scientific progress.

(If that’s the case, why isn’t magic used for medical purposes?! But no, that field is completely ignored… Why!!)

I wanted to flip a table.

Letting out a held breath slowly, I sighed.

I’d been trying to ignore it, but I’d reached my limit.
In desperation, I pressed the snowman-shaped crystal I use as a hand cooler against my ankle.

“…”

I let out a small laugh.

As expected—

Absolutely no effect!