CH 2.2

“Did he come for the guardian problem?”

“Yes, the guardian designation was postponed last week.”

On the first day of my return, the first thing I did was postpone my legal guardian’s designation. The whole family was turned upside down. People came to me to ask why I did that.”

It was because I had yet to think about what would happen if I didn’t designate Count Corcos as my guardian. 

I hated the guardianship system myself. 

The guardianship system was designed to protect the family and the heir if the only remaining heir was a minor. Until the family heir reached the legal age and became an official head of the house, the guardian had the authority on behalf of the heir.

In other words, it meant that he became the head of the family and the guardian for the minor heir of the family at the same time.

The process of selecting a guardian itself was pretty suspicious. Some families fought each other to become a guardian. 

However, Count Corcos was able to become a guardian without thorough checking. The reason why was because I gave him my full support.

‘At that time, I was so happy. I have no idea that you were trying to devour my fortune and power.’

Reflect on yourself, you foolish me!

Anyway, the guardianship system was made with good intentions, but there were too many problems.

I was grumbling inside.

‘Oh, I don’t want to have a guardian. There’s no guarantee that someone else will be different from Count Corcos. I could do a good job at managing the household, is there no way for me to do that? Oh God, what a useless law this country has.’

As my expression got crumpled, Janice spoke softly.

“Don’t worry too much, Young Lady. You might be pressured to appoint a guardian, but they won’t be able to do anything without your permission.”

Janice consoled me when she noticed that I seemed to disapprove of Count Corcos.

Janice optimistically looked far into the future, but Count Corcos would become my legal guardian if I didn’t do anything.

Even if the sky fell, I didn’t want to have Count Corcos as my guardian, so I’d have to do some clean-up first.

‘Let’s stop dawdling and put an end to this.’

I checked my appearance for the last time. As Janice opened the door, I told her,

“Let’s go, Janice.”

I must show Count Corcos that I wasn’t the person I used to be.

***

“Long time no see, my niece.”

Said Count Corcos, who was a tall and skinny man with a face full of oil. He smiled broadly and dressed up like a drowning male peacock.

He was all dressed up, but he didn’t look good at all. After the regression, Count Corcos’ finances were a mess. He had a big desire for money and business, but he was incapable of managing them.

Considering his financial status, the clothes made by a famous designer and the ten rings on his fingers should be impossible for him to even dream of.

Yet, he still tried to dress up.

But I thought listening to what he wanted to talk about was the least I could do. 

‘He seemed to think he already became my guardian. Or maybe, he wanted to make sure that he will become one.’

The mere possibility of becoming the guardian of the Irenberg family would change the way banks treated him.

It irritated me to think that he had sold the name of my family name. 

‘Should I just go back? Do I need to deal with this man? I think I’m going to throw up if I keep looking at that face.’

While I was considering leaving, Count Corcos approached me.

“You said you were sick. You’ve gotten thinner. My poor niece.”

Count Corcos opened his arms wide to hug me. I took a step back. If it were before, I would have embraced him. Then, Count Corcos’ eyes narrowed.

“I see you’re not in good condition. Should I come later?”

I managed to swallow the words get lost and gestured at the sofa.

It was better to solve it quickly so that I could rest.

“Please sit down. I have something to say, and you came just in time.”

“Yes. We do have a lot to talk about. Ha ha ha.”

Count Corcos, who had the door slammed in his face several times by me, was glad when I told him to sit down. He smiled and sat across from me. The smile didn’t leave his face.

“Do you want me to go first, uncle? Or do you want to go first?”

“What do you mean?”

“You are here for a reason, isn’t it?”

“Rather than, I came here to see you because I was worried that you were very sick.”

Count Corcos lied without even blinking. 

‘I couldn’t feel his sincerity at all.’

I could now see the lying eyes and greed on his face clearly. Why didn’t I realize that before?

‘I am so overwhelmed by the fake consolation that you gave me.’

What a fool I was in the past. 

Once again, I gave myself a bad score.

“If you have nothing to say, then I guess I am the only one who has something to talk about.”

Count Corcos nodded, saying,

“Tell me as much as you want.”

I didn’t even want to see him pretending to be all ears.

I wondered if you could maintain that benevolent facade after listening to me.

I told him clearly,

“I will withdraw my plan to designate you as my guardian.”

“W-What did you just say?”

Count Corcos’ eyes widened at that.

He was so surprised that he almost stood up shakingly. At that, I repeated what I said to him once again.

“You will not become my guardian, uncle.”

Count Corcos’ pupils quavered from the shock. 

Did my eyes also quaver like that when he came to the dungeon and told me to die?

I got goosebumps from the sweet revenge.