Esmeralda lay sprawled across her bed like a fallen noble painting-elegant, dramatic... and completely unproductive.
One arm was flung over her eyes. The other dangled off the side of the mattress, fingers barely holding onto a teacup she had absolutely no intention of finishing.
A book rested open on her chest.
She hadn't turned the page in an hour.
"...Ah," she sighed blissfully. "This is the life. Wealth, comfort, and absolutely zero responsibilities."
She shifted slightly, pulling a blanket over herself despite the perfectly pleasant weather.
"In my past life, I worked nonstop... and for what?" she mumbled. "Stress? Bills? Disappointment?"
She snuggled deeper into the pillows.
"Never again."
A knock echoed at the door.
She ignored it.
"Your Grace," a maid called carefully, "the Duke requests your presence. The family meeting is about to begin."
Esmeralda remained perfectly still.
If she didn't move...
If she didn't respond...
Perhaps the concept of 'family meetings' would simply cease to exist.
"...Your Grace?" the maid called again.
Esmeralda let out a long, suffering sigh, as if the universe itself had personally wronged her.
"...Family meeting," she repeated, voice flat with betrayal.
A pause.
Then-
She slowly dragged her arm off her face and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"...So it's time for that."
Her expression shifted.
Not completely-she still looked like someone who would very much prefer to return to bed-but there was now a glint of sharp awareness behind her eyes.
Because she knew exactly what this meeting was.
The beginning of her family's downfall.
"...Of course it happens the moment I decide to be lazy," she muttered, pushing herself upright with visible reluctance.
She glanced longingly at her bed.
"...Wait for me," she whispered dramatically, patting the pillow. "I'll come back alive. Probably."
With that, she stood, stretched like a cat, and adjusted her dress.
"...Alright," she said, rolling her shoulders. "Let's fix this disaster before it even starts-and then I'm coming right back to doing absolutely nothing."
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The grand hall of the ducal estate was filled with voices-refined, polite, and carefully calculated.
Esmeralda sat beside her parents, posture elegant, expression calm, as members of their extended family gathered for what was meant to be a simple financial discussion.
But she knew better.
This is where it begins, she thought.
In the story she once read, this very meeting had marked the start of her family's quiet downfall. A trusted relative had proposed an investment-an ambitious maritime venture promising immense returns. Her father, swayed by confidence and familial trust, had agreed.
Months later, the relative disappeared.
The funds vanished.
And with it, the reputation of her family.
Esmeralda folded her hands neatly on her lap.
Not this time.
"...and with this opportunity," her uncle continued smoothly, gesturing toward a set of documents, "our family can expand trade routes beyond the eastern seas. The returns will be... extraordinary."
Murmurs of approval spread across the table.
Her father nodded slowly. "It does seem promising-"
"It's a scam."
The room fell silent.
All eyes turned to Esmeralda.
Her uncle stiffened. "Pardon?"
Esmeralda tilted her head slightly, her expression composed. "The ships don't exist. The ports listed here?" She tapped the document lightly. "Half of them are either inactive or under foreign restriction. And the investors you claim to be working with..."
She smiled faintly.
"...are untraceable."
A ripple of unease spread through the room.
"That is a serious accusation," her uncle said, his voice tightening.
"It's a factual one," she replied calmly. "If you proceed with this, the funds will disappear within months. And so will you."
The accusation landed like a blade.
Her father's gaze sharpened. "Is this true?"
"I-this is outrageous!" her uncle snapped. "You would trust a child over your own kin?"
Esmeralda leaned back slightly, unbothered. "Then perhaps we should investigate before making any decisions."
Silence.
Heavy.
Calculating.
Her father slowly closed the documents. "...We will postpone this investment."
Her uncle's face paled.
And just like that-
The disaster was avoided.
Esmeralda exhaled quietly.
One step at a time.
Later, as the meeting dissolved into quieter discussions, Esmeralda spoke again.
"If we're looking for investments," she said lightly, "why not consider something more... lasting?"
Her mother glanced at her. "What do you suggest?"
"Scholars," Esmeralda replied. "Education. Research. And... orphanages."
A few nobles exchanged puzzled looks.
"Orphanages?" one scoffed softly.
"Yes," Esmeralda said, her gaze steady. "Hidden talents often come from the most overlooked places. Investing in them isn't charity-it's foresight."
Her father studied her for a moment. Then, slowly, he nodded. "...Very well. We'll allocate a portion of funds accordingly."
Esmeralda smiled faintly.
And now... we wait.