As the morning sun rose, the Brellof estate was so quiet that one would never suspect a search had been conducted overnight for a suspicious individual.
I, too, pretended ignorance while having breakfast and going about an ordinary day, but my mind was anything but calm.
‘Last night, what I used to save Ascan was the magic stone bracelet. It’s not something anyone can just buy off the market—it’s an item only usable by the person who engraved it.’
No matter how I thought about it, there was no way the illustrious Brellof family wouldn’t realize I was the one who used Light magic last night. Especially since the opponent was none other than Zen.
I kept mentally rehearsing how I should respond if last night’s incident were discovered.
Though I anticipated it, Zen’s visit came sooner than I expected. Before noon even arrived, he appeared at my room and spoke in a low voice.
“Miss Tanashia, His Lordship requests your presence.”
The moment I heard those words, I felt it—the long-awaited moment had finally come.
I nodded and stood up without hesitation.
“Where is Father now?”
“He is waiting in his study.”
“Understood.”
As I began to walk, Zen immediately stepped forward as if he’d been waiting, leading me to Orland’s study.
Zen remained completely silent until we reached the study. Although I knew from the novel that he was a man of few words, he clearly belonged to the same category as Ascan.
Lost in thought, I suddenly found myself standing before the study door.
Knock, knock. Zen knocked and announced.
“My Lord, Miss Tanashia has arrived.”
“Tell her to come in.”
Upon Orland’s permission, Zen opened the door and bowed respectfully.
“Please go in, Miss.”
“Thank you.”
Stepping through the opened door, I saw the interior of the study. Piles of documents stacked on the desk looked exhausting just to look at.
Orland shifted his gaze from the papers and looked at me. His sharp eyes alone made me feel a pang of guilt in my heart.
“Sit for a moment. I’ll finish what I’m reading and then attend to you.”
“Yes, Father.”
Without protest, I sat down on the sofa. In this situation, obedience was the wisest course.
Quietly glancing around the study with only my eyes, I soon saw Orland finish his work and approach to sit across from me.
He looked tired—likely from lack of sleep.
“Last night, Zen reported seeing a suspicious figure, but lost track of them because someone used Light magic. Do you have anything to say regarding this?”
Orland was giving me the first chance to explain myself.
I seized the opportunity without hesitation.
“Yes. I was the one who used Light magic outside the estate last night.”
“Matela told me she gave you the magic stone bracelet, but said you hadn’t engraved it yet….”
“I received an assignment from my master—I disassembled it and re-engraved new magical formulas. I wanted to test whether it worked properly.”
As Orland listened quietly, a look of surprise flickered across his face.
“Already?”
“Yes.”
“But you’ve only just begun studying magical engineering.”
“It’s the field I chose. I find it so fascinating that I’m completely immersed.”
At my words, an unmistakable smile appeared on Orland’s face. No father fails to feel proud when his daughter studies diligently.
“Fascinating? That’s fortunate to hear.”
“But… was there truly a suspicious intruder at the estate last night?”
I looked at Orland with the most convincingly clueless expression I could muster.
He studied me for a moment, then shook his head and replied.
“It doesn’t seem so. There were no signs of entry or exit.”
“Then perhaps someone inside the estate was mistaken for an intruder.”
Orland stared at me silently—not with suspicion, but rather with the unspoken cue to continue speaking.
Sensing my opportunity, I delivered the excuse I’d prepared.
“I wanted to test the Light magic, but didn’t want to disturb anyone inside the house, so I went outside. But once I got out, it was too dark, so I called for my familiar—but never found them. Could that be what Zen saw?”
Zen had seen Ascan’s silhouette. He’d surely already deduced the person wasn’t an adult, but a boy.
Rather than denying everything, it was wiser to admit partial truth while steering the incident in another direction.
What I truly wanted to conceal last night wasn’t Ascan’s identity, but the fact that he’d been trying to escape the estate.
Fortunately, thanks to the Light magic distraction, the bag Ascan had been carrying went unnoticed. With a good enough excuse, I had room to maneuver.
“Hmm. Your explanation does make sense.”
Hearing Orland acknowledge it, I breathed a deep sigh of relief internally.
“Right?”
“But remember—this is a place where you and Noxia live. We must prioritize safety.”
At Orland’s words, I involuntarily swallowed hard.
He was a man of exceptional business acumen, seasoned in dealing with people—I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.
“This incident…”
Orland’s sharp gaze turned toward me. I met his eyes as calmly as possible, waiting for what came next.
“I’ll let it pass—for now, based on your explanation.”
Inside, I wanted to jump for joy, but I kept my expression composed and simply nodded.
“But not a second time. If anything similar happens again, I will investigate thoroughly—and regardless of guilt, anyone whose actions invite suspicion will be expelled from the estate.”
I could tell Orland’s warning wasn’t idle talk.
I wondered if he knew more than he let on, but for me, ending it here was incredibly fortunate.
“Yes, I understand.”
Thus, it seemed the incident from last night was settled. But in my mind, my plan didn’t end here.
“I also have something I’d like to say to you, Father.”
Surprised that I had a proposal, Orland looked at me with raised eyebrows.
“Go ahead.”
“To prevent incidents like last night, I believe I need my own laboratory.”
“Laboratory?”
“Yes. Studying magical engineering properly is too inconvenient inside the main house.”
I’d always planned to ask Orland for this once I seriously began magical engineering studies—so seizing this opportunity wasn’t a bad idea.
As the saying goes, crisis breeds opportunity. If I could leverage this incident to secure a lab, it would be a win.
Orland pondered silently for a moment, then chuckled softly. His voice became noticeably gentler as he spoke.
“Very well. I’ll have a laboratory built for you.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled openly, unable to hide my joy. Orland, seemingly pleased by my reaction, looked at me with a satisfied expression.
“I’ll have experts contact you soon regarding the lab’s specifications. If you have nothing else to say, you may go.”
Orland was a man for whom time equaled money.
Though I knew from reading how busy he was, seeing the piles of documents in person made me worry for his health.
As I stood to leave, I turned back to look at him again.
“Father.”
At my call, Orland’s gaze returned to me. Sensing his silent question, I spoke carefully.
“I’ll tell the head chef to prepare tea good for fatigue recovery. Please take care of your health while working.”
Orland’s expression briefly registered surprise—he clearly hadn’t expected such a remark from me. Then he smiled faintly and replied.
“Alright.”
Shortly after Tanashia left the room, Zen dropped down from the ceiling as if by magic—though moments before, the room had seemed completely empty.
No one had seen Zen enter; his presence was due to his unique ability.
With a blank expression, Zen stared at the door through which Tanashia had exited and said,
“Miss’s words are true—but she’s definitely hiding something.”
But no reply came to Zen’s statement.
Puzzled, Zen turned around—and saw Orland smiling with deep satisfaction.
“My Lord?”
“Whatever she’s hiding, I’ve already warned her—that’s enough. She seems to be excelling in magical engineering, so consider this a reward.”
If Orland said so, then so it was. Zen lowered his head in acknowledgment.
As he tried to clear his mind of last night’s suspicions…
“Huh.”
Suddenly, Orland chuckled. Seemingly amused by some private thought, he laughed softly and said,
“But you know…”
“Yes?”
“Doesn’t Tanashia seem to have taken after me?”
Zen had heard their entire conversation. Unsure what part triggered that observation, he could only stare at Orland.
“I never expected her to use last night’s incident as leverage to ask me for a laboratory. The way she turns one favor into two—that’s the spirit of a merchant. I’m quite pleased.”
Zen hadn’t noticed it himself, but hearing Orland’s words, he had to admit it did seem that way.
“Perhaps instead of teaching her magical engineering, I should’ve prepared to pass down a business to her.”
Orland stroked his chin with a playful smile, muttering to himself.
At that moment—
Knock, knock. A knock came from outside.
The instant someone else appeared, Zen vanished from the room as swiftly as smoke—nowhere to be found.
“What is it?”
In response to Orland’s question, the maid outside replied.
“I’ve brought the tea Miss requested.”
“Come in.”
No father would be displeased when his daughter urged him to care for his health.
Seeing the tea Tanashia had arranged, Orland’s smile deepened.
Returning to my room, I was startled to find Barnen and Matela standing at my door.
Today wasn’t a scheduled lesson day. Naturally, I wondered why both of them had come to see me together.
“What brings you here?”
The moment Barnen saw me, he rushed over. His heavy breathing suggested he’d run all the way here.
“You disassembled the magic stone bracelet—is that true?”
Orland had just mentioned confirming this detail through Matela. Apparently, news of last night had reached Barnen’s ears too.
“Oh, I was planning to mention it during class—but you already heard?”
“Tell me. Is it true? Or not?”
“It’s true.”
“What? That’s impossible!”
Barnen clutched his head, his expression one of utter disbelief.
Matela, standing beside him, was barely suppressing laughter—clearly finding the scene amusing.
Seeing me standing there bewildered, Barnen abruptly thrust out his hand and shouted,
“Hand it over. I need to see it with my own eyes.”
At his demand, I removed the bracelet from my wrist and handed it to him. He stormed into my room, eyes blazing, and grabbed tools capable of disassembling the bracelet.
Before anyone could stop him, I could only watch helplessly as he disassembled the bracelet I’d reassembled.
Sensing my confusion, Matela spoke gently.
“Let him be, Miss. He’s the type who won’t believe anything unless he sees it himself.”
“Is that so?”
In an instant, Barnen finished inspecting my reassembled bracelet and collapsed into a chair with a deflated expression—as if he were a pile of soggy laundry.
“Master, I finished the assignment perfectly—aren’t you going to praise me?”
At my question, Barnen glared at me with mock annoyance and replied in a deliberately gruff tone.
“Well done.”
It wasn’t exactly a bow-worthy compliment, but I chose to focus on the fact that I’d completed his assignment flawlessly.
“But how on earth did you do it? You said you had zero practical experience! Is this really possible just by reading books?”
“Yes, apparently it is.”
At my utterly simple answer, Barnen looked utterly flabbergasted.
But there was no other way to explain it. I studied from books—and did exactly as I’d studied. That was all.
“So this is why others found me so irritating…”
Barnen muttered to himself, gazing into the distance.
I’d intended to mention it during class, but since everyone was gathered, I couldn’t help but share what I’d just discussed with Orland.
“I have something to tell you.”
At my words, Barnen and Matela turned to look at me. With their attention focused, I continued in a calm voice.
“I told Father it’s too difficult to study properly inside the house, so I asked him to build me a laboratory. He agreed.”
Matela’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really?”
Constructing a laboratory required an enormous sum. In truth, without the Brellof family’s backing, such support would have been unthinkable.
“Yes. Master and Teacher Matela—you’re welcome to use it as you please. I plan to have it built quite spacious.”
“Wow, what wonderful news!”
Matela seemed overjoyed at the prospect of having her own unrestricted workspace.
Barnen didn’t outwardly express it, but the twitching corners of his mouth betrayed that he was quite pleased about the new laboratory.
“…Having a wealthy student does have its perks.”
“Be a bit more honest. You’ve been complaining constantly that your current lab is cramped and outdated.”
“Hmph. You have a knack for remembering the most useless things.”
“You? Weren’t you the one who agreed to accept me as your master?”
“…!”
I had no idea what exchange had occurred between them while I wasn’t around, but at Matela’s single remark, Barnen fell utterly silent—like a catfish fed honey.
Watching these two, who resembled mouse and cat, I couldn’t help but smile.
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
