The elders exchanged glances, helplessness written clearly across their faces, and almost at the same moment, their eyes turned toward Lady Lauren Anderson as if seeking rescue. Naturally, she would stand on Joseph's side. She smiled with the refined grace of a noblewoman who had spent her entire life navigating politics and etiquette.
"If we don't enter her name into the Heritage Ledger, the girl will only feel more insecure, making it harder for her to stand firm. The marriage certificate red paper, black ink has already been signed. The union is a fact. You all might as well accept it."
Another elder spoke cautiously:
"If the young master has already made up his mind, we have nothing more to say. However… as far as I know, the granddaughter-in-law has no personal assets prior to the marriage. Do we still need her to submit a Personal Asset Declaration to the Ministry of Justice for Family Affairs?"
The Anderson family had a long-established rule:Every new bride entering the family must submit a Personal Asset Declaration to be archived in the family's judicial system, ensuring legal protection in the event of disputes.
But my "assets"… were essentially given to me by Joseph just to fulfill the procedure.To submit it now to the Ministry of Justice to "prevent him from embezzling" would be the height of irony.
Joseph's brow furrowed slightly, his voice cold and arrogant:
"Do you think I lack something so trivial?"
No one dared respond.
The meeting dragged on for a while with a few trivial matters. Eventually, each elder could only sigh and withdraw. But before leaving, they still attempted one last question:
"Then… about delegating internal affairs surely we don't have to rush that?"
Letting a girl of humble origins manage the entire Anderson household a vast organization akin to a miniature Ministry of Internal Affairs was something that unsettled them deeply.
This time, Joseph paused as well.My dignity had to be protected.But the authority over finances, personnel, and records could not be handed out lightly.
He looked toward his mother.
"I ask that you consider this carefully."
The meaning was clear: observe Vecna longer, see if she could be trained.
Lady Lauren nodded."I know what needs to be done."
I had no idea at that moment what "position" in my future had just been quietly assigned to me.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he led me to the Hall of Legacy, the great hall preserving the entire history and heritage of the Anderson family. There was no trace of religion or traditional ceremony here; the space was crafted like a classical European gallery solemn and filled with light.
The entire hall was built of white-gray marble, with tall columns supporting a vast dome that made footsteps echo like in a national museum. Warm golden light from crystal chandeliers washed over the polished stone floor, creating an atmosphere both majestic and cold.
Along both walls stood glass display cases, each preserving a fragment of the family's memory:Painted portraits of former family heads with dignified brushstrokes;medals awarded to their ancestors during the founding era;charters and historical documents from centuries past;the first trade contracts marking the rise of the Anderson enterprise;and even documentary reels recording the building of their empire.
Everything stood completely still, glowing silently beneath the glass, as if judging the outsider who had stepped inside assessing whether I truly deserved a place in their history.
A trace of fragrance from scented candles drifted through the hall, giving the place a solemn quiet that made every step soften.
An elder stepped forward to recite blessings and announce the procedure. Then he guided Joseph and me to the center of the Hall of Legacy, where the Heritage Ledger rested:
A thick leather-bound book secured with an ornate metal lock, containing the names of every official member of the family for over two hundred years.
Another elder opened the Ledger and began reading the clauses of the Estate Charter, the rules and duties of an Anderson family member.
Joseph stood straight in the center of the hall, listening attentively, while I stood beside him, my mind buzzing with the weight of so many responsibilities.
A daughter-in-law of the Anderson family was not merely a "madam."It was a legal position, with explicit authority and obligations.
When the reading ended, the elder pushed the Heritage Ledger toward Joseph.
Joseph stepped forward, took the pen, signed his name first, then pressed the family seal onto the page. After that, he handed the pen to me, his voice low and deep like a cello resonating through stone:
"Vecna, it's your turn."
I placed one hand behind me, my fingertip brushing lightly over the name "Vecna Campbell" already written there. My eyes dimmed slightly, this girl born in the freedom of the mountains was now standing beneath a cold marble dome, about to sign her name into a Ledger weighted with power and duty.
I took a long breath and signed.
…
After the Oath Ceremony, Joseph returned to the Family Cabinet. I escorted my mother-in-law back to Evercrest Estate, and then Karen came running to fetch me so we could return to my room together.
As soon as we entered the corridor, Maya was directing the servants in their tidying. When she saw me, her face brightened.
"Madam, your monthly allowance has been delivered."
I hadn't even replied when she set a small suitcase on the table. She opened it and inside were stacks upon stacks of money. At a glance, it was impossible to tell how much. I was genuinely startled by the family's generosity because… wealth didn't always mean generosity. Yet of course, I couldn't let that astonishment appear on my face, how vulgar that would be. Even without anyone saying it, they all knew I was a girl from the countryside who had never seen so much money in one place and had even struggled financially before. If I acted dazzled now, they would only look down on me.
Keeping my expression calm, I asked:
"How much?"
"One hundred thousand dollars."
Even though I had mentally prepared myself, I almost thought I misheard.
"This is the household allowance for the entire month?"I assumed Joseph was giving me funds to manage the estate's expenses.
"No, madam," Maya laughed."This is your personal allowance."
I fell silent for a long moment. One hundred thousand dollars. Half a year's salary for the Chief Royal Councillor… Just for my personal spending?
The wealth of the Anderson Estate defied imagination.
I asked:
"What about everyone else?"
"No one receives as much as you, madam. In this household, aside from Master Jonathan who's traveling abroad and Lady Lauren, you hold the highest status."
I hesitated, then asked:
"What about the young master?"
"The master oversees all family assets. He doesn't receive a monthly allowance."
I nodded in understanding, then gently pushed the suitcase toward Maya.
"Keep it for me."
She startled.
I smiled faintly.
"I'm not used to handling money. When I need something, I'll ask for it. You keep it and record everything, that will be better."
Maya looked at me for a long moment, uncertain whether I was being sincere or delivering a subtle message to the family.
But in the end, she accepted.
At five in the afternoon, Karen clutched her stomach and complained of hunger as she always did. I called for dinner to be prepared.
In the final breeze of dusk, I felt that today marked not only my new position in the Anderson family… but also a turning point in my life, one whose path I had yet to foresee.