The banquet hall of Scheringen Palace has been converted into a conference hall.
Amidst the commotion of people who were already taking their seats inside the hall, Annette entered confidently as they exchanged jealous glances, whether their chatter was mixed with words of greeting or insults.
Even though everyone saw her enter, the hall was still noisy.
There was no manner of greeting the new owner in their actions, although it was impossible for those who had been brought up in the finest families to be ignorant of what respect and what kind of behavior they should have before the new lady of the family.
This was a childish rebellion against Annette, as they did not want to acknowledge that a young woman would become the next head of the family.
Annette was calm even in the chaos where no one acknowledged her.
After the head of the family entered silently, Annette only said one word quietly but forcefully.
“All those present today as representatives of absent family members, please leave the hall.”
As the tone of her voice lowered, the noisy meeting room quieted down.
But no one moved.
“I have definitely asked all people who do not belong to the Sheringen family to get out of here.
This is an order.”
In the banquet hall, there were servants and lawyers who were not members of the Scheringen family, but were present as representatives of the Scheringen people who could not attend.
Judging by Annette's firm tone of voice, they had to leave the place immediately, but if they meekly accepted her sending them out, their masters would scold them, so they were in trouble and couldn't leave the place voluntarily.
In the midst of this chaos, Bjorn began to mock her.
“Logically speaking, it is impossible for the entire family to gather in less than ten days.
How can you blame those with circumstances for sending a representative?
We are also being patient with you, my niece, as you summoned us in the middle of our busy schedule, so you should also be patient with us.”
At my niece's word, sarcasm rose from some places.
Because of the nickname Björn gave her, Annette began to look like a little girl playing tricks in front of her relatives.
“That's right.
Instead of thanking us for coming here politely, this girl who doesn't even know how to be friendly tried to kick us out.”
“Everyone is busy today, so let's finish quickly.”
The old people added a word to each other.
They had the clear intention of embarrassing Annette by conspiring with Björn against her, and yet, contrary to their expectations, this “niece” did not start crying and screaming like a little child.
“Since when has the Chief of Shiringen been in a position to give orders based on the circumstances of family members?”
Bjorn involuntarily felt frightened and almost stepped back again.
If the chair didn't have a backrest, he probably would have fallen on his head off the floor.
"Do I look like a child whom you can mock with your nonsense?
If so, you are very mistaken.
I have the power to confiscate the honor attached to your names and I can make you, with one word, a nobody in society."
As the hall grew quiet, Annette's voice grew stronger.
Her eyes were sharp enough to pierce everyone's hearts.
“I will clearly remember the faces of those who did not obey the first order given by the Head of the Household.”
In the end, those who had come as representatives of House Scheringen rushed out of the hall.
Now, only those with blood relation to Annette remained in the conference hall.
Annette engraved each of their faces in her memory.
“First of all, I need to confirm something important.
I will retain the position and honor of Marchioness Scheringen, and I will not give up my family name just because I am married.”
When Annette said this, everyone frowned.
No one would have thought that she would stand in front of them so confidently and truly become the head of the family.
In her current position, Annette was expected to transfer the power and position of the Marquis to a suitable person and continue her life as Theodore's wife.
Everyone wanted to ask Annette the meaning of this nonsense she was spouting, when she had already belonged to her husband's family and become a stranger to the Sheringen family, but they could hardly keep their mouths shut because these words did not come out easily due to Annette's frightening and unpredictable aura.
They were all hesitating like this, except for one person…
Bjorn.
“How can a woman who has already been married bear the name Sheringen?”
Bjorn muttered without looking at Annette.
Those who agreed with him quietly shook their heads.
“The previous family head has appointed you as his successor, but we have not officially agreed to this.”
At the words of someone sitting in the corner, everyone's eyes turned to Annette's hand.
Their goal was to find the ring that the head of the family should wear.
The atmosphere of the hall changed coldly.
Seeing the opportunity, Casselia opened her mouth, then grabbed the shoulder of her young son who was standing in front of her.
"Sure, there was something my niece promised to bring with her today, but I don't see it anywhere.
Doesn't everyone seem kind enough to go along with my niece who showed up empty-handed?"
Casselia raised one corner of her mouth as she thought she had defeated Annette.
But Annette stepped in front of Casselia with such confident steps that she lost her smile.
“Are you sure the ring is the only reason you don't recognize me as the head of the family?”
"How can we recognize you when you don't even have the minimum qualifications?
Don't act so rude anymore and let the family find stability as soon as possible.
Even if you can't become the head of the Shiringen family, you can still help us and let us fend for ourselves."
Casselia laughed at Annette's words with a solemn expression.
However, her niece, who thought she was just a reckless little girl, looked at her with condescending looks that did not show the slightest annoyance.
Annette's gaze moved from Casselia's face to her son's shoulder, whose shoulder she was holding.
“By the way, Auntie, I have definitely ordered all people who do not bear the name Sheringen to leave this place.”
When the nine-year-old looked into Annette's clear eyes, he flinched.
Annette felt the child's frightened eyes and placed her hand on his shoulder opposite the shoulder his mother was holding.
“But why is Daniel here?”
Casselia violently removed Annette's hand from her son's shoulder, embraced him, and then lifted him into her arms.
"I'm from the Scheringen family as well, and this child has my blood.
I think these qualifications are enough to have him here with us."
"What are you talking about?
His name is Daniel Sandberger.
Isn't that right, Mrs.
Sandberger?"
Casselia's eyes burned with sparks of anger.
Mrs.
Sandberger.
Her deceased husband's surname was attached to her name.
No matter how much she denied it after his death, the world remembered it very well.
Annette attacked the desire of Casselia, who was aiming for the position of head of house with her son at the forefront, by only calling her by her full name.
Casselia was confused as to why her son's chances of succeeding the title were reduced in just an instant.
Annette didn't miss the opportunity and waved her hand gracefully at Hans.
Hans approached her and took out the box he was carrying.
“That's impossible... where the hell did you get that box?”
Casselia's expression hardened when she saw the eagle's inscription engraved on the box.
Annette slowly opened the box, took out the head of the family's ring, and put it on her finger.
The ring fit comfortably on her finger, as if it had been made for her from the beginning.
“I showed it to you late because I had to adjust it to fit my hand.
So for now, I can wear it comfortably and prove my qualifications.”
When the disappearing family head's ring appeared, the noise in the hall rose again.
Casselia and Bjorn in particular were visibly embarrassed.
“Now what excuse will you use to oppose me?
The official recognition from the former Family Head, the Family Head’s Eagle Ring, is the most perfect proof.
I have everything I need to become the Marchioness.”
Annette raised her ring hand for everyone to see.
“Don’t even dream of objecting to my position under the pretext that I am a woman.
I don’t want to show my family that women can be crueler than men.”
Annette looked into Casselia's trembling eyes and returned to the Head of House's seat.
“Although I was unable to give my father a proper funeral, now as the new head of the family, I will show the utmost respect, appreciation and tribute to the former head of the family.”
At Annette's signal, Hans took out the papers one by one and read out a list of future facilities and donations to be built in Burhart Scheringen's name.
Hans also showed the letter of approval from the current emperor, proving that there was no legal problem with Anett's succession to the title.
After Hans said everything, he bowed his head to Annette and stepped back.
"I did well."
Annette couldn't even hear the audience breathing anymore.
Those who had come to the conference hall to support the person they thought was suitable to inherit the title quietly abandoned their plan that they were trying to implement under any circumstances.
“Now that we have finished the title inheritance issue, I am thinking of doing some work as the new head of the family.”
Annette smiled brightly for the first time since she entered the ballroom.
It's time to pick up the whip to discipline the naughty donkeys and give the carrots to reward the persistent donkeys.
“The pension paid in the name of Scheringen will become a little different than before.”
(M.M.: A pension is a financial amount given to a certain number of selected people every month)
“Are you sure you want to get rid of the pension?”
“This is impossible.
On the contrary.
I will spare no support for those who have recognized me as the head of the family and those who will devote themselves to serving the Shiringen family and upholding its honor.
Those who devote themselves to the Shiringen should receive a well-deserved award befitting their contribution.”
This meant that Annette would only provide financial assistance to those who would obey her.
Everyone started doing their calculations in perfect order.
“Otherwise, there are people receiving a pension that exceeds their contribution to Scheringen.
So the pension that was to be paid to Uncle Bjorn will be reduced to 5%.”
"What do you mean!"
Bjorn forgot his dignity and jumped out of his seat.
“The pension that has been paid to my uncle so far will be given to those who will contribute to the development of the family during the coming period.”
Many people who were planning to side with Bjorn backed away.
If there was an opportunity to share Björn's share, who was receiving the largest pension in the family, there was no need to side with him and fall out of sight of the new head of the family.
“For further details, please consult my lawyer.”
Björn was still protesting Annette's decision, but she coldly ignored him.
“Also, Aunt Casselia.
After the marriage, your pension was cut off, but since you continue to live in Scheringen, I will restore your pension to a level similar to what it was before your marriage.”
This was unexpected behavior.
The person who threatened Annette the most was Casselia, so she had no reason to give her money.
Everyone was wondering why Annette was doing what Casselia was doing, so they paid attention to everything she had to say next.
Since then, the meeting has progressed rapidly.
“No one will doubt that I have become the head of the family now, but at this point I will make it clear one last time.”
At her signal, the conference room door opened.
Uniformed knights lined the lobby as if they were in a theatrical performance.
After that, a man among them confidently appeared and entered the banquet hall, then stood next to Annette and kissed the back of her hand.
“There seems to be a lot of talk about my marriage, so I will explain it to you officially.
Grand Duke Theodor here, who is my husband, will become the Scheringen family’s official ally.”