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Your Regrets Are Late
Your Regrets Are Late
Summary:
The ground that buried my mother’s body was not dry enough to accept the
illegitimate child my father had brought as my sister.
When I first heard that I had worked hard, I thought I was going to be happy now.
However, that was my mistake. I thought I had a hot spring that had passed by for a
while.
The illegitimate child drank the poisoned tea on her own to bring me down.
“Since you broke down the family dignity, he said it is no longer a relationship
between a father and daughter.”
My father did not recognize me as a daughter or successor until the very end.
When he gave up the child in of his own in a cold prison, I chose to die.
It was only then that I was able to sever a relationship that I had not lost for a
long time.
What I’ve been struggling with so far has been so lonely and that it’s funny.
* * *
The fiancé, who remembers everything about the past, weeps and begs for my
forgiveness.
“If you couldn’t be a father, you shouldn’t have given birth to me.”
Chapter 1
“So the Duke of Marsetta is succeeded by Princess Lilian?”
“The Marquis of Luxen, Princess Lillian’s mother’s family, was all purged for
treason. Is that possible?”
“It’s been a while since It was reinstated, so why are you talking about it all
over again?”
“I’m…. I’m not sure. I wonder if she really trying to poison Princess Lillian.
Isn’t there any reason for that?”
“There is no reason. Maybe that’s because she is afraid that her position as a
successor might be taken away.”
“Well. His Highness the Duke has often said that she would make a drop.”
What Charelize did was terrible enough to the point where the knight even talked
about it.
She was jealous of her half-sister, Lillian, who lived in hiding, and rebuked her
case.
She did not hesitate to betray the heavenly beings, with tried to kill Lillian by
giving her a tea with poison, and committed all kinds of evil.
Delphir, the second son of the Marquis of Radiasa, who was there with her, was able
to quickly show the fallen Lillian to the doctor.
Maybe it was because Lillian barely woke up after wandering around the dead for a
few days, but the progress was not good.
The origin of the poisonous Lipecha was not from the Elioter Empire, but the Luang
Kingdom, so it could not be quietly covered.
“Sir Ethan.”
Among the knights who mocked and laughed at me, there is also knight of Duke
Marsetta.
“What….. is it?”
The knight who answered my question looked somewhat quivering.
At the appearance of the knight, who seemed to be distressed for a moment, I had a
feeble hope.
“Since you broke down the family dignity, he said his relationship with you is no
longer a relationship between a father and daughter.”
“……”
“No way… are you not mistaken that his Majesty the Duke will help you?”
But the answer that came back was an obvious disregard, and there was a lot of
hatred in it.
My hand, holding the iron fence, fell into the sea without a rush.
Charelize was born as the daughter of the Duke Marsetta and Princess Yekaterina,
the second daughter of the predecessor emperor.
I am the only successor to the Duke of Marsetta, and the most complete lineage, who
would become the owner of Marsetta.
I had her dark blonde, a symbol of the imperial family, which allowed me to receive
the name of Empress Roxana, the former empress, as the second surname.
I was treated as one of the few semi-royal peoples who were granted succession to
the throne.
The Duke could not forget his fiancee, daughter of Marquis Luxen, that make him
hated his wife and me.
Because of chronically ill, Princess Yekaterina spent most of her time only in her
bed.
Nevertheless, I became a little Duchess after hard work. I was also doing the job
perfectly.
It certainly was until the illegitimate child, brought by the Duke Marsetta, was
enlisted in my family.
Princess Yekaterina passed away from her chronic disease, and the ground where her
body buried was still dry.
The silver hair of the Duke Marsetta, whom even I couldn’t have, and the blue eyes
proving that she was a member of the Duke Marsetta became more convincing than
anything else.
To make matters worse, the one known as Lillian’s birth mother is daughter Marquiss
of Luxen, who was the fiancée of the Duke of Marsetta.
The Duke of Marsetta struggled to find Lillian, who suffered from genetic disease
that has been passed down form the Marquis Luxen generation to generation.
After his efforts, Lillian received her first surname ‘Crose’, the name of the
former Duchess of Marsetta.
I accepted that child and knew that my father would recognize and look at me if I
was kind.
Considering that her body was weak, I had once offered to take care of her in a
villa in the name of the little Duchess.
And my actions make people think that I was trying to drive Lillian away to the
colder northern part.
I heard that someone gossip about me being secretly seeking medicine to cure
genetic disease was a trick to grasp and shake weaknesses.
Even though I didn’t expect her to drink poisoned tea by herself, I noticed earlier
that she hated me.
Delphir, holding Lillian, who had fallen out of her blood, said he was really
disappointed.
He was once a man I loved enough to even give my life for him.
Excluding the day I first met him, we spent four years together.
I didn’t have the courage to share the news of my pregnancy, which I learned weeks
before imprisonment.
“You’re always working hard. Sir Ethan. Sir Luan. Sir Yuin.”
When asked about the purpose of her visit, tears immediately formed in Lillian’s
eyes.
“I was worried about my sister who would be in a cold place, so I couldn’t sleep
for a few days….”
“Oh my…….”
“So I mean… can I talk with her with only the two of us?”
The knights who were worried for a long time, stepped aside
“Unnie.”
“…..”
“I remember the day I first met unnie. Looking at you now, hasn’t our situation
changed surprisingly?”
The day she met the Duke of Marsetta, who even visited Baron Buzz to pick her up.
Lillian was wearing the shabby dress she had on purpose.
Lilian’s appearance was enough to stimulate the sympathy of the Duke Marsetta.
And Charelize, who first encountered her on the stairs, looked absolutely noble and
elegant.
Lillian felt unfair. The Duke Marsetta’s interests, the status and honor of the
little Duchess, and her loving fiancé.
At the words of me, who spit out in a calm manner, Lillian made a sullen
expression.
“I am the one who is crazy in the eyes of the world. I who have a week body, is
jealous of my half-sister and tries to kill her.”
“Even though I didn’t greet you on the day I first met you, I sincerely cared for
you with all my heart. There is nothing wrong with your existence.”
I smiled bitterly. It was sad regrettable that the relationship had to be this
catastrophic.
“…..Would you like to hear that? That I and and brother Delphir’s are engaged.”
It should have been wrong to say that Delphir and Lillian, who were mu sister and
my lover, were engaged.
“We’re going to put the ceremony on a warm spring….. What do you think of that,
Unnie?”
But it wasn’t. Realizing that, the anger I had been holding broke out.
“The little Duchess position, your fiancee, Brother Deplhir. It’s all mine now.”
I didn’t want to believe. To keep that place, I have lived up to this time.
“The next day at noon, when the sun is brightest. Unnie will be sentenced to your
execution. Brother Deplhir tells your sins aren’t right?”
“…..”
As if she felt a rush from far away, Lillian raised her bent body.
“It looks like knights are coming. I’m sorry, but I’ll go.”
“Why…”
“Unnie, do you still want to live? I don’t want you to be lame when it’s the last
time. If I were you, I’ll choose to suicide.”
Lillian left. It was late dawn when only a few knights remained on patrol.
Through the very small windows, I saw the moonlight reflected in pure white.
The day I learned that I had Delphir’s child passed through my head.
Although it was still in its early days, it seemed as if I could hear the sound of
my child’s heart.
“Poor little baby. My baby. It is your father who will kill me and you.”
I whispered in a voice that could only be heared from the life in my tummy.
“Even if you are lucky enough to survive, life hated by your father is very
difficult. Do you understand the feeling that I don’t want to pass on what I have
been through?”
I soothed, and I asked for forgiveness. My tears from my cheeks slowly flowed down.
I pulled out a dagger that had been hidden very deeply. It couldn’t be taken away
because they didn’t search for my body separately.
As I looked at the pink jewels embedded in the handle, memories of the past
suddenly came to mind.
Delphir gave me a pink jewel, which was also a memento of my mother, inscribed on a
dagger as a gift.
Even though I was just thinking, the feelings I felt at that time were once again
engraved in my heart.
One corner of my heart was stuffy. It was so stiff that it did not come loose.
My heart tightened right away. I felt a pain that could not be expressed in words.
There was a feeling of twisting of the organs, and irresistible blood came out of
the mouth.
“Baby. Just in case, if I go back to before meet you and have another chance….”
“I’ll be waiting as a mother who can give you all….. love. We can hold hands
together and walk.. Let’s live the life that your mother dreamed of.”
My eyelids were heavy. The moment I tried to close my eyes, a bright light turned
and a man appeared.
He was a man with light blue hair. He said nothing to me. He just hugged me
strongly with me in his arms.
My blood flowing out wasn’t dirty, and his willingness to never miss it was
outstanding.
Watching his manly figure made my heart ache, missed it, and felt comfortable.
The front of my eyes was blurred, and his figure could not be recognized. I touched
him, putting my hand on the man’s cheek.
The man clasped my hand with his knuckles. I didn’t want to take it out strangely.
In fact, I didn’t have the strength to do that.
It seemed that the time of my death was approaching to feel cold and warm.
“It’s all. I want to quit. In the first place…. it would have been better off I
wasn’t born… as much as….”
As time passed, I was insanely distressed by the pain in my heart that hurts.
“……”
When I complained of of pain from constant paint, he responded with a crying voice.
“Have a good rest. In the next life, don’t worry, only listen to good words and
meet only good relationships.”
“…..”
“Goodbye, Lize.”
As if the words became the end of my life, it wasn’t long before my eyes met a
darkness.
Chapter 2
“Highness. Your Highness.”
At the hand of someone’s waking me up, I reflexively struck pushed her hand away.
As I turned my head, I saw Lillian’s maid of honor, who I had to be separated with
her.
“Lari….?”
I could feel Lari’s nervous eyes worried about me. The feel of the fluffy blanket
was familiar.
The sun’s strong rays reflected off the transparent windows, tickling my eyes.
From the perspective and the touch, it didn’t seem like a dream.
The shape of the man was not properly seen, so it was not possible to distinguish
who he was.
My heart beats so quickly that I couldn’t control just thinking about the man.
My sore throat asked for water. Lari poured water into the glass on the table.
My hands were shaking and I almost missed the cup that I was holding.
“Lari.”
Her owner, who suddenly asks for the date, might make Lari wonder, but the loyal
Lari answered my question without asking why.
‘Four years ago, I came back at 17. Is this… makes sense? What the hell has
happened now?’
I put everything down and gave up even my child because I wanted to rest.
After a long study abroad life at Rosielt Academy, I became a little Duchess at a
coming-of-age ceremony.
My mother died the next year, so right now she is still alive.
“Mo…ther?”
In addition, her original personality was so lively that there was nothing she did
not know.
Lari was familiar with all the information in the mansion, even she have the
nickname of a source.
“That’s good news. I want to drink tea with my mother after a long time, so please
tell her to let me know when she’s okay.”
I died, and when I came back to life, it seemed that I had become a child again.
I could hardly hide my heart, excited by the news that my mother is still alive.
Hearing that she was supposed to have gone alone at dawn, my mother’s death became
ashes of regret and existed deep in the corner of my heart.
My father brought Lillian on the day I was handed over my mother’s belongings from
the maid of honor.
The brilliant blue diamonds looked lonely even though they were just jewels.
“Come in.”
Lari, whose hair and pupils are brown, and Hailey, who gives a calm impression.
Martin, the daughter of my nanny, was one of the few to whom I trusted.
Although after my mother’s death, Martin quit her job, following my nanny, who had
rapidly weakened.
At the order of the Duke Marsetta, Lari was forced to go as Lillian’s maid of
honor.
Because of that, the time I was able to spend with them once again felt very
precious.
“Marquis Radias?”
Early in the morning, it was obvious that I had a relationship with him if he was
going to send someone to me personally.
It was even more so because I could see Hailey hesitating to say something to me.
She said, “He said that Sir Delphir was riding horses, and he fell off the horse
and fell into fainting.”
“….. fainting?”
“Your Highness?”
If I were the usual Charelize, I would have asked Hailey where he was, how he was,
and how much he was hurt.
I acted as if I were going right away and was obsessed with my worries, so things
didn’t even come into sight.
“Hailey.”
“I’m thinking of drinking tea with my mother. Tell the Radias messenger not to wait
because I’m busy with my work and don’t know when I’ll be able to come.”
Next to her, Lari also left the room after saying that she would prepare my bath
water.
Because it was so tender, the skin turned red and I felt a little pain.
It was a moment when I was truly convinced that I had returned to the past, that I
had lived without dying.
I soon felt guilty for the baby in my stomach for the fact that I had survived
alone.
Raising my hand and striking my chest several times with my strength, I felt
frustrated.
My tears suddenly burst, I couldn’t stop crying no mater how much I tried to stop.
It was strange that, when I heard the news that Delphir had an accident, I wasn’t
worried.
I was resentful of him for dismissed the time we spent with the memories I had
accumulated.
Even if I feel sorry for a child who died without seeing the light of the world. I
shouldn’t have to fall in love again. No, it was natural that I shouldn’t. With
that in mind, I headed to my bathroom.
Martin, who smiles brightly and responds, seems to overlap with my nanny’s youthful
appearance.
“Go to Rael’s own house for a few days. While on the way, give my regards to nanny
as well.”
It seemed that she had stayed up all night because of the worries of Charelize
nanny, who had returned to Viscount Rael because of her weakness.
“Madam said that you can visit before the sun goes down.”
After drying my hair, applying lavender balm and being carefully combed, I urged
Hailey out of my ordinary way.
“It feels like you’ve passed away back to those days, Your Highness.”
“…Is that so? Maybe it’s because I’ve been seeing my mother in so long.”
“I was worried because you seemed to have a lot of hard work these days, but I’m
glad.”
Wearing a comfortable yet somewhat formal sky blue dress is the last thing She has
done with all the decorations.
Her graceful voice was heard despite her exhausted energy from her long struggle
with her illness.
We were awkward enough to think that we are mother and daughter who lived in the
same mansion and shared blood.
I was unfamiliar with the title I heard from my mother after a long time as the
little Duchess.
Rather than being disappointed by my mother who asked my case for visiting her, I
was rather happy because my mother remain same as in my memory.
“Little Duchess?”
There was nothing more valuable than just making eye contact and sharing our breath
in the same space.
“Suddenly.”
“…..”
“I missed my mother.”
I felt a lot of happiness just by being with the people I always missed.
Chapter 3
“What… what happend?”
The maid and Hailey, who were together in the room, were also not very different.
They barely straightened their pupils, who were almost astonished, and went out
with their heads bowed.
“I like the scent of tea. You can also eat little Duchess.”
But when I finally faced my mother face, my mouth couldn’t fall properly.
“It’s not good manners to touch the dress during a conversation with the other
person.”
Loosen the power of my hand, looked at my mother’s face and looked into her gaze.
After giving birth to me, my mother body became precarious body that could endanger
her life even if she was hit by the wind outside.
Nevertheless, my mother kept the noble dignity of the princess anytime, anywhere.
The memory of giving good to the weak and helping the weak was clear in my mind.
‘We were born with a precious status, but it wasn’t because we did something. Just
as they weren’t born with a low status by committing a sin.’
‘Yes. Mother.’
‘Always keep in mind that Princess, You have so many people under your position.’
My mother is my idol. I wanted to hold hands together and walk the same path.
However, no matter how hard I try, I couldn’t reach her, even when I stretched out
my hand strongly. We couldn’t walk together.
I faced my mother at the same age as when she gave birth to me.
Perhaps this was an unexpected question, and my mother seemed very surprised.
It was forbidden to mention the Esteemed daughter of Marquis Luxen, she was the
fiancee of the Duke Marsetta.
“Because it is true that I have ruined the lives of many people… by being here.”
“I’m going to break the engagement with the second son of Marquis Radiasa.”
As such, it was difficult for her to fully understand what her daughter said.
Her mind also didn’t open up well. However, Delphir was considered on of the few
who on her side.
It was natural for them to have been together since they were very young.
Because She know the fact better than anyone else, this situation was confusing
enough.
As it was not enough to suddenly come without any business, and the first thing she
said in her life was that she would break up her engagement with Delphir.
What had happened to her, she couldn’t tell if she had made this decision.
“Did you know that the wife of the Marquis of Radiasa….. is your mother’s friend?”
“Because the two of you were close in the first place, so I was able to meet him.
Of course, I am not saying that I will break the engagement for no reason. Don’t
you have to be careful about what you don’t know can happen.”
“Well, what’s the reason for saying this? Is it just a superficial reason? Or is it
because You’re sorry for the mother who will be in contact with her daughter’s
breakup late?”
With the sudden change in Charelize’s attitude, the Duchess Marsetta tried to find
out why.
Her straight eyes reminded me of a longing man who came out every day in my dream.
“What is it?”
The complexion of the Duchess Marsetta, who had been contemplating it for a while,
suddenly darkened.
“Take them to the reception room. Tell him that I’ll be there soon, and treat them
well.”
“Mother?”
“Little Duchess. I don’t think today is the right time. Let’s drink tea next time.”
“Yes.”
I grabbed and asked the young lady in waiting who had left the parlor.
“I’m sorry little Duchess. I’m not sure because I’ve been instructed by the head of
the lady in waiting..”
“Yes. The guest was covering their entire face with a black cotton thread.”
“Let’s go.”
Even after the maid left, I was not relieved of my feelings somewhere uncomfortable
and steamy.
Returning to my office, what I did was simply taking care of my immediate task.
I could know if I was still, my feeling of despair, which I took off, made my body
tremble.
One day, two days passed, and it was finally three days.
I ordered the coachman and was preparing to change into my outing dress.
“Martin also went on vacation, so don’t follow me today, and take a break for
yourself.”
Immediately after giving a vacation to Hailey and Lari, who were helping me dress
up, a voice of opposition was heard.
As Hailey, who always agreed to my words and steadfastly followed me, disagree with
me, I shook for a moment.
Of course, the carriage, which had maids with many worried eyes, was quiet.
Today, the empty space was more noticeable, and it was very quiet.
On the opposite side, memories of a very long time ago seemed to be an illusion.
However, the ring Delphir put in was loose. It didn’t fit my finger anymore.
It wasn’t that I lost weight, it seemed that it wasn’t for me from the beginning.
It seemed we have arrived at the Marquis of Radiasa. The horses leading the
carriage gradually slowed down.
We greeted each other with the Marquis and Marchioness Radiasa, who had been
meeting in advance.
“He just woke up for a while in the morning, do you know who He want to meet
first?”
“…..”
“I had a hard time trying to stop him because he was looking for little Duchess.”
“I was fascinated for a while, but don’t worry about him because he just got a
minor bruise.”
“Yes….?”
“Delphir!”
When the embarrassed Marchioness Radiasa opened the door in a hurry, I saw Delphir
sitting on the floor.
Delphir pushed out the Marchioness Radiasa, who was trying to get him up.
From a while ago, the Marquis of Radiasa seemed to have noticed something.
How long had it been, I bent my back and picked up a piece that fell around him.
“Charel!”
“……”
“It’s surprising. It’s no one else, but you’re the one who taught me how to ride a
horse.”
“……”
“This is the first time. That you fell off the horse. To answer my question in such
a silent manner.”
Coming in the carriage, and at the given time before that, I constantly thought.
His accident, which had not existed before, make me puzzled.
Moreover, Delphir’s ability to ride horses was enough to not have to speak badly.
And I couldn’t understand why he was looking at the glass beads he hadn’t even
pulled out.
When I asked with a calm face, Delphir did not answer the question.
“…..”
“Why? You didn’t usually do this. You don’t answer anything, and you’re shaking in
such anxiety…..”
“……”
“Just in case.”
“……”
“It’s still true that you can’t lie, even in the old times and now.”
“……”
“Thanks to that, I’m glad I knew what You said to me in prison wasn’t a lie.”
By any chance, the prediction I had thrown was correct. Delphir avoided my gaze.
‘If I’m the only one who remembers… there’s nothing more resentful and unfair than
that.’
“Shut up.”
“…..”
“I don’t want you to regret it, cry or say sorry at this time.”
“……”
“My baby has never seen the light of the world, and it died because of you.”
Chapter 4
As soon as Charelize’s words were over, Delphir immediately knelt down.
His body couldn’t continue to calm down, just as the lash tree trembled.
“…..”
“…..”
“…..The sound of the baby’s heart, who is dying in it’s father’s hand, is so loud.”
“…….”
“Even if I look at the life I have lived, a life that is hated by my father is
insanely painful.”
“……”
“You don’t know what I through, I give up the baby and chose to die.”
Delphir breathed a loud breath. His eyes were full of moist water.
“You took the lead in driving me to the abyss. Was there anything different if I
told you? No. There wouldn’t have been.”
Delphir shackled my ankle, as I struggling to get out.
And I said the things he hates to hear and fears the most.
“…..”
“Then, when time passes and everything is forgotten. I remember why my child died.”
The time we spent together was so colorless, I was able to take it out very easily.
I smashed the ring that fell to the floor. The jewelry on the ring was broken.
“Delphire.”
He shook his head and denied whether he expected the words I’m going to say.
“…..”
“The time I share my breath with you is so disgusting that I’d rather die.”
“Little Duchess.”
“If you leave the Marquis like this, we will become enemy.”
Apart from right and wrong, the Marquis Radiasa still become Delphir’s father.
“It would have been nice if my father, like the Marquis… is a person who could bet
everything for his child.”
Delphir was make me madly envious. I wanted to have a family like that, and to have
parents. It was just that.
“……”
I didn’t even know what I was thinking about going back to the Marsetta Duchy.
News of my broken engagement spread out of control and rapidly spread throughout
the social world.
The rumors that grew once took the shape of a branch that became flesh and
deteriorated as it passed through several people.
And the rumor reached Emperor Harbert IV as well, and it was an occasion to have a
private meet with him.
“I see Your Majesty, the glorious sun, the father or the Eliother Empire.”
But looking back on what he did, he is like someone else who is not from my family.
Habert IV is an illegitimate child whom the predecessor emperor had from Queen
Catherine, a dancer of the Principality of Kirte.
For several generations, The Emperor had no successor except for the sidelines, and
Harbert IV is the successor to the next emperor from the moment he was born.
However, due to the birth of Princess Elizabeth, whom Empress Roxana, who is a
royal family member, was born late, he was pushed back from the front.
The predecessor emperor cherished her enough to give her the name of Emperor
‘Elizabeth I’ of the Elioter Empire.
Even at a young age, Princess Elizabeth was not bored to hear that she was a bright
person.
At the age of seven, she became the youngest student of Professor Hail, who is
regarded as the living history of the Eralpier Academy.
She has a dark blond hair that sparkles brightly like the light of the sun, the
symbol of the Imperial Family.
In addition, The Goddess Resina’s mercy turned the hearts of those who supported
Harbert IV.
In the end, Princess Elizabeth, born of her perfect lineage, overtaken Harbert IV.
He is a friendly brother and a loyalty, saying that he will take good care of her,
and he has not forgotten to relieve the tensions of those who were worrisome.
On the day of the opening ceremony of the Crown Princess. Those who couldn’t see
the appearance of Harbert IV, who had lived for a while, made the mistaken that it
would be a peaceful.
People predicted that Harbert IV would replace the fragile Lireet and succeed
Marquis of Rebraze.
He accused his 16-year-old sister of smuggling drugs which is banned from the
Empire.
It was already a situation in which he joined forces with key figures and took
control of the palace through the masterpiece, Marquis Rebraze.
The predecessor empeor had difficulty even walking for a short time, so he
entrusted all of his practical duties to the Princess Elizabeth.
Back then, he was just a tiger without teeth, who went directly to the battlefield.
When the predecessor emperor saw a box containing the neck of Princess Elizabeth,
sent by Habert IV, he fell immediately.
The first thing that the predecessor emperor did right after woke up was to join
the Duke Marsetta with Princess Yekaterina.
The predecessor emperor had intuition that he could not guarantee the comfort of
his youngest daughter if he died.
He abandoned all of his pride, who had lived his life as the sun.
For his youngest daughter, he begged the young Duke Marsetta, as if he would kneel
at once.
As far as his true love was not released, he asked to protect her from the reach of
Habert IV.
The Duke Marsetta had a beloved fiancée who already promised for their future.
It was a not a combination of the family that led to the political marriage, but
more than that.
The Duke Marsetta risked his life to reject the Princess Yekaterina.
Perhaps he thought it was impossible to turn the heart of the Duke Marsetta, who
consistently refused even after continuing petitions, the predecessor emperor made
the last move.
He use the pledge of loyalty made by the first head of the family of the Duke
Marsetta to the emperor of the day.
The predecessor emperor who achieved what he wanted was as if he had fulfilled the
wish he had longed for in his lifetime.
As soon as the Duke Marsetta and Princess Yekaterina had their wedding, the next
day he died and returned to the arms of the goddess Resina.
The family of the young lady, Marquis of Luxen, who was the fiancée of the Duke of
Marsetta, was involved in treason and went down the road.
Duke Marsetta managed to find the young lady of Marquis Luxen, who disappeared one
morning after the inquiry. He made her work in his annex to be versatile.
While dealing with his piled work, he couldn’t care her for a few days, but in the
meantime, the young lady of Marquis Luxen ran away.
Years later he found her again, but the results were the same.
Meanwhile, a daughter was born to the Duke Marsetta and Princess Yekaterina.
It was truly a miracle for them, who were reluctant to even eat face to face unless
it was a fixed day of union.
After the Lady of Marquis Luxen, fled twice, Duke Marsetta became a plate of thin
ice.
His servants expected that much would change with the birth of his beloved
princess.
Unfortunately, Duke Marsetta, who missed Lady of Marquis Luxen, could not be a good
father to Charelize.
She couldn’t believe the death of her sister and the betrayal of her half brother,
whom she believed.
After having suffered from the absence of the predecessor emperor successively, and
even gave birth, she faced the crisis of life and death, and her health worsened.
Charelize, who had the right of succession to the throne, had to suffer numerous
assassination threats since the early days, including from the Emperor Harbert IV.
It was my 8th birthday. I blamed my mother because my father for not even coming to
see me.
I missed him at the same time. I took his handkerchief, which he cherished.
I had a heartache, which was also a kind of rebellion, and I did it because of the
smell of my father who was always emptying the mansion.
When he found out that his handkerchief was missing, the Duke Marsetta frantically
searched the mansion.
He tried to smack through all the rooms of the employees who were sleeping.
The Duke Marsetta gave an indelible scar to me, who courageously told the truth.
The more I refused by the Duke Marsetta, the more I hungry for his interest and
affection.
I also had some kind of lack. The resulting insomnia and depression were natural
outcomes.
Was it because I was not loved by my parents and was constantly threatened with my
life.
I say that I’m not cautious about what I believes in people even at this age and I
always suspicious of even small favors.
I grew up in this setting as the successor to the Duke Marsetta, who had to reign
over others.
I shouldn’t reveal my feelings, even if I was happy and sad, and myfreedom was
suppressed.
Moreover, the wife of the Marquis of Radiasa was the Count of Azel, who had a blood
relationship with the Duke Morden.
“I’m sorry to see your sad face since you became the little Duchess.”
He was so sweet that it would be hard to believe that he was the one who even sent
assassin kill me.
Chapter 5
“If you feel that way, I apologize. Your Majesty.”
The image of Charelize bowing down and taking an example is still a delight and
Harbert IV was showing a satisfying smile.
“Did you know that rumors about you spread in the social world?”
“It’s interesting to hear rumor that I’ve never heard of that before.”
We stared at each other. We didn’t see anyone trying to avoid it or step back.
“Is it true that you broke your engagement with the son of Marquis Radiasa?”
I had a solid shield against him and a sharp arrow piercing the center of my chest.
“What more honor would it be for you to pay so much attention to the marriage of
the nobles?”
“….”
“What?”
“Whether I breakup with son of Marquis Radiasa is just rumors or truth. Don’t spend
your precious time too much on just family affairs.”
Harbert IV’s planting, who couldn’t get what he wanted, became noticeably
uncomfortable.
At the end of my words, he was bothered by answering and refuting, but not being
able to say anything by being subtly polite.
Someone coming in without knocking, and his face fell shortly by a servant who
wasn’t polite.
“I didn’t allow anyone to come in when I’m with the little Duchess.”
“…..”
“Your Majesty. Please be fair. I am afraid it’s going be too much for the
listener.”
I opened my mouth, watching the appearance of the servant stuttering with trembling
all over his body.
To someone who did not know this situation, Charelize seemed to be a vassal who is
extremely loyal to him.
Harbert IV did not receive the emperor’s seal from his predecessor, as he ascended
to the emperor after killing his sister, Princess Elizabeth.
He shuts his mouth for fear, but he had not even received the emperor’s seal.
There were often people who were dissatisfied with Harbert IV’s become the sun of
the empire, saying that he should be thankful just for being recognized as the
Prince.
That’s why he killed his enemy, Princess Elizabeth, and ascended to the throne.
Even now, decades after the bloody tragedy occurred, many words have come and gone
in the social world.
His mother’s lowly status and not being emperor in a legitimate way.
The Duke Marsetta has two people who have the power of succession to the throne
with the blood of royal.
That is why Harbert IV hated the emperor’s lack of authority in front of the
members of the Duke Marsetta more than death.
The barely awakened attendant opened his mouth with a trembling voice.
Habert IV jumped up from his throne and grabbed his servant by the collar.
“Don’t you say she’s okay for the time being! Where is the Imperial Court right
now?”
“Bring them with you. If they say they don’t want come, you can bring them by
force.”
When his attendant went out, Habert IV turned his gaze to me.
“Little Duchess. I’m sorry, but I think I have to go first because I have a job.”
“I see, the healing of Her Highness Veloche. May Goddess Resina’s blessing come
true.”
‘If you were thinking of stabbing the other party’s weaknesses. You should have
kept what you have first.’
Harbert IV’s only daughter, Princess Veloche, was born by Empress Salome, a brothel
who became the foster daughter.
Princess Veloche did not have a dark blond hair, a symbol of being blessed by the
Goddess Resina, to proving that she has a royal bloodline.
She had the red hair of Empress Salome, so she couldn’t be regarded as a de facto
Princess with only the right of succession to the throne.
In the war, instead of the emperor who caused the bloody tragedy, they said that
his child was cursed.
Even if she became a successor, it was clear that she would not be able to rule
properly.
However, the first head of the family of the Duke Marsetta made a pledge of
allegiance to the imperial family of the Elioter Empire.
I tried to get in my carriage right away, but Delphir, who was waiting in front of
her carriage, blocked my way.
“Darling.”
“The Imperial Palace, since when has it become a place where son of Marquis can
come to say he wants to come?”
“……”
His eyes were darkened as if proving that he hadn’t slept properly for several
days.
When He heard from the knights, he insisted that he would wait until he met me, but
his head was sore. There were countless things that didn’t work out as intended.
I gestured and sent a knight. Delphir was still looking pitifully at me.
“I relied on you a lot. I thought you would be a lifelong companion, and I could
have even given my life if you wanted.”
“……”
“……”
“When you betray me, have you ever thought about how I felt when I had to die by
myself after having your child?”
After confirming that there were no people, Charelize spoke in small voice that it
could only be heard by him.
With an almost crying look, I could only see his begging as a pretense.
I turned around. I was relieved that Delphir’s face was not visible.
It was the first time I who always smiled brightly whenever I saw him, recognized
my heart, and shed tears instead.
He might have been inexperienced and clumsy, but that’s why I liked him. By the
time everything was over, it became useless.
* * *
With inaccurate information that someone had seen a woman who looked similar to
lady of Marquis Luxen, he immediately left to the Moden Duchy in the west.
I heard that he came in two months after searching throughout the Duchy of Moden in
the West and beyond the realm.
Although she was belatedly reinstated, but she was a family that was involved in
treason at the time and walked down the road.
Who the hell she got protected from, so the Duke Marsetta could not find her?
Shortly thereafter, I heard a brief, cold answer, the peculiar tone of Duke
Marsetta.
I wanted more attention because the more the Duke Marsetta pushed me away, the more
I could get rid of it.
I never gave up calling him father even when I heard his harsh words throughout my
life.
Once I died, I knew. No, I had nowhere to go anymore, and I realized that I am on a
dead end.
Everything was useless. Even at the moment I died, Duke Marsetta never changed.
When Lillian was poisoned and fell, the Duke Marsetta even slapped me on the cheek,
stabbing me in the chest with all kinds of abusive language.
The reason I chose my death even when I gave up my child was entirely due to the
Duke Marsetta.
It was obvious that I would not be able to care for a child who would shed the same
tears like its mother.
I tried to change myself, starting with calling father with his title.
“…..”
“No matter how small it is, have you decided such an important task without
consulting me?”
“Of course, It is true that I decided to work on my own. But…. If your Highness the
Duke is really my father, why did I break the engagement? You’re not so busy that
even you didn’t have time to discussed it.”
“……”
“Am I okay? What is the reason? What happened to my fiancée? You should have
worried about this first.”
“……”
Duke Marsetta sighed. He said it was annoying to deal with my rebellious self.
I turned around and grabbed the handle of his door, when I said that.
“If you misunderstand the name of the child from your blood …… in the grave stone,
I don’t think it will hurt the side as much as that.”
Duke Marsetta did not become a father to Charelize until the end.
Chapter 6
“….I don’t know why that’s happening here. My mother has nothing to do with this.”
“It’s irrelevant….. what’s the big deal with I’m saying about your mother?”
“It’s a little bit uncomfortable to hear from the Duke, who has never been a father
to me since he never treated me as a daughter.”
Charelize, who was absurd at the words of the Duke Marsetta, laughed and brushed
her hair.
She was a child who always looked at his eyes and tried hard not to go against his
anger, so he couldn’t believe what Charelize was saying.
“Don’t worry about the broken engagement. I have already taken steps to avoid
damaging the family. Well, I’m the one who went away with a brief glimpse into the
engagement ceremony, so you wouldn’t have to say anything even if this could lead
to a disagreement with the Marquis Radiasa.”
“……”
Charelize went outside without hearing the answer from Duke Marsetta.
It was only then that the Duke Marsetta realized that Charelize had not called him
‘Father’.
* * *
What I had been trying to get into his heart became futile, even tears did not come
out.
I didn’t eat anything, but he made it unbearable if I didn’t vomit. My chest was
stuffy and I struck it hard several times.
Duke Marsetta did not even deny himself that to him I am not his daughter, so he
erased my name from his family register.
It remained deep in my heart with a wound that was worse than stabbed one.
He turned a blind eye to all the life that I had lived and the time I had been
trying to be recognized as his daughter.
I recalled the memories of my childhood when I spent the night in tears missing my
father’s touch.
‘Rona.’
‘Yes, Princess.’
‘He will be in the office. Shall I ask the butler if the time is right to visit him
and come back?”
‘….My father?’
‘……’
‘Isn’t… he here? I haven’t heard of it yet. Go ahead and tell me, nanny. hurry.’
‘Princess…. Your Highness, the Duke, put you on probation for a week… I think he
knew you deliberately fell off the stairs.’
‘…..so like that. Please tell him that I am sorry to disappoint you.’
At ten years old, I rolled down the stairs to get attention from my father.
‘A, a villa….?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Thank…. thank you. Father. I will cherish it. Thank you very much.’
The things that have been given so far have been very precious and colorful, but I
knew that the butler had sent them in my father’s name instead.
So, the villa I received at that time was more meaningful and precious than
anything else. In fact, I didn’t even want a gift.
No matter how busy I was, I went down to the villa I received as a gift for my
birthday four times a year.
One day, knowing that I would be rejected, I said in case he wanted to go with me.
Then, he said “I don’t know what You’re talking about”, and he said “Because I’m
busy, I forgot about the existence of the villa.”
That night, my fever rose badly. Even though I called the priest early in the
morning, I could not see the road.
When I was uncomfortable with stupidity, my legs were relaxed, and I sat down on
the floor.
The knight quickly tried to support me, but I refused with a single stroke.
Even with my weaknesses, I shouldn’t be caught. So it was the moment I decided not
to make something precious.
I did more than I needed to get rid of the constant thoughts that came to mind.
Lari’s eyes were full of rushing signs, and tears were forming in her eyes.
Hailey replied on behalf of Lari, who was so worried that she couldn’t speak.
It is still earlier than the day when my mother died. It won’t be. It shouldn’t
have been.
“Young lady!”
In front of my mother’s room, there was a maid in honor who cried for a long time
and opened her eyes.
“Maid of honor.”
“What are you talking about? She spent time with me just a few days ago.”
“Young lady….”
“It’s only a short time, but she’s improved noticeably enough to be able to take a
walk outside.”
The maid of honor stared at me as if she felt sorry to me.
The doctor shook their head as I stepped inside and looked at the body of my mother
lying in her bed.
“I did my best, but… I don’t think she can pass through tonight.”
Such a short distance felt far away, as if walking a thousand miles today.
When I heard that my mother will die, I couldn’t deny it because it was same as the
day I last saw her.
God is cruel. He gave new life to those who wanted rest, and death to those who
wanted to live.
“Everyone.”
“……”
I only heard the breathing of my mother, who was struggling with an irregular
breath.
I said everything was still. As if it was God’s will to spend comfortably, it was
filled with silence.
“Mother.”
“……”
“I heard it in the morning. When I heard that you went alone at dawn ….. how much
my heart was torn ….. do you know?”
“…….”
“So, this time, I wanted to spend more time with my mother. I wanted to have good
mother and daughter relationship.”
“…….”
“……”
“But….. I’m so happy, on the day you stroked my hair, I really liked it…..”
“…….”
“Just….. normal, even if it’s not as much as others do….. While having a meal
together… sharing small talks….. On days when we’re tired, even if we don’t say
anything together. Taking a break… This is what I was hoping for.”
It was the day I heard that it was because of my mother that I was hated by the
Duke Marsetta.
I was upset and angry, so she said things that I didn’t even know.
“I’m seriously not… mean it. I always regretted it. I can’t say I’m sorry. I
regretted hurting mother so much that I couldn’t sleep. You risked your life and
gave birth to me, sacrificed a lot things, and….. I….. said that….”
“…..”
“You erased your name from the world and lived only as my mother all your life…”
As I lowered her head and felt her head down, the Duchess Marsetta carefully pulled
out my hand.
I touched her skinny hand so that her bones could be seen against my cheek.
“I thought you were all grown up, but you were still a baby. Charel.”
“Mother…..?”
I was unfamiliar with the name I had heard from my mother after a long time.
She has been calling me ‘little Duchess’ for quite some time and she distanced
herself.
It was awkward when I heard a name that my mother had never called me ever since
child.
“The day you cried when you didn’t show any emotions. I knew I am a failure mother
who couldn’t do anything to you…”
“……”
“I thought that the only thing that would protect you, who had me as your mother,
was the status of a princess.”
“……”
“Even when I see you who fell while jumping to me… I was weak and unable to hug
you, let alone run and raise you like other mothers. I was sad and angry at you,
feeling the burden of your princess’s position.”
“……”
“I see as time passed. I am not angry with you, but that I am angry with me for not
being the mother who holding hands and walking together with her child.”
The image of Charelize was reflected in the eyes of Duchess Marsetta.
Despite I’ve already experienced it once, I’m not ready to let her go.
“By this time of year… did you know that a flower is blooming even in the cold
North?”
“……”
“I saw it on my last trip with my sister… How strong and firm the leaves looked
even in cold weather. It was really funny. It turns out that it’s a flower that
brings happiness, so it’s a very precious treat from the people there.”
“The moment I first met you, I gave you the name of the flower, hoping that you
will be loved by the people around you like that flower.”
“…..”
“Charelize. It’s okay if you’re not loved by everyone. You don’t have to laugh only
tricking you to be loved. Someday in your life, you will surely meet someone who
loves you without any conditions.”
“……”
“My daughter….. you deserve to be loved. You are so precious that I can give you
everything.”
“Always….. far away, I thought you only regretted giving birth to me….. Why…..”
“……”
“……”
“You are……. in the world… the most beloved….. baby for me.”
I didn’t know that she sent me out because she didn’t want to show her sickness.
She couldn’t protect me, and she couldn’t be a mother to walk with me, so she was
forced to escape.
“Al-although I didn’t do anything for you, Charel. Yes, I… became… happy that you
were born as my daughter.”
“…..”
“Charel. The person who keeps your side is not a weakness, but a power that makes
you live….. So….. If you run away without seeing, feeling scared….. running away…..
you can…. ..”
“Mother!”
Even in the midst of suffering from the pain of breathing, I hated that she only
worrying about myself until the end.
If this is the last time, it’s right to look back on the life I’ve been living
until now.
“Oh, not yet….. not now. Wait a little, wait a little. Mother…..”
“I really hated spring….. my father, mother, and my sister. One by one, the
precious people leave and go by my side….. Unlike my heart, the weather was always
sunny.”
My mother was silent until the last day I met her face, and I also turned my back
without asking anything.
I knew it’s too late what could change at any time with a little effort.
“When I…. felt that spring was good, it’s only twice in my life.”
“…….”
“The first time when you were born as my daughter and held my hand…..”
“In the next life, meet a mother who can give you love… who can wipe away these
flowing tears… my baby.”
“……”
“If I knew that leaving only you in this wide place….. it would be here….. I’m sure
I’ll hold your hand…..”
“…..Mother?”
“I….love…. you…..”
She couldn’t fully say what she wanted to say, and my mother closed her eyes.
My mother’s last word ringed like a tinnitus in my ear, unable to move my body, nor
could I exhale completely.
By the time the sun went down a long time, I leaned my face against her cold body.
I said in a very small voice that would only be heard by someone, and I cried
slowly.
“……”
“No… Mother will be my mother… then I’ll hold your hand. So… we walk together, say
many times that we love, and we live that way.”
“…….”
“……”
Even with my first confession, the breath of the person who had left still did not
return.
Chapter 7
Many people came to my mother’s funeral.
For them, it was not known whether my mother’s death was really sad for me.
The unlucky princess who lost her beloved father and sister, to her trusted
brother.
A poor Duchess who was not loved until the moment she died by her husband, who
cannot forget his fiancée.
People around the world called my mother that way. Throughout her life, this gossip
followed my mother.
When I called her imperial name, not the Duchess Marsetta, I felt that everyone
around me is gossiping.
I predicted that later it would become rumored and cause a wave in the social
world.
But I took everything and sent my mother’s end as the noble Princess.
I thought into my heart what I wanted to say and prayed to reach my mother.
I placed the lilac on the bedside of my mother, who sleeping comfortably with her
hands together.
‘It’s mother’s favorite flower, lilac. When she see this white flower, she feel
that she is connected with people she miss.’
‘…….’
‘We can’t spend a lot of time together, and I can only take a short walk like this,
but I think the relationship between little Duchess and her mother is as beautiful
as this flower.’
‘Mother!’
‘Happy birthday, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being born as my
daughter and letting me live as the mother of little Duchess.’
The relationship between a mother and a daughter that has been around since a long
time ago was a beautiful relationship.
At one time I really hated the rain, which seemed to hear someone’s grievous sound.
When I was in the rain, it seemed to remind me of the reality that there was no one
by my side.
When she sees the raindrops falling one by one, it seems that something in her mind
that has not been resolved is washing away.
She said she liked the stronger sunlight after the rain stopped
‘I hope that someday this rain shower will not be someone’s sorrowful tears, but….
comforting the tired little Duchess.’
It was the rain I hated so much, but the rain that is falling now seemed like my
mother gave me the answer.
Without realizing it, I ran outside and reached for the sky and felt the rain.
It must be cold, but the rain falling on my hand was strangely warm.
“Lady!”
“Nanny.”
“I am sorry that I couldn’t do anything at the moment when the Madam is having a
hard time.”
“……”
Instead of my mother who couldn’t spend much time because of her weak body, the
nanny filled the vacancy.
“We….. we first met when we were 9 years old. It must have been very difficult, but
thank you for your patience.”
“Princess…..”
“And now, I’ll never forget this moment when the nanny put an umbrella on me.”
The nanny was crying, saying that it was me that was harder than anyone else, and
even the death of my mother.
‘I am Helen, who will be the princess’s new nanny in the future. She is my daughter
Martin. Martin, say hello to the princess.’
‘…..’
‘…..’
‘Shall I tell you the story when the Madam was at the same age with Princess?’
The nanny, who quit working to give birth to Martin, returned at the request of my
mother.
‘Because the Madam seems to be tired, Princess. Shall you play dolls with me?’
‘No.’
‘I’ll wait. I’m always here until the Princess opens the door to your heart. You
can take your time.’
No matter how much she asked, I didn’t answer, and the nanny didn’t avoid me, who
was trying to beat her.
She wasn’t even angry. She just stood there and waited for me.
‘…..hug me.’
‘I’m the one who sick, but why is the nanny also sick?’
The nanny, who was taking care of me, who was not sleeping and had a fever, said
this.
‘Because Princess is a precious person, all I can do is watch you. That’s why I’m
sick’
‘When I saw Princess for the first time, and from that moment on, I was thinking of
you as my daughter. Although I could say you’re spoiled. To me, the Princess is
same as Martin.’
‘…..no.’
‘Yes?’
Traces of the years she has lived all over his face.
“Princess……”
In my previous life, as soon as my mother’s funeral was held, the nanny quickly
became weak.
In the end, she had no choice but to leave the Duchy.
“Nanny.”
Precious people weren’t weaknesses, but beings that gave me strength to live.
* * *
It wasn’t until late at night that all the people who had filled the mansion
returned.
The only thing that stood out were those four sentences.
“It’s funny. The woman who died of Elioter is buried in Marsetta’s cemetery.”
“…..”
In the distance, I heard the voice of the Duke Marsetta. He did not comfortably let
my mother go until the end.
“My mother always felt burdened with being the Duchess Marsetta. She never laughed
comfortably at the feeling of guilty of taking another person’s place and ruining
her life. I don’t want her to be treated as your wife or Duchess. The Duke has
always been that kind of person.”
“…..”
“It’s not only just your Highness’s that who separated with your loved ones. I warn
you, don’t dishonor my mother anymore.”
“Your mother deceived me. She didn’t say anything when I looked by myself for
decades without knowing whether or not Siael is alive!”
“My mother was so sorry for Your Highness, that she couldn’t even blame you.”
I turned back and passed Duke Marsetta and headed for my room.
Hailey, who looked at me with her anxious eyes, wrapped me around with thick shawl,
which she had covered.
The night that I felt she couldn’t fall asleep easily passed.
The next evening, I asked, wondering, not seeing Lari and other familiar employees.
Hailey, who was attending me, replied reluctantly with her embarrassing face.
“In the annex, Lari and a few other maids were called out due to lack of workers.
“Who gave the orders, and how dare to take the Princess exclusive maids
carelessly?”
“The Duke’s order came down suddenly, so I don’t know who it is.”
With myanxious mind, I set down my book that I was reading, and headed to the
annex.
“I see Princess.”
The two knights guarding in front of aneex bowed their head to greet me.
I made a sharp move, showing a strong attitude that I would not back down.
The knights who hesitated thought for a while and finally opened the door.
“You can save your life only by following the rising sun, not the setting sun. If
you once more disagree with my orders, know that there is no more chance.”
“Lari.”
“Princess! What brings you to the annex…”
Asked by Duke Marsetta, who was descending the stairs on behalf of Lari, who could
not speak.
“It’s rude.”
“Why did you take Lari? Even if you were short of work, you should have asked my
permision first.”
“I’m the owner of the Duke of Marsetta. Since I am the owner, should I take on your
fuss when it comes to managing a servant?”
“Lari, let’s go. I want to eat the sweets you baked after a long time.”
“Princess…..”
I knew well that it was a reckless act that embarrassed Lari and did not suit the
dignity of the Princess.
“Charelize!”
“Daddy!”
As the voice of a bright and clear woman, unspoiled, was heard, my steps quickly
stopped.
“Hello, Unnie.”
Lillian looked up at me and smiled brightly with a pure face that she knew nothing.
Duk.
Due to the words spoken by the Duke Marsetta, the reason I was barely holding was
cut off.
Chapter 8
“How can an vulgar illegitimate child become my younger sister?”
“In front of your father, what kind of ugly words was that?”
The attitude of Duke Marsetta, who hurriedly hides her behind him, was very funny.
“What?”
“At least, if you were thinking of making that child a Princess, you should have
brought her after the soil at my mother’s body was dry.”
“I don’t know if I should understand your Highness’s situation. It’s been a few
days since my mother’s funeral, so do you bring an illegitimate child you saw
outside?”
“……”
“All I wanted was… just a warm look. A word of kindness. That was all.”
“…..”
“Because I understand the situation where I had to break up with my loved one. Even
if you don’t respect my mother. Even you treat me politely. If you try, I’ll look
back at once someday. You will recognize my life.”
“……”
I was sad that when I remembered what I’ve been through of.
“…….”
“Have you ever tried to know me, who had no choice but to break up with son of
Marquis Radiasa?”
Duke Marsetta was still shutting his mouth despite my continuing questions.
I was about to go crazy with my resentment.
I said it one by one with my mouth, and I laughed at in vain because it was a long
life.
“I miss my father, when I asked for a hug and father pushed me away….. I still
remember you denying my life because you’re saying that I am not your daughter.”
I couldn’t stop my tears. Even if I tried not to cry, my heart feel hurt.
“My mother was always sick. My father abandoned me. I grew up alone. I have never
been protected by anyone.”
Duke Marsetta bites his lips, trying to reach out his hand to me.
The memory of throwing away his hand, yelling that it was unfair, intertwined.
I threw out his hand. Amazed by my apparent rejection, Duke Marsetta opened his
eyes wide.
“Father.”
“…….”
After returning to the past. For the first time, I called Duke Marsetta my father.
“Today is the last time to call your Highness the Duke as father. Since you have
never considered me as your daughter, I will not consider yourself as my father
anymore.”
“While you didn’t believe what I said to be saved and said it was unfair. What kind
of face do you ask for understanding….. What are you thinking that kid is my
younger sister?”
When I screamed, my voice couldn’t come out properly because there was a strain on
my neck.
I pledged countless times to stay calm, and I controlled my heart that way.
Whether my last words were the catalyst, and the feelings that I had only dull
poured out endlessly.
I hoped that these tears now shed would be the last to be seen by the Duke
Marsetta.
Now I will not appear weak, nor will I ever crave for love.
I just gave up foolishly. It’s been a long time since Charelize died, who smiling
broadly while hiding her feelings.
I felt a tearful paternal toward the Duke Marsetta, who was anxious and hiding her
behind him.
‘If my mother wasn’t forcibly tied up with you… if I was a child born because she
wanted me. Did you love me? Would you be a friendly father to me as you did to
Lillian?’
I was relieved because I did not like to be afraid of the injustice that would come
back.
“If you take my maids for her one more time, I will tear my mouth so that I will
never call His Highness the Duke again.”
“…..”
“You know what I’m saying is not a joke, right? The Duke was the one who told me to
keep my words no matter what.”
“……”
With those words, I grabbed Lari’s wrist and left the annex.
It was natural that she was resentful working for the Duke illegitimate child.
But if she rebelled, It will damage to me if she protested, and Lari endured.
“If this happens over and over again, call me right away.”
“As I told you. You are my person. No matter what happens, I will protect you.”
Her tears seemed to burst at any moment, and her words were spoken in her weeping
voice.
“I was an orphan. I was born without parents and ran away after being abused in an
orphanage. The Madam saved me.”
“Really?”
“I don’t know how warm the hand that the Madam gave me. It’s still sad that she’s
died, but I’m happy to say that she will always be with me.”
“…….”
Lari, who hugged me tightly, covered me with blanket, took care of my bed, and left
my room.
* * *
“Unnie!”
“Okay.”
It was when we were talking about business. I was displeased by her voice that
seemed to call me.
There was only one person, Lillian, who referred the me, Princess Charelize as her
older sister.
The person who was really pleased came with a wide smile and waving her hand.
It wasn’t until late that the maid followed Lillian and bowed her head with a
terrified look.
“You are my Unnnie, aren’t you? We are the princesses of the Duke Marsetta with the
same father. We’re a sister who shared blood, and I don’t like the hard title.”
The more the maid followed Lillian words, the more restless the maid became, and
her complexion quickly became pale, and the maid noticed me.
“What?”
“First. I am not a princess, but a little Duchess. I’m the successor to the
family.”
“……”
“Second. How can you, who doesn’t even have Marsetta’s surname, become a princess
and you become my sister? Even if you are officially registered, you will not
become my younger sister.”
I was ridiculous at Lillian’s words.
I wondered if she is a person who couldn’t communicate this way. Is she pretending
to be stupid, or is her brain really this bad?
“Miss Lillian!”
As the maid, who had been in anxiety, stopped Lillian with fright, I beckoned to
restrain her..
“Unnie tittle as little Duchess that unnie loved so much was mine. Even the hostess
of this house said that my mother was the only one….”
Lillian, belatedly realizing that she had made mistake, hurriedly raised her hand
to cover her mouth.
“Lillian de Buzz.”
I was neither angry nor raised my voice. I just called Lillian’s name.
She doesn’t have surname of the Duke Marsetta, but the surname of the adopted Baron
Buzz.
“How can you be sure that you’re my father daughter? You think I will think same
with him, so you can be recognized as his daughter without having to do a blood
test?.”
“How is the father and the daughter? You think the same, so he can be recognized as
your parent without having to do a blood test.”
“Because you looked down on how much you looked at me, it wasn’t enough to call me
Unnie and to insult my mother?.”
“……”
“Because you are poor? Or is it because you want to look good in front of the
Duke?”
“……”
“It’s not all. The reason I not look at your rudeness is because it’s not worth it.
Because I didn’t feel the need to spend my time at you.”
“If your dad hears what you just said, he will surely be disappointed.”
“I don’t know why you are making fun of your mouth so much from before.”
When she saw the silver hair that resembled the Duke Marsetta, I was even more
angry and energized, pulling it forward.
“When the Duke dies, I am the owner of the Duchy. No matter how much you are have
title as a Princess, it’s okay if I send you to another country or marry you with
an old nobleman.”
“……”
“Are you going to confuse the Duke and take his successor position from me?”
“You can’t even start if you’re shivering like this. I’m not interested in it
already, so what should I do with this?”
Lillian trembled her whole body. Charelize, who speaks of her life, was creepy.
“……”
“……”
“Ah, it hurts!”
“If you are a guest who is going to stay for a while, you should do that.”
“Martin.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Prepare water to wash right away. It’s disgusting because she’s dirty.”
“Lady Lillian?”
“Princess, you’re so cool! Did you see her face? Lady even make her scared.”
“It’s refreshing.”
“Yes?”
“Aren’t those who hunger on ships rushing away without knowing that they were
poisoned?”
“By the way, His Highness the Duke give Lillian room of Rosnia. Staying in the
annex is also a matter of sensation!”
“Wouldn’t Rosnia be a place that is only allowed to the eldest daughter and the
estranged princess?”
“As soon as I heard it, I wasn’t surprised for a while. He even attached Dina to as
her maid.”
Rosnia was the room I used to use when I was only a Princess.
After I became a little Duchess and moved my room, I had locked my door securely so
no one could enter, except for the cleaning maids.
Chapter 9
Shortly thereafter, strange rumors arose within the mansion.
The rumors said that I said harsh words to my weak half sister that couldn’t even
put in their mouth.
As he wandered through the mouths of his servants, to correct his discipline, the
Duke Marsetta called me to his office.
“What?”
“I have already heard that Lillian was in tears and that she had gone to his
Highness’s office.”
“However.”
“Since when was your Highness the Duke a fair and impartial person who was so good
at sensible?”
“Charelize.”
“Call me as little Duches. Also, I don’t know how and what Lillian said. Yes. I
grabbed her hair. She also threatened me.”
“……”
“Would I have to endure her coveting the position of little Duchess, feeding on my
mother, who is already her deceased?”
‘Because I was barely asked to cancel the contract, be careful about your actions
in the future.’
‘Radin!’
‘The first person that insulted her mother was …. Princess Bertez.’
The main reason was that the appearances of his childhood image overlapped with
Charelize.
“The seed of the traitor who covets the position of a little Duchess should be
caught as soon as you finds it, so there is no backlash.”
“……”
“If you don’t want to see your so pampered daughter’s neck hanging in front of the
city gate. Please educate your child properly.”
“…….”
It was just the moment when he remembered that the child is the mirror of the
parents.
It was a pity that he did not even know the existence of his child.
Siael is the youngest daughter of the Marquis Luxen, who grew up only precious.
He couldn’t even estimate how hard she would have lived together.
He was happy that the traces of her Siael were still in the world.
So he gave room which could be only given to his eldest daughter and his foe, the
Princess, but that was it.
And, the more he was with Lillian, the more he thought of Charelize.
Concealing the existence of his twin younger brother from the world, he couldn’t
let go of his father who abused him for a long time.
He could hardly give love to Charelize. That’s why he behaved more mean and though.
Even though he remembers everything, he was busy avoiding, pretending not to know.
He kept worrying about the days he couldn’t wipe those tears away.
* * *
“Aren’t you the one who was my mother’s doctor? What is it?”
Charelize took off her glasses she was wearing and asked, puzzled.
“There is no word.”
“That is…..”
Whether it was an important story that others shouldn’t hear, he kept tense and
trembling his hand.
“I have so many eyes to see now and forgive my disloyalty to speak of.”
“……”
Baron Alec, kneeling down, said that the cause of death earlier than my memory was
poison.
“……”
“The symptoms appear belatedly, and unlike normal poisons, they do not appear on
the surface.”
“……”
“It was too late when I noticed it and tried to proceed with the treatment.”
“…….”
“No matter what happened, the Madam ordered me to keep quiet, so….. I couldn’t help
it. I’m begging you, little Duchess.”
“I didn’t know anything. I haven’t even thought about it. Stupidly. I just went
with a peaceful smile and kept the last. Until now, I only thought I had laid down
all the loads on your shoulders.”.”
“Little Duchess……”
“Now I see, you must have gone with the sins of everyone.”
“If… it wasn’t that poison. Is my mother’s illness cured? Is it true that she could
go back and stay with me for a long, long time?”
“She just need to be careful with long exposure to the cold air outside. The Madam
main cause illness was from heart problem.”
Even though I was aware of that, tears spontaneously came out when I heard that my
mother had ordered him to ask for concern.
“For the little Duchess… and for the your mother who died unfairly. I will give my
life.”
“Give me the Valesium flowers. I will inflict the same pain on those who made my
mother so.”
A long time has passed since Baron Alec leaves the room.
Among those who drove my mother to her death, the most likely criminal is Harbert
IV.
Princess Veloche, the only child of Hebert IV, who caused a bloody tragedy decades
ago, was not reprimanded as a royal daughter.
In fact, there were also forces trying to elect my mother as the Empress.
It was said that the status of Ramier Palace, where the newly built Princess
Veloche resides, is more luxurious than the Bachelat Palace, where he stays.
He was the one who cut the neck of his younger sister and sent the neck to his
father to ascend for the throne.
“Letter?”
I opened the letter and said that when the time was fine, I asked for a visit to
Ramier Palace.
“Yes. Princess.”
We had never met in private unless it was an official banquet.
Perhaps it was because she was stuck in her room to get rid of her mishaps that
came to my mind, and within three days, all the documents that could be done were
finished.
I passed by the numerous books and pushed my drawer on which a bunch of lilacs were
placed. Then I saw the hiding space.
I stepped inside and she opened the door of the platform and pulled out the box.
Everyone would think that she was buried in the cemetery of the Duke Marsetta, but
I was pretended to burried her there and ordered it separately.
After I instructed to plant lilacs in the garden, I took turns placing knights to
see if it was a safe place and burying it.
“Yes. Princess.”
I went inside leaving behind the knights bowing their head. Then I found a suitable
place.
Hailey, who followed the figure of me, bending her back and trying to bury herself,
curled up in fright.
“What would it mean if I couldn’t even stay for a while with my own hands?”
“….alright. Princess.”
“If you want to save your life, it would be better to show up now.”
“This is my mother’s villa. There are knights, so you couldn’t have come in. How
did you come in?”
They are selected as elite knights. Honestly, it was amazing for him to come in.
“It’s…..”
Before I died, someone held me in his arms, and he had the same hair color.
It has been said that it is rare to see people with sky blue hair.
His eyes were already light blue. Something was strange to dismiss it as just a
coincidence.
The bitter smile reminded me of a memory where the starting point was unknown
again.
‘Lie.’
‘……’
‘It’s not.’
My unfamiliar memories ran through my head, as if I had lifted what I had lost. My
legs were relaxed and I sat down.
He was the only man who kept me by his side, warm and comfortable.
“……”
“No. No. But. Please…. Please wake up. You can’t die. Lize….”
Chapter 10
“……Princess. Are you okay?”
“How are you feeling? Where you feel sick? Shall I call Baron Alec?”
“……okay?”
“Because lady haven’t been able to get up for two days….. I, I… I… I thought
something went wrong with lady…..”
Frightening Hailey’s words, Lari, who was next to her, burst into tears and cried.
The figure gave me a gentle smile.
“Baron Alec said that your energy was declining. So, for the time being, lady
should take a break.”
Hailey showed a very strong attitude, as if she would never withdraw until she
answered yes.
“I got it.”
Lari, who kept sniffing, stuttered her words and went out.
“Hailey.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Is there anybody who doesn’t know the little Duchess of Marsetta…?”
“I don’t mean that. The name that he calls me is not a common nickname, but Lize.”
‘Call me Lize.’
‘Lize?’
‘I know it’s an honor. You’re the only one in this world that calls me Lize.’
As my head was frowned and hurt, I remembered someone who I allowed to call my
nickname ‘Lize’.
“Your Highness Princess Veloche promised to meet next time, and told lady to focus
only to get better.”
“That’s a relief.”
“And…..”
“The Duke came to visit and….. He went away after seeing the little Duchess for a
while.”
Hailey’s words were so dumbfounded that I almost threw up. It was disgusting to act
like a father now.
I remembered my mother.
Hailey stopped me from getting out of bed with the intention of going again.
After Hailey left the room, I groaned at the pain I was barely holding back.
Strangely, every time I recalled my memory about the forgotten man, my heart broke.
My heart beating beyond control.
I was convinced that I returning four years ago would have something to do with the
man.
He resembled the eyes of the man before my death that I had seen at a glance.
“Princess.”
“?”
“Prince… Arensis?”
“Yes. When you were at Rosielt Academy, you told me that he become your friend.”
“It was the first and last time I went to deliver a letter, but I felt that his
light blue hair was really unusual, and last night I suddenly remembered it.”
I went to the Rosielt Academy at age 11, and returned six years later, at the age
17.
It was strangely unpleasant to have to ask what kind of person the man he is.
“Of the four Princes of the Peschte Empire, he is the only one who is not the son
of Empress Sione.”
“Okay. Princess.”
* * *
“It is a project that provides full scholarships to some aristocrats and low-income
commoners who are enrolled in the Eralpier Academy with excellent grades.”
“In return, those who were selected separately by the Eralpier Academy are
prioritized to connect with the little Duchess after graduation.”
Lately, he’s going out more frequently and he couldn’t postpone signing the
contract anymore, so he inevitably turned over his job to me.
“Little Duchess. I apologize, but it seems like you will have to go to Eralpier
Academy in a few days.”
“Directly?”
“As you know, your Highness the Duke has been away often…..”
As soon as Viscount Argen mentioned Duke Marsetta, he avoided my gaze, who stared
at him fiercely.
With his handkerchief embroidered by his youngest daughter, which had been folded
in his pocket, he wiped away the sweat that continued to flow.
“And, Professor Rosette Percy Van Hail has contacted me saying that he would like
to meet you personally.”
“Please make a schedule and tell them that I will go to the Earlpier Academy.”
“What a relief.”
“Lari. I think I will have to go to the Eralpier Academy in the near future.”
“Your Highness the Duke has been doing business here and there, and he doesn’t
return to the mansion without doing what he has done.”
“Even if it’s not because of that, there are people I have to meet, but it’s good.
It’s a chance to solve a long-cherished question.”
“If you say so, it can’t be helped. I’ll follow along that day and keep you safe.”
“How can you keep me safe, even you can’t go near the kitchen beacuse you’re scared
of sharp things.”
Lari put her hands on her waist and inflated her cheeks. I, who tapped Lari’s cheek
two or three times, laughed a little.
“However……”
“Now you’re done, take a good rest and think about getting better soon. I think
you’re getting worse over time.”
Rather than getting better, Lari’s body with a cold got worse, but only the thick
heat marks on her cheeks feel warm.
Charelize also thought she would take Hailey or Martin on a visit to the academy
due to the project.
* * *
As I continued to sit and do business until that time, I felt my eyes tingling.
Maybe it’s because I handle documents that hurt my head just by looking at it for a
long time, and these days I often feel my eyes tired.
I had previously pretended I didn’t know when I heard him from Viscount Argent.
He was born as the eldest son of Count Hail and graduated with one thesis at
fifteen years old, leaving an unprecedented history.
Professor Hail was also the teacher of the late Princess Elizabeth, daughter
between predecessors Emperor and Empress Roxana.
Princess Elizabeth was so brilliant that it was incredible that she was a young
girl.
She was able to accurately express her opinion at the Senate meeting.
At the age of seven, she became the youngest student of Professor Hail, a legend of
the Eralpier Academy.
Even when she was reprimanded as a royal daughter, she continued to maintain the
relationship between teacher and student.
After the disastrous death of Princess Elizabeth, Professor Hail had never been to
the imperial palace.
He cut off contact with others even within the Eralpier Academy, stayed only in his
room, and lived in seclusion.
After that, he had only one official disciple for a long time.
He continued to miss Princess Elizabeth, and was on guard against Harbert IV.
Since my mother is dead, I was the only one who share the same blood with Princess
Elizabeth.
As soon as I heard Professor Hail’s name, I knew the approximate reason why he
wanted to meet me.
I recalled the time when I heard story about the Princess Elizabeth.
‘Princess Elizabeth eyes were violet, and my eyes are blue. The color is different.
Mother.’
‘It means that although the color is different, the eyes resemble strong and hard
eyes that won’t lose to anyone.’
‘She was a nice and friendly person. She might be annoying to me, but….. she always
welcomed me with a smile.’
At that time, I was too young to understand what my mother was talking about.
After Empress Roxana gave birth to my mother, she soon passed away because
postpartum illness.
Princess Elizabeth, who was only two years older than my mother, loved her little
sister very much.
Just thiking about it made me weak again and tears fallen before I knew it.
It wasn’t the time yet. I had to be firm until I saw with my own eyes the ones who
made my mother like that paying the price.
At that moment, stars embroidered in the night sky lit up Charelize. It was
especially shiny today.
Chapter 11
“May the little Duchess reach the blessing of the Goddess Resina.”
Martin had been off vacation for a few days to her hometown of Viscount Rael.
Lari was also left in the mansion, unable to go together due to a strong fever.
“She was out cleaning the window again….. and her fever is only getting worse, I’m
worried about Lari.”
“Even if I command her to take a break from work, She insisted that she would
continue… Because her whole body is a hot like fire, it doesn’t matter how much I
try to stop her.”
Hailey replied with a sigh. By this time of year, there are no special chronic
diseases, but Lari’s body has a risen as much as if she had a cold.
Even though she had a fever, she was overwhelmed, and at one time she lost her mind
while working.
‘Isn’t there a problem with her life? She was usually get cold at this time, but
this is the first time she even collapsed.’
‘It’s not that her life is in jeopardy. There is a high possibility that it is a
genetic or heart disease inherited from her parents, but it would be better to get
the right treatment as soon as possible.’
‘Heart disease?’
Even when I called the famous physician in the capital for a medical examination,
they couldn’t get an accurate diagnosis.
Everyone just said that it was ambiguous, but they couldn’t find the name of the
disease.
‘I told you to stay still in the room for a while, but why are you out there?’
‘I’ve had a good night’s rest and I’m all right. I’m all better, Princess.’
‘Lari.’
Even if I told her to rest strictly, she secretly doing her work.
“In the case of Lari, she was an orphan from birth, so she probably doesn’t know
who is her parents.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“I think I have to stay in the academy for a while. In addition to the sponsorship
business, I have someone I need to meet.”
A small piece of pink petals flew in from somewhere and gently fell into my hand.
“What happened to Prince Arensis, who I asked you to find out last time?”
“Ah. I was going to report it to you. That man existence is Arensis Cabel Yuan Ron
Peschte, the Second Prince of Peschte’s Empire.”
“Of the four princes of the Peschte Empire, he was the only whom birth not from
Empress Sione, right?”
“There wasn’t much known about his birth mother. But I only knew that she died when
he was young, and she was a maid in the Empress’s Palace.”
When I heard that he was not the child of Empress Sione, Lillian came to my mind.
The two had the something in common: the emperor and the duke’s illegitimate
children.
Come to think of it, I could find some suspicious things about Lillian’s birth
date.
Although born in the same year, I was born in April, the spring when petals were in
full bloom.
On the other hand, Lillian was born in December, when the white snow fall.
Even though I couldn’t fill the month of giving birth and came to the world early,
there was something doubful about the disappearance of Lady Luxen.
“If you only look at her appearance, Lillian is definitely Duke daughter. The blue
eyes resemble the Duke, even if it’s like that… Don’t she have the silver hair that
even I don’t have?”
“Princess……”
Hailey knew well what feeling I had for the Duke Marsetta.
“When I was young, I hated it so much that I wanted to rip it off, but not now.”
I grabbed a handful of my hair that was reflected in the sun and glistened brightly
in my hand.
The dark blond, which proves to be Elioter Royal blood, was inherited from my
mother.
I was named Roxana same as Empress Roxana as the second surname, and even have the
right to inherit throne.
Not only was I treated as a semi-royal, but I was also praised for my perfect
lineage.
Rather, it was enough to say that I was lucky to be born with a blonde hair.
When the royal children of the Imperial Family of Elioter married, it was very rare
that even their children were recognized as royal families.
‘The carriage of Grand Duke Inovestin and Grand Duchess Penelope were attacked and
the two of them died.’
‘It is said that the Marquis of Opert had heart attack, so he couldn’t wake up in
the end.’
‘The husband of Marchioness Reidwell, the grandson of Emperor Arche’s, went into
the arms of the goddess last night.’
As if at that turn, even the remaining sidelines of Imperial Family were dead, so
the number decreased significantly.
The predecessor emperor enacted a new law so that only those who were born with the
symbol of the imperial family could be treated as the main royal family.
Moreover, he accused his half-sister, Princess Elizabeth, who was the successor of
throne ridiculously.
He committed a bloody tragedy, a cruel thing that might be new to history.
Nobles child which have same age as me, were reluctant to hang out with me because
they had been educated by their parents who feared Harbert IV.
As a child, I thought, the reason I was hated for was because of the blonde hair I
had.
‘That blonde hair that is given only to the Royal bloodline. I’m sick of it. How
will you tie me to the ground with the name of Royal Blood?’
‘Yekaterina!’
All the time, only the voice came and went. Even that, as time passed, even the
conversation disappeared and they kept away from each other.
I was too young to know about the bloody tragedy, and I didn’t even know how the
marriage of my parents had come to pass.
I was mistaken that he didn’t want to keep me because I inherited my mother hair
color.
I thought he didn’t even admit me as his daughter and gave his love.
‘The reason why I can’t be loved by my father is because I’m mother’s daughter.’
‘……’
‘If you’d only make me listen to these words, why did you give birth to me?’
When countless thoughts occurred during that short time, I immediately regretted
it.
Chapter 12
My mother used the title of ‘Princess’ as others call me.
I thought my mother was so cold and scary. I was thrown out for one mistake.
Since then, I have tried not to show my feelings.
‘Even if you fall, it is the Princess’s job to shake off and get up immediately.’
‘The day you cried because you didn’t show any emotions. I knew I am a failure
mother who couldn’t do anything to you… .’
‘I thought that the only thing that could protect you, who had me as your mother,
who never knew when I would die, is the status of a Princess.’
‘’It has always been a pity for me to see you who fell while running to me and I’m
not able to run up or hug you like other mothers. I was sad and angry at you, who
feels a burden on your position as a Princess.’
‘I see as time passed. I am not angry with you, but that I am angry with me, who
cannot be the mother who holding hands and walking together with their child.’
I wasn’t angry at what my mother said at the time. Even though I missed her, I
couldn’t reach her. Even when I reached out my hand, it contained only empty air.
“Isn’t it the color I inherited from my mother? At least this always reminds me of
my mother forever.”
“When Count Kabe fell, it was Madam who brought me to the Duke’s residence.”
“The Princess will receive all the graces of goodness that the Madam left behind in
the world. She has called me, Lari, Martin, and Helen, for Princess.”
“The nanny… Did you know that there was someone else who took care of me before my
nanny came? She has been with me since the time I was in my mother’s stomach, and I
grew up feeding on her breasts.”
The nanny’s original identity was the Viscountess of Rael, who was brought by the
Duchess Marsetta when she came out of her palace during her imperial days.
She then quit due to her chronic illness at the request of the Duchess of Marsetta,
she replaced Lona, and she became the new nanny of Charelize.
Lona leaked confidential information from the duke for money and stole expensive
items.
It was a heavy sin that it would not be strange if she was executed immediately.
However, Lona, who raised Charelize on behalf of Duchess Marsetta, was the only one
who cared for her.
I could not bear the fact that Lona might be on the verge of her death.
If it was a day that fell into the ears of Duke Marsetta, it was clear that she
would be a remaining of bones.
‘Tell your mother that you will quit because of your illness. And lives as far away
as possible from the Duchy. I’ll pay for your travel expenses and the living
expenses you needs.’
‘Why did Madam show me so much grace for doing things that are harmful to the
princess?’
‘……’
‘……’
It was the year that I was only nine years old when Lona, who had been with me
since the time I was born, quit her job because of her chronic illness.
“Princess?”
“Not seeing her while I live is the return I can give for the price of nurturing.”
At some point, I fell asleep, after several days of staying up all night while
processing the papers.
“…..”
Hailey, looking sadly at me, pulled out a blanket and wrapped it around me.
“… Princess. We have arrived at the academy.”
Upon getting off the wagon, it was none other than Dean Pavel who was waiting for
us.
“I see the little Duchess of Marsetta’s. May Goddess Resina’s blessing come true.”
“It’s an honor for you to come here, little Duchess. I haven’t seen you in a long
time.”
Dean Pavel is a professor in the Faculty of Political Science who served for quite
some time at the Rosielt Academy.
“It was really regrettable that I couldn’t teach you any more about the decline
while coming to this place.”
A structure similar to the Rosielt Academy caught my eye, and it was enough to
evoke the old nostalgia.
“Hailey.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“You can spend four hours separately while I’m talking to the Dean.”
Hailey, the daughter of Count Kabe, dropped out while attending the Faculty of
Swordsmanship at Eralpier Academy.
When Count Kabe wasted his fortune for gambling, that was why they couldn’t afford
her tuition.
Even if she didn’t say anything, it was obvious that she would miss the people she
had been with.
After graduation and coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 17, I had never been
anywhere near the Peschte Empire, including the Rosielt Academy.
I was curious about the recent situation of Ibelin, who shared room with me for a
while beofre graduation.
She is a child who said she would succeed the throne, beating her sisters.
After her graduation, her whereabouts became apparent, and the news of her
continuity was unknown.
“Not really.”
After serving, Dean Pavel spoke about the sponsorship project in earnest.
“These are the students who will be sponsored this time. Let’s take a look at it
slowly, Princess.”
She is a great woman who promoted her family, who was on the verge of collapse, to
the count.
“She’s Karna Ciel von Mayel, and she’s also a particularly eye-catching student.”
“I definitely wanted to meet her once. I can’t believe we’re meant to be.”
“While she was thinking about dropping out because she couldn’t afford to pay her
tuition, she was very happy that she was able to continue with the sponsorship of
the Duke.”
I asked after carefully reviewing the contract for the sponsorship project that he
brought soon.
I had to meet him and ask him about the details of the bloody tragedy and tell him
about my mother’s death.
“I was also amazed when Rosette… So Professor Hail said he would like to see you.”
“Yes?”
“Because there is not much work in the office. It’s okay to say it’s chips.”
“Go straight and turn right and you will find a place with a lilac pattern on the
door.”
Dean Pavel explained in detail the way to Professor Hail’s room.
In addition, we spent time talking about various things after a long time.
“He was in the Faculty of Magic at Rosielt Academy. Didn’t you graduate with him
because you were the same age as him?”
Chapter 13
It would have been less than a few months after graduating now.
It was then. A man who appears to be a professor running with an urgent knock.
“Dean! Prince Ilenoi and Grand Duchess Innovestin have a battle. The prince
suffered a major injury at his shoulder. I think you should go right away.”
“It’s okay, you can go. At this moment, I just have to go to see Professor Hail,
and I have to deal with urgent matters first.”
He bowed and apologized again and again to me, and ran to the training ground with
the professor.
As Dean Pavel told me, I found a room with a really lilac pattern.
“Professor Hail.”
“…..”
Even the paper was neatly arranged as if the room was angled.
“……”
I honored Professor Hail, who was older, and said hello first.
“……”
“I… do not believe it. It is the Goddess who took away all the people that are
precious from me.”
“When His Highness Elizabeth first met with me, she acted like what you did.”
Professor Hail distorted his face as if it was painful to even put the name in his
mouth.
‘I would like to say hello to Professor Hail for the first time. My name Elizabeth
Lobelia Lesha von Elioter. May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you.’
‘……’
‘Professor?’
‘Because you didn’t answer. His Majesty said that this is the right way for someone
who needs to be polite.’
When he saw the hair color of Charelize, who resembled Princess Elizabeth,
Professor Hail closed his eyes and pointed her hair.
“……”
“Now… The traces of her left in this world… is really nothing but only little
Duchess?”
“I… I was born as the eldest son of Count Hail. I had two younger brothers under
me.”
“…..”
“My father passed away, and they began to cry rapidly. Life wasn’t easy even
though… as it started to get worse, I couldn’t afford the first professor’s
salary.”
“……”
“As the second child died in a carriage accident and the youngest was lost due to
an epidemic that suddenly spread… The shock killed my mother too.”
“……”
“Even so, I was struggling to survive until the end, but I met my wife and gave
birth to a beautiful daughter.”
As soon as he told the story of his daughter, Professor Hail’s mouth was softened.
“The first time I met His Highness Princess Elizabeth at the request of his Majesty
the predecessor… she was only 7 years old.”
“I know she was a very clever person to be called a genius even at a young age.”
“…….”
“……”
“When we eat together, she gives me vegetables she don’t like and smile purely…
Because she looks like my daughter so much, it feels like my child really came back
alive….”
“…….”
“After the loss of Her Majesty Empress Roxana, his Majesty the predecessor was busy
with his work… she must have been very lonely even if she didn’t show it.”
“…….”
“I didn’t want her to spend it like a daughter who couldn’t do anything and was
lost in vain. I wanted to protect her…”
“What, for what kind of sin… Her Highness, who was so kind, was guilty of
something… .”
“…….”
“……”
“I heard the news that the little Duchess had left Lilac at the funeral of Her
Highness Yekaterina.”
“Poisoned… I mean… are you saying that Her Highness was not passed away from her
chronic illness?”
“So far, I only have one prediction. For Princess Veloche, her biggest opponent is
my mother.”
“To avenge Her Highness Elizabeth and my mother… I need the help of Professor
Hail.”
“…….”
“Yes. It happened when Her Highness Elizabeth was 16 and Her Highness Yekaterina
was 14.”
* * *
“Teacher!”
“Today is a day without classes… Did you come to see your conviction, Her Highness
the Crown Princess?”
When he heard a knock and moved his gaze toward the door, Princess Elizabeth was
here.
“As soon as you are going to marry, you did it because your heart went on. His
Majesty Harbert is not famous for good people.”
“If so, that’s a good thing. Anyway, it was really hard to leave Yekaterina apart.”
She was a dignified as the emperor’s successor and did not laugh very well, but,
oddly enough, she was always seemed to be relaxed in front of her teacher.
Chapter 14
“Teacher! Are you all right?”
“Don’t come close because you might get hurt Her Highness.”
The teacup that fell to the floor in an instant became a sharp fragment.
He felt anxious about something gonna happend. Even in the morning, He bleed from
rubbing his flesh on the paper.
“Your Highness… Are there any places you are sick of?”
“I’m asking just in case… at the birthday banquet of His Highness Harbert… how
about not attending it?”
“That can’t be done. My brother even asked me to come by all means… What the
matter, Teacher?”
Professor Hail grabbed his trembling right hand with his left hand.
“Teacher?”
“I felt like something would happen to the Her Highness Crown Princess….”
“There… There won’t be. Ah, please take care of Yekaterina, Teacher.”
“… It just. Like me, she makes a fuse every time she want to learn etiquette from
Teacher. How tired she is.”
In the end, Professor Hail could not stop Princess Elizabeth, who was going to the
Birthday party of Prince Harbert.
‘Goddess Resina who gives blessings and protection. Please help Your Highness Crown
Princess spend her day without any trouble.’
He just put his anxious mind aside and prayed to the Goddess Resina.
It was because she died on the day of Prince Harbert’s birthday banquet, as if he
laughed at the desperate wind.
Her throat was cut by the hand of Prince Harbert, who had believed so much.
“Article 2, Paragraph 18 of the Imperial Law of Elioter. Kill her Highness Crown
Princess Elizabeth Lobelia Lesha von Elioter for smuggling Cateras, which forbidden
within the Empire, and puts it in summary.”
She even charged for the ridiculous crime of smuggling drugs banned within the
Empire.
Princess Elizabeth, who was loved by many people, and was called a bright star,
emerged as a star in the night sky.
There was nothing but regret that Professor Hail could do about someone who no
longer existed in the world.
* * *
Professor Hail laughed bitterly when he finished recalling his last time he had
spent with Princess Elizabeth.
“At that time, the Majesty of the predecessor emperor had left half of the work to
Her Highness Princess Elizabeth… .”
“…….”
“… The main figures in the palace were already taken over by Harbert IV through his
father-in-law, and it was difficult to guarantee the life of Her Highness Princess
Yekaterina.”
“Yes. His Majesty, the predecessor Emperor, begged his Highness the Duke with
kneel, and when he refused to the end, he used the pledge of loyalty.”
The first head of family of the Duke Marsetta made an oath called a pledge of
allegiance.
It proceeded by dropping blood in holy water at the temple of the Goddess Resina.
It was impossible to break it. In the first place, no one even thought of it like
that.
As if it was a condition to make an oath from generation to generation in order to
inherit the title, it has continued to this day, well beyond a thousand years since
the creation of the family.
“Little Duchess… .”
“It seems to take a long time. Until I avenged Her Highness Elizabeth and my
mother.”
“I can tell you this one. I will wipe your bloody tears. No matter what, I will
give the neck of Harbert IV.”
“I too… I’d like to wipe away your bloody tears. I have only a few days left to
live, so I can do it.”
“…..”
“But, unlike me, you have more days to live than I have lived. I hope you don’t
sacrifice your life for revenge.”
“……..”
“The two of them who are watching from heaven will not want it either. I’ll let you
go, but live your day.”
“… Okay.”
I have been looking at an album of childhood pictures of those who will be sleeping
in the sky for a long time.
Professor Hail saw off Charelize, who was about to board her carriage.
“It’s good to have one more person who remembers those who miss them. Don’t try to
endure everything.”
“…….”
“There are still lilacs in the garden that my mother loved.”
“Practice walking… after adapting to a world that has become so unfamilliar… I will
definitely go. I wish there were lilacs by then.”
It was Lari who welcomed me and Hailey, who arrived at Duchy until the end of the
night.
“Princess! Hailey!”
“Lari.”
“I told you to take a rest today. You wouldn’t have had anything to do because we
were away. You don’t even hear anything.”
“Ouch. It hurts.”
“It hurts.”
After meeting Professor Hail and hearing his story, I suddenly thought that way.
* * *
“What is it?”
After a long time, Charelize had a good night’s sleep and felt better than usual.
“There was a man asking for a long-term rental of an empty mansion near the Duchy
of Marsetta.”
“And?”
“Yes. I was also informed that a man with light blue hair was staying, and above
all, he seemed unwilling to hide his identity.”
As my butler went out, I shook the bell placed next to me a couple of times.
“Yes, Princess.”
“I will follow the command, Princess. May I ask how you are going to that mansion?”
“Is it intentional, or is it really unknown? There’s someone who keep leaving mark
near me.”
“Princess?”
As I descended from the stairs and went outside, the coachman who was taking care
of the horse ran.
“It doesn’t have to be that way. I am not going far, and the day is good, so I will
walk.”
“Yes, Princess.”
The weather is nice. I take my steps while looking at the sky, and I suddenly
arrives at the mansion.
An old man with a straight face and white hair came out.
“I see the little Duchess of Marsetta. I’m Helson, who manages this mansion.”
“Yes. From a few days ago, Young master Ash has been living for a while.”
“Young master?”
“Because he was reluctant to reveal his identity, I’m calling him that way.”
At the old man’s answer, I burst into laughter without knowing it.
“There are reports coming in from all over the place hitting such a person.”
“Because rumors are faster than feet. If you wait for a while inside, I will bring
you the master.”
I told Hailey to wait outside for a while, and after I ordered, I went into the
room.
For a very short time, he is the owner of the mansion, and I was just his guest.
“Come on in.”
“Excuse me…….”
I replied with expressionless expression, removing the smile from my mouth and
maintaining my composure.
The man’s face was red with his head slightly lowered.
“It’s our second meeting… It was me who came first, so I’ll say hello again.”
“…….”
“……Yes.”
“……”
Chapter 15
“You’ve sprayed marks around me to the point where it’s strange not to know.”
“……..”
“I know everything, so you don’t have to pretend to be innocent anymore.”
Chareliz’s hair fluttered in the wind. She was reflected in the strong sunlight and
it shimmered.
“That day. The day we first met. Why did you know my nickname?”
“……”
“It was only one person in the world that I allowed to call me with that nickname.”
Lize. Sadly, I didn’t remember the other person who I allowed to call me with that
nickname.
However, it was clear that there was only one person who called me by the nickname
Lize.
‘Lize!’
‘No. No. Lize, please… Please wake up. You can’t die. Lize….’
And suddenly at the last minute, it seemed that there was a memory that I didn’t
know.
People all over the world turn their backs and point their fingers at me and wanted
to end my life in an instant. At least he didn’t.
“…….”
“Meow.”
As I turned around and took the act of leaving, somewhere I heard a cat cry.
The cat eyes is blue eye that seemed to have encroached on the incoming waves, and
amethyst light purple eyes reflected in the sunlight.
The cat with white fur, surprisingly, had both Charelize and Arensis colors.
“… Lili.”
“Meow.”
Arensis didn’t know what to do and tried to hold the cat in his arms.
The cat, quickly evading him and refusing his touch again, sat at my feet.
As if responding to me, the cat rubbed it’s body and acted cute.
“…..That’s right.”
“The cat’s eyes are really peculiar. I’ve never seen a cat with a different color
in both eyes.”
It was not a human but a large eagle who was sitting in the frame and waiting to be
opened.
Leaving me, who couldn’t speak my words, Arensis opened the window to greet the
eagle.
The eagle was sitting on his arm and doing something that didn’t fit into the big
size.
“Keeek!”
When the eagle lifted one foot, Arensis pulled out the paper that had been tied to
it.
After checking the contents, he narrowed the space between his eyebrows and
crumpled the paper.
“Squeak. Squeak.”
The eagle, who had been teasing Arensis for a long time, found me later.
“Kieeek? Keeek!”
“This is the first time I have ever seen such a big bird….”
“Keeeek!”
The Eagle protested whether it was hurt by my reaction, who stepped back and
rejected it.
Arensis smiled lightly and stroked the excited eagle to calm it down.
He opened the half-closed window again and blew it up into the sky, then came back.
“… no. I made a slip of the tongue. Please forget what I just said.”
Strangely, the feeling I felt while looking at the image was a compassion, saying,
‘I am sorry’.
“……..”
I grabbed the doorknob while trying to harden my heart that hadn’t calmed down.
It was then.
“Meow!”
The cat, who had been gentle just before, suddenly made an grumpy sound.
Nevertheless, when I tried to open ther door without worrying about it, the cat
jumped at me.
“Lize!”
“Your… Highness?”
He was busy running right away and holding me on my wrist and looking back and
forth.
As if It had done it job. The cat had been out of my arms for a long time.
As I watched cat, it seemed very satisfying to see it lift their paws and lick them
with their tongues.
Arensis, who had been looking closely at the wound for a long time, exhaled a sigh
of relief to see if he had confirmed that the wound was not large.
I was enchanted and my mind flashed, I hurriedly pull my wrist out from grabbed by
him.
“The wound is not big, but… I will bring medicine just in case.”
“It’s really okay. I didn’t get hurt very much.”
When I tried to refuse until the end, Arensis left the room even saying ‘Please’.
The only thing left in the room where the awkward air flowed was Charelize and the
cat.
The cat, who provided the cause of what just happened, looked triumphant somewhere.
They moved from place to place and lived just as their feet followed.
Moreover, even his cat had two completely different eyes colors.
‘…….’
‘Hello, Lize.’
My memory, which came in an instant like a swept wave, was enough to encroach on
me.
Chapter 16
It was a different feeling from what I’ve experienced so far.
The cat, who was grooming its fur, is taking a close look at me.
“Meow.”
“Meow.”
“Meow!”
I got up from my seat and stepped toward the direction led by the cat.
The place where we stopped is Arensis’s bedroom. The cat pushed the slightly open
door and pulled me.
“…meow!”
The cat raised its front paws and hit me in the chest a couple of times as if it
frustrated.
“Ha?”
I didn’t think much of it, and I hurriedly tried to get out from his bedroom.
‘The place changes, but the time we spent together remains the same. So, let’s take
a picture so that it can last forever.’
Memories that I have never experienced at all have been churning in my head more
and more these days.
I never remembered taking a picture like this. The flower garden in the picture was
also a place I had never seen.
He could not manipulate the photos that document my memories of that time.
It is only the shallow things that ran through my head every now and then that only
gave me some confusion.
Tears came out before I knew it. I didn’t want to show this to him.
In the end, what I chose is to stay out of his room before he came.
“Little Duchess.”
When I opened the door, an old man in charge of the mansion was waiting for me.
“I heard you were hurt. The young master will bring you medicine soon….”
“However…”
Even the old man couldn’t stop her for answering Charelize stubborn answer.
* * *
“Yes.”
That day, as usual, I was signing documents that had been reported from my vassal.
“Come inside.”
I think it hasn’t been long since she came back from her vacation with Viscount
Rael.
“The Duke has invited the noble girls of her age to a tea party for Lady Lillian.”
“Tea party?”
“It is said that Lari has defiled the dress of one of the noble lady and right now
she is kneeling in her knees as punishment.”
The answer that came back is like threw a stone into the peaceful day life.
Listening to Martin, I hurried to the garden where a tea party was going on.
“This humble thing! Do you know what the hell you’ve done?”
Lillian was grinning, even though she seemed to be trying to stop a Lady from
raising her hand to slap Lari in the face.
“……”
“Otherwise….”
“…..”
“I was only punishing the maid who had sinned against the guest… My sister doesn’t
compliment me, but rather gets angry… I’m… upset.”
“Little Duchess may misunderstood you, she may not hate you.”
Freya, who can be said to be the initiator of this case, come forward.
“I don’t know?”
“Obviously, the low thing did wrong to me first, and the Princess did it for me….”
The look on her face quickly hardened when she heard it.
“Lari is my exclusive maid. Except for the butler and the maidhouse, she’s in a
pretty high position.”
“……”
“You must have heard it before. No one can call the maid I have without my
permission.”
“Lady Aretta.”
“I must have said it before. It would be better for lady to keep your mouth shut.”
“……”
“Unnie, I, I… It’s just… Lari… She always looks at me in a scary way when I see
her, so… Because I want to get along well….”
She made it seem as if I was angry because I wanted to nitpick over trivial matter.
“Even if Lari isn’t my exclusive maid.”
“……”
“You do not have the authority to appoint the servants of the Duke of Marsetta.”
“Princess?”
I was filled with anger. The situation itself seemed to give Lillian room.
“To be called as Princess for an illegitimate child who hasn’t even made it to the
family register….”
“……”
“This is insult for me, as the little Duchess and successor, and for my mother, the
daughter of the previous Emperor.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the noble lady let go of their hands as if they had
never comforted Lillian.
With a surprised look on their faces, they all pretended not to know Lillian as if
they had discussed it before.
Although it was belatedly reinstated, Lillian’s blood flowed from the Marquis of
Luxen, who had been destroyed by treason.
She is just the foster daughter of the collapsing Baron Buzz, who had a small
estate on the outskirts.
Chapter 17
Freya, who defended Lillian, is no different.
Just because of her age, she was invited to a tea party hosted by the Duke of
Marsetta himself.
It was right that it was a chance never to come again. So she pretended she
couldn’t win and hung out for a while.
Did she not even know that the person who she vented her anger is the exclusive
maid of little Duchess?
Furthermore, contrary to the rumors known, she didn’t seem to like Lillian very
much.
“I’m sorry, little Duchess. Contrary to what I meant, I think there was a
misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? Come to think of it, Lady Aretta.”
“Yes?”
‘Because it’s just been a few days since I came to the Duchy…’
‘There’s a maid named Lari… When I see her, she opens her eyes wider, she doesn’t
take care of my meals…… She treats me as an uninvited guest, so I spend my night in
tears every day.’
‘He’s very busy… I don’t want to give him any trouble because of me.’
Until then, she had no idea. She just listened in one ear and out the other.
‘If I say it, can Lady Aretta, who is the highest status in the position help me?’
‘What do you mean the highest status. There’s Princess Lillian who have higher
status than me.’
‘I don’t have the strength yet, and I can’t even call her and say anything.’
‘However…’
‘When things work out… I’ll tell my father what Lady Aretta want to said!’
‘What?’
She lost her mind for a moment. She thought she could also be rewarded by the Duke
of Marsetta.
‘I’m going to have her bring the tea in a little while… She can’t refuse because
there is many eyes watching for it, then you just have to gently trip her feet.’
Lillian, who had been weeping sadly before, turned her head away, avoiding Freya’s
eyes.
It was the moment when Lillian’s name was about to come out of Freya’s mouth.
“Unnie! It’s all my fault. I was upset because I wanted to get to know Lari…..I’ve
only spoken to Lady Aretta. I think that’s why.”
Lillian, who had a look of ignorance until just now, left the whole thing to Freya.
“How dare I lie to Unnie. Lari. I apologize again. I’m terribly sorry.”
It was difficult to know the full story of the incident, but I could see that
Freya’s actions were ordered by Lillian.
I think I misunderstood. It was also ambiguous to accuse Lillian, who raising her
up by her own hand and apologized to her.
“Having my own maid of honor knelled in her knees is something that should not be
overlooked.”
“I will issue a prohibition order for two days, so please don’t let this happen
again.”
“Yes, Unnie, I’ll stay in the room and think about what my sins are.”
“Lady Aretta.”
I told Freya, who had been shaking all over for a while.
I knew roughly that she only did what Lillian told her to do.
“Martin.”
“Make an appointment with Count Aretta’s second daughter. I heard she is smart, I’d
like to meet her in personally.”
When Charellize punishes her guilty opponent, there is one thing in common.
“Little Duchess! I’m sorry, I… It’s my bad. This will never happen again… So….”
“Little Duchess…”
“One piece of advice is that lady should be careful about what you says and not
open your mouth recklessly.”
It was like giving her younger sister the strength to become the next Countess.
“……”
“…..”
Her mother agonized over her younger sister, who is already prominent in politics,
as her successor.
“Ah… ah…”
She looked back at Rosetta Viscount Rebetty daughter and Louise Baron Jeron
daughter.
Even she looked at her friend since childhood, Ririn Count Barnett daughter. There
is no one who lift her up.
“Little Duchess, do you really want me to write to the second daughter of the Count
of Aretta?”
“Still… I’ve talked to her a few times, and she’s not usually clever.”
Martin asked, following me, who was backing Lari and leaving.
“Rather than someone who can’t able to tell the difference between what to say and
what not to say….”
“…..”
“She is better than her. It’s not like I’ve never heard of her being smart.”
“At least she know what it takes to benefit, and she will not harm me. You don’t
need to worry, Martin.”
I smiled gently.
“Don’t say that. I didn’t make a sin that didn’t exist. It’s just a price to pay.”
“Last night I could live. I found a knight on patrol biting his tongue and
committing suicide.”
“I’ve been on high alert since the guy who pulled a knife to tore my neck limbs to
kill me. That’s weird.”
“Yes, it’s right to cut off the seeds that will become the seeds of fire in the
first place. Call the butler and a every maid right now.”
Martin bowed her head and went outside, after listening to me.
“Lari, don’t do anything today, just stay in bed. You haven’t recovered from your
cold yet, so don’t move around again.”
Arriving at the room where Lari is staying, I said with a firm expression.
Only then did I leave the room, tucking Lari in her bed.
When I returned to my office, there are a butler and maids waiting in front of me.
“I see the little Duchess. May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you.”
“Butler.”
“There are five servants who quit after Duchess funeral, and there are three new
ones.”
“The butler knows better than about the spy you heard last night.”
“…yes.”
“Isn’t the security has been strengthened since there was someone who held knife to
my neck when I was 16?”
“…….”
“I think some of the servants might have had a connection with them. They must open
the door to the man who came in the last night.”
Chapter 18
“It’s all my fault. Please punish me.”
“I don’t mean to punish the butler.What’s urgent right now is to find someone who
has a connection.”
“When I hired new servants, I got recommendations from all the places they worked
for before.”
“It’s not something that can be done alone. I don’t think anyone who would have
done this would have made a deal with just one person.”
“Then…”
When the butler bowed his head and left the room, my maid, who was still left,
asked.
“Pardon?”
“When they are stuck on dead end, and all they can do is slender others.”
I smiled bitterly.
‘Come to think of it, Princess Lillian was once told me to to spread bad rumors
about little Duchess!’
When they followed her words first, they already become ugly humans.
“I’m Kanna, who came in through a letter of recommendation from Baron Ite.”
I asked carefully, looking at the paper with Marie’s personal information handed
over by the butler.
“I was the mistress of Countess Yvonne husband, and he was divorced by the
Countess.”
“…..”
“It was difficult to keep up with Countess husband, so Countess Yvonne wrote me a
recommendation.”
After eight years of marriage, she became pregnant, and their affectionate
relationship became closer.
I didn’t know that she was divorced because there is no rumors about they are
divorced.
“I’m supposed to have worked at the Viscount Loen for quite a while… Why did you
quit?”
“In an accident last year… Since lady death, Viscountess has been distressed that
seeing me reminds me of her daughter, so she recommended me to quit.”
As Jenny said, the Viscountess Loen had an only child, whom she had at a late age.
The love of the Viscount couple for their child was truly great because they were
hard-earned children.
On the day Cassandra born, Viscountess made a huge donation to the temple of
Goddess Resina.
She did not force her daughter to attend the academy, nor did she force her to
study excessive manners.
Born in such a comfortable environment with such good parents, Cassandra died
before her 11th birthday.
Suddenly she were in a carriage accident. The horseman and the Baroness Sierra, who
also rode it, also died.
It was Jenny, the maid who had been serving Cassandra since childhood who survived
the accident.
From the perspective of the Viscountess Loen, who loved her daughter very much, it
was painful enough.
“…I understand it’s been a while since the accident happened to Viscountess Loen
daughter. It was nine months ago that you quit your job as servant.”
“Actually, my father can’t work because his legs are uncomfortable. I had five
younger siblings with me, so I could see the bottom quickly enough to live on with
my retirement money.”
“…I asked something private. I’m sorry.”
“If it’s Baron Ite… He’s our Duke’s old vassal. I can trust you without asking.”
“The three of you free to leave. I would love to hear the results of your works.”
The three of them bowed their heads said goodbye. The butler next to me wondered
and said.
“There’s a recommendation from Baron Ite, but is it really okay if you don’t ask
Kanna anything?”
“I did it on purpose.”
“Yes, I’m not sure yet who it is, but I’m sure it’s one of the three.”
In my previous life, I had no memory of hiring servant who had received Baron Ite’s
recommendation.
“Yes, little Duchess. All five of them had their Majesty by their side.”
It would not have been easy to choose to voluntarily quit Duke Marsetta.
“Find out what the five of them are up to and support their living expenses.”
‘Yes.’
‘If you treat them recklessly, the arrow will come back to you. It’s not a burden
to do a lot of things, but at least treat them as human beings.’
‘Yes, mother.’
‘That’s… helping each other so that there will be a day when you will be rewarded
for it.’
The woman who was stepped on by some thug in the street where everyone saw her was
beaten to death and eventually got kicked out.
My mother brought a woman to pay for the treatment, waited until she was fully
recovered, and later allowed her to work as a servant of the Duchy.
The woman, whose body became healthy, became my mother’s apprentice maid.
I opened the jewelry box, pulled out a pair of emerald studded earrings and said.
“With this… I will find the maid who dares to betray her master and make her pay
dearly.”
I put the earrings on my hand toward the window where the sunlight is reflected.
* * *
“I see the little Duchess Marsetta. May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you.”
“May Countess Yvonne be protected too. I’m sorry to see you suddenly.”
“The sun is strong and hot, close the curtains and put him to sleep.”
Countess Yvonne soothed her son, who immediately wept at the appearance of
stranger, with her clumsy hand, she handed him over her nanny.
“Let’s eat.”
“It smells good.”
Countess Yvonne’s eyes darkened as she walked to the drawing room and offered tea.
Even though she spoke with a slight smile, she seemed forced to curl her lips.
“……”
“Countess?”
“……”
“Countess Yvonne.”
Countess Yvonne’s eyes, hearing the name, lost focus for a momentarily.
When I called her name several times, she finally came to her senses.
“That is… the servant I was hiring. I wrote a letter of recommendation through the
butler when I sent her out, but I don’t know what happened after that.”
“After my mother passed away, many of the servants quit their jobs, so I hired
people urgently.”
“That’s right.”
I nodded slightly.
“…After eight years, I had a child. Finally, I expected to be a mother. I was happy
every day as time went by day. The small beating of its heart was so lovely….”
Countess Yvonne, who had been agonizing for a long time, spoke with difficulty.
“To give a lot of love to the baby that I lost before… I’ve been waiting for it,
even giving it a name, even though I haven’t confirmed it gender yet.”
“…..”
“You know, my husband and I… We didn’t meet in a political marriage. We loved each
other so much. I always want to be with him… and we got married… As soon as I saw
them kissing each other, I fainted.”
Countess Yvonne’s world cracked when she saw her husband kneeling and begging for
forgiveness.
When she was told by a doctor that her child had been miscarried, she collapsed.
Countess Yvonne did not eat despite the concerns of the her maid, who was crying
over when the Countess collapse.
She was an ugly mother who could not protect her precious child.
She saw a virtual image of a child resembling her husband playing in the garden.
When she closed her eyes, the sound of the baby’s heart grew in her ears.
There was something else that was more shocking and terrible than when she found
out that her husband had an affair.
“……”
Chatper 19
“I took her son and I kicked her out. I ordered the butler to write a letter of
recommendation, but… I didn’t expect her to be the maid of the little Duchess. I’m
sorry, little Duchess.”
“My Father and mother… since my brother died… I didn’t want to lose again….”
She, who loved to play with dolls and was loved as the youngest daughter, became a
Countess without mourning about her family’s death.
She met her husband while she was living her life, even if it was difficult.
Her husband was thin when she lost the baby in her stomach and faced her properly.
He was always busy keeping an eye on me and was restless.
That night, in my dream, She saw her husband who was very happy to know that she
was pregnant after eight years.
She wanted to be happy again. She missed him so much that she just wanted to
dismiss it as something that never happened.
Funnily enough, the husband has done a better job of spending those brief days than
he has ever done as a husband and wife.
He sent flowers with good flower language without skipping a day, or he fed her by
making soup.
She tried to calm herself down and hypnotized herself for being happy.
“Adele, please, really… It was a mistake, forgive me… I told you I’d do it.’
‘That’s because I wanted to go back to the old days. I thought I could do that.’
‘But… what…’why…’
‘I guess it wasn’t you that I missed, but the time when I laughed happily without
knowing anything.’
When she divorced her husband, the baby was crying as if he was out of breath at
any moment.
She knew very well how foolish what she had done now.
Countess Yvonne shook her head after telling all the stories so far.
“From the moment Countess held his hand, he became Countess son.”
“…..”
“……”
“Benny?”
“Benny was originally a child who worked for Baron Ite, and I remember Marie, who
came from Viscount Pete, followed Benny here.
* * *
An unexpected guest was waiting for me, who returned to the Duchy.
“Cecile Lour van Loen sees the little Duchess. May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach
you.”
Jenny, who had been with Viscountess Loen for a long time because of her daughter,
she stopped working and tried to forget her master, her master came to me.
Warm steam was coming out of the tea that Hailey brought.
Time went on and on. Sadly, the time of a mother who lost her child had long
stopped.
“……”
It was the moment when the embarrassed Viscountess Loen stood up and tried to
remove the broken pieces.
“……thank you.”
“What does Viscountess Loen want?”
“Call Jenny.”
“And… we’d better get out of here for a while, to avoid the servants who will be
around.”
Jenny, who came inside, seemed very surprised to see Viscountess Loen.
“Miss Lara’s anniversary… I haven’t forgotten it. I’ll never forget it when I die.
The family I have to support is six. Madam.”
“……”
Jenny got down on her knees. Viscountess Loen said, raising Jenny up.
“Madam…”
“…….”
“……”
“When I said why are you the only one who survived? I didn’t mean it. I didn’t let
you go… I’m afraid I’ll keep saying hurtful things… I ran away. I was cowar. I’m
sorry, Jenny.”
On the day Cassandra died, Jenny, who was lucky to survive, lost one of her arms.
It was because she unwittingly embraced Cassandra at the moment the carriage hit.
‘Why are you the only one alive? What about my daughter? They’re all dead. Why are
you the only one!’
‘Madam.’
‘Get out, the money’s… I’ll give you five times the salary you used to receive and
your severance pay.’
She found out that Jenny’s father had spent all the money she had given to her on
gambling.
Even if she wanted to take her back, she thought it would be shameless for her.
Now she has to say something that she couldn’t say then, but that she kept in mind.
“……”
“And…”
“……”
“Thank you for being alive… Thank you for being here… Jenny….”
‘I didn’t grow much…I’m sure father will make fun of me for being small again. What
should I do… Is there any good idea, Jenny?’
‘Here! Jenny, eat it! Strawberry cake is delicious when you share it together. My
mom won’t let me eat because I have tooth decay, so let’s eat before anyone see
us.’
Cassandra was so nice that she was willing to hand out her favorite thing.
‘Jenny! No!’
She hugged her as hard as she could, as if she had unconsciously stretched out her
arms.
“Thank you for being alive… It’s not a crime… thank you for telling me….”
“Thank….you, Madam.”
Her daughter was distinctly different from other children at her age.
Viscountess Loen is a child with a sister, she was a precious child with a really
hard time to grow up, so her mother always said no to what she wanted to do even if
it’s only little danger.
Maybe that’s why Lala taught her mother that she is a little too much.
‘I see. I’m sorry. Lara, you must have been really upset.’
‘Yes…’
‘Come here. I’ll be careful from now on. You and I are different… I was so scared
of my mom when I was in your age.’
‘No, Mom….’
‘I’m so happy that our sweet and pretty Lara came as mom’s daughter. I love you,
baby.’
* * *
I and Hailey waited outside until they had had enough to talk.
“Hailey.”
“This is…”
Chapter 20
I had a piece of emerald earring hidden in my sleeve from the jewelry box.
“Yes, It can be said that it is a memento of the former Empress Dowager and Her
Highness Crown Princess Elizabeth.”
Empress Roxana, she had to leave without watching her two lovely daughters grow up.
The same was true of Crown Princess Elizabeth, who died after her head was cut off
unfairly by her older brother whom she trusted.
Emerald earrings were given to the Empress from the generation to generation in the
Imperial family of Eliot.
‘My sister kept it and gave it to me on the last day. Now that I think about it,
she might have known. All… I know…. she went to a birthday party.’
My mother rarely shed tears in her eyes as she said those words.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess of Elizabeth, knew it, but attended the birthday
feast.”
“……little Duchess.”
“What does family mean? She went to congratulate him even though she knew it would
be dangerous… Why would she do that?”
“Hap…piness”
“I can’t be happy.”
“Little Duchess…”
“I can’t be happy.”
I couldn’t be happy thinking about a baby who had never seen the light of the
world.
Hailey has been worried about me, who has been bruising her a lot lately.
I was a person who didn’t talk much and struggled alone, but pretended to be fine
in front of others.
“…..”
“Until you can be happy. And even after that, the people who remain by your side
will be watching….”
“…little Duchess.”
“Butler.”
“Without any exceptions, gather all the employees working in the Duchy in one
place.”
Soon after, all the servants gathered in the hall on the first floor.
“Among all of you, there will be those who have been in the Duchy for a long time,
and there will be those who have just been here.”
“……”
“What is that?”
“Oh, come on. What if you don’t know that? It’s Empress memento! That’s why, It
given to the Empress….”
“Ah…”
When I showed them a pair of emerald earrings, the servants gathered whispered.
“Quiet.”
“……”
“This emerald earring, which is a memento of Her Majesty the former Empress and Her
Highness Crown Princess Elizabeth, given to me by my mother doesn’t match. Someone
took it.”
“……”
“The one who took this by tonight. Or anyone who sees it being taken, come and talk
to me separately.”
Back in their respective seats, the servants began to watch out for every action.
If it was time to go clean the room with expensive items, They didn’t go alone as
usual.
“Little Duchess, if they’re missing, search every servants’s room right now….”
“Yes?”
“Those who know that they are innocent, and who are proud to take everything out,
will be more careful about their actions than usual by now.”
“…..”
“On the contrary, they would slander others in fear of being found guilty.”
“Come on in.”
It was Kanna who knocked on the door, who got recommended by Baron Ite.
“Well, I’m afraid I’ll have quit my job for some reason.”
“Someone saw you hanging around my room for a long time. What brings you to my
room?”
I asked her once because she said she had to quit suddenly, but it was strange for
her to react like that.
“Yes, th-that’s… th-thank you for choosing me and believe in the Baron.”
“Well, I mean… Ah! Je-jenny… It was because I saw her go into little Duchess room
and steal your earrings.”
“Just a few more days. The witness of the work must not be lost.”
“…yes.”
“Marie?”
“Come on in.”
“Kanna?”
“She even framed me, not wanting to be found out about what she did…. also, she
tried to spread rumors weirdly….”
“…this. You don’t seem to agree enough because you suspect each other.”
“……”
“You said Kanna took it, and Kanna said Jenny did it… I have the earrings, so what
do I do with my earrings?”
“Li-little Duchess. I just did what I was told. Please forgive me just one. Son… I
have a young son.”
“Marie.”
“Yes?”
“That’s ugly.”
“I’ve been asked by an acquaintance who serves Baron Ite. I couldn’t refuse because
I was an acquaintance who saved my life. I’ll do anything. So, please don’t kill
me.”
“If you really cared about your son, you wouldn’t bring him up here.”
“I, I….”
“Not much to deceive me, but to be faithful to your old master, who has done me a
great favor…….You have no affection for your son, Marie.”
“If it’s really for your son. Don’t ever think about seeing him again.”
“……”
“Until the day you die, you will not be able to live near the Duchy Marsetta or
work as maid.”
“…..”
“…..”
“Let this servant be driven away and never set foot near the Duchy again.”
I forced her to pay the price for her crime of breaking up a family for the rest of
her life.
“Go get Kanna and Baron Ite now.”
Chapter 21
“I-I see the little Duchess… may Goddess Resina blessing reach you.”
Baron Ite, who was brought by the knights, pretended to be fine but stuttered
nervously.
“Baron Ite.”
I pointed sharply at Baron Ite, who was consistent in saying that he didn’t know.
“Yo-your Highness.”
“If you show too much stupidity as you do now, you’ll lose what you have.”
“Your Highness!”
I laughed again when I saw Baron Ite, who closed his mouth right away.
It was empty to know that he shot an arrow at once, which overshadowed our time
together.
“Kanna, when you first greeted me, you said he is the one recommended you.”
“Th-that’s right.”
“Did you try to protect your identity in case I found out that you opened the door
to the spy?”
Kanna’s face turned dark. She looked as if she had seen a ghost.
“…..”
Kanna hit her head on the floor and begged with her hands together.
“I-I was wrong, Your Highness. I just did what Baron Ite told me to do Your
Highness. Please, save me just once.”
“You’re wrong, what Baron ordered you is to open the door. Isn’t it you who said
that Jenny took it?”
“Never again, I will never again… I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen….”
“……”
“It is not enough to open the door to the spy, but to frame others for fear of
being found guilty. I will cut off your tongue so that you will never make a fool
with your mouth again.”
“…..”
“Your Highness! No… No, you can’t… there is a baby in my wife’s belly… I have a
child to be born soon!”
“I have already given you great generosity. What the baron has done is tantamount
to treason. Originally, who did treason is being punished with their family
destroyed in three generations, didn’t I make concessions for the sake of seven
years of our friendship?”
“…….”
“If you don’t understand this, go to the Duke, confess your crimes and stand
trial.”
Charelize was right. It was natural for those who tried to kill their owners by
sending people to destroy their family for three generations.
Duke of Marsetta will give them what they deserved, but Charelize is not like him.
“I must have been crazy for a while. So… So for a while… Your Highness… please give
me another punishment!”
“Little Duchess….”
“What punishment should I give to a man who betrayed me and wanted me to die?”
“….”
Hearing this, Baron Ite made a bewildered face and didn’t struggle any more.
“My wife…. and my child’s life… thank you for saving their life….”
“Baron Ite.”
Having given up everything, Baron Ite apologized to me, saying thank you for saving
his wife and child.
“Who did I hold hands with… Why don’t you ask me in detail?”
“There are many who put a sword into my throat, but how can I not know who they
borrows the hand of others?”
In response to my reply that I already knew the culprit, Baron Ite quietly left the
room.
He was a vassal with whom I had been working together for seven years.
The price of affection and giving their heart was astonishingly horrendous.
In my previous life, Baron Ite neither sent a servant to open the door, nor
betrayed me.
It was strange and very shocking that he made a different choice than in the past.
Once you see the rotten roots and pass by them, what is next to them is bound to
rot.
Charelize said it was a pity, so she didn’t take back the punishment she had
inflicted on Baron Ite.
* * *
Marie and Kanna were kicked out, and Baron Ite was executed.
The atmosphere of the Marsetta Duchy became as cold as ice sheet.
“…I see.”
“Your Highness, don’t worry too much. Rather, you’re being generous.”
“Little Duchess….”
“Even if I have another chance, I intend to punish Baron Ite the same thing.”
As time went by, one shot, two shot, and the arrow ran out, the complicated mind
did not go away.
“Even though I have given proper punishment to those who betrayed me.”
“…..”
I uttered in a nonchalant voice. But the eyes were as deeply hurtful as they were.
“Kieeek!”
I could hear the chirping of a bird that I had heard a lot from somewhere.
When I looked up at the sky with my head up toward the sound, the eagle I saw when
I met Arensis was fluttering its wings.
“However…”
“Shishi…right?”
” Kieeek!”
The eagle circled in the sky for a long time and sat on my shoulder.
Then it raised one of its leg. When the curious me looked at it feet, a small
pocket was tied to it.
“Kieeek.”
I untied it and looked inside. It contained a small pill box and note.
Little Duchess.
This time, I trained it again so that you wouldn’t be surprised, but I apologize if
you were surprised by Shishi. Little Duchess don’t have to worry too much because
you already make a good move.
I’m sending you the medicine through Shishi because I’m sure you didn’t receive
treatment because it’s a small wound. Then I hope you have a peaceful night until
we meet again.
It didn’t hurt, and call doctor for this kind of thing is making me look weak.
As expected, Arensis is well aware of me, whether his expectations so far were
correct.
“Kieeek?”
The eagle tilted its head when it found me, who had wounds on my palm while
shooting arrows one after another.
” Kieeek…”
At that moment, a twinkling light flashed from the eagle’s other foot.
I looked around to see what was going on, and the eagle had a thin silver ring on
its foot.
” Kieeek!”
“…this.”
Leaving behind the delighted eagle with a nod, I found something strange.
I was familiar with the silver ring that the eagle was wearing.
Surprisingly, the shape was very similar to what I wore when I was young.
“Kieeek! Kieeek!”
The silver ring was taken out of the eagle’s feet again as if it willing to allow
it.
‘Lize.’
‘First of all….. keep it. Tomorrow… Let’s talk again tomorrow. Yes?’
‘Lize…’
I hadn’t been seen it since at some point and thought I just lost it, but it
wasn’t.