Your Regrets Are Late

Summary:

When I was young, I wanted to be recognized and loved by people.

The ground that buried my mother’s body was not dry enough to accept the
illegitimate child my father had brought as my sister.

“…You did a great job, Charelize.”

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.

“All the time I’ve been with you is terrifying.”

Betrayed by my fiancé, whom I loved with all my heart.

“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.

* * *

When I open my eyes, the 17-year-old spring has come again.

The fiancé, who remembers everything about the past, weeps and begs for my
forgiveness.

My father comes to me because I have a different reaction than before.

“Don’t be happy, don’t laugh. Just live your life in hell.”

“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?”

“I think that’s probably the way it’s going to happen now.”

“I see.”

“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?”

It was a conversation between the knights in charge of Helsen Prison.

“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.

As a result, Harbert IV made a decision that overturned everyone’s expectations.

He sided with Lillian, not his nephew, Charelize.

The origin of the poisonous Lipecha was not from the Elioter Empire, but the Luang
Kingdom, so it could not be quietly covered.

Eventually, Charelize was detained in Helsen prison.

“Sir Ethan.”

Among the knights who mocked and laughed at me, there is also knight of Duke
Marsetta.

I called the knight’s name, remembering that I had an acquaintance I met.

“What….. is it?”
The knight who answered my question looked somewhat quivering.

Narrowing my brows, the way I look at him is contemptuous.

“Please bring my father.”

“Your Highness is very busy taking care of Princess Lillian.”

“I have to tell him, so….. please…”

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.

‘Did not even one person exist on my side?’

I leaned against the cold wall with a bitter smile.

I was just framed by Lillian. Nevertheless, he is not on my side.

I didn’t even have anyone in my side to express my feelings.

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.

They didn’t do the duty that parents had to do.

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 Duke Marsetta brought Lillian the very next day.

Blood tests to preserve her lineage were not necessary.

Lillian looked very similar to the Duke Marsetta.

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.

Lillian officially became the princess of the Duke of Marsetta.

It was a lie if I said I wasn’t jealous of Lilian.

But I wanted to be loved too. I didn’t want to be hated anymore.

I accepted that child and knew that my father would recognize and look at me if I
was kind.

I thoroughly concealed my feelings and lived repressing my everything.

If Lillian identity as an illegitimate child meant that she was ridiculed by

people, I even came forward to protect her.

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.

However, although our mother different, we have the same father.

I evaluated that the day Lillian like that because she is still immature.

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.

But he didn’t believe me until the end.

Rather, he left, leaving only the words that disgraceful to me.

I didn’t have the courage to share the news of my pregnancy, which I learned weeks
before imprisonment.

At that moment, I saw a small shadow walking.

“Greeting to the Princess Lillian.”

It is Lillian. The knights immediately bowed their head.

“You’re always working hard. Sir Ethan. Sir Luan. Sir Yuin.”

“Lady remember all of our names…”

“It is an honor to the family. Princess.”

“What are you doing here?”

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?”

Lillian handed a pouch of gold coins to the embarrassed knights.

“If anything happens, scream right away.”

The knights who were worried for a long time, stepped aside

“Yes. Thank you. It only takes a while.”

Only this moment, she raised the corner of her mouth.

“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.

Charelize had many things from birth.

Lillian felt unfair. The Duke Marsetta’s interests, the status and honor of the
little Duchess, and her loving fiancé.

Everything Charelize had was originally her own.

“You’re crazy, Lillian.”

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.

Once the bowl was broken, the cracks continued to flow.

I screamed with all my might, backed by evil.

“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.

“Then… what happens to me?”

“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?”

“…..”

“Our father also actively agreed. Really… I’m so sorry. Unnie.”

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.

I repeatedly rubbed the slightly swollen belly.

“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.

“Baby. As a mother… I think I’ll have to do something that I can’t do to you.”

I continued with difficulty.

“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 was quietly listening to the sounds in my ears.

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.

Day and night, I always faced threats of assassination.

Delphir gave me a pink jewel, which was also a memento of my mother, inscribed on a
dagger as a gift.

“Where else is there such a funny play?”

Come to think of it, it was a very lonely and miserable life.

‘I have never thought of you as my daughter.’

My father gave me the cold shoulder to the last minute.

‘Get the princess out of the room!’

My weak mother has long passed away.

‘All the time with you is terrible.’

I was betrayed by Delphir, who I loved deeply.

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.

As if proving that I was still alive, my heart still beating.

Without hesitation, I stabbed a dagger near my heart.

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.

I was relieved though. Charelize put a bitter smile on her lips.

“Baby. Just in case, if I go back to before meet you and have another chance….”

My stomach feel ache. I wrapped myself unconsciously and said.

“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.”

I was able to see the last moment.

I saw the miserable memories of my life so far.

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.

I felt sorry for him hugging me strongly.

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….”

My breath gasped irregularly.

As time passed, I was insanely distressed by the pain in my heart that hurts.

“I’m so late… I’m sorry.”

“……”

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.

Charelize Elze Roxana von Marsetta, died like that.

Chapter 2
“Highness. Your Highness.”

At the hand of someone’s waking me up, I reflexively struck pushed her hand away.

My forehead, which had risen, was full of cold sweat.

My body was heavy as if I had a lot of water.

In addition, a strong headache came as if someone was hitting me away with a

hammer.

“Did you… have a nightmare?

As I turned my head, I saw Lillian’s maid of honor, who I had to be separated with
her.

“Lari….?”

“Yes. Your Highness. I’m here.”

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.

In my head, I couldn’t understand the situation right now.

I died after being seen off by a man with blue hair.

The shape of the man was not properly seen, so it was not possible to distinguish
who he was.

The tail of my mouth, which seemed to be slightly raised, gave a feeling of

bitterness for some reason.

My heart beats so quickly that I couldn’t control just thinking about the man.

My head-breaking headache, like ink spreading in water, gradually widened its

radius.
“… bring me some water.”

“Ah. Yes. Please wait a moment.”

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.

Thanks to Lari’s qucikness, I didn’t miss it and carefully passed it to my neck.

I breathed a deep breath into the lungs

“Lari.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What date is it today?”

Her owner, who suddenly asks for the date, might make Lari wonder, but the loyal
Lari answered my question without asking why.

“…..Elioni of the spring of the imperial calendar, it is 1 April, 1517.”

Even after asking Lari, I remained nervous throughout.

My confusion continued to grow.

‘Four years ago, I came back at 17. Is this… makes sense? What the hell has
happened now?’

I hated it. It would be scary if this situation wasn’t false.

I put everything down and gave up even my child because I wanted to rest.

I am afraid that the terrible thing would repeat itself.

I didn’t want to be hurt anymore.

I reached out to capture the sunlight that tickled my eyes.

Of course, it wasn’t caught, but it is very warm.

‘At this time of year 4 years ago… My mother ….’

Something quickly passed through my head.

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?”

“By now, She’s going to sleep after taking medicine.”

Lari was originally my mother’s apprentice maid, so she still remembered her old
master’s schedule.

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.”

“Yes. Your Highness.”

Again I felt my heart beating fast.

Thump thump. I heard a strong beating heartbeat.

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.

It glistened as if it were deliberately more beautiful to hide the fact.

“Your highness. This is Hailey.”

“Come in.”

As I groped through my sad memories, I heard Hailey’s polite knock.

I got out of my mind and allowed her visit.

There are a total of three exclusive maids of Charelize.

“Hailey, you are here.”

“Have you been in peace all night, Your Highness?”

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.

“What’s going on?”

“That’s, the Marquis of Radias sent a man…”

“Marquis Radias?”

It was the family of Delphir.

Early in the morning, it was obvious that I had a relationship with him if he was
going to send someone to me personally.

My feeling of excitement went down in no time.

It was even more so because I could see Hailey hesitating to say something to me.

It was just that I knew it wouldn’t be boring.

She said, “He said that Sir Delphir was riding horses, and he fell off the horse
and fell into fainting.”

“….. fainting?”

Even listening to Hailey, I couldn’t feel any strange feelings.

“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.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“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.”

“Okay. Your highness.”

Hailey looked surprised at my unfamiliar attitude to delay pay visit Delphir.

She soon bowed her head and stepped back.

Next to her, Lari also left the room after saying that she would prepare my bath
water.

Left alone in my spacious room, I blinked my eyes two or three times.

Giving strength to my hand, my fists were clenched and unfolded. I repeated my
actions several times and even pinched my cheeks.

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.

As he said, all the time we spent together seemed terrible.

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.

“Lady. Is the temperature right?”

“Yed. It’s appropriate. Thank you, Martin.”

Charelize went deep into the warm water.

“That’s what I have to do.”

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.

I could easily find tiredness in Martin’s face.

“Thank you, Lady.”

I washed away the foam from my spots and came out.

“Madam said that you can visit before the sun goes down.”

“Good work, Lari.”

I wore a fluffy-textured gown from Hailey.

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.”

Hailey replied politely as if to appease her younger sister.

My face quickly turned red.

Wearing a comfortable yet somewhat formal sky blue dress is the last thing She has
done with all the decorations.

I took steps to the room of the Duchess Marsetta.

“The young lady has come.”

“Bring her inside.”

The maid told me that I can come.

Her graceful voice was heard despite her exhausted energy from her long struggle
with her illness.

“Long time no see. Little Duchess.”

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.

“Mother. Are you feeling well?”

“I’m gotten a lot better. What brings you here so far?”

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?”

This time now was more precious than anything else.

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.

Charelize thought she wanted this moment to last forever.

Chapter 3
“What… what happend?”

The Duchess Marsetta asked in great embarrassment.

“We’re going to go out. Madam. Miss.”

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.”

“Thank you. Mother.”

At the Duchess Marsetta, who recommended tea, I smiled slightly.

At my seat, I had no idea what to say.

There were countless things I wanted to say.

I always missed her, and cried just thinking about her.

But when I finally faced my mother face, my mouth couldn’t fall properly.

I bite my lips, fiddling with the hem of my pitiful dress.

“It’s not good manners to touch the dress during a conversation with the other
person.”

At a sharp point, I came to my senses late.

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.

Most of the time She was sick and lying in bed.

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.

Very slowly, I felt the traces of her life on my mother’s face.

“Still, do you feel guilty for Esteemed daughter of Marquis Luxen?”

Perhaps this was an unexpected question, and my mother seemed very surprised.

Siael Jenna von Luxen.

It was forbidden to mention the Esteemed daughter of Marquis Luxen, she was the
fiancee of the Duke Marsetta.

I didn’t ask anyone first, and she didn’t answer.

There was no conversation and no interest was shown.

“Because it is true that I have ruined the lives of many people… by being here.”

The awkward air settled down. The silence came again.

“I’m going to break the engagement with the second son of Marquis Radiasa.”

“That’s… what do you mean?”

The Duchess Marsetta tilted her head curiously.

As such, it was difficult for her to fully understand what her daughter said.

Her daughter believed that everyone on every side is her enemy.

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.

As soon as the coming-of-age ceremony was held, They got engaged.

“Did….. did I hear it wrong now?”

“You listened correctly.”

Charelize was not the type to fool others with a joke.

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.

“I wanted to spend time with my mother before it was to late.”

The Duchess Marsetta stared straight at me.

Her straight eyes reminded me of a longing man who came out every day in my dream.

“Madam. Miss. I’m sorry during the conversation.”

“What is it?”

They heard the knock of from the maid waiting outside.

“There’s a guest here who wants to see Madam.”

“What do you mean a guest? I don’t have an appointment today….”

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 stood up from my seat, nodding my head slightly.

“Who the hell is the guest who visited mother?”

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..”

“You do not know?”

“Yes. The guest was covering their entire face with a black cotton thread.”
“Let’s go.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

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’m going to the Marquis of Radiasa. Prepare the carriage.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

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.”

“Lady, what if anything happens?”

“Lari is right. Please reconsider.”

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.

We had promised eternity by putting rings on each other’s fourth finger.

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 was unfamiliar as if it was replacing someone else’s object.

It seemed we have arrived at the Marquis of Radiasa. The horses leading the
carriage gradually slowed down.

After several deep breaths, I got out of my carriage.

“I see the little Duchess.”

“May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach the little Duchess.”

“I wish you both protection.”

We greeted each other with the Marquis and Marchioness Radiasa, who had been
meeting in advance.

They guided me to Delphir’s room.

“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.”

“Is that so?”

“I was fascinated for a while, but don’t worry about him because he just got a
minor bruise.”

“I’m….. not worried.”

“Yes….?”

“In the future, this won’t happen.”

Marchioness Radiasa told her that Delphir would not be injured.

“Oh my, little Duchess really…”

I didn’t dare to correct the misunderstanding.

“Delphir. The little Duchess has come.”

Marchioness Radiasa slightly knocked on Delphir’s room.

All of a sudden, something sharp broke.

“Delphir!”

When the embarrassed Marchioness Radiasa opened the door in a hurry, I saw Delphir
sitting on the floor.

Glass beads containing memories were all broken.

“Baby! What’s happening. Are you okay?”

“….Charel. Really… really, Charelize?”

Delphir pushed out the Marchioness Radiasa, who was trying to get him up.

As if he just couldn’t believe it, he repeatedly called me.

“I have something to say to Delphir.”

“The two of us will be out for a while, little Duchess.”

“But, honey. Delphir…”

From a while ago, the Marquis of Radiasa seemed to have noticed something.

He took her wife, who seemed to be anxious.

How long had it been, I bent my back and picked up a piece that fell around him.
“Charel!”

It touched my delicate skin and bled me. Delphir reacted immediately.

As if nothing was as painful as seeing my blood, he closed his eyes in

astonishment.

“You were fallen when ride horse.”

“……”

“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.

I wondered why he was shaking his whole body over there.

“I was looking at the glass beads.”

“…..”

“Why? You didn’t usually do this. You don’t answer anything, and you’re shaking in
such anxiety…..”

“……”

“It didn’t happen back then.”

As soon as he said that, Delphir bowed his head.

“Just in case.”

“……”

“I was just thinking about it. Really, do you remember everything?”

“What….. what are you talking about? I, no….”

“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.

With everything he remembered, he too was back in the past.

‘If I’m the only one who remembers… there’s nothing more resentful and unfair than
that.’

I couldn’t believe it, but I thought it worked out.

“What did I deserve?”

“…..Sorry. I’m sorry. I….. I misunderstood you.”

“Shut up.”

“…..”

“You didn’t believe or listen to me.”

Tears dripping from his eyes.

“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.

He bit his lips to stop him from crying out loud..

“I died by stabbing my heart with the dagger you gave me.”

“…..”

“Have you ever thought about why I made this choice?”

“…..”

“…..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.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier…”

“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.

I laughed. More than ever, I had a smile he liked around my mouth.

“I hope this is the last time I see your face again.”

And I said the things he hates to hear and fears the most.

“Don’t be happy or laugh. I just live my whole life in hell.”

“…..”

“Then, when time passes and everything is forgotten. I remember why my child died.”

I slowly approached him, who couldn’t say anything.

I took out the ring from my fourth finger.

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.

The cracking and breaking gave the impression of an end.

“Delphire.”

“Charel. No. I, I’m sorry. Charel. Please….”

He shook his head and denied whether he expected the words I’m going to say.

“I shouldn’t think I was happy when I was with you.”

“…..”

“The time I share my breath with you is so disgusting that I’d rather die.”

It’s really over. It can’t be reversed or created again.

That’s how I put an end to my relationship with him.

As I went outside, my eyes met with the waiting Marquis Radiasa.

“Little Duchess.”

“There will be a letter of broken engagement soon.”

“If you leave the Marquis like this, we will become enemy.”

“I know that much.”

The words of the Marquis Radiasa were probably natural.

For him, who adopted Delphir, the child of his half-sister, he had a deep affection
for Delphir.

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.

“……”

“May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach the little Duchess.”

Marquis Radiasa said that and bowed his head.

“May the Marquis also have the protection of the goddess.”

I turned my head and replied past him.

I didn’t even know what I was thinking about going back to the Marsetta Duchy.

It was just hectic, busy, and confused.

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.”

“Charelize. How have you been?”

In private, he is the half-brother of the Duchess Marsetta, and Harbert IV is

Charelize’s uncle.

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.

That fact was so easily conceded by 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.

However, breaking those expectations, Harbert IV became Emperor.

He accused his 16-year-old sister of smuggling drugs which is banned from the
Empire.

He picked up a sword and cut the head of Princess Elizabeth directly.

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.

He couldn’t get up from his seat for days.

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.

It was the same with Duke Marsetta’s wife.

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.

And, these couples didn’t provide enough protection for Charelize.

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.

I was thinking of giving it back soon. I had no intention of making a trouble.

It was all about embroidered with crude craftsmanship or sloppy embroidery.

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.

I was so scared to see my father for the first time.

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 was afraid of giving my heart and being abandoned again.

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.

I began to gradually disappear from expressing my feelings.

Therefore, no one expected Delphir to develop into a relationship with me and we

become engaged.

Harbert IV was amazed that I had a man whom I truly loved.

Moreover, the wife of the Marquis of Radiasa was the Count of Azel, who had a blood
relationship with the Duke Morden.

Harbert IV didn’t like our engagement, but we broke our marriage.

Thinking there might be some political ploy, he called me to the imperial palace.

“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.”

“Is that so?”

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?”

It was Harbert IV that first held the sword.

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?”

“….”

I bent down and lifted the hem of my dress slightly.

“It’s my family affair. Your Majesty.”

“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.”

I drew a clear line, saying it was a family affair.

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.

“Can I worry about your mother in bed because she’s sick?”

Harbert IV referred to the Duchess Marsetta in her illness.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

My face gradually hardened.

When he saw it, he had a contrasting look on his face.

“Your Majesty, we are in trouble!”

He looked better than before.

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.”

“…..”

“Will you really wake up when your limbs are torn?”

“That, that’s not it…”

“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.

Harbert IV knew this better than anyone else.

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.

Enraged Harbert IV showed that he would continue to live.

“That…. that’s…”

The barely awakened attendant opened his mouth with a trembling voice.

“Her Highness Veloche…. has a seizure….”

It was before the words were finished.

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?”

He pushed him constantly, giving him no time to answer.

“They, they are treating Her Highness.”

“Bring them with you. If they say they don’t want come, you can bring them by
force.”

“I accept your solemn orders, Your Majesty.”

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.”

I came out and ridiculed Harbert IV’s stupidity.

‘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.

It became a tag of life and followed her.

To make matters worse, she is weak and had frequent seizures.

In the war, instead of the emperor who caused the bloody tragedy, they said that
his child was cursed.

In addition, she is weak and reluctant to reign on someone.

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.

The pledge of allegiance could never be countered. I had to become a loyalty.

‘A heart that respects and follows is not created.’

I tried to get in my carriage right away, but Delphir, who was waiting in front of
her carriage, blocked my way.

“Darling.”

“Did you call me, little Duchess.”

Charelize called a knight passing by and asked.

“The Imperial Palace, since when has it become a place where son of Marquis can
come to say he wants to come?”

“….I am sorry. I will correct it right away.”

“……”

“Son of Marquiss Radiasa.”

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.”

“……”

“You are like that, you are not someone else.”

“……”

“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.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Charel. I, I misunderstood. You.”

As I thought of my baby again came to my mind, I felt I wanted to kill him.

With an almost crying look, I could only see his begging as a pretense.

“Don’t let me… be the same person as you.”

“Cha, rel.”

“Please, don’t let me hold a dagger in my hand to stab you.”

I turned around. I was relieved that Delphir’s face was not visible.

I never wanted to see him crying again. I was stupid.

It was very difficult to throw down someone you loved.

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.

* * *

The next afternoon, Charelize is called by the Duke Marsetta.

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.

Suddenly, I was curious about lady of Marquis Luxen.

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?

After thinking about things, I quickly arrived at his office.

“The little Duchess has come.”

The knight in front of me announced my visit.

“Let her inside.”

Shortly thereafter, I heard a brief, cold answer, the peculiar tone of Duke
Marsetta.

“I see your Majesty the Duke.”

Inside, Charelize said her greeting to him.

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.

He broke off all relationships with me by digging up the family register.

The reason I chose my death even when I gave up my child was entirely due to the
Duke Marsetta.

The life of being neglected by my father was enough for myself.

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.

“You broke your engagement.”

“…..”

“No matter how small it is, have you decided such an important task without
consulting me?”

“Your Highness is still not my father.”

“What the hell… what are you talking about?”

Duke Marsetta asked, as if he couldn’t understand my words.

“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.”

“……”

“It wasn’t an engagement to help the family, it was a loving relationship.”

Duke Marsetta sighed. He said it was annoying to deal with my rebellious self.

“Do you even remember my name?”

I turned around and grabbed the handle of his door, when I said that.

“…..What do you mean?”

“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.”

“Your mother… did she teach that much?”

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.

“Ah. I will correct it. Not a little, but a lot of discomfort.”

Duke Marsetta was very embarrassed.

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.

He came to his senses late and tried to lecture her.

“What a habit of 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.”

“……”

“Then, I will step back. Your Highness the Duke.”

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’.

* * *

It was too easy to give up an outstretched hand to the Duke Marsetta.

What I had been trying to get into his heart became futile, even tears did not come
out.

It was a conversation without a few words. Nevertheless, it was uncomfortable.

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.’

‘I miss my father so much.’

‘He will be in the office. Shall I ask the butler if the time is right to visit him
and come back?”

‘……But, when I go, my father doesn’t feel better, so I have to be patient.’

At the age of six, I pressed the desire to go to my father.

‘Princess. Don’t do that again! Do you know how surprised I am…?’

‘….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.’

At fifteen, I received a birthday present from my father.

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.

I felt happy when he just remembering my birthday.

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.

“Young Lady! Are you okay?”

“…..I’m okay, go back.”

The knight who was passing by came hurriedly.

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 couldn’t even remember what spirit I had returned to my office.

I did more than I needed to get rid of the constant thoughts that came to mind.

“Young Lady! What…. what do I do?”

Lari’s eyes were full of rushing signs, and tears were forming in her eyes.

“Lari? Is there anything wrong with it?”

“Madam is having a hard time…”

Hailey replied on behalf of Lari, who was so worried that she couldn’t speak.

“She’s in critical condition. I think you should go right away.”

It was news that my mother’s condition had deteriorated.

I barely calmed the uncontrollable beating heart.

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.”

“Our Madam, what should we do?”

“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.

“For now, go inside. Madam is waiting.”

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.

Mother was barely breathing a very small amount.

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.”

“……”

“Scram. I will be here, so no one comes in.”

The gloomy faces around them reluctantly left the room.

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.”

“……”

She give no answer.

So, I was able to talk more comfortably.

“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.”

“…….”

“When I was young, I hated my mother who always kept me away…”

“……”

“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.”

After a long time, my mother’s hand is too small.

“…..I still remember. The day I shook mother’s hand.”

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.

I was resentful to the gods who were only cruel to me.

At this moment, if I did not blame others, I couldn’t bear it.

“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.”

My mother smiled as she said it.

Her little laughter is so warm that it couldn’t be compared to anything else.

“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.”

The eyes of the Duchess Marsetta, looking at me contained her love.

“Always….. far away, I thought you only regretted giving birth to me….. Why…..”

“……To you, I hated to see you getting weaker. Charel.”

“……”

“Never….. it wasn’t because I hated you. How can I… hate you.”

“……”

“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.”

It was the first time I heard it.

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…..”

“I always blamed mother, but why…”

“And…. now……. spend my last time with you….”

“Please, not yet, not yet. Mother….. Mother please…..”

“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…..”

A lost hand fell out of the air.

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.

“I want to be born… as a mother’s daughter… in my next life…”

“……”

“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.”

“…….”

“I love you, mother. I loved you so much…”

“……”

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.

“Peace in the arms of Goddess Resina. I express my condolences, little Duchess.”

“Thank you for coming, Lady Arien.”

“I will never forget the Duchess Marceta.”

“Thank you. Marquis Opert.”

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.

“Yekaterina Lizel Isla von Elioter.”

I put my mother’s name in my mouth after a long time.

When I called her imperial name, not the Duchess Marsetta, I felt that everyone
around me is gossiping.

Nevertheless, I continued to talk without worrying about it.

My mother was always burdened by the position of Duchess Marsetta.

So I decided it after consideration.

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.

‘My dear mother. May you take your eternal rest.’

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 was not a flower commemorating the death of her deceased.

‘It’s mother’s favorite flower, lilac. When she see this white flower, she feel
that she is connected with people she miss.’

‘You’re very pretty like your mother!’

On my birthday, it was a conversation with my mother in a warm greenhouse garden.

‘It has the flower language of a beautiful relationship.’

‘…….’

‘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.

Suddenly rain poured from the clear sky.

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.

In contrast, my mother liked rain.

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.

It was as comfortable and cozy as my mother’s arms.

“Lady!”

The nanny who followed me with an umbrella called me.

“Nanny.”

“I am sorry that I couldn’t do anything at the moment when the Madam is having a
hard time.”

I held the nanny’s hand who was holding an umbrella.

“It’s rain from my mother.”

“……”

“The nanny knows. What I really hated.”

Instead of my mother who couldn’t spend much time because of her weak body, the
nanny filled the vacancy.

Probably, I was able to grow up this way, thanks to my nanny.

“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.”

When I said this, tears fell from my nanny’s eyes.

The nanny was crying, saying that it was me that was harder than anyone else, and
even the death of my mother.

I recalled the day I first met my nanny.

‘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.’

‘Martin Lune de Rael greet the Princess.’

‘…..’

‘You really resembled Madam’s childhood.’

‘…..’

‘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.’

‘Then shall we go outside and walk?’

‘Hate. I hate you! Go away!’

‘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.’

‘If the Princess is sick, I think I’m sick too.’

‘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’

‘Am I… a person who is precious to the nanny?’

‘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?’

‘I never thought I was spoiled.’

When I looked at the nanny’s hand, it was as small as my mother.

Traces of the years she has lived all over his face.

“Now I will protect nanny.”

“Princess……”

“So….. would you stay with me at least for the nanny?”

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.

The nanny held tight my arms. And She answered.

“The only place I will be is beside Princess.”

“Nanny.”

“Thank you more for growing well.”

My mother was right.

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.

Passing through a conservatory garden full of lilacs, my mother’s favorite, I

arrived in front of her tomb.

Many phrases were inscribed in front of my mother’s tombstone.

The Second Princess of Argo III and Empress Roxana.

Younger sister of the Princess Elizabeth.

The mother of Charelize.

Yekaterina Lizel Isla von Elioter falls asleep here.

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.”

Duke of Marsetta has always been like that.

He did not look straight into reality and he only thought about the damage he had
suffered.

As a result, he did not consider the plight of those who suffered.

I turned back and passed Duke Marsetta and headed for my room.

“It’s spring, but it’s chilly at night.”

Hailey, who looked at me with her anxious eyes, wrapped me around with thick shawl,
which she had covered.

“Tonight… it’s really, cold.”

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.”

Lillian. Suddenly the child’s name flashed in my mind.

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.

“Open the door.”

“The Duke told us not to let anyone in.”

“When did the place where I couldn’t go as a Princess?”

I made a sharp move, showing a strong attitude that I would not back down.

“…..Sorry. Please, go inside.”

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.”

“I dedicate this sword to the little Duchess.”

They immediately knelt and made the knight’s oath.

As I went inside, I saw Lari moving things around.

“Lari.”
“Princess! What brings you to the annex…”

Lari asked carefully, watching my eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

Asked by Duke Marsetta, who was descending the stairs on behalf of Lari, who could
not speak.

“As a Princess, there is no place I can’t go to at the Duke’s residence.”

“It’s rude.”

“The rude thing is the Duke.”

“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?”

The Duke of Marsetta did not lose.

It seemed to be having a conversation with a child who couldn’t communicate.

“Lari, let’s go. I want to eat the sweets you baked after a long time.”

“Princess…..”

Lari was about to come out with my hand.

I knew well that it was a reckless act that embarrassed Lari and did not suit the
dignity of the Princess.

I didn’t want to meet her because I thought she might be here.

“Charelize!”

The Duke Marsetta called my name out loud.

I ignored his shout and kept walking.

“Daddy!”

As the voice of a bright and clear woman, unspoiled, was heard, my steps quickly
stopped.

I slowly turned my head and looked behind me.

“Hello, Unnie.”

The woman’s identity is Lillian.

Lillian looked up at me and smiled brightly with a pure face that she knew nothing.

“This child… is your younger sister, Lillian.”

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?”

Duke Marsetta immediately raised his voice.

Charelize approached Lillian behind him.

The attitude of Duke Marsetta, who hurriedly hides her behind him, was very funny.

“You made a stupid choice.”

“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.”

“That… I couldn’t help it because the situation was urgent.”

“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?”

It wasn’t the Duke Marsetta who would be angry.

“When it comes to deceit, the Duke is on top of it.”

“……”

“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 held on with this thought.”

I was sad that when I remembered what I’ve been through of.

“Do you know how many assassins came to me at night?”

“…….”

“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.

At that moment, afterimages of my past collided.

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.”

“Do you have no intention of listening to me…?”

“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.

“If you couldn’t be a father, You shouldn’t give birth to me.”

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 didn’t do anything, but he was afraid I’d hurt Lillian

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?’

No one gave the answer to my question.

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.”

“……”

“… do you know? Lari is also my mother’s person.”

With those words, I grabbed Lari’s wrist and left the annex.

Until the road to my room, I didn’t say anything to her first.

When my mother died, Lari cried until she almost fainted.

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.”

I took my wound-healing ointment out of my drawer and applied it to Lari’s hand,

and then she said.

“Then, Princess, who can do what. I’m fine.”

“As I told you. You are my person. No matter what happens, I will protect you.”

Right away Lari’s eyes were filled with tears.

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.”

“…….”

“You must be tired, so get some rest today.”

Lari, who hugged me tightly, covered me with blanket, took care of my bed, and left
my room.

I had a lot of thoughts, so I couldn’t sleep easily.

* * *

“Unnie!”

“I’m leaving now little Duchess.”

“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.

“Why am I, your Unnie?”

“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.”

Lillian sticks out her tongue and grinned.

The more the maid followed Lillian words, the more restless the maid became, and
her complexion quickly became pale, and the maid noticed me.

“Really… I don’t know where to point out your stupidity.”

I replied with deep sigh, in her annoying voice.

“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?

“……Why? Is that because I am an illegitimate child?”

“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 and others around me had already heard it.

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.

Lillian felt defeated as she couldn’t answer anything.

“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.”

Lillian flinched at my cynical answer.

“Why do you think I’m letting you go easy?”

“Well, what is that.”

“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.”

I grabbed Lillian hair.

When she saw the silver hair that resembled the Duke Marsetta, I was even more
angry and energized, pulling it forward.

And I whispered in a voice that could only be heard in Lillian’s ear.

“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?”

“Uh, let go of it….”

“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.

“The Duke’s disappointment has nothing to do with me now.”

“……”

“Because I threw him away first.”

“……”

“By the way, be polite.”

“Ah, it hurts!”

“If you are a guest who is going to stay for a while, you should do that.”

With Lillian’s hair down, I smiled.

Lillian, who fell on her buttocks, stumbled.

“Martin.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Prepare water to wash right away. It’s disgusting because she’s dirty.”

After passing Lillian, Charelize called Martin.

“I’m going to kill her…”

“Lady Lillian?”

“I am the Princess of the Duke Marsetta! A Princess!”

Lillian was belated and shout with all her might.

* * *

“Princess, you’re so cool! Did you see her face? Lady even make her scared.”

“It’s refreshing.”

After hearing Martin’s words, I replied wisely.

“What happened to you, Princess?”

Lari, who is next to her, asked, curiously.

“I threw food to the hunter.”

“Well….. Are you referring to Lillian?”

“Yes. I’d be enjoying it around now.”

“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!”

Lari said with a resentful look.

“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.

One of the two keys was still held.

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.

“Explain what’s going on, what the hell is going on.”

“I don’t know….. what you’re talking about.”

“What?”
“I have already heard that Lillian was in tears and that she had gone to his
Highness’s office.”

“However.”

“What you already know. Why do you want me to explain?”

“Isn’t Lillian… misunderstood?”

“Since when was your Highness the Duke a fair and impartial person who was so good
at sensible?”

“Charelize.”

“It’s not Charelize!”

My voice spontaneously empowered. I was angry and, above all, outrageous.

“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?”

The Duke Marsetta could not say anything.

‘Because I was barely asked to cancel the contract, be careful about your actions
in the future.’

‘I did nothing wrong…’

‘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.”

“…….”

“The unbridled little colt should be controlled by its owner.”

It was just the moment when he remembered that the child is the mirror of the
parents.

Lillian was a sore finger.

He heard that she had lived a life that made it difficult to have a single meal
while making a living by sewing.

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.

Lillian had a face that resembled Siael.

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.

Strangely, He didn’t get attached to her.

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.

Looking at Charelize reminded him of the deceased emperor, it was terrible.

When he discovered something similar to Yekaterina, He was suprised without

realizing it.

He thought she was the culprit of everything.

He kept worrying about the days he couldn’t wipe those tears away.

The hars words kept him in his mind.

* * *

“Baron Alec is here.”

“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.”

“Once he get inside, prepare the tea.”

Baron Alec’s face was so emaciated as he stepped inside.

“I see little Duchess. May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you.”

“May the Baron have protection. Why you come all the way to here?”

“That is…..”

“Until I give a separate order, let no one wander around.”

“I will take your orders. Princess.”

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.”

“What on earth do you mean?”

“The Madam… did not die of a chronic illness.”

“……”

“Someone, poisoned… Madam.”

Baron Alec, kneeling down, said that the cause of death earlier than my memory was
poison.

“What the hell… what are you talking about?”

“……”

“It’s poison. Did my mother die from poison?”

“She appears to be poisonous from the roots of a flower called Valesium.”

“……What if it’s a Valesium?”

“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.”

As I squeezed my fist, my nails slit into the soft skin.

“Even this small wound bleeds right away.”

I barely endured my outbreak of my anger and asked Baron Alec.

“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.

“Baron Alec. Can you help me…..?”

“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.”

My eyes shone. I bit my lips and pledged my revenge.

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.

For such Princess Veloche, my mother is her greatest opponent.

In fact, there were also forces trying to elect my mother as the Empress.

Harbert IV demolished many palaces for Princess Veloche.

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.

More than that, I didn’t think I couldn’t do that.

“Princess. A letter arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

“Letter?”

“It was sent by Her Highness the Princess Veloche.”

I opened the letter and said that when the time was fine, I asked for a visit to
Ramier Palace.

“I will be hospitalized in two days, so be aware and send a reply.”

“Yes. Princess.”
We had never met in private unless it was an official banquet.

I felt awful how to look at the face of Princess Veloche.

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.

After getting my conscious, I headed for to my study.

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.

It was a box containing the remains of my mother made of ashes.

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.

I go somewhere else, and took my carriage to my mother’s villa.

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.

“Wouldn’t anyone else have come?”

“Yes. Princess.”

“Even if we risk our lives, we will surely protect you.”

I went inside leaving behind the knights bowing their head. Then I found a suitable
place.

“Princess! How could you do this? I will do it.”

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?”

“I’m sorry…. Princess…..”

“I want to be alone for a while”

“….alright. Princess.”

Hailey’s steps went farther and farther away.

“If you want to save your life, it would be better to show up now.”

A soft wind blew. I looked around and said that.

A man came down from a tree that was quite tall.

“It wasn’t meant to spy. Sorry if you were offended.”

The man politely bowed his head and apologized.

“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…..”

He hesitated to say it. The appearance of him felt quite familiar.

“Sky blue….. hair?”

Before I died, someone held me in his arms, and he had the same hair color.

Originally, sky blue was an unusual color on the continent.

It has been said that it is rare to see people with sky blue hair.

At the words of me, the man was in a hurry.

As if I couldn’t think of it, he hurriedly tried to hide it.

His eyes were already light blue. Something was strange to dismiss it as just a
coincidence.

I couldn’t erase the feeling so familiar.

“What’s your name, sir…..?”

He shut his mouth firmly and didn’t give any answer.

He just made me feel sad. Tears fall from my eyes.

The bitter smile reminded me of a memory where the starting point was unknown
again.

‘I hated you for no reason.’

‘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.

“Where, where is the pain…”

The man was greatly embarrassed, and he urgently asked.

It was the same feeling.

He was the only man who kept me by his side, warm and comfortable.

My hand were trembling beyond control.

“Lize!”

“……”

“No. No. But. Please…. Please wake up. You can’t die. Lize….”

The voice of the man calling on my name came over.

Chapter 10
“……Princess. Are you okay?”

“How are you feeling? Where you feel sick? Shall I call Baron Alec?”

Familiar ceilings and colorful chandeliers were visible.

When I tried to get up, Hailey supported me.

Lari handed the water and asked about it.

“How……. did it happen?”

“A man came with you collapsed.”

“……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.

“Have I been collapsed for two days?”

“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. Stop crying, and bring medicine for Princess to drink.”

“Yes, yes. I got it.”

Lari, who kept sniffing, stuttered her words and went out.

“Hailey.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“The man knew about me.”

“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.”

Hailey, tilting her head, made another report.

“That’s a relief.”

“And…..”

“Do you have anything to say? What’s the big deal?”

“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.

“Again, don’t allow Duke in my room.”

“I will do it as directed. Princess.”

“Then, I couldn’t even finish burying my mother…..”

I remembered my mother.

“I’ve been organizing it instead. Princess. You don’t have to worry.”

Hailey stopped me from getting out of bed with the intention of going again.

“I will step back. Rest well.”

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.

My head hurt as well, as if I had broken some of my solemn taboos.

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.

It wasn’t long before I was hugged and released.

“Princess.”
“?”

“The man you talked about. I think he is Prince Arensis.”

“Prince… Arensis?”

“Yes. When you were at Rosielt Academy, you told me that he become your friend.”

“Are you sure?”

“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.”

When I listened to Hailey, my curiosity only grew.

I went to the Rosielt Academy at age 11, and returned six years later, at the age
17.

It was a place that could be said to have spent half of my life.

“What kind of person is Prince Arensis?”

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. Anything is fine, so find out more about the Prince.”

“Okay. Princess.”

* * *

Noon the next day.

Viscount Argen, the vassal of the Duke Marsetta, has come.

“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.”

“What are the benefits we get?”

“In return, those who were selected separately by the Eralpier Academy are
prioritized to connect with the little Duchess after graduation.”

It was originally a project led by the Duke Marsetta.

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.”

“Professor Hail? Why?”

“He was reluctant to comment on details.”

“Please make a schedule and tell them that I will go to the Earlpier Academy.”

“I will take the order, little Duchess.”

Viscount Argen politely bowed his head and went out.

“How was the tea?”

“The scent was really good.”

“What a relief.”

Asked by Lari, who came in to remove the cup.

“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’s worries weren’t the only ones.

She didn’t listen to me even if I kept telling her to rest for a few days.

Eventually, Lari’s stubborness, Charelize did the right thing.

Charelize also thought she would take Hailey or Martin on a visit to the academy
due to the project.

* * *

The dark dawn came suddenly.

As I continued to sit and do business until that time, I felt my eyes tingling.

I leaned back for a moment and leaned lightly against my chair.

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.

‘Professor Hail. The teacher of Princess Elizabeth.’

I closed my eyes and pressed them hard.

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.

He is called a living legend and he was respected by many people.

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.

They respected and cared for each other that much.

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’s eyes….. look a lot like my sister.’

‘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.’

‘May I ask what kind of ……. person she was?’

‘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.

I had a vivid memory of sitting still and listening.

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.

Her mother also lived the rest of her time alone.

Losing her loved ones one by one, trapped herself in guilt.

Just thiking about it made me weak again and tears fallen before I knew it.

I still missed my mother

In order to keep the position, one should not show weakness.

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.”

“Little Duchess, have a safe trip.”

I was sent off by the maids of the Duchy.

So I got on the carriage to the Eralpier Academy.

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.

‘Overall, it shows symptoms of a cold, but it is difficult to make a confirmation.’

‘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?’

‘Yes, that’s right.’

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.’

‘I feel more frustrated just lying in the bed.’

Even if I told her to rest strictly, she secretly doing her work.

“According to the physician’s words, it’s an inheritance or a heart disease that

she received from her parents.’

“In the case of Lari, she was an orphan from birth, so she probably doesn’t know
who is her parents.”

“Do you have any idea who is named Lauren?”

“…….I don’t know. Did anything happen?”

“I don’t know the details, but the last time when I was nursing for Lari, She
called the name Lauren and asked if it had anything to do with the pain of looking
for an ailment of her heart.”

I opened my window slightly, feeling it was stuffy in the running carriage.

Clouds that seemed secluded were slowly passing by.

“By the way……”

“Yes, Princess.”

I reached out to the sky and stirred the formless air.

“Do you have any special schedules after this?”

“Not really. What do you do, 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?”

“That’s right. Princess.”

“You mean he is illegitimate son of Akana I?”

“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……”

“…..Don’t look at me with those eyes.”

Hailey knew well what feeling I had for the Duke Marsetta.

She sympathized with me, who looked bitter.

“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 had a lot more to benefit from this hair color I had.

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.

However, it was not long after the bloody tragedy occurred.

‘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.

Harbert IV did not receive the emperor’s seal.

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.

Furthermore, I am also hated by my father, Duke Marsetta.

As a child, I thought, the reason I was hated for was because of the blonde hair I
had.

‘I wasn’t married to you.’

‘Suddenly what is that…’

‘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?’

‘Charel is watching. Let’s talk again next time.’

‘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.

As usual, I only thought it was a political marriage for harmony.

‘There’s nothing like me in her’

‘I’m sorry. Father.’

‘I don’t want to see you, so stay out of my sight for a while!’

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?’

I turned back and left a dagger in my mother’s heart.

When countless thoughts occurred during that short time, I immediately regretted
it.

When I visited her again, my mother had already disappeared.

And after that day, my mother never called me by name again.

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.

I also did not neglect manners or reveal weaknesses.

‘Princess. Please keep your posture straight.’

‘Even if you fall, it is the Princess’s job to shake off and get up immediately.’

Nevertheless, I was still a princess to my mother. I could never be a daughter.

So the story I heard just before her death came as shock.

‘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.”

“You seem to remember vaguely.”

“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.”

“Lona… She was a person with that name. I remember. Princess.”

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?’

‘I know you have a baby. Your husband died of an epidemic.’

‘……’

‘I think it’s about paying for what you’ve raised so far.’

‘……’

‘Never… again… I hope we don’t meet. Lona.’

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.

“I haven’t really seen her since that day.”

“Shall we find the whereabouts of Lona?”

“Don’t look for her.”

“Princess?”

“Not seeing her while I live is the return I can give for the price of nurturing.”

In order to live, it was for each other to never see again.

With these words, a silence fell inside the carriage.

At some point, I fell asleep, after several days of staying up all night while
processing the papers.

“Are you sleeping?”

“…..”

Hailey, looking sadly at me, pulled out a blanket and wrapped it around me.
“… Princess. We have arrived at the academy.”

Hailey carefully grabbed my shoulder and waved it a couple of times.

After waking up from my sleep, I swept my face with my hands.

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.”

“May Dean Pavel be given protection too.”

“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.

Then he became the dean of the Eralpier Academy.

I had ever been taught by him, so I could call him as my teacher.

“It was really regrettable that I couldn’t teach you any more about the decline
while coming to this place.”

“I was also disappointed.”

“Let’s go to my office now, Princess.”

I followed him and went inside.

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.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

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.

Ibelin is on of the countless princess of the Sische Kingdom.

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.

“Is there a tea you like or don’t like?”

“Not really.”

“Sit down for a moment, Princess.”

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.”

“If the second daughter of Mayel… I’ve heard her name.”

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.”

Upon hearing Dean Pavel’s words, I smiled without my knowing.

I asked after carefully reviewing the contract for the sponsorship project that he
brought soon.

“I was told that Professor Hail….. wanted to see me.”

Professor Rosette Percy Van Hail.

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.”

Dean Pavel replied with a laugh awkwardly to my question.

“… Which side is Professor Hail’s room?”

“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.

“Oh, I have one thing to ask for you.”

“If you would like to ask… ?”

“Do you know anything about Prince Arensis?”

“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.

I almost made a mistake.

“Shall I find out about him, Princess?”

“No. You don’t have to do that.”

I was embarrassed and refused with a sharp point.

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.”

“Oh my god,… In the meantime, when there is little Duchess….”

“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.”

“I’m sorry, Princess.”

He bowed and apologized again and again to me, and ran to the training ground with
the professor.

I wasn’t so reluctant to stay in a room without an owner, so I went outside and

walked the hallway.

As Dean Pavel told me, I found a room with a really lilac pattern.

“Professor Hail.”

“…..”

“This is Charelize Elze Roxana von Marsetta.”

“Come in, please.”

I knocked carefully, and not long after I heard his permission.

I opened the door and went inside. Professor Hail, the owner of the room is old.

My first impression is a shrewd man.

Even the paper was neatly arranged as if the room was angled.

The floor was neat without any dust.

His usual habits were seen at a glance.

“May the Goddess Resina’s blessing reach Professor Hail.”

“……”

I honored Professor Hail, who was older, and said hello first.

Professor Hail never responded to my greeting.

It was just a squint.

Nevertheless, I lowered my head, keeping my dress slightly lifted to the sides.

“Little Duchess… do you believe in the goddess Resina?”

“……”

After a long time, Professor Hail asked an unknown question.

“I… do not believe it. It is the Goddess who took away all the people that are
precious from me.”

Soon after, I began to open my mouth with difficulty.

“Sit down. It seems to be a long story.”

“Well, excuse me. Professor Hail.”

There was a vase on the table.

Regardless of the color, only lilac was plugged.

“It was said that blood cannot be deceived.”

“What… are you talking?”

“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?’

‘Why do you keep bowing your head?

‘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.

His face became white but he continued to talk.

“Your highness, Lady Yekaterina… I heard she’s died.”

“……”

I immediately felt the atmosphere calmed down.

“Now… The traces of her left in this world… is really nothing but only little
Duchess?”

I reluctantly nodded my head slightly.

“I… I was born as the eldest son of Count Hail. I had two younger brothers under
me.”

“…..”

I said nothing, I just listened quietly.

“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.

Without knowing, he seemed to smile when talking.

“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.”

At my reply, he suddenly clenched his fist.

“I had no intention of becoming a teacher.”

“But… why did you accept His Highness as your disciple?”

“The two eyes that looked at me… reminded me of my dead daughter.”

“…….”

“Since she was nagging me to stop drinking… .”

“……”

“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….”

“…….”

Happiness and despair coexisted on Professor Hail’s face.

“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…”

Professor Hail, who had dark face, burst into tears.

“What, for what kind of sin… Her Highness, who was so kind, was guilty of
something… .”

“…….”

“… He cut her neck… What the hell is the emperor… .”

“……”

I did not rush.

I just looked into his eyes and I waited silently.

Professor Hail said this as if he had calmed down late.

“This lilac… It is the birth picture of His Highness the Princess.”

“Mother, this is… the flower she liked the most.”

“I heard the news that the little Duchess had left Lilac at the funeral of Her
Highness Yekaterina.”

Professor Hail’s eyes were very red.

“My mother… was poisoned.”

“Poisoned… I mean… are you saying that Her Highness was not passed away from her
chronic illness?”

“Someone make poison from the roots of the Valesium flower.”

“Valesium flower… . I’ve seen it in a book. It looks very beautiful, but the poison
from its roots melts the organs and slowly kills them.”

After hearing my words, Professor Hail sharpened his teeth.

“Is it… the Emperor’s work?”

“So far, I only have one prediction. For Princess Veloche, her biggest opponent is
my mother.”

“How much more sin did he want to commit… .”

“To avenge Her Highness Elizabeth and my mother… I need the help of Professor
Hail.”

“…….”

“Would you please tell me everything that happened that day?”

At my words, his face cast a cloud.

“Yes. It happened when Her Highness Elizabeth was 16 and Her Highness Yekaterina
was 14.”

* * *

One day before the bloody tragedy happened.

Professor Hail was reading his book as usual.

“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.

“I prepared a gift because my brother’s birthday is tomorrow, but I came to the

Master for examination in case it would be weird.”

To Professor Hail’s question, Princess Elizabeth answered with laughter.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy.”

“Will my brother really do that? He’s been cold to me lately….”

“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.”

Princess Elizabeth sat in her chair and waved her legs.

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.

Professor Hail was about to prepare tea with a slight smile.

He suddenly lost strength in his hand and missed the teacup.

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.

Professor Hail felt an unknown fear dominated his body.

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?”

“Hmm… I don’t have… why do you ask that?”

“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.

“I don’t know what’s going on right now… .”

“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.”

“Why do you suddenly say that…?”

“… It just. Like me, she makes a fuse every time she want to learn etiquette from
Teacher. How tired she is.”

“Your Royal Highness. You have to be careful anytime, anywhere.”

“You too, Teacher. See you… in the next class.”

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.

Princess Elizabeth did not come to his class in two days.

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.”

At the words of Professor Hail, I replied with a slight nod.

“So… did he force my mother marriage to be forcefully?”

“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 was a sacred ceremony held in front of everyone’s eyes.

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.

“I can’t tell where the tragedy started….”

“Little Duchess… .”

“It seems to take a long time. Until I avenged Her Highness Elizabeth and my
mother.”

“I know that much, Princess.”

“I can tell you this one. I will wipe your bloody tears. No matter what, I will
give the neck of Harbert IV.”

The eyes of Charelize and Professor Hail caught up.

“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.”

“You don’t want me to be an ugly teacher, don’t you?”

At Professor Hail’s mischievous words, I replied with a smile.

Professor Hail brought out a big album from the library.

I have been looking at an album of childhood pictures of those who will be sleeping
in the sky for a long time.

The sun has set and it is time to leave.

Professor Hail saw off Charelize, who was about to board her carriage.

“Careful… you have to be careful again. Princess.”

“I hope you don’t feel sad alone. Professor Hail.”

“That’s… what… do you mean?”

“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.”

I added that I would like him to come and see Lilac.

“Practice walking… after adapting to a world that has become so unfamilliar… I will
definitely go. I wish there were lilacs by then.”

Although he shed tears, but Professor Hail was smiling lightly.

The smile seemed to indicate that he could still be happy.

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.”

Hailey put a loving flick on Lari’s forehead.

“Ouch. It hurts.”

“It hurts.”

“Well, Princess. Did you have a good trip?”

“… Yes. I’m back. Lari.”

After meeting Professor Hail and hearing his story, I suddenly thought that way.

This time of small conversations with my people is really precious.

* * *

“Little Duchess. I have something to report.”

“What is it?”

After a long time, Charelize had a good night’s sleep and felt better than usual.

My butler replied, lowering his head.

“There was a man asking for a long-term rental of an empty mansion near the Duchy
of Marsetta.”

“And?”

I asked, fixing my glasses that I’m wearing.

“I guess he’s the Second Prince of the Peschte Empire.”

“You mean Prince Arensis?”

“Yes. I was also informed that a man with light blue hair was staying, and above
all, he seemed unwilling to hide his identity.”

“He didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding his identity?”

I briefly covered the paper I was reviewing.

“Okay, let’s get out of here.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

As my butler went out, I shook the bell placed next to me a couple of times.

Hailey entered with a polite knock.

“Princess, did you call?”

“Did you know a mansion without people near the Duchy?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“I’m going out there, so get ready.”

“I will follow the command, Princess. May I ask how you are going to that mansion?”

At Hailey’s question, I smiled at ease.

“Is it intentional, or is it really unknown? There’s someone who keep leaving mark
near me.”

“Princess?”

“Just a little warning. It’s no big deal.”

I saida as I seemed to be having something fun.

“Princess. Shall we prepare the carriage?”

As I descended from the stairs and went outside, the coachman who was taking care
of the horse ran.

At the question of the coachman, I pondered for a moment.

“It doesn’t have to be that way. I am not going far, and the day is good, so I will
walk.”

“Yes, Princess.”

It was very close, so I sent the coachman back.

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.”

“I heard that there is a man living here.”

“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.”

The old man guided me to a room.

I told Hailey to wait outside for a while, and after I ordered, I went into the
room.

I, who was looking around inside, heard a polite knock.

Apparently he is a man with blue hair.

For a very short time, he is the owner of the mansion, and I was just his guest.

Nevertheless, I laughed at his manners.

“Come on in.”

“Excuse me…….”

I replied with expressionless expression, removing the smile from my mouth and
maintaining my composure.

When my permission was given, the man came inside.

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.”

“…….”

“I’m Charelize Elze Roxana von Marsetta, little Duchess of Marsetta.”

“……Yes.”

I reached out my hand towards him.

“My hands are so embrassing. Would you like to hold it once?”

“……”

“Prince Arensis Cabel Yuan Ron Peschte.”

Arensis, whose name was called by me, seemed very surprised.

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.”

At that moment, Arensis’ light purple eyes filled with Charelize.

Chareliz’s hair fluttered in the wind. She was reflected in the strong sunlight and
it shimmered.

Arensis didn’t answer my question and I was bothered by him.

He still seemed unwilling to speak up.

“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….’

When Arensis called me ‘Lize’, I didn’t feel bad unexpectedly.

I also wondered why he begged me not to die like that.

And suddenly at the last minute, it seemed that there was a memory that I didn’t
know.

Arensis didn’t want me to die.

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.

A subtle atmosphere was flowing as the calm air settled down.

I seemed to control what I wanted to say by pressing it hard.

One part of my heart was hurting. I couldn’t figure out why.

“If you wouldn’t tell me… .”

“…….”

“I’m going to leave now. Your Highness the Prince.”

I said, exhaling my deep sigh. I eventually decided to step back.

“Meow.”

As I turned around and took the act of leaving, somewhere I heard a cat cry.

It was a clear sound as if a transparent marble was rolling.

I turned my head in the direction of the sound without my knowledge.

The curtain edge, which was in the corner, moved slightly.

The cat, which appears to have just made a noise, appeared.

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.

When I looked at the cat, I felt strangely familiar.

It gave me the same feeling as the experience I had already experienced.

“… Lili.”

His voice, as if calling the cat’s name, was trembling.

“Meow.”

The cat ignored Arensis’ call and approached me.

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.

I bent my back and reached out my hand to the cat.

As if responding to me, the cat rubbed it’s body and acted cute.

“Did you say its Lili? This cat’s name.”

“…..That’s right.”

“The cat’s eyes are really peculiar. I’ve never seen a cat with a different color
in both eyes.”

The same silence as before flowed to my words.

Even the air inside was frozen and it was so quiet.

Knock knock. This time someone knocked on the window.

“I think someone came.”

I stretched my bent back and moved my gaze to the window.

“This… what the hell…..”

It was not the hand, but the foot, that knocked on the window.

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!”

“Did Casilla send you?”

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.

“It’s a child I’m raising, and his name is Shishi.”

“Eagle… too… you were raising it.”

“Squeak. Squeak.”

The eagle, who had been teasing Arensis for a long time, found me later.

Tears formed in the eagle’s eyes.

He immediately flapped his wings and tried to reach me.

“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.

“You are still afraid of Shishi.”

“I’m still… what do you mean by that?”

“… no. I made a slip of the tongue. Please forget what I just said.”

He spoke like someone who knew me very well.

Arensis, who apologized for his mistake to my incomprehensible question, gave me a
bitter look.

When I saw that, my silent heart beats rapidly.

Strangely, the feeling I felt while looking at the image was a compassion, saying,
‘I am sorry’.

He showed no sign of stopping, and I didn’t want to hear it.

“Excuse me… I think I have to go because I have work to do.”

“……..”

“May the blessing of Goddess Resina reach you.”

“I hope there will be protection even for the little Duchess.”

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.

Embarrassed because it happened so quickly, I hugged the cat in an awkward posture.

As a result, the sharp cat’s claws rubbed my skin.

“Lize!”

“Your… Highness?”

Aresis’s cautious attitude so far was nowhere to be found.

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.

“It’s just a little scratched, so it’s okay.”

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.”

“… Please sit down for a moment and wait. Please…..”

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.

It looked like a little child waiting to be praised by its parents.

Eventually, I sat in a chair waiting for him to bring me medicine.

It’s just a small woud, but his reaction like that.

In fact, I did some research on Edelise before I got here.

They moved from place to place and lived just as their feet followed.

The Edelise had their own characteristics.

Sky blue hair and light purple eyes.

I saw Arensis’ color and was convinced that he is Edelise.

Moreover, even his cat had two completely different eyes colors.

‘On your behalf, I’ll remember everything.’

‘…….’

‘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.

It took the hem of my dress in its mouth and pulled me somewhere.

“Meow.”

“Lili, what’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”

“Meow.”

“You want me to follow you?”

“Meow!”

I was taken back by the cat’s behavior.

Since my headache had stopped, so I followed the beat for now.

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.

“Lili, this is rude.”

“…meow!”

I sniffed at the cat’s incomprehensible behavior.

The cat raised its front paws and hit me in the chest a couple of times as if it
frustrated.

“Ha?”

Breathing out in bewilderment, I found a frame placed on a bedside table.

I didn’t think much of it, and I hurriedly tried to get out from his bedroom.

But there is a point.

‘These flowers will wither someday. So what’s the point?’

‘You really think so?’

‘Yes, so let’s just go Lize.’

‘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 took a closer look at the picture frame placed on top.

The frame contained a picture of my childhood.

I never remembered taking a picture like this. The flower garden in the picture was
also a place I had never seen.

However, what is in it clear that I’m in that picture.

He could not manipulate the photos that document my memories of that time.

That is why the situation felt more complicated.

The one in the picture is definitely my self.

But of course I didn’t remember what was supposed to be.

Nothing still came to my mind about Arensis.

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.

I didn’t want to be caught crying.

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….”

“I’m not seriously hurt.”

“However…”

The old man replied with a concerned look at me.

“Tell him not to worry, I’ll see him soon.”

Even the old man couldn’t stop her for answering Charelize stubborn answer.

I took Hailey back to the Marsetta Duchy.

* * *

“Then we’ll decide on this at a later meeting.”

“Yes.”

That day, as usual, I was signing documents that had been reported from my vassal.

“Lady, this is Martin.”

“Come inside.”

Martin, who knocked, is allowed to visit.

“What’s going on?”

“Lady… that’s… I think you should come out right now….”

“What the hell is going on?”

I asked, puzzled by Martin’s words that something big is about to happen.

I think it hasn’t been long since she came back from her vacation with Viscount
Rael.

I was worried if anything happened to the nanny.

“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?”

“What are you doing without apologizing to Lady Aretta, Lari?”

“Can’t you hear the Princess?”

“Lady, are you hurt?”

There, along with Lillian, noble lady surrounded Lari.

Lillian was grinning, even though she seemed to be trying to stop a Lady from
raising her hand to slap Lari in the face.

“What the hell is going on!”

“I-i see the little Duchess.”

“May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you.”

“My name is Louise, Baron Jeron’s second daughter, little Duchess.”

It was annoying to respond them one by one, so I left them alone.

“Explain it so I can understand, Lillian.”

“……”

“Otherwise….”

“It will be you who will kneel here today.”

Lillian answered immediately without panic, as if she had expected this.

“Lari has defiled the dress of Count Aretta daughter.”

“…..”

“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.”

“Don’t cry, Princess.”

“Little Duchess may misunderstood you, she may not hate you.”

“Calm down, Princess Lillian.”

The Ladies who wacth the scene comforted Lillian.

“Princess Lillian has done nothing wrong.”

“……”

“I’m Freya Poen de Aretta, the eldest daughter of Count Aretta.”

Freya, who can be said to be the initiator of this case, come forward.

She defended Lillian, saying she did nothing wrong.

“Then… it’s all because of Lady Aretta?”

“Little Duchess don’t know how the story works.”

“I don’t know?”

“Obviously, the low thing did wrong to me first, and the Princess did it for me….”

“You better close that mouth now.”

Freya referred to the kneeling Lari as low thing.

The look on her face quickly hardened when she heard it.

I made her shut her mouth as I was talking.

“Lari is my exclusive maid. Except for the butler and the maidhouse, she’s in a
pretty high position.”

“……”

I shifted my gaze to Lillian.

“You must have heard it before. No one can call the maid I have without my
permission.”

Then she said with a smirk with her brows narrowed.

“I never knew she is little Duchess exclusive maid.”

“Lady Aretta.”

“…yes, little Duchess.”

“I must have said it before. It would be better for lady to keep your mouth shut.”

“……”

“I’m not talking to Lady right now.”

At my words, Lillian stuttered, squeezing more tears.

“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.”

“Un-unnie… that, what are you talking about…?”

“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.

In fact, it was annoying for them to treat Lillian as a ‘Princess’.

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?”

“What sin did Lari commit to Lady?”

At my words, Freya had a lot on her mind about what to say.

Because it all started under Lillian’s initiative.

‘Because it’s just been a few days since I came to the Duchy…’

‘Do you have any concerns, Princess Lillian?’

‘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.’

‘Why don’t you tell it to the Duke?’

‘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.

‘What can I do?’

‘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.’

‘You must speak about me to the Duke well.’

‘Yes, don’t worry.’

Freya looked at Lillian.

Lillian, who had been weeping sadly before, turned her head away, avoiding Freya’s
eyes.

“She… got trip”

“Lady Aretta, what do you mean?”

“Everything, all Lill….”

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.”

“Princess… what’s that….”

“Lari, I’m sorry. I think I misunderstood. Come on, get up.”

Lillian, who had a look of ignorance until just now, left the whole thing to Freya.

She raised Lari, who was still on her knees.

“Is that true?”

“How dare I lie to Unnie. Lari. I apologize again. I’m terribly sorry.”

I briefly pondered how to resolve the situation.

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 just wanted to get to know her… I’m sorry, Unnie.”

“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.”

Lillian smiled and nodded like an innocent child.

“Lady Aretta.”

“Little Duchess, I-i… It’s really unfair.”

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.

But Freya has crossed the line that I can’t tolerate.

“Martin.”

“Did you call, little Duchess?”

“Make an appointment with Count Aretta’s second daughter. I heard she is smart, I’d
like to meet her in personally.”

“I am writing to Count Aretta right now, little Duchess.”

When Charellize punishes her guilty opponent, there is one thing in common.

She slowly took what they had.

“Little Duchess! I’m sorry, I… It’s my bad. This will never happen again… So….”

“I’ll never see lady again.”

“Little Duchess…”

“One piece of advice is that lady should be careful about what you says and not
open your mouth recklessly.”

Freya knelt down on her knees and begged.

It was like giving her younger sister the strength to become the next Countess.

“Just once… Just once… Please forgive me. Little Duchess….”

“You made fun of your mouth again this time.”

“……”

“I’m not the one lady should apologize for.”

“…..”

“It was Lari.”

Her mother agonized over her younger sister, who is already prominent in politics,
as her successor.

Her father even threatened her with the position.

“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?”

“Yes, did you think it was a joke?”

“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.”

“However, little Duchess.”

“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.

“Lari, are you feeling well?”

“I’m sorry, little Duchess… Because of something like me….”

“Don’t say that. I didn’t make a sin that didn’t exist. It’s just a price to pay.”

I patted Lari on the head and said in a friendly voice.

“Come to think of it, Martin.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

Meanwhile, I seemed to recall something I had forgotten for a while.

“Last night I could live. I found a knight on patrol biting his tongue and
committing suicide.”

Martin replied with astonished expression on his face.

“Did something like that happned….. are you all right?”

“I’ve been on high alert since the guy who pulled a knife to tore my neck limbs to
kill me. That’s weird.”

I pointed to a scar on my neck, as if to speak of someone else’s business.

“I think there’s a servant who opened the door.”

“If that’s true…”

“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.”

“I will obey your orders, little Duchess.”

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.”

“Little Duchess also…”

“It’s a command, so you’d better not think about breaking it.”

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.”

“May all of your honor be protected by the Goddess Resina.”

The maids were still unconscious with unfocused eyes.

“Butler.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

“There are a lot of new servants recently.”

“There are five servants who quit after Duchess funeral, and there are three new
ones.”

I, who was listening to the butler, opened my mouth.

“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.”

The butler replied with his head down.

“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…”

“First, bring the three new servants you just picked.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

When the butler bowed his head and left the room, my maid, who was still left,
asked.

“What are you going to do, little Duchess?”

“Maids, do you know when humans are the ugliest?”

“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!’

‘Oh, she has done that to me, too!’

‘I have been ordered to spill wine by Princess Lillian….’

They’ve made up words that don’t exist.

When they followed her words first, they already become ugly humans.

“Little Duchess. I’ve brought the three you mentioned.”

“Take them in.”

“I see the little Duches. I’m Marie.”

“May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you. My name is Jenny.”

“I’m Kanna, who came in through a letter of recommendation from Baron Ite.”

Three new servants who came inside introduced themselves.

“Okay. First, Marie”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

“You were working at Count Yvonne before you work here?”

“Yes, about a year and eight months.”

“Why did you quit the job in Count Yvonne?”

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.”

Everyone looked surprised at Marie’s words.

Undoubtedly, Count Yvonne and his wife were rumored to be a lovebird in social
circles.

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 get it, for now. Next, Jenny.”

“Did you call me, little Duchess.”

“I’m supposed to have worked at the Viscount Loen for quite a while… Why did you
quit?”

“I serve… the only child of the Viscountess Loen, Lady Cassandra.”

“If it’s lady Loen….”

“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.”

“No, it’s okay little Duchess.”

I realized I had made a mistake and quickly apologized.

“Lastly, is it Kanara, recommended by Baron Ite?”

“That’s right, little Duchess. Baron Ite wrote me a recommendation.”

“If it’s Baron Ite… He’s our Duke’s old vassal. I can trust you without asking.”

“…thank you, little Duchess.”

Kanna smiled at my words.

“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.”

“You have your own intentions.”

“Yes, I’m not sure yet who it is, but I’m sure it’s one of the three.”

I pondered my conversation with Kanna.

In my previous life, I had no memory of hiring servant who had received Baron Ite’s
recommendation.

Perhaps I was mistaken, so I chose to watch without making a hasty decision.

“There are five people out since my mother died.”

“Yes, little Duchess. All five of them had their Majesty by their side.”

I let out a sigh.

It would not have been easy to choose to voluntarily quit Duke Marsetta.

It proved that loyalty to their owner is so high.

“Find out what the five of them are up to and support their living expenses.”

“I’ll follow your orders, little Duchess.”

There was something my mother always said.

‘Princess, it’s not right to be rude to the servants.’

‘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.

And she quit her job after my mother’s funeral.

I rose from my seat and approached the jewelry box.

“Lady, why is the jewel box suddenly…?”

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’ll see ugly things soon.”

* * *

The next day, I sent a letter in advance to visit Countess Yvonne.

“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.”

“No, come inside.”

Countess Yvonne is holding her newborn son.

“Baby… don’t cry, good boy.”

“I think it’s time for master to go to bed.”

“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.

She looked very tired as if she hadn’t slept in a few days.

Even though she spoke with a slight smile, she seemed forced to curl her lips.

“I think your son resembles Countess Yvonne a lot.”

“…do he look like me?”

Countess Yvonne seemed to put up with something coming up.

“Do you know a servant named Marie?”

“……”

“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.”

“Do you… have Marie?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded slightly.

“I think there’s something you want to talk about.”

“…so do you want a tea?”

There has been a long silence.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll listen.”

“…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.”

“…..”

“My husband… was having an affair. Marie, with that kid.”

“……”

“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.

Her husband put the word ‘mistake’ in his mouth.

Countess Yvonne did not eat despite the concerns of the her maid, who was crying
over when the Countess collapse.

In fact, breathing itself felt guilty for her.

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.

“That servant… became a mother.”

“……”

“She became a mother, and She had a happy face.”

Marie, who stole her baby, had become a mother.

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.”

“I am the one who picked Marie, so it is not for Countess to be sorry.”

“My Father and mother… since my brother died… I didn’t want to lose again….”

Countess Yvonne lost her entire family to the plague.

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 a sincere and loving man.

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.

When she opened her eyes, she was shedding tears.

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 got goosebumps every time he acted like that.

She tried to calm herself down and hypnotized herself for being happy.

‘Let’s get divorce.’

“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.’

Eventually, she let go of her husband’s hand first.

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.”

“…..”

“You’ve become a mother. You can be happy again.”

“……”

“Mothers are strong laws. Countess Yvonne.”

Tears fell from the eyes of Countess Yvonne.

It was Countess Yvonne’s hand that wiped away the tears.

I waited until Countess Yvonne calmed down.

“…you’re here for another reason, aren’t you?”

“Do you know anyone who is close to Marie?”

“Ummm, Benny, she’s close to that servant.”

“Benny?”

“Benny was originally a child who worked for Baron Ite, and I remember Marie, who
came from Viscount Pete, followed Benny here.

At Countess Yvonne’s words, I smiled slightly.

* * *

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.”

“May protection be with 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.

“Hailey, bring me the tea.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

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.

“I heard that Jenny… a servant works here.”

“Yes, I brought her into Duchy a few days ago.”

“……”

“Do you want me to kick Jenny out?”

At my words, Viscountess Loen broke the teacup she was holding.

In an instant, it became debris and scattered on the floor.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, little Duchess…!”

It was the moment when the embarrassed Viscountess Loen stood up and tried to
remove the broken pieces.

“Let it go. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“……thank you.”
“What does Viscountess Loen want?”

Viscountess Loen agonized for a long time when asked by me.

“I want… to say thank you.”

I could quickly figure out the meaning of her words.

“Call Jenny.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

“And… we’d better get out of here for a while, to avoid the servants who will be
around.”

I then rang the bell and called for Hailey.

“Little Duchess, It’s Jenny.”

“Come in, Jenny.”

Jenny, who came inside, seemed very surprised to see Viscountess Loen.

Watching the scene, I and Hailey went outside.

The room of them left alone was awkward.

Meanwhile, it was Jenny who first to speak.

“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.”

“……”

“Please… allow me to continue working.”

Jenny got down on her knees. Viscountess Loen said, raising Jenny up.

“There’s a… sharp piece on the floor. Wake up, Jenny.”

“Madam…”

“I’m sorry I came late. Jenny.”

“…….”

“I’m so…. sorry for waking up late.”

“……”

“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!’

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry to be alive, Madam.’

‘When I see you…. you reminds me of Cassandra.’

‘Madam.’

‘Get out, the money’s… I’ll give you five times the salary you used to receive and
your severance pay.’

Viscountess Loen regretted it belatedly.

She found out that Jenny’s father had spent all the money she had given to her on
gambling.

Jenny now is working as a maid of the little Duchess of Marsetta.

Even if she wanted to take her back, she thought it would be shameless for her.

She just came because she had something to say.

Now she has to say something that she couldn’t say then, but that she kept in mind.

“Thank you… for protecting…. My daughter.”

“……”

“And…”

“……”

“Thank you for being alive… Thank you for being here… Jenny….”

Tears welled up in Jenny’s eyes at the words of the Viscountess Loen.

‘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?’

She was still short enough to reach her waist.

‘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!’

Such a lady is grown-up enough to protect her in instant.

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.”

Viscountess Loen remembered her dead daughter.

There were so many she wants to do with her daughter.

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’m so happy that you’re my mother!’

‘I love you, Cassandra.’

‘I love you more. Mom!’

* * *

I and Hailey waited outside until they had had enough to talk.

“Hailey.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

“Do you know what these earrings are?”

“This is…”

Chapter 20
I had a piece of emerald earring hidden in my sleeve from the jewelry box.

I took it out and put it on my palm and showed it to Hailey.

“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.

‘Princess, I think it’s time to give this to you.’

‘Mother, these emerald earrings….’

‘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?”

At my words, Hailey is not willing to speak.

For me, my family is an indescribable existence.

“Madam, she will wish your happiness.”

“Hap…piness”

I muttered the word ‘happiness’ in her mouth for a long time.

“I can’t be happy.”

“Little Duchess…”

“I can’t be happy.”

I swallowed it and hid it deep in my heart.

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.

“You can… be happy, little Duchess.”

“…..”
“Until you can be happy. And even after that, the people who remain by your side
will be watching….”

“It’s like a words from a fairy tale book.”

“…little Duchess.”

Then, Viscountess Loen and Jenny came out.

They bowed deeply at me, no matter who came first.

“I’m going to go now. Thank you very much, liitle Duchess.”

Viscountess Loen, who had been continuously thanking me, left.

“I have some work to do, so I’ll go first, little Duchess.”

Jenny also left to continue her work.

“Butler.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

“Without any exceptions, gather all the employees working in the Duchy in one
place.”

“I accept your orders.”

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.”

“……”

“Do you all know what this is?”

“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…”

“Why did little Duchess bring it up all of a sudden…?”

When I showed them a pair of emerald earrings, the servants gathered whispered.

“Quiet.”

The noisy hall quickly became quiet at my words.

“There will be those who know, and those who do not.”

“……”

“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.

It is to prevent suspicious behavior in advance.

“Little Duchess, if they’re missing, search every servants’s room right now….”

“No, the earrings aren’t gone.”

“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.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I heard someone knocking.

“Little Duchess, This is Kanna.”

“Come on in.”

It was Kanna who knocked on the door, who got recommended by Baron Ite.

“Kanna, what brings you here?”

“Well, I’m afraid I’ll have quit my job for some reason.”

“Come to think of it, I have a question for you.”

“Yes, yes, little Duchess.”

“Someone saw you hanging around my room for a long time. What brings you to my
room?”

“Th… that… that….”

I asked her once because she said she had to quit suddenly, but it was strange for
her to react like that.

“I was just trying to express Baron Ite’s feelings and thanks.”

Kanna bowed her head and stuttered looking at the floor.

“Did Baron Ite have something to tell you?”

“Yes, th-that’s… th-thank you for choosing me and believe in the Baron.”

“Are you going to tell me to believe it now?”

“Well, I mean… Ah! Je-jenny… It was because I saw her go into little Duchess room
and steal your earrings.”

“You’re not lying, are you?”

“Trust me, little Duchess.”

“I get it for now.”

“Wh-what will happened to Jenny?”

“I… hate the way she hit my back.”

“I, uh, I’m going out now, little Duchess.”

“Just a few more days. The witness of the work must not be lost.”

“…yes.”

When Kanna opened the door, Marie was waiting outside.

Kanna hurried towards the stairs, avoiding Marie’s eyes.

“Marie?”

“I have something to tell little Duchess.”

“Come on in.”

“…Little Duchess, the emerald earrings were taken by Kanna.”

Marie knelt down frighteningly when I told her to come inside.

“Kanna?”

“Kanna went out of little Duchess room, and… I saw it.”

“Are you sure?”

“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.”

Marie asked for forgiveness using her son’s excuse.

“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.”

Tears welled up in Marie’s eyes at my words.

“Precious things are hidden, hidden, kept out of anyone’s reach.”

“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.”

I let out a bitter laugh.

“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.”

“…..”

“That’s the punishment for someone who breaks up a family.”

“…..”

Marie kept staring at the floor, still unanswered.

“Is there anyone out there?”

“Did you call, little Duchess?”

“Give me your command, little Duchess.”

Knights outside came in and bowed their heads.

“Let this servant be driven away and never set foot near the Duchy again.”

“I accept your orders.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

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.”

It is time to punish those who betrayed their master.

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.

Unable to do this or that, Kanna’s face showed an uneasy expression.

“Baron Ite.”

“Yes, little Duchess.”

“How many years have I been with you?”

“It’s been… seven years.”

After watching his look and he speak out, I laughed.

“I don’t have to ask who order you to do it.”

“Um, I… have no idea what Your Highness talking about.”

“I didn’t call Baron to be idle.”

I pointed sharply at Baron Ite, who was consistent in saying that he didn’t know.

“Tell it to your new Master.”

“Yo-your Highness.”

“If you show too much stupidity as you do now, you’ll lose what you have.”

“That… what do you mean?”

“That means my relationship with you ended today.”

“Your Highness!”

“If you want to live, shut your mouth.”

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.

“The emerald earring that you said Jenny took….”

“…..”

“It didn’t disappear in the first place.”

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….”

“Kanna, I certainly gave you a chance.”

“……”

“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.”

There was not a single hesitation in what Charelize said.

“Your Highness! Please… please forgive me just once Your Highness!”

“For Baron Ite who tried to kill me in connection with others….”

“…..”

“I order the death penalty.”

“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.

“Take both of them and put them in jail for now.”

“Your Highness! Please help me! Little Duchess!”

“I must have been crazy for a while. So… So for a while… Your Highness… please give
me another punishment!”

“I didn’t expect that Baron Ite is so stupid.”

“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.”

“I’m….. sorry. Your Highness.”

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?”

Baron Ite asked me.

“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.

The remaining servants worked silently, more nervous than usual.

“Your Highness, the air outside is cold.”

“Baroness Ite gave birth prematurely.”

“…that’s right, Your Highness.”

When asked by Charelize, Hailey agonized and told the truth.

“…I see.”

“Your Highness, don’t worry too much. Rather, you’re being generous.”

“Give my support until that child is graduates from the academy.”

“Little Duchess….”

“Even if I have another chance, I intend to punish Baron Ite the same thing.”

With those words, I fired an arrow at my mind.

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.”

“…..”

“Didn’t I take away that child father?”

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.

“Your Highness! It’s dangerous!”

“…it’s all right.”

“However…”

Hailey, who reflexively wrapped Charelize, replied in a quivering voice.

“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.

“Did you come to run an errand for your master?”

“Kieeek.”

“I’m proud of you, Hialey, bring me something Shishi can eat.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll….bring it soon.”

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.

– Arensis Cabel Yuan Ron Peschte.

“…I never thought he would send me a pill.”

As Arensis said, I didn’t receive any treatment.

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.

As if we’ve spent a long time together.

“Kieeek?”

The eagle tilted its head when it found me, who had wounds on my palm while
shooting arrows one after another.

“Ah, it usually happens. You don’t have to worry too much.”

” 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.

“Did your master do it for you?”

” 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.

“Wait…. can you show it to me for a second?”

“Kieeek! Kieeek!”

The silver ring was taken out of the eagle’s feet again as if it willing to allow
it.

My name is engraved on the inside of the silver ring.

‘You can always come to the Duchy with this.’

‘Lize.’

‘You said you weren’t going anywhere. Come with me.’

‘I can’t take it. I’m sorry.’

‘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.

I left it to someone and forgot about it.