episode_0010

At the pinnacle of the system, the palace was truly a place that suited the expression “mysterious.” Not only was its vast scale impressive, but it was also adorned with golden dyes in every direction, shining as brilliantly as the Eastern Golden Temple. This symbolized the dignity of the royal family.

“….”

Laura was strolling along the outskirts of this splendor. This place was known as the Hall of Legends, where the eminent figures of the remaining empire, though departed from the world, lay at rest. And within the sanctuary of these spirits, there existed the resting place of the Duchess Roengreen as well.

“Mother, it’s Laura.”

In front of her birth mother’s tomb, Laura respectfully clasped her hands together and prayed. Even on days that were not anniversaries, the eldest daughter frequently visited this place. In this unfamiliar and suffocating palace, this was the only place where she could truly relax.

“….”

Every time she set foot in this place, a strange warmth spread. It had been over a decade since her mother passed away, and now even her noble countenance was becoming less memorable.

──Lovely children, I always dream of you─

That gentle voice remains vivid in her ears. ──Even when I close my eyes─ I can still see you─ Even when I fall asleep, I worry─

That song, that melody. The second and third daughters may not remember, but I still vividly recall that tone. It was to the point where I would unconsciously hum it while guarding His Majesty’s bedside.

Lost in the precious memories, if only for a moment, I indulge in contemplation.

“….”

Soon, tears well up, burning hot. Of course, there are no longer any sad emotions at this point. The once rock-like longing has been eroded by the flowing time, turning into grains of sand, and has long since sunk to the depths beneath the crashing waves.

…Yes.

It must have been like that.

“──.”

Why is it that Laura cannot stop crying? No matter how much she ponders, she cannot fathom the reason behind these tears. So, at some point, she simply accepted it as such. She thought her mother, having lost her physical form, shed tears through her borrowed body. She worried about the appearance of Laura in her dreams.

It is so pitiful to see someone being treated worse than an animal by their own father, and to yearn desperately like this… However, “I’m fine now, Mother.” Even I, until now, thought that my life was nothing but a tragedy. But now that I can discern reason, there was no separate absurd farce in all those delusions. It was ultimately me who regarded the other person as an enemy, not my father. “…I don’t know how the girl appears in your dreams, Mother.” I really want to convey this one thing. “Please don’t shed tears because of me anymore.” Uttering these words, I calmly place my hand on my chest. …It’s warm. The precious warmth I received in Father’s embrace rises vividly, and the tears that were flowing naturally cease. It’s not some dream or delusion. My reality is this beautiful. “…”. In the court, they call Father a cruel demon from the North, an embodiment of wickedness, but I won’t be swayed by such trivial rumors as the enemy of the Duke’s household. As a woman who will become the enemy of the Duke’s household, I won’t be swayed anymore. Perhaps I may be betrayed by this heart once again. All those words and actions might just be part of the devil’s scheme to deceive me for that day─ At least for now… I trust my one and only Father. “Lady Laura.” As she was about to tidy up and leave, a voice stopped her. The eldest daughter reflexively turned her head. The owner of the voice was a woman dressed in formal attire. A tall figure that slightly intimidated Laura. Short black hair and lifeless sea-blue eyes. Within this country, the only ones who didn’t know her name were the ignorant commoners. Elisha Difran von Pirein, the Margravine known as the Empire’s Black Wolf. …Laura immediately showed her knightly courtesy towards her, facing the expressionless woman who was looking at her. “It’s been a while, Lady Elisha. Have you been well?” “Yes. I hope Lady Laura has been safe as well.” Lowering her head deeply in response, Laura soon shifted her gaze to the mausoleum of the Dowager Grand Duchess Loengrind. “…So you’ve come to see Mother again.”

“Yes, it seems that I still can’t shake off my lingering attachment.”

The eldest daughter, Laura, expressed her emotions as “lingering attachment.”

However, in Alicia’s view, it was closer to dependency than lingering attachment.

Since this young lady was appointed as a court lady and came to the palace, the flowers placed at the tomb of the Grand Duchess always exuded a deep vitality.

Her utmost sincerity was truly pathological.

Spending most of the rare holidays in front of her mother’s tomb meant that the longing in her heart was not ordinary.

When I first learned about it, the Marquis thought it could be utilized.

That’s why he had built a bond with the eldest daughter of Roen Green by using various means.

By sharing memories of the deceased Grand Duchess, he made Alicia recognize her as his ally.

Sometimes, he would recount terrible incidents related to the Grand Duke, leading the eldest daughter to distrust her own father.

Furthermore, he pointed out the recent rumors about the Grand Duke’s conspiracy and incited the need for a more suitable leader in the north.

This relationship, which had been carefully nurtured like tending crops, had reached the time to harvest sufficient results.

Just a few days ago, the day when this young lady’s leave coincided with the harvest.

Everything went smoothly.

On that day, the face of the Grand Duke’s eldest daughter heading north was truly determined, as if she would stop at nothing.

But…

“Why?”

For some reason, there was no fruit in her hands.

It wasn’t a matter of size; it seemed like there was no trace at all.

It was incredibly strange and empty.

Was it saying that she returned without even drawing her sword, despite declaring to become the Crown Princess and rectify the north?

Whether it was the Grand Duke or the eldest daughter, it didn’t matter which one perished.

The only difference would be the order of their departure; they were both vermin that needed to be eradicated from this world.

But such an unexpected outcome was truly beyond expectation…

“Your Excellency, did you meet the Grand Duke of Roen Green?”

“…”

Alicia asked as if testing the waters, but Laura didn’t answer.

After a prolonged awkward silence, Elisha turned her head.

At that moment.

“What could those eyes be?”

Elisha felt as if she were facing a massive barrier rather than a person.

Laura’s face, looking at her as if wearing a mask, did not reveal any emotions.

Unlike her previous daughter, who was fragile like a girl and easy to read, it was a completely contrasting appearance.

“Have you fallen for the devil’s temptation? This is not the usual Laura Kyung.”

“……”

“Or perhaps during your duel, you made a mistake and got caught by that audacious person—”

“Stop.”

As the Marquess’s voice was cut off.

“……!”

Kwoong!

Laura grabbed her by the throat in one swift motion and slammed her against the nearby pillar.

It was an unexpected sudden situation for Elisha.

The grip of the captured hand was so violent that her chest corset was torn apart, revealing her white flesh.

“What are you doing?”

Immediately, the Marquess sneered with a disdainful look.

However, the daughter only lightly mocked the pitiful sight.

“The devil, the audacious person… Did you think this Laura would easily succumb to such lowly and dirty collusion?”

The voice that shot out like that was filled with venom.

What on earth had happened?

The voice filled with hatred that used to be directed towards Rios was now somehow aimed at Elisha.

“Collusion, you say, what—”

Interrupting Elisha’s attempt to refute, Laura brought her face closer until their noses touched.

Within the intermingling shades created by the two women’s dark and bright hair, Laura finally whispered softly.

“Elisha of Pheraine. I have already seen through your sullen interior.”

“……”

“Know your place and act accordingly. It’s quite pathetic, fighting over a defeated dog.”

After pouring out a long tirade, the daughter turned around and left.

Watching her disappearing figure beyond, Elisha chewed on the rising sense of humiliation.

“…The daughter of that father, huh?”

How dare she call me a defeated dog?

I myself─ a mere byproduct of a short-lived amusement.

The annex of Princess Lerial, located on the outskirts of the palace grounds.

The blonde girl gathered all the letters that had come to me today and counted them with sharp eyes.

…A total of 116.

“Ugh…”

I’m hosting a social gathering tomorrow, but very few nobles have responded to the invitations.

──It seems it’s time to stand on my own. I can’t keep hiding behind Father’s back forever, right?

Upon hearing such words from Mother, I decided to personally organize the social gathering with the mindset of “What else is there for me to lose?”

However, there are hardly any influential figures who can establish my authority as a princess. Sadly, most of them are viscounts or barons who don’t even own their own territories.

“…”

Of course, the situation wasn’t entirely bleak.

The Plain family, who was the first to accept the invitation, was truly an unexpected ally.

…The problem is that they’re the only one I can rely on.

“Not enough, not enough!”

It seems one Plain family alone is a bit insufficient.

Although it sounds greedy, it would be great if at least two or three more prominent families of equal standing as the Plains could participate!

“…Is Lord Rhaeos not coming?”

The person Lerial had placed her hopes on was none other than Duke Roengreen, who was ironically known as the demon of the north.

Long ago, when I was just a four-year-old child, he was the one who treated me kindly as if I were his own daughter.

But…

“He’s not here, no matter how hard I look!”

Even though he may dislike social gatherings, I thought he would gladly come if I personally sent him a letter.

“Sigh…”

If only I had received a reply stating that he couldn’t attend, I wouldn’t feel this heartache.

We used to get along so well.

He even mentioned wanting to secretly take me and raise me as his own daughter.

But in the end, it seems I was the only one who truly meant it.

Even when I visited his territory last time, he refused to meet me, saying he didn’t want to see me…

“Hmph, you don’t have to come. It’ll be fine without you, it’ll turn out well─”

With a bitter smile, Lerial collapsed onto her bed.

The yellow sunlight seeping through the window seemed to soothe her weary mind, which had been clouded for several days.

“At least it won’t rain tomorrow.”