Chapter 4: Artasha Blanc

The Baroness Blanc.

She had no particular interest in the Baron Blanc from the start. Her arranged marriage to the heir of the Blanc family had been decided since birth. Even when he succeeded to the position of Baron and she became the Baroness, she felt no emotion.

Her life was similar to that of livestock. She entered a loveless marriage. She had once dreamed of becoming a perfumer, but that dream had been set aside for her predetermined fate as a housewife.

When she heard the news that the Baron Blanc was having an affair, or when she knew he was mingling with dubious nobles, she felt nothing.

From the beginning, she knew what kind of person he was, so she had no interest. She felt she wouldn’t even shed a tear if he disappeared one day without a trace.

The Baron Blanc.

This place was just a livestock pen where she had to live, nothing more, nothing less.

Yes, she definitely thought that way.

Until she met Tina.

[Crying!!]

[Ah..]

It was a mysterious thing.

Her tiny hands barely wrapped around her fingers, and her fragile body seemed like it would break with the slightest touch. Tears constantly flowed from her scrunched-up eyes, as if she was deeply sorrowful.

She was so fragile.

But at the same time, she was beautiful.

Her light blue eyes were more brilliant than any jewel in the world.

When that small life reached out with tiny arms, she instinctively extended her hands to receive the pitiful life. As she held the child in her arms, an overwhelming feeling she had never experienced before painted her world in vibrant colors.

Her heart pounded so violently that it seemed it could burst at any moment. Her hands trembled intensely like a single aspen tree.

[Tina… Your name is Tina.]

Tina.

My beloved daughter.

She vowed to make this child happy no matter what.

Since then, her life completely changed. Light seeped into the life she had considered no different from that of livestock. Each day was so abundant that she could confidently say she was happy.

Fortunately, or perhaps not, the Baron, who had been wasting his life away outside the family, restrained himself from drinking and smoking in front of his daughter. Even a scoundrel wanted to show a good side in front of his daughter.

As time passed, Tina, who had turned five, was truly as beautiful as a flower. Her pure white hair seemed to reflect her angelic heart. Her eyes and nose were so adorable that it was hard to resist the urge to hug her tight and shower her with kisses.

[Mommy!]

[Tina]

The tiny fairy radiated cuteness as she ran into her arms. Her body still felt as light as a feather, but the happiness it contained was the heaviest of all.

She was happy.

So happy that she wondered if it was okay to feel this way, Tina had completely transformed her life. She was sure that from now on, she would always live happily with Tina.

But that certainty did not last long.

With the news of Baron Blanc’s death due to drunken recklessness, the Blanc family fell apart.

On a gloomy day when the cloudy sky poured down rain, she was in the carriage returning from Baron Blanc’s funeral.

[I hate you so much I could die.]

The resentment in Tina’s eyes was directed at her. Just looking into those eyes made her heart feel like it was being torn apart.

[Tina, sweetheart… Mommy…]

[You could have stopped Father. You knew, but you let him die!]

She couldn’t deny it.

I knew everything, just as Tina said. The information that the baron was still mingling with disreputable nobles had been heard countless times in social circles. Recently, I even heard that he had started gambling.

It was clear to see that his health was deteriorating day by day, likely due to subsisting on alcohol.

Despite knowing all this, I didn’t stop him. I wanted to give Tina a bit more affection instead of spending time worrying about him.

From the beginning, I had no desire to nag someone for whom I felt nothing but contempt. Secretly, there were times when I was glad at the thought that if he left, I could live alone with Tina.

[Why didn’t you stop Father? Were you thinking of taking his place?]

[Of course not!]

The head of the Blanc family? If it had been the old me, I would have immediately refused such a position, even if offered. But contrary to my feelings, I had no choice but to succeed the headship of the Blanc Barony.

There were a few people who came from distant regions claiming to want the position. But all of them were like wild beasts with blackened hearts. How could I stand by and do nothing? I had to step up, if only for Tina’s sake.

[So… you were after Father’s position…]

From that moment, Tina’s gaze towards me changed from resentment to contempt. I still can’t forget the hatred in those clear eyes.

[…I really hate you to death.]

A voice devoid of any warmth.

That was the end of my story with Tina.

Tina no longer called me ‘Mother,’ nor did she show me her sunshine-like smile. Since then, I have constantly tried to approach Tina first, but every time, all I received in return were harsh insults and hatred.

In the end, we ended up as strangers, without any love or affection, worse than others. Losing Tina’s color from my life made it as bleak as livestock once again.

No, I need to correct myself. Unlike livestock, at least I have a goal.

The only driving force left in my life, devoid of any light, was to leave enough wealth for Tina to fend for herself. Giving everything to Tina and then meeting death—that was my current peaceful rest.

But it wasn’t easy.

There were countless traces of the previous head’s gambling scattered everywhere. I hadn’t heard that he had even borrowed from private lenders, he was truly a man who caused trouble to the end.

Dealing with the increasing debt each day was overwhelming. There was nowhere to turn for help. Thanks to the previous head, the family’s reputation was in shambles, and the connections I had made in social circles all cut ties with the Blanc Barony.

‘…Should I actively re-enter society?’

Surely people would heap all sorts of criticism and insults on me. I could endure such insults as much as necessary. But what I couldn’t bear was Tina hearing the same insults directed at her.

I stayed up day and night to gather the family’s wealth. Without hesitation, I swept up anything that could be of help, even if it was just a speck. To clear the damned debt, I spared no effort and ran myself into the ground.

Thus, day by day, time passed. Fortunately, thanks to my abilities in various fields, the debt gradually decreased, but there was still a mountain of private loans left to repay.

[Baroness…! Your nose is bleeding!!]

[…Oh.]

It was hard to find a day when I wasn’t exhausted, and I had frequent nosebleeds. My appetite gradually disappeared, and my body, growing more and more tired, began to wear on my mind.

As a result, I was often sensitive towards Tina. Once, I couldn’t control my anger and struck Tina.

Tina left the house every day and stayed in the Imperial Library like a ghost. On the rare days when the library was closed,

I didn’t want to admit it, but after five years had passed, even my once steadfast heart began to waver. Now, I don’t even know why I have to sacrifice so much.

‘…But I still have to do it.’

Whenever such thoughts arose, I would pick up my pen again. I drew the curtains to let sunlight into the dark room. Surely, someday. If I don’t give up, someday the day will come when I can see the light, I reassured myself.

Someday.

I believed that someday I would surely reach the light.

And that light.

Finally came to me.

Smooch—

Tina’s lips, softer than a plum and sweeter than a peach, touched my cheek. It might be an exaggeration, but it felt as if life was breathed into my dead body. With the feeling of blood circulating in the cheek where her lips touched, vitality and vigor gradually flowed into my withering body.

I can assure you, there is no pleasure in this world as sweet as Tina’s lips. My emotions were so intense that it was hard to hold back tears in front of Tina.

[I’m always cheering for you. Stay strong, Mother.]

That one sentence was a reward for years of hardship. For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming, but the only thing I felt when I pinched my cheek was a blissful pain.

“Master.”

Just a little more.

I wanted to be a bit more greedy.

“Dinner is ready.”

“…Ranihel.”

“Yes, Master.”

I looked out the window. When I looked at the bright sunlight, as bright as Tina’s eyes, a smile unconsciously spread across my lips.

“Call Tina to dinner. I want to eat with my daughter.”

I was sick of eating alone in solitude.