Chapter 48: Kaela’s Flashback 1

The Revenance Territory, a powerful eastern region bordering numerous nations.

Given its high population traffic and frequent incidents, it was a tumultuous area. 

Despite being a duchy, it wielded more authority than the Bellot Territory, making it a unique and influential family.

In terms of power, it was no exaggeration to call it the greatest family in the Empire, second only to the imperial family.

The 1st Imperial Consort, Lovelia, the daughter of the Revenance family, was a woman who had been jealous and competitive since childhood. 

Some might even say she was twisted.

When she heard that the lady of the Yurens family in the west, with whom she had been constantly at odds, had ascended to the position of Empress through a political marriage, she reportedly threw such a hysterical fit that even her father, the head of the Revenance family, was taken aback.

“I can’t be worse than that Yurens woman!” she thought. 

To avoid feeling defeated, she made relentless efforts to win the Emperor’s favor.

Perhaps her efforts paid off. 

Though a bit later than the Yurens lady, she eventually rose to the position of 1st Imperial Consort.

She believed the game was far from over. 

In terms of family prestige, her family was far superior. She could easily dismiss the Yurens as beneath her.

The real battle was just beginning. 

Yes, if her child could ascend to the throne, that would be the true victory.

Even if she was currently in a lower position than the Empress, with the support of her powerful family, if her child could prove superior and inherit the throne, that would be the ultimate triumph.

In this context, the 1st Imperial Consort, Lovelia, watched her daughter, Kaela, with dissatisfaction.

“How can you seize the throne like this? You’re already at a disadvantage in terms of legitimacy. You need to be more assertive!”

Princess Kaela was born with a gentle and weak disposition.

Who did she take after?

Given her lineage—the Emperor, the lion of the Empire, and the Revenance family, the leopard of the Empire—she should have been a fierce predator. 

Yet, she was as meek and fragile as a herbivore.

This called for a thorough mental overhaul. 

Thus, the 1st Imperial Consort pushed her daughter relentlessly.

“Is this what you wrote?”

The Consort’s cold voice filled the room.

An eight-year-old girl, cowed by her mother’s scolding, knelt before her, nodding silently.

Her small hands were stained with black ink, evidence of her efforts.

“You truly shame me.”

The Consort frowned, tearing up the essay on the Empire’s history that Kaela had submitted and throwing it forward.

The torn paper fluttered in the air before landing at the princess’s feet.

“…I’m sorry, Mother.”

“Don’t apologize. Prove yourself. If you truly want to be loved, don’t make mistakes this time.”

If you want to be loved. I don’t want to be hated by Mother.

Kaela picked up her pen with trembling hands.

Only after submitting a more carefully written answer to her mother could she be freed—from the “History” subject, at least.

“Next is etiquette class. Hurry up.”

Science, court etiquette, martial arts, tactics, imperial studies… 

The list of subjects was endless.

Forced to focus solely on studies from a young age, Kaela deeply understood the exhausting nature of such a life from an early age.

Kaela stood up, breathing heavily as if on the verge of a panic attack.

Though she felt like collapsing, the young princess tried hard not to show her emotions to her mother.

Lovelia wasn’t entirely unsympathetic to her daughter’s plight.

But such weakness would never survive in the imperial palace. 

She could never defeat the Empress and her children.

That’s why she pushed her daughter so hard.

To make her perfect.

So that when her daughter eventually claimed the throne, she would be grateful to her.

This was just a transitional period leading to glory.

*

Whenever Kaela reflected on her past, she had a thought.

If she had continued to grow in such a harsh environment, she might have ended up with a personality as unpleasant as the 1st Prince, Kyle.

But fortunately, she had some luck, so that didn’t happen in this life.

That day, after being scolded and punished by her mother, Kaela rubbed her sore calves and continued studying late into the night.

Her head ached, and her eyelids were heavy, but she endured. 

Staying awake was a hundred times better than being scolded by her mother.

Knock, knock. 

Then, there was a knock at her door.

“Princess, may I come in?”

A soft, unfamiliar voice. Who could it be at this hour?

“Uh… who is it?”

“I’m the new maid serving you from today.”

A maid? Ah, she had heard about her.

The woman who had come to the capital with Father when he returned from the northern territory.

Mother had said she was a friend of the Duchy of Bellot and told her to get along well with her.

She might be useful later.

“Come in.”

It had been a while since someone had entered her space with permission.

The maid, standing before Kaela, looked at the piles of books and papers on the desk, met her eye level, and smiled gently.

“Princess, you must be very tired.”

Kaela shook her head.

Tired? What does tired mean? 

If it means feeling unhappy or miserable, she could bear it for now.

Today, she had less to study than usual. Still, the maid touched her cheek and examined her complexion.

“I’ll bring a cold towel.”

A cold towel? What for?

Ignoring Kaela’s confusion, the maid quickly returned, picked her up, and carried her to the bed.

Then, she placed the cold towel on her forehead.

“Princess, you should tell me if you’re feeling unwell.”

Unwell? 

Me? 

The softness of the blanket and the cold towel began to soothe her feverish forehead, bringing a pleasant sense of relief and calming her nerves.

She wanted to give in to the temptation of this comfort and fall asleep immediately, but a sense of duty weighed on her, and Kaela tried to sit up again.

The maid gently pushed her back down.

“I need to finish my studies. If I make mistakes, Mother won’t love me.”

Though she obeyed the maid, her lips continued to murmur anxiously.

As if understanding her feelings, the maid quietly approached and took her hand.

“Princess, you are already loved. I love you, and so do many citizens of the Empire. You don’t need to hide your pain to earn someone’s love.”

Someone telling her they loved her was an entirely new experience for Kaela.

Comforted by those words, Kaela held the maid’s hand and fell into a deep sleep.

A new day, different from the usual routine of studying until she fell asleep at her desk.

The maid’s warmth stayed by her side, bringing her peace.

*

The next morning, having rested well in a stable environment, Kaela was in top condition.

But she was also worried.

Having slept without finishing her studies the previous night, she feared her mother’s scolding.

She must have been very tired yesterday, to the point of forgetting her duties.

There had been maids before who cared for her well-being, but they were all humiliated and driven away by Consort Lovelia for interfering with the princess’s studies.

Perhaps this new maid would be driven out after just one day.

“You couldn’t even memorize this? What were you doing yesterday?”

As expected, things went as she thought. Mother seemed very angry.

When questioned, Kaela closed her eyes and pointed to the maid who had visited her yesterday.

I’m sorry, but this is the only way to lessen the scolding.

The Consort glared at the maid with a face full of anger.

“The Princess was very unwell.”

“Unwell? Fine, but listen. The Princess’s education is my responsibility. What right do you have to interfere?”

Despite the Consort’s anger directed at her, the maid remained calm.

“Isn’t the Princess’s relentless efforts aimed at competing for the throne in the future?”

A statement everyone knew but never voiced.

A statement that could spark conflict, one even Lovelia, lacking sufficient justification, avoided. Yet, a mere maid spoke it.

“You’re quite bold for a maid. I heard you’re a friend of the Duchess of Bellot, but I can’t tolerate this anymore.”

As Lovelia rose to punish her, Agnes remained unflinching.

Her demeanor made Lovelia wonder if the maid had some hidden confidence.

“Even if it’s part of preparing Kaela to compete for the throne?”

Thus, Lovelia decided to humor the maid’s impudence.

“Once, the Duchess promised to grant me a favor.”

Why bring that up now? 

The Consort realized she might gain more from this maid than she had thought.

“I will strive to gain the support of the Duke and Duchy of Bellot for the Princess.”

An opportunity to build a relationship with the Bellot Territory? 

This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

With the power of Revenance and the support of Bellot, they could gain a significant advantage in any future succession battle.

A minor flaw in her daughter’s education could be overlooked!

She didn’t know why the maid cared so much for her daughter, but it didn’t matter. 

If it could help achieve her long-cherished wish.

From that day on, the Consort’s harsh attitude toward the Princess gradually softened.

Kaela’s education remained rigorous, but she was no longer pushed to the point of collapse.

If she was unwell, she was allowed to rest. 

On days she performed well, she was given time to relax.

The maid, who had transformed her life overnight, became someone Kaela adored.

“Ah, I never asked your name. What is it?”

“Finally showing interest? It’s late, but I’m glad. My name is…”

Agnes, the maid who had become part of the 1st Princess’s palace.

A woman with a mysterious aura, unintentionally drawing people in.

The memories with her remained a cherished and poignant part of Kaela’s life.

Even after her death, the many experiences she shared with Kaela became invaluable life lessons.