episode_0014

Six months passed since then.

By enduring the pain, I was able to have normal conversations with others, and if I had the means, I was able to live a normal life somehow.

And another half a year passed.

Even everyday tasks such as eating and bathing could be done normally without the help of maids.

And after about a year there─

By putting an extra layer of mask called expressionless on my face, I was able to make it so that no one would notice anything strange.

okay.

Only after I’ve used up my entire two-year grace period can I finally say, “Finally.”

The King was coming soon… I was waiting in my room for the conversation with my father.

Although it is not an official occasion, it is too simple and informal to meet the king, but I have not touched a fancy dress at all since I was cursed. Putting on and taking off clothes is part of my rehabilitation, and in order to live a new life, I need to be able to live without a maid, but it is almost impossible to put on a dress alone.

“Today is the last day.”

I spoke to Yugram, who was waiting at the back, but there was no reply. Naturally, all the escort knights disappeared after being cursed. There was no need to tell a high-ranking noble, who was not even royalty, that I was cursed and that I was alive. I don’t know if we’ll meet in real life, but if he already knows that I’m dead, he’s wearing a mask, his clothes are different, and if I change my hair color, he won’t notice at all.

If two of the three escort knights felt like their jobs were lost simply because I died, then Amais was directly held responsible and received a fairly severe punishment. He wasn’t held responsible for not being able to protect me, but he was frozen and did nothing when the situation arose, and he was also a member of the Gabinas family.

When I told this story, I felt like Yugram was observing something from me, and I thought he was worried that I wouldn’t be able to forget the feelings we had for several years, so I intentionally pretended to be indifferent. Of course, he was indifferent in reality.

If he was punished unfairly, I would sympathize with him. But if the escort knight failed to protect me and failed to properly perform his duty, shouldn’t he naturally take responsibility for it? When I said something like that, Yugram’s expression changed to one I had never seen before. I don’t know why. I think it was the right answer for a member of the royal family.

I stared blankly at my open palm. It was a normal palm, but my hand looked pale because it was a little bluish. My already white skin had become even paler because I was continuously using my magic and blood to prevent the curse. I didn’t really care about it, but sometimes it got so bad that I was surprised when I looked in the mirror.

About two years ago, even if I just held my hands still like this, I would tremble or instinctively clench my fists. It was clearly only my face that hurt, but the pain affected my entire body. Even now, when I think about it, the pain of poking my face with a hot knife continues to spread, but now I’m used to it or what to say… Anyway, I can hide it well with my extreme poker face.

Only Yugram and I know exactly what’s going on, and we’ve lied to the other family members, telling them that the pain is getting weaker and bearable. Of course, I don’t think they naively believe that, but… wouldn’t it be better for both of us to think that way? Whether we actually believe it or not, it’s a lie for each other.

I stop thinking and leave the room to walk to where my father is waiting. Today is the last day I will walk here. I don’t know the material, but this palace is made of hard and splendidly patterned stone, and it is a masterpiece that takes elegance and practicality, two concepts that are difficult to coexist, to the extreme.

Wherever you look, beautiful artwork and sculptures are a delight to the eyes, but this is only natural for a wealthy family. When I first learned from Yugram how the seemingly randomly placed artworks and the pillars with carvings that seemed to honor the majesty of the gods would function in times of emergency, I was impressed by Karsten’s utmost priority on efficiency, and I was once again amazed at how well he could build a palace like this.

Of course, I didn’t meet anyone while I was walking. This place itself was also a forbidden area, only allowed to the direct royal family. Yugram, who was following me, was an exception.

From afar, I could see the man I was going to meet now, Bearkart. Up until now, I had passed through a splendidly decorated hallway, but what awaited me at the end of that hallway was a simple, unprocessed plain. I don’t know why there was a place like this in the palace, or why I had asked to meet here, but the moment I set foot on the ground, I felt it. It wasn’t the simple place I had expected.

“This is said to be the place where the power of the dragon Karsten, who lent the kingdom its name and gave it protection, remains. I don’t know whether or not that being, who has not been recorded in human history, actually existed. I just believe the words of my ancestors, and whenever I have something to think about, I naturally come here.”

“I haven’t missed a single day since you were cursed. And I’ve always had the same worries. Worries that have no answers… I can’t bring myself to ask. Maybe this is why I show my weak side, which I shouldn’t as a king or a father. Because I’ve been running away for the past two years.”

“Because today is the last day.. I shouldn’t say this, but I have to ask. Liliane.. no, Leah. Daughter.. do you.. resent me?”

The last words were full of trembling that he tried to hide but could not hide, so Bearkart… his father’s emotions were completely conveyed.

Yeah, my parents were running away from me.

I haven’t seen my family in two years. Yugram tried to reassure me about this, but I already knew it.

The immense sadness and guilt they would feel when they encountered me.

Perhaps I can know because I am none other than a simple 12-year-old girl, but because I have a mental age much higher than other royals and can see myself objectively from a third-person perspective.

It’s not strange to throw everything away and resent it because you can’t understand it emotionally even if you understand it with your head─ but I took a step back and accepted and understood even the feelings that my parents and siblings felt, not mine. That’s why I was convinced. I was convinced.

“I’m sure you’ll find it hard to accept no matter what I say. But I don’t have those feelings at all. Even if this wasn’t a curse but a disease I was born with… I wouldn’t have blamed my parents.”

“If I had resented you two, if I had wanted to give up everything, I would have ended it all with my own hands. It’s not that hard. The fact that I’m standing here on my own two feet and talking proves it. Don’t you think so? ..Mother”

Before I knew it, Marianne and her mother were standing behind me.

I have never met my family in person.

But there were countless times when they came close to meeting. No, it could be said that it was almost every day. Since all royals are trained to sense presence, they would notice if there was someone at the bedroom door. And that person was always their mother.

I knew that my mother had come, and she knew that I had noticed. But I didn’t approach her first. I waited until she was ready. Until she could face me. I knew that my mother, who couldn’t even turn the doorknob, was clutching her chest and shedding tears, did nothing for each other.

“And don’t take it too seriously. After all, I’m just getting married, right? If I were to marry into a good family, it could happen.. Well. If you think I’m going to marry Yu Gram and start a family…”

At that moment, Dad turned his head and shot a tremendous killing intent at Yugram, and Yugram instinctively reached for the knife but stopped.

“No.. I’m kidding, Dad.”

“..So, what are you planning to do in the future? Do you have any plans? Do you have any countries you want to go to?”

Dad looked at Yugram with a sharp gaze, but he didn’t want to die.

“I’m going to go to the academy. There’s an academy that accepts people like me who have an unclear identity.”

“There! ..No, yes. If you want, then do it.”

I could sense that my father was surprised and that Yu-Gram, who was next to me, was surprised too, but there was no way I could stop him. I smiled at my father and turned around to look at my mother. My mother, who always nagged me about not losing my elegant and noble dignity, was already a mess with tears in her eyes. I slowly approached my mother and hugged her.

“Mom and Dad.. I have received a favor that I cannot repay just by giving birth to me and loving me until now. This is not superficial, it is sincere. I will live a life that is not shameful as your daughter, so don’t worry too much. Besides.. it’s not like I won’t see you forever and we can keep in touch, right?”

It’s difficult, but it’s not impossible if you do it through Yugram. Well, it’s impossible to contact someone in a few seconds just to see them like in the past life.

Before I knew it, my father came over and hugged me, and as I was feeling the warmth that I hadn’t felt in a long time, my mother spoke quietly.

“My daughter.. Don’t go anywhere and get sick. Eat your meals. Don’t be fooled by bad men. Consult Yugram about anything..”

Even if she is the queen of a country, a mother is still a mother. It was so ordinary to say something like this that I almost laughed.

“And Yugram.. Please take good care of my daughter. I ask you now as Leah’s mother, not Marianne’s.”

“..Yes. Even if it costs me my life, definitely.”

When you say it like that, it really seems like you’re marrying Yugram. I was about to say that, but held back for fear that my father would go crazy again.