episode_0019

The backstory of the character known as the Child of the Ruins brought a fresh shock. The existence of a setting in Rahilt that I was unaware of was surprising, and the abilities of the prospective father-in-law were a pleasant surprise.

However, as the two confessed their sins, I gradually became angry at their attitude. Even though they were the ones responsible for the outcome, I frowned at their treatment of Rahilt as a potential atomic bomb.

Therefore, I asked in a rebellious tone, as if scrutinizing them.

“I have a question that arose as I listened to the story. Would you allow me to ask?”

“Go ahead, Seriniel.”

“Why did you both impose such punishment on the Ruins and the government? Allowing them to live in disgrace, neglecting them, watching over them, and ultimately isolating the Child of the Ruins.”

I didn’t go as far as saying they should have been executed, as that would have made Rahilt’s birth an impossibility.

The answer to my sharp question came from my mother.

“I was the one who devised their punishment.”

“You, Mother?”

“Yes. But even now, when I recall the day of sentencing, I have doubts. Was that the best decision? Could there have been a better way…”

She trailed off, then summed up her firm resolve in a single sentence.

“Even if I were to go back, my decision would not change.”

In an instant, the fierce energy emanating from my mother weighed heavily in the air. She clenched her lips tightly and continued speaking.

“Those two were so hateful. I still occasionally dream of them. The pain of watching my son suffer in a time you don’t know…”

“Mother.”

“…”

“It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry.”

My father gently intervened, restraining my mother as she collapsed with her face in her hands. It was then that I realized I had crossed a line and bowed my head towards them.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I brought up unpleasant memories by being impulsive.”

“It’s okay, Seriniel. It’s understandable since it’s a past you don’t know.”

My mother smiled faintly, but I found it difficult to meet her gaze with an uncomfortable feeling in my heart.

Because I already knew their story in its entirety.

In the world before the regression, I vividly remembered how the Ruins and the government had driven my mother to her current state.

‘Her entire family was executed, and she lived a life worse than a slave, eventually being branded as a special witch.’

And for some reason, the previous work began with arranging a marriage between the Northern Duke and my mother through a contract.

To me, it may have been just words on a page, but to my mother, it was a life with a heavy density.

However, upon closer inspection, it was also true that I was raising questions again.

“But… is there a reason why someone who hates them so much would impose such a punishment on them?”

In reality, there were many ways to make the Ruins and the government suffer. Starting from all kinds of torture to hard labor akin to hell. There were plenty of ways to prolong their suffering out of sheer resentment.

“Well…”

My mother seemed to hesitate for a moment before confessing with a sense of guilt.

Her answer was incredibly unexpected.

“The child to be born… was innocent.”

“Mother…?”

“She was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time. It was a similar time to when I carried you. Perhaps that’s why. I couldn’t bring myself to punish her, who carried a life like yours, and those creators… I simply couldn’t punish them more than necessary.”

I was left speechless by my mother’s recollection. It was because memories of a distant past – memories of a previous life – struck me like lightning.

“The child born is innocent, after all…”

I shed tears as I read the story of Rahilt. My mother shared the same sentiments as me. Unconsciously, I clenched my fists tightly and gazed down at the ground.

“I thought that was enough. Even if it’s the child of a traitor… Even if that child’s life would be painful under inappropriate parents, I turned a blind eye. That’s how it is, right? If it were a normal procedure, they and the child would have met their fate long ago… And then, I convinced myself that I was merciful every moment.”

The pace of speech was fast. Perhaps that’s why my mother’s breathing was quite rough. Seeing my mother struggling in the conversation, my father intervened.

“Still, we’ve assigned surveillance personnel as a minimum buffer. If the parents who were supposed to take care of the traitor’s child fail to function properly… I’ve ordered to bring that child to the palace without delay.”

“But somehow, he awakened and escaped the system, you say.”

“That’s right. And on top of that, it happened on the day of the national parade, so the emergency command system was chaotic. Even those who misinterpreted the orders were high-ranking officials… Even if that child felt threatened, there was nothing to say.”

This was the full story of Rahilt’s escape from the system. It was a twisted situation beyond repair due to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Nevertheless, the fortunate thing was that good people had gathered around Rahilt.

‘Perhaps Rahilt’s lack of regret towards the palace is thanks to Dr. Roh Eun-young.’

I should definitely show my respects to the master.

‘But… I’m really glad.’

The emotions my parents felt towards Rahilt were clearly a sense of debt. It was much better than resentment and hatred.

At this point, I opened my mouth seriously to receive the most important response.

“Father, Mother. So… this is just a hypothetical scenario, but if the traitor’s child were to return to the palace without any resentment, would you be able to accept it?”

“Of course, it would be welcomed!”

“R-really…?”

My father expressed strong affirmation. I was so taken aback by the unexpected welcome that I could only stutter.

“The majority of the well-established factions of the traitor’s family have a strong influence on the council. Their influence is still widespread. But if that child comes to us willingly… their unity will lose its legitimacy.”

Following my father’s argument, my mother also agreed.

“Naturally, the factions will naturally disintegrate, and the empire’s management will become much easier. In that sense, if the traitor’s child is friendly towards the palace, wouldn’t it be the best scenario?”

“Hmm.”

I gritted my teeth in an effort to hide my joy. I never imagined that things would be resolved so smoothly. Therefore, asking for permission with overflowing charm was a very difficult task.

“Father… I mean, Dad, Mom.”

“Sereniel…?”

With the sudden change in address, they opened their eyes wide. Along with the familiar address they hadn’t heard in a while, their lips were drawn in, and their eyes became slightly anxious, with tremors appearing in their pupils.

With a bright smile, I asked.

“So… if I were to marry the traitor’s child, wouldn’t that be the perfect happy ending?”

“…”

“…”

… Oh, was the timing off? A sudden silence enveloped us, making my face burn. When I was feeling anxious, my father was the first to break the silence.

“S-Sereniel. Can we talk about that another time?”

“You don’t need to choose a marriage partner already, right…?”

“You both clearly know the age at which you got married… Well, I understand. I’ll keep that in mind for now.”

When I stepped back obediently, the two of them let out a sigh of relief. However, before they could relax, Tesser’s bombshell statement exploded.

“Didn’t you already have someone in mind, Miss?”

“What perfect timing, Tesser!”

“Is that true, Seriniel?”

“Ahaha…”

Since I had already decided to come clean today, I casually nodded my head.

“It’s true.”

“So, who is it that you have in mind? Is it Shumeh Yeongyun? If not, is it your childhood friend, Esther Kyung?”

“Ugh, you’re only mentioning ridiculous candidates.”

Even though he is my father, he doesn’t know his daughter too well. Neither do I, nor do they, have any interest in each other. How much is the dowry I gave them?

Quickly masking my sour expression, I flipped the mask of a woman in love.

“In fact… the one who rescued me after being poisoned and kidnapped was none other than the leader of the Windmill Mercenaries.”

“Quite the surprise.”

“Well, I just revealed it for the first time, didn’t I?”

Blushing, I recounted our beautiful memories.

“He personally escorted me and led me to the palace. His consistently polite and considerate nature drew me in. He always agreed to my unreasonable requests, and I found myself smiling naturally when we were together. And the moment my heart started to move was…”

Pausing at the right moment, I felt a suffocating gaze on me. I confidently revealed Rahilt’s silver badge, proud of it.

“It was when he gave me this badge and looked into my eyes with sincerity. It was so captivating…”

The strange thing is that this wasn’t a fabricated story; his eyes were truly sincere. I still don’t know why Rahilt looked at me with such moist eyes.

“So, I wanted to ask if you would allow me to give him an invitation to Mother’s birthday celebration at the palace. Would that be alright?”

I urged both parents for an answer, but my father, mother, and Tesser were all caught off guard. Especially my father, who repeatedly struggled to speak.

Mother, the first to regain her composure in the shocking scene, expressed her support.

“If it’s our daughter’s request, there’s nothing we can’t do… Right, dear?”

“Of course. We should confirm the identity of this… person before anything else… Let’s see his face first.”

Oh dear, it would be heavenly to see his face, but it might be difficult.

So, I relayed Rahilt’s circumstances as explained by Teacher Roeunyoung as an excuse. The two of them glared at me with disapproval, but there was no way I would back down; I boldly lied.

“I’m already looking forward to the meeting.”

Tesser looked at me with a disgusted expression.

“I’ve already found my match, so maybe you can look for yours at this event, Tesser.”

“Ugh…”

As I met his intense gaze, Tesser shot me a glare like a scolded dog.

‘Half of it is true, but his reaction is too much.’

I hope Tesser pursues love instead of strategy at the palace.

Surely, somewhere out there, a perfect match is waiting for him, just like how I long for Rahilt.

‘I can’t wait to see you…’

◇

“Have you been to the palace before, Riheart?”

“This is my first time too.”

“I see.”

Eshutiel’s voice was tense. As we approached the capital, she seemed to be holding her breath, nervous.

“Is the prince there?”

“It’s not a prince, it’s a crown prince.”

“Crown Prince.”

“Yeah.”

“What kind of person is the Crown Prince?”

“Well…”

Strictly speaking, Eshutiel was still looking at the Crown Prince. But I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to shatter the illusion that sparkled in her eyes. Roderick looked at me, amused by my silence, and let out a chuckle.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“To the Crown Prince?”

“No.”

Eshutiel leaned on me, her head bobbing slightly.

“Eating with Rihart oppa…”

I gently stroked Eshutiel’s head as she closed her eyes. For some reason, her words made me happy.

Since meeting Serin, these emotions had become more pronounced than before.

It wasn’t bad.

After confirming that Eshutiel had fallen asleep, I took off my mask. Roderick, who had been observing me, asked with a chuckle.

“What if the little one had said she was looking forward to the Crown Prince instead of giving an answer?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”

“Hmm.”

Without hesitation, I imagined Eshutiel, conscious of the Crown Prince. Eshutiel, eagerly anticipating him with a bright smile…

The answer was more specific than I expected.

“It feels… unpleasant.”

“I see. That’s fine too.”

“Fine? Why is feeling unpleasant fine?”

“Well, it’s okay to spend some time pondering your feelings, whether you have a reason or not.”

“Is that my homework, to ponder my feelings because of my flaws?”

Roderick nodded at my words.

“Everyone goes through a period of contemplation to understand the source of their emotions. You just need a little more time for that.”

“Is that so.”

“Do you think I don’t know you?”

“… Alright. I’ll think about it on my own.”

The conversation took place in the swaying carriage, as we approached the threshold of the capital.