episode_0025

Luna Winfred was a child born amidst many people’s expectations.

Her parents, like other nobles, entered into an arranged marriage solely to strengthen the friendship between the families, and it was unlikely that affection and respect for each other would sprout in such a superficial relationship.

Everyone in the mansion blessed Luna’s birth, but her parents actually exchanged curse words towards each other.

It was a dispute sparked simply because she gave birth to a daughter rather than a son.

Luna grew up under the care of servants for quite a long time.

The gazes of my parents, whom I occasionally met by chance, were half dead.

It was like looking at a defective product, not at a child.

Then one day, a second sergeant came to the mansion.

The destiny of a leader who encompasses all people, a hero who will save the empire from evil, and the northern sun that will shine brighter than anyone else.

With the words spoken almost as a blessing from the High Priest, a new life was born.

— This is definitely a man! We sincerely congratulate you on the birth of your successor!

— Haha, it looks like endless prosperity is finally coming to Winfred.

— If it were another girl after Miss Luna… It’s scary to even think about it.

— Shhh! What should I do if the young lady hears it? Lower your voice.

It was completely different from the reaction he had when he was born.

The half-dead eyes of my parents sparkled with excitement and anticipation, and the visitors who had given perfunctory congratulations also sincerely congratulated me on the family’s prosperity this time.

Luna had a hard time sleeping early that morning.

Even though she was a young girl who couldn’t even speak properly, she was furious that no one expected anything from her.

Luna has changed.

He hid himself behind a dazzling smile and a mask, and moved forward, scolding himself harshly.

He did not give his heart to anyone and devoted himself to his studies without taking a single day off.

It was a time of bone-chilling perseverance.

Frustration ate away at her reason at every moment, but Luna didn’t care.

It wasn’t just Luna that changed.

The way his parents looked at him changed, and the influence his every word had on the mansion changed.

As time passed, he finally put his name on the list of candidates for the next head of state.

If you work hard, you can be recognized.

Luna’s life was fueled by her fierce competitive spirit and desire for recognition.

Then one day it happened.

At the quiet duke’s residence, a commoner woman brought a child with Winfred’s blood.

— Hi, my name is Kyle.

An unpolluted, transparent smile, and blue eyes that cannot escape from you.

It was such a refreshing stimulus for Luna, who had lived her entire life with patience.

Kyle casually removed the bar from her tightly closed heart.

Is it because Luna was young?

Or maybe it was because Kyle was special.

The affectionate gaze towards him, and the innocent smile that blooms at every word he says.

All of that was truly shockingly unfamiliar.

Luna has been avoiding Kyle since that day.

He kept his distance by making appropriate excuses, and completely ignored Kyle who asked how he was doing.

He didn’t spit any harsh words at Kyle.

Maybe it was because deep down, he didn’t dislike Kyle’s interest in him that much.

— Are you sure you memorize this every day?

— That’s amazing, I can’t even read properly yet.

— Successor? Of course you can! You’ve worked harder than anyone else in this mansion.

No matter how much he pushed, Kyle wouldn’t fall away from him like a magnet.

It was from that time.

Each day, which was like a blank page, gradually began to be polluted by Kyle.

— What a gift. Did you forget? It’s my sister’s birthday today.

— It’s my sister’s favorite chef’s sandwich. You haven’t eaten anything yet, right?

— It would be nice if my older sister became the head of the Winfred family, rather than someone else.

The gentle words full of warmth, without any pity, melted her frozen heart.

When I was in front of Kyle, I started to act foolish without realizing it.

Just like an ordinary noble lady of her age.

Kyle is an illegitimate child.

He’s just an uninvited guest that no one in the mansion welcomes.

I know that just being seen hanging around with Kyle would be an excuse to attack someone who doesn’t like him.

— It would be nice if we continued to be together like we are now.

I had no choice but to admit it.

In this mansion, there is no one other than Kyle that I can call family.

Suddenly, a teardrop fell silently.

Oh yeah. You must have been very lonely.

That’s why my emotions are so mixed up.

Luna no longer avoided Kyle.

I didn’t keep my distance, and I treated Kyle without being overly exaggerated like I usually do.

It was a day when lightning struck through the clouds.

—Kyle Winfred.

— I think it would be better to deal with him quickly.

As I was walking down the dark hallway, I heard a noble voice through the open door.

It’s a familiar voice.

It was Luna’s biological mother, the Duchess, and Ian Winfred.

— Are you talking about killing him?

— Yeah, wouldn’t it be neater that way?

— Have you talked to your father?

— There’s no need to ask. He wouldn’t have any interest in illegitimate children. What’s worse, I still don’t even know his name.

— Do as your mother wishes.

— Hehe, I already finished the preparations a long time ago. Look forward to tomorrow.

Luna’s eyes were filled with astonishment.

The words about killing Kyle were a mess in Luna’s mind.

It’s not just a joke.

As they said, even if an illegitimate child dies, no one in the mansion will care.

Kyle will die.

It’s not like you can stop it yourself.

This is because the Duchess’s influence in this mansion is absolute.

Luna was in despair.

My breathing became difficult and my arms and legs began to tremble mercilessly.

I want to get out of this place right now.

However, if you leave the place like this.

Kyle will definitely die.

Kyle’s voice penetrated my flashing white mind.

The addictive voice that said it wanted to be with me like this resonated in my brain.

It didn’t take long to worry.

— You’re telling an interesting story.

When Luna opened the door and entered, the Duchess’ eyes narrowed.

— I have a better way.

Luna did not back down.

He hid himself behind a smiling face, closed his eyes, and smiled.

— Would you like to take a listen?

We have to save Kyle.

That obsession alone became so hot that it burned Luna’s reason.

****

Luna started harassing Kyle from that day on.

– sister? Why all of a sudden…

– Noisy!

Luna shouted.

Fear seeped into Kyle’s gaze as he looked at him.

It was painful.

— From now on, reduce the amount of food you give to Kyle to twice a day.

– yes? Twice?

— Yes, send the same meal that the servant eats.

As suggested by the duchess, food distribution was limited.

Starting that day, Kyle’s speaking volume drastically decreased.

— To send a letter to Lady Chloe.

— … Is this exactly what it says?

– as it is. Without missing a single word.

Based on what he received from the Duchess, he maliciously ruined Kyle’s reputation.

The name Kyle Winfred has quickly become a byword for a bastard in the Empire.

No one in the mansion could be trusted.

Every employee here is the duchess’s hands and feet.

Yes, at least it’s better than dying in vain.

It is truly an inevitable choice to save Kyle.

I endured day after day, going through a lot of self-justification.

However, all that came back to Luna was despair like a quagmire.

— Ian should receive training to take over the position of head of the family starting today.

— Luna Winfred, you are not a candidate.

Luna was officially excluded as a successor candidate.

This is because the family’s elders began to doubt Luna’s qualifications, and at the same time, the mainstream opinion was that Luna should be excluded from the candidacy.

There were two reasons they gave.

An inherent flaw of being a woman.

And, the inhumane acts that have always been done to Kyle.

I soon realized.

Ah, it’s the duchess’s doing.

I was blinded and deceived for a moment by a trick that I could understand if I thought about it a little.

But even if you knew his intentions in advance, what difference does it make?

Even so, his choice to save Kyle wouldn’t have changed.

Luna bent down and laughed, but then screamed.

The actions I took to save Kyle came back to me as poison.

The goal I had been aiming for my whole life was suddenly shattered.

Luna began to go crazy as she faced the harsh reality in front of her.

— … … are you okay?

Kyle, who heard the news, gave me a look of sympathy.

The lump of emotion that had been accumulating in one corner of my heart suddenly turned towards Kyle without me realizing it.

The day we first met, if only you hadn’t pretended to know me.

If only you hadn’t captivated me with all kinds of warm words.

If only you weren’t an illegitimate child.

No, if you had never set foot in this mansion.

Luna poured out verbal abuse as if she was screaming.

At the same time, Kyle’s blue pupils were colored with deep disappointment.

I saved you

I went through this terrible humiliation just to save you.

It’s okay to vent your anger like this.

If you have a conscience, you shouldn’t look at me like that.

Luna poured out her lost anger.

Inside her, Kyle Winfred was shattered.

Because it’s painful, and because I hate it.

The confusing, contradictory emotions branched out and bore fruit.

One day the whole world turned white.

Kyle got sick with a bad flu and started to suffer from death.

This is because all the bedding and pajamas in the room were confiscated for the crime of talking back to Luna as if scolding her.

At that time, Luna realized.

Even if something goes wrong, it is definitely wrong.

The fact that she almost killed Kyle with her own hands shattered Luna’s reason.

— Call your doctor right away!

My heart pounded as if it was jumping out of my ribs.

It hurt every time I took a breath, as if my lungs were being stabbed.

— The signs are not good.

— How do you usually eat?

— Severely malnourished. If things continue like this, self-treatment will be difficult.

Luna stared at the doctor with unfocused eyes.

Soon the doctor’s tightly closed lips opened.

— You need an elixir.

— This is not an ordinary elixir, but an elixir consecrated separately in a temple.

Luna didn’t worry.

After spending all the money I had saved up and searching for help, I was able to obtain the elixir.

I carefully entered Kyle’s room.

Kyle let out a sharp breath with a red face.

— So, you’re saying I just need to give the elixir like this?

— Yes, if you are uncomfortable, Princess, I will do it right now…

— No, that’s enough. Go out for a moment.

In the room where only the two of us were left.

Luna carefully brushed Kyle’s bangs.

The sight of Kyle sleeping was beautiful.

An image of Kyle wanting to be with me in the distant past flashed through my mind.

Sorry.

I was out of my mind.

A wind rushed into a corner of my heart.

Luna carefully opened Kyle’s lips and inserted the elixir.

After confirming that the elixir passed down the esophagus, Luna carefully left the room.

And the next day.

I heard from the servant who came to the room that Kyle had woken up from his hospital bed.

From that day on, Luna gradually reduced her bullying towards Kyle.

I was worried at the same time.

Is there a way to safely get Kyle out of this mansion?

The method was not as far away as I thought.

— Who is this woman?

—Isabel Justia. She is the daughter of Count Justia’s family.

— Hmm, the conditions are pretty good.

Arranged marriage.

Marriage is the only way out of this mansion for Kyle.