《Born as the Daughter of the Wicked Woman》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    The memories of my previous life came to my mind suddenly after one year of birth. I was reading a novel because of a friend¡¯s recommendation. The first part of the novel is where the female protagonist defeats the villainess who¡¯s been harassing her, and then marries a wonderful male protagonist.


    The villainess dies eventually and the protagonist soon gives birth to sons and daughters while living a happy life. And I became the reincarnation of the villainess¡¯s daughter, not the child of the protagonists.


    In defeat, the villainess commits an unforgivable sin and was confined to a very high tower by the male protagonist. Damn it, there was no detailed explanation of the crime. Born as the daughter of a villain in such a low-fidelity novel.


    When the memories of my previous life flashed before me, only then did I understand this dark environment in front of me.


    Even though I¡¯m a sinner, I can¡¯t be separated from my mother, so I¡¯m sure I¡¯m living here too.


    ¡°Hyu~¡±


    I peek into the place where I heard a weeping sound.


    ¡°¡­I miss you, Duke. Did you really forget me¡­¡±


    The villainess in the novel, who is my mother, missed her ex-husband from China, and couldn¡¯t look outside the window except for when she breastfed me. This gloomy spire wasn¡¯t very suitable for parenting, but in the end, I had to cut it off here. Because that would be my destiny, the daughter of a villainess.


    ***


    There was a huge contradiction in the happy ending of this novel. The protagonists were married and spent three years together, as well as being a good-looking couple and always being polite to each other.


    However, with the villainess around, the male protagonist was threatened.


    She couldn¡¯t just look at them, she tried to keep her place to the very end. However, the novel¡¯s fate was on the side of the heroine, not of the villainess. The hero regarded the effort as defeat, and said she had committed a terrible crime that couldn¡¯t be forgiven, she was proclaimed a sinner and was locked up in the tower.


    And here.


    Interestingly enough, the villain¡¯s body already had the fruit of the male protagonist.


    That fruit was me.


    The daughter of a villainess and the male protagonist.


    But the Duke wasn¡¯t interested in me at all, and my mom misses the Duke all day long, ending up with her spending her nights in tears.


    If my destiny is to be born the daughter of a villainess, then so be it.


    It¡¯s just a fixed story.


    And if you don¡¯t believe so, then you¡¯d think this was just harsh reality.


    But believing will open your mind.


    ***


    Time has passed and I am now two.


    When I was able to completely live on my own, I left my mother.


    It seems that my mom still misses my father because when I left she didn¡¯t care about me.


    I can¡¯t really remember the details.


    Wouldn¡¯t it have been a little sad, though?


    Is it just my wish?


    I left my mother behind, and I entered the doomed orphanage in the empire.


    I¡¯m only two years old and can barely walk. And the people who were interested in me just looked at me silently.


    She¡¯s the daughter of that evil woman, will she be like that woman as well?


    Are you going to starve her this much?


    Wouldn¡¯t the Duke prefer it if she were dead?


    They were busy gossiping among themselves even though the boat was making a rumbling sound. It was an environment that was different from the tower. It is dark, dull, and deserted, and it¡¯s an environment void of affection.


    If I hadn¡¯t remembered my previous life, I would be crying everyday. I am fortunate to have the memories of my past life. Shedding tears, it must have bothered me more to see it.


    I began to gradually adapt to this malice.


    But it seems a little bit painful.


    ***


    I am now six.


    At some point, the nursery staff began to bother me.


    ¡°I called you. Didn¡¯t you hear it??¡±


    He appeared suddenly and made a nonsense argument.


    ¡°Are you staring at me? You look like your mother, so you¡¯re a match for the west reading!¡±


    It was already difficult to withstand the neglect and coldness, but the most difficult part was the sharp words they would say.


    I didn¡¯t want to become familiar with this. However, the reality was so harsh that I wasn¡¯t able to withstand it.


    By the time I became insensitive to this reality, no matter how secretly it has been happening, I was finally noticed by the nursery school director. The nursery manager looked at the embarrassed staff with a lazy and grumpy stare and quietly turned his head to me.


    ¡°Who would know if it doesn¡¯t leak out?¡±


    The words of the nursery head didn¡¯t sound like she was blaming the staff, but rather small permission to encourage what they were doing. From then on, they didn¡¯t feel guilty.


    ***


    I am seven years old.


    I know it shouldn¡¯t be, but now I¡¯ve been held back.


    ¡®Damn story. Damn story¡¯


    Should I blame my wicked mother?


    Or should I blame those people who made me like this?


    Or should I blame the main characters of this novel?


    ¡®I want to live in peace.¡¯


    During my days of depression, someone new entered the nursery. A pretty woman with a clear and good expression treated me kindly, different from the others. If I get hurt, she would take me somewhere to help clean and heal the wound.


    I was very satisfied with this peace, which I¡¯ve longed for a long time.


    ¡®Yes, how could it be that only crazy people are in this nursery school?¡¯


    I prayed earnestly that this peace would remain for a long time.


    ***


    Yes, why would peace stay with the daughter of the villain? I headed to the tower with drivers from the nursery at short notice. I was curious about the reason why he was acting as if he should have never met up with me as I took him with me so suddenly like this.


    So I told the driver why.


    ¡®I should be enthusiastic about my mother¡¯s appearance before this all ends¡¯


    The diver replied, adding that this was a consideration that they gave me. The last part seems to imply the death of my mother.


    ¡®Is this a consideration for me or a consideration for my mother?¡¯


    No, this is not a consideration.


    It¡¯s not a consideration for us, rather an act to help themselves. An act to take a spoonful of their unpleasant guilt.


    ¡®They pretend it¡¯s for me.¡¯


    With no sincerity in their actions.


    ¡®I can¡¯t even remember my face anymore.¡¯


    In the memories of my childhood, my mother was a woman that cried and cried with the longing solely for her husband. There is no way you would want to see a person that lazy.


    Still, it was strange that my mom was dying soon. My dad didn¡¯t expect anything anyway, but my mom¡­


    When I was a child, when I cried because I was hungry, she gave me milk.


    Strangely, if I was in my mother¡¯s arms, I would have been warm enough to forget all of the hunger and sadness of my future.


    ¡®This will be the last time¡­ So let¡¯s keep it in our memory so that you can remember it every time you miss it.¡¯


    But there was no need to make that commitment. The appearance of the woman lying in the bed was so different from the woman of my memories. She was so skinny at first glance. Waiting for her demise to come.


    Even in my cloudy memories, it was like Yeowon. But not to that degree.


    It didn¡¯t matter who saw her, she was sick and it seems that she would die soon.


    Even her breath would cut off wildly.


    ¡°D-duke¡­¡±


    She was barely breathing, and she was looking for her love right until the end. Looking at it, strangely, my heart seems to be hurting and tears seem to well in my eyes.


    The wounds of my past started to hurt. Even until the end, I thought my mom wasn¡¯t interested in me¡­ Strangely, my heart hurts.


    Glancing, the driver turns his head to the side, but as we make eye contact, he turns away, as if avoiding my gaze.


    Go on and on, Duke. I think she has abandoned herself trying to find that husband of hers.


    She couldn¡¯t call her Duke, so maybe she called her daughter.


    Yes, she was also pretending for us.


    Her Duke, Duke, Duke.


    Her Love, Love, Love.


    ¡®Anyway, that person forgot us and went on to live a happy life. Why don¡¯t you know that?¡¯


    Or you did know about it and just didn¡¯t let go?


    I hated her, but on the other hand, I understood her. Because of the sad feelings that I kept and cherished for those who didn¡¯t look at me until the very end had made more sense at this very moment.


    I approached her side carefully, to the gaze that did not turn to me until the end. Then, I carefully placed my hands on hers¡¯, which were loose, rough, and dry.


    Despite being skinny like a skeleton, the difference between the hand of my adult mother and my young hand was quite large.


    This is the last time.


    I wanted to hold hands with my mother, so I forcibly stretched her small hand and caressed her finger. As my warmth was added to my mother¡¯s cold hands, her gaze slowly shifted toward me.


    ¡°My name is Daphne.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°No one named me, so I named myself. It¡¯s pretty, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    I heard that my golden eyes match the color of my dad¡¯s, the Duke.


    If you look at me and think of your ex-husband, you¡¯ll miss him again.


    Nevertheless¡­


    I laugh compellingly, to suppress the feelings that well up in me.


    In the end, I want to send her off while laughing.


    ¡°I understand mom. Because mom isn¡¯t really my mother but the wife of the Duke, so I won¡¯t forget that¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t struggle anymore, sleep well.¡±


    Don¡¯t wait for dad who won¡¯t come, please feel comfortable.


    ¡°D¡­¡±


    Her voice began to bust hard as if trying to say something. However, no other words followed.


    As if the voice that couldn¡¯t come out was resentful, mother made a whispering sound several times and wept.


    Unbearable tears flowed down her skinny face


    Her eyes narrowed as if trying to hold back her tears.


    I waited for a while, but her closed eyes did not open.


    The driver next to her quietly covered her mother¡¯s face with a white cloth.


    ¡°Goodbye, mom.¡±


    That was my last greeting.

 Chapter 2

    ¡°It¡¯s time to go back.¡±


    The knight, who watched my mother¡¯s death with me, held my hand tightly.


    ¡®No, I haven¡¯t seen her yet!¡® Even though it was a miserable and horrible figure, I wanted to see her until the end to keep it in my eyes.


    Since this is the last time, after this i won¡¯t be able to see you anymore!


    ¡®A little more; a little more!¡¯


    At least, I wanted to wipe away the tears that were in my mother¡¯s eyes.


    But my desperate defiance was just one of the little annoyances for the knight.


    The knights wanted to dispose the body even faster.


    I gave my body strength to try to move forward. Then the knight, with a strong grip on my arm, looked down at me with an irritated face.


    I saw that he was trying to yell out loud as if he wouldn¡¯t hold back his anger, so I hurriedly asked him before he even got angry.


    ¡°What¡¯s going to happen to my mom now?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    The knight¡¯s gaze immediately became strange at the question. A very slight sense of bewilderment seemed to remind him that I was only seven years old.


    He didn¡¯t know what to say so he just stayed silent.


    Well, I¡¯m just a seven-year-old kid.


    Since I¡¯m not old enough to understand what happens, so now how will you explain me that?


    The knight kept his mouth shut a few times, and he soon raised his lips. There was scorn in his eyes.


    ¡°Your mother will be punished now. ¡°


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    Punishment¡­ so you¡¯re saying it wasn¡¯t a punishment she recieved untill now?


    Yeah, I didn¡¯t even expect you to comfort me.


    To them, I am not a seven-year-old child, but finally,


    Because she¡¯s the daughter of a dead evil woman!


    The knight¡¯s eyes glanced back. My mother¡¯s body was covered with a larger white cloth than before.


    I saw my mom¡¯s cold body being moved by someone to somewhere else. And the knight threw a terrible look at her side and looked at me. His hateful eyes were no different than when he looked at my mother.


    ¡°Your mother was punished by going to hell for doing bad things.¡±


    ¡°¡­bad things?¡±


    ¡°Yes, bad things! So don¡¯t do any bad things and live a good life.¡±


    The knight wanted to add something else, but he turned his head and shut his mouth again.


    Maybe he wanted to say otherwise, you¡¯d turn out to be like your mother.


    The knight dragged me out once again. The disdainful glance which were seen a liitle while ago, couldn¡¯t be erased from his sight.


    I turned my head back as I struggled along the knight¡¯s fast steps. A narrow, grayish-colored spire was seen above the high stairs.


    ¡®Living was like hell, but you¡¯re going to hell even if you die?¡¯


    My mom only did it to protect her, and you kept her locked up in a place like this until she died.


    What did my mom do to you guys so badly?


    What did I do to you guys?


    Because I couldn¡¯t eat properly, my small size body is now being dragged away by the knight. I can feel the gaze from behind.


    Is it a malicious or a reproachful gaze? What is certain is that none of them feel sorry for the daughter who lost her mother.


    Neither sympathetic nor comforting gaze exists. That was the reality given to me.


    The novel did not elaborate on the death of the wicked woman and her daughter. I guess it was enough to mention such a dark story in one line after a happy ending.


    But-


    What if the heroine didn¡¯t disturb the couple in the first place?


    What if she hadn¡¯t touched a man with a wife?


    If she had fallen in love with another sub-man, It wouldn¡¯t be like this!


    History is said to be recorded from the winner¡¯s point of view.


    My mom will be remembered as a loser and a wicked woman who will never be good even if she is burned to death forever.


    And I will also be recorded in the story as an extra who died miserably.


    ¡®I don¡¯t like that.¡¯


    My mother¡¯s death was the intended ending of this novel.


    My death is also scheduled.


    I¡¯ll be surrounded and beaten to death by many people tomorrow according to the flow of the novel.


    ¡®Because I¡¯m the daughter of a wicked woman?¡¯


    That¡¯s not funny.


    Even if I raise my head, there is no good look at me. Even though i am just a child and have just lost my mother.


    I tried to keep my composure and gave strength to my body, but failed to withstand the force of the knight who dragged me and fell down.


    I fell down with a pretty loud noise, so I could feel the eyes of the people around me again. I slowly raised my head and tried to stand up without even thinking about the prickly and negative gaze around me.


    I can¡¯t see the faces of the people around me.


    The sky was so clear that it looked strangely grayish.


    And in such a grayish world, I could see people dyed black.


    They looked down at me with sharp eyes as if they wanted to tear me to pieces.


    They were looking at me as if I was a monster.


    But to me, they were the real monsters.


    ***


    ¡°Oh, my God! Daphne!¡±


    I turned my head when I heard the sound of running and a sweet voice that didn¡¯t fit in here.


    The only woman who was nice to me in the nursery was running fast towards me.


    ¡®¡­.was it Ulinee?¡¯


    I searched through my hardened mind and remembered her name, then i called out her name.


    ¡°..Ulinee¡±


    ¡°Yes, Daphne. my God. You¡¯re just gonna watch her fall like that?¡±


    An angry voice made the knight standing next to her had a wry look.


    Then the knight stared at me from behind Ulinee, who raised and supported me. He glared at me as if it was my fault that I fell so why should he be the one hearing that and turned his head away.


    I didn¡¯t even want to deal with it.


    ¡°Oh, my God. Your knees are all scraped.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back quickly and heal it.¡±


    If you¡¯re talking about going back, you are probably talking about the nursery.


    ¡®¡­Wait a minute.¡¯


    Come to think of it, I¡¯ll end up living in a nursery school, so how the hell am I going to be beaten to death?


    My death would have been marked as a single line in the novel.


    So how the hell do i die ..?


    ¡°Oh, Daphne. You must be very sick. What should I do?¡±


    ¡®Why was she outside the nursery¡­?¡¯


    The voice of the one who was sad to see my wound suddenly stopped.


    I raised my head, feeling strange, and met her eyes, which were more glistening than usual.


    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s someone to meet before we go back.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    Ulinee smiled at my question and nodded.


    And there was a big shadow over us as we had waited for it. I felt something was strange and began to raise my head slowly.


    A large physique, dark navy hair as if the night sky were stained, and a sharp jawline that matches those sharp-eyed eyes. There was one thing that stood out above the colorful appearance that told me he was the main character.


    The glittering gold eyes that I¡¯ve only seen in the mirror.


    I was able to notice instinctively. The fact that the person standing before me is my father.


    I quickly lowered my head before my father made a eye contact with me.


    My body trembled because I felt like his eyes were full of displeasure that was directed at me.


    My mom died, and now I have¡­Dad the only one who didn¡¯t even care about my existence.


    If even my dad throw me away, I¡¯m really going to¡­


    I wiped my sweaty hands on my hook which were caused by nervousness.


    ¡°Who is this child?¡±


    The knight seemed a little perplexed at the question.


    Ulinee, who had already come to my side, spoke in a bright voice.


    ¡°This child is the daughter of the Duke.¡±


    ¡°Daughter?¡±


    It was a ridiculous voice.


    I could hear a voice asking the knight next to me, leaving Ulinee behind.


    His voice full of irritation asked, and the knight who hesitated, answered.


    ¡°She¡¯s the daughter of the evil Freyr.¡±


    ¡°¡­ha.¡±


    A deafening sigh and a clear feeling of displeasure. A cold gaze that descended upon me.


    ¡®¡­ but if you miss this opportunity.¡¯


    I¡¯ll die tomorrow, no matter what.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡¯


    I moved my hand slowly, unable to raise my head.


    As if a doll was moving, she raised her fluttering arm to the point where he almost shook her trembling hands.


    ¡°Pa¡­pa.¡±


    And when I started calling my dad i slowly started to lift my head up.


    He refused to listen to what i was trying to say and backed away as if he was avoiding my hand trying to hold onto the hem of his robe.


    ¡°Not my child.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    His eyes went through my eyes to the crumbly, short hair.


    Purple hair, color passed down by my mother.


    Perhaps it reminded him of my mother, his expression got deeper than before.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be true.¡±


    There was no hesitation in his firm answer.


    ¡°She was a woman who hired someone to hurt Eunice. Since she didn¡¯t have money, she probably said that she would give herself away to one of them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s understandable since she was a woman who had been trying hard to keep power and her place better than love.¡±


    There was a terrible silence.


    ¡°Don¡¯t dare put a dirty child in your mouth, as my child, when no one knows whose blood is flowing in her.¡±


    When that was over, knights with my mother¡¯s body came down behind us.


    Dad, or the Duke, moved his steps towards the people as if he had no interest in me, and soon after, there was a peculiar, lifting sound of the cloth.


    ¡°You certainly died. I know the body. Take care of it.¡±


    As if there was nothing more to see, the Duke walked out of there without hesitation.


    The last time he visited was to confirm the death of his wife.


    The evil woman¡¯s death, my mother¡¯s death, was miserable to the end.


    It was a death that everyone was happy about.


    ***


    I was led back to the nursery by Ulinee¡¯s hand.


    On the way, Ulinee didn¡¯t say anything to me and that wasn¡¯t like her.


    I¡¯d normally feel strange, but I wasn¡¯t in a condition to notice it.


    As soon as Ulinee entered the nursery, she looked down at me with a cold gaze, as the Duke did.


    ¡°¡­Ulinee?¡±


    The expression of Ulinee, who always smiled at my small voice, was stiff.


    ¡°Ah, really.¡±


    A voice full of annoyance, not the usual kind voice. The woman, who swept my hair roughly, looked down at me.


    ¡°I thought what I was holding was a golden cord to straighten out my life but, it was a rotten one.¡±


    A scornful look now followed over the irritated voice.


    ¡°I tried to follow her and live comfortably as a duchess¡¯s nanny.¡±


    Only then I could see why she was kind to me.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m so annoyed. What should I do? ¡°


    A voice that couldn¡¯t stand anger, and then, with the end of the words, came the sneer from behind.

 Chapter 3

    A burst of laughter from behind made me turn my head. There were six children of the same age as me who gathered together and laughed at me.


    ¡°I heard your mom¡¯s dead?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Everyone said it was good! I heard that your mom was an awful person!¡±


    The cute girl with the scarlet hair easily brought out those cruel words which didn¡¯t go well with her appearance.


    ¡®It¡¯s annoying.¡¯


    I am annoyed, but what can I do here?


    ¡®That¡¯s it, let¡¯s just go in.¡¯


    As if she didn¡¯t like the way I ignored and went back as usual, there was a sound that called me, ¡°Hey! Hey!¡± from behind.


    I ignored her and continued to walk forward but, I had no choice but to stop abruptly at the girl¡¯s word.


    ¡°I heard your dad killed your mom.¡±


    ¡°¡­.what?¡±


    ¡°Your dad locked your mom in the spire until she died! We also heard that your dad abandoned your mom and you!¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    That¡¯s what the kids around me said and started to discuss with each other.


    ¡°How much did he hate you to have you thrown away!¡±


    ¡°He must have killed her because she was bad!¡±


    ¡°Then you must be bad, too! There¡¯s no way you can be good since your mother is evil!¡±


    With or without malice, those words began to stir up my heart, which was still frail. I don¡¯t think my heart wants to be torn apart and suffer anymore. Because it felt so unfair, I wanted to get angry, cry, and scream.


    You¡¯re not supposed to get angry here if you get angry here¡­


    ¡®¡­ Why not?¡¯


    First, it¡¯s you guys who insulted my mother and then criticized me.


    ¡®No, but they¡¯re still kids.¡¯


    Well, let¡¯s think it¡¯s not a malicious word since they might not know what¡¯s right or wrong words to say yet.


    ¡°Really, it serves you right!~¡±


    Several children opened their mouths at the same time as if they had been forced out.


    At that moment, I felt something snap in my head.


    ¡®It serves you right ?¡¯


    I started to think whether I would¡¯ve let them go if they tried to pull themselves back together.


    Are they really doing this because they cannot distinguish between good and evil?


    It just cannot be because they don¡¯t know¡­ No. This was pure malice. They despise me because I am a wicked woman¡¯s daughter.


    I looked at the children with more profound eyes than usual. Within the eyes of the children, there was no such thing as a mistake, nor a sense of guilt.


    At first glance, the expression that looked pleasant seemed quite different from the knight I had seen a while ago.


    These children with evil thoughts started to burst into laughter. They laughed at me to the fullest and ridiculed me. They did it as if they could as if it had been decided that they should do it. No one has ever taught them those words.


    I slowly lifted my head to the sky.


    Since when did my world become so gray?


    It¡¯s a sunny and clear sky, but I could see nothing but the dark sky that was turning black without a glimmer of bright light.


    A ridiculous laugh came out at my sight as if the end of this scene had come.


    ¡°Ha, ha, ha.¡±


    The children flinched at my laughter and attempted to open their mouths once more. I lowered my raised head and looked at the children again.


    The children paused for a moment with my cold gaze, but they quickly opened their mouths to look at me with momentum.


    ¡°But still, don¡¯t you think I¡¯m better than you guys?¡±


    ¡°¡­what?¡±


    It was a small voice but the surroundings were quiet and I could reach the children. The children blinked at my voice mixed with ridicule.


    Then, as soon as they were insulted, their face started to turn red.


    ¡°I became an orphan when my mother died, but you are not.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an orphan like me, so why are you taking it out on me?¡±


    As if they didn¡¯t understand, they lowered their heads and their faces grew redder and redder as though they were about to explode.


    With a shame-filled expression, they kept their mouth shut.


    Or the face with the head down.


    With them having different expressions, I sighed and looked at them.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to hear this, don¡¯t talk like that.¡±


    The cold gaze dampened the children¡¯s spirits a little differently than before. They didn¡¯t think I¡¯d take it this way, so they were a little embarrassed.


    Everyone began to feel uneasy and embarrassed. I didn¡¯t want to have any more arguments with these kids who were just thinking about bothering me.


    ¡®Yes, there¡¯s no use making enemies.¡¯


    I guess I¡¯ve to be careful about my relationship with other people because I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to die.


    I tried to leave the silent children behind and go back to my room. But contrary to my mind, the world seems to have no desire to send me back to my room easily.


    The forgotten Ulinee approached me and grabbed me.


    As she frowned in astonishment, she began to resent me with a fierce look.


    ¡°Oh my Goodness! What a cruel thing to tell to your friend!¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    You¡¯ve been watching quietly for a while.


    ¡®Now you¡¯re going to pretend you don¡¯t know and abuse me together.¡¯


    It was so clear that she was going to discard me and throw away even the little favoritism she had for me.


    ¡°Where did you learn such mean words! By chance! Was it because you resemble your mother, your personality is like hers as well?¡±


    Though I let go of the backbiting, it was a sound that could reach not only me but also the children behind me. When I flinched and tried to say something, she began to admonish me again as if she didn¡¯t want to hear it.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it because I can¡¯t even see the attitude of repenting! Daphne, I want you to know that there is no rice for you until you reflect on what you¡¯ve done wrong!¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°You have to answer it!¡±


    ¡°¡­yes.¡±


    I nodded in response to the voice, which would never let go unless I answered her.


    The reply was greeted with a laugh from behind. Unlike usual, Ulinee sided with them, not me, and the kids who were lively again started laughing at me as if they were excited.


    And Ulinee didn¡¯t bother to point out that look.


    ¡°Then go to your room and think about what you did wrong! I¡¯ll check it out later!¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She let me go when I heartily responded.


    I could hear children laughing in the background. With all those childish sneers behind my back, I headed to my room.


    ***


    I closed the door with a force that made a squeaky noise that I did not want to hear.


    The door, which failed to fit the door frame properly, was barely closed by my body¡¯s force.


    A very small, old room.


    No, looking at the warehouse, I sat on the floor and buried my head on a hard bed.


    A mother who died for being a villain, a duke who doesn¡¯t think of me as his child.


    ¡®I¡¯ve become an orphan.¡¯


    It was a decided story anyway, and I thought I would not feel any feelings, but my heart felt strange. It seemed that this throbbing and worrisomeness feelings would explode if someone touched it the wrong way.


    I buried my face in bed again to ease the feeling that was coming up.


    ¡®In the end, my world will be gray and get darker and darker and eventually, I will die.¡¯


    People who blame me for being the daughter of a wicked woman.


    Children in the nursery who show pure evil.


    The employees of the nursery who are now likely to enjoy the abuse openly.


    A nursery director who will tolerate everything.


    ¡®Who will I be killed by?¡¯


    ¡®I can¡¯t think of any details.¡¯ The wretched original novel didn¡¯t help me much.


    ¡®I also have to go along with this story and die¡­¡¯


    When I think of death, I see a cold, hardened mother that I saw a while ago.


    ¡®¡­No.¡¯


    I don¡¯t want to die.


    I want to live.


    Like a time limit, I didn¡¯t want to tremble in fear, thinking that tomorrow would be the day I die. I didn¡¯t want to die miserably, like the flow of the novel.


    ¡®¡­My mom wouldn¡¯t want me to die like that either.¡¯


    Even though we never had a conversation before, wouldn¡¯t she still think like that?


    If she wanted me to die, she would not have given at any rate the consideration to breastfeed me or hug me as a child.


    I thought there was only one person who didn¡¯t wish for my death and it seemed like there was hope for my future. Regardless of how terrible her figure looked, I began to reconsider my mom¡¯s face in my mind and raised my head.


    The sun was setting before I knew it. The winter days are short, so it should be around six o¡¯clock right now.


    As soon as I realized the time, I heard footsteps outside. I was nervous at the sound of footsteps of about two or three people, and the door opened with a loud noise.


    ¡°Have you done some reflection?¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    I just shook my head with no expression.


    Ulinee, looking at my figure, looked at her seniors behind her. She looked at the women who used to abuse me and sighed heavily.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been spoiling her too much so far. Seniors were all right. A child this rude¡­¡±


    I looked up at Ulinee with an expressionless look.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have to teach her a lesson.¡±


    Her seniors burst into laughter at the harsh words.


    ¡°You truly take after your mother since your hair is an ominous purple. I don¡¯t want to see it.¡±


    ¡°I see, you still haven¡¯t reflected on yourself and that won¡¯t work. You¡¯re going with me somewhere tomorrow.¡±


    I flinched and shivered at her words.


    ¡°If you go to a place where there¡¯s plenty of people to scold, then you¡¯ll probably wake up!¡±


    Ulinee naturally stepped in between them and led them out laughing together. Then after saying not to even think about coming out, she left the door open and disappeared.


    Where are you taking me?


    Is it a scary place to see since you said with a threatening, intimidating look?


    ¡°¡­taking me somewhere and I guess I was beaten to death.¡±


    I was able to predict how my death would happen after this situation.


    I¡¯ll have to get out of here today to live.


    That way, I won¡¯t die as planned.


    I had to get out of here to live.

 Chapter 4

    After fidgeting with my fluffy purple hair, I thought it wasn¡¯t time to do that and took out all of my luggage.


    It was all useless.


    ¡°¡­There really is nothing for me.¡±


    The state gave the nursery a room, some clothes, old shoes, and one or two hair ties.


    ¡°There was no reason for me to live like this. Why did I try to accept it unconditionally?¡±


    I should have run away a long time ago. No, if I had run away, I wouldn¡¯t have seen my mom¡¯s last figure.


    The old clothes in front of me were crumpled as I tried to cool down my anger.


    My mother, a villainess died, and her daughter, I will die tomorrow.


    And as time goes by, a new story will begin.


    A story of the first part main character¡¯s cute daughter growing up happily. The story will start when she suddenly run away from home and venture to travel to neighboring empires, make precious friends, and even make loved ones and live happily ever after.


    ¡°¡­ They will end the story with a happy ending.¡±


    After that, I felt sick as if the miserable death of my mother and mine were natural consequences.


    I didn¡¯t want to stand by and watch the happy moment.


    If I twist the story a little or even a lot, will the story continue to flow the same way? I burst out laughing at the sudden curiosity.


    If it goes the way it is, it¡¯s my fate, and if it changes, I¡¯ll succeed. Let¡¯s not think about the consequences without even trying.


    As I listened to the noise outside, I took out one of my three clothes and began wiping out my wounds with water. After fixing my right ankle that may have sprained when I fell, with clothes, I pushed the bed slightly to find a small door.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad the room was used as a warehouse.¡±


    Unlike other children, I was not allowed to stay in a room with several people. It was obvious, they would make a fuss if they were with me but ¡­


    The real reason seemed to be to abuse me quietly and neglect me. So, I stayed alone in the room which they used to use as a warehouse.


    ¡°It¡¯s like a wall. I¡¯m glad no one recognized it.¡± This door was connected to a large warehouse right next door.


    You can get out through here.


    ¡°But wouldn¡¯t it be too reckless? No, there¡¯s nowhere else to back down.¡±


    I retraced the contents of the second part and came up with some useful information that might help me.


    After the death of the evil woman and her daughter, the male protagonist in Part 2 tries to find and kill the top-ranking merchant in his childhood.


    The scheme failed, however, and he was captured straight away. The head of the merchant had made him the successor because of his youthful look.


    Then starts the story of the male protagonist, who later becomes the merchant¡¯s head and meets the female protagonist and finds love and joy in the midst of adventure, adversity, and hardship.


    ¡°First of all, the male protagonist shouldn¡¯t be there.¡±


    Otherwise, he will meet their daughter later and eventually fall in love with her. I had to keep them from seeing each other as much as I could.


    And I needed another place where I could trust myself to twist the story.


    ¡®There¡¯s only one way.¡¯ Even if I were the daughter of a wicked woman, there was only one person who could protect me for a moment if my worth were proven.


    Chloe Benedito, head of the group of merchants of Benedito (1*), who will be male lead¡¯s adoptive mother.


    The reason why she took the male lead as her foster son was because of his ambitious spirit. She thought she could use the male lead for her revenge, so she adopted him as her son.


    Chloe Benedito.


    A woman who was formerly a child at this nursery and was sold by her friend, the nursery director, to the back world when she became an adult.


    She overcame all the hardships to sit at the top of Benedito and was a woman who burned the sword of vengeance against the nursery and those behind them.


    ¡®According to the novel, the head of the nursery keeps books related to the outside world in his office. He said he was careless and left it in the drawer, which led to the main characters breaking into the nursery to find it later.¡¯


    I guess people who always told me that, if I have sinned then I should be punished for my crimes, should be able to bear this much of punishment.


    Tonight, when everyone was asleep, I had to steal the document and get out of here and make a deal with the head of the merchant.


    ¡®At least I have to finish everything before tomorrow.¡¯


    I waited for everyone to go to sleep, enduring a great deal of pain in my throbbing body. Since I was more tired than usual, my body demanded rest, but my mind was especially clear.


    Is it natural that I only feel that I have to get out of this place and survive safely?


    The sounds that filled the nursery started to disappear. I already knew that both the nursery director and the other staff were going back to their rooms before midnight.


    No one was on duty at night for the nursery.


    ¡®I hope nothing special happens.¡¯ I tried to put my pounding heart to ease and waited for time to pass.


    Soon the bell rang from the capital¡¯s high clock tower. It was a midnight bell. Following the sound, I slowly rose from my seat.


    I opened the small door behind the bed, and instead of my shoes, I wrapped my torn clothes around my feet to prepare if something happened and came out.


    It was much quieter than wearing old shoes. I followed the darkness and slowly headed towards the nursery director¡¯s office.


    After midnight, the nursery was calm and quiet. I could only hear my breath as if I were the only one living and breathing here. It was comforting to think that the silence would give me hope that I would live in the future.


    The cold, which felt even colder than usual, could not break my will to stay alive. Swallowing white breath as much as possible, I slowly moved my feet. After a long walk, I was able to arrive at the director¡¯s office, which was located far away from the warehouse.


    Just like my feet, I carefully grasped the doorknob with my hand wrapped in old clothes.


    The door was open as if it had never been closed as if he were the head of the nursery with insensitivity to safety.


    As I slowly opened the door to make no sound, the room was dark, as if no one was there.


    I listened carefully and confirmed that I could not hear any sound and closed the door quietly.


    ¡°Hooo¡±


    I looked around the room with a little sigh, but unlike nursery school, there was a lot of fancy stuff in there.


    ¡®Are there any sponsorships behind the back, in addition to the money provided by the country?¡¯


    He¡¯s an extravagant man.


    Once again, after speaking ill of the director, I began to quickly search his drawers, thinking that this was not the right time.


    The first drawer had nothing special, and the second drawer had nothing special too.


    What was left was a large, third drawer, locked with a key. Yet it was locked when I tried to open it, and I could hear only the rattling sound.


    ¡°¡­You need a key.¡±


    I didn¡¯t think there would be a problem like this. Well, they said the male protagonist was very strong, so I guess he just blew it open.


    I was impatient, so I tried to open the drawer a few more times, but I immediately turned my head to another place with a sense of aphorism.


    ¡®Let¡¯s think slowly. The director is more clumsy than a horseman, so he could hide his keys here for some possible circumstances.¡¯


    I stood up and headed toward the center of the room.


    A wall filled with expensive-looking books.


    A desk made of solid wood and two large flowerpots next to it.


    A thick carpet on the floor and a large sofa on it.


    ¡®He¡¯s a person who¡¯s too lazy to move, so if he thinks he¡¯s minimizing the flow of movement, it¡¯s a nearby flowerpot, and if you think about the director being left-handed then¡­¡¯


    I walked to the flowerpot on the left side of his desk and looked inside, and there was a little key twinkling in it as I expected.


    ¡®Found it!¡¯


    The key that I found was, fortunately, the key to the drawer.


    I put the key in the keyhole and turned it around, and then the drawer opened with a click and a cheerful sound.


    Unfortunately, it was difficult to grasp the contents of the document because I did not learn the letters of this world properly.


    ¡®Okay, I¡¯d be happy if I had enough documents to trade.¡¯


    I took all the documents out of the drawer and put it in my bag one by one.


    ¡®But what is this?¡¯


    In addition to the documents, there was a unique-looking stamp.


    ¡®If it¡¯s kept in a place like this, then it¡¯s important. I¡¯m going to take this, too.¡¯


    No one is watching, but just in case, I will hide the seal in the pocket next to my bag and now, I have taken everything I need.


    Click.


    I closed the drawer, locked it back with a key, and put it back in the pot.


    All I had to do was carry my bag properly and walk out, but I could hear footsteps outside at that moment.


    The clatter of footsteps somehow seemed to be more than one.


    ¡®Oh no, what should I do?¡¯


    This room was at the end of the building¡¯s hall.  So, it was clear that the footsteps were heading to this room.


    If you go out now, you¡¯ll get caught.


    ¡®I might be beaten to death here.¡¯


    The director was much more hot-tempered than other employees, and sometimes he was very violent towards the children who did wrong. If he knew that I was trying to take this and get away, he could kill me on this spot.


    ¡®You¡¯re doing this so you won¡¯t die. You need to wake up, Daphne!¡¯


    Taking control of my confused mind, I hurriedly looked around the room again.


    Jumping from the second floor with this body would lead me to death.


    There was only one place where I could hide in this place where there was not even a wardrobe, and I didn¡¯t have time to hesitate.


    I wiped the sweat off my forehead and crumpled myself under the sofa, holding my bag dearly.


    I couldn¡¯t even eat properly, so, fortunately, my small and soft body was able to get under it when I put a little effort.


    The door opened as soon as I hid perfectly, covering my front with a descending cloth.


    I held my bag in my arms and covered my mouth with my other hand to make sure my breath sound wouldn¡¯t be heard and to swallow it as much as possible.


    Immediately, the voice of the room¡¯s owner, the director¡¯s voice was heard.


    ¡°So you¡¯re taking Daphne there tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s been a little cheeky since I was a little nice to her so I need to give her some scolding.¡±


    The voice of Ulinee followed.


    ¡°Oh, my God. Look at you saying that now your plans are messed up. There are so many people who hate her mother. You might get beaten to death if you go there. Do you think purple hair is common?¡±


    ¡°Why would she die? All I have to do is make her scared and act properly.¡±


    ¡°Do as you please. The Duke doesn¡¯t seem to care about her anyway, and seeing that we haven¡¯t heard from her mother¡¯s side too, she¡¯s completely abandoned. She¡¯s pathetic, too.¡±


    ¡°Do you feel sorry for her?¡±


    A giggle followed a playful voice.


    However, after a while, the conversation between those two was interrupted.


    ¡° ¡­Come here for a moment.¡±


    And it seemed that a slow movement of footsteps was coming towards the sofa.


    ¡®Did I get caught?¡¯


    I held my breath as much as I could, shut my mouth tightly, and pushed my body further inside.


    With the slowly approaching sound, the footsteps stopped in front of the sofa I was hiding.


    ¡®No, please¡­¡¯


    I closed my eyes and hoped the two wouldn¡¯t know.

 Chapter 5

    ¡°Look at this. What is this?¡±


    ¡®¡­it¡¯s over.¡¯


    When I was about to give up everything with a hunch they had caught me, I suddenly heard the noise of someone sitting on the sofa with a thud.


    ¡°There¡¯s a beauty on it.¡±


    ¡°Oh my, really.¡±


    Behind the sly director¡¯s voice, Ulinee¡¯s coy voice which was different, from before followed.


    ¡°What kind of trick is this?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t even have much time together, so take a guess.¡±


    ¡°Are you sensible because I asked you not to show off in front of the seniors in case we might get caught?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m disappointed, to be honest.¡±


    And I immediately heard strange noises. I breathed out a slight breath at the loud sounds of tossing and turning.


    ¡®Oh, my god¡­ You two were like this?¡¯


    I think the director is already well over his 40s. As far as I know, Ulinee was only in her early twenties.


    ¡®No wonder you said you just got into this place so suddenly. You came in because you had someone to look after you.¡¯


    Since it¡¯s a nursery, that¡¯s responsible for the imperial family, no one could effortlessly come in here because the staff here are no less than the civil servant.


    ¡®But still, I¡¯m glad. I did not get caught.¡¯


    But what if the two of them do something here?


    ¡®I have to get out of here quickly¡­¡¯


    I could not see the timing to fall into a sound I did not want to express. I was going to hug myself a little more, but I didn¡¯t think the legs I could see before I disappeared.


    ¡®It¡¯s a problem if that leg accidentally comes under the sofa.¡¯


    When the legs come in, you will notice me and then I will ¡­


    ¡®Ugh,¡¯


    I instinctively thought of the violence that would pour into me if I got caught and quickly erased the terrible thoughts. It¡¯s better not to have any negative thoughts.


    ¡°I hate it here, it¡¯s cold, it¡¯s too dark, and it¡¯s a workplace, right?¡±


    ¡°When did you argue about that?¡±


    ¡°At least I want to go to a warm room with a bed! It¡¯s too cold in here! So let¡¯s go home.¡±


    ¡°You said you didn¡¯t want to talk about work at home.¡±


    The director sighed as if he couldn¡¯t help it at the irritating voice of Ulinee.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go home.¡±


    Luckily, as Ulinee¡¯s voice grew louder, I heard the director moving his body as if he had lost. Soon after, Ulinee got up from the sofa, and both of them smiled and left the room.


    I didn¡¯t move until the sound of Ulinee¡¯s footsteps couldn¡¯t be heard in the quiet night. After a long time, I forcibly moved my less trembling body and slowly got out of the sofa. Then I walked straight to the window.


    ¡®Haha. I¡¯m sure they didn¡¯t find out, right?¡¯


    When I looked over at the window, I could see the two people walking towards the nursery¡¯s main gate. I thought I had to get out of this room quickly as soon as I saw their backs slipping out of the gate.


    ¡®I thought I got caught.¡¯


    When I feel relaxed and relieved, I feel a little more tired than before. I wiped my cold sweat and tried to open the door to get into the hallway. Then, right outside the door, I saw an oil-filled lamp.


    ¡®In fact, there were a lot of lamps in the warehouse with oil in them.¡¯


    As I walked past the lamp, I decided to revise my plan to get out of this place quietly. Then I turned back and found the matchbox that I saw in the director¡¯s drawer and put it in my pocket.


    ***


    When I returned to my room, I spread out my last remaining clothes on the bed as if I were sleeping.


    ¡®I want you to be fooled by this.¡¯


    With that thought in my mind, I put my old shoes at the door. Except for the bag, moving all the household items back to its place were all perfect.


    ¡°Please be fooled and hope that I¡¯m hiding here.¡±


    I had to make sure they didn¡¯t know that I had set the fire or that I had disappeared. My plan will be perfect if they hide my tracks in fear of others knowing that they let the nursery student die.


    But the clothes are more likely to burn without a trace¡­ I¡¯d rather burn it to such an extent where my bone disappears as well. Then everyone will think I¡¯m dead.


    ¡°Goodbye here, too.¡±


    This will be the beginning of my new life. I will survive and twist the beginning of this mess into something else. Now that I¡¯ve decided, I won¡¯t sit back anymore, waiting for my death.


    I went out to the warehouse without hesitation, looking at the white breath that bloomed in my room.


    I searched the warehouse and saw quite a lot of lamps and oil to fill them up as if they had been saving it hard. When I saw them, I even thought it was cheap that they didn¡¯t give any to my room even though there were so many lamps.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know it¡¯s no use saving it.¡±


    I found the lamps and tossed it all down to the ground. The oil from the crackling lamp started to douse up the floor. They were also flowing gradually into my room. I closed the small door so they could not see my room, and I even filled the locks that the nursery staff had put in the past to prepare for the circumstances I might not have known.


    ¡®Because it has to look like I wasn¡¯t able to get out of here.¡¯


    I hope that when this building burns and the fire goes out, everyone will realize that I¡¯m dead.


    ¡®Spread it out, please. It¡¯ll be easier if I¡¯m rumored to be dead.¡¯


    I moved my hands, trembling in the cold, to light the match. Looking at a burning little match, I threw it up on the floor. A small fire slowly started to built up big with oil.


    The big-coming fire gave me an unfamiliar feeling of heat than it did a while back. Soon after, there was a smoky smell of all the stuff being burned within the warehouse. The sudden spread of the burnt smell seemed to cause the flames to rise faster than I expected.


    ¡®There was a lot of stuff within the warehouse, but literally, it¡¯s just a warehouse, and the kids won¡¯t starve if there¡¯s food provided to them.¡¯


    At least they won¡¯t have to skip meals like me.


    However, the director of the nursery will have to take responsibility for the fire, and the children will receive the benefit of the damage.


    ¡®There¡¯s no such thing as guilt.¡¯


    The flames, which rose as fast as my anger, rapidly spread to my room connected to the warehouse. I turned my back and quickly escaped from the warehouse, hoping that this large-spreading fire would burn everything. As soon as I got out, the fire began to spread through the door of the warehouse. Finally, for the last time, I saw the small warehouse room I lived in.


    ¡®You¡¯ve really blocked it.¡¯


    I couldn¡¯t see it well in the dark, but I could see something firmly blocking the door. I swallowed a bitter smile, looking at an obstacle I didn¡¯t clear, in case I would secretly sneak out.


    T/n: her first plan was to escape secretly, but she changed it later and she didn¡¯t really clear it perfectly.


    ¡®You should feel guilty that I died because of you all. Feel guilty and sympathize with the fact that I was a miserable dead child. And after you¡¯ve forgotten about me in your memory, I will appear perfectly.¡¯


    I¡¯m going to make this place a mess like my life so far, putting that guilt aside. The reddish-red flame, blooming with oil, swallowed my room before I knew it, and held the warehouse in itself. The sound of the people seemed to be heard little by little, so I hurried out of the nursery through the back door. There was no such thing as looking back on the road.


    * * *


    I hastened my body in the dark, exhaling white breaths. The cold breeze of early winter permeated my thin clothes, but there was no sign of cold weather.


    ¡®The novel said the office of Benedito merchant¡¯s group is in the capital. First, go to the fountain in the center of the capital¡­.¡¯


    I¡¯m glad there¡¯s no one walking around. I sneaked out secretly moving quickly along the path I had taken and arrived at the fountain. Since I came running, I calmed my rough breath in front of the fountain.


    ¡®Turn your head to the right here¡­.¡¯


    If you turn your head to the right and walk into the streets for about five minutes, you¡¯ll find a three-pronged road. Then turn right again and look forward and go straight ahead. Then comes the dead end, and there is a wall surrounded by the vines. As I looked at the vines wrapped around the high wall, it filled my back with pressure.


    ¡®It¡¯s just beginning.¡¯


    I knocked on the door of the wall three times as I remembered reading in the novel.


    At regular intervals, knock, knock, knock.


    And three seconds later, knock, knock, knock.


    And three seconds later, knock, knock, knock.


    I¡¯ve knocked nine times in three turns. This was a hidden secret door of the merchant¡¯s group. Nine knock-offs, as they were now, were a secret request to make a deal with the merchant¡¯s group.


    If, my memory is not wrong. The front door will open.


    Fluttering ~


    About five seconds after looking at the wall with tension, the wall went into the sky, and space for people to enter appeared.


    ¡°¡­ opened.¡±


    Really, it¡¯s open.


    I took a deep breath, feeling a little overwhelmed, and then stepped inside. When I came in, the wall behind me closed again with a sound. As soon as I took a step forward, candles lit on both sides of the corridor at the same time. The brightened corridor was guiding me to only one place, turning nowhere. I felt the warmth right away when I came inside. I tried to warm myself up by slowly stroking my cold stiff arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad I didn¡¯t freeze to death.¡±


    I heard my heart beating so loudly. I was a little pleased to think that I was ahead of the success of my plan. I moved forward, feeling the warm air with just a few candles.


    ¡®Staircase?¡¯


    Walking along the corridor with the bright light, I found a staircase that went down. There was no other way as if it were telling me to come down, so I went down the stairs. As soon as I went down there came a bright light and I frowned.


    ¡°A kid?¡±


    The softest voice I¡¯ve ever heard called me. I flinched at the voice and raised my head up. In front of me was a boy about a seventeen or eighteen-year-old who looked down upon me. I stepped back, unwittingly seeing the surprise in his light green eyes. He backed away, as surprised as I did.


    ¡°Why the little kid? No, how could you know this place more than that¡­.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m here to see the head of the merchant¡¯s group.¡±


    ¡°Head of the merchant¡¯s group?¡±


    His forehead was crumpled as if he had heard something he shouldn¡¯t have heard. I guess the feeling of being surprised at me has already ended. The boy shook his head with a stiff face as if it was his original expression.


    ¡°Not anyone can easily meet. You can¡¯t meet.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to make a deal. Please, Let me meet!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you got in here, but get out of here.¡±


    If not, he seemed to have hidden deliberately the words that he would kick me out. His ferocious eyes, however, seemed to drive me out at once. I told him clearly in a loud voice because I was angry for no reason.


    ¡°I want to make a deal! Let me meet the head of the merchant¡¯s group!¡±

 Chapter 6

    Have you ever heard such a loud voice in your life? For the first time in my life, I raised my voice. And in exchange for my blathering, it punished me to catch my breath.


    Surprised by my voice, the boy was covering his ears with his own hands. Unlike the menacing appearance a little while ago, he looked like the fragile herbivore that appeared surprised.


    Perhaps that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t feel frightened, even though I saw somebody for the first time. Of course, I look more like a herbivore here.


    ¡°Please let me meet!¡±


    When I raised my voice again, someone appeared behind me. All of a sudden, she emerged from behind, without a single sound of footsteps. She was wearing a thin shawl, a pipe cigarette in her mouth, and with an irritated face, she rolled her eyes around to find the main culprit of this uproar.


    ¡°I was wondering who¡¯s making so much of commotion, so why can¡¯t I see anyone?¡±


    ¡°Down!¡±


    I don¡¯t know if she was deliberately pretending not to see me or if she didn¡¯t really see me, but because of my frustration, I raised my voice again.


    Her gaze turned to me, and she remained quiet for a long time. Slowly, she looked at me from head to toe. It was a look that evaluated who I was and what kind of person I was. And a moment later, with a bizarre expression, cigarette smoke came out of her mouth.


    ¡°Yes, a little kid wearing a ragged dress. So, what do you want to trade with me?¡±


    ¡°Please look after me from this merchant¡¯s group, Then I¡¯ll give you what you need!¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t have a hobby of doing charity work.¡±


    Once more, the smoke came out of her mouth. The smoke spread over her, obscuring her face, making me unable to read her expression, and that worried me. So I quickly opened my bag and took out all the documents inside and showed them.


    ¡°I brought it because I heard the director saying that this document should not be in the hands of the head of the merchant¡¯s group. Don¡¯t you need this document?¡±


    If you need it, take care of me. Give me a place to live and be the stage for the next step where I can twist this story. I looked at her with desperation, but I couldn¡¯t see her face well in the mysterious mist that was still coming out.


    She reached out her hand to me. If my condition had been normal, I would have decided after I had received a definite answer, but I had no intention of doing so now. I wiped the sweat from the tension in my hands and forced the papers into her hands.


    I waited nervously for her answer as I listened to the little sigh of the boy next to me. She took the papers, and, as she had observed me, she turned over the papers at a leisurely pace. When the last sheet was finally over, her mouth, which had been quietly shut, opened up.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where you heard and stole this document from, but you came to see me just for a reason like this?¡± I could hear a small sound of chuckling behind that breath-taking voice.


    ¡°This is something that even the children in the slums can do. No, rather, the slum kids will move their hands and feet quicker than you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Well, that can¡¯t be true. I¡¯m sure you need that document, so the main characters were making a fuss and brought it in secret?


    ¡®Why, why aren¡¯t you happy to see the documents?¡¯ She looked at the documents and showed that attitude, which made me confused. It was as if there was a sudden obstacle in front of me while I was running so hard and, It forced me to fall. I couldn¡¯t control my expression.


    ¡®What should I do?¡¯ As I stood helplessly, biting my lips vigorously and shaking my pupil around, she said something to me.


    ¡°You have a peculiar hair color.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    Purple hair, realizing her meaning, I looked up at her with a contemplated look. The eyes under the smoke seemed to me as though it was laughing at me. No, to be precise, it seemed to laugh at someone¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°Your hair color is not common here. I don¡¯t know if the neighboring empire would know since it¡¯s this pale purple. Anyone who sees you would know that you¡¯re her daughter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­.¡±


    It felt like something was strangling me. It was hard to breathe properly, knowing that the place where I fled to live was the same as other places. And with that, anger rose again.


    What did I do wrong?


    What did my mom do wrong? This much, to this extent.


    You don¡¯t even know me very well!


    I could feel my fingernails poking into my fist. I don¡¯t know how to express this anger, I was just too sad. I had to clench my fist desperately because I thought the tears I had endured would explode in front of the first person I saw in my life. Pressing down the sadness that came up with the pain in the palm of my hand, I looked up at her with quivering eyes. Before I knew it, the smoke covered her face again like a veil.


    ¡°Because I- I¡¯m the daughter of a wicked woman? Is that why you want to kick me out?¡±


    There was no return answer. Silence, in other words, is positive.


    ¡°I let you in and¡­ We can¡¯t afford to lose money in business. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve come for a deal, but from my point of view, it¡¯s just losing business. Turn around and go back when I¡¯m saying nicely.¡±


    [This isn¡¯t where you belong.] With those words, she tried to disappear quietly as the way she had first appeared.


    ¡°Then where is the place that I belong to?¡±


    But my words that followed caught her leaving footsteps.


    ¡°A nursery that ostracizes and abuses me, or next to an indifferent father who denies my existence, without even properly confirming whether I am his daughter? Or right next to my dead mother?¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to die, too? No one feeling sorry, like when my mother died, saying it was nice and laughing at me. Do you want me to die like that too? Why? Is it because I¡¯m the daughter of a wicked woman?¡±


    There was no answer. Nevertheless, the mouth that burst once did not know how to stop, nor did I want to stop.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to die. I want to live.¡±


    I just wanted someone to listen. Yet after I said I wanted to live, I couldn¡¯t have felt more dejected than this. Is it because I knew it couldn¡¯t happen? As soon as my words were over, a tiny voice suddenly rang out in the air in this tense silence.


    [Aa-Ah. Can you hear me, Mother? There¡¯s a bit of a noisy commotion occurring.]


    The cheerful man¡¯s voice broke her silence.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Strangely, the man¡¯s voice seemed to be heard from her. When I listened carefully, it really was the sound that came from the white mist surrounding her.


    [The nursery must have caught fire. Seems like it was quite a big deal, and the security guards are in trouble because the small mountain behind the nursery might catch fire. Looks like the castle gate guards are rushing in, too.]


    ¡°Fire in the nursery?¡±


    As soon as the words were over, the white smoke that covered her face vanished like melting snow. Her expression was full of interest. And along with that, her intriguing gaze, and the boy¡¯s astonished gaze, turned to me as well. It seemed like the gaze was asking me what had happened. I spoke calmly like it wasn¡¯t anything trifle.


    ¡°I set the fire and came out, to make sure they didn¡¯t know I escaped.¡±


    ¡°¡­ you?¡±


    ¡°I left my door locked to make it look like I couldn¡¯t break free and was killed. They¡¯ll figure it out when I go back that I¡¯m the culprit and I¡¯ll be beaten to death.¡±


    The boy¡¯s expression next to me, filled with dismay at the calm words. As if he had heard something he couldn¡¯t hear, I sighed a little to that weak reaction.


    ¡°What do you mean, beaten to death?¡± And in response, she asked me.


    Although it wasn¡¯t a very pleasant one, It was the first question that came back to me.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to drag me somewhere tomorrow because I¡¯m being cheeky. And If I go there and get some scolding, they said, I¡¯ll never be that cheeky again. But the director said there¡¯s a lot of people out there who hate my mother.¡±


    ¡°You must be talking about the slums.¡±


    ¡°Does my mom have anything to do with the slums?¡±


    There was no answerback, I don¡¯t know if it was because she was afraid that a child would get hurt, or because she didn¡¯t want to say it like everyone else¡­


    I was expecting a little more, and hope subsided, as I expected more.


    ¡®I really feel like crying.¡¯


    I mean, I feel my eyes are sore, but crying here won¡¯t solve the problem¡­ You¡¯ll just lose your energy. I slapped myself on the cheek for no reason and looked up at her with a straight face.


    I came with my own feet, and I¡¯m walking out with my own feet too. I¡¯m not getting kicked out. I put aside my fear for a moment and looked up at her boldly and said,


    ¡°I came here just because I thought the director hated you, so you would help me.¡±


    I put up with my sorrow and spoke.


    ¡°So I picked up the director¡¯s words and came here¡­ and, after all, you can¡¯t help me, can you?¡±


    You want me to die, don¡¯t you?


    Everyone wants me to die.


    As if it were natural as if it were set.


    Her glaring eyes were passionate. There were no tears, but her eyes looked like she was already crying, but she did not want to avoid the gaze, which was looking at her loosely.


    To be honest, I wanted her to catch me. When I get out of here, I have nowhere else to go. I might shiver and die in the cold before I even get beaten and die. I really don¡¯t want to die.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    There was a sound of pondering for a moment, and I wondered whether my innermost thoughts had reached her. Her eyes were shining interestingly, and her mouth was smiling a little differently than before.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start by introducing ourselves first. My name is Chloe Benedito. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Daphne.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Daphne, what is it exactly that you want?¡±


    ¡°¡­ I want to live.¡±


    The voice of sincerity came out incessantly trembling. It was a trembling voice, but it contained a firm will, and the answer must have been in Chloe¡¯s favor. Chloe smiled, her eyes curled like foxes.


    ¡°No matter how urgent it is, it is difficult to get into the main subject as soon as we meet. There¡¯s a procedure for meeting people.¡±


    Chloe tapped her cheek with a relaxed expression. After a short thought, she smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already heard the major point, but I¡¯m still a person of courtesy. So I¡¯d like to receive a flower from you as a greeting to me.¡±


    ¡°Flower?¡±


    What are you talking about all of a sudden?


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that the documents weren¡¯t enough, right?¡±


    When I opened my eyes wide because I didn¡¯t understand, she spoke in such a way that I was right.


    ¡°It¡¯s enough, but I¡¯m saying I¡¯m not satisfied. Merchants are greedy people.¡±


    Does that mean I should get one more?


    Or is she turning around and saying no?


    ¡°¡­ There are no flowers blooming in this weather.¡± She nodded as if it were natural.


    ¡°If there isn¡¯t, you must go and get it. Do you think I¡¯m going to take that easy-to-get stuff as a greeting?¡±

 Chapter 7

    Ah, this was clearly a test, a test to see my resolution.


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Come to think of it, when you go outside the castle gate, you can see flowers blooming sometimes in this weather, it¡¯s just¡­ It¡¯s too dangerous for you to leave the gate alone at night.¡±


    Chloe had a cigarette in her mouth again, and then the white smoke came out of it again, and she said, ¡°There could be wild animals roaming around, and monsters who have lost their night-time path can also walk around.¡±


    She lowered her voice as if to frighten me. ¡°More than anything else, you have to wander alone on the dark, rough road to find the flowers.¡±


    The smoke covered Chloe¡¯s expression just like a while ago. I didn¡¯t see what kind of expression was in her face, but I knew what words would follow. I don¡¯t know why she suddenly changed her mind, but Chloe was trying to give me a chance.


    ¡°You might die trying to find a flower. Would you still bring me some flowers? Why not turn it to red cotton flowers?¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind the flowers that are bent, then as many as you want.¡±


    And there was no reason to reject the offer. So with my resolute answer, the swirling white mist reflected the light around the corner of her mouth. There was a very satisfying smile at the corners of her mouth.


    Chloe seemed satisfied as though what I said was the right answer, but not the boy next to me.


    ¡°Mother! What are you talking about? Where are you going to send her in the middle of the night?¡±


    The pale-faced boy¡¯s desperate attempt seemed unfamiliar to me. Perhaps because it was the first time I saw someone who didn¡¯t despise me and was really worried about me. I looked up at him unknowingly. When he noticed my eyes, it embarrassed him for a moment, and he cleared his throat and began to dissuade Chloe again.


    ¡°Please put a different condition. This kid looks terrible¡­ If something goes wrong, she might get hurt. These days, the forest is booming ¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Daphne¡¯s choice, why are you stubborn?¡±


    Chloe¡¯s words suddenly shut the boy¡¯s mouth and, feeling it was unfair, he quickly distorted his expression and looked down at me. I nodded because it seemed like he was asking me if I would really do it. Then in dismay, he raised his voice.


    ¡°She just looks like she¡¯s barely five or six years old!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m seven years old, and I came this far because I ran so well.¡±


    At my resolute answer, he looked at Chloe, not me, with a look of being fed up. As if it didn¡¯t concern her, she looked at him and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°Now that Daphne set the fire, it will be easier than you think to go out of the castle gate, and there will be no problem since she has a strong will.¡±


    Chloe stroked the boy¡¯s head once and looked at me.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t really like to wait, so you¡¯d better hurry up and come back. Bring it before dawn.¡±


    After giving the conditions clearly, Chloe disappeared from that spot with the smoke. It was a strange sight to see for the first time, but now was not the time to watch it. Recalling that there was not much time given, I tried to head to the castle gate immediately.


    When given the opportunity, you have to take action quickly!


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    It was good to be ready to go out eagerly, but I quickly relaxed my posture and slowly looked up at the boy.


    ¡°I do not know where the castle gate is.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just guide me there?¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    The boy had been silent for a long time and soon sighed and said, ¡°I think you should put on your shoes first, so please wait a moment. I¡¯ll take you to the gate.¡±


    ***


    The green-haired boy, Lennox, was quite kind to me, unlike the people I¡¯ve met before.


    ¡°You said Daphne, right? My name is Lennox Benedito.¡±


    Lennox kept me waiting, the one who was trying to run out right away and came with a small pair of shoes. Perhaps it was the smallest pair of shoes he had, but it was a little bigger for me.


    Looking at it, Lennox had a pitiful expression. The light-green eyes, which harbor not contempt but concern for me, were so unfamiliar.


    ¡®¡­He¡¯s a strange man.¡¯


    I don¡¯t know if he was originally a sympathetic person, but this was the first time that I received the kindness given to a child and not the daughter of a wicked woman, so my fingertips were a little ticklish.


    Lennox watched me put on my shoes with complicated eyes and then held out something again.


    ¡°It¡¯s cold outside. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll catch a cold if you go around like that.¡± He gave me a little robe, but I guess he didn¡¯t like it.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame that this is the only thing I have for now. Just bear with it this time.¡±


    I nodded, kindly, without saying a word at the promise of the next.


    ¡°¡­ It takes a while to get to the castle gate, so it¡¯s better to walk holding hands, right?¡±


    His hands were shaking like me a while ago, but I didn¡¯t want to refuse. Lennox carefully grasped my hand, and slowly accompanied me to the castle gate, matching with my pace.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be really dangerous outside the castle gate, so if you¡¯re scared and want to give up, It¡¯s okay to quit and come back.¡±


    ¡°Then you can¡¯t get flowers.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s really dangerous out there. More than you think.¡±


    There was only one answer I could give to that remark.


    ¡°There¡¯s never been a place in my life that hasn¡¯t been dangerous to me. Since the road I walked on was this thorny one, so just because the road ahead is a little dangerous doesn¡¯t make any difference.¡±


    It was nice of him to treat me warmly.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t have to pretend to be so worried.¡±


    But, you don¡¯t know if this is an act or not. Recalling Ulinee, I stopped talking for no reason and deliberately lowered my head to turn away from Lennox. Since then, there has been no word between us.


    ***


    Like the voice heard in the air, there was really no security guard in front of the castle gate.


    ¡®I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re doing this at one fire. What are you going to do if you get into trouble in the capital?¡¯


    ¡°The guards aren¡¯t doing the job properly.¡±


    Lennox was astounded and clicked his tongue as if he had the same thought as me. I felt a sense of empathy, so I sluggishly moved my hand once.


    ¡°You must return carefully.¡±


    We crossed the castle gate. The forest was so dark, except for the fire of the lamp that lit the front of the gate.


    If a distant nursery was eaten by fire, the forest seemed to be eaten by darkness. When I shivered in the darkness for no reason at all, I felt Lennox staring down at me with a worried expression.


    ¡°¡­ you know, it¡¯s better to quit here¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ No. I don¡¯t want to.¡± Whether it was a genuine concern or a pretense of concern, I could not give up here. I had no place to give up and back off.


    Lennox¡¯s face was frowned upon, but he didn¡¯t stop me anymore.


    ¡°If you walk along the path you see¡­ It¡¯ll be alright.¡±


    I nodded at the words that seemed to indicate a path hidden in the darkness. I slowly walked towards the forest, leaving the gaze of Lennox behind me. The darkness that I can¡¯t even see right in front of me seems to be opening my mouth like it¡¯s going to eat me, so my steps slowly started to slow down.


    ¡®It¡¯s dark¡­¡¯


    Maybe it was because of the cold air that I couldn¡¯t hear a single bug cry. Although I could see the moonlight dimly visible.


    In the quiet silence of the forest, I could hear only the clatter of my footsteps and the sound of the bushes passing by. The stillness that seemed that I was the only one left alone in the world gave me a creep.


    ¡®A little¡­ It might be scary.¡¯


    At times like this, you need to wake up and find the flowers quickly. Fortunately, the roads were well arranged, and the moonlight was softly shining, so there was no difficulty in finding the way.


    Hoping for a bright red color to shine in the dark, I let out a white breath and moved my head around.


    Far from flowers¡­


    I¡¯m glad the grass is growing.


    As I was walking down a clean road, trying to forget the cold by wrapping myself in a robe, I soon heard a strange sound from one side.


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    It was a quiet forest, with only the sound of my movement. That¡¯s why I was able to hear the small sound without missing it, like I was listening directly to the place.


    Rrrrrr-


    T/n: Growling/ Roaring.


    The sound of the crying creatures, and the thumping and sniffing sound. Swallowing my saliva, I slowly turned my head toward it. From where my gaze was directed, the sound began to get closer and closer.


    The moment the face of a large animal is revealed through the dry branches of the trees, I will definitely die here.


    As soon as I realized the fact, I began to run recklessly without hesitation through the bushes, not the path that was pierced. I could hear the animal weeping behind me, but I had no choice but to shiver without even thinking about looking back.


    I don¡¯t know how far I can get with this leg. I ran desperately because I couldn¡¯t stop.


    Did I run for a long time?


    The rough breath filled my throat, and I suffocated, and my trembling legs were screaming at limits. The moment I thought that, my injured foot from last time couldn¡¯t hold out and I slipped and fell.


    When I turned around after falling over to the ground with a bang, fortunately, I didn¡¯t see it chasing me. As I gathered my thoughts and looked around, I realized this was a dark and desolate place that I had no idea of where it was.


    I tried to give strength to my throbbing leg to get up, but I couldn¡¯t get any strength. Even the moonlight that illuminated the road disappeared.


    When I saw this place, which is the darkness itself, I really understood the situation I was in.


    It was only darkness. There was no moonlight leaking into the forest covered with bushes and dense trees. I felt like I was really abandoned in the world. Above all, I hated this darkness without a light.


    [I hate this dark color. It¡¯s the color that someone who hates me has.]


    I hate it so much.


    The darkness that hovered beside me was like it rejoicing the cold energy, and it seemed like it would torn me to shreds right now.


    My head was saying, I should move my feet and get away from here quickly. However, my feet seemed to have no intention of following my head since it did not move at all, and were still sluggish.


    ¡®Move, move!¡¯


    You ran out because you wanted to live. It¡¯s too late to turn everything back.


    Ah, I don¡¯t think I can take it anymore. Tears slowly gathered around my eyes, and the drops of tears that had dripped seemed to fall to the ground soon.


    Only then my hopes were hidden, by the cold wind that pierce the flesh, this silence, and this situation where I lost my path.


    Even this darkness, which suppressed me, touched my skin straight.


    ¡°I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    I thought this darkness would eventually swallow me, and somehow it would complete my death and create a happy story. In the end, I was so scared that my presence would be rejected for a happy ending.


    In this terrible darkness, if there was no pain in my throbbing foot, I would have thought I was already dead. My head bowed by itself, and hope dropped down.


    The feeling of falling down and down, with no place to sit in this darkness.


    When the word ¡°give up¡± to erase hope is about to appear.


    Beyond the dim view, I could see something moving.

 Chapter 8

    It¡¯s a purple light moving around in this dark place without light. That purple light was desperately flapping its wing in front of me as though it wanted to save me from sinking down.


    ¡°¡­a purple butterfly?¡±


    Do butterflies fly around in this winter?


    Butterflies in this cold weather where not even a single flower can bloom? It suddenly seemed to drift away from reality.


    Then, slowly, my hazy mind began to come back to reality. As if waiting for me, the purple butterfly was hovering around me. As soon as the butterfly saw me returning to my senses, it began to fly somewhere, as if to guide me through the road.


    While I was just staring at it, without moving, the butterfly came back and hovered around me again. Seeing it urging me, I gave strength to my feet again and slowly rose up.


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    The butterfly slowly guided me by moving its wings as if it was caring for my injured body.


    Did Alice in Wonderland, who followed the rabbit, feel this way?


    An unknown foreboding feeling of something happening started to fill me.


    ¡®¡­ The color is friendly.¡¯


    Is it a bit darker than my jagged purple hair?


    It¡¯s like my mom¡¯s hair color.


    Mom, my mom who died miserably at the spire.


    ¡®Did she go to a good place?¡¯


    When I stopped moving at the sudden thought, the butterfly flew toward me and urged me again.


    ¡°I get it, I¡¯ll follow you.¡±


    I¡¯m sure she went to a good place.


    Let¡¯s hope for that.


    ***


    Suddenly, the butterfly stopped at a place.


    ¡°It¡¯s the moon.¡±


    The butterfly¡¯s little wings pulled me out of the dark forest. Unlike the first time I saw, a bright moonlight was shining over me. That light seemed to save me from being surrounded by the darkness.


    The overwhelming emotion forced me to look up at the moon for a while.


    ¡°It¡¯s bright.¡±


    A road that can reap this darkness. Now instead of being caught in the dark, I had a hopeful feeling that I could find a flower.


    I lowered my head to look for flowers underneath the bright moonlight.


    I looked down slightly, and like a funny thing-


    ¡°I found it.¡±


    It was on a slightly higher wall, but it was there. The reddish red flowers stood in full bloom by overcoming the cold wind of the coming winter.


    Although it was located at the height of about the second floor of the building, it seemed to be entirely possible to reach if I climbed up carefully.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do it!¡±


    Burned with unusual motivation, I began to climb up slowly, stepping on the rocks that protruded from the bottom of the flowery wall. Every time I stepped on it, the stone dust fell from the rocks, and my heart began to pound.


    ¡°Phew.¡±


    It was a bit risky, but fortunately, it seemed to hold my weight.


    ¡®I¡¯ll have to be careful when I¡¯m going down.¡¯


    I thought I could somehow climb up, but I was worried about going down. I took a deep breath and took another step again. As I stepped on it one by one, I began to see a faint red light in my sight.


    As I grabbed the stone sticking out in front of my eyes and moved my feet slightly to the side, a red flower appeared in front of me in full bloom.


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    How should I express this overwhelming and fluctuating emotion?


    The joy of succeeding in the first step of writing my own story was beyond words.


    ¡®Mom, I did it, I found the flowers.¡¯


    I was able to make the impossible possible.


    I picked up the flower in front of my eyes with joy, and finally, I could smile, looking at the red petals that were held in my hands.


    ¡°Now, if I only go back ¡­¡±


    Let¡¯s step slowly. I stepped carefully to my side, hoping that there would be no unforeseen situation.


    However, maybe because of the tension being relieved, my injured foot wasn¡¯t able to hold the center and bent to the one side.


    And at that moment, I lost my balance. Without even getting the time to feel embarrassed, I began to fall down.


    ¡°Kyaaaaaaaa!¡±


    The screams were short, and the speed of falling was fast.


    The wounds, the already exhausted strength, and the body full of fatigue, of course, could not save me from falling. I fell to the ground with a scream.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    If I¡¯m fortunate, I¡¯m allowed to be grateful right?


    I did not fall head-on, but I fell on the leg, so I had no reason to lose consciousness.


    ¡°Ack¡±


    But that didn¡¯t mean it was not painful. Unable to overcome the pain, my eyes filled with tears.


    My feet, which might have been sprained when it hit the ground while falling, felt so painful that it couldn¡¯t be explained in words.


    When I touched my feet, which was wounded, by my hand, it was burning hot.


    ¡°Ah, Aah.¡±


    I can¡¯t make a sound. By any chance, the wild animal might come after me after hearing the sound. I raised my trembling arm and covered my mouth to prevent the sound from coming out. Even if it is not a wild animal, there could be monsters or a dangerous situation that I might not be aware of.


    ¡®But it hurts so much, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts¡­¡¯


    Why did I make such a mistake after I¡¯ve succeeded in it? Why should I be in this situation? Why should I be in pain?


    Tears welled up from the moment of injustice and I covered my face with my hands. Otherwise, I thought I¡¯d probably want to scream, and I thought I¡¯d not be able to hold it in and cry bitterly.


    The sorrow that had been contained inside my heart thus far exploded in the terrible pain.


    Why does dad pretend not to know me?


    Why did you abandon me?


    Why didn¡¯t my mom want to take care of me?


    Why did you leave me behind first?


    Why isn¡¯t anybody looking at me?


    At least one of them could have saved me.


    ¡®¡­Mom, I miss you.¡¯


    Even though no one cared about me, at least my mom looked after me.


    Why did you have to leave me behind like that?


    Why should we be sacrificed to this story, Mom?


    Slowly, a terrible pain climbed up to my body from my feet. The pain and loneliness as if the world seem to have abandoned me. And with the frustrating resentment, I had no choice but to endure crying desperately. Seeing this situation, the thought of passing this responsibility to someone was about to come out of my mouth.


    At that moment.


    I remembered the flowers that I had forgotten for a while in pain.


    ¡®Where are the flowers?¡¯


    Suddenly, I turned my head around. The flowers were laid neatly beside me. When I saw the flowers that were in good condition, unlike me, I could breathe a little bit of clogged breath.


    ¡®Crying¡­it¡¯s not too late to do it after I succeed .¡¯


    I don¡¯t know how much time has passed, but I could see a bluish light permeating the black sky.


    I took a deep breath and slowly moved my head. At least, I have to check to see how serious it is.


    I closed my eyes tightly to the pain that felt strange, turned my head, and opened my eyes wide.


    I don¡¯t know whether it was broken or seriously injured, but a terrible pain came up from the knee. Leaving behind the feeling that these feet were not my feet, I gave strength to my feet, reminding myself that I had no choice but to move.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    It hurts so much. Even with a little bit of strain on my feet, I felt a terrible pain and couldn¡¯t move at all.


    ¡°I have to force myself to¡­ drag it and go anyway.¡±


    I just found the flowers, but it¡¯s more unfair to give up in this state than being injured!


    The rough breath coming out of my mouth continued to create a white breath.


    I could not wait for someone to come to help me here.


    ¡°It¡¯s late after dawn¡­¡±


    Time was flowing without giving me a moment to hesitate.


    But, I will succeed and not fail.


    I must survive, by all means¡­


    I was full of will.


    However, there was a problem.


    I had no idea where this place was. I¡¯ve never been out of the gate before, and I even lost my way because the animals chased me¡­


    ¡®I think the butterfly I saw a little while ago is gone¡­¡¯


    How am I supposed to find the way?


    I felt tremendous pain all over my body, especially on my wounded right leg, and even though my temperature dropped, a cold sweat covered my back.


    I slowly turned my head and tried to figure out this place. And then, as if waiting for me, the purple butterfly appeared again.


    ¡°¡­ Are you going to take me back again?¡±


    There was no answer because it wasn¡¯t a person, but the butterfly took action instead of words. Just like when it guided me a while ago, It took the lead by flapping its wings.


    As if I was possessed by something, I forced myself to pull my immobile leg and began to follow the butterfly.


    Passing under a dark tree that covers the bright moonlight, and then through the bushes. Even if the road was long, I decided to believe this butterfly that led me to flowers.


    But that¡¯s another story when your body is at its limit.


    ¡®It hurts¡­¡¯


    The pain on my legs was hard to bear. My body began to whine as if it had really reached its limit. The front gradually blurred, and the legs were losing strength.


    ¡®Butterfly¡­¡¯


    In this situation where I am about to lose consciousness, the only thing I could believe in was the butterfly in front of me.


    The purple butterfly¡¯s fluttering wings gradually started to fade.


    Is my vision blurring or is the butterfly fading away?


    However, when I extended my hand forward, thinking that I shouldn¡¯t miss it, my body which had endured for a while, failed to balance and began to fall forward.


    ¡®Is it¡­the end?¡¯


    Was it not the butterfly disappearing, but my consciousness blurring?


    The moment of falling forward came slowly, very slowly, like death.


    When I sensed the pain and closed my eyes just before I hit the floor, someone appeared like a miracle and held my body.


    ¡°Whoo¡­ thank God.¡±


    Ah, that¡¯s a familiar voice.


    ¡°¡­Lennox?¡±


    I slowly opened my closed eyes because of the warmth that I felt from the touch.


    Before I knew it, I was out of the dark forest and under the bright moon. Lennox, who suddenly appeared, managed to hold me before I fell.


    I could see the sweat on his forehead as if he was running around hard. His sound of breathing was rough, although not as bad as mine.


    ¡°You ¡­¡±


    Lennox opened his mouth to speak, but then he stiffened his face with surprise. His gaze descended from my head, and when it reached the tip of my toes, his forehead crumpled visibly.


    ¡°Oh, my God, crazy¡­!¡±


    And an angry voice.


    ¡®Why are you angry?¡¯


    I don¡¯t know why, but even if you¡¯re angry, will you do me a favor?


    Again, I forcibly held back my slowly closing eyes and raised my hands holding the flowers.

 Chapter 9

    ¡°¡­I have to deliver the flowers.¡±


    ¡°You, even in this situation!¡±


    ¡°¡­I shouldn¡¯t do this, but¡­please help me. I can¡¯t walk anymore¡­¡±


    The harsh breathing didn¡¯t let my words to come out properly, but Lennox seemed to understand it.


    He frowned angrily, then stared at me with a look of concern.


    ¡°Help, I¡¯ll help you, so don¡¯t lose your consciousness¡­ No, rather be asleep, because if you are asleep, it won¡¯t hurt¡­¡±


    His gaze was directed not toward my face but towards my feet. Lennox hugged me, held me firmly in his arms, and began to move quickly with an effort.


    It¡¯s the first time someone held me tight like this, apart from my mom.


    I know he¡¯s the first stranger I met today, but won¡¯t his body get tired?


    Strangely, his arms were very comfortable. Feeling my tension being relieved, I slowly began to close my eyes again to forget the pain. Through my closed eyes, I could see the purple butterfly slowly disappearing.


    Thank you.


    ¡°¡­ Good-bye, Butterfly.¡±


    And then I completely lost my consciousness.


    ***


    My body was burning. It was hot, like a fireball, as if I were having a cold or flu. Besides, my breath was rough, and the cough continued to erupt.


    Even breathing is painful and, I don¡¯t even know how many times I¡¯ve uttered nonsense in my head because of the pain that keeps coming from the wound.


    It was only after a few days of turmoil with a fever that I felt the hazy mist had already been removed from my head. I opened my eyes holding on to the consciousness that barely came back.


    ¡°Aa- Aah.¡±


    A rough voice came out harshly with a sore throat. As I called a few more times, a glass of water suddenly appeared next to me. Without hesitation, I took the glass and drank the water. The warm water ran down my throat, and finally, I was able to wake up a bit. When I looked around, I saw a place that I had never seen before.


    Then a small laugh came out of the side. As I turned my head back towards the sound, there was a boy who looked a few years younger than Lennox.


    Under the light pink hair, the red eyes in the round glasses had a feeling of favor. The boy¡¯s eyes curved when my eyes met his.


    ¡®¡­Red eyes.¡¯


    It is the same color as Chloe. Now that I see it, I think they look quite similar¡­


    ¡°Are you feeling better now?¡±


    ¡°¡­ Who are you?¡±


    ¡°Ah, shall we introduce ourselves first?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t relax my guard and asked in a harsh voice, but the boy only grinned. The boy pointed his finger at him and slowly began to introduce himself as if he were talking to a child.


    ¡°My name is Ricarda Benedito, the person who¡¯s been taking care of you all this time.¡±


    ¡°Are you a doctor?¡±


    ¡°Not a doctor, but someone who can imitate it?¡±


    What¡¯s that?


    If you¡¯re a doctor, you¡¯re a doctor.


    When my eyes filled with disbelief, Ricarda began to panic and feel embarrassed.


    ¡°I, I¡¯m a wizard! Usually, doctors are the job chosen by healing wizards, but I do that because healing is not my main major.¡±


    ¡°Wizard¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡±


    As Ricarda¡¯s explanation continued, I slowly lowered my head and saw a bandage wrapped around my arms.


    Wondering, I pulled down my blanket and found my injured right foot firmly fixed from the knee to the bottom of it.


    It looked like a cast I had seen in my previous life, so I looked at it for a long time, and soon I heard a sigh of relief from the side.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you are better after several days of sickness due to high fever. I don¡¯t think the temperature is going to go up any further now¡­¡±


    ¡°What happened to my leg?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ricarda paused at my words and tried to change the subject with an awkward smile. I asked again, seeing his apparent reaction.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I use my legs anymore?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean! That¡¯s not true!¡±


    ¡°What happened then? Has it been maimed?¡±


    When there was a sound of pain in my voice, Ricarda asked me with a solemn expression.


    ¡°If your legs were maimed¡­ what would you think?¡±


    ¡°¡­ I should think it was a cheap price compared to my life.¡±


    Unfortunately.


    At the added words, Ricarda looked at me, speechless. With his shocked expression, I tilted my head thinking I¡¯d done something wrong.


    Ricarda, agape with astonishment, stood up from his seat.


    ¡°No! Absolutely not!¡±


    ¡°?¡±


    Ricarda¡¯s red eyes were flushed, and he said with a stiff expression.


    ¡°I¡¯ll cure you somehow! Even though it¡¯s so serious that you can¡¯t even talk about it! I¡¯ll make you all better!¡±


    Ricarda tried to change the subject about my condition until the end. Perhaps the injury was more severe than I thought.


    My legs could really be maimed. No, but seeing that I¡¯ve come this far¡­


    Like I said before if I compare the price of my leg for my life, isn¡¯t it cheap to use my legs at a small price?


    As if he didn¡¯t see me on deep thought, Ricarda continuously told me that I had been sick for the last three days.


    The wound might cause scars, but I still couldn¡¯t trust his words about him taking responsibility for it and healing it.


    After speaking for a long time without feeling my gaze at him, he finished what he had to say and sat down again in the chair.


    Then he held my hand firmly and said, ¡°Yes, yes. From now on, I¡¯m your brother, so I¡¯ll fix it for you! So, just trust me.¡±


    What are you talking about?


    I don¡¯t have a brother.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a brother like you.¡±


    Unconsciously sharp words came out. In my response, Ricarda hesitated and then stealthily got up from his seat.


    ¡°I should have brought my mother first, but I forgot. Can you wait for a minute?¡±


    ¡°¡­yes.¡±


    Seeing that I have been treated safely here, it seems that Lennox brought me well.


    ¡®I guess he delivered the flowers well for me.¡¯


    I didn¡¯t give it to her directly, but since it was a condition to get the flowers, I won¡¯t be blamed for it right?


    ¡®I hope it¡¯s alright¡­¡¯


    Ricarda left the room after telling me to wait a little longer. After he left, looking at the quiet room, I heaved a sigh that I had endured. I was scared that I would die there, but fortunately, I came back alive with help.


    Chloe, the head of the merchant¡¯s group, had a strong personality than I expected, but still, I had a good feeling about it.


    A hunch that things will work out.


    ***


    [Knock, Knock]


    A moment later, the door opened with a knock and a rattling sound.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯re in good condition. Three days ago, you were in a condition that I couldn¡¯t even afford to see.¡±


    Tsk. The tiny sound of tongue clicking seem to contain annoyance, but when Lennox¡¯s gaze turned to Chloe, she approached me, without knowing it.


    ¡°I told you to bring the flowers, not to come in that condition. Thanks to someone, I felt embarrassed after a long time.¡±


    ¡°¡­embarrassed?¡±


    ¡°No matter how much I am, wouldn¡¯t it be strange, not to be surprised when a child is going to die?¡±


    ¡°Mother, why do you make your words so mean?¡±


    Lennox beside her spoke briefly, and Chloe kept her mouth shut.


    ¡®Isn¡¯t she a person who doesn¡¯t care about that?¡¯


    I¡¯m sure she was a very cold-blooded, scary, revenge-burning woman in the novel.


    When I looked up at her as if I didn¡¯t understand her, my eyes met hers. Chloe¡¯s red-eye had me in it. She didn¡¯t seem to have the slightest intention of avoiding eye contact.


    Why do I feel that the gaze directed towards me is not unpleasant at all, should I be glad?


    ¡°I must apologize to you first.¡±


    ¡°Apology?¡±


    I tilted my head at the sudden apology.


    She sighed in relief and then sat next to me.


    ¡°To be honest, I thought you¡¯d give up after you left the gate by saying you were scared. The forest was dark¡­ and you weren¡¯t even in good shape.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°But then you wandered around the forest and found these flowers.¡±


    Lennox came close with a glass jar.


    A glass jar, which looked like a water bottle, contained flowers and liquid hanging from it.


    ¡°It¡¯s Stacia, the name of the flower you found. A fairly rare flower that is used as a medicinal herb for relieving pain.¡±


    T/N: lmao, I searched this flower name because I wanted to know but didn¡¯t find it. Pretty sure it doesn¡¯t exist ;(


    Chloe frowned and sighed again.


    ¡°It grows up in a crevice and is hard to cultivate because of weather effects. That¡¯s what you found.¡±


    ¡°Is it expensive? Enough to be worth a present for you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that was enough, 100 gold would be ridiculous.¡±


    A voice strangely mixed with laughter. Hearing that voice, hope, which had sunk so deep, began to rise gradually.


    ¡°You made impossible possible. You won.¡±


    A smile that was gently formed around her mouth and a pleasant look.


    I nodded my head with a smile on my lips. Chloe¡¯s answer, informing me that I passed the difficult exam gave me unspeakable joy.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve received the papers and flowers, so apart from the apologies, I¡¯ll have to hear exactly what the deal you want is, right?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want much; Just give me the position as a successor of this merchant¡¯s group.¡±


    Chloe paused at my words and blinked her eyes. Obviously, she did not think that I would ask that.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there a lot of seats for the successor position?¡±


    ¡°You can just give me a qualification. I don¡¯t have to be a real successor.¡±


    Even if it¡¯s not as the merchant¡¯s group head, as a successor, wouldn¡¯t it be the right position to change this story?


    First of all, no matter when the male protagonist appears, it¡¯ll be fine if I don¡¯t give that spot to him.


    Everyone was quiet, knowing that there was no playfulness in my eyes.


    Chloe put her hand on my head and stared down at me and asked, ¡°Why are you doing this? If it¡¯s just to make a living, it would be easier to live with the support of the merchant¡¯s group.¡±


    ¡°Because I want to twist the story.¡±


    ¡°Story?¡±


    In the unexpected word that came out of nowhere, Chloe glanced a doubtful look. I continued to speak clearly without avoiding her eyes.


    ¡°The wicked woman is dead, and now everyone hopes for her daughter to die. That¡¯s the set story.¡±


    I endured the sorrow that was coming up and continued with my words.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go along with that story stupidly. I want to live.¡±


    I¡¯m going to change the ending of the story. To make me happy, not them.


    ¡°I want to make my own story, live longer and happier than them. Even by twisting the set story.¡±


    It would be hard for them to understand, but I only brought the genuine truth as much as possible for her to back me up.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay to be this mean.¡±

 Chapter 10

    After I said everything I wanted to say, I felt a little relieved. But soon, I regretted saying it.


    ¡®Should I have told you like a child¡­?¡¯


    You might think that it¡¯s disgusting that a child says something precociously like a grown-up ¡­


    As I¡¯ve been living with people¡¯s opinions, I was concerned about my every action. I clenched the blanket with my little fist and waited for words to come at me. I¡¯m used to the detest for being gross so, I can accept anything.


    If I stay here anyway, I won¡¯t be able to hide my true self. Still, I couldn¡¯t help being nervous, so my back became tense and cold sweat spilled out of my hands. At that time, Chloe suddenly began to talk about herself.


    ¡°I grew up in the same nursery as you.¡±


    I raised up my head quickly.


    Obviously, this part of the novel ¡­


    ¡°So, before I even reached adulthood, I was sold to the backworld because of the staff¡¯s work and had to suffer a lot. It was awful.¡±


    There was a bitter smile on Chloe¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Not only me, but my friends were also sold together. Some of the children are already dead, and there might be others living a miserable life that is worse off than dying.¡±


    Maybe that could have been my future.


    ¡°And, when I found out, all that happened because of a friend I met at the nursery, and he¡¯s a director there currently. I decided to take revenge.¡±


    I gulped and made eye contact with Chloe. Her eyes were full of anger.


    ¡°So, I don¡¯t intend to leave him, and everyone involved alone. They made my life that way, and they dare sleep comfortably?¡±


    There was a deep sneer around her mouth.


    ¡°That¡¯s never going to happen.¡±


    I gulped again at Chloe¡¯s resolute answer.


    ¡°The documents you brought were proofs of the deal that he sold the children. Did you even know that?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    At my voice, Chloe chuckled.


    ¡°Yes. If you had known, you wouldn¡¯t have passed it so easily.¡±


    ¡°So, with those documents, can you drag down the nursery director?¡±


    At my question, Chloe shook her head with an irritated expression.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s obvious that if you reveal it now, you¡¯ll be quietly silenced by the backers that are watching them.¡±


    Chloe picked up the pipe as if to smoke, then paused for a moment, then put the pipe back into her sleeve again.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just documents. Me too, this merchant¡¯s group too, is going to be a mess. There will be an appropriate time to reveal it, so I¡¯ll bear it in and wait.¡±


    After that remark, I heard the sound of grinding teeth, unable to hold back the anger.


    ¡°I¡¯m not living for revenge. I just want to give them the punishment that they deserve.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right if it takes a long time, to give them a fair punishment. So, to prepare for that time, I¡¯m collecting data and gathering strength.¡±


    Chloe smiled and advised me.


    ¡°For you, it¡¯s Duke of Heronis, and for me, it¡¯s the nursery. I think you¡¯re kind of like me¡­¡±


    Chloe spoke with a bright smile, which did not correspond with her words and this atmosphere.


    ¡°If you want to be under me, you¡¯ll have to know the value of the goods and learn how to trade.¡±


    Chloe talked about her past to me and chose me as her successor. Originally, it was a word to be said to the male protagonist of the second part of the original novel, but it came back to me.


    In other words, that means!


    ¡°Are you permitting me to stay here? Becoming a successor too?¡±


    ¡°If a woman leads the merchant¡¯s group, there are more difficulties than you expect. Ignorance and criticism will never cease.¡±


    Chloe lowered her voice as if to frighten me.


    ¡°If you¡¯re good at your work, they¡¯ll curse you because you¡¯re tough, and if you¡¯re bad, you¡¯ll get cursed because you¡¯re a woman. It can be harder than I¡¯ve ever done. Would you do it anyway?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    She smiled at my answer.


    ¡°All right. From now on, you¡¯re the successor to the Benedito merchant¡¯s group, and in the future, you¡¯ll be Daphne Benedito. Baby¡±


    ¡°Ba¡­by¡­¡±


    Although she was surprised by an unfamiliar title, Chloe didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of changing the title.


    Fortunately, the corners of my mouth were raised, as if I liked it.


    ¡°At first, I was just going to sponsor you for your dignified appearance, but I definitely changed my mind a little while ago.¡±


    ¡°¡­really?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t just sponsor you after I have received this amount of paperwork. It is a terrible thing to do.¡±


    Chloe burst out laughing.


    ¡°I really liked your spirit, spite, and your will. At this rate, my daughter is well qualified to be the successor.¡±


    The words that followed were even more magnificent than I expected.


    ¡°¡­can I be your daughter? Can I do that?¡±


    Chloe answered with a serious voice to the anxious words.


    ¡°It¡¯s enough.¡±


    It worked. The hard work paid off.


    When Chloe¡¯s mouth dropped the words of perfect permission, the tension flowing through my body fell, and my body began to slump.


    ¡®I can¡¯t believe you let me in. I never imagined it¡­ but this is for the better.¡¯


    I stretched out my relaxed shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief, but as soon as I finished, Lennox asked me as if he had waited for it to be done.


    ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t think I got hurt as bad as I thought¡­¡±


    After my position was guaranteed, I didn¡¯t have to be nervous like the last time. I nodded and answered kindly, and Chloe, who listened to it, laughed at the words.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what a serious situation you were in. You¡¯ve been sick for three whole days. I rushed the treatment and even fed you medicines, but the fever didn¡¯t even go down. The most serious of them are your legs.¡±


    Chloe¡¯s gaze briefly turned to the legs and then to my head.


    ¡°Yes, legs can be fixed, but¡­¡±


    And, with a moment¡¯s silence, it seems that something has happened to my head.


    Come to think of it, maybe Lennox was surprised to see my head in the woods?


    I touched my head on Chloe¡¯s complicated gaze. But I couldn¡¯t find anything unusual.


    I guess the treatment went well, so it was to the extent that it doesn¡¯t hurt anymore?


    ¡®Then, what¡¯s the problem?¡¯


    When I tilted my head, Chloe sighed. Then she snapped her finger and flicked it lightly.


    ¡°¡­Daphne, would you look in the mirror?¡±


    Perhaps it was prepared in advance, Lennox took out a hand mirror about the size of my face and placed it in front of me.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    I could see a familiar face in the mirror. A rounded eye with a slightly raised tip and a golden pupil reflected in it. The band on the cheek was uncomfortable, but it didn¡¯t look shabby. But there was something that changed¡­


    ¡°My hair is white.¡±


    ¡°Usually¡­ there is a saying that your hair turns white when you suffer a big shock or pain¡­¡±


    At my words, Ricarda spoke in a hesitant voice. I touched my white hair and nodded.


    Ricarda was gloomy, saying that he could not do anything about my hair. Even if he was gloomy, nothing would change. The result of all of that journey was my hair dyed white, not purple.


    ¡°I think my eyelashes are white, too, as if they were the original color. I¡¯ve lost the color that my mom gave me.¡±


    Purple was the only thing my mom gave me.


    I felt a little somber, and suddenly my surroundings became quiet.


    ¡®What is it¡­ are they looking at me?¡¯


    Chloe¡¯s face was crumpled, and Lennox showed no sign on the outside, but he seemed to be little angry with his fist clenched and Ricarda looked guilty, saying he was sorry that he couldn¡¯t fix my hair color.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right because I¡¯m not dead. My legs, my hair, I got it cheap for my life, right?¡±


    I tried to calculate it in my own way, but it seemed like the atmosphere was sinking further. I felt like the atmosphere was sinking because of me, so I changed my words to light the atmosphere.


    ¡°I guess my mom wanted to give me a new life. She took purple and gave white to me as a gift.¡±


    I said, pointing to Chloe¡¯s head.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same white color. It suits me well as purple, right?¡±


    Chloe¡¯s hair was the same color as mine, so it was a word I could say.


    ¡®Huh ¡­¡¯


    I brought it up because I thought the atmosphere would get better, but it¡¯s just getting worse.


    ¡°¡­yes, baby. I don¡¯t think anyone can doubt you¡¯re my daughter.¡±


    Chloe gently smoothed my hair.


    I felt a little¡­ good, because she seemed to have some affection for me, though it may not be the case.


    ¡°So what am I supposed to do now? What should I do? I can do anything right away if you let me do it!¡±


    I was still receiving her touch and brought it up because I thought it was not the right time, but the atmosphere that had gradually softened became tense again.


    I need to prove my worth as soon as possible and secure my place.


    Chloe frowned at my words and sighed. And she said firmly,


    ¡°It¡¯s good to have a mature mind and quick eye than your peers, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessary for a child to be mature as an adult already.¡±


    Chloe¡¯s voice was filled with worry.


    ¡°What you need to do now is just relax and do nothing until your body recovers.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still full of potential. That means there are no problems even if you learn slowly.¡±


    Chloe smiled bitterly and slowly lifted her hand from me.


    ¡°You might think I¡¯m cruel, and you might think I¡¯m making fun of you by suddenly thinking of you as my daughter after giving you such a harsh test.¡±


    It was a self-deprecating voice.


    ¡°So I understand that you¡¯re in a hurry like you have to do something.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re making fun of me.¡±


    It was difficult and it was a cruel condition for a small child, but now it doesn¡¯t matter, since I did it.


    Even if, it¡¯s because of guilt that Chloe made me her successor, it¡¯s okay because it has produced more satisfying results.


    With my stern eyes, a smile rose around Chloe¡¯s mouth. The look in her eyes conveyed sorry, and the smile conveyed relief. I¡¯ve always read people¡¯s negative emotions, so Chloe¡¯s feelings toward me were rather embarrassing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to take you only as my formal daughter. The beginning was rather unique than other mothers and daughters, but I¡¯m sure we can make a good relationship.¡±


    The words were hopeful. I just blinked and nodded as if I understood.


    ¡°We¡¯re going out now, so don¡¯t worry and get some rest. It¡¯s going to be night soon, so you¡¯ll be tired.¡±


    Chloe pulled up the blanket and covered me warmly.


    ¡°It¡¯s never too late to do everything gradually once you¡¯ve recovered.¡±


    ¡°¡­okay.¡±


    ¡°The baby¡¯s going to be hungry, so get her something to eat. Let her rest for now.¡±


    Chloe said to Lennox with a satisfied smile.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then see you tomorrow, my little sister.¡±


    With Ricarda¡¯s humble greeting, three people left the room together.


    I looked at the quiet room and everything around me.


    The neat and soft pajamas, the cozy room instead of a warehouse, and the warm and thick blanket that prevent the cold were all better compared to the nursery.


    I exhaled and looked down at my hand. And soon, I wrapped my face with those hands.


    The opportunity that Chloe gave me, Lennox¡¯s little kindness, the purple butterfly¡¯s guide, and Ricarda¡¯s treatment saved me.


    The day I had to die has already passed.


    I couldn¡¯t stand the overwhelming feeling, and in the end, I burst into tears with a sound.


    I¡¯m alive.


    I came back alive.


    And I will be able to live in the future.


    I couldn¡¯t hold back my tears from the rising emotion.

 Chapter 10.1

    Freyr Heronis, she was an ordinary aristocrat, no, an ideal woman who had never lived a life of misery. Beautiful appearance, birth that no one envy, and even the unstinting love of the family. Freyr was a woman with a lot of things, and a woman who did not know what she lacked.


    It was a marriage of political convenience, but she had a kind husband, the people who treat her kindly in the mansion, and even the socialites who treat her accordingly. That¡¯s why Freyr, as the Duchess of Heronis, did her best in her position so that she would not be a troublemaker to others.


    Her kind husband was always kind to her and was a faithful person who never abandoned his duties. So Freyr started to have a feeling of love towards him and believed that they would stay happier as a couple.


    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Eunice. I¡¯ve decided to work at Duke mansion starting from today. Please take good care of me!¡±


    Until a woman who called herself Eunice appeared.


    Since she appeared, her surroundings have become weird. Eunice was a woman with such clear energy, capable of making everyone in her surroundings feel good.


    At first, Freyr didn¡¯t dislike her either. She thought it was a really good thing.


    Not until her husband had a gleam in his eyes when he saw her.


    * * *


    I couldn¡¯t feel the warmth next to me in the bedroom from some time ago.


    Waiting for him until late at night, when I opened my eyes in the early morning and saw the seat next to me empty,


    When I saw him coming out of Eunice¡¯s room late in the morning,


    For the first time in her peaceful life, Freyr realized something was going wrong. Nevertheless, Freyr could not do anything about it.


    Eunice, who is sweet and kind, brightens up her surroundings, and people are naturally attracted to her.


    But she couldn¡¯t just stay still.


    ¡°Honey, there are eyes around us. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s good to get too close to Eunice.¡±


    Freyr thought that this was a natural right to say as his wife.


    ¡°Two adult men and women are in a secret room¡­ Shouldn¡¯t you be careful about that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Wife, Eunice is helping me. As you know, the capital city is very chaotic.¡±


    Duke sighed loudly as if he was asking her to listen.


    ¡°There won¡¯t be such a thing for you to worry about.


    Her advice didn¡¯t even work with the duke.


    Duke¡¯s answer to Freyr¡¯s advice was cold, but since then, the relationship between Duke and Eunice seems to have become increasingly awkward.


    Still uneasy, Freyr secretly hired a man to chase after Eunice.


    Freyr only hoped.


    Please, I hope I misunderstood the relationship between those two.


    She wanted to make sure, even at the risk of embarrassing herself.


    Would this not have happened if I had just held on to a little reason and waited for my husband to come back to me?


    Obviously, she just tried to keep her position.


    Freyr raised her head slowly and looked at the place where she was.


    A desolate, narrow space that she had never been before.


    ¡®Why did I come here?¡¯


    Freyr couldn¡¯t keep herself sane. It was so fast that the people who were always kind to her turned their backs, and it was the same with her husband as well.


    With the false accusation that she was filled with jealousy and greed, and tried to hurt an innocent person and his lover, she was confined on a spire.


    ¡°Freyr Heronis, the sin of abducting and torturing the people of the slums, and cursing at the imperial family with their blood and brought chaos in the whole empire!¡±


    The tone of his voice was cold.


    ¡°The crime of kidnapping, threatening, and taking their lives. Hence, I shall remove Heronis¡¯s surname from her and sentence her to life in prison.¡±


    Her ex-husband¡¯s voice was no longer friendly to her.


    Since when has his voice been so cold to me?


    Even if it was a political marriage, was it my delusion to think that it was a happy relationship?


    I just wanted to confirm that the strange relationship between those two was my delusion.


    Neither did I want to attack Eunice, nor did I ever order people to kidnap her.


    I just¡­ I just wanted to know for sure what the relationship between those two was.


    Even though she begged, screamed, pleaded, and cried because of the unfairness, neither her husband nor the people around her listened to her.


    At first, I didn¡¯t have any suspicion.


    That something was wrong.


    What do you mean, the body was found in the basement of the mansion? A blood crazy-witch.


    You don¡¯t really believe that crap, do you? You don¡¯t.


    You know I¡¯m scared to see blood, let alone dead bodies.


    Please, please say no.


    I wanted to believe that he was trying to get me out.


    But as a week went by and a month went by, I had no choice but to realize that this was reality.


    Still, I waited for him endlessly.


    I believed that I could go back to my place.


    Because that was the only thing Freyr could do there.


    * * *


    During my life on the spire, I found out that I had a present.


    Freyr gently wrapped her stomach.


    With the thought that he would come to find her when he learns of the child¡¯s birth, I informed the guard.


    But even after a long time, even after I gave birth to my child, my husband didn¡¯t come to see me.


    News that the Duke of Heronis got married, news of the joy of the nation,


    A sarcastic remark that the Duchess of Eunice is kind and caring for many people, and that she is different from anyone else,


    And even the news about the birth of the princess in Heronis Duke mansion, everyone is talking around and congratulating them.


    The child in my arms¡­ without even being congratulated, lives like this with her mother who became a prisoner.


    When I asked them to call my husband or even contact my relatives, there was no answer that returned back.


    As if they were asking her to die here, those acts, those words, and those gazes killed Freyr again and again.


    The first insult, shame, anguish, and loneliness that she experienced in her life eroded Freyr.


    She found out eventually that the only one who could get her out of this place was the Duke, so she had no choice but to search for him anxiously.


    ¡°Duke, did you really forget about me¡­¡±


    Everyone cursed Freyr as a wicked woman who had gone crazy because of love.


    They pointed her out as a stupid woman, a pathetic woman, who was looking for love even after receiving such treatment.


    Even if she wanted to swear at them or curse them, the only thing that came out of her mouth was the longing for her husband.


    As if no other words were allowed.


    That¡¯s why Freyr gave up thinking about other things.


    The faint expectation that he would come to find her if she waited was the only reason she could survive.


    Yet, no matter how hard she tried to hold onto her consciousness, it was impossible to do anything if her body was unstable. Freyr found out at some point that the sickness was eating her body.


    ¡®You¡¯re dying alone like this.¡¯


    Why did the Duke abandon her?


    Why should she be framed and die so miserable?


    Come to think of it, it was really strange.


    A trial wasn¡¯t held properly, it was a fixed punishment, and I couldn¡¯t even contact her family.


    My life, which was splendid, was no longer there.


    The world was right for abandoning me.


    After all, they curse me as a witch, a wicked woman, and are hoping for me to die.


    The splendid thing was for a moment, and at the end of my life, deep darkness was greeting me.


    When I struggled from death in frustration, despair, and excruciating loneliness, no one but my daughter appeared before me.


    My daughter said she understood me.


    Why did she forget about this child?


    For seven years old, the child was so small and thin.


    I could see the child¡¯s hand trembling when she said that she understood what I wanted to be, was duke¡¯s wife and not her mother.


    It was obvious to me that people had cursed and abused the child for being her daughter.


    Even when I looked at her through my blurred vision, she had a physique that looked atmost six years old.


    Yes, just for being her own child, she was living like this and would continue to live like this again.


    The hand of the child holding her hand was very warm.


    I wanted to wrap tightly the small, warm, yet trembling hand, and hug the child.


    Nevertheless, in my mouth, I only heard a voice looking for duke.


    Why?


    Only then did Freyr realize that she was strange.


    Why do you say that you miss the Duke if you blame him, and can¡¯t say any other words?


    She didn¡¯t have enough strength to deeply reflect on the sense of deja vu that came to her.


    Only, at the moment of her death, Freyr wanted to open her mouth to call her daughter¡¯s name.


    The mouth that opened easily when searching for the Duke didn¡¯t open at its own will, so Freyr resented and regretted it.


    ¡®Daphne. Daphne. Daphne.¡¯


    My poor daughter, whom I couldn¡¯t even give a proper name.


    Why did she finally remember her daughter, who she held in her arms a few times?


    When I had you, I was so happy.


    It was as if my memory had been erased and then rewritten.


    As if someone were covering her mouth, she resented her tightly sealed mouth, and Freyr closed her eyes, enduring the injustice.


    She felt her consciousness slowly sinking down with tears flowing from her eyes.


    She was no longer afraid of this death.


    ¡®If, God is listening to me¡­¡¯


    If God considers me to be a little wise, please, please.


    Please don¡¯t let my daughter walk on the same fate as me.


    If my daughter is born with this fate, please let her break that fate¡­


    I heard the voice of my daughter, Daphne, looking for me.


    However, Freyr could never open her eyes again.


    The child¡¯s name could not be called at the end.


    It was the end.


    * * *


    The heavy pressure that held me down so far had disappeared.


    When I thought that I was as light as a butterfly, I really became a purple butterfly.


    I saw something beneath my wings. As I approached, I saw a little girl sitting in front of me.


    It was Daphne, the daughter of Freyr.


    I thought it was definitely the end, but was she given another chance?


    I instinctively knew what to do in this situation.


    I can¡¯t take care of this child, touch her, hug her, or even call out her name.


    I wanted to live for my child for the last time. So, I flapped my wings vigorously to take the child to a safe place.


    The unfamiliar boy was sad, looking at the child. Somehow, I thought that if he were to become that child¡¯s family, that child would be happy, too.


    This was the end of what I could do.


    As I felt the wings that were flapping hard slowly turn into light, my eyes met with the child who was leaving far away.


    ¡°¡­Good-bye, Butterfly.¡±


    Despite the words of gratitude from the child¡¯s mouth, Freyr could not cry.


    Because she wasn¡¯t allowed to cry.


    She was just sad.


    This will be our last meeting.


    I should¡¯ve held you in my arms a little longer.


    I should¡¯ve given you a name myself.


    I should¡¯ve told you I love you at least once.


    From the beginning to the end, she was a truly unqualified mother.


    Therefore, I had no choice but to hope that you live a happy life.


    The purple butterfly began to be erased from this place.


    Freyr, who was slowly disappearing into the light, prayed to God again, knowing that it was her greed.


    ¡®Please, give this ugly mother another chance in the next life.¡¯


    Really, I¡¯ll give her generous love in the next life.


    Please, once again, put that child down by my side.


    I want to tell my child that I love her so much until she gets sick of it.


    I want to make my child happy.


    I want to be Daphne¡¯s mother.


    I want to live happily with Daphne.


    If God is listening¡­


    The purple butterfly, with its little wish, left a small halo of light and disappeared without a trace.


    Only God knew whether her wish reached God or not.

 Chapter 11

    The soft feeling surrounding my body was very strange to me.


    As soon as I felt strange, the consciousness that had been lying far away slowly began to rise, and I opened my eyes.


    ¡°I slept well.¡±


    Even though everyone said to sleep comfortably until late, perhaps because of my habit at the nursery, my eyes naturally opened at 8 a.m in the morning.


    I blinked, looking at the white ceiling.


    ¡®Is it because I cried and slept yesterday¡­¡¯


    I think my eyes are a little puffy. I rubbed my eyes and looked down at the blanket that covered my legs.


    The soft, warm blanket, not the rough old one, touched my skin, and it seemed to inform me that this situation was not a dream.


    ¡°¡­it¡¯s not a dream.¡±


    Yes, it was really not a dream.


    An unfamiliar ceiling, soft bedding, and the light that came in through the window.


    I realized that I had finally come out of the crummy nursery, which I used to take for granted after learning that I was in the novel.


    I scratched my itchy mouth and tried to pull the corners of my mouth gently. The trembling corners of my mouth were utterly awkward as if it was trying to prove that I barely laughed.


    Nevertheless, I was happy, and I liked my situation where I could laugh.


    Feeling a new environment, I stretched out my arms, and soon I heard the bird¡¯s sound from outside. The chirping sound of birds was different from the loud noise that I often heard in the nursery, so without realizing, I thought I wanted to see it.


    ¡®No, before that, isn¡¯t this underground?¡¯


    I thought the merchant¡¯s group base was underground, what do you mean by the sound of birds?


    The curiosity toward the bird turned into a curiosity about the place I was staying.


    Even though I have a memory of being an adult, was it because it was a child¡¯s body?


    Forgetting that I was injured, I stepped out of my bed to solve my curiosity. And at the same time, I fell to the floor with a loud noise. Obviously, the foot I stepped on with didn¡¯t have any strength, and as soon as I fell, it reminded me that I was injured.


    ¡°Ahhh.¡±


    I must have hit my arm when I fell, so my elbow was throbbing.


    ¡®It hasn¡¯t even been a long since I got hurt.¡¯


    Are you going to be satisfied after making your whole body covered in wounds, Daphne?


    I had no choice but to sigh, blaming myself. Before anyone saw it, I grabbed the bed and tried to climb up. At that moment, I heard a sudden noise of someone rushing, and then, the door suddenly opened with a quick knock.


    ¡°Daphne!¡±


    Perhaps he heard the sound when I fell, Lennox hurried into the room with his green hair waving.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Then he reached out his hand carefully to me.


    I wonder if it was because of the time spent in the nursery, his hands overlapped with someone¡¯s hand trying to harass me, so at that moment, I closed my eyes tightly and crouched down.


    ¡®Ah.¡¯


    There was a moment of silence, and I felt some bad atmosphere. My face turned red when I realized that I was scared and crouched like a habit.


    ¡°Well, I¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    Lennox has been kind to me since the first time I met him, but with my actions a while ago, he may be feeling bad.


    As a habit, I looked at his eyes and said that I did something wrong. Upon hearing my words, Lennox¡¯s expression hardened.


    ¡°¡­you did nothing wrong.¡±


    Lennox, who settled his expression so quick, felt as if it was my illusion that he had been stiff a while ago. He smiled softly and hugged me.


    ¡°I was surprised to hear the loud noises so I ran quickly. I scared you, didn¡¯t I? I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    You didn¡¯t do anything wrong.


    Strangely, I didn¡¯t hate the way he apologized, but I couldn¡¯t bring up any words.


    ¡®It¡¯s strange and still strange.¡¯


    It was now quite clear that the soft bed was not the only thing that¡¯s strange to me.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Now that I can finally answer, I nodded and spoke as if I had waited.


    Perhaps genuinely surprised, Lennox put his hand on his chest and sighed with relief, so the atmosphere felt strange again.


    ¡°You must have been surprised by the sudden fall.¡±


    Then, he smiled softly as if that could be possible. He seemed to think that I fell down while sleeping.


    Looking at the hands that covered my body with a blanket and with a friendly smile as yesterday, I tilted my head.


    ¡°It happened when I forgot that I hurt my leg like a fool and tried to get out of bed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s possible when you¡¯re half asleep.¡±


    Saying not to call myself fool for such reason, Lennox put a soft towel in a bowl of water he had brought.


    And he wiped my face with a moist towel.


    ¡°I, I can do it!¡±


    ¡°You seem to have hit your arm as you fell over. Leave this to me.¡±


    When else did he see my arms moving awkwardly?


    I had no choice but to nod quietly because I felt I had lied for no reason.


    A hot towel swept my face.


    As it got warm from face to toe, even though I just woke up, I fell asleep feeling tired. When I began to doze off, Lennox burst into a small laugh and laid me down carefully.


    ¡°I guess your eyes are a little swollen from lack of sleep. I¡¯ll steam it, so take a rest. When you get up again, let¡¯s have breakfast together.¡±


    A soft voice flowed down my ear like a lullaby, and I nodded unconsciously and slowly fell asleep.


    ***


    The moment the delicious smell stimulated my sense of smell, I suddenly woke up.


    Even though I opened my eyes, it¡¯s dark, now am I also blind? So was it all a dream? I thought for a moment.


    But after a moment, it also occurred to me belatedly that Lennox said he would apply a hot towel to my eyes.


    ¡®Come to think of it, I cried out loud yesterday.¡¯


    I cried and cried like that, so it wouldn¡¯t be hard for my eyes to get swollen.


    ¡®How funny did my face look?¡¯


    Sighing out of shame for no reason, I removed the towel that covered my eyes. Only then did I see the bright light coming in again and the clock beyond it. I had no choice but to hiccup when I saw the clock bar running toward eleven o¡¯clock.


    Hiccup.


    ¡®I can¡¯t believe I slept for nearly three hours, because of a lack of sleep.¡¯


    Was I someone who sleeps a lot?


    In amazement, I was continuously hiccuping, and suddenly I felt something coming from behind.


    ¡°Whoa-!¡±


    ¡°Ahcyak!¡±


    A light pink hair appeared before my eyes.


    He appeared behind me as if he had intended to frighten me, and as soon as I shouted in surprise, Ricarda laughed playfully as if it met his expectations.


    ¡°Good morning, Daphne.¡±


    ¡°¡­ha.¡±


    And then I heard Chloe¡¯s sigh. I moved my head a little and looked at Chloe behind me. As soon as she felt my gaze, Chloe smiled, as if she never sighed.


    ¡°Did you sleep well, baby?¡±


    I nodded, soothing my astonishment at the formal morning greeting.


    ¡°Good morning. So¡­..¡±


    What should I call Chloe?


    When I couldn¡¯t control my expression and was embarrassed, Ricarda in front of me burst into laughter.


    It was a laugh as if he was looking at his cute sister, so I almost stared at him without realizing it, but Chloe was faster to step up and hit him on the head.


    ¡°You¡¯re very good at surprising your sister and even laughing at her, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°No, I was just trying to stop her hiccups so I surprised her. I laughed because she is so cute, but my mother doesn¡¯t even know how I feel and Ricarda is upset!¡±


    The sight of a grown boy forlorn act, to be honest, looked gross. As if Chloe felt the same as me, she frowned a little and soon turned her gaze away.


    ¡°It¡¯s ugly to watch, Rica.¡±


    Lennox, who suddenly appeared, spoke out as if to calm the situation. But it was counterproductive, and Ricarda pretended to be upset without losing.


    ¡°For our youngest, too, is your brother ugly? Your brother just wanted to stop your hiccupping, and laughed because you are so cute.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    What kind of answer is right?


    If I am honest, I think I would look hateful, and to tell a lie, my conscience stops me from doing it.


    I looked at Lennox to ask for help but then he avoided looking at me. This time I cast my eyes at Chloe and she also avoided my gaze.


    Even though they could see I was clearly embarrassed, Chloe and Lennox just looked at us like they were having fun, and didn¡¯t step forward to stop Ricarda.


    What should I do?


    ¡°Sniffle, sniffle. Your brother is so sad. Even for our youngest, brother is ugly? Don¡¯t you want to see me?¡±


    ¡°Do you¡­ want an honest answer, or do you want a pretty word, even if it¡¯s a lie?¡±


    In the end, all I could do was ask questions and give him an option.


    Everyone who listened to me opened their eyes wide as if they were surprised.


    ¡°?¡±


    When everyone suddenly made the same face, I rolled my eyes, not knowing what to say.


    Chloe burst into laughter.


    ¡°Oh, well. As expected of my daughter. It¡¯s the same with asking questions in a difficult situation.¡±


    Fortunately, the mood did not seem to be ruined when she smiled as if she liked it.


    When Chloe smiled satisfactorily, Ricarda began to laugh, saying, I was really like Chloe, and Lennox watched us as if he were having fun.


    ¡°Please call me Mother comfortably from now on. Now that the baby is awake, shall we go eat?¡±


    I nodded, saying I understood and was ready to go eat.


    ¡°Ah, but how am I going?¡±


    I don¡¯t think I can see the wheelchair anywhere, nor the crutches.


    ¡°I was hoping we could help you out first until your legs get healed. Will it be okay?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s going to take a while to get the wheelchair to fit you, and crutches will be hard to handle with your body, so that won¡¯t do either.¡±


    At Lennox¡¯s exhortation and Ricarda¡¯s firm words, I looked at Chloe, no, mother, and nodded.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that¡­ bother you? I¡¯m sure, I¡¯ll be heavy.¡±


    ¡°Come on, you¡¯re totally light if brother can carry you in his back.¡±


    Our brother is so weak.


    When Ricarda shrugged, Lennox¡¯s cold gaze seemed to be directed towards Ricarda¡¯s side.


    Then, when I made eye contact, Lennox smiled again as if he had never done so, and reached out his hands to me.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, can I hold you?¡±


    He¡¯s tall and well built to be called someone weak. I stared at his wide embrace and slowly opened my arms. That way, I could comfortably be held in Lennox¡¯s arms.


    It was only later that I found out that a wheelchair was already ready for me to ride.

 Chapter 12

    ¡°¡­does it not suit your taste?¡±


    Chloe asked, when I was only staring at the splendid table in front of me and not eating.


    ¡°Ah, no. I¡¯m a little surprised.¡±


    Surely the most famous merchant group in the Empire is different. The food on the splendid table was so different from the nursery that I couldn¡¯t even decide what to touch first.


    Steamy soup, fresh-looking salad, meat dishes made only with soft cuts, etc. It must have looked weird to be absent-minded while looking at various foods.


    ¡®You¡¯d better eat only enough so that it doesn¡¯t strain your body.¡¯


    I¡¯ve never eaten properly until now, so I shouldn¡¯t suddenly eat more by feeling pressured. I felt solemn at the end of my thoughts.


    ¡®Okay, let¡¯s start with the soup first.¡¯


    I gulped, looking at the food and slowly spooned the soup and took it to my mouth.


    Gulp


    The hot, soft soup slowly went down from my mouth.


    Ah, it¡¯s delicious.


    It¡¯s so delicious. As soon as I put it in, the flavor of the soup filled my mouth.


    My hands got faster without realizing, because I was eating this delicious food for the first time in my life.


    I was eating the soup in a hurry, and suddenly it became quiet on the table.


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    Did I eat too fast?


    Everyone looked surprised with their stiff looks. Did I look ugly when I was eating? I had that thought for awhile.


    ¡°Daphne, are you crying?¡±


    When Ricarda asked, I put down the spoon I was holding and touched my cheek. As he said, tears were flowing from my eyes. When I blinked, more tears fell down as if it had waited.


    ¡°¡­did I cry?¡±


    Even I was embarrassed and stammered, and Ricarda asked again.


    ¡°I thought you were eating well. Was it bad? Do you want another dish? The lasagna in front is also delicious.¡±


    When he tried to bring another food to me in a hurry with a fidgety voice, I shook my head in embarrassment.


    How can you say this food is not delicious?


    ¡°I¡¯ve never had such delicious food before. So¡­ did I cry?¡±


    When I spoke to him, Ricarda¡¯s hand, which quickly dropped another dish in front of me, hardened.


    Somehow this situation, where silence keeps falling because of me, was so burdensome. I shriveled up as if a heavy load had fallen on my shoulder, but then, Ricarda¡¯s hand moved again.


    ¡°I see. Then, would you like to dip this bread in the soup? The bread tastes good when moistened with soup.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Yes.¡±


    Ricarda cut the bread in front and put it on my plate, and as he said, I tried dipping the bread in the soup.


    ¡°¡­it¡¯s delicious.¡±


    My voice rose a little.


    I blushed, embarrassed of the voice that rose without my knowledge, and Ricarda smiled brightly.


    ¡°Right? Because I made it. It¡¯s nice to see you eat it deliciously!¡±


    With a proud voice, he served a variety of food on a plate little by little.


    Lennox, sitting next to me, carefully wiped away the tears from my eyes and cheeks with a handkerchief.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have any traces of tears left.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Somehow, I think I¡¯m being treated like a child?


    I don¡¯t know why they¡¯re doing this to me, but it wasn¡¯t contempt nor malice, so I decided to put down my heavy heart for a while and enjoy the pleasure in my mouth.


    *   *   *


    ¡°It was really delicious.¡±


    I was embarrassed to keep eating even after everyone¡¯s meals were over because I ate too slowly, but it was so delicious that I could not easily put down the fork.


    Fortunately, everyone told me to eat slowly and said they would wait for me, so I could enjoy the delicious food a little more and, I felt happy.


    ¡®If there was a happiness gauge, I think it¡¯s already 10% full.¡¯


    Until now, I was just in a hurry to fill my stomach, so I couldn¡¯t afford to enjoy the taste. But, after eating this leisurely, I thought that food is so delicious and eating is fun.


    ¡®Because there is a saying that people live to eat.¡¯


    Unlike usual, I looked at my full stomach and also ate the dessert in front of me.


    ¡®What if they think I¡¯m a pig? What if they kick me out for eating too much?¡¯ I was worried about this for a moment.


    ¡®It¡¯s a rich merchant¡¯s group. Wouldn¡¯t this be okay? And it¡¯s bad to leave food behind.¡¯


    I was a little worried, but I succeeded in rationalizing it.


    I cleared the pudding in front of me and stroked my stomach satisfactorily. Then I heard a small laugh from the side.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry. Did you enjoy your meal?¡±


    Lennox, pretending not to laugh, looked at me and smiled softly.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never had such delicious food before.¡±


    On that remark, Ricarda raised his head with pride.


    ¡°I am responsible for the food in this house. Tell me everything you want to eat! This brother will take responsibility for everything!¡±


    ¡®Why does he keep emphasizing the word ¡®brother¡¯?¡¯


    The unfamiliar title bothered me a little, but I nodded.


    ¡°I wish it was the same as today.¡±


    Because, everything was perfect!


    Since the person who gives something bad is a bad person, so let¡¯s assume that the person who gives something delicious is a good person.


    I shook my head, thinking about what I had eaten over the years.


    Since I had already erased it neatly from my head, I didn¡¯t want to think about it anymore.


    ¡°Hmm hmm. I¡¯m glad you enjoyed your meal.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the meal.¡±


    At my greeting, my mother smiled and nodded. Somehow she seems a little proud too, is it my mistake?


    ¡°First of all, I¡¯ll let you know what you have to do from now on.¡±


    As soon as the meal is over, she¡¯s getting to the main point?


    ¡®As expected, the head of the merchant¡¯s group didn¡¯t do it for free. You¡¯ve given me the room to sleep and enough food to eat, so now you¡¯re asking me to pay for it.¡¯


    That¡¯s why she got to the main point in order to avoid wasting time.


    I thought she was amazing as expected, and relaxed my posture correctly and nodded.


    ¡°What should I do?¡±


    I¡¯m already prepared to make a commitment to do whatever she asks me.


    ¡®Because I can do anything except to die.¡¯


    My mother also clenched her hands, raised her chin, and spoke seriously, as if she had seen my firm determination.


    ¡°There are only two things without any difficulty. Can you do it?¡±


    Instead of telling me what it is, you¡¯re going to make me promise first.


    I swallowed and nodded.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Okay. For the first one.¡±


    My mother sharp eyes descended from my head to the toe.


    With the surging tension, my back filled with pressure, and finally she opened her mouth.


    ¡°You will return that weak body which flickers like paper to normal.¡±


    ¡°¡­ What?¡±


    Contrary to the expectation that a great deal would come, when the story about my health came out, I suddenly felt relieved.


    Even though I blinked in embarrassment, my mother continued to talk without taking a glance.


    ¡°You have to take all your meals and medicines so that your injured legs can recover as soon as possible.¡±


    As if that wasn¡¯t the only thing, her mouth didn¡¯t stop.


    ¡°All the wounds on the legs and other minor injuries should be treated by Ricarda.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s hard to call a doctor or a priest seeing your circumstances. But basically, I know how to use healing magic. Just trust me!¡±


    After my mother¡¯s words, Ricarda¡¯s bold words continued, but since I was surprised by the absurd conditions, I was not able to hear them properly.


    ¡°You can¡¯t skip meals, try not to take medicine, or refuse the treatment.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you answer?¡±


    ¡°Ah yes!¡±


    When my answer came, she spoke immediately about the second condition.


    ¡°Second, think more than five things about what you want to do or your wishes, and tell me.¡±


    I haven¡¯t ever thought about the second condition, so I couldn¡¯t give any answer.


    I wondered if she was trying to make fun of me, so I bit my lips and answered, facing her.


    ¡°Is there a relationship between these two conditions and my successor status? I thought you were going to get me to work.¡±


    My mother laughed at my answer, saying that she knew I would answer like that.


    ¡°Before becoming a successor, you have to live your life as a person, so the most important thing is your health. Because only if you are healthy, you can continue living.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°You have to be a healthy successor, so the first condition is valid.¡±


    She was right.


    If the person who will succeed is weak, it will be easy to be ignored by the people around them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you about the second condition. If you are a successor of the merchant¡¯s group, you need to know how to live without lacking anything.¡±


    Lennox and Ricarda beside me nodded in affirmation to the words.


    ¡°Above all, the existence of a business depends on how big a merchant¡¯s desires and the wants are. You have to be able to pull it out.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is that so?¡±


    ¡°Of course not only pulling out, but also hide it, but¡­ I think it would be better for you to learn from pulling it out.¡±


    After listening to all the explanations, it seemed like all conditions were necessary to become a successor.


    ¡®As expected, you certainly consider even a child as a partner in the contract.¡¯


    Thinking that she wasn¡¯t leading this big merchant¡¯s group for no reason, I nodded vigorously, admiring my mother¡¯s intentions.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too upset about these conditions.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t just the sympathy that was given, but the goal was created, which gave me more power.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll be healthy. I¡¯m going to eat regularly, take medicine, and get treatment to stay healthy.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll think about what I want to do. When do I have to say it?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no deadline, so think about it leisurely. Those who have the time and those who don¡¯t have the time are noticeably different. Outwardly and inwardly.¡±


    The glance that seemed to pierce me was like advice telling me to give up or hide my urgent mind.


    It¡¯s only been two days since we met, but I thought it was a bit of mother-like advice and made up my mind.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    And the answer was energetic.


    On the table where the stillness flowed, a warm atmosphere suddenly filled up.


    My mother¡¯s, Ricarda¡¯s and Lennox¡¯s expression looked satisfied.


    I was also very satisfied with this situation, so I wished every day would be just like today.


    ¡°In that sense. I forgot to give you this.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    My mother lifted the object that she had put under the table.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s¡­!¡±

 Chapter 13

    ¡°Is that my bag?¡±


    The identity of the object that suddenly appeared was the bag I brought with me.


    ¡®Now that I see it, that day, I just left without thinking and again, returned back with my lost consciousness.¡¯


    That old bag, which does not fit with this building, exuded a toxic presence.


    ¡®Wait a minute. Come to think, I didn¡¯t just put the papers in there.¡¯


    When I saw the seal with an unknown purpose, I thought it was an important object, and so I put it in my bag, thinking it might be the last resort ¡­


    I can¡¯t believe I forgot that.


    I said I put it in my side pocket of the bag so you can¡¯t see it well, but they might have searched the bag carefully, right?


    ¡®Have you seen it?¡¯


    It was really meant to be kept as a last resort.


    Suddenly, I was shaken by impatience and then seeing my mother¡¯s cold eyes, I remembered the words a little while ago.


    ¡®She said you had to pretend to have some composure, even if you didn¡¯t have it.¡¯


    One has to calm the startled hearts and then hide their impatience behind them, and elicit a normal reaction as if it were nothing.


    ¡®But I¡¯ve never done that kind of acting before. My heart is impatient¡­¡¯


    Though the cold sweat running on my back only lasted a short time, I felt that I was sweating for a long time.


    ¡®No, let¡¯s relax. I¡¯m not acting.¡¯


    You shouldn¡¯t think you¡¯re acting, but you are truly sincere.


    I don¡¯t really care about anything, so I don¡¯t have to lose my composure or be impatient. I incessantly recalled it and put it deeply in my mind as if I were shouting a spell. Then naturally, my expression became normal, that I couldn¡¯t believe it myself, and the impatience hid behind me.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d keep it. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°How can I throw it away? There might be something important.¡±


    I blinked at the question as if she spoke out my thoughts.


    Perhaps she was waiting for my answer, my mother¡¯s eyes looked cold, and she stood up from her seat, saying it was time to get back to work.


    ¡°I have to go back to the capital to work. Ricarda will also be busy today, and Lennox will be by your side since he has time.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Daphne. I want to stay with you too! But, I have to go to the Hospital for Daphne and learn the magic of treatment from other acquaintances.¡±


    Ricarda pretended to wipe away the tears that did not even flow.


    As if he didn¡¯t care about Lennox¡¯s abominable stare, he soon stood up from his seat.


    ¡°So, see you in the evening. I¡¯ll go first, Mother!¡±


    With that voice, a magic wand rose on the floor, emitting the light, and Ricarda disappeared.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Is that what magic is?


    As I¡¯ve been locked up in a nursery, I¡¯ve only heard of this before, but it was the first time I saw it in person.


    With her eyes wide open like a rabbit, she only looked at the place where Ricarda disappeared and soon, came to her senses and shifted her gaze, when her mother spoke.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll go, too. I¡¯ll see you at dinner time.¡±


    My mother strode over and stroked my head gently.


    And, like when we first met, she disappeared from here with a mysterious smoke.


    ¡°¡­wow.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t hide my feelings from the strange scenes, so I opened my mouth and stared at the place that she had disappeared from.


    ¡®Magic, I finally feel like the world that I was living now has changed.¡¯


    Since I lived as an orphan even in my previous life, be it past or present life, I had suffered the same difficulty, so it was a world that was no different. Now, after I finally felt like I¡¯m living in a different world, my heart is pounding and fluttering for no reason.


    ¡°Ricarda is an excellent wizard, and mother is a Mage(1*). They both have strong mana, and they deal very well with their strengths.¡±


    While I was in awe, Lennox, who had already cleared the bowl, stood by the clean table looking at me and stroked my head.


    ¡°They¡¯re outstanding people, and you could be like that.¡±


    ¡°¡­What about Lennox? Is Lennox a wizard?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not a wizard.¡±


    Lennox hesitated for a moment, fiddling with his hair, and smiled with an ashamed expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m an alchemist. I make potions, or invent mysterious things ¡­ I do such things.¡±


    It was only then that he looked like a boy of that age that blushed out of proportion, perhaps because of the enormous amount of shame that came in.


    ¡°If its potions, is Lennox making my medicine, too?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just making what Ricarda asked for.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­.¡±


    That¡¯s something great. Why is he so ashamed?


    Lennox blushed even more, so I decided to stop asking him questions out of consideration. When the question was over, Lennox opened his arms as if he had been waiting.


    ¡°Now, shall we go back to the room?¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    I hesitated for a moment when Lennox raised his arm and tried to lift me up, and then, he paused momentarily.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Do you¡­ not want to be held?¡±


    ¡°No, It¡¯s not that, I don¡¯t want to go back to my room yet¡­¡±


    My mother didn¡¯t tell me not to leave the room so I can ask him a favor, right?


    ¡°I want to look around because it¡¯s the place I¡¯m going to live from now on.¡±


    The most important thing is to get as much information as possible. In my situation, the more information, the better. My mother told me to do only two things, but knowing the story, I know what future is about to come.


    ¡®The male lead of the second part will soon appear.¡¯


    I need a complete picture of my situation before the story begins. I clenched my fists and looked up at Lennox.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you?¡±


    I don¡¯t know if he felt my solemn eyes, but Lennox nodded seriously with a stiff look. With his approval, I raised my arms a little and embraced him, as I did, before the meal.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. You have to know the house you¡¯re going to live in the future. If you have a favor to ask, don¡¯t look around and just be honest.¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±


    I¡¯m going to take a quick look at this house since I¡¯ve got clear permission.


    Without even knowing that Lennox was looking at me, my eyes glistened brightly.


    * * *


    ¡°You came to the basement in the main street, right? This is the private house that connects to it.¡±


    This must have been a different place than where I came from.


    ¡°There¡¯s an official office of the merchant¡¯s group at the capital.¡±


    ¡°Then, where are we?¡±


    Lennox smiled without answering my question and pulled the curtains in front of him.


    ¡°¡­forest?¡±


    With green trees and chirpy birds, you wouldn¡¯t even think of this as winter.


    And on one side of the yard, there was a small garden full of colorful flowers.


    ¡°Where are we really??¡±


    To call it a forest, it¡¯s far from the season, and to call it capital, it¡¯s far from the people.


    As I frowned and looked around the window, Lennox held me up again, worried that I might fall.


    ¡°As you said, the forest is right. It¡¯s Ricarda¡¯s work. Protective magic, non-identifiable magic, and hidden magic are spread out together.¡±


    ¡°Why in the forest?¡±


    ¡°Mother doesn¡¯t like loud noises very much. Well, as a location, it¡¯s for life¡­¡±


    Lennox was speaking softly and suddenly stopped.


    ¡°¡­Lennox?¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s because my mother likes the scenery of the forest. It also protects her privacy.¡±


    ¡°Then what about going to the capital from here?¡±


    Mother and Ricarda seem to go with magic, but Lennox?


    When asked about the curious question, Lennox went up to the second floor by taking the stairs connected to the room.


    ¡°This is my mother¡¯s office.¡±


    Mother was not here because she had already gone to work in the capital. When I opened the door of the Oval Office, I could see a great number of books piled up on the desk, and a large clock on the wall.


    ¡°If you go here in front of the clock, you¡¯ll see the magic hanged by Ricarda. It¡¯s only available to authorized personnel.¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s only for Lennox?¡±


    ¡°Not only me, but also my mother, my mother¡¯s secretary, and a tearful uncle.¡±


    Well, it makes sense for the secretary, but who¡¯s the tearful uncle?


    When I made a puzzled look, Lennox smiled.


    ¡°After staying together, you¡¯ll see each other someday. When Ricarda comes back later, let¡¯s ask him to register Daphne, too?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I like it.¡±


    Along with the voice, Lennox slowly showed me the house.


    The three-floor house was a little smaller than the size of the main nursery, but it was large enough for the three members to live in.


    ¡®Even with a spare room, three or four would be quite expensive.¡¯


    Even if they are commoners, they are not the same commoners.


    At first glance, it looked like an ordinary house, but if you look closely, it wasn¡¯t necessarily like that. Even in my ignorant eyes, the shiny materials on the walls and floors looked luxurious.


    ¡®I guess money is the best.¡¯


    It was an inevitable choice, but it was also a good thing to come here. I looked around the house and nodded in satisfaction.


    ¡°I love the house. Unlike the places I¡¯ve lived, it¡¯s so pretty and my room is nice.¡±


    ¡°Your room?¡±


    We had a light sandwich together, and Lennox, at my words wondered what I was saying.


    ¡®¡­Isn¡¯t that my room?¡¯


    I recalled that neat room where I had opened my eyes in the morning.


    Warm sunshine, soft bedding, and clean walls and ceilings.


    ¡®It wasn¡¯t mine, either.¡¯


    Yes, how could I have such a nice room?


    It was a very nice room to give to the first person they met yesterday.


    I should be grateful for the fact that they let me stay here and be the successor, even if it¡¯s just words.


    ¡®Come to think about it, I asked her to allow me to be a successor proudly in front of Lennox and Ricarda.¡¯


    I don¡¯t think they liked it either¡­


    Was it because I was a child that I was easily relieved because of their kindness?


    Strangely, I knew it was obvious.


    I bit my lips tightly and tightened my eyes just in case tears would fall down.


    I won¡¯t even allow a single drop of tears.


    You shouldn¡¯t be crying here.


    With my head down, I touched the sandwich in my hand for no reason, pretending not to cry, pretending to be okay.


    This used to make my tears go in, so this time too¡­ It¡¯ll go in.


    ¡°The place you were in, was the guest room. This is a secret¡­¡±


    When I looked at Lennox, who didn¡¯t notice my gaze, I could hear the sound of him passing by and looking around.


    There was no one around, and after looking around for a long time for the thing that bothered him, he carefully lowered his head and whispered in my ear.


    ¡°Your room is decorated separately by mother. It¡¯s a much better room compared to the guest room.¡±


    Lennox¡¯s friendly words were incredibly warm. To the extent that I think this situation is a dream.

 Chapter 14

    ¡°¡­what?¡±


    At Lennox¡¯s words, I raised my head in amazement. Lennox was a little surprised to see my eyes facing him, but soon he continued with his words.


    ¡°Actually, there was a room that I didn¡¯t show you before. I don¡¯t know if you can remember it.¡±


    The words naturally reminded me of a door that we passed by. There was another door next to my mother¡¯s office.


    ¡°Re, I remember.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s going to be your room in the future.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    I was really surprised this time. I was so surprised that my hiccups burst out again. Lennox, embarrassed by my reaction, hurried to hand me warm water.


    ¡°I, I thought I didn¡¯t have one.¡±


    As I held my breath and barely managed to stop hiccups and stammered, Lennox smiled, saying that it would never happen.


    Because that smile was so sweet, unfamiliar, and I felt happy, so, like a fool, I thought, even if that smile was a lie, I am happy at this moment.


    After a simple evening meal together, I decided to get my hair trimmed as Lennox suggested.


    ¡°Your hair will be shorter, but it¡¯ll be much cleaner.¡±


    ¡°Lennox is good at trimming, right?¡±


    ¡°So, you mean you will believe me?¡±


    Lennox smiled at my words and picked up scissors. I agreed to the word that he would clean up my messy and irregular hair, but I was nervous about what it would be like.


    ¡°Woah.¡±


    In spite of my nervousness, Lennox really deftly moved his hands to arrange my hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s over. How is it? It didn¡¯t take that long, right?¡±


    Looking at the mirror Lennox prepared for me, I saw a curly white hair just below my ear.


    ¡°It¡¯s really short.¡±


    ¡°Do you like short hair? It seemed like you cut it yourself.¡±


    ¡°I cut it roughly, since no one cut my hair.¡±


    When I finished my words, he stopped doing what he was doing and looked at me. His gaze reached towards me, but I continued to talk because I didn¡¯t care about it.


    ¡°I cut it myself because I didn¡¯t want to hear people swearing at my hair color when they cut my hair. Anyway, everyone hates me.¡±


    I was going to continue talking, but I couldn¡¯t keep talking because Lennox suddenly hugged me tightly.


    It was because I could see his eyes turning red like he was holding back his tears.


    I don¡¯t know why he was sad.


    ¡°¡­You must have been scared.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was just a little bit worse than usual¡­¡±


    Was it scary?


    I slowly recalled the time I tried not to think about it.


    Did they say I was poisonous? Did they say they didn¡¯t want to see me? Did they say I was mean?


    As I listened to words, full of malice in so many different ways, all words mixed up so I couldn¡¯t remember it in detail.


    Therefore, my voice was calm.


    ¡°But, well, it was worth holding on.¡±


    And at the words, Lennox burst into tears.


    ¡°Heug.¡±


    Tears streamed from Lennox¡¯s eyes. The tears that burst did not stop, as if he were the one feeling it, and soon, I felt his tears seeping into my shoulders. Rather than sighing at the damp clothes, I thought that the priority was to comfort Lennox, who did not know why he was crying.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry.¡±


    Pat Pat


    It seemed a little strange to pat a man who was taller than me, and as if Lennox felt it too, he cried even more sadly.


    ¡°Heug-heug.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    Are you really crying because of me?


    The movement of the patting hand slowed down.


    A child he met for not even a month, also, a child who could threaten his position, and above all, when he found out that she was the daughter of a wicked woman whom everyone despised¡­


    Lennox was very friendly.


    And I was very unfamiliar with his kindness.


    To the extent, that I wanted to reject it.


    ¡°Lennox.¡±


    ¡°¡­yes, Daphne.¡±


    ¡°Why are you crying?¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    Lennox breathed in for a moment, wiped away his tears in a hurry, and smiled graciously with his red eyes.


    ¡°I think there¡¯s dust in my eyes.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s gone now.¡±


    Look at this. How sweet he is, in turning words around like this. So, I decided to bring up something that I must say here.


    Unlike the smile before, he smiled as if he didn¡¯t want to worry me. And then, a cold voice came out.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so sweet to me. We¡¯re tied up in a contractual relationship anyway, and I¡¯m¡­¡±


    I took a breath and put a word in my mouth that I did not want to say to the friendly Lennox.


    ¡°I¡¯m a greedy child. I don¡¯t want to lose what I once gained. That¡¯s why, don¡¯t be nice to me.¡±


    There was no word between us after that. When I said I wanted to take a rest, Lennox carefully brought me to the room, just like before.


    ¡°Call me if you need me. Take a good rest, and I¡¯ll be back at dinner time.¡±


    After saying that, Lennox left the room.


    Sitting on the bed, I stared blankly at the clean room. The room that I thought was good, when I was suddenly left alone, I immediately felt bad.


    He looked tenderhearted, but he wasn¡¯t hurt, was he?


    I¡¯ve got bigger fish to fry* and still, in this situation, I¡¯m worried about Lennox.


    T/n: * To have more important or more interesting things to do.


    ¡°¡­I need to wake up.¡±


    Surviving is the first priority in order to achieve happiness. I would be happy if I survive, twist the contents of the second part, mix it up, and overturn the happy ending.


    ¡°How can I be so happy already?¡±


    Kindness given to me brings happiness, but the happiness that already comes will be poison to me.


    I shook my head hard and slapped my cheek with both hands. When I slapped myself on the cheek with a pair-sounding sound, I was able to divert my thoughts from the tingling.


    ¡°Let¡¯s forget, I must forget it. Think about what you have to do right now.¡±


    There are many things to do. When the male protagonist appears, you have to either kill him or give him the kindness to win his heart and use it, then throw him away without any mercy.


    I¡¯m going to make sure he doesn¡¯t trust anyone. I¡¯m going to ruin his relationship with the heroine.


    ¡°Even in the novel, my mother didn¡¯t bother killing the main character. It¡¯s more likely she will try to save him again.¡±


    No matter how much I take this position¡­


    This sloppy romance fantasy world that I belong to is following the coercion of the original.


    The main character may stay here in a different way, so I should think about what to do with him.


    ¡®And this seal, too.¡¯


    I lifted up the old bag beside the bed and took out the seal I had hidden.


    ¡®I was so embarrassed by her refusal that I gave her all the documents, so this is the only thing I have.¡¯


    Hopefully, that will not be the case, but it¡¯s important to leave the last card in case it¡¯s needed.


    Above all, this seal was not like an ordinary object. This could be a big weakness of the nursery that my mother wants to catch. I hid the seal deep in my bag again and kept my bag on one side.


    ¡°¡­if I knew how to read the papers earlier, I would have known all the contents before handing over, right?¡±


    After reading enough, I would have saved it in my head and delivered it to her. Now that I think about it, it was a shame, but with this regret, I thought of my first wish to tell my mother.


    ***


    My mother didn¡¯t show up at dinner time, unaffected by my energetic decision to say my first wish.


    ¡°Mother is too busy. She won¡¯t probably come back until tomorrow evening.¡±


    Ricarda looked sullen as if he wanted to share the sorrow with me, who was feeling down.  Then, he gently stroked my head and asked me to have dinner together tomorrow.


    The evening passed so quietly.


    Ricarda, who opened his mouth without asking how his brother was today,


    And Lennox, who listened to him quietly and started to argue.


    I, who only listened to them.


    Would we look like a family if viewed from the outside?


    I wasn¡¯t sure how the mealtime went by.  I¡¯m sure the food was delicious, but why do I feel so empty?


    After the meal, when everyone fell asleep, the dawn hour came. I don¡¯t know if it was because of the big room or the darkness of the downtown area of the Capital and the forest, but I couldn¡¯t fall asleep and loneliness surrounded me.


    The night felt so long.


    ***


    I woke up early in the morning.


    While trying to stand up, I remembered about my leg injury. As I stayed still on the bed, I soon heard a knock on the door.


    Knock knock!


    ¡°Good Morning, Daphne!¡±


    Ricarda, who seemed to be in good spirit even in the early morning, came inside with a big smile.


    ¡°Now! It¡¯s the morning treatment time!¡±


    With a big smile on his face, Ricarda sat in front of me.


    ¡°This brother will try his best again today!¡±


    ¡°¡­Please do it.¡±


    Aren¡¯t you tired of calling yourself brother when I don¡¯t even give you any answer?


    He frowned at the unfamiliar words and quickly opened up his frowned eyebrows, thinking not to scrape it off.


    ¡°I learned the upgraded version of the healing magic yesterday. I hope this works a little.¡±


    His playfulness disappeared, and seriousness emerged from him. Ricarda rolled up my blanket and put his hand on my leg. Soon a light pinkish glow flowed out from his hand, like the color of his hair. The flowing light began to draw intricate patterns of magic. I felt a stream of water running through my body.


    ¡°Well, I tried hard. But it¡¯s harder than I expected.¡±


    After doing magic for a long time, he took his hands off because he thought the right time had passed. The Magic Circle immediately disappeared, and I felt a little lighter.


    ¡°Something didn¡¯t go the way I wanted. Is your body a little lighter?¡±


    ¡°¡­Hmm, a little?¡±


    I don¡¯t know if it worked or not, but¡­


    In this situation, where they can¡¯t even call a doctor or a priest, the only one I can trust is Ricarda.


    ¡®Will he be able to heal my legs?¡¯


    I heard Ricarda was an excellent wizard, but he said healing wasn¡¯t his main major. Is it possible?


    ¡®I should give up on the idea that my legs will heal perfectly.¡¯


    You thought it was the price of your life in the first place, so you can¡¯t have any regret now.


    ¡®You must have a strong heart, Daphne.¡¯


    Ricarda was gloomy, so for some reason, even I felt gloomy.


    That¡¯s why I thought back to myself that it¡¯s okay, it¡¯s not a waste.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Because I got my life in exchange for my legs. It¡¯s not Ricarda¡¯s fault.¡±


    I tried to get rid of his expression that made me feel guilty. But, before I could say anything more, Ricarda shook his head with a determined look.


    ¡°You have to save both your life and your legs; You don¡¯t have to give up on one thing.¡±


    ¡°¡­ still.¡±


    ¡°Why do you have to give up? Don¡¯t give up.¡±


    Unlike his usual laughing voice, Ricarda¡¯s voice was low and serious.


    When I was surprised by his appearance, Ricarda smiled and said,  ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make you all better.¡±

 Chapter 15

    The words he said with a bright smile made me speechless like yesterday.


    Why are these brothers so kind to me?


    Barely, to someone like me ¡­


    I don¡¯t know how it¡¯ll change in the future, and it¡¯s not even worth it for now.


    This kindness was awful.


    Because I wanted it so badly; because I didn¡¯t want to lose once I get it. I squeezed the blanket with my hands and calmed my beating heart.


    I wasn¡¯t confident enough to face that smile yet.


    ¡°In that sense, today is the day you spend with me! Brother took a day off yesterday, so he has to go to work today.¡±


    Ricarda giggled and laughed in a playful voice. His playful voice soothed my heart to a certain extent.


    ¡°Brother will work busily, and I get time to spend with Daphne.¡±


    ¡°¡­is he busy because of me?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Wasn¡¯t he busy because he took care of me?


    With a firm, quick answer, Ricarda smiled, saying that wasn¡¯t the case.


    ¡°It was his choice, so that can¡¯t be because of you. It¡¯s all because of brother himself.¡±


    He smiled, telling me not to worry about it and disappeared for a while after asking me to wait and appeared in front of me again with a tray.


    ¡°So, today, let¡¯s have fun with only Daphne and brother all day long?¡±


    ***


    The home without Mother and Lennox but only with Ricarda and me¡­ wasn¡¯t quiet at all. Ricarda told me about many things and kept on talking as if he was anxious to help me.


    ¡°I heard you and brother were talking about this magic circle yesterday. Now, put your hand here, and you¡¯ll be registered, too.¡±


    And saying it would be useful in the future, Ricarda registered me with a magic circle moving to the capital.


    After that, his destination naturally headed to the first floor because yesterday, Lennox let him know that I was guided to the house.


    ¡°This is the best place in our house.¡±


    The next destination was the kitchen. Ricarda sat me in one of the chairs and then lifted his arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make dinner from now on. Would you like to make it together?¡±


    ¡°But what if I ruin it?¡±


    I¡¯ve never cooked before.


    What if while you¡¯re with me, you ruin the dish?


    Ricarda grinned at the anxious question.


    ¡°You can¡¯t ruin it when you make it with your brother.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    I had a gloomy look on my face as I recalled memories from the nursery.


    ¡°If you ruin the food because of me, everyone will be angry. I always got scolded for trying to help at the nursery.¡±


    In the first place, everyone said they didn¡¯t need my help. I knew that the nursery and this place were different, but I was still nervous. Ricarda sat face to face in front of me and smiled softly like he had read my anxious mind.


    ¡°I am sure there¡¯s no one here who can blame you for ruining the food.¡±


    After that, Ricarda laughed playfully.


    ¡°If anyone says anything, I¡¯ll give them a scolding, be it Mother or Brother. Since, Ricarda is the youngest.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true. Our youngest is Daphne, right?¡±


    Faith arose from those kind words. Ricarda realized like a ghost that I was ready to do it. Even though it was a little help, he also told me he was grateful for my help.


    After we completed all the preparations for the meal, the time for dinner arrived. Unfortunately, however, we couldn¡¯t eat the food together.


    ¡°Oh, my. Mother says she can¡¯t come in today. Lennox is working overtime, too.¡±


    ¡°¡­What about Ricarda?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll be right next to Daphne! Let¡¯s have a very delicious dinner together!¡±


    ¡®I can¡¯t tell her my wish tonight either.¡¯


    I was going to say that I want to learn how to write.


    ¡®It seems like I¡¯m falling a little bit out of it.¡¯


    I thought the beginning was half done, but It feels like I haven¡¯t even started properly.


    Most of all, I think it¡¯s because my heart feels uncomfortable.


    I glanced slightly at Ricarda. I wonder why he feels good; he just kept on smiling.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure Daphne isn¡¯t bored!¡±


    After that, without having time to feel sullen, we had the dinner we made together. And after taking the medicine Lennox made, I lay down on a soft bed.


    Being washed cleanly by magic, I wrapped my dry body gently around the soft blanket. The warmth wrapped around my body made me feel drowsy.


    Seeing me like that, Ricarda smiled and sat down in a chair next to me, saying he would read me a fairy tale book.


    ¡°Once upon a time¡­¡±


    It¡¯s because he talks too much, Ricarda¡¯s voice too, was pretty relaxing.


    As I listened to his story, I began to fall asleep, unlike yesterday. Blinking my eyes and enduring the pouring sleepiness, I remembered that I completely forgot to bring up the words that I had to say because the time we spend together today was so pleasant.


    ¡°¡­Ricarda.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Daphne? I am here.¡±


    At the sound of a bright reply as if to reassure me, I said, holding my heart as firmly as I did yesterday.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too friendly to me.¡±


    ¡°¡­uh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never received affection in my life, but I have a lot of greed and¡­ If I had it, I wouldn¡¯t want to lose it.¡±


    That¡¯s why you don¡¯t have to treat me well.


    I was going to say so.


    Ricarda blinked at my words, and stood up from his seat and said, ¡°Why? I don¡¯t want to! I¡¯m going to love you always!¡±


    ¡°?!¡±


    The sudden shouting of Ricarda surprised me enough to escape from my sleep. I opened my eyes wide and looked at him, and he suddenly hit his mouth.


    ¡°Oops, Ricarda, your mean mouth. You can¡¯t be this loud.¡±


    ¡°¡­I, I mean.¡±


    ¡°And Daphne says things that she doesn¡¯t have in her mind.¡±


    Then he pinched my mouth very lightly.


    ¡°Woo woo?¡±


    With my lips caught, I couldn¡¯t say anything but mutter. When I tried to be annoyed as if I was protesting, he shook his head.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even received it properly yet, so you shouldn¡¯t think about losing it. Then, in the end, because of your fear, you won¡¯t be able to have anything.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m greedy for that! In the first place, I asked for the successor position in front of Lennox and Ricarda ¡­¡±


    It was heartbreaking to confide in what was most on my mind.


    He pored over my words for a moment and said, ¡®Ah!¡¯ with a face that realized something.


    ¡°That¡¯s what bothers you. Is that why you just kept on staring at me? Did you think that because we hate you, we¡¯ll treat you kindly and suddenly start to ignore you one day?


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    It wasn¡¯t wrong, so I kept my mouth shut. Ricarda sighed briefly and asked me to excuse him and hugged me tightly. After putting my head on his shoulder, he gently patted me on the back.


    ¡°You can worry because you don¡¯t know anything. You can think like that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I asked her to give me the position of the successor. Even if it was just words, I suddenly took that place away.¡±


    Perhaps I should have apologized first.


    ¡°But, I still needed it.¡±


    It may be that the conscience left in my heart urged me to apologize, and the firm commitment I made was shaken.


    Ricarda said there was no need for my apology and continued patting.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t told you yet. First of all, I¡¯m a great wizard, and my brother is a great alchemist.¡±


    I heard that from Lennox yesterday.


    ¡°That¡¯s why both of us are aiming for the seat of Magic Tower and the Pension Tower.¡±


    It was the first time I heard it. I asked, looking at him with eyes full of tears.


    ¡°Then¡­ what about the seat as the head of the merchant group? After mother retires?¡±


    ¡°The seat was undecided. But just recently, there appeared a person with great talent. What was her name¡­? Was it Daphne?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t keep up with his joking voice, so I had no choice but to make a blank expression.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s all right. Yeah, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Can I take it all? Once I get one thing, I¡¯ll want to keep getting others too.¡±


    ¡°The more greedy you are, the better. You can want more. I¡¯m going to keep on loving Daphne. You¡¯re going to refuse me, even if I say no?¡±


    I don¡¯t know if everyone here would think like Ricarda, but considering that they might, I was relieved.


    With the voice that soothed and comforted me, my body which was swollen due to tension slowly loosened.


    As my body gradually started to loosen from tension and awkwardness, I felt tired and leaned my forehead comfortably against Ricarda¡¯s shoulder.


    Ricarda¡¯s gentle patting on my back, like a lullaby, made me fall asleep. Soon the sound of breathing came out, and she fell asleep immediately.


    * * *


    Ricarda carefully placed Daphne, who was asleep, on the bed.


    Then, he gently raised the blanket to the tip of her chin and used magic to raise the room¡¯s temperature a little.


    ¡°That¡¯s not too childlike.¡±


    A barren and hostile environment has made a child who still needs protection into a  child who is already mature.


    Ricarda gave Daphne a gentle pat on the head.


    Despite saying he would treat her wounds, let alone the wounds, even minor wounds on her legs did not heal quickly. Neither Ricarda¡¯s own magic nor his brother Lennox¡¯s recovery potion worked properly, which made him worried. Ricarda sighed briefly and sat down beside Daphne.


    ¡°It¡¯d be nice if you were to behave like a little kid.¡±


    Maybe it¡¯s because you haven¡¯t gotten familiar with this environment, right, Daphne?


    Ricarda breathed a sigh of relief, and the room¡¯s fire gradually dimmed darker and darker.


    Daphne reminded him of his childhood. Even if she was a child whom he saw just a few days ago, the child¡¯s poisonous words and actions hurt his heart.


    And he knew it wasn¡¯t just him.


    Mother and Lennox, who is late today because they are busy, probably feel the same way.


    Knock Knock-


    The door opened with a cautious knock. Watching Lennox with a gloomy face coming in, Ricarda smiled as if he knew he would.


    ¡°Great work today, brother.¡±


    ¡°What about mother?¡±


    ¡°Sadly, she¡¯s working overtime again today. She¡¯s going to come early tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Daphne must have been very disappointed.¡±


    Lennox threw off his coat to one side and strode over. Then he looked at Daphne, who was asleep quietly, and then frowned.


    A week has passed since she came here, but the child has not yet found stability. And from then on until now, she had been suffering in her dreams without being able to escape her nightmares.


    As Daphne shook her arms in agony, Lennox frowned and slowly brushed the child¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay.¡±


    You¡¯ll be fine. You won¡¯t die.


    I¡¯ll help you. I¡¯ll save you.


    His hypnotizing voice did not stop until Daphne stopped crying and escaped from her nightmare.


    ¡°Ug- Ugh. I don¡¯t- I don¡¯t want- I don¡¯t want to die.¡±


    And as if it had waited, today too, tears began to flow from Daphne¡¯s eyes.

 Chapter 16

    When Lennox first saw Daphne, the child looked very sick. With a body full of wounds, she seemed to have difficulty walking, and his impression frowned upon seeing her skinny body.


    With a sympathetic glance, Lennox thought even if she were from the slums, it wouldn¡¯t be a body covered in wounds to such an extent. He felt sorry for the child who said she had come to make a deal.


    It was evident that she had been abused somewhere, which drew his attention.


    Nevertheless, it was eye-catching to see her explaining her situation assuredly without being overwhelmed, and his heart started to shake because of her words.


    I should be relieved for that.


    T/n: He is stating that for her confidence and boldness despite her weak body.


    With her words, Ricarda¡¯s report, which came at the right timing, quickly caught mother¡¯s eyes. However, for some reason, mother tried not to accept the child easily.


    A condition to pick flowers; to a child who looked as if she has never been outside the gate?


    Lennox questioned his mother¡¯s condition momentarily.


    For a child who would even fall by a sudden storm, that must be a ridiculous condition.


    ¡®No. I heard that she cleared the forest path awhile ago.¡¯


    It was not completely hopeless. I recalled that an institution in the capital city had bought some magical flowers to decorate the new path.


    ¡®Mother seems to like that child. Does she want to test her?¡¯


    Even so, I was worried that it would be too harsh.


    Outside the gates, she will be able to find flowers soon if she follows the cleanly well-organized path.


    Still, the weather was cold outside, and the child¡¯s condition was ridiculous, so Lennox wanted the child to give up. However, the child accepted the conditions without hesitation.


    Though it would be scary, I thought she was quite brave to agree to go and pick flowers, saying she would meet mother¡¯s demand.


    However, contrary to the momentum, she did not know the way to the gate, and she was shivering in the cold, which made me unable to send the child alone.


    Ricarda¡¯s voice flowed, saying, ¡®What the hell is wrong with you, brother?¡¯.


    But, Lennox ignored those words and searched for something that could warm the child¡¯s body even a little.


    The child didn¡¯t give up, and although she was eventually lost, she wandered alone in the dark forest and finally found a red flower, with all the wounds on her body.


    ¡®¡­¡­¡¯


    When he saw the child, who seemed to stop breathing, naturally, a curse came out of his mouth.


    Lennox unwittingly held the child in his arms, ran in the woods, and headed for the hidden mansion.


    After learning that Lennox had returned home, Chloe and Ricarda also returned there and could not hide their shock at Daphne¡¯s sight, who was dying.


    ¡°¡­how did this happen?¡±


    ¡°I think while looking for the flowers ¡­she fell somewhere. She wandered through the forest.¡±


    For some reason, his hands kept trembling while he was talking. Even though he had seen far more wounds than this child¡¯s, Lennox could not stop his trembling hands.


    Chloe hid her embarrassed eyes and calmly looked at Daphne¡¯s condition. Her gaze turned to Daphne¡¯s sore leg and then she saw all the wounds on her body, and at last, she looked at the red flower held in her hands.


    It was only then that Chloe confronted how much pain the child had suffered from her conditions.


    She couldn¡¯t understand the past her who thought this child could handle that much.


    ¡®I thought it was reasonable¡­ why come now?¡¯


    Is it this way I regret it?


    Why did she give her such an option, even though she knew that the child¡¯s state wasn¡¯t good?


    It was as if I was possessed to do it.


    Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have made that delicate child go into the forest in the middle of the night.


    However, even if I deny it with all my might, there occurred no miracle for the injured child to be fine.


    Faced with that, Chloe closed her eyes tightly.


    It¡¯s the worst.


    A sense of shame that was beyond description struck her.


    Only then did Chloe remembered Daphne¡¯s eyes.


    Those eyes that were desperate to live.


    It wasn¡¯t until Daphne¡¯s appearance reflected herself as a child that Chloe admitted to her incomprehensible cruel mistakes.


    She breathed in a sigh and spoke words of regret.


    ¡°I¡¯ve done something too harsh to this kid¡­ Ricarda.¡±


    ¡°Yes, mother. Shall I treat her?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a request.¡±


    Eventually, with a sigh of regret that she couldn¡¯t swallow, she gave her permission. After receiving permission, Ricarda quickly took Daphne to his vacancy and began treatment. From the bruises on the body to the swollen legs, It took almost a day to pour out mana before showing a slight improvement.


    The treatment progress led to the completion of primary treatments such as splinting or bandaging.


    When he was done with that, Ricarda got up from his seat exhausted.


    ¡°Strangely, it consumes so much mana. It seems like this child¡¯s body rejects the mana.¡±


    Ricarda shook his head, but he did not want to give up.


    ¡°I have to find a better way. The way to treat her efficiently.¡±


    Seeing the child struggling to breathe, Chloe couldn¡¯t resist the disgust at the regret that enveloped her. Even so, she couldn¡¯t leave the child¡¯s side.


    Lennox, too, could not leave the child¡¯s side because he remembered how energetic she was, unlike a child, even when she was shivering in the cold.


    Even Ricarda, exhausted, fell asleep next to the child.


    It was the day when the four people gathered together in that little room for the first time to become a family.


    * * *


    Daphne¡¯s mouth began to leak a sobbing sound mixed with sorrow.


    ¡°Sa- save¡­.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡±


    ¡°I- I don¡¯t want¡­!¡±


    Daphne began to have nightmares.


    Seeing Daphne crying for her life, Ricarda, who complained about his tiredness couldn¡¯t leave her side. He appeared to be in deep thought with his sunken eyes because of the continuous rejuvenation magic.


    Lennox earnestly whispered as if he was casting a spell that it was okay and that he would not let her die.


    Ricarda didn¡¯t leave her side, saying he would develop a magic trick to expel nightmares.


    ¡°Mom¡­ don¡¯t die¡­¡±


    When Daphne found her mother in a nightmare, Chloe put off all her work and stepped forward, holding Daphne in her arms and patting her back.


    The patting and soft whispering did not stop until Daphne stopped crying, expelled the fear of her dreams, and fell asleep comfortably.


    Was it because of Chloe¡¯s voice and stable pat, or did regular heartbeats stabilize her?


    Fortunately, Daphne was able to escape from her nightmare and fall asleep.


    * * *


    Daphne woke up.


    Lennox abandoned what he had been doing to Ricarda¡¯s joyful voice and ran into Daphne¡¯s room.


    Chloe, who had been quietly working, ran as soon as she heard the news, with a fountain pen in her hand and arrived in the room.


    She remembered the face of Daphne, who looked at her hair color with her round eyes and said that her mother had taken her hair color for her.


    ¡®How can a child go through such a thing and say a sweet thing?¡¯


    Her appearance saddened Chloe even more.


    Lennox thought Daphne was a smart child who could find her path to future.


    Boo hooo-


    However, as he overheard Daphne¡¯s crying alone in the room, Lennox realized he was wrong.


    While he went to the kitchen and returned with porridge and medicines to eat on a tray, Daphne was crying as if she was trying to shake off her sadness away.


    It was not until she was left alone that she felt relieved and burst into tears.


    Lennox, looking down at the hot porridge, decided to stand still and wait until the cry was over.


    And beside him, Ricarda also sat down and listened to the cry.


    Chloe also stopped trying to put the cigarette to the pipe with hesitation and quietly put it in her pocket again.


    ¡°I guess she¡¯s finally relieved.¡±


    At Lennox¡¯s words, Ricarda nodded.


    ¡°She¡¯s still a child.¡±


    ¡°Yesterday, she said she¡¯s seven years old.¡±


    ¡°A 7-year-old kid is hiding like that and crying out of breath?¡±


    At Ricarda¡¯s question, Chloe put a sad smile around her mouth.


    ¡°If you look at that child, you can learn about the environment in which she grew up. Daphne¡­.¡±


    She must have been living in a more severe environment than we imagined.


    At first glance, Daphne¡¯s words may not have been exaggerated.


    When Chloe said that it would have been worse than that, Ricarda¡¯s expression was full of worry.


    ¡°Are you going to take that child as a successor?¡±


    In response to Lennox¡¯s question, Chloe spoke firmly without changing her expression.


    ¡°Of course, since Daphne risked her life and kept the conditions, so I have to keep the promise too.¡±


    Chloe smiled bitterly as she looked down the glass jar in her hand.


    Although the conditions I brought out must have been challenging, Daphne fulfilled the requirements adequately. And above all, that poor child risked her life to bring me a present.


    No matter how cold she was, she instinctively felt that she would not let go of this child who was already engraved in her heart.


    ¡°And I really like Daphne. Did you see those eyes? It was like looking at my childhood.¡±


    Chloe laughed deliberately to turn on the grave situation.


    ¡°I think she¡¯ll do things smartly like me.¡±


    ¡°Brother and I don¡¯t know when mother was young.¡±


    Behind Chloe¡¯s proud voice, Ricarda¡¯s grunting voice came out.


    Lennox smiled as he watched the two, who naturally began to quarrel.


    Less than a week has passed since she arrived, but Daphne was already seeping into the lives of the three.


    * * *


    The first time we spent together,


    Lennox¡¯s affection has poisoned Daphne.


    After hearing Daphne¡¯s words not to be friendly, Lennox regretted leaving quietly.


    ¡®I was like a hedgehog. Phew, I didn¡¯t want to leave like that.¡¯


    Daphne must have been nervous, but I couldn¡¯t say anything like a fool.


    ¡®You¡¯re a fool.¡¯


    Well, it¡¯s only been a few days since we met. Daphne has lived in a harsh place until now; that¡¯s why it must have been hard for her to believe us.


    ¡®So I should have answered her quickly.¡¯


    Lennox blamed himself for not answering quickly and tried to ask Daphne for permission to let him treat her well the next day.


    ¡®But why the hell I¡¯m getting busy suddenly?¡¯


    Lennox managed to calm down his irritation that came with the feeling of being tangled with work.


    But when he barely got back from work, Daphne who was already asleep was still suffering from her nightmares.


    ¡®I¡¯m sorry, Daphne. You said you didn¡¯t like this, but I¡¯ll excuse myself.¡¯


    When Daphne¡¯s appearance was not stable despite the patting, Lennox overcame his exhausted body and hugged Daphne.


    And he patted her back regularly, humming lowly the lullaby he had once heard.


    The lullaby continued until her harsh breathing calmed down.

 Chapter 17

    ¡°She finally fell asleep.¡±


    Daphne¡¯s breathing, which escaped the nightmare, stabilized. At the sound of Daphne¡¯s breath, Lennox sighed and stopped the lullaby.


    However, the patting didn¡¯t stop, and Ricarda, who was staring at him, laughed.


    ¡°You¡¯re almost done being a big brother now! I wish you could¡¯ve done that for me too.¡±


    ¡°You were already a grown-up when you were ten.¡±


    It¡¯s gross.


    Ricarda acted as if the words had sincerely hurt him.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you be nice to me, too?¡±


    ¡°I thought I was friendly enough.¡±


    ¡°Oh~ if Ricarda of the past hears it, I think he¡¯s going to run out calling it nonsense?¡±


    At Ricarda¡¯s voice full of laughter, Lennox finally managed to form a smile. Still, his expression was not good, so Ricarda, who was staring at Lennox, asked.


    ¡°Hyung, did something happen?¡±


    ¡°¡­nothing.¡±


    ¡°Just by looking at your face, I can see something is troubling you. By chance, is it because you heard from Daphne not to be friendly?¡±


    ¡°.¡­.¡±


    When Lennox questioned him about how he knew it, Ricarda thought it was as he expected and slightly raised the corner of his mouth.


    ¡°She said it to me too. Our Daphne did.¡± (Ricarda)


    ¡°¡­were we burdensome to her?¡± (Lennox)


    ¡°It¡¯s probably because she doesn¡¯t believe us yet.¡± (Ricarda)


    ¡°You have to understand. If I were Daphne, I would have done the same.¡± (Ricarda)


    ¡°I¡¯m not blaming Daphne. I¡¯m blaming myself for not giving her answer right away.¡± (Lennox)


    At Lennox¡¯s words, Ricarda looked appalled, thinking if he really did it.


    ¡°Ah¡­I mean.¡±


    ¡°Hyung, I¡¯m disappointed. You should¡¯ve answered her right away and gave her a pat telling her not to be nervous.¡±


    ¡°I was going to tell her today. I was going to ask her permission to allow me to be friendly to her¡­¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you an idiot? Do you express that in words?¡±


    Ricarda crumpled his face saying it wasn¡¯t the right way. Lennox tried to raise his voice as if he were agitated but soon shut his mouth at the sound of Daphne tossing and turning.


    ¡°Pff-.¡±


    When Ricarda laughed at the sight, Lennox glared at him, but Ricarda didn¡¯t stop his laughing.


    ¡°Why? You don¡¯t like our youngest being greedy? I like the youngest, even if she is greedy.¡±


    ¡°Did Daphne say that?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she said she didn¡¯t want to lose the affection she receives because she was greedy.¡±


    As Ricarda¡¯s explanation continued, Lennox grabbed his head because he felt his head throbbing for some reason.


    ¡®I didn¡¯t know Daphne thought like that.¡¯


    What if she is greedy?


    I had the confidence to give all the affection and not receive any in return. She was a child who had already entered the line of our family.


    However, for Daphne, who had no family, all these moments were unfamiliar and scary.


    ¡®She must have said it because she was afraid that she would be hated.¡¯


    Lennox heaved a sigh.


    I felt uncomfortable because I couldn¡¯t see the heart that Daphne wanted to hide.


    ¡°That can¡¯t be true. Daphne can have a lot of greed. No, I hope she is full of greed.¡±


    ¡°Then you could say that. Why couldn¡¯t you say that like a fool?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re getting cocky to your brother?¡±


    Lennox, who was still listening to the teasing voice, raised the corner of his mouth and sneered.


    ¡°No, come to think of it, perhaps the reason Daphne was burdened with us was because you kept forcing her to call yourself ¡®Oppa¡¯.¡±


    When Lennox sneered and blamed Ricarda, he jumped up from the floor feeling that he was falsely accused.


    ¡°No, why! Can¡¯t I call myself Oppa if I¡¯m an ¡®Oppa¡¯!¡±


    ¡°Do you know that your forehead slightly frowned every time you emphasized that you are ¡®Oppa¡¯?¡±


    ¡°¡­seriously?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡±


    Somehow Ricarda¡¯s reaction was solemn.


    When Lennox laughed at the look that he never knew existed, Ricarda, who felt unfair, sat back down and grumbled again.


    ¡°But, that¡¯s the way it feels to be a little more like a family.¡±


    ¡°¡­ family?¡±


    ¡°Yes, family. Because Daphne doesn¡¯t know what to call us, I wanted to let her know that I¡¯m her brother and that I¡¯m someone who¡¯s going to be her family.¡±


    ¡°¡­ was it like that?¡±


    ¡®As soon as she woke up, it felt like she was hesitating about what to say to mother.¡¯


    Ricarda said sullenly.


    ¡°When I was ten years old before I came here, I was raised by my father. I really hated that time.¡±


    It was the first time he heard it, so when Lennox looked surprised, Ricarda smiled bitterly.


    ¡°Because my father always ignored me as useless. It wasn¡¯t to the extent of Daphne, but I got beating to some limit.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t know it, because I never told you. I didn¡¯t say it because Hyung is soft-hearted.¡±


    Even though he was his brother, Lennox was unsure what expression to make like to the past he heard for the first time.


    ¡°When I came searching for mother, there was an elder brother above me, and he didn¡¯t even introduce himself first, and he didn¡¯t ask me to call him brother.¡±


    A sigh of laughter flowed from Ricarda¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted to let her know that she can call me ¡®Oppa¡¯.¡±


    Ricarda grinned, hiding his disappointment.


    ¡°I wanted to let her know that it¡¯s okay to call me that because we¡¯re family. But now, I¡¯ll have to control that because Daphne hates it.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you thought so¡­ Ask Daphne later. Maybe she¡¯s thinking the same thing as you.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess so!¡±


    Ricarda smiled brightly like he had never been sullen.


    Daphne¡¯s appearance was more noticeable to him because he had been abused by his father when he was young. Ricarda overlapped his young verse with Daphne, who was struggling to live.


    I heard it late, but she said she wanted to change her fate, so she came here herself.


    ¡®Like me when I was young.¡¯


    I didn¡¯t want to live like a slave under my father, so ready to be beaten, I came looking for my Mother.


    Ricarda could understand Daphne more than anyone else.


    I wanted to make this child happy, just as he came here and became happy.


    Lennox had never experienced such a thing, so he never knew Daphne¡¯s mind completely. But now he could see it clearly.


    Ricarda, even Lennox himself, and his mother, who only came back home late at night after the work¡¯s done for Daphne, were all sincere.


    That¡¯s because, after work, she was also already preparing to get together in this room.


    Strangely, if your heart keeps on fluttering, you can think of it as fate, and we can take care of you.


    That way, If you open your heart like that and become a family, we can make each other happy.


    Lennox grinned, seeing his mother standing in front of the door, not even knowing when she had returned home.


    Then he handed Daphne over to his mother, who, as soon as their eyes meet, opened her arms as if she had waited.


    I could hear a little whining as if Daphne was waiting for Mother to be stabilized, so I was a little disappointed.


    ¡°Have you taken care of all the urgent matters?¡±


    ¡°Enough for me to stay at home for a few days.¡±


    Thought his gaze grew heavy, a smile formed around his mouth.


    Even though she was tired, Chloe, Lennox, and Ricarda smiled as they were happy to see Daphne.


    ¡°That¡¯s not like a mother.¡±


    At first glance, it seemed to be blaming, but Chloe carefully placed Daphne on the bed with a smile.


    Then Lennox¡¯s gaze turned to the bag near the bed, and he asked Chloe,


    ¡°So, what did you decide to do with the seal? Did you take it separately?¡±


    An unusual seal was found while looking through a bag. The first person to discover it was Chloe, who had been fiddling with the seal for a long time, and in the end, put it back to the bag, not knowing how to handle it.


    To the question, Chloe answered as if it were nothing.


    ¡°Daphne wanted to leave it as a last resort, so I should pretend I didn¡¯t find out. How admirable it is not to put everything as a commodity for a deal.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t really look like our Mother. You¡¯re so sweet! Where did you sell our Mother?¡±


    Lennox was startled by Ricarda¡¯s rising voice and glared at him, asking him to be quiet.


    Chloe smiled as she watched the two brothers bickering with each other.


    After meticulously covering Daphne with a blanket, she who was still smiling said,


    ¡°Do you know that you¡¯re not like yourself too? I can¡¯t believe my sons were so friendly.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an exception to our Daphne.¡±


    ¡°Me, too.¡±


    ¡°Oh my,  you good-for-nothing kids.¡±


    The room heated with natural bickering. The room was very warm.


    ***


    Daphne, who woke up when she was in Lennox¡¯s arms, listened to all their conversations without even waking up.


    ¡®You really meant it.¡¯


    Mother, Lennox, and Ricarda, they were taking me seriously.


    I didn¡¯t expect you to pretend you didn¡¯t know the seal. I didn¡¯t even know that and used thorns to them like a hedgehog.


    When I knew that both kindness and consideration were sincere, I felt something filling in my heart.


    Suddenly, I remembered what Mother said.


    ¡®She said, our relationship was different and special from others, but we would make a better and good relationship than them.¡¯


    Did she slowly open her heart to me from then on?


    Was I a person who could receive such affection?


    I tossed and turned in a fit of shame that came in.


    When I turned around, I felt a hand that patted me. I never expected to receive such affection in this place.


    ¡®I pretended not to know their affection for me, but now I realized it was already in my heart.¡¯


    This affection was already melting into my heart.


    It was so warm and full of happiness.


    Is it okay for me to be a little happy?


    Is it okay to be happy even though I¡¯m the daughter of a wicked woman?


    Things that had been rationalized by the wicked woman¡¯s daughter began to fade little by little from some point on.


    Now, I had a feeling that I could write a new story as Daphne, not the daughter of a wicked woman.


    ¡®I want to be happy. If that¡¯s okay, I want to be happy with them.¡¯


    Even if they were entangled in a deal, with them who were more sincere than me,


    I want to be happy.


    If it¡¯s okay to be happy¡­


    If so, I want to convey affectionate feelings to these people who will be my family, just as they let me have it.


    The first, gentle humming, regular patting touch, warm room temperature, and cozy blankets that I received,


    And a heart filled with happiness.


    With all these combined, I felt like I could have a good dream today.

 Chapter 18

    Blink Blink


    ¡°Was what I heard yesterday true?¡¯


    Perhaps it was a dream about what I was hoping for.


    I don¡¯t know if this memory of sneaking a peek at the innermost thoughts of the three was a dream or reality but,


    ¡®I wish it wasn¡¯t a dream.¡¯


    Because it was so rare for me to feel happy these days that everything felt like a dream and that troubled me.


    ¡®But it might still be a dream, so just in case, should I ask them?¡¯


    Why are you so sincere and kind to me?


    ¡®Am I bothering you¡­?¡¯


    I heaved a sigh from the morning and crumpled the blanket.


    ¡®If I think of this as a contract, I feel relieved.¡¯


    This strange feeling beyond the contract shakes my heart back and forth.


    With such a complicated thought, I sat still on the bed and waited for the people to come in.


    Knock knock-


    ¡°Baby, did you wake up?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Ah. I was a little surprised because it was the first time that mother came to visit me first.


    When I was shocked and dismal, my mother laughed at my voice and wiped my face with a wet towel, just as Lennox and Ricarda had done.


    ¡°Did you have a good dream?¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think I had a dream.¡±


    I remembered the last night I had forgotten for a while.


    ¡®The words that were affectionate, kind, and yet full of sincerity that seemed to consider me as a family.¡¯


    Can I believe it? This kind of unconditional affection?


    No, can I give up on this affection?


    I just thought quietly, but I couldn¡¯t figure out why; my eyes suddenly started to get blurred.


    Unknowingly, tears filled my eyes.  When I tried to wipe it off in embarrassment, my mother blocked my hand and wiped it gently instead.


    ¡°Shh. It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°Heug¡­Hg.¡±


    Like last night, my mother held me in her arms and patted me back to comfort me.


    In the end, I shed tears that I was trying to endure.


    I could see my mother¡¯s shoulders in front of me getting wet, but even if I tried to stop, it kept on falling.


    ¡°Heug- mother, Lennox, and even Ricarda why do you all treat me so well?¡±


    Ah, I didn¡¯t want to ask ¡­


    I couldn¡¯t see anything because my tears blocked my vision in front of me.  After throwing my words at her, I was afraid to see her reaction.


    What if she dislikes me for asking that question?


    What if you stare at me with a cold stare?


    What if that affectionate eye turns into contempt?


    If that happens, I really won¡¯t be able to withstand it.


    I buried my head on my mother¡¯s shoulder and tried to hold back my tears.


    It was just a slip of the tongue. I wasn¡¯t curious about that either.


    I¡¯m satisfied with the situation now.


    I was going to say that.


    Saying it was fine, my mother didn¡¯t stop patting me on the back.


    ¡°Baby, I¡¯ve prepared a present for you. Shall we go and see it?¡±


    ¡°He- Heug,  Yes?¡±


    What do you mean by the present?


    With my eyes filled with tears, I couldn¡¯t think about anything, so I had no choice but to keep my head down.


    With a continuous patting, mother went upstairs and passed by the office, opening the door next to it.


    ¡°Baby, will you raise your head?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to be seen crying.¡±


    My mother laughed a little at my whining and picked me up again; she slowly began to go around the room.


    ¡°Look here, this is your new bed. It belongs to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­heug- yeah?¡±


    Surprised by the remark, I turned my head and saw a large bed with a soft, light purple bedding.


    ¡°uh- I¡­.¡±


    As I stammered with embarrassment, mother did not stop and stepped back to the side.


    ¡°Here, this is your closet, and there are plenty of clothes for you to wear in the future, so you can wear what you want to wear.¡±


    ¡®What is this¡­?¡¯


    ¡°What should I show you this time? Oh, you can¡¯t use it yet, but I also prepared a dressing table, and a doll just in case you want it.¡±


    At the end of my mother¡¯s words, I slowly moved my head and looked into the room.


    Warm sunlight was coming through the curtains in front of the large window.


    A room with bright sunlight, a bed that looks cozy, and many dolls on top of it.


    There was a large closet, a small desk that fits my size, a small tea table, a chair, and a sofa.


    It was so clear that it was designed to suit me, unlike where I slept a little while ago.


    ¡®That¡¯s right, Lennox said she would prepare my room.¡¯


    Now that I could finally hold back my tears,  I remembered the words Lennox had said as a secret.


    ¡°Are you surprised? I secretly prepared it. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve decorated a room like this, so I enjoyed it, too. I hope you like it.¡±


    ¡°¡­I love it.¡±


    I was speechless, but I said thank you out of my mouth because it was something I really wanted to say.


    ¡°It¡¯s really, really great¡­¡±


    I was so happy that I couldn¡¯t control my joy, and my eyes were filled with tears again.


    ¡°Why cry if you like it? If you keep crying, your eyes will hurt.¡±


    My mother¡¯s touch on my eyes was colder than I thought. However, the gentle swept as if to cool down my eyes, felt warmer because it touched my heart.


    ¡°Why, why do you treat me so well?¡±


    ¡°Why are you being so nice to me?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s so sweet, this sounds like a lie. I thought I could be happy if you just give me enough for me to live. If I receive all these affections, I might get greedy.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t I do that?¡±


    I nodded to the soft voice.


    At my nod, she asked me.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Because I have a lot of greed. What should I do if you come to hate me again? No, I¡¯m not saying you don¡¯t like me now, but¡­¡±


    The more I did, the more my words began to get tangled.  If this would be the case, I¡¯d rather not start talking.


    ¡°Was it burdensome to be nice to you? What if you didn¡¯t like it?¡±


    Mother¡¯s expression became a little serious.


    I shook my head right away.


    ¡°No, it was good. But it¡¯s my first time receiving something like this. Honestly, I¡¯m scared¡­ that you will abandon me¡­ saying you dislike me.¡±


    If she throws me away by saying she changed her mind,


    After the affection I received like this disappears, I will have no confidence to endure it.


    I managed to speak out my words and buried my head on my mother¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°So, you need a reason for me to treat you like this.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°For the right reason. All right, I¡¯m confident in convincing you. Daphne, do you want your child to live the same life as you later?¡±


    Despite the sudden question, I shook my head firmly.


    ¡°No, absolutely not.¡±


    ¡°Right? So am I.¡±


    ¡°¡­mother too?¡±


    ¡°I really came up to this position with my teeth clenched. To live. I¡¯ve walked a path that¡¯s hard enough not to be rich. But the child who will be my daughter lives the same life as me?¡±


    Her expression reflected seriousness.


    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense. I don¡¯t want to give my own children any shortage. Whether it¡¯s affection, money, stuff, or whatever.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°You are my daughter and my child. You started this relationship, but as an adult, it¡¯s my responsibility to carry on. So all you have to do is receive it. ¡°


    ¡°What am I supposed to do, then?¡±


    My mother grinned at my curiosity.


    ¡°You just need to grow up. Stay healthy, do what you want to do, enjoy what you want to enjoy, and live happily.¡±


    It was a warm word I never dared to dream of.


    ¡°And so that you can achieve what you want. You just need to grow up like that.¡±


    It was my mother¡¯s wish when she was a child, and it was also the wish of me who became her child.


    At those heartfelt words, I felt a door that had been tightly shut in my heart slowly open up.


    ¡®Can I try believing it? This affection that you give me unconditionally? Everything?¡¯


    They were the first ones to be kind to me, so wouldn¡¯t it be okay to believe them if they say they were sincere?


    They have a goal, and I also have a goal.


    They share their journey to the goal, and they also said that they consider me as a family.


    ¡®I don¡¯t have to refuse any more.¡¯


    And most of all.


    I¡¯ve already realized this affection, and I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve any confidence to give up on this now. I raised my head and looked straight at my mother, not avoiding her eyes.


    ¡°I have my first wish.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? I wonder what it is.¡±


    The moment my mother¡¯s red eyes met my golden eyes,


    I smiled broadly at the warm feeling that came in.


    ¡°Can I call you Mom?¡±


    ¡°¡­ is that your first wish?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a good enough title to call without even making a wish.¡±


    Mother didn¡¯t seem to like my wish. Yet, I didn¡¯t break my stubbornness.


    ¡°My first wish is to call you mom. You said you¡¯d let me start the relationship.¡±


    ¡°¡­ yes, if you want to. All right, I¡¯ll grant your first wish.¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s a second.¡±


    I guess she didn¡¯t know that I would tell my wish right away.


    Mom seemed a little surprised, but she waited for me to talk.


    ¡°I want to learn how to write.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s writing, of course, you should learn. I was going to let you do that, too.¡±


    ¡°From my mom.¡±


    At my words, my mom blinked and burst into laughter as if she was happy.


    ¡°Really? Did you want to learn from your mom?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    I felt a little embarrassed, so I avoided the eyes I was seeing and hugged my mother again. The sound of Mom¡¯s heart was a little louder than before. And my heartbeat was also a little faster than before.


    I wanted my mom to be happy as much as I was, and I tightly embraced Chloe, who will become my new mom.


    ¡°Will you grant me my wish?¡±


    ¡°Of course, but let¡¯s forget about the second wish.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to do it even if it wasn¡¯t a wish.¡±


    In the laughter that came out, joy oozed through.


    At some point, behind us were Lennox and Ricarda who had come in.


    Ricarda, who was staring at us, smiled broadly and ran and hugged Mom and me tightly.


    ¡°Our daphne, why are you so cute!¡±


    Lennox, who was next to him, came up and hugged the three of us tightly.


    ¡°Daphne, I don¡¯t mind if you¡¯re greedy. Since¡­ I¡¯m an older brother who can listen to his younger sister¡¯s wishes.¡±


    Lennox cleared his throat as if he was embarrassed and continued his words.


    ¡°I can do that for my family. Don¡¯t worry too much.¡±


    Lennox looked bitter, saying he was sorry he couldn¡¯t answer me right away last time.


    I lifted the gloomy-looking corner of Lennox¡¯s mouth slightly up.


    ¡°Lennox looks good when he is smiling.¡±


    At my beckoning, Lennox put a blank look on his face for a moment and soon smiled broadly.


    ¡°And the title ¡®Oppa¡¯ is so awkward. I¡¯ve never called it before, so I¡¯ll call it when I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Our youngest is so cute that I can¡¯t help it.¡±


    In my words, Lennox smiled and hugged us like Ricarda.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best to be happy.¡±


    At my words, everyone said that¡¯s all I needed to do and didn¡¯t hide their smile.


    A bitterly cold winter was approaching, but I was convinced it would be a particularly warm winter.

 Chapter 19

    Since the day I cried in my mother¡¯s arms, my family has not gone out beyond necessity from the forest house.


    It was because of Ricarda¡¯s opinion that I could be lonely.


    In that opinion, my mother declared that she would come home and finish it when she had enough work left to work overtime.


    The same was true for Lennox and Ricarda.


    My day has not changed much since I woke up. I wake up in the morning and say hello to my family in a friendly way. After receiving Ricarda¡¯s treatment, I eat breakfast, then take my medicine, and at last, see my family off.


    I also study hard for the writing that my mom gives me as my homework.


    My family doesn¡¯t want to leave me alone.


    Mom, Lennox, and Ricarda all took turns to become my guardians of the day one by one.


    ¡®Sometimes it seemed to me that there was a bit of a fight going on with this.¡¯


    When I remembered Ricarda¡¯s face complaining that it was his turn to go to work, I laughed out loud.


    The trembling corners of my mouth were awkward, but I think my smile has gotten more natural than before.


    Looking at the mirror in the Oval Office, I thought to myself, nodded, and focused on my homework again.


    It was already past ten p.m.


    ¡®It¡¯s usually my bedtime.¡¯


    While scribbling, I thought of today¡¯s day.


    The cocoa made by Ricarda and Lennox coffee were side by side, so I was confused and drank the coffee all the way.


    And both of them were scolded by mother.


    Because Lennox had a cup of coffee next to cocoa, Ricarda couldn¡¯t tell the difference between cocoa and coffee and handed it over.


    Both looked upset, but I was immediately surprised to hear that my heart was beating fast.


    ¡®They almost went wild again thinking whether or not they fed me a poison.¡¯


    As I recalled these days, everything was fun, so my lips kept shaking.


    Naturally, my body, which wasn¡¯t resistant to caffeine, continued to make my heart pound.


    Eventually, I couldn¡¯t sleep at night, so I was studying together in my mother¡¯s office until a while ago.


    It¡¯s been a while since she went by clock saying that she had to hurry over to the Merchants¡¯ group in the capital.


    It¡¯s good to have a pleasant thought, but after looking back at the clock and homework, my neck got a little stiff.


    ¡®Ah, this is confusing. I¡¯ll ask mom when she comes.¡¯


    I drew stars next to the confusing letters and then wrote down the next word.


    After studying for a long time, the clock suddenly began to shine.


    When someone arrived, the magic attached to the watch shone, so I thought that my mom had returned and raised my head.


    ¡°You are bac¡­¡±


    But my words didn¡¯t last long.


    It wasn¡¯t Mom that popped out of the clock.


    A slender figure dressed in black appeared along with a small figure.


    Without knowing the situation at the moment, I realized that I had forgotten what role my place was playing.


    Instinct said.


    This is the moment when the male protagonist from the second part of the novel appears.


    ¡®But how come there are two?¡¯


    Come to think of it, I couldn¡¯t tell who the male lead was because there were few descriptions of his childhood appearance.


    ¡®Which one is it?¡¯


    Even the lights in the room were turned off, and only the lamps around the desk were turned on, so I could not see their faces in detail.


    ¡®They used to say that when the protagonist was a boy, his appearance was very peculiar. I think they said he wasn¡¯t human.¡¯


    No matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t remember the details of his appearance.


    ¡®I remember being frustrated because there was no detailed description until the end of the story.¡¯


    Wait, isn¡¯t this a dangerous situation?


    I could see that the tallest of the two was looking at me then hesitating.


    You tried to run without hesitation, but you stopped as soon as you saw me?


    ¡®Clearly the male protagonist¡­ was caught trying to kill his mother¡­.¡¯


    I also stared at them blankly, grasping the situation and hardening my expression.


    In the meantime, they flew back this way as if they had finished organizing their thoughts.


    ¡®Is this the male lead?¡¯


    It seemed that the story was correct seeing him throw his body to attack.


    Despite the priority that the attack should be avoided, I couldn¡¯t do anything.


    I couldn¡¯t move by myself because I hurt my leg.


    If they were determined to kill and attack properly, it would be inevitable.


    ¡®Why is it today of all days?¡¯


    Usually, it¡¯s time to sleep. But today was a little different from usual. The day I¡¯m awake.


    There were also mistakes by Lennox and Ricarda that they wouldn¡¯t normally do, and mother rushed out unexpectedly.


    As if it was trying to force me into the flow of this story.


    ¡®¡­ Isn¡¯t something weird?¡¯


    But before I could even think about it, one of the two reached me.


    The man who caught me threw me back without giving me time to struggle.


    I forced myself down to the floor and fell with a thud.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    When I let out a painful groan after I fell and hit my back, the person who seemed to be a man grabbed my neck and lifted me.


    When I was lifted with the weight on my back, the clothes tightened my throat, and I began to choke.


    ¡°Who are you? Where¡¯s the Guild Master (1) ?¡±


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    Of course, I had no intention to answer, but this man seems to have forgotten that he was holding my neck.


    I exhaled roughly as if I were forced to squeeze out my narrow breathing hole.


    The less I answered, the more nervously the man looked back.


    The smaller figure next to the man stood quietly staring at us.


    At first glance, he looked like a tall boy.  However, I couldn¡¯t see well because it was dark, and most of all, I couldn¡¯t afford to look at him because the front became blurry.


    ¡°Keuc-.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! First I¡¯ll start by killing you!¡±


    The man who lifted me started to hurry up as if he was scared of something and pulled something out of his arms.


    What he took out sparkled in the light of the lamp on the ceiling of the Oval Office.


    I could know what it was, even when my vision was blurred.


    It must be a sharp weapon like a knife.


    ¡°Let-.¡±


    I wanted to scream, ¡®Let go of me, let go right away,¡¯ but my voice didn¡¯t come out. I was suffocating while my vision was getting blurred, and I felt like I was going out of breath¡­


    Once again, I began to stop thinking about death as soon as it came to me.


    As I began to lose consciousness and my front faded away, a small figure in the distance could be seen slowly moving away.


    The man who grabbed me loosened his grip on me as if he were relieved.


    I shook and struggled as much as I could, thinking it was my last chance in the faint burst of a breath.


    ¡°What, you, you little girl!¡±


    The man panicked and dropped his weapon as if he had never thought I would rebel.


    Rough breath came out of the air, which was rapidly climbing in my neck.


    I shouted desperately as the man reached out his hand, trying to get me again in a hurry.


    ¡°Mom! Lennox! Ricarda!!!¡±


    I screamed so desperately that I¡¯ve never raised my voice this high in my life.


    ¡°Save me!!!¡±


    The embarrassed man lifted me up again as I kept calling my mom and brothers with a rough cough.


    As he tried to tighten my neck with his hands as if he would kill me by strangling in a hurry, the door of the office suddenly opened roughly.


    The first one to come in was Ricarda, followed by Lennox.


    Perhaps because I was strangled, I kept coughing.


    Two people were seen flinching at the clinking sound.


    Embarrassed at the sight of the two, the man held back the weapon he had dropped with his arms wrapped around my neck and backed away.


    ¡°Stay away, don¡¯t come near me!¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡±


    Unlike usual, Ricarda and Lennox¡¯s eyes were fierce. As if he never expected those fierce eyes on their faces, the man seemed to shrink.


    But soon he pulled me further and warned them.


    ¡°I told you not to come near.¡±


    ¡®Is the guy like him the male protagonist? A jerk like him¡­?


    By the time I had a suspicious thought, the Magic circle had begun to unfold from Ricarda¡¯s hand.


    The splendid spread of the Magic circle turned to the man who was holding me, and his hands and feet were tied to a chain that suddenly leaped out of the air.


    ¡°Wha- what¡¯s this?!¡±


    Lennox, who popped out the moment I fell to the ground after being released from the man¡¯s arm, safely accepted me.


    ¡°Phew.¡±


    At the same time as he exhaled a sigh of relief, a small figure who had only been standing awkwardly in the middle suddenly moved his body.


    Unlike those who were bound to me, he rushed to Ricarda without hesitation, lightly floating his small body into the air.


    Unaware of his presence, startled Ricarda displayed reflexive magic.


    In the end, the little boy was equally bound by chains that popped out of the air.


    ¡°Heuk- what is it? I didn¡¯t even know it was there.¡±


    ¡°Are you all right, Daphne?¡±


    While Ricarda calmed down his startled chest, Lennox looked at my condition with an expression of concern.


    The moment Lennox¡¯s gaze reached my neck, his expression hardened as before.


    Ricarda approached us with a sigh as he looked at the two who were tied up.


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous!¡±


    And at that moment, the little boy broke the chains that entangled him.


    It happened so quickly.


    He stepped on the broken chain and started to rush to us.


    When he thought my cries were a step late, he passed us and jumped lightly and cut off the neck of his captive companion at once.


    The man who had threatened me until a while ago died so easily.


    Blood scattered on the floor, and the man¡¯s life disappeared so easily.


    It was a moment you couldn¡¯t even scream at the scene, slowly passing like slow motion.


    After killing his colleague, he turned around without hesitation, rushing to us without even stopping to wipe the scattered blood.


    And then, suddenly, the white smoke that appeared in the air tied his neck, arms and legs to the ceiling.


    ¡°Do you dare know where this place is, for assassins like you to come in at your will!?¡±


    ¡°Mother!¡±


    Lennox and Ricarda were all in a daze when mom yelled.


    Mom also arrived, and seeing everyone together, I should have been relieved, but strangely my body trembled.


    It was my second time to see the dead body, but not knowing that the moment of death would be this cruel, my body stiffened.


    Lennox, who noticed that, took care of me and turned my head.


    Only then did the bodies disappear from my sight, and everyone was seen safe.


    My trembling body calmed down a little.


    It was not until I confirmed that everyone was safe and that I was safe that a sigh of relief came out.


    I slowly raised my head and looked up at the man tied to the ceiling.


    The face of a bright child was revealed in the hood that was stripped by smoke.


    The child was closing his eyes, and his black hair stood out against his pale face.


    I lowered my gaze slowly.


    I could see round eyes with slightly raised ends. Perhaps because of my gaze, the child slowly opened his eyes.


    His stern face, without a single expression, and his eyes really drew the attention.


    I encountered beautiful purple eyes like Violaceae (2).


    The area where the whites were supposed to be was all black, and his pupil like a reptile shone quaintly.


    His appearance looked like a boy, but as if something had been added to him, there was a truly inhuman atmosphere.


    As soon as I saw those eyes, I could tell,


    That guy is the male protagonist of the second part.


    T/L Corner:

 Chapter 20

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who this guy is, but I need to kill him right now.¡±


    Lennox¡¯s voice, while hugging me, was very strange.


    He suppressed his anger with all his might while grinding his teeth.


    ¡°There¡¯s a sign of drowsiness in Daphne¡¯s throat. I was thinking of killing them. I can¡¯t leave these guys alive.¡±


    The glaring eyes full of anger did not turn to me, but I could feel the arms holding me trembling as if to convey his anger.


    ¡°I agree. I don¡¯t care who¡¯s behind it. Anyway, everyone who is aiming after us are all the same. Kill him right now since we never know what he¡¯s going to do.¡±


    Claiming that none of Lennox¡¯s words were wrong, Ricarda spoke, glaring at the boy who was tied to smoke.


    The glare in his eyes, which was slightly visible, was full of anger.


    ¡®Like this¡­ you¡¯re going to kill him at once?¡¯


    There¡¯s no way the story can flow like this.


    If the main character dies, If he dies so easily here, will the story¡­ be ruined?


    Should I stop him?


    In the midst of a mess in my head, my mother pulled down the boy, who was tied up in fog¡­


    ¡®Yes, Mom wouldn¡¯t kill you. If the story flowed like the original, he¡¯s the one who was supposed to be the successor so perhaps she will change her mind¡­¡¯


    The beginning of the story can¡¯t be ruined like this.


    There is no way this story that forcibly pulled me in would be ruined in vain.


    ¡°Compared to the fear that Daphne had, you shouldn¡¯t kill him too easily.¡±


    But as if to break my expectations, strange words popped out of my mother¡¯s mouth.


    An unfamiliar look, unfamiliar tone, and the unfamiliarity she was showing me was the appearance as the Guild Master of Benedito Merchants Group that I had forgotten for a while.


    As I was relieved that the story I knew would end as it is, I looked back unconsciously.


    ¡°Ugh.¡±


    A bloody, terrible body was seen.


    It reminded me of the moment when my biological mother died.


    The moment when the cold arm fell weakly, the moment when she disappeared from the world so easily was still vivid.


    ¡®I¡¯m scared. I¡¯m scared of someone dying.¡¯


    I¡¯m scared because I feel like that it¡¯s going to be me next.


    I¡¯m scared, thinking that I will disappear in a flash.


    I don¡¯t want to see the dead body¡­.


    I leaned my face against Lennox¡¯s arms, holding onto his clothes tightly.


    ¡°You can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Daphne?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t kill people. Life¡­ is something precious. And he still looks like a child¡­¡±


    It¡¯s not a life that was born to disappear in such a short time.


    I also don¡¯t want to disappear one day like that.


    I just tried holding back the tears that seemed to flow on Lennox¡¯s clothes.


    At one point,  I thought maybe this revenge could end with someone¡¯s death.


    Whether it¡¯s my death or someone else¡¯s death.


    However, when I witnessed someone else¡¯s death right in front of my eyes, I regretted how foolish my thought was.


    To have the heart to kill someone, you must have the determination.


    I don¡¯t know what it was, but at least I wasn¡¯t prepared to have that determination yet.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t born to disappear so easily. Don¡¯t kill him. I¡¯m scared.¡±


    I tried to hold back my tears and tried to be unreasonable.


    Like a fool.


    Even though it was a good opportunity to end the story, I fled back because I feared death.


    Even if they point their finger at me for being stupid and frustrating, I can¡¯t help it.


    ¡°Yes, I said something scary in front of you.¡±


    I thought it would be okay for them to  blame me by saying not to talk nonsense.


    But my mom hugged me, who was crying, saying that she was thinking for herself.


    Then she patted me on the back familiarly and said,


    ¡°Shh. If you cry like this, your eyes will swell up and hurt tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not crying. I¡¯m not such a crybaby.¡±


    When I was sobbing out of sorrow for no reason, I heard a giggle sound coming from the side.


    ¡°Right! These brothers must have scared you. I¡¯m sorry, Daphne.¡±


    ¡°Were you scared? I knew Daphne had a big heart, but I didn¡¯t know it was this big! I should learn from her.¡±


    Everyone didn¡¯t think I was stupid, but they took care of me, saying it was fine.


    Because of that warmth, I sniffled and looked behind my mother and made eye contact with the Male protagonist, a child who still seems to be a boy.


    His strange eyes gave me chills, and in it, I felt an unknown power of artificial feeling.


    ¡°Mom, his eyes are weird. It feels like there¡¯s something written on them.¡±


    At my word, Ricarda approached the boy.


    While looking at the child¡¯s eyes for a while, Ricarda looked at his head and began unfolding a magic spell over the child¡¯s eyes.


    Several magic spells were raised simultaneously, and every time the magic reached and unfolded, the boy struggled with pain.


    As time went by for about a minute, the magic spell disappeared, and at the same time, the boy¡¯s eyes became clear.


    However, the boy soon fainted as if he had lost consciousness.


    ¡°Daphne was right. There was hypnosis and hallucinatory magic, and it was so awfully intertwined.¡±


    ¡°I thought he was too young for an assassin!¡±


    Mom frowned at Ricarda¡¯s words.


    ¡°Where did those jerks sell morality to?¡±


    I stared at her with a dumbfounded look at the slang that rolled out of mother¡¯s mouth. She didn¡¯t stop spewing out all kinds of slang as if she didn¡¯t feel my gaze.


    ¡°All those punks who play with children have to have beep-beep-beep. You absolutely can¡¯t kill them easily¡­ No, what am I saying right now?¡±


    T/l corner: Don¡¯t ask me what she meant, since I don¡¯t know too xD


    The slang that was spouting out coolly stopped.


    Forgetting that I was sniffling, I slowly raised my head to look up at my mother.


    My mom intentionally covered my eyes, not making eye contact.


    ¡°Pretend you didn¡¯t hear it. It¡¯s not a good word.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    Mom patted me on the head, saying I was well-behaved, and then told Lennox, who approached me.


    ¡°You remember the little prison made in the woods, right?¡±


    ¡°The one made to catch wild animals? There is, but ¡­ Ah!¡±


    ¡°Put him in. Even if he was hypnotized, an assassin is an assassin. There¡¯s no harm in being careful.¡±


    Lennox nodded, saying he would take care of it safely.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll put a restraint spell. Since this happened, shall we find out who¡¯s behind this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it. I was making a confession inducer and that¡¯s great too.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will leave this up to you.¡±


    Not only did they not kill someone, the appropriate coping also passed by easily.


    While being held in my mother¡¯s arms, I carefully thought about their work.


    ¡®It looks like people who work together are important.¡¯


    When I saw those three, I felt something was in sync.


    Seeing them handling things well with a common opinion and without a single conflict, I felt proud.


    ¡®This is my family.¡¯


    A family that I made myself and a family that cherishes me!


    The pat on my back still feels warm. The gaze towards me is also full of worries.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to disappoint them. As much as I want to protect myself, I want to protect them.¡¯


    The story I knew had a very loose plot.


    As there were no side stories, the Benedito merchants group¡¯s story was not even mentioned briefly.


    Since this was the place where the Male protagonist was, you might think that he got along well, but it¡¯s still unknown¡­


    He might have left the merchants¡¯ group easily in the original to be happy with the heroine.


    ¡®I¡¯m going to change my story happily. Let¡¯s not forget this promise.¡¯


    So that the precious people around me can be happy together.


    I thought as I looked at the back of the male protagonist disappearing while being tied.


    ¡®To do that, part two has to be twisted. Since I¡¯m not confident in the killing¡­ let¡¯s be nice to the male protagonist.¡¯


    I¡¯ll stop the daughter of the Duke and Eunice to be happy as the female protagonist.


    I won¡¯t let them live in happiness.


    ¡®For my happiness. To protect me and my dear ones.¡¯


    Even though I¡¯m still afraid of everything, afraid to be in this world, I¡¯ll make it through. I must overcome everything I am scared of.


    On this fearful night, a new will rose in my eyes.


    * * *


    In complete darkness, I was being chased by something.


    I moved my injured foot freely, and it didn¡¯t hurt even if I pinched my cheek, so I knew this was a dream.


    When I ran for a long time without knowing what I chased by, someone tried to catch me at that moment,


    I opened my eyes in a flash at the feeling of holding and shaking me.


    ¡°Gasp, Hyuk-¡°


    My whole body was soaked in sweat as if I were running in reality.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    What the hell was that nightmare? I¡¯m not even sure what it is.


    I raised my hand to wipe out my wet forehead, and at that moment, someone wiped my forehead with a soft cloth.


    Of course, I thought it would be Lennox or Ricarda, but the shadow feeling was different.


    Isn¡¯t the shadow bigger than usual?


    When I turned my head with a face stained with embarrassment, a man I saw for the first time stood in front of me.


    ¡°Oh, I must have surprised you.¡±


    ¡°Who¡­?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never seen me since I woke up, have you? I¡¯m Winston Chasher, secretary of the Guild Master. Please call me Winston.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Yes.¡±


    ¡°Please speak comfortably to me. You¡¯re the one I need to serve.¡±


    As I nodded at Winston¡¯s kind words, he bowed his head to say thank you.


    ¡°The guild master has to take care of yesterday¡¯s matter so she¡¯s got a lot of work. It¡¯s the same for Young masters too. So I¡¯ll take care of you for today.¡±


    ¡°Ah! I see.¡±


    Well, that happened yesterday.


    I nodded that I understood, and Winston who smiled at my words dragged a small tray in front of me.


    ¡°Young master Ricarda prepared the meal and went out. You should have your meal now.¡±


    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m not hungry.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you make an appointment with the Guild master? Saying you will have your meals regularly.¡±


    ¡°¡­ please give it to me.¡±


    I tried to ignore it, but when did you hear it from mother?


    I lifted the spoon in front of me with a wry expression.


    ¡°Thank you for the meal.¡±


    ¡°You must chew it and eat well.¡±


    It tastes good, but in the early morning, I didn¡¯t have an appetite, so I purposely began to eat slowly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll also prepare warm water for you.¡±


    Winston smiled and took care of what was needed right away.


    Naturally, he put out a glass of water in front of me, and his hand looked awkward.


    ¡®It seems to be stiffened.¡¯


    Perhaps because he felt my gaze on him, Winston stealthily covered his hands as if he were familiar with my gaze.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never seen this before, have you? I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s a little scary to show this to Miss. It¡¯s called the prosthetic arm.¡±

 Chapter 21

    CH 21


    ¡°The prosthetic arm¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not something good for Miss to stare at it like that.¡±


    ¡°But, it¡¯s Winston¡¯s hand. Why is that so bad?¡±


    Seeing it for the first time, I thought it was amazing, but I never thought it was scary.


    I turned my eyes from his hand and began to eat my soup again.


    However, his gaze that followed from the side did not leave. At the gaze that didn¡¯t leave me even when I finished my soup, I turned my head.


    ¡°Why are you staring at me like that?¡±


    ¡°Miss, don¡¯t you find this hand gross?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not gross.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unexpected. Usually, young children say they don¡¯t like to see this hand.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but look at him with worry due to Winston¡¯s vain smile.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m not a child.¡±


    ¡°¡­..is that so?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t find it gross because I¡¯m not a child.¡±


    ¡°But even grown-up adults get disgusted seeing my hand.¡±


    At his words, I replied raising my eyebrows,


    ¡°That¡¯s because they¡¯re rude.¡±


    ¡°¡­yes. You¡¯re right. They gave me that look without even hearing why I was wearing a prosthetic arm.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s mean.¡±


    ¡°¡­if Miss doesn¡¯t mind, may I explain to you what caused me to wear a prosthetic arm?¡±


    Suddenly?


    When I opened my eyes wide, Winston raised the glasses he was wearing. The smiling eyes over the round glasses looked good.


    I didn¡¯t know his reason, but I don¡¯t think he was someone who talked nonsense, so I nodded.


    ¡°It may be a little scary, but-¡°


    ¡°I said no.¡±


    At my immediate reply, Winston laughed as if he was happy to hear it.


    Then he folded up his sleeves and showed me the prosthetic arm attached to his wrist.


    ¡°A long time ago. Shall we start from the story when I first met the Guild Master? The guild master was still in her position of the successor, and I was a petty thief.¡±


    The story was older than I thought, and it sounds like a dark story.


    ¡®Is it okay to listen?¡¯


    It must be a very personal story, and that, to a kid he had seen for the first time¡­


    But the thought quickly faded away.


    ¡°At that time, Mrs Chloe was taking a test to become the next Guild Master. The test that asked her to find her most precious thing in the capital.¡±


    An interest suddenly arose in those words. As my eyes glistened, Winston burst into a small laugh as if he thought it was funny.


    When I tilted my head, he covered his mouth and started talking again, saying it was nothing.


    ¡°I robbed the Guild Master¡¯s wallet.¡±


    ¡°¡­really?¡±


    ¡°Yes. After that, I was chased and got caught in vain.¡±


    ¡°¡­ At that time, did Mom have the ability to be a smoke mage?¡±


    Winston shook his head at my question.


    ¡°Of course. Since, I ran to death trying to avoid the smoke.¡±


    ¡°¡­ that¡¯s amazing.¡±


    I knew better than anyone that my mother¡¯s ability was amazing because I watched her abilities right in front of me.


    I¡¯m sure even in the past her ability was something amazing.


    ¡®I don¡¯t think he was a simple petty thief.¡¯


    At my suspicious gaze, he burst out laughing again.


    ¡°You are looking at me with the same gaze the Guild Master made. She looked at me like that and then she said,¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Are you b*stard really just a petty thief?¡±


    As expected, what I saw yesterday wasn¡¯t a lie.


    Come to think of it, even Mom¡¯s rough mouth suits her.


    ¡°And then she forced me around to pay for it.¡±


    Winston sighed quietly, saying it was hard.


    ¡°She also said, if I knew how hard it was to make money, I wouldn¡¯t do this again. She dragged me around and made me work hard.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°She gave me all the money in that wallet as a monthly salary. Then cheered me on to live a new life.¡±


    He laughed out loud, saying it was thrilling, then he came to his senses and coughed.


    ¡°But, the head of the security forces, who learned of the facts, concluded that I had stolen the money and dragged me away. He said he would cut off the thief¡¯s wrist.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    I naturally frowned upon hearing those words.


    Is that why his hands were like that?


    Seeing my face, he shook his head, saying that wasn¡¯t the case.


    ¡°It was because the leader was surrounded by scandals at that time, so he tried to make me the right prey and escape from it.¡±


    Winston¡¯s expression changed from moment to moment and became more immersed.


    ¡°¡­so?¡±


    ¡°When he was about to drag me into the middle of the square and cut off my wrist, the Guild Master came up and told him that the money was my reasonably paid salary.¡±


    I didn¡¯t understand.


    Mom was with him, so what exactly happened to his hand?


    Winston¡¯s face darkened a little after finishing his words.


    ¡°But he didn¡¯t believe it. He said that the foreign girl was fearless and drove Guild Master as mine accomplice.¡±


    ¡°Mom is probably not a foreigner.¡±


    ¡°It had been a long time since she came back from abroad, so there was no way to prove it right away.¡±


    Even I, who was listening to the situation which I didn¡¯t even see, became frustrated.


    When I hit my chest, he continued to fill the empty glass of water, telling me to calm down.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t enough, so he made fun of the Guild Master. He said something vulgar with his dirty mouth. At the square where so many people gathered.¡±


    As if recalling that day, Winston pressed his chest lightly.


    ¡°And then the Guild Master said, If he really did it, you can cut my wrist yourself.¡±


    ¡°What nonsense¡­¡±


    There¡¯s no such sophistry!


    ¡°Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t listen to the Guild Master but rather got angry that she confronted him.¡±


    He was an ugly adult.


    I couldn¡¯t hold back my anger and started to fume.


    ¡°Otherwise, he threatened to cut off Guild Master wrist first. The feeling that came to me at that moment was¡­ I didn¡¯t want to see that happen to her.¡±


    ¡°¡­no way.¡±


    ¡°I realized a lot during the time I spent with her.¡±


    Winston closed his eyes and smiled sincerely.


    ¡°She was the one who gave me hope to live a new life. I didn¡¯t want to see her treated like that anymore.¡±


    Winston had a relieved smile.


    ¡°So I cut my wrists myself.¡±


    Winston¡¯s story was over.


    ¡°There must have been other ways¡­¡±


    ¡°Back then, I just didn¡¯t want to get her involved with my karma.¡±


    He said so, cleaning up the empty dishes.


    However, he did not stop talking.


    ¡°When everyone was shouting, covering their eyes, swearing, the Guild Master punched the head of the security force in the face.¡±


    ¡°¡­with her fists?¡±


    ¡°And then a security guard came running from far away. The man who came to know the identity of Guild Master was running to stop him at that moment.¡±


    I can¡¯t believe he appeared after everything was over.


    This world was not friendly to him.


    Nevertheless, he smiled merrily.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t Winston feel frustrated about losing the wrist?¡±


    Is it because it happened a long time ago that his injustice died down?


    No, If it were me I wouldn¡¯t be able to let that go easily.


    So what the hell is it?


    ¡°The Guild master brought a doctor and a priest from the capital city to treat me.¡±


    If it was Mom, she probably brought all the doctors and priests and put them in line to heal his wrist.


    But I¡¯m sure Winston¡¯s wrist wasn¡¯t healed.


    ¡°Even so, my wrist could not be restored. To someone like me, she handed me a prosthetic hand and apologized. Even though it wasn¡¯t her fault.¡±


    He brought me a little pudding and put it in front of me. There was no awkwardness in all the actions of opening the lid kindly as if he was asking me to eat it for dessert.


    ¡°And she took me to the merchants¡¯ group and said, I was the most precious treasure to her in the capital.¡±


    ¡°¡­oh¡­¡±


    Suddenly the way this is flowing¡­


    I couldn¡¯t understand it, so when I looked at him with surprised eyes, he laughed.


    ¡°Because someone you can trust to have next to you will always be a great treasure to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­then did Mom pass the test?¡±


    ¡°She passed her test. She hired me since then, and it¡¯s been 15 years since I started working as her secretary.¡±


    Oh, that prosthetic arm wasn¡¯t an embarrassing and shameful flaw for Winston.


    It was the beginning of the life that he chose for himself. That¡¯s why it wasn¡¯t unfair.


    ¡°It was our first time to meet today, but I wanted to tell you this in person. Just in case you might be wondering?¡±


    He winked playfully.


    ¡°So I don¡¯t feel sorry for you nor for the scars on your legs.¡±


    Winston¡¯s voice was solemn.


    But it didn¡¯t hurt me.


    ¡°Because it was something Miss chose herself, and that¡¯s why you are here. This moment itself has become the life you tried to make.¡±


    While talking like that, he stared anxiously at the untouched pudding. It might¡¯ve been an unkind word for a child, but I rather liked it.


    It seemed like he was saying that he respects me.


    ¡°Winston.¡±


    ¡°I think I can get along with Winston.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I thought so, but I guess we¡¯re on the same page.¡±


    Winston took the pudding out of my hand with a friendly smile. Then he scooped it himself and brought it to my mouth.


    ¡°Then shall we start our relationship with this pudding?¡±


    ¡°¡­why did the story go there?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just offering you the meal the young master prepared. Please help me carry out all my duties.¡±


    If you say that here, I have no choice but to accept it.


    With no choice left, I opened my mouth, and as if he was giving a bird feed, he put the floating pudding in my mouth.


    ¡°You seem to like sweets. The lunch snack is cocoa.¡±


    As I was staring at the finished pudding bowl, I heard those words and my face was filled with disgust.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I was told your favorite snack is cocoa¡­ that¡¯s why I should take good care of it. Am I wrong?¡±


    Looking at him, who smiled mischievously saying that master Ricarda mistook, I nodded.


    ¡°Ricarda is the most confident when it comes to cocoa. I hate it because it¡¯s too sweet.¡±


    ¡°And why couldn¡¯t Miss say that to him directly?¡±


    ¡°Because he looked so excited when he made it¡­¡±


    As I heaved a sigh, he slowly turned his head away. Then suddenly, he trembled, and after a while, he turned to face me again.


    ¡°?¡±


    ¡°For a moment, I thought I¡¯d sneeze. Now, uh¡­. that¡¯s fine.¡±


    You¡¯re going to be okay, right?


    I was going to ask him because he was still shaking, but he was faster to speak up.


    ¡°You¡¯ve finished your meal now. Is there somewhere you want to go?¡±


    ¡°Can I go anywhere?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no place you can¡¯t go here.¡±


    ¡°Then I want to go to a little prison in the woods.¡±


    Winston hesitated at my words and asked again with a serious look.


    ¡°Would you like to go there? Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Really. I¡¯d like to meet that child.¡±


    Winston, without hesitation, turned around and pulled something out of the corner of the closet.


    It was a wheelchair with a bunch of unknown devices.


    ¡°That¡¯s strange. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ve got it ready for you to use right away, but there¡¯s no sign of use.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve all deceived me.¡±


    I heard it would take a long time to build my wheelchair.


    Why is my wheelchair coming out of there?

 Chapter 22

    CH 22


    If he hadn¡¯t taken out my wheelchair right away¡­


    Perhaps I would have reached out to Winston as I always did with them, and Winston would have asked me what was going on.


    ¡®Should I be relieved about this?¡¯


    Of course, I should be glad.


    If I did, I would be embarrassed later when I found out about a wheelchair¡¯s existence.


    ¡®More than that¡­ why didn¡¯t they say anything about this?¡®


    I felt they had gone too far by not letting me know the existence of this wheelchair. When this unknown sense of betrayal shook me, I heard the sound of someone standing beside me and laughing. As I slowly looked up from my wheelchair, my eyes met Winston, who was laughing.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. Were you held on the arms of the family until now?¡±


    As expected, he didn¡¯t become the secretary without reason. I don¡¯t know if he read my expression or not, but at the correct question, I nodded my head.


    ¡°¡­yes.¡±


    ¡°I guess they must have wanted to cherish you because you¡¯re small and fragile.¡±


    At the words of Winston to comfort me, I nodded.


    ¡°But you don¡¯t know yet how important is freedom for someone who can move alone. This Winston will provide you with that freedom.¡±


    Winston said, pointing to himself in an exaggerated gesture. When I said I understood without refusing to accept the act of pride, Winston approached me.


    ¡°Alright, then. Excuse me, Miss.¡±


    Then he held me in his arms.


    ¡®He looked pretty fragile.¡¯


    Surprised by the unexpected appearance, he grinned as he hardened.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I am not strong; it¡¯s because you are light to carry. If you¡¯re this light, you can keep eating cocoa for dessert.¡±


    ¡°Ugh.¡±


    Imagining the cocoa, which came out at every meal, I heard a disgusting sound coming from my mouth.


    Winston carefully sat me in a wheelchair with a smile, saying I should have the courage and tell Master Ricarda about it.


    ¡°You can roll the wheels on the wheelchairs directly, but it¡¯s powered by mana, so if you¡¯re only good at these buttons, you¡¯ll be able to move them easily.¡±


    The green button moves forward, the red button stop, and the yellow button goes back again. And if I wanted to change the direction, I could press the purple button.


    At the easy-to-understand explanation, I tried pressing the buttons. I tried to push it one by one to see if it was moving properly, and then I tried to leave by myself.


    ¡°Of course, you can move yourself, but I can¡¯t let you go through the trouble of pushing a button.¡±


    You said you¡¯d give me freedom earlier.


    ¡°Would you please allow me to help you?¡±


    His deft words dumbfounded me. He shrugged at my gaze.


    ¡°My mission today is to serve the young lady without any inconvenience.¡±


    ¡°That being said, If I go to the forest, I want to practice moving with my wheelchair.¡±


    ¡°If you want to, I shall do so.¡±


    After reaching an agreement that each other wanted, we left the room. The rolling sound of the wheels slowly turned into a patched, grassy sound.


    The scenery outside after a long time was bluish, perhaps because of Ricarda¡¯s magic. The rising sun, a garden that was not cold even in winter, and colorful flowers and trees. Seeing all this made me feel more refreshed.


    I took a deep breath and then inhaled the air outside after a long time.


    There seemed to be nothing that could not be done in this place where the cold winter dare not to enter.


    ¡°The chill air is not far away, but they¡¯re not also not too close .¡±


    The wheelchair rolled around for about ten minutes.


    The weather, which felt warm, became chilly beyond the bleakness, and I got goosebumps.


    ¡°It might be cold.¡±


    When I covered the blanket that Winston handed me that he had prepared in advance, it became warm. As I became accustomed to the warmth of the dreamy blanket, I could see a small prison that looked narrow when an adult entered.


    ¡°Oh, no. He still hasn¡¯t eaten.¡±


    In front of the iron cage, the bowl containing the sandwich was neatly laid without any traces of touching it.


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°Well, there he is. I couldn¡¯t see him well because he was crouching in the corner of the cage.¡±


    As I looked through Winston¡¯s direction, a person appeared in the space filled with darkness. The head, clothes, and even his face were not seen because of darkness until I raised my head.


    Then, a rumbling sound rang out in a quiet space. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s mine since I ate a while ago, and I don¡¯t think Winston would starve.


    ¡°Even if he is so hungry, he didn¡¯t touch it until the end. He must have been well trained.¡±


    ¡°Training?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid he has been trained while being brainwashed. He¡¯s probably going to follow only his master¡¯s orders.¡±


    The words that came out naturally were cruel.


    ¡°That¡¯s why he didn¡¯t touch the food like that even if his hypnosis was released.¡±


    He¡¯s starving like that, but he didn¡¯t touch the food in front of him.


    What I had experienced in the past at a nursery came to my mind.


    Even though the food was overflowing in the restaurant, those bland meals that were particularly mine.


    Those days I wanted to eat, but the beatings that came to me when I started to eat¡­ Also, those days I started to starve naturally.


    For some reason, I wanted to see him put food in his mouth.


    ¡°You know what? Can I go close and give it to him myself?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    ¡°But he must be hungry. Maybe he got scared because an adult gave him food.¡±


    Winston was strongly against my deterrence, but he let me go as if he couldn¡¯t help it.


    ¡°Then you can¡¯t put your hands in the cage. You must watch him from outside.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will do so.¡±


    On the grassy dirt floor, the sound of wheels rolling echoed.


    The sound made the boy who was the Male protagonist raise his head and make eye contact.


    The black spot had returned to the white, but his reptile-like pupils remained the same.


    Fortunately, his eyes looked a little better than yesterday.


    No, was it because he was on guard?


    The artificial feeling disappeared, but Winston started to be wary of him as he showed strong hostility to me.


    I was worried about what to do in this tense situation.


    ¡®I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t eat it if I just give it to him. But if I throw the food to him¡­¡¯


    He¡¯s not an animal, and throwing food to eat is a bit¡­


    It might make him feel worse.


    ¡®Let¡¯s think the other way around. If I was him, what would I do to eat in that situation?¡¯


    I¡¯m hungry, but there are enemies in front of me.


    But the food was also given by the enemy.


    ¡®I don¡¯t think I would eat it.¡¯


    I don¡¯t think I would like to eat it either, so there was no way a well-trained child like him would eat it.


    At least if they weren¡¯t an enemy, I would have thought about eating it.


    ¡®Oh, this is it.¡¯


    As people say, you can¡¯t spit on a smiling face.*


    It¡¯s not starting friendly but slowly approaching him.


    ¡®You¡¯ve already been through the most desirable model.¡¯


    Recalling the image of my family trying to approach me slowly, I pulled out the blanket and carefully went down to the floor.


    ¡°Miss?¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute.¡±


    I raised my hand to stop Winston¡¯s worried voice. And I made eye contact with the child staring at me. I won¡¯t be able to have any immediate favor with this child, but I won¡¯t have to be hostile. All I have to do is think about what emotions I have and how I should behave like.


    Leaning against the cold ground, I slowly approached the front of the cage. My movements directed the boy¡¯s gaze toward me, and finally, our eyes met.


    The moment his bizarre purple eyes and my golden eyes met, the boy loosened his shriveled arm.


    In the act of showing interest, I brought the sandwich bowl next to me and lifted it.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you eat this?¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? It¡¯s delicious.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t eat properly, you can¡¯t move or run.¡±


    At my words, he flinched and rolled his eyes. His gaze reached the sandwich. As he showed interest, I put a sandwich plate inside of the iron cage.


    ¡°Here. It¡¯ll be easy for you to eat because it¡¯s inside.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°I just want you to enjoy this. It¡¯s sad to be hungry.¡±


    Flinch, the child¡¯s body moved slightly.


    Looking at the rolling eyes as if he was wondering whether to eat or not, I put the water next to him and recommended him again.


    ¡°If you feel thirsty, you can drink water with it.¡±


    When the near-permit words ran out, the boy suddenly rushed in and began to eat the sandwich in a panic.


    Winston came right next to me as I proudly looked at his moving mouth as if he wouldn¡¯t spill any leftover.


    ¡°Miss, you said you wouldn¡¯t put your hands inside the cage.¡±


    ¡°But I couldn¡¯t help it.¡±


    And he ate it. At my wink, he sighed helplessly. Then he hugged me and immediately put me in a wheelchair.


    ¡°Do you know how cold the ground is, for you to sit on that bare ground. Let¡¯s go back, Miss.¡±


    ¡°Already?¡±


    ¡°You did a dangerous thing by putting your hand in a cage, so let¡¯s go back. You promised, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    When he said, if I get in an accident, it would be a big deal, I looked sullen.


    ¡®Anyway, I fed him.¡¯


    But I don¡¯t want to be a liar.


    Before I knew it, the guy who finished the sandwich and drank all the water was staring at me.


    It¡¯s a relief that there was less animosity towards me than a while ago, right?


    I had no choice but to nod my head because Winston was so tough.


    ¡°Then, wait a minute before we go back.¡±


    Before turning the wheelchair, I handed Winston the blanket that I covered.


    ¡°You know it¡¯ll be cold if he stays there all the time. This blanket is warm, so give it to him.¡±


    ¡°¡­Miss, that¡¯s too much.¡±


    He shook his head as if he had lost. And even though I said that, his expression didn¡¯t look bad.


    When I saw him tucking the blanket into the cage, I looked satisfied.


    ¡°Because it¡¯s cold there. You must cover yourself with it.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring you something more delicious next time I come. So¡­¡±


    What should I say in this kind of situation?


    I pondered and added a common saying.


    ¡°Don¡¯t catch a cold. Don¡¯t get in trouble until I come again, and can you please let me know your name next time?


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you my name the next time I come, so let me know yours too.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Well, bye. See you tomorrow.¡±


    As if I should not be here anymore, the wheelchair quickly headed home. However, it was regrettable to go back like this, so we decided to spend more time in the warm garden.


    A persistent gaze followed behind us as we drifted away.


    When I turned around, the male protagonist was staring at us.


    It was a gaze that I had no idea what he was thinking about.

 Chapter 23

    CH 23


    After leaving the Male Protagonist behind, we arrived in the garden. The garden was more beautiful than I expected. It was shining brightly with a variety of colors, which was enough to fill my inner achromatic colors.


    I looked around the garden as much as I could and ate the meals that Winston prepared, but didn¡¯t drink the cocoa prepared for me.


    ¡°What do you want to do now?¡±


    ¡°Study.¡±


    ¡°Then shall we go to the room?¡±


    ¡°Ah! No, I¡¯m going to my mom¡¯s Office.¡±


    Winston stopped walking at that remark.


    I was sure he didn¡¯t want me to go because there was an incident like that yesterday.


    ¡®I¡¯m also a little reluctant about it.¡¯


    But that didn¡¯t mean I could keep avoiding going to the Office.


    ¡®More than anything, I want to be the first to greet everyone when they come back.¡¯


    It was a little embarrassing, but when they return, I wanted to greet them ¡®Welcome back¡¯.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my mom¡¯s room¡­¡±


    The end of the conversation was a little blurred, but Winston naturally turned the wheelchair to the second floor without asking any more questions.


    ¡°How do I get up to the second floor?¡±


    When I pointed to the wheelchair and asked him, he lifted the wheelchair I was in, saying there was no need for me to get out of it.


    ¡°Winston?¡±


    What¡¯s going on?


    No matter how light I was, I couldn¡¯t believe he lifted a wheelchair in one go.


    The bewildered eyes moved around.


    I felt a little scared so I held onto my wheelchair. Then, I heard Winston¡¯s voice telling me not to worry.


    ¡°Even if I¡¯m like this, I have a great strength. Even if there is an incident, I will sacrifice my body to save you. So don¡¯t worry too much.¡±


    ¡°Then Winston gets hurt?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen anyway.¡±


    Even when you feel uncomfortable with your hands¡­


    He grinned at my back.


    Fortunately, it was true when he said he was confident in his strength, and so reaching the end of the stairs was a quick climb.


    Of course, when I entered my mother¡¯s Office, the body I saw yesterday had disappeared.


    ¡°There. That¡¯s my seat.¡±


    A small silver desk next to a large desk.


    I removed the chair in front, replaced the chair with a wheelchair, and opened the book on my desk.


    While I was studying with Winston for such a long time, the clock started to shine.


    ¡®It¡¯s not an assassin or an intruder again, is it?¡¯


    As I flinched and trembled at the male protagonist¡¯s memory who appeared with that light, I felt a gaze and looked up.


    ¡°Nothing that you might worry about will ever happen again.¡±


    ¡°My worries?¡±


    ¡°In order not to put you in danger again, everyone took a steady step.¡±


    With these words, Winston said to look at the clock and glanced at it.


    I tightly grabbed the pen I was holding and slowly raised my head as if I made up my mind to look there.


    As soon as the light disappeared, Lennox and Ricarda appeared in front of it.


    The two smiled and tried to greet me, but they were stunned and froze on the spot.


    ¡°Lennox? Ricarda?¡±


    Seeing their strangely stiff face, I tilted my head, and at that moment, I could hear a small laugh behind me.


    What is it?


    Looking at winston¡¯s laughing, it doesn¡¯t seem to be a bad situation. It was not until I tilted my head again to look at them that I noticed that their eyes were on the wheelchair.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right! It¡¯s said that the chair was prepared from the beginning?¡±


    My voice popped up from the childish stupidity and embarrassment that arose from my mind.


    The two finally warmed up to the sound of my voice and glanced at each other.


    And the first one to open his mouth was Lennox.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sure Rica said the wheelchair wasn¡¯t ready. What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    ¡°Obviously Hyung said it wasn¡¯t ready. Where did it come from?¡±


    ¡°You two are saying opposite things right now.¡±


    Lennox blamed Ricarda, Ricarda blamed Lennox, and at my words, they finally closed their mouths with a surprised look.


    ¡°You both deceived me.¡±


    As soon as I continued, the two shook their heads from side to side.


    ¡°No! What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Yes, absolutely not, Daphne! So¡­ actually¡­ mother!¡±


    As if he wanted to add something, his eyes curled up.


    The moment Lennox tried to blame mother for this situation, the clock flashed again, and she returned. She looked a little tired, but she greeted me with a smile on her mouth.


    But the moment she saw me, her eyes shook as if there was an earthquake.


    ¡°Did you have a good¡­ day?¡±


    With that, mother¡¯s words were blurred.


    The red eyes momentarily showed embarrassment and disappeared.


    You told me that facial expressions are important.


    I watched her changing expressions from beginning to end and felt a late strangeness.


    Of course, my mother smiled and said to Lennox and Ricarda, as if she was never embarrassed.


    ¡°Oh, my God. If the wheelchair was already prepared, couldn¡¯t you have said that to me, kids?¡±


    Even mom turned the blame on both of them.


    At those words, Lennox and Ricarda looked at me in bewilderment. The two¡¯s expressions of injustice and mother¡¯s confident eyes contrasted.


    I stared at those three and took a deep sigh.


    Winston, impatient at my sigh, burst into laughter with a loud noise.


    ¡°Pfft-Pfft. Do you know that all three of you are saying different things?¡±


    ¡°Everyone knew and deceived me.¡±


    And without even knowing that, I kept being held around.


    Again, I took a deep sigh.


    The three people who had flinched at the sigh, exchanged glances and laughed awkwardly.


    ¡°Just because I thought that carrying you around in my arms would make you more stable¡­ that¡¯s why I did it.¡±


    ¡°I did it because I was afraid Daphne would be cold!¡±


    ¡°I did it because I wanted to carry my baby around.¡±


    As if they had given up on changing subject, they are now piling their excuses.


    When Ricarda, Lennox, and Mom¡¯s excuses continued, I laughed as if I had no choice.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    Even the excuses that they took out to save themselves were because they were worried about me.


    If they are this warm-hearted, I can¡¯t get angry at them anymore.


    For some reason, I had a hunch that I could make a natural smile now.


    Not the awkward smile that I practiced looking in the mirror one day, but a kind of smile that could come out naturally without shaking.


    So I smiled with the feeling that I felt right now.


    Curl your eyes and gently lift your mouth so that you can return back the smile that they showered upon you.


    ¡°Welcome back home.¡±


    Lennox blinked wildly at my smile.


    Ricarda fumbled and rubbed his eyes asking if he saw something wrong.


    My mom opened her eyes wide and smiled with me.


    And she answered me.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m back.¡±


    Mom came up to me and opened her arms.


    I asked you to hug me until yesterday, but today my mom asked for a hug first.


    And I like my mom¡¯s arms, too.


    I rationalized myself and was held tightly in my mother¡¯s arms.


    So what if you¡¯re a little embarrassed and shy?


    I like it.


    As if they had finally came back to their senses when they saw me being held in mother¡¯s arms, Lennox and Ricarda also greeted me.


    ¡°I¡¯m home, Daphne.¡±


    ¡°Me too, me too. I¡¯m back!¡±


    Soon after, the Office could be filled with everyone¡¯s laughter.


    Of course, my smile was included in it.


    ***


    ¡°No.¡±


    Winston¡¯s report, about how the day was yesterday, seemed to have reached her.


    With breakfast in front, my mother said firmly not to ever go near that boy.


    ¡°But it¡¯s cold and lonely there¡­¡±


    ¡°But if I said you can¡¯t then you can¡¯t. You don¡¯t know yet how dangerous a child who grew up as an assassin is.¡±


    When she said that because she worried for me, I had a thought that I would not be able to get her permission even if I tried to be stubborn until the end.


    My mother¡¯s attitude was stronger than I thought.


    ¡®First of all, I have to get close to him and¡­be nice to him¡­¡¯


    In addition, he may skip his meals again¡­.


    I don¡¯t think he is going to take his meals if I don¡¯t go.


    Looking at the warm breakfast in front of me, I raised my head. Mom was looking at me with a determined look.


    I also spoke with a firm expression.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll use my wish! My second wish.¡±


    ¡°Daphne.¡±


    Lennox tried to stop me, but Ricarda dissuaded him, saying they should hear it first.


    ¡°I want to use the second wish to spend time with him, and I¡¯m sure he¡¯s going to starve without me, and he might be scared being there.¡±


    As if she found my words na?ve, my mother sighed.


    ¡°Even if the brainwashing was cleared, something dangerous will remain unchanged.¡±


    Upon her worried voice, Lennox and Ricarda nodded hard like they sympathized her words.


    ¡°Baby, Mom doesn¡¯t want you to get hurt anymore. The marks on your neck still haven¡¯t disappeared.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t do it. And I promised him that I¡¯d visit him again.¡±


    My mother¡¯s eyes headed for a dainty handkerchief around my neck.


    Under the cute pink handkerchief, there were still bruises left from the man¡¯s strangulation last night, which was enough to worry about.


    I understood why my family was worried, but I couldn¡¯t back down on this opinion.


    ¡°It¡¯s because I can¡¯t wait to be friends with him.¡±


    ¡°Friend? He¡¯s an assassin¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going into the cage, and I¡¯m not going to open it. If you¡¯re worried, I¡¯ll only go there when I¡¯m with someone else!¡±


    As my words continued, my mom just listened quietly.


    Then Lennox next to me tried to persuade me as if the permission shouldn¡¯t be allowed.


    ¡°But if he doesn¡¯t change, and still threatens us, when that time comes, even I¡¯ll give up.¡±


    ¡°Do you feel sorry for him?¡±


    ¡°A little bit.¡±


    Finally, with my final words, she surrendered.


    ¡°It¡¯s your wish, so you can have it your way. But you have to keep your word.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Lennox frowned upon my mother¡¯s permission and my ecstatic response.


    ¡°Mother, but¡­¡±


    ¡°And Ricarda, stay with her today.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­?¡±


    But it¡¯s mother¡¯s turn today¡­


    Ricarda nodded his head as he sensibly looked at mother, Lennox, and me at once.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go and make sure it¡¯s clearly taken care off.¡±


    I guess you¡¯re going to check if the brainwashing magic worked out well.


    Anyway, with a little excitement after my second wish came true, I told Ricarda.


    ¡°Ricarda! Come on, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you have to have your morning breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    The hand, that was spoon-feeding the soup, got faster.


    The reason the soup was especially delicious today, was probably because of my mood.

 Chapter 24

    CH 24


    I headed for the forest, today, as I don on a thick coat.


    ¡°Hi.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    At my greeting, the male protagonist, whose body had been curled up in the corner of the cage, raised his head.


    He looked like a puppy welcoming his owner.


    When I lowered my eyes, I saw a bowl of cold food that had been served yesterday evening.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t eat again.¡±


    I reached out to Ricarda, who was staring from the side.


    ¡°Please drop me off.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t even know how cold the ground is!¡±


    ¡°I know all the cushions were brought.¡±


    You should have said that after hiding that heavy bag behind your back.


    In my weary eyes, Ricarda laughed playfully and dropped his bag on the ground.


    ¡°Hah, when did you see this again?¡±


    When the bag opened up, many things popped out that I began to wonder how they all fit inside.


    ¡°Now, this is a cushion, a blanket, a pair of gloves and scarfs that I brought in case it gets cold, and most importantly, Daphne¡¯s favorite warm cocoa!¡±


    ¡®Eww.¡¯


    I smiled when he spoke and turned my head to control my facial expressions.


    As each of the things came out of the bag one by one, I could see the main character¡¯s body slowly approaching the front.


    As if he wanted to see each and every one of them.


    ¡®He was an assassin. But has he ever seen anything like this? Will his memory as an assassin remain the same?¡¯


    I¡¯ll find out when I slowly start to talk to him.


    ***


    The dreary place turned cozy as if it were a picnic, due to the items that were taken out of the bag.


    I put down the little basket in my arms on the floor and urged Ricarda.


    ¡°Hurry up and drop me off.¡±


    ¡°Before you come down¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t put my hand in the iron cage. Also I can¡¯t open the door.¡±


    Ricarda nodded in satisfaction at my quick answer.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Ricarda carefully laid me out on the ground.


    I brought the basket I had set aside for the male protagonist, who had approached right in front of me.


    ¡°Are you not hungry?¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    The voice I heard for the first time was full of vigilance.


    Nevertheless, his eyes didn¡¯t fall off from the basket I had brought.


    I guess he must have smelled something amazing from it.


    ¡°It has a warm soup, soft bread, and also the fruits. Don¡¯t you want to eat?¡±


    ¡°¡­I want to eat.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t just give it to you¡­¡±


    I deliberately twisted my words and pulled the cloth-covered over the Basket.


    As the front of the cage was filled with the smell of delicious food, a familiar rumbling sound was heard.


    ¡°¡­you can hit me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    I looked up at him wondering what he was talking about at the unexpected sound I heard. Then he spoke with a firm expression.


    ¡°You can hit me. So give me that.¡±


    ¡°Why should I hit you?¡±


    ¡°You said you couldn¡¯t just give it to me.¡±


    At my words, he tilted his head.


    When he didn¡¯t get it, I said pointing to the food I gave him yesterday.


    ¡°This, I gave it to you, but you didn¡¯t eat it.¡±


    ¡°It smells strange.¡±


    ¡°Strange smell?¡±


    Did the food go bad already?


    As I looked down at the hardened food with a serious look on my face, Ricarda took away the bowl with a big, empty cough saying he will verify it.


    Then he opened his hand to cover his mouth so that he could not be seen by the person in the prison, and whispered.


    Truth Serum.


    Ah, Lennox said he¡¯d interrogate him while feeding him the truth serum.


    I guess he started to put that in after he knew that the Male protagonist started eating.


    This was not usually sensitive to smell.


    Ricarda shook his head as I blinked looking at my basket.


    When he gestured that it wasn¡¯t brought right now, I turned my head back and looked at him.


    ¡°What did the people who provided food do for you?¡±


    ¡°They used their fist. Or kicked me. Even swearing at me¡­.¡±


    My forehead naturally creased upon listening to the harsh abuse that came out of his little mouth.


    Was this what it meant when said that the male protagonist had a bad past?


    ¡®He¡¯s similar to me.¡¯


    No, he had been raised as an assassin, so wouldn¡¯t it have been worse than me?


    ¡®Strangely, he is similar to me. Is it just my feeling?¡¯


    I rummaged through the basket and took out the food one by one and put it in front of the cage.


    Unlike how I ignored the advice last time, this time, I didn¡¯t put my hand in the cage but put it as close as I could, and told the guy staring at me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have enough energy to hit you.¡±


    ¡°What am I supposed to do then?¡±


    In a voice filled with doubts, I said nothing.


    ¡°My name is Daphne.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°I told you to tell me your name next time we meet. Tell me your name. That¡¯s enough.¡±


    I can¡¯t call him the main character, the guy, and the boy forever.


    I knew it from the novel, but I wanted to say it after hearing it directly from the boy in front of me.


    I grumbled inwardly and laid down the bottle of water in front of him.


    ¡°So what¡¯s your name?¡±


    There was no response.


    I looked into his eyes so that he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to give me his name and he opened his mouth.


    ¡°Ragnar.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ragnar, you can eat now.¡±


    At my permission, Ragnar slowly reached out his hand toward the food in front of him, and as soon as the food reached him, he began to eat like a ritual.


    In less than five minutes, the breakfast I had prepared was all over.


    ¡°It¡¯s delicious.¡±


    Ragnar spoke out and shut his mouth with embarrassment.


    And he rolled his eyes and stare at Ricarda¡¯s eye.


    Then he started hiccuping.


    The faint hiccups and trembling body with his mouth closed.


    The glaring eyes were as if they were rebellion, but what was contained in them was plain fear.


    He pretended to be strong on the outside, but in the end, he was afraid and retreat.


    Like a trained dog.


    Ragnar was trembling with fear.


    ¡®¡­Ricarda doesn¡¯t look scary. So is he scared because he¡¯s big?¡¯


    As I looked at him who lowered his head quietly with his mouth closed, I had no choice but to forcibly pull Ricarda¡¯s sleeve.


    Ricarda who was looking at Ragnar with the eyes of an observer, answered my call with his eyes wide open.


    ¡°Hmm? What¡¯s wrong, Daphne?¡±


    I laid a blanket on the ground and patted it with my hand.


    ¡°Ricarda, sit here, too.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and sit.¡±


    When I pulled his sleeve again, Ricarda sat on the blanket with a confused look on his face.


    Only then did Ragnar¡¯s tremors stop a little.


    ¡®As expected, you seem to hate big guys, don¡¯t you?¡¯


    If I inferred from what he said earlier, it looks like he had been abused.


    That fear was probably the result of discipline.


    Really, he is similar to me.


    But I had the will to escape, and Ragnar couldn¡¯t have had that, and since he was hypnotized, he couldn¡¯t have thought about it too.


    Phew, I had no choice but to sigh.


    Ricarda, who sat next to me, seemed to have noticed, but he erased his perplexity and became quiet again.


    ¡°Ragnar.¡±


    ¡°Uh, uh.¡±


    His reaction was slow as if he was not used to others calling his name.


    I opened the lid of the thermos bottle with an empty cup in front. As I moved, the eyes of the two men turned to me at the same time.


    Not caring whether their eyes were on each other or me, I opened the thermos and poured the cocoa in the cup.


    The warm cocoa was still emitting white smoke with heat in it.


    I put down the cocoa filled with cups in front of Ragnar.


    ¡°Drink it.¡±


    ¡°¡­what is this?¡±


    ¡°Well.¡±


    I concocted the words by looking at Ricarda¡¯s countenance, who is looking at the cup of cocoa with a bewildered face next to me.


    ¡°It¡¯s the most delicious, warmest cocoa in the world. My favorite one, but I¡¯ll give it to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­can I drink?¡±


    ¡°I gave it to you to drink.¡±


    In response to the abrupt answer, Ragnar carefully grabbed the cup and began to drink cocoa with a slurping sound.


    As I watched Ragnar drinking with his face buried in the cup, I tapped Ricarda¡¯s hand next to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for giving it to him.¡±


    ¡°Hoo-hoo. It¡¯s okay! Daphne¡¯s favorite cocoa in the world can be made again when we return back.¡±


    Ah.


    I was going to pass today¡¯s snack naturally like this.


    I don¡¯t know why, but at his proud look, I couldn¡¯t even say that it was alright.


    Not knowing what to do, I nodded my head and at that moment I heard the sound of Ragnar opening his mouth with a voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s delicious!¡±


    To him, whom with his unique purple eyes staring at me, I nodded my head as if to acknowledge.


    It¡¯s sweet, right, so it¡¯s delicious.


    As if it was really delicious, the borders around his mouth that existed a while ago had already disappeared when his eyes lit from excitement and he licked everything on his lips.


    ¡®He is naive.¡¯


    It felt like I was taming him with something delicious. It felt a bit weird.


    The atmosphere seemed to be going well, so I wanted to stop for today, satisfied.


    At that time, Ragnar¡¯s face suddenly hardened, as if he had noticed he was too excited.


    ¡°No, I mean¡­ it was de-delicious¡­¡±


    He lowered his guard then tightened it again.


    In response to the ever-changing response, I shrugged my shoulder as if it were okay.


    Curious of what he would do now, I knowingly looked at Ragnar and then as if my stare was burdensome, he slowly opened his mouth to say something.


    ¡°¡­Da-ph-ne?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Ragnar mumbled.


    He bit his lips, clenched his fist, opened it, couldn¡¯t stay still, and finally spoke with difficulty.


    ¡°Daphne, don¡¯t you find me gross?¡±


    ¡°Do I have to find you disgusting?¡±


    He shut his mouth to my question.


    As if to say something, he flinched again, dodged his gaze, and spoke in a small voice.


    ¡°My eyes are gross. Everyone finds it gross¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought it was a little unusual.¡±


    When the hypnosis was lifted, the whites returned, but the pupils were still torn like reptiles.


    However, he looked like a sullen puppy with his head down.


    ¡°Ragnar, look at my legs.¡±


    ¡°¡­Ah.¡±


    He opened his eyes wide, surprised at seeing the bandage that had been wrapped around my legs.


    When I came out to a bright place, I saw Ragnar¡¯s pupils narrow.


    I spoke as if it was not a big deal.


    ¡°I can¡¯t walk alone because of my legs. So I go around in a wheelchair.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you disgusted with me like that?¡±


    ¡°¡­No. No, it¡¯s not gross.¡±


    ¡°Me too. You¡¯re not creepy.¡±


    He didn¡¯t forget to add a few words to his lingering appearance.


    ¡°So don¡¯t look away and talk looking at me.¡±


    I looked at his eyes gently.


    When I saw his sparkling purple eyes, I didn¡¯t feel bad because it seemed to show the color I had lost.


    ¡°I like purple, so give me a good look.¡±


    ¡°¡­until when?¡±


    Ragnar¡¯s voice was quivering.


    I could see that his hand was burning red in the cold.


    ¡°Give me your hand.¡±


    ¡°?¡±


    ¡°Quickly.¡±


    Surprised by my sudden remark, he carefully reached out of the cage.


    It was cold when I touched it.


    While placing the pink gloves, Ricarda had brought, in his hand, I said.


    ¡°Until you are deemed as safe.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m asking you to keep showing me. I¡¯ll come over every day.¡±


    There was no return to that remark.


    No, there was no need for words.


    Because I could see his white corpse- like face, glowing red as if it were lively.