Chapter 10
The massive gate of the estate was always open. Open to everyone except the wolves, allowing them to come and go as they pleased. But the areas they were permitted to enter were limited. They were even required to register their names in a log. A strict boundary that combined tight security with apparent openness.
That’s how it was.
A system that always ensured a trace was left.
‘Now, it’s time for a temporary farewell to Didier.’
As soon as the gate became visible, everyone would soon realize we had returned. They would record that four people left and five returned, an unusual occurrence that would be documented immediately and reach the ears of the estate’s lord.
I took a deep breath, regaining the tension and caution that had softened while I was with Didier. Without this vigilance, I wouldn’t survive in the estate.
Didier sensed the change in my demeanor and cautiously took my hand. He must have felt it instinctively.
“Didier.”
“Yes, Lady Erica.”
“Kob will take you to a place where you can stay temporarily.”
“…If I stay there, will you come to get me, Lady Erica?”
The corners of Didier’s eyes drooped, and his voice lacked vitality. He seemed to understand the necessity of separation intellectually, but his heart couldn’t overcome the sorrow. I gripped his hand, which was holding mine, even tighter.
“Yes, I’ll come to get you. So don’t worry too much.”
“…Is that a promise, Lady Erica?”
“I’ll definitely keep it.”
At my confident response, Didier finally seemed reassured, offering a faint smile.
‘Didier looks most beautiful when he smiles brightly.’
But now, it must be hard for him. It was a temporary parting, but asking him for a bright smile would be selfish of me. Instead, I could smile for him.
Before I could lift the corners of my mouth to smile,
“My lady.”
Riel’s quiet voice warned me that we were approaching the guards’ line of sight. With that sound, the smile that was about to form vanished.
“Alright, Riel. And Kob.”
At my call, Kob swooped down from Arin’s head and landed on my shoulder.
[Yes, my lady.]
“Take Didier to that place. Then return to the spot we agreed on.”
[Alright! But, really take him there?]
“Yes.”
That place was the most suitable for hiding something from my father’s eyes. A crowded place where an extra person wouldn’t seem odd.
[I really hate the leader of the Hydra Guild!]
The place Kob was grumbling about was the Hydra Guild.
The largest trading guild in the Guinevere lands, dealing with a wide array of goods. It was even rumored to dominate everything, making it untouchable even for the estate’s lord.
How did I get to know the leader of the Hydra Guild?
‘All thanks to my mother’s connections.’
Hiding Kob safely until now and knowing the leader of the Hydra Guild were all thanks to my mother.
My mother was that important to me. So much so that I didn’t want to let go of any thread connecting me to her. Even the smallest trace of her was incredibly precious. Perhaps that’s why I clung to the estate. Because it was the place that held the most traces of my mother.
‘But… it’s time to let go.’
I had to live my own life now. Despite these thoughts, there was an unavoidable emptiness in a corner of my heart. My mother occupied a large part of me.
“I need to become independent now.”
[What did you say, my lady?]
“Nothing, Kob. Go with Didier to that place now.”
[Alright!]
It seemed I had spoken aloud unintentionally. Relieved that he didn’t understand the meaning of my words, I looked at Didier. It was clear his spirit had dimmed.
“Didier, wait for me there. Understood?”
“…Yes, understood.”
With those words, Didier let go of my hand. Or rather, he had to, as Kob hovered above his head. Prompted by Kob, Didier turned around. His back, looking sad and pained, made my heart ache.
I vowed not to see that back again.
***
Normally, there are people who welcome the companions returning from Pyrotus’s nest. They usually stand at the estate’s entrance.
But why, by the heavens’ creator,
Was my father standing at the entrance?
It was very strange. In my memory, this was the first time he had come out to greet me. Yes, the first. And my father’s appearance to welcome me didn’t carry a positive meaning. That was clear.
Except for me, leading the group, my companions finally noticed my father and tried to hide their surprise. Mary had already lowered her head, while Arin and Riel stood like knights, preparing to salute and calming their shock.
As we saw him, he saw us too. Then, with a gentle smile that turned my stomach, he said:
“You’re back.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Good, you look healthy.”
Even Mary, who worried about me so much, didn’t flinch at his words. My companions showed no reaction. That’s why I loved them. I nodded slightly to my father in agreement.
“Of course, it’s to be expected, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Erica. Have you sorted out your thoughts well?”
“Thanks to you, yes.”
“That’s good. I had faith in you.”
If you’re my daughter, it’s only natural.
How could I not understand the absolute confidence in his eyes? I had seen those looks since I was born.
“Now, we can proceed with the discussion. But for today, rest.”
“Yes, Father.”
He looked at me for a long time before turning toward the palace. Was he trying to gauge my thoughts? Or was he worried? He must have been suspicious of me after the inner palace incident.
‘Did he come out to greet me just to confirm that?’
I couldn’t hold back my laughter.
I felt a thrill realizing my father was nothing but an old wolf without fangs.
Just exchanging a few words made him think he understood me completely. His looks were laughable. But this wasn’t a place to laugh openly. I suppressed my laughter with difficulty, causing my shoulders to shake oddly, but fortunately, only my companions noticed.
At that moment,
I felt a strange gaze reaching me from the palace. From the farthest window on the second floor. From the inner palace, specifically.
‘Priscilla…’
I hadn’t expected her to recover in a week and seize the inner palace. No, I had ignored that she was capable of it.
‘She finally took it.’
Priscilla realized I sensed her gaze, raised the corner of her mouth, and closed the curtain. A curtain that hadn’t been there before. I wondered how much she had changed the inner palace, how much she had erased my mother’s traces, and gritted my teeth hard.
I felt my breath slowly being stifled.
The estate I had returned to had become an unparalleled poison.
***
A week after returning, the estate’s atmosphere was strange. Specifically, it was completely different from before. I understood why when I saw the servants in the palace.
‘Priscilla turned everything upside down.’
As the lady of the inner palace, Priscilla, now responsible for managing the palace, had replaced everyone. Except for the head maid and head servant, who required my father’s approval.
Oh, and except for Mary, who had gone with me to the snowy mountain.
And what’s more…
“They moved my room?”
“Yes, that room was traditionally reserved for the estate’s heir. Now, it will be for the new Alpha. So, on Lady Priscilla’s orders, we moved your room.”
“Hah.”
“…”
It was amusing to see the maid trembling before me while speaking confidently. My mood sank lower, deeper than the ocean floor. Mary, standing behind me, sensed this and looked at me cautiously.
“Alright, where’s my new room?”
“Next to the library on the third floor.”
“Hah…!”
Mary gasped in shock. And it was understandable, as the third floor was reserved for guest rooms.
‘So, she doesn’t even consider me part of the estate.’
Priscilla’s actions were both laughable and maddening. Or was this my father’s doing, implicitly allowing it all? Was that why he came out to greet me?
I gritted my teeth until my jaw ached. He came out to confirm whether I needed to know about this situation. At that moment, my resentment toward my father surpassed my anger at Priscilla’s tyranny.
How much did he trust me? His foolishness calmed me slightly.
“Alright, lead me to my new room.”
