Chapter 11
“You don’t have to be shy, you know. Daddy will love anything you give him. So go ahead—give it to me.”
“Give you? Give you what?”
The confident smile that had been stretching across Father’s face slowly drooped.
“You said earlier you were preparing something…”
“I did? No, I didn’t.”
“Y-you didn’t?”
I had no idea what he was talking about—until I caught sight of Melinje standing behind him.
Her face was pale as a ghost, completely drained of color.
Ah. So that’s what happened.
She must’ve misunderstood when I’d asked her about how to win someone’s favor. She probably thought I was talking about Father, not the twins.
I sighed inwardly. Poor Dad. But I had to tell the truth.
“Nope, nothing like that.”
“I… I see.”
To make sure there were no more misunderstandings, I shook my head so hard my ribbons bounced.
“Really! I didn’t prepare anything.”
“Ah… I see…”
Father scratched the back of his neck and laughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.
I should probably do something for him later. I’d been so focused on the twins that I’d completely neglected him. I could only handle one thing at a time—and lately, that one thing had been them.
But I couldn’t fix that now. So instead, I gently pushed the conversation along.
“Anyway! Let’s go already. I want to see Grandmother.”
It was finally my turn to torment her.
The woman who’d made my past life miserable. I’d been waiting for this day.
Father blinked, startled.
“You… want to see your grandmother? Really? That’s surprising. You’ve always been afraid of her.”
“Yeah… I guess,” I mumbled, scratching my cheek awkwardly. Maybe I’d changed too suddenly.
“Oh! I see now,” Father said, snapping his fingers. “You’ve prepared something for your grandmother, haven’t you? I’m sure she’ll love it.”
He was still misunderstanding me, but this time, I didn’t bother correcting him.
“Well… yeah. I prepared something,” I said with a smile.
Father’s face brightened immediately.
“I’m so happy! You even remembered what day it is.”
“…Right,” I said vaguely.
It was the day of our monthly visit to the main mansion—when everyone in the marquis family went to pay their respects to Grandmother.
That meant I’d have to see my uncles and their annoying children too.
“Let’s go, then. I used to worry because you never wanted to come along, but look at you now—you seem excited.”
Kids can sense who dislikes them. It’s instinct. Even as a baby, I—well, Amannet—had always shrunk away from Grandmother’s cold glares.
But this time was different.
Now I wasn’t the old Amannet.
So I nodded brightly, smiling from ear to ear.
Father lifted me into his arms, humming a happy little tune as we left the west wing together.
“Tomorrow’s your birthday party,” he said cheerfully. “You should tell your grandmother what you’d like as a gift. I’m sure she’ll grant at least one wish.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And if she doesn’t, I’ll convince her myself.”
But even as he said it, his voice wavered a little.
“But, Daddy… Grandmother doesn’t like me.”
“That’s not true. Why would she dislike our precious Amannet? She’s just… well, a little awkward, that’s all.”
“Hmph. What’s so awkward?”
“Ah, you see… all her children and grandchildren are boys. You’re the only girl. So maybe she just doesn’t know how to act around you.”
I forced a smile. Father was trying so hard not to hurt me, making excuses for that woman.
“I see… But still, Daddy, she’s scary. Her eyes get all big like this—” I widened mine dramatically.
He chuckled, patting my head. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. You’ll get used to her. Once she realizes how lovely you are, she’ll come to love you. You’ll see. Just trust Daddy.”
No, Dad. She’ll never love me. Not in this life or the next.
In my past life, she hadn’t even shed a tear when I died. She’d only smiled and said I’d finally become useful to the family.
My chest ached with the memory.
But I nodded anyway.
“Okay.”
I didn’t want to disappoint him. More than anything, I didn’t want him to be hurt by her again.
I’d do whatever it took to protect him this time. Even if things went wrong again, I wanted his memories of me to stay warm, not painful.
Visiting Grandmother had always been unpleasant, but talking and laughing with Father made it bearable.
Before long, we arrived at the main mansion.
***
The mansion was buzzing with noise—it was the family gathering day, after all.
In the large parlor, the fireplace crackled warmly. Everyone was there:
My eldest uncle, Behel, and his son, Caleb.
My second uncle, Apel, and his two sons, Rhett and Carl.
And at the head of the room, Grandmother Amel, smiling proudly at her “beloved” grandsons.
Laughter filled the room. Glasses clinked together.
But the moment Father and I stepped inside, the noise died instantly.
It was like someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over the room.
Every face stiffened, every pair of eyes turned sharp—like we were unwanted intruders.
Father didn’t let it bother him. He simply walked forward with his usual calm smile.
“Mother, we’ve arrived.”
“Hello, Grandmother!”
He set me down gently in front of her, and I curtsied properly, holding my skirt and bowing just like a polite young lady should.
But the tension in the room was palpable.
Uncle Apel snorted. “Still coming every month even though no one wants you here.”
“Brother,” Father said, forcing a calm tone. “That’s unkind.”
No one came to his defense. Grandmother didn’t even flinch—she simply looked at me, eyes cold and unblinking.
In the past, she’d called me a “half-blood” behind Father’s back. But when he was present, she’d at least pretend to have manners.
Today, though, she didn’t even bother hiding her displeasure.
Probably because tomorrow was my birthday party—an event she surely hated organizing for a granddaughter she despised.
“Grandmother!” I said sweetly, stepping closer.
“What is it?” she asked sharply.
I smiled at her as if I knew every secret she’d ever tried to hide.
“You don’t like me, do you?”
“Of course not.”
“Mother!” Father shouted, horrified.
“What? I only spoke the truth.”
“Amannet just wanted to—” he started, still thinking this was about the gift I’d “prepared.”
Before he could say another word, I cut him off and turned back to Grandmother.
“Then I won’t say anything.”
“Hm? What won’t you say?” she asked, curiosity piqued.
I tilted my head innocently. “Nothing important. Just… Grandmother, you’ve been feeling unwell lately, right?”
“I’m always unwell. What of it?”
“You see, I was worried about you, so I started reading books lately!” I said proudly.
Grandmother’s nose twitched in irritation. My uncles and cousins snickered openly.
“Go talk to your father if you want attention,” she said coldly. “I have no interest in your childish nonsense.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And the idea that the dullest child of my bloodline could read? Don’t make me laugh. Even a stray dog would find that amusing.”
Ouch. That one stung a little. But fine—I’d take it.
“Mother, please!” Father cried, rushing to my side. “That’s enough! We’ll take our leave.”
He reached out, trying to cover my ears so I wouldn’t hear any more of it.
But I pushed his hands away.
I’d been expecting this.
And this time, I wasn’t going to run.
Father’s shocked voice rose behind me, but I held up my hand to stop him.
