Episode 14
I couldn’t believe it.
I felt myself despairing inside without realizing it.
As I stared down at the potion, my mother spoke to me with a mocking tone.
“Right. Then you must also know where this potion came from, yes?”
At that moment, my eyes widened and my head snapped up.
…No way.
Mother gazed down at me, her mouth hidden behind her fan. Her snow-white face looked especially cruel today.
“Hm? You know, don’t you, Latia?”
The corners of her eyes curved softly, but to me, she looked like nothing more than a terrifying villainess.
I opened my mouth, intending to protest that kneeling like this was unfair. Even if I was being questioned for a mistake, I was still the daughter of a marquis. Even if I wasn’t her biological child, I was officially acknowledged as the eldest daughter.
And she had me kneeling in front of the maids!?
“Latia, answer.”
“Ah…”
But faced with that fearsome expression, I couldn’t force the words out.
Even if my mind was different now, Latia’s body still longed for her mother’s affection. It remembered the fear of being struck by her, too.
I don’t want to be scolded. I want her to love me.
That desperate feeling kept choking my voice, and only my lips trembled.
“Speak, Latia.”
Mother stepped toward me, as if she would wait no longer. I flinched, afraid she would hit me again.
God—what kind of marquis’s daughter is so used to violence? This trembling body is proof that I lived without even protecting my own plate. But things won’t be like that anymore, Latia. You’ll endure, survive, and live proudly to make up for all the times you were ignored.
With only that thought, I pushed down the fear ingrained in this body. I opened my eyes wide and spoke back to her.
“Of course I know.”
The potion Karcian’s father, Count Raumdicel, had given me was in my father’s study.
“But Mother, I didn’t take this from Father’s study. I swear I didn’t steal it.”
I was innocent.
I looked up at her with a firm, unwavering expression. Mother flinched for a moment, then snapped her fan shut with a sharp *clack*.
“Oh really?”
Her voice, paired with a thin smile, sounded thoroughly twisted.
“Then where did you get this potion?”
“That’s…”
My mouth clamped shut again.
The head of the Grun Merchant Guild had opened trade with the Yeriel General Goods Company… and gifted it to me. But if I said that, Mother would definitely ask:
“Why would the head of the Grun Guild give *you* a gift?”
Then I’d have to say it was because he knew he was a descendant of druids and wanted to help me.
Then Mother would ask again:
“And how would you know that?”
Even if I claimed I read it in a book, she wouldn’t believe it. Because the druid legend came from a book that Susan secretly borrowed from an outside library. But the truth was, that same book actually existed in the marquisate as well—in Father’s study.
In the worst case, I’d be forced to admit I entered Father’s study.
But I couldn’t say I knew from reading the original novel…
Looking at Mother’s expectant gaze, I swallowed hard. Since I couldn’t speak immediately, a triumphant smile flickered across her lips. Then she staggered dramatically and cried out as if she might faint.
“My goodness. Latia, Latia, Latia!”
Sharp-minded Betty rushed to bring a chair, and Mother collapsed into it as if exhausted.
“I knew you were violent and cruel-natured, but to think you would even stoop to stealing!”
Mother hurled insults no mother should say to her daughter, while wearing a sorrowful face as if she were the victim.
“What did I ever do wrong? What wrong did I commit to deserve this suffering? Ah, Betty… I just don’t understand.”
“You’ve done nothing wrong, madam.”
“Truly?”
“Of course. All the fault lies with Lady Latia. To think she not only snuck into the marquis’s study, but even stole from it.”
Betty looked down at me with a wicked smile. From that chilling grin, I understood everything. Betty must have snuck into my room and found the potion.
Behind me, Susan, still kneeling, seemed to realize it too; I heard her swallow. But there was nothing she could do.
Mother listened to Betty’s flattery and then looked down at me.
“Latia, since you insist on behaving so wickedly, there is nothing more I can do for you.”
“…”
“And sneaking into the marquis’s study is something no loving mother can cover for—no matter how much she cherishes her child.”
Love?
This time, I was speechless in disbelief. Since I still didn’t answer, Mother clung to Betty dramatically.
“Betty, you understand my sorrow, don’t you?”
“Of course, madam. I am always on your side.”
“Even if it means watching your daughter receive harsh discipline?”
“Well, some say that a beating given out of love is still love.”
Truly a perfect pair—master and servant. Mother and Betty were synchronized perfectly.
After hearing Betty’s words, Mother immediately gave an order.
“Go and bring the marquis.”
Honestly, I thought I could stay calm no matter what punishment Mother gave.
But—calling Father!?
I gasped before I could stop myself. Even Susan behind me jumped in shock.
Mother intended to tell Father that I had not only snuck into his study, but stolen something.
My father, Albus Gladelis—cold, calculating, and utterly merciless. A man driven by ambition, who must obtain everything he desires. And the tool that most helped him in that was the collection of weaknesses he kept in his study.
“M-Mother…”
I stuttered, calling out to her.
Being scolded by Mother would be far better. Father would *never* forgive someone who trespassed into the study that held his greatest strengths—and weaknesses.
Fear instinctively seized me, and I was about to beg for mercy.
“All of this is because I love you and wish to correct your wrongs.”
Mother tapped my cheek mockingly with the end of her fan, leaving me speechless.
Ah. I see.
A hollow feeling spread inside me.
I was not someone who could ever evoke sympathy from her.
Strictly speaking, I was the shame of this household—her humiliation. Because I had been born outside due to Laysina’s infertility.
In the original work, there was a scene where Karcian’s father, Claude, discussed this with another noble. He said that because Laysina was infertile, the marquis had gone outside and brought back Latia. After that, the marquis acknowledged Latia as his eldest daughter, but soon after, Ellene was born. Since he had already announced Latia as the eldest, he couldn’t cast her out.
Every time Mother looked at me, she must have been reminded of her infertility. In this era, it was a dreadful disgrace—proof that a woman had trouble carrying on the family line.
Mother spoke again.
“What are you doing, Betty? Hurry and fetch the marquis.”
“Yes, madam! I’ll bring him right away.”
Betty ran out with an excited face.
The room, already dim with the curtains drawn, felt even darker.
Just like my future.
—
**Marquis Albus Gladelis.**
He began collecting people’s weaknesses for a simple reason:
“Information turns into money—and the more precious and personal the information, the higher the price.”
This was practically Albus’s philosophy.
The Gladelis family had a public image of refined nobility and gentlemanly grace. Using this, he could easily approach people and win their goodwill.
“And that made it easy to dig up their weaknesses.”
Among the weaknesses he acquired were those belonging to the emperor’s closest aides. And the place he hid all of them was none other than his study.
When Albus brushed the window frame, a sharp humming sound rang out, leaving behind faint streaks of light.
“A magic that records any presence that enters… As expected of imperial mages—clever.”
The emperor himself had sent imperial mages to secure the place. The study was an impregnable fortress.
“If the information cannot be destroyed, then let it be hidden from everyone… The emperor is truly exceptional.”
Albus looked around the study with a sly smile.
Then—*knock knock knock*—the peace was shattered.
“Hm, what is it?”
Annoyed by the interruption, Albus answered in a low voice. The head butler spoke from beyond the door.
“My lord, the madam’s maid is here.”
“What is it?”
“She says… Lady Latia has committed a grave wrongdoing and asks that you scold her.”
“Latia?”
Albus repeated the name, puzzled.
‘That child is too busy trying to earn Laysina’s affection to even realize she’s a bastard. She shouldn’t be bold enough to anger Laysina.’
And yet now Laysina claimed she’d committed a serious offense?
A flicker of curiosity passed through Albus’s blue eyes—but that was all.
“I’m busy. Tell them to deal with it themselves.”
Albus wasn’t the sort of man who would bother himself with scolding a child.
But the world would not allow Albus to remain at peace.
“No, my lord! Lady Latia stole something from your study!”
The maid shrieked. Albus, who had been about to sit down, froze.
“That voice… Betty?”
“It’s true, my lord! And the madam has proof!”
At her words, Albus felt a chilling sensation drain the blood from his body. If someone had breached this study, it meant his downfall!
In a panic, he threw open the door.
“Betty! Take me to Laysina at once!”
