Chapter 96
“You can act a little like a child.”
I barely held back the tears that threatened to fall at those words.
I had always thought my mother, my family, disliked me. That’s why they never came to see me. That’s why they didn’t even care.
On special days, children with parents—or those temporarily under their care—would receive gifts.
I wanted that too. Even just a small gift, a tiny pin, or even a flower growing by the roadside—I wanted to receive something from my family.
In truth, telling myself it was okay was a lie I had created. Because if it wasn’t okay, I felt I couldn’t go on, so I forced myself to repeat “It’s okay, it’s okay.” I trapped myself in this self-made frame. Orphaned girl. A child everyone dislikes. Every time I thought that, I felt like I might collapse. That’s why I did it…
“If you don’t believe me, you can ask the High Priestess instead.”
“No, I believe you.”
“Anyway… I just wanted to tell you that story.”
“Well… it’s true that my birth isn’t anything remarkable. My father… I don’t know who he is…”
“Do you want revenge against him?”
“Revenge…”
I quietly looked at him.
“I don’t think it’s something a child should be taught, but… anyway, that man you call your father knew all of this and stayed silent.”
In the novel, or rather in the past, I never thought about finding the people who were my parents. Honestly, it would have been better if I hadn’t known about such things even in this life. My story wasn’t that important in this timeline anyway.
So I didn’t search for them, didn’t long for them, and didn’t even think about them. But hearing about my parents from the Duke made my heart race.
“I see…”
“If you want revenge, I’ll grant it.”
“Ah…”
Revenge. My mother, who protected me. I don’t fully understand, but I think I was loved. But my grandmother abandoned her own daughter and even tried to kill me. And my father, who knew everything yet did nothing.
Should I really take revenge on people like them?
“I…”
“You don’t have to. What’s important to me is that the twins grow up well.” I wanted to say that. I had to say it, but instead, tears trickled down my face.
“My… child… why are you like this?”
“Even adults would feel sad learning such things. So it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be sad.”
“No, it’s not sadness… it’s just… just…”
He didn’t say anything more. He just gently stroked my head. I, too, had been a loved child. My mother tried to protect me. My father wanted to kill me. I had parents. Revenge… I want it.
“Is mom okay?”
“Huh?”
“With a family like that… she wouldn’t just stay quiet… Was she okay afterward?”
“She was under the High Priestess’s protection, so it seems there were no major problems.”
Since he didn’t say more, I figured that wasn’t the end. Something must have happened.
‘If it weren’t for the High Priestess, if she hadn’t protected her… something serious would have happened to Mom.’
I quietly looked at him.
“You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. But if you don’t show them what you’re made of, this could happen again. Aisha, you’re smart enough to understand what I mean, right?”
“Yes… actually, I do want revenge.”
It seemed as if he had been waiting for me to say that.
“In fact, I have been waiting to hear those words.”
I guessed right. Otherwise, he wouldn’t tell the truth to an eight-year-old. He was always a ruthless Duke, but planting a sense of revenge in a child was a bit unexpected.
“Yes.”
“But a child can’t take revenge, so this is quite a dilemma.”
What did he want to tell me? He urged me to take revenge and now says a child can’t? What kind of tricky situation is this?
“Right? What can a child like you do for revenge? Your mother doesn’t even remember, so you can’t team up with her either…”
The way he stroked my chin was strangely amusing.
“That’s why I intend to take revenge on your behalf.”
“Really?”
I couldn’t believe it. The Duke—my Duke—was going to take revenge for me.
“But to take revenge, you need a reason.”
“A reason?”
“You can’t just suddenly act from the Duke’s house to punish him. You need a reason.”
“Ah… you don’t have to. If needed, I can… do it later myself.”
But he didn’t seem to hear me at all. Even though I said it was fine, he continued as if he had something important to tell.
“I want to create that reason. Actually, part of why I brought this up is that it’s fortunate no one else came to find you, and also to ask if I can help you take revenge.”
“Ah…? Earlier, you said you wouldn’t adopt me…”
“Right. Not adoption. I’m thinking of you as my daughter-in-law. Rohen likes you, and Lari likes you too. Of course, if you grow older and dislike it, it’s okay not to go through with it. It’s simply a way to protect you.”
When a person is too surprised, their ears go numb. That’s exactly how I felt. I blinked like an ox. Did I hear it wrong? Maybe I want a comfortable, peaceful life too, which is why I’m here. Maybe that’s why the Duke’s unsaid words sound like something he actually said. I looked at him with so many questions and doubts.
“Earlier… because of my birth…”
“I mentioned that to tell you that it’s fortunate no one else came to get you.”
“Ah…”
“So, will you become my daughter-in-law?”
It was too wonderful. If I became a daughter-in-law, I could be beside the twins. My status would no longer be an issue. Even if status mattered, the Duke’s family would be my shield and wall. That would make it easier and safer to protect the children and their future together.
‘But… I can’t.’
My choices, my steps brought me here, but this is as far as I go.
My life is completely different from theirs. My future depends on this time being allowed to me. I have this time to give Rohen and Lari a new life, to be forgiven for what I did in the past.
So I must follow the will of that God. Even if it feels unfair, even if I want to swallow those sweet words before me…
“I still have to become the Priestess. Priestesses can’t marry. So…”
“Why must you become the Priestess?”
“Because… I was granted life again. God returned my time and expects me to follow His will.”
“I appreciate the offer. But this is my decision. Thank you for checking on my mother. I’ll take care of revenge myself.”
“…”
“Really, truly thank you. I haven’t received such kindness from an adult in my life before. That’s why… I was so shaken for a moment. I’m very grateful. I’m not rejecting it because I dislike it. I just have my own path, and I must follow it.”
I was careful not to upset him.
“I’m sorry…”
The Duke, that arrogant, proud man, was offering me this, and I refused. My hands began to tremble slightly.
Did I hurt his feelings? I’ve always been confident and never hesitated to speak to him, but now my heart felt uneasy.
“You must be upset. I didn’t mean anything else. So… so…”
How could I explain this supernatural situation? How could I describe it? Even if I could, I couldn’t. If I spoke of God’s plan, who would believe me?
“Aisha.”
The Duke’s voice lowered more than before. I felt a moment of unease.
‘Why be afraid? I’m leaving here anyway…’
I will strengthen my power. This time passed safely, but I don’t know what will happen next. That’s why I will go to the temple and become a Priestess candidate, to have allies. For the twins. To resolve my past.
I had already decided to leave, so I didn’t need to be swayed by such words.
Then, the Duke’s large hand touched my head.
“I thought you were smart, but you’re a fool.”
“Ah…”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I only made an offer. An offer can be accepted or refused. So there’s no need to feel sorry or apologize. No need to thank me either. This is an offer for you, for me.”
“Your Grace.”
“I thought it best for the children’s mental health that you were around. And I thought it better to entrust Duke matters to someone capable like you rather than assign someone else. But I also thought it might cause trouble later, so I wanted to keep you by my side even if it meant making you my daughter-in-law. Do you understand what I mean?”
