Episode 7
“Thank you for the cute gift. I’ll cherish it.” Hebe told Eres she would always keep the puppy figurine close to her. ‘I’m so glad Eres likes me.’ Suddenly, she thought she might miss Eres when she eventually returned home. She vaguely imagined what things would look like ten years from now, a time that still felt far away.
In the afternoon, Eres remained in his room for lessons with his tutor. Taking a walk through the hallways, Hebe discovered a portrait hanging in the hall. It was a portrait of a young man with black hair and teal eyes. Hebe stared, mesmerized, at the man who gazed straight ahead with a hawk perched on one hand. Though she didn’t know who he was, she could tell he possessed a strikingly attractive appearance. Hebe leaned in to read the name written beneath the portrait. “Davinnie Gracchus?” “It’s a wonderful portrait, isn’t it? I sometimes stop to look at it when I pass by here.” Hearing a voice behind her, Hebe turned around. A woman in a green dress wearing a white veil was looking at her. When their eyes met, the woman gave a bashful smile. “I’m sorry for startling you. You were looking at the portrait so intently. My name is Philia.” “Ah, I’m Hebe.” Philia came to Hebe’s side and looked up at the portrait. “Everyone stops at least once when they see this portrait. Some have even offered to buy it for a high price, but Lord Castri refused them all.” “Davinnie? Who is this person?” “He was Lord Castri’s second son. He was originally the heir.” “Then this person is Eres’s older brother.” “Yes… though he is no longer in this world.” Hebe noted that Philia referred to Davinnie as the heir in the past tense. “I heard Lord Castri had four sons with his first wife. But they all passed away for their own various reasons.” Philia shifted her gaze from the portrait to Hebe. Looking at Philia’s round eyes and the kind smile on her lips, Hebe was reminded of her hometown friend, Florence. “I heard what Carlton did today. Even our family has given up on that boy.” When Philia mentioned Carlton, Hebe’s eyes widened. “What is your relationship to Carlton?” “I’m his older sister. Though we have different mothers. Would you like to go out to the garden?” Philia took Hebe’s arm. Hebe found her friendly and proactive attitude a bit unfamiliar since it was their first meeting, but she didn’t dislike it. “If we go out this way, there’s a sunny garden.” “You seem to know the layout of this castle well.” “I know it a bit thanks to coming in and out of here since I was a child.” Philia laughed playfully and added significantly. “I even know a few secret passages hidden here and there.” The two reached the garden and sat on a bench near the fountain. Philia said she had happened to see Hebe when she arrived last night. “Madame Fausta said it would be good if I became friends with you.” “Madame Fausta did?” Did Fausta care enough to worry that I might be lonely? Recalling Fausta’s cold gaze, Hebe quickly dismissed the thought. It was more likely that Philia was attached to her as a suitable observer rather than out of kind consideration. Regardless of Fausta’s motives, Hebe was happy to have someone to talk to. “The garden is truly beautiful.” “Davinnie is the one who made this garden. That’s why his portrait is hung at the entrance. Most of them are gone now, but it was once a hot topic because he brought in all sorts of rare plants.” “You know so much, Philia.” “Since I’ve been connected to this family since I was young, there are many stories I naturally ended up hearing. I don’t just go around blabbing to anyone, though.” Then I guess I’m not just ‘anyone.’ Hebe thought as she looked at Philia, who seemed perfectly willing to enjoy a conversation. While looking around the garden, she remembered Davinnie’s portrait and asked. “How did Davinnie pass away?” If Davinnie were alive, wouldn’t he have been the next head of the family? Hebe grew curious about his story. Philia hesitated for a moment, then looked at Hebe with serious eyes. A breeze blew, causing the small leaves on the branches to tremble slightly.
“Madame Fausta was originally married to Davinnie.”
“Pardon?” At the unexpected words, Hebe stared blankly at Philia.
“Madame Fausta originally entered this house as a daughter-in-law. Do you understand?”
“How did that happen?” “From what I know, the story is quite long. Davinnie, who was the designated heir at the time, met Madame Fausta at a benefit and fell in love. The Gracchus family didn’t like her because she was the daughter of a poor family, but Davinnie stubbornly pushed for the marriage and made it happen.” Hebe listened with interest as Philia let the story pour out. “Two years after they married, a war broke out, and Davinnie was sent to the front. And they say he died in battle there… Madame Fausta, widowed at a young age, said she would enter the temple rather than return to her parents’ home. But after Davinnie’s funeral, Lord Castri suddenly proposed to Madame Fausta. According to my mother, it caused quite a massive stir back then.” “Did Lord Castri not have a wife at the time?” “His first wife died of a plague a long time ago.” Complex family histories were often hidden in such great houses, but the story she just heard was shocking. Hebe hunched her shoulders and shivered. Philia looked at Hebe with concern. “The sun is starting to set. Shall we head back?” “Yes. Thank you for telling me.” “I told you because it seemed like you didn’t know anything. I heard you’re promised to marry Lord Eres?” “Yes.” After answering reflexively, Hebe wondered how Philia knew this. Her marriage to Eres was supposed to be known by only a few people; did that include Philia? “Madame Fausta gave me a hint. After all, it’s not like we’re only going to see each other for a short time.” Philia explained, noticing Hebe’s doubt. “Ah, I see.”
“Whatever the story may be, Lord Eres is of the legitimate bloodline of this house. When Lord Eres was born, Lord Castri immediately registered his name at the temple, recognizing him as his son.”
The Gracchus family is born with the blood of the dragon that produces magical power. If Fausta had been pregnant when Davinnie died, Castri wouldn’t have been able to let her go easily. Eres was born as Castri’s son in a situation that everyone knew about but turned a blind eye to. Hebe knew that nobles and royals would stop at nothing to preserve their bloodline. “That doesn’t matter. I didn’t come here to question Eres’s bloodline in the first place.” Hebe shook her head simply. “There are some who say Madame Fausta was punished.” “Punished?” As the conversation grew increasingly unpredictable, Hebe focused on Philia with a mix of tension and interest. “They say that after marrying Lord Castri, Madame Fausta went to the temple and had an accident where the consecrated fire jumped onto her body.” “How could that…” “Because of that accident, people began to say she incurred God’s wrath for breaking her vow to become a priestess. Madame Fausta probably doesn’t feel very comfortable either. Her first husband died in battle, she married Lord Castri amidst all kinds of rumors, and now her son, Lord Eres, can’t use his power properly.” While they talked, the sun set completely, and the garden grew dark. Philia brushed off pieces of fallen leaves from her skirt as they walked. “Shall we meet often from now on, Hebe?” “I’d like that.” Philia linked arms with Hebe, saying she would walk her to her room. “I heard you’ll be staying here for a long time. Our country isn’t just a barren place; it won’t be so bad once you get used to living here.” “For now, I hope I have something to do so I don’t get bored.” “Then why don’t you come to our gathering?” “What kind of gathering is it?” “It’s just a group of women around the same age who get together to talk and do various things.” “Can I participate?” “Of course. The more people, the better. Everyone is welcome.” Hebe parted ways with Philia after promising to meet again. She was exhausted from everything she had been through since the morning. Upon entering her room, she lay on the bed without even changing her clothes, falling asleep as she chewed over the stories she had heard from Philia.
Even though it was a contract marriage, the act of holding a ceremony and making vows before God was necessary. On the day they were to go to the temple, Hebe woke up early and finished her preparations. Having spent some time here, she was beginning to observe and judge her surroundings with more tact.
「Never trust anyone. Not even your husband, even if he is just a child.」
She remembered her mother, who had repeatedly warned her to always be careful of her conduct when entering a great house like the Gracchus family. Hebe resolved to be careful not to reveal her true feelings, even if she got to know people other than Philia. But Eres… “Wow, you look really pretty today, Hebe.” She watched the boy who ran toward her with a bright smile the moment he saw her. Today, Eres had his hair combed back neatly, revealing a smooth forehead. This child will look exactly like his older brother when he grows up. Hebe discovered Davinnie’s features in Eres’s long eyes and the bridge of his nose. ‘Or rather, should I say his father?’ Even at the temple, Eres tried not to leave Hebe’s side. The ceremony to register them as a couple was simple. They stood side-by-side before the altar, recited the words of the vow, and then Hebe’s name was written next to Eres’s on the Gracchus family tree. “I want to do the finishing touch.” “No, this is only valid for ten years, so I can do it.”
Castri stopped Eres, who was trying to bind Hebe’s and his names by creating a flame, and finished the ceremony by stamping the marriage verification seal.
“With this, as of today, Miss Haenel has become Madame Gracchus
