Chapter 9
If the Empress had not miscarried and had given birth to a prince around my age, I might have been mentioned as a candidate for the next Empress.
Because among the two ducal families and two marquis families, ours was the only one with a daughter.
But the Empress lost her first child. And because of her weak body, people began to suspect she might not be able to have more children.
After many years, she finally gave birth to a princess.
The birth of the princess changed the balance of power.
First, I no longer needed to be dragged into pointless political struggles for marriage.
Second—
A new power had appeared above Emil.
“Seems like I’m not welcome.”
Rastain looked between me and Hildred, then spoke to me.
“It’s not that… I’m just surprised.”
“I didn’t mean to surprise you.”
“Your presence itself is surprising.”
Hildred added, “You haven’t shown your face for the past two years.”
“I simply had no reason to come to the capital. That will change now that I’ve entered the academy.”
I remembered. On my tenth birthday, we almost sent him an invitation, but canceled it after hearing he had gone to his territory.
“Then why are you here in the capital—”
“Do I need to explain?”
His arrogant tone made me laugh dryly.
If you don’t want to say it, then don’t.
With Rastain’s arrival, Emil came over to me. Blensia followed behind him.
“Bel.”
“Emil, sorry. I said I’d come back quickly.”
“It’s fine. It looked like something was happening.”
Blensia nervously watched Rastain.
Just as I was about to return—
Rastain sneered.
“I heard you lived like a servant in Lancaster. Looks like your master treated you well. Your face has gotten quite polished.”
“….”
Emil glanced at him, then looked away without interest.
But I couldn’t ignore it.
I had tried so hard to prevent things like this.
Hildred only provoked indirectly—but Rastain spoke directly.
And when someone powerful speaks like that, others tend to follow.
I stopped walking.
“Your words are too harsh.”
“Harsh? Was anything I said wrong?”
“Young Master Calixt is not staying in Lancaster as a servant. I invited him as a guest and a friend. He is an honored guest.”
Rastain fell silent.
Then he asked, as if genuinely curious—
“Why go through such trouble?”
He wasn’t mocking. He was truly asking.
Not only him—Hildred and the others must have wondered the same.
I couldn’t tell the real reason.
So again, I wore a fake mask.
“…Because it’s not right to isolate and mistreat someone based only on prejudice, without knowing anything about them.”
At that moment, I hated myself for lying so shamelessly.
“Do you think you’re some kind of saint?”
Rastain sighed in disappointment.
“If he’s truly wronged, he should break free himself. There’s no need to protect someone who doesn’t even struggle.”
What?
Just as anger burst out—
Emil grabbed Rastain by the collar.
“What do you even know about me?”
No one knew the truth.
Only one person—my mother—understood.
I’m not defending a criminal.
But I can say one thing for sure.
In that dark place, Emil did everything he could to survive.
The people around him were just too cruel.
“Have you ever dreamed of a mother you’ve never even seen, calling you a monster like her?”
Emil spoke calmly.
But his eyes were sharp.
“…Let go.”
“Have you ever been treated like you don’t exist, while every action of yours is watched?”
“….”
“Have you ever knelt in front of your own father and begged for forgiveness for something you didn’t even know you did wrong?”
I covered my mouth.
I should stop him—
But every word shocked me.
“…What else was I supposed to do?”
“…I said let go.”
“Answer me.”
Rastain pushed him away.
Then he said coldly—
“So your solution was to cling to another family like a parasite?”
At that moment, I understood a little why Rastain hated Emil.
He was bothered.
“And that too, to one of the most noble families in the empire?”
He didn’t like that our family—admired by everyone—was connected to Emil.
“If you’re going to carry your mother’s disgrace, don’t drag others down with you.”
Emil’s eyes shook.
I quickly covered his ears.
“Emil, don’t listen. You don’t need to hear this.”
“….”
But Emil slowly removed my hand.
Then—
“Or are you trying to please them so you can take the place next to a future marquis?”
That was it.
“Emil!”
“Ugh!”
Emil punched Rastain.
Everything turned into chaos.
Blensia grabbed me.
“Lady Belcia! It’s dangerous!”
The two boys started fighting.
Rastain fought back just as fiercely.
They rolled on the floor.
I froze.
Emil’s face was expressionless—
As if this was normal.
He had every right to be angry.
But—
‘I killed the marquis couple.’
The violent scene brought back my memories.
For two years, I thought he was getting better.
But—
If the world didn’t change how it saw Emil…
Maybe he could never truly change.
My body went cold.
Fear gripped me.
Seeing him raise his fist without hesitation—
It felt like being struck from behind.
Hildred stepped in.
“…Both of you, calm down.”
I came back to my senses.
I grabbed Emil.
“Emil!”
“…Bel.”
“I know you’re angry. But this isn’t the way.”
“….”
He slowly let go of Rastain.
“…Then.”
“What?”
“Then how should I repay him?”
“You….”
“…Do you think I’m wrong too?”
His voice was flat.
His eyes were empty.
I let go of his arm without realizing.
Hildred helped Rastain up.
His cheek was swollen.
A servant ran off to call someone.
Rastain sneered.
“…I’ll report this to the Duke of Calixt.”
Whose fault is that?
I clenched my teeth.
But Emil came first.
As I walked away—
“Belcia Lancaster.”
I ignored him.
* * *
As soon as we stepped into the hallway, I checked Emil’s face.
His eye was already bruised.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“That bruise will take time to heal.”
But Emil asked something else.
“Belcia.”
“Yes?”
“You didn’t answer earlier. Do you think I was wrong?”
I didn’t know what to say.
After hesitating—
“It’s not your fault… but hitting someone is wrong.”
“…Then I should apologize too.”
I thought I understood him.
But I didn’t.
That was my arrogance.
I wanted to call a doctor—but no one was around.
“Don’t do that next time. I’ll hit them instead.”
“…You?”
“Even if my family protects you, your real family is the Duke of Calixt… It will put you at a disadvantage.”
Just then—
“Emil Lachlan Lonsiste, Calixt.”
The Duke of Calixt appeared.
Emil flinched.
The servant hesitated.
I quickly pulled Emil behind me.
“Duke….”
“You heard quickly.”
He adjusted his glasses and smiled gently.
But—
“Move. This is between a parent and child.”
“Emil did nothing wrong.”
“Move.”
His eyes turned cold.
He pushed me aside.
“Duke!”
Before I could stop him—
Smack!
The sound echoed.
Emil endured the slap.
Without even asking what happened—
Smack!
Another one.
“This is punishment. I’ll hear the details later.”
“…Yes.”
This was wrong.
Even if Emil made a mistake—
Hitting him without asking?
But Emil stayed calm.
He didn’t even touch his cheek.
As the Duke turned—
I grabbed Emil’s clothes.
“Bel?”
“I’ll explain—”
But—
“…It’s fine.”
He removed my hand.
“See you later.”
How could he be so calm?
He followed the Duke.
And—
He never looked back.
I stood there, unable to move.
Even when a servant tried to lead me away—
I kept staring at the place where Emil disappeared.
