Chapter 03
Soya looked up at her father with a tense expression.
It was the first time in three years that she was facing him—
Since that day, the day her first transformation revealed that she was not his real daughter.
But the way Jeok A-yun looked at her was completely dry and emotionless.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk.
It was a habit he had whenever he was deep in thought.
Soya glanced briefly at his hand.
She remembered how gentle that hand had been just moments ago, when it stroked Lady Lili’s hair.
And she also remembered—
How cold and merciless it had been three years ago, when it cast her aside.
—
“Take the child’s core and lock her in the cold palace.”
—
That day came rushing back to her.
The freezing air, the sharp stares—
memories far too terrifying for a six-year-old child—
wrapped tightly around her.
“You know your situation. I won’t speak at length.”
His calm, controlled voice cut sharply into her.
“Because of your mother’s greed, Lili had to wander the streets at a young age without even awakening her core. Everything that should have been hers was taken by a maid’s daughter.”
“……”
Soya felt like a criminal.
Her eyelashes trembled, and her eyes burned.
“So now, for the daughter I have finally found, I intend to give her anything she wants—even if others say it makes no sense.”
My daughter…
The moment she heard those words, Soya realized it again.
Ah…
To Father, only Lady Lili is his daughter.
I can never be his daughter… or anything at all.
In truth, ever since that day three years ago, they had no relationship anymore.
Even knowing that—
Soya had foolishly held onto the hope that maybe her father would come for her again.
She had waited and waited—
alone in the cold palace.
Soya had lost her mother at a very young age.
But despite that, she had grown up bright and cheerful—
because she had her father’s love.
Her kind brothers, who used to compete for her attention, were dear to her too.
But she loved her father the most.
To young Soya, her father had been her entire world.
Even if he no longer saw her as his daughter now…
So when she was dragged here earlier by Lady Lili’s insistence—
She had felt a little excited.
To face her father, whom she could only secretly watch from afar—
Her heart had raced with hope.
That was foolish.
At that moment, her lingering attachment finally broke.
“So make sure Lili never learns who you are. If she is hurt because of you…”
Jeok A-yun added coldly,
“I will not forgive it.”
Soya’s throat tightened painfully.
…But Father, I am already someone you cannot forgive.
She swallowed the words she wanted to say.
Because she was no longer his daughter—
or anything to him.
Even the love he once gave her—
had only been something she had stolen from Lili.
That realization was cruel.
“Yes… head of the family.”
With her head lowered, Soya answered in a faint voice.
As he quietly looked down at her, a faint crack appeared in Jeok A-yun’s expression.
For a moment, he sensed something from her—
sadness, loss, even resignation.
Emotions far too deep for a nine-year-old child.
Only then did he properly look at her for the first time in three years.
Her pale face.
Her hunched shoulders.
Her fidgeting hands were hidden in her sleeves.
Her trembling feet.
Her lifeless voice.
She was very different from the child he remembered.
Back then, Soya had been…
…Useless thoughts.
He cut off the thought coldly.
“Leave.”
Soya quietly stepped back, making no sound.
…Did she always walk like that?
Like a criminal—
as if trying to disappear?
“……”
His face twisted slightly.
If he said he felt no pity, it would be a lie.
But he chose not to dwell on it.
Originally, she had been just a maid’s daughter.
He had raised her well enough.
Even after she took his real daughter’s place, he did not punish her.
He did not drive her out or beat her.
Compared to the guilt he felt toward Lili—
The pity he could spare for Soya was insignificant.
Lili—
his real daughter—
had grown up on the streets.
She hadn’t eaten properly.
She couldn’t see a doctor when she was sick.
She was mocked as a fatherless child.
The maid who switched the children had raised Lili as her own.
but had not cared for her well.
Whenever he asked about that woman, Lili’s expression darkened.
It broke his heart.
He wanted to capture that wretched woman and question her—
But she had already died three years ago.
So Lili had been alone for three years.
She hadn’t even awakened her core at the usual age of four or five—
only managing her first transformation at nine.
Even then, her core was weak due to illness.
And still—
she had endured the pain and forced herself to transform in front of them.
just to meet her “real family.”
Whenever he thought of Lili,
His chest ached.
He felt guilty toward his late wife.
There was no room left in his heart—
not even a trace of pity for Soya.
Originally just a maid’s daughter,
Letting her serve the family’s young lady was already merciful.
Even though he knew Soya had done nothing wrong,
He deliberately convinced himself of this.
It was better not to think about that pitiful yet troublesome child any further.
He was already busy making up for the love he hadn’t given Lili.
* * *
The “fake” girl who had stolen the real young lady’s place—
became that very young lady’s maid.
It was an absurd situation.
But Jeok A-yun strictly silenced everyone in the household.
“Father!”
Lili ran toward him, laughing brightly.
Jeok A-yun lifted her easily with one arm.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, chatting happily and acting cute.
Soya quietly watched the affectionate scene between them.
“Oh dear, Lili. Your hair is messy.”
He spoke gently as he untied her hair ribbon.
“I should fix it for you.”
Then he handed the ribbon to Soya, who stood behind them.
The way he treated her—
was no different from how he treated any servant.
It was indifferent.
and cruel—
as if reminding her of her place.
It’s okay.
Soya looked down at the ribbon and whispered to herself inwardly.
It’s okay.
She closed her eyes tightly, then opened them again.
Her father was gently smoothing Lili’s hair—
just like he used to do for her when she was little.
“Ah, that tickles, Father!”
Lili burst into laughter.
He smiled along with her.
A cuckoo bird flew nearby, as if blessing the peaceful moment between father and daughter, before disappearing.
…It’s okay. I’m really okay.
Soya was okay.
Even though it hurt that she could no longer be his daughter—
She was okay.
Even though her brother’s gaze toward her was filled with contempt—
She was okay.
The whispers of the servants—
Lili receiving everyone’s love—
and her standing there as Lili’s maid, watching it all—
She was okay with all of it.
Because she was—
a bad little bird who had deceived her father and brothers.
A sinner who had stolen Lili’s place and caused everyone pain.
So she was truly okay.
Really…
* * *
On Lady Lili’s ninth birthday—
her first birthday since returning—
Jeok A-yun announced that there would be a grand celebration.
And amidst the preparations,
news arrived—
that the Fifth Prince from the capital would be visiting the estate.
