Chapter 9 — The Daughter Who Ruined Her Mom’s We
Henrik looked a bit startled.
“The only way that trash of a man can be slightly less trash is if he at least takes care of you!”
<I’m not someone His Majesty wanted… I only exist because of a mistake…>
“Still! If he let you be born into the world, he should take responsibility! You’re always alone! No one takes care of you, right?”
Henrik nodded a little. His silver eyes were filled with curiosity toward Gisele.
<…Um.>
Gisele stopped grumbling and looked at him again.
Henrik’s face was a little red, and he lowered his head.
“What?”
<…What’s your name?>
“Gisele.”
<…Gisele…>
Henrik looked at her — those silver eyes really did look exactly like Mertz’s.
‘Ugh. That trash emperor’s genes really worked hard on this kid.’
Henrik was really handsome for his age. Sharp eyes, long dark lashes with a bluish tint, those big silver eyes…
He looked like a young predator.
“Anyway, no matter what angle I look at you from, you’re that tr— cough, His Majesty’s son.
So don’t think too badly of yourself.”
Henrik nodded.
<…Alright.>
“I’m hanging up now! See you later if something comes up!”
Gisele ended the call with a short goodbye.
Honestly, she wanted to scream insults at that trash emperor — saying he loved Yulita yet tricked her, had a child with another woman, and didn’t even care for the kid?
“Aagh, my stomach hurts from anger…”
To think that was her dad.
Thank goodness she took after her mom.
It bothered her that Yulita still loved such trash.
“This is supposed to be a romance novel, right? Who wrote this disaster…?”
She had no idea who the author was — it didn’t exist on the internet — but she truly wanted to complain to them.
“Seriously, why are you doing this to me and Mom…!”
Gisele fumed for quite a while. After releasing all that anger, she finally calmed down a bit and tried to think properly.
‘But Mom still loves that trash…’
First of all, he definitely needed to apologize.
And if he managed to win her heart again…
“But will that even work?”
Who knew if his seduction would actually make her go back to him?
If it didn’t, then she’d have to respect her mom’s choice.
At that moment, someone knocked.
“Gisele? Is something wrong?”
“No, Mom!”
Yulita opened the door and entered.
“You sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah! Totally fine!”
But seeing her mother’s face made things more complicated.
If Mertz didn’t even take care of Henrik, then maybe going back to him wasn’t a good idea either.
For now, Gisele decided to do nothing — Mertz would probably come to win her mother back anyway. She didn’t need to interfere.
“But if Mom changes her mind… or doesn’t…”
In the end, she’d just have to respect whatever her mother chose.
After finishing her thoughts, Gisele stepped outside.
“Mom! Let’s go buy pretty stuff!”
At this point, Gisele felt resigned.
‘Whatever happens, happens.’
“Hm?”
“If the wedding’s gonna be simple, we should still buy something nice! Nothing’s prettier than you, but at least let’s get earrings or a ring!”
“No, Mom doesn’t need things like that. I’d rather spend that money making tasty food for my Gisele.”
Yep. Her mom always put Gisele first.
Gisele held her mother’s hand and walked to the garden.
Small wildflowers were blooming. Because of Yulita’s magic, the garden was always warm enough for plants to grow.
“Then I’ll make you a flower crown.”
Gisele picked some flowers and twisted the stems together.
It wasn’t easy — the stems were thin — but she worked hard and finally made a flower crown.
Yulita placed it on her head.
“You look so pretty, Mom!”
“Gisele is even prettier.”
Gisele hugged her tightly.
“I’m lucky Mom’s genes did all the work.”
(‘If his genes worked hard, the kid might’ve been pretty too, but still…’)
“What does that mean, ‘did all the work’?”
Oops — she used a slang term from her previous life.
“Oh, it means ‘worked really hard.’”
“Oh… kids these days say such things…”
Gisele giggled. Her mom was so innocent.
Later that night
Gisele used the orb again.
Mertz appeared, working as always.
In the novel, he had been described as an efficient and flawless emperor — and he really looked the part.
“Hey, you.”
Mertz turned. Their eyes met.
<…Ah, Gisele?>
“Be good to Henrik. He didn’t do anything wrong.”
<…What?>
Mertz looked genuinely confused.
“I talked to Henrik.”
<Why would you talk to that child?!>
“Anyway — Mom’s getting married soon. Come or don’t come, do whatever you want.”
<Gisele, listen to me. First of all, do not contact Henrik again and—>
“I’m going to sleep now. Good luck.”
Gisele said everything she wanted and immediately ended the call.
She fell asleep soon after.
The day of Yulita’s wedding arrived.
The whole village looked festive.
It was winter and cold, but the sky was clear and the wind crisp.
“Mom, here’s the flower crown I made.”
“Put it on for me.”
Yulita lowered her head.
Gisele placed the baby’s-breath crown on her and added a larger lily near her ear.
She didn’t even need jewelry — her face sparkled on its own.
‘How can a human be this pretty?’
Gisele felt lucky to inherit some of that beauty.
Since there was no separate bride’s waiting room, they just waited at home.
This was a simple village wedding — no need for anything fancy.
“You need anything else, Mom?”
“No, I’m fine. What about you?”
Gisele also wore a dress that matched Yulita’s.
Her hair was tied in two braids with ribbons her mother had prepared.
“Today you’re the main character!”
“No, my daughter is the main character.”
Soon, the ceremony began.
The village chief’s raspy voice echoed loudly.
“Groom, enter!”
It had been a long time since the chief handled a wedding, so he sounded excited.
“Theo should be walking in now…”
So far, Mertz hadn’t shown up.
Gisele couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.
If he didn’t come today, Yulita would marry Theo still carrying regrets for Mertz.
The chief’s speech ended, and someone called:
“Bride, enter!”
Yulita stood up from the sofa.
Gisele held her hand tightly and walked out with her.
The simple wedding setup outside their home looked cute.
They stepped onto the carpet.
Gisele looked up at her mother’s profile.
Even now, Yulita’s face was heavy with worry, and she squeezed Gisele’s hand tightly.
“Mom, do you want to go?”
This was the last chance to cancel the wedding.
Gisele whispered softly so only her mother could hear.
“If you don’t want to, then don’t go. It’s not too late.”
Just as Yulita lifted her foot again—
Horse hooves thundered from somewhere.
Yulita flinched and turned her head.
The sound grew louder until a carriage stopped before them.
Next to it was a man on a brown horse.
“Yulita, I’m here.”
Of course — it was Mertz.
“…You came.”
He looked exactly like when they first met:
Riding a young brown horse, wearing a classic deep-blue shirt and a black cloak — he looked breathtaking.
“…Yulita.”
Mertz dismounted.
Yulita’s body trembled.
Behind him, the elegant carriage waited silently.
Honestly?
Gisele really wanted to ride that carriage and live in luxury at the palace.
“If I knew you’d be doing something like this, I never would’ve left back then.”
“…You are the ruler of this empire. The emperor.”
“I got this empire just to win you.”
He removed his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
But Yulita still shook.
Philip, Tory, and Harold approached behind him.
“Show proper respect! Kneel before His Majesty!”
“This is His Majesty, the sun of the Bartemios Empire!”
The villagers, who had been staring blankly, burst into noise at the word ‘emperor.’
Theo turned pale.
‘Poor Theo…’
If only he had listened to Gisele earlier.
It wasn’t fair, but nothing could be done now.
Mertz didn’t care whether people kneeled or not.
He only cared about two people:
Yulita…
and Theo, the man who was about to marry her.
“Yulita.”
He lifted his hand and pointed at Theo.
“That’s the man you intended to marry?”
Gisele rushed over and blocked Theo.
“Just in case you’re thinking something dumb — don’t you dare hurt Theo! He has NOTHING to do with this!”
“He doesn’t look worth the effort anyway.”
‘HEY! Then were the guys you did kill worth it?!’
Gisele wanted to scream but held it in.
Mertz turned to Yulita again.
“Yulita, is that man the one you want to spend your life with?
“Or is it me?”
Theo’s lips trembled.
“Y-Yulita… what is… what is even happening…?”
Mertz briefly looked at him — that cold silver stare was full of killing intent.
Theo stumbled back.
Gisele put her finger to her lips.
“Theo, just stay quiet for now.”
Mertz looked back at Yulita.
Her blue eyes reflected him.
Just like when she first saw him as a young boy — with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
If she chose this man again…
she knew she’d fall right back into that same painful cycle.
“…I… I…”
