Chapter 45
“Lady, did the mansion chef make this?”
“Oh, that? No. Father invited the head chef from Rotena to the mansion.”
“Rotena?”
“It’s the most famous dessert shop in the territory.”
The young lady sitting across from me added the explanation, and at that one sentence, my mood instantly soured.
It wasn’t just her words — I could feel that she considered me her rival.
Her tone practically said, ‘You didn’t even know that?’ — no, not practically; she was definitely mocking me.
So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?
“Oh, I remember now — the maids brought some back after their vacation once. I wanted to try it too, but my nanny stopped me, so I’ve always been curious about the taste.”
Just that one line was enough for both Reina and the lady across from me to realize the meaning behind my words.
But since I’m such a kind and polite person, I made sure to finish the job for the other young ladies who hadn’t caught on yet.
After taking a bite of the cookie, I said sweetly,
“Oh, this is a little too sweet for me. It’s not bad, but hmm…”
I set the cookie back down on the plate and brushed the crumbs from my fingers.
“I suppose I’ll have to host another tea party sometime soon. I’ll tell our mansion chefs to put in a little more effort for the next one.”
I smiled brightly, adding emphasis to the most important words.
Unfortunately, there were more young ladies with the perceptiveness of a rock than those who caught my meaning.
So instead of feeling the sting I intended, many of them took my words literally and cheered, saying they’d look forward to my tea party.
‘…That’s not the reaction I wanted.’
Well, it might cause me a little trouble later, but whatever. I’d achieved what I came here to do today.
My chest felt wonderfully light.
Things seemed to proceed smoothly after that — until Reina Peronis’s tea party ended less than thirty minutes after I’d arrived.
Because Rict came home early.
‘Did he really hate me being in his house that much?’
Well, honestly, I didn’t like seeing him at the mansion either.
Anyway, I’d accomplished my goal, so I could finally sleep easy tonight.
Riding back home in the carriage, I told Joshua everything that had happened at the tea party.
“Wow, that’s such a shame! You should’ve flicked each of those annoying girls on the forehead before leaving!”
“Were you serious about that or just joking?”
“Serious, totally serious. That’s why I’m counting on you, Shushu.”
Joshua glanced at the wooden practice sword dangling from his belt and laughed, letting out a sigh.
With his witty responses and strategic advice, the carriage ride home was anything but boring.
It was exactly four days after Reina Peronis’s tea party.
In the middle of a history lesson, Eve and I were suddenly summoned to Hale’s office.
“Successor training?”
Hale nodded, looking distinctly reluctant about something.
It wasn’t like he hated the idea of me receiving successor training — so why did he look so unhappy? Did something bad happen?
“You’re quite late compared to the heirs of other Dragon Houses.”
While I was still worrying over Hale’s expression, Eve answered my unspoken question.
Late? Me?
Oh, come to think of it, when all the Dragon Houses gathered before, Sireia had mentioned she was already taking successor lessons.
If that felt like forever ago, I guess I really was behind.
“You said successor training is important. So why am I only starting now?”
“Because the Lord delayed it as long as possible.”
So Hale was the one who postponed my training? But why? Did he not want me to become the successor?
Then why? He said he trusted me.
I couldn’t understand, so I asked again.
“Why? There must be a reason.”
Wouldn’t it be a good thing for him if I took on the training?
I turned to look at Hale. Feeling my stare, he turned his head slightly aside.
“Dad.”
“…”
What’s with that silence? I’m this close to misunderstanding you!
After a long staring match, Eve finally sighed and spoke up.
“It seems the Lord didn’t want to accept the fact that the young lady would have to leave his side someday.”
“…Huh? What do you mean?”
“He wanted to delay passing the title of Head of House to you for as long as possible.”
“…”
“Because he knows better than anyone how painful and heavy that burden can be.”
Hearing Hale’s true feelings from Eve made my chest tighten.
So that’s what it was… and I almost misunderstood something so pure. Why didn’t he just say so?
“Ahem.”
Maybe my gaze embarrassed him, because Hale cleared his throat and scratched his eyebrow awkwardly.
“Dad, you don’t like that I’m growing up? You feel sad?”
“…”
“You wanted me to stay your little girl forever, didn’t you?”
“…”
Since he didn’t deny it, I knew I was right.
I couldn’t hide my laughter. I went to sit beside him, wrapped my arms around his, and rested my head on his shoulder.
“I’m not going anywhere. Where would I go, leaving the dad I love most in the world?”
“…”
“I don’t even want to leave. I like it here.”
I meant every word.
“Senika.”
Maybe my sincerity reached him — Hale took my hands gently in his.
“I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt to see you leaving my arms.”
“I knew it!”
“But more than sadness…”
His voice was calmer than usual, but it was a warm kind of calm. I lowered my eyes and waited quietly.
“I just can’t believe it. You still look so young to me.”
“…”
“It’s hard to accept that it’s already time to place such a heavy burden on your shoulders.”
I’d thought everyone would be happy for me to start successor training — but I guess not everyone was.
If he hadn’t opened up, I probably would’ve sulked like a child.
Sigh. I really need to grow up now.
“I never realized you felt that way.”
“You wouldn’t — I never showed it.”
“Then start showing it!”
“Alright, I will.”
I straightened up and gave him a light punch on the shoulder.
Hale laughed and softly brushed my hair.
Enjoying his touch, I asked, just to make sure,
“You’re not going to keep things bottled up alone anymore, right?”
“Of course not.”
I didn’t fully believe him — there were surely still things he couldn’t tell me, whether about house politics or foreign relations.
But I wasn’t going to reject his attempt to put me at ease. So I nodded.
“And what about you, my daughter?”
“Me?”
“Is there anything you want to tell me? Anything bothering you?”
“Hmm, well…”
Oh, I didn’t expect him to ask me that back.
If I had any concerns right now… it would be about Roel, who I hadn’t been able to see in the palace.
But mentioning Rict was safer than bringing up Roel — I didn’t want Dad to know that I was born with my memories intact. That was a secret I’d take to the grave.
“I’ve just been wondering how to deal with Elder Rict in a way that’ll make it look… clean.”
Hale chuckled knowingly, and Eve laughed the same way beside him.
“Anyway! I should focus on my successor lessons now — I have to catch up to the others.”
“Erylline was brilliant. You’ll do just as well.”
That was the second time I’d heard that name from him.
The first time felt like an accident. This time, it was intentional — like he wanted me to ask.
“Erylline?”
“She was my one and only partner… and your mother.”
His voice was heavy with sadness and longing — enough to make my chest ache.
“Where is she now?”
“In a place I can never see again.”
“…Oh.”
“I’m sorry for telling you so late.”
His voice wavered, deep and tender. It was impossible to blame him when he sounded like that.
Not that I had any reason to blame him in the first place.
“It’s okay. You just needed time to make peace with it.”
I couldn’t fully understand his pain — I’d never lost someone I loved — but I could still embrace it.
He must’ve been lonely for a long time.
Part of me wanted to ask how or why she died, but I knew I should wait for him to tell me when he was ready.
Still, the atmosphere had grown far too heavy, so I lifted my tone.
“So, I start successor training tomorrow, right?”
Both Hale and Eve smiled at my effort and began explaining the upcoming schedule.
And by the time I realized how grueling it sounded… it was already too late to back out.
