Chapter 36
I knew my sister wouldn’t leave willingly.
She wouldn’t just give up after spending all night tormenting me and hand over the stick without a fight.
“She was bothering me so much just last night; there’s no way she would leave suddenly.”
It was certain that after causing me trouble, she went to Russell. Then, she must have returned after being pressured by him.
That meant there was only one question to ask:
“Why did you summon my sister?”
I withdrew my hand from Russell’s face. It seemed better not to know his expression for now.
“Until you came to Glacies Castle, I thought it could be stopped. Especially if it were you.”
At dawn, I saw Russell investigating me. That meant he probably knew about my relationship with my sister as well.
He must have also noticed that I had changed since I hit my head.
“The important thing is whether he found out I can hear the tree’s voice.”
If he did, Russell wouldn’t just think it strange—he could use this ability for his own purposes. I absolutely could not let him find out.
I controlled my breathing and carefully spoke.
“Have you learned anything from my sister?”
He didn’t answer immediately. My heart felt like it might burst from anxiety. After a long sigh, he spoke.
“She boasted about how you were treated in the past.”
Did she brag about what she did to me? What would he think, what emotions would he feel upon hearing it?
I was curious.
“I couldn’t forgive that.”
“Why? It shouldn’t concern you.”
As I asked, I heard something—not from me, but his heart. It beat irregularly, almost as if suppressed anger was shaking it.
Why did such a chilling sound come from Russell?
I had heard that sound before in the hearts of my sister or the Duchess when they felt frustrated at my lack of reaction.
“You… I was raised in the Institute, but I know well the bone-deep cold and pain.”
What is he saying?
I wanted to ask if he hadn’t grown up in a wealthy household in the Institute, but the oppressive atmosphere kept me from speaking.
“I only realized my power by chance. That’s how I entered the Imperial family and claimed the North.”
He skipped too much of the explanation in the middle. My mind was in chaos.
I had thought Russell was born into a noble family in the Institute, trained, and then recognized as part of the Imperial family.
“That was naive. The Imperial family wouldn’t welcome an illegitimate child like that.”
The current Emperor has a crown princess. Politically, she would not welcome any rival. Yet the Emperor favored Russell for one reason:
“Presumably, as long as someone is competent, it doesn’t matter.”
I had suffered persecution for my disability, but the Emperor was different. He asked how I would help if I became the Grand Duchess and expressed pure admiration for my answers.
If the Emperor cared more about appearances, he would never accept Russell as part of the Imperial family.
“Be careful of Russell.”
What did that mean? I couldn’t tell where truth ended and lies began.
“Piana… I…”
“Wait a moment.”
Dizziness struck briefly. I pressed my hand to my warm forehead, tangling my bangs messily.
“You asked my sister about the past? You already investigated me and know everything about her and me…”
“Piana, that’s—”
Something was missing. There had to be a reason he summoned my sister.
The moment I realized, my voice cracked as I faced Russell.
“You summoned my sister to figure out my cards, didn’t you?”
He had trapped my sister in the massive snare of Glacies Castle for that purpose.
The warmth I had felt a moment ago vanished. Goosebumps ran over me so much that my body trembled. I rubbed my arms with both hands.
Russell stepped forward, raising his voice as if to protest.
“It’s true I couldn’t overlook how you were treated by the Lucianos main house.”
Russell emphasized his words, as if pleading for understanding.
“You are now part of the North, so I thought it right for you to take proper revenge. Believe that.”
“Revenge? What do you mean?”
“Princess Rena will never approach you again. I swear it.”
“Russell… I’m not concerned about whether my sister approaches me or not.”
Anyone else might have been grateful. That would have been normal. My sister staying away would be like solving a problem without lifting a finger.
But it felt wrong. That he gathered weaknesses from the sister I hated, that he had heard them, left a sticky, uneasy feeling.
If he had stayed only in the Lucianos house, he could never have dreamed of this privilege. Yet it felt like I was being dragged headfirst into a mud pit.
Rena, who had trampled on my shoulders and insulted me, and Russell, who had coaxed and pressured her to dig out my secrets.
Neither was necessarily worse.
Neither asked my opinion.
“Piana, I think you are also a precious member of the North.”
I felt him reaching out.
Slap!
I brushed his hand away. Russell froze, unable to withdraw.
Anger boiled from my chest, and I breathed harshly.
Why does no one even ask my opinion once?
Because I’m precious to you, does that mean I should blindly accept everything you do?
“Russell… I thought you were kind, at least in words.”
I had unconsciously believed that. Even if he were a puppet Grand Duke, he gave me a stick that could serve as my eyes and weapon, and his occasional kindness almost deceived me.
My teeth ground.
Why did I only now realize that he, too, didn’t care about my will?
“Inviting my sister was essentially reopening old wounds for me.”
I didn’t want to meet my sister at Glacies Castle. Even if I had to, it would only be under unavoidable circumstances. I had never wanted to see her before.
“If I caused you pain…”
“You’re capable of such irresponsible words, I see.”
I heard footsteps approaching and stepped back. Even if I were hurt, Russell probably wouldn’t understand.
Cutting off his words, a heavy, damp atmosphere quickly enveloped the room.
I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. My expression faltered.
My lips twitched, and I forced the world’s worst smile.
“It’s better if we don’t meet for a while… I need time to think.”
I let my lips fall, wearing a bitter, exhausted smile.
Why does no one ask my will?
Do they think that because I can’t see, I can’t even express my wishes? The thought was infuriating and heart-wrenching. I felt tears welling up.
Ignoring his calls, I grabbed my dress and moved forward.
“Piana!”
He called me, but I didn’t look back. If I thought I understood him, something else would block me.
I walked straight without falling. Thanks to seeing Glacies Castle with the sword stick before, balancing was easier.
Soon, I would reach either the gate or a tree—someone would certainly try to stop me.
Russell was truly strange.
Strange.
And yet, thinking I wouldn’t hear his voice for a while left me feeling… disappointed.
Why do I even think that?
