Chapter 13
Going to the imperial family did not necessarily mean I had to live in the Imperial Palace with Rakiel. Fortunately, Rakiel had one younger sister.
‘Aunt Eugenie!’
Although she was born between the Emperor’s former favorite concubine and the Marchioness of Kedrak—making her legally the daughter of the Marquis of Kedrak and leaving her without succession rights—that very fact made her even more trusted by Rakiel.
During the time my mother stayed in the Imperial Palace, the two of them became close and remained like sisters for the rest of their lives. When I was born, she even became my godmother. Because of that, I naturally grew up calling her “Aunt.”
Looking back on my life as Beatrice, Aunt Eugenie was, along with Mother, one of the very few people who had never directly expressed hatred toward me.
Moreover, whenever people behaved excessively rudely toward me at official events, she would subtly appear and discreetly mediate without drawing attention.
So I had no bad memories of her.
The same was true for me as Asha. Unlike Rakiel—whom I had not seen once since being reborn—I saw Aunt Eugenie at least once every season. She was not only my godmother but practically my mother’s sister.
Now married to the Duke of Iblis and known as the Duchess of Iblis, she cherished me—her goddaughter and niece in all but blood.
Not just in words. She never hesitated to travel all the way to the North to see me. In fact, last year, when an especially brutal winter struck, Mother had even allowed me to stay with her in Iblis for a couple of months. The ducal house of Iblis had no children yet, and perhaps not only for that reason, the good-natured Duke always warmly welcomed and doted on me.
If it were Aunt Eugenie…
If I asked her to raise me until I came of age, might she agree?
‘Of course… it wouldn’t be easy in many ways.’
It would look as though the newly established House of Iblis—who weren’t even my biological family—were stepping forward to raise the sole heir of Roengrantz–Ricardt–Khaledro.
‘It’s dangerous.’
Fortunately, it was obvious that not only that unlucky Ezekiel, but even Rakiel—whom I hadn’t met—had not the slightest desire to take me in. Even if I had rejected the escort unit, the fact that they truly sent no one said enough.
Of course, that didn’t mean they would welcome me slipping out of their control. I was far too much of a volatile element—like a live shell that hadn’t detonated.
Too troublesome to raise, but awkward to cast out.
That was me.
‘I don’t want to go either way, you know? I don’t want either of them!’
How hard-won was this new life? How dearly Mother had cherished and raised me!
If Ezekiel was a calf, then Rakiel was a colt. I’d rather live in a cowshed or stable than stay beside those two.
‘But one thing is certain—if I go to Ricardt…’
A fleeting afterimage of brilliantly flowing red hair shimmered before my eyes.
‘…I’ll meet that person.’
The largest fragment of my unforgettable past. The monster under my bed that still clutched at my ankles.
On the nightmare-like night when I first regained my memories—the master of the nightmare who made me scream in my most painful moment…
“Ugh, I don’t know anymore!”
Just as my thoughts began to spiral deeper, I shook my head hard to clear it.
“Master of nightmares,” my foot. He has nothing to do with me anymore.
…Well, not completely nothing. If Ezekiel is my biological father, then that person—
Even thinking that far made a chill crawl over me, and I shuddered.
In any case, now that things had turned out like this, it would probably be impossible to avoid crossing paths at least once or twice in life.
It couldn’t be helped. He was much older than me, so all I could do was hope he died first. Though honestly, it was hard to even imagine that dreadful “mother” growing old or ill…
“It’ll work out somehow. Right, Moromoro?”
Repeating Mother’s old habit of speech—not the “mother” with flowing red hair, but Mom, with short blonde hair—slowly calmed my heart.
‘Yeah. I can do this. I have to.’
There was nowhere left to retreat. If I didn’t want to end my life being dragged around like before, I had to do something.
After steeling my resolve, I took a determined bath, changed into soft pajamas, climbed into a warmly heated bed, burned brightly with motivation—and slept soundly.
…And at last, the next day came.
The moment sunlight streamed in, I opened my eyes wide—so abruptly that the nanny who had drawn the curtains screamed. I devoured breakfast with fierce determination to have a good day no matter what, finished getting dressed, and before I knew it, all the attendants were busy packing luggage.
I was left alone—but I wasn’t really a baby, so I just stayed there by myself without issue.
…That is, until that unlucky face I had seen yesterday showed up.
“Why did you come again, mister?”
“….”
Even though I openly crumpled my face and displayed hostility, Ezekiel didn’t scold me like yesterday. But he didn’t avert his gaze either.
‘You want to do this, huh?’
Just as our staring contest began, Marquis Matilda—who had personally been supervising the transport of my luggage—stepped in. She seemed to have already sensed the ominous tension between us.
“Oh dear. I gave you time last night to grow closer, but it seems it had no effect?”
“…I see you had pointless expectations.”
“Is that so? Actually, Your Excellency met my expectations exactly. I gave you time, yes—but I wasn’t expecting much.”
Seeing the bright smile on Marquis Matilda’s face, I became certain.
‘Our marquis… really hates this man.’
Hmm… I don’t know what the story is, but it surely wasn’t her fault.
As for me, I disliked Ezekiel so much that I’d want to side with a monster if one stood opposite him—but separate from that, the marquis was someone sincere toward both Mother and me.
Back when I was Beatrice, Mother and Ezekiel hadn’t been particularly interested in each other. I had no idea what exactly had happened between them that led to my birth—and frankly, I couldn’t even imagine it.
But from the perspective of Marquis Matilda—born into a family that had served Khaledro for generations, raised alongside Mother and nursed together, then helping to raise me as well—no matter right or wrong, the man who left Mother to bear and raise a child alone could hardly be pleasing.
‘Even if, for us, that time had been more comedy than tragedy.’
Meanwhile, a servant brought the last remaining suitcase into the room and loaded it onto a cart. I nodded.
Then it must be my turn—the largest and most important piece of luggage left.
The moment I thought that—
“Well then, Your Highness.”
“It’s time—”
“……”
Two different hands extended toward me at the same time. One was naturally Marquis Matilda’s.
The other—unfortunately—was Ezekiel’s.
The two, noticing they had reached out simultaneously, turned to look at each other.
A distinctly ominous tension began to fill the air.
Ezekiel spoke first.
“…There should still be much to do before departure. Haven’t you been busy enough already?”
“Shouldn’t Your Excellency be heading down to inspect the escort personnel and prepare for departure?”
“I was about to take the child along and begin preparations in advance.”
“Is that necessary? Wouldn’t that only trouble you? I’m sorry, but our Princess is far too precious for that.”
“At the very least, Marquis Matilda, I wouldn’t simply leave a child sitting idly in a corner of a room like you do.”
