Chapter 3
“Haa…”
A deep sigh escaped my lips. I kept remembering that strange oath Rigel made to me. His pained face, his twisted expression… He must have been forced by the slave mark. Otherwise, why would he struggle so much just to say those words?
Thinking about Rigel made me sigh again. Who would have thought that my childish dream of becoming an empress would turn into something like this?
“The problem is… I don’t even want to be an empress anymore. That means I should free Rigel.”
The little girl who once looked at fairy tales with sparkling eyes, dreaming of loving a prince like the princesses in books—that girl was gone.
First, I had to clear up the misunderstanding with Mom. She thought I still wanted to be an empress. After that, I should erase Rigel’s slave mark and either send him back to the palace or set him free.
Once I organized my thoughts, I stood up. I had to stop Mom’s plan before it went any further. But then another thought crossed my mind.
‘Does Mom really believe Rigel will become emperor?’
Mom could be unpredictable and eccentric, but she was never stupid. I remembered my history lessons clearly—no illegitimate child had ever become emperor. Only legitimate heirs could.
So the idea of an illegitimate son becoming emperor… was basically impossible. The palace already had a proper heir. How could a hidden child nobody knew about rise to the throne? It was absurd.
That made me think—maybe Mom wasn’t finished. Bringing Rigel here was probably just the beginning.
But when I searched the mansion, Mom was nowhere to be found. Office, dining room, library, bedroom—I couldn’t find her anywhere. Had she gone out again? Would she be gone for days this time? While I wondered…
“Miss Elena.”
I stopped when the butler called for me as I hurried through the halls.
“What is it?” I turned.
“There is a guest here to see you.”
“A guest?” I tilted my head. Normally, visitors came to see my parents, not me. And if not, the servants usually sent them away.
“A guest for me?”
“Yes. They specifically asked to see you.”
“…Really?”
It was my first time receiving a guest, and my eyes widened. Seeing my reaction, the butler gave a gentle smile.
“You don’t need to worry, Miss. It’s someone you know well.”
I wasn’t worried because of shyness—I was worried because it was strange for someone to come looking for me instead of Mom or Dad. Still, I nodded slowly.
“Alright. I’ll go.”
Dragging my feet, I headed toward the reception room.
“Good morning, Miss.”
The moment I opened the door, a warm voice greeted me. A tall figure with long black hair stood up from their seat. At first glance, their beauty looked almost feminine, but the sharp jawline revealed he was a man. His glasses only added to his graceful appearance.
“Teacher Erkiel?”
It was Erkiel Twarlow, the one who taught me etiquette and math. Surprised, I ran over quickly. Erkiel bowed politely, as expected of someone who taught manners.
“Did you sleep well? Forgive me for coming so early.”
Even though I was only a child, he treated me with respect. From his pocket, he pulled out a white envelope sealed with wax—the Kalstadt family crest. The handwriting on it was Mom’s. I blinked at the letter, then looked up at him. Erkiel gave me a slightly awkward smile.
“So, she didn’t tell you.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Lady Kalstadt asked me to act as your guardian for now, and to take care of the mansion’s affairs in her absence.”
“…Guardian?”
I tilted my head in confusion. Erkiel had always been like a guardian figure to me—he taught me since I was small, and he was Mom’s old business partner and friend. But taking charge of the whole mansion? That was something Mom usually did. Why would Erkiel suddenly…?
He looked at me kindly, but his expression turned a little troubled.
“Don’t tell me… you weren’t told that Lady Kalstadt will be away for some time?”
“……”
My face must have said it all, because Erkiel looked even more shocked than me. I quickly stood up and told him to wait before rushing out. The butler was waiting outside and looked startled when he saw me.
“Miss, what’s wrong?”
“Do you know where my mom went?”
“The Madam… well…”
He hesitated, eyes shifting. The uneasiness in my chest grew stronger.
“Tell me,” I pressed him.
Finally, he spoke carefully.
“She has gone to the Kalstadt family’s villa in Chelano.”
“…Chelano? The villa?”
He nodded slowly. Chelano was on the opposite side of our territory. Why would she go there?
“She went there because the Master’s health has worsened,” the butler explained softly. “The Madam believes the air here in Kalstadt is not good for him. She had a villa built in Chelano, where the air is cleaner. She plans to care for him there while also handling affairs. She has been preparing the move for two months. You… weren’t told?”
“No. Mom never talks to me about business matters.”
“I see.”
He spoke calmly, but my heart sank.
‘This isn’t just about Dad’s illness! Mom brought the Emperor’s illegitimate son here and then disappeared!’
It was true that Mom often traveled to look for treatments for Dad. So I thought this time would be the same—she would come back in a few days. But if she even prepared Erkiel as my guardian… that meant she wouldn’t return soon.
“Why now, of all times…”
The butler added carefully, “The Madam said she left a letter for you in her office.”
I rushed back to the office, opened the drawers, and found it just as he said.
[Hello, Elena. You found Mom’s letter? Amazing! Clap, clap, clap! You really take after me—you’re smart. Your father and I are going to Chelano. There’s a hidden healer there who can cure your dad, but he refuses to leave his place. So we’re going to him. It might take a while. Maybe half a year?]
“…Half a year?”
My jaw dropped. Mom had never left for that long before. And a hidden healer? How did she even find such a person?
I read on.
[I’m sure you’re upset, Elena. I left that boy with you and disappeared without explaining. But it was the only way to make you into the empress you dreamed of being when you were little.]
I slapped the letter down.
“That was years ago! I’m ten now! I don’t dream of that anymore!”
I groaned and picked it up again.
[I can almost see you pouting as I write this. So, I prepared something for you. Open the third drawer of the desk. You’ll find a book I made. That book will guide you. If you ever need me, send a message. Oh, and Erkiel will stay in the mansion for a while to help you. The big household matters have already been moved to Chelano, so don’t worry about work. My dear Elena, please spend time with Claudiel while I’m gone. I love you, my daughter.]
She always ended with “I love you” like it excused everything. I sighed and lowered the letter.
“Now she tells me about a book…”
I opened the drawer and pulled it out. It was the one Mom often scribbled in while sitting beside me.
The plain cover opened to the first page. In the center, written in neat letters, was a single line:
“To my beloved daughter, Elena.”
I stared at it quietly, then turned the page. Mom’s familiar handwriting greeted me.
[Hello, Elena? I’m an alien.]
