~Chapter 115~
IF Side Story 4
“This is the place.”
After getting out of the carriage and walking deep into a dirty alley, Aisel and Sawyer finally arrived at the orphanage where she had lived until the age of ten.
“This… is the place?”
Sawyer’s eyes trembled.
He had promised himself he wouldn’t show any reaction no matter what kind of place it was.
But he couldn’t help being shocked.
The stench of sewers was one thing—
the orphanage building itself looked like it would collapse with a single push.
“Yes. This is where I grew up until ten.”
Aisel smiled bitterly.
If only Alicia hadn’t abandoned her here…
Or at least, if she had left her at a proper place, she wouldn’t have lived with constant beatings.
The painful memories of her childhood made her shut her eyes tightly.
“Truly… it makes me shudder.”
Sawyer also knew about Alicia’s evil deeds. His fists clenched.
The young lady of Ernest, who should have grown up in comfort, had actually grown up in such a place.
“Dirt and filth were bearable.”
“Then… what was the hardest part?”
He asked carefully, worried his question might hurt her.
Aisel slowly raised her head and looked at him.
Then she gave a bitter little laugh.
“…Being beaten.”
“What?”
Sawyer frowned, as if he couldn’t believe what he heard.
“You don’t mean…”
“Yes. I was beaten.”
Her eyelashes trembled as she recalled the past.
“Later I found out—the same director who raised me is still running this orphanage.”
She had been lucky to escape.
But so many children must still be suffering here.
“So I came to say hello.”
Aisel smiled brightly, folding her eyes.
“Aisel…”
Only then did Sawyer realize why she had come. He stared at her silently.
“I know my mother was called the Saint of Pereshte. I don’t want to tarnish her name. But still…”
Aisel began to speak her true feelings.
“People who commit sins should be punished. Especially when they hurt those weaker than themselves out of malice.”
Sawyer looked at her in a daze.
When he didn’t answer for a long time, Aisel gave a bitter smile.
“You can go back now. You liked me because you pitied me. If your feelings change, that’s fine. This is the real me.”
She tried to say it lightly, but her heart ached with the pain of first love.
Still, she smiled at him.
“…It wasn’t pity. Or maybe, at first it was. I did sympathize, because my situation was similar. But now…”
Sawyer gently took her hand.
“The more I know you, the more amazing you are.”
“Sawyer…”
“I want to stay by your side.”
Her eyes wavered like leaves in the wind.
“Even if you carry out cruel, cold revenge—it doesn’t matter. Because your actions surely have reason. I believe in you.”
“…Thank you, Sawyer.”
His gentle words carried pure sincerity.
Holding his hand tightly, Aisel slowly entered the orphanage.
The moment she stepped inside, the old building began to freeze solid.
Time passed, and soon it was Aisel’s engagement ceremony.
Duchess Serena had begged that the wedding be held at House Iberk,
so the engagement was instead held at House Pereshte.
In the newly decorated gardens, the two families exchanged gifts and shared dinner in a small, intimate gathering.
“You look so beautiful, my Lady!”
Shane, Milan, and Belinda gasped at Aisel in her dress.
“You’re truly lovely, Aisel.”
Diana smiled warmly.
But in the cheerful atmosphere, there were two men who could not smile.
“Haa…”
“Ha.”
The Duke of Pereshte—Aisel’s grandfather—and Rueiri.
“What is it, Rueiri?”
“She’s too precious to give away.”
“I felt the same when I gave my daughter to you.”
“Hmmph…!”
Rueiri coughed awkwardly at the duke’s teasing.
“There’s still plenty of time until the wedding. She has to be an adult first.”
Aisel was only fifteen.
She had five years to go before adulthood.
“Of course, Aisel—if your feelings change before then, tell your mother right away. We can break the engagement anytime if you wish.”
“That’s right, Aisel. And don’t forget—I’m the Tower Master. If Iberk’s son ever makes you shed tears…”
Rueiri growled like a beast, imagining things that hadn’t even happened yet.
“This is the first time I’ve liked you this much, Rueiri.”
“Father, please stop…”
At their banter, Diana and Aisel burst out laughing.
Once everything was ready, the families went to the garden.
The Iberk family was already waiting.
“Diana!”
Serena waved happily at her.
“To think our families would be joined like this!”
She looked thrilled that her closest friend’s family was now connected to hers.
“I’m just as happy, Serena.”
It had all begun because of Catherine—but who would have thought it would end like this?
Diana shook her head to push away thoughts of the three villains locked in the Water Prison.
“I love this dress too. I heard the young lady herself prepared it?”
“Yes. Aisel wanted to make it herself and gift it to Lady Serena.”
“My, how sweet.”
Serena looked at Aisel with fondness.
“Shall we eat first?”
“I hope the food suits your taste.”
The two families ate together in harmony, chatting pleasantly.
Just as dessert was about to be served, Diana raised her hand softly.
“There’s something I want to say.”
“Something to say?”
“I thought good news would make this good day even happier…”
Rueiri’s eyes widened, suspecting something.
“Good news? Diana, you don’t mean—!”
Meeting his gaze, Diana gently placed her hand on her belly.
“I’m expecting Aisel’s sibling.”
“Gasp!”
“Is that true, Diana?!”
The Duke of Pereshte and Aisel both covered their mouths in shock.
The Iberk family members all congratulated her warmly.
“Congratulations, Diana! Truly!”
“Congratulations!”
“A brother or sister for Aisel! I wonder if it will be a boy or girl.”
“Thank you, everyone.”
But the most shocked of all was Rueiri.
“Is it… really true, Diana?”
He asked again, hardly able to believe it.
“Yes, Rueiri. I waited until it was safe, until I reached stability. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone if something happened…”
“My…”
Rueiri rose slowly, face full of emotion.
In that moment, his hand shone, and his staff appeared.
“A child…!”
Brilliant fireworks exploded from the tip, painting the night sky.
“Wow…”
The Iberk family, seeing such fireworks for the first time, stared up in awe.
“Diana.”
Of everyone present, none felt more grateful to her than Rueiri.
“I love you. So, so much.”
Unable to resist, he kissed her deeply.
Diana wrapped her arms around his neck and answered.
“I love you too, Rueiri.”
A life full of noise, laughter, and family all gathered together—
As she slowly pulled away, Diana looked at her beloved, and those who loved her.
Even after revenge was over, she was still so happy.
And that happiness would never end.
<She Wasn’t My Daughter – Side Stories>
The End
