Chapter 7
The feelings my mother had toward Robellin Castone… might have been similar to mine.
Love and hate.
Even after being killed by her more than ten times, even after repeating those nightmare-like deaths again and again, my mother still pitied and understood her.
Robellin Castone.
The most infamous villainess in the history of the Castone Empire.
Born from a princess of a small country taken as a hostage, Robellin lost her mother at a young age by the hands of her own father, the Emperor. After that, as the years passed, she became more hysterical and cruel.
Her madness had lasted for a long time, and eventually her brutality even reached the Crown Prince’s ears. Even the Emperor—who cherished his daughter deeply—had no choice but to order her execution.
But there was one truth about this incident that only the readers, the protagonist… and my mother knew.
“…Um.”
While I was deep in thought, Emil asked for help.
“This feels a bit… too much….”
In just a short time, my mother had already called the butler and the head maid and was giving instructions one by one about what Emil needed.
“First, we should call a tailor tomorrow. Winter is coming, so you need warm new clothes, right?”
“That’s a bit….”
“Oh, and is there anything you want to learn? You can say anything comfortably. Magic? Alchemy? Swordsmanship? For swordsmanship, my husband would be better than other teachers.”
“I-I’m fine.”
I stepped in at the right moment for Emil, who was clearly feeling overwhelmed.
Starting tomorrow, he would be stuck with my mother all day anyway—so I should help him now.
“Mom, that’s important, but shouldn’t we show him his room first?”
“Oh my, I’ve been holding onto him without thinking. You must be tired from coming all this way… It’s always kept clean, but I hope you’ll like it.”
“No… any room is fine. Thank you.”
“As if we would give you just any room.”
My mother gently stroked Emil’s head.
“We want you to be a little greedy here… to try things you want, and enjoy everything someone your age should have.”
She probably wanted to say those same words to Princess Robellin.
“You can think of this place as your home.”
Emil’s lips trembled slightly.
“…Okay.”
Worried that his pride might make him uncomfortable, I quickly led him away. Thankfully, it seemed more like he just wasn’t used to this kind of treatment.
“Your room is on the left side of the third floor.”
As we walked up the central staircase, the servants who recognized Emil smiled and greeted him.
Among them were Isana and Ilena.
“Hello, young master. I’m Isana, the young lady’s nanny. This is my daughter, Ilena.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Calixt. You’ll have your own attendant assigned, but if you need anything, please call us anytime.”
Emil flinched at first, wary—but once they passed by, he muttered blankly,
“This place feels like a different world.”
If he described something that should have been normal like that… then his past life must have been even harsher.
“The ducal estate was nice too, though?”
“That place… isn’t like this.”
“So our house is better?”
“…Yeah.”
At the end of the hallway, Emil suddenly stopped in front of my room.
“Oh, this is my room.”
“Your room?”
“And the room next to it is yours.”
I insisted a little—so I could run over immediately if anything happened to him.
“This close isn’t necessary….”
“If it’s uncomfortable, we can change it.”
“That’s not it….”
“Since it’s close, if you want to play more, you can sneak out at night and come to my room.”
Even though I smiled brightly, inside I was suppressing a rising obsession.
Letting someone who once killed me stay right next door.
It was partly to watch over him—but it was also me taking a risk. Pushing aside my fear to gain his trust.
But seeing the doors side by side still made fear rise inside me.
“I’ll show you my room too. But first, let’s look at yours.”
I still didn’t know how to deal with him.
* * *
Emil was silent when he saw the room.
It was my first time entering it too.
The room was wide and filled with sunlight. White, translucent curtains fluttered in the breeze. Wooden furniture gave off a warm feeling.
“Is this… really my room?”
He couldn’t believe it.
“Do you like it? It’s meant for guests around my age.”
If this place could comfort him, then losing sleep at night didn’t matter.
“I like it.”
“I’m glad.”
He touched the bed carefully, amazed by everything.
At the ducal house, even if he had a room like this, there was no care for a child there.
“The chair fits perfectly.”
“Is the desk height okay?”
“Yeah, it’s comfortable.”
I opened the window.
“That’s the library over there. Let’s go later. And there’s a greenhouse in the garden…”
I kept listing things to excite him.
But there was no response.
When I looked at him, Emil was staring at me.
“Emil?”
“….”
“Is there something you don’t like?”
“You…”
My heart almost stopped.
“I don’t understand why you’re being nice to me.”
His expression was dark—but there was also a hint of happiness.
“It’s because I want to be close to you….”
“Really?”
I quickly fixed my stiff expression.
“Why you’re kind to me doesn’t matter. Because of you… I think I can be a little happier.”
My chest tightened.
At the same time, I remembered the blood-stained hallway… and the blade that pierced me.
Even though the Emil in front of me was just a lonely child, I still felt tense.
“If there’s something you want from me…”
I told myself: I’m doing well. No one is losing anything.
Emil will be happy. And I will live peacefully with my family.
So this fake kindness is not wrong.
“I’ll do anything to make it come true.”
As long as you don’t harm my family.
My words and my true thoughts were different.
“…You wanted to see my room, right? I’ll show you.”
Emil followed me without refusing.
He probably knew I changed the topic.
Why did I feel guilty?
I didn’t know.
* * *
The next day.
Because of the important guest, the head chef worked even harder than usual.
“Does the food suit your taste?”
“Yes, it’s very good.”
Emil nodded gently while eating scrambled eggs. He even took another bite of bread with butter.
Our family watched him with warm smiles.
“Kids need to eat well to grow properly.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I hope Emil grows as tall as you.”
“…People as tall as me are rare.”
My mother laughed and gave Emil another glass of milk.
Emil drank it obediently.
Father quietly finished his meal.
“Dad, you should have another glass of juice.”
I swapped my full glass with his empty one. His expression softened immediately.
“You should drink more than me.”
“I already finished mine.”
I whispered that it was just for him, and he smiled and drank it.
After the meal, Father went to the palace.
I checked my schedule with Isana and Ilena.
“In the morning, we’re getting Emil’s clothes made. In the afternoon, we’ll look at ties and accessories, right?”
“Do you need anything, young lady?”
“Me? Today is mostly for men’s clothing.”
“If you request, they can bring a catalog tomorrow.”
I thought for a moment.
Soon, the merchants arrived. Expensive fabrics filled the room.
Mother and Emil were already there.
“Look through the catalog and tell us what you like.”
“I… don’t really understand these things.”
“Then shall I help you?”
While they looked together, I examined the fabrics.
But Emil looked very confused.
“You don’t need to do this much….”
He stopped speaking, his face slightly red.
He wasn’t shy—he felt ashamed.
Mother met my eyes.
Then she smiled.
“No need to think so hard. We’ll buy all the fabrics brought today.”
Emil’s eyes widened in shock.
* * *
After lunch, the jeweler arrived.
“Please show collar pins first. And ties and belts too. They’re for this young master.”
Earlier, Emil had asked:
“You don’t need to do all this… I just didn’t know before. This is normal for nobles… I just didn’t have the right.”
Mother asked gently,
“What right?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Do you think you lack it because you’re Robellin’s son?”
Then she corrected him firmly.
“That’s just prejudice. It doesn’t decide your worth.”
Emil held back his emotions.
“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll cancel the jeweler.”
“…It’s okay.”
“Then will you help me choose?”
“…Yes.”
After that, Emil seemed calmer—and started expressing his opinions a little more.
