Chapter 86
The Countess Donovan is not her real mother?
‘What… is this…’
Dropping a bomb like that, Rachel let out a faint, satisfied smile.
“Ah, it’s been so long since I could be this honest. It feels amazing to escape a life of lies and control every day.”
Her relieved expression felt like a weight lifting, and I felt clearer in my mind too.
“My memories were all foggy, like a thick mist, but thanks to you, Grand Duchess, I remember properly again. Countess Donovan is not my mother.”
If this became public, it would shock the Empire.
Even among the central nobles, the Donovan family was particularly influential. Their only child not being their real daughter would stain their reputation.
The Donovan family, enjoying immense wealth and honor as high-ranking nobles, would see their image tarnished.
Rumors about the Countess would spread quickly among young noblewomen and ladies of the social circle.
‘No matter what, people envied the Countess Donovan’s position and influence in society.’
Despite polite smiles, the nobility was always ready to stab each other in the back.
I couldn’t imagine how carefully the Donovan family had tried to hide this truth.
‘So, Rachel Donovan isn’t the Count’s child either?’
I tried to recall the Count from long ago, but Rachel didn’t resemble him at all.
She wasn’t strikingly beautiful like the Countess, but her cute appearance made it easier to believe she was the Countess’s daughter.
“So, Miss Rachel, you’re the Count’s…?”
“No. I was adopted. I’m not the Count’s real child either.”
Hearing that confirmed it. Rachel looked nothing like either of the Donovan couple.
Her hair matched the Countess’s black, and her eyes matched the Count’s green, but that was all.
Why did she hide her original hair color?
Before I could dwell on that thought, Rachel rustled and got up from her seat, breaking my train of thought.
Her mouth dry, she tried to pour warm water into a porcelain teacup.
“Daisy said she’ll bring warm tea soon. It’s good for calming the mind—probably rose tea.”
At the mention of rose tea, Rachel flinched.
“Don’t you like rose tea?”
Daisy, with over ten years of experience as a maid, said it was perfect for calming the mind. Rachel avoided my gaze and muttered an excuse.
“Not exactly….”
Suddenly, Rachel grabbed her head and let out a short groan—her headache had returned.
I quickly reached out, sending holy power to her head.
She exhaled in relief, her expression easing.
“I’m sorry. My head always hurts when I try to think too much…”
“It’s because you’re not completely free from that magic.”
Although I had holy power strong enough to purify corrupted lands, I couldn’t fully remove the magic affecting Rachel.
Chirp said it was not just magic, but years of brainwashing too.
‘Who did the brainwashing is the most important.’
If Rachel had been controlled, the same person might have led her into the forest during the hunting contest.
I spoke to comfort her, filled with concern.
“I’ll help remove the magic. But if we know who did this to you, it will be easier to purify it.”
Finally, Rachel spoke, her hesitation giving way.
“…Would you believe me if I said it was Countess Donovan?”
I was shocked.
‘You’re saying the Countess Donovan did this?’
Rachel, saying she wasn’t the Count couple’s real daughter and that she feared the Countess, confirmed my worst suspicions.
“It’s okay if you don’t believe me. Even I would find it hard to believe. I understand. I’ve deceived you, so being here feels shameful.”
I shook my head and said firmly:
“No. I believe you.”
“Really… you believe me?”
“Yes. I do.”
Hearing my confident reply, her pale face flushed with color, as if it was the first time someone truly listened.
“It’s unbelievable…”
She muttered to herself, gripping my hands tightly, her green eyes shining.
“Now that you believe me, I’m ready to tell everything. Truly.”
“Only when you feel ready.”
“No, I’ll tell you everything about the Countess.”
She adjusted her position, ready to start her long story.
“I was adopted into the Donovan family with almost no memory of my early childhood. My only memory before that was begging for food on the streets. The only thing I wanted to remember was a boy who gave me bread and taught me a little magic.”
“Magic?”
“Yes, magic. Not much, but I can use it a little.”
The scattered pieces of the puzzle began to fit together.
‘As Ail said, the green-eyed squirrel that lured us into the forest was Rachel.’
Rachel continued, unaware of my realization.
“There was a small hope to become a magician, though it was impossible for an orphan like me.”
“And then you were adopted into the Donovan family?”
“Yes. One day, a high-ranking couple came to the orphanage. The Countess pointed directly at me, saying she would take me. It was strange.”
It was impossible not to be suspicious. Out of many children, Rachel was singled out.
“I don’t know why, even now. The other orphans envied me, but I envied them more.”
She explained that the family paid the orphanage to keep the adoption secret.
“When they adopted me, I was old enough to notice, but the Countess had already spread rumors in high society. They claimed she had a sick daughter and wanted to raise a healthy child.”
Rachel let out a bitter laugh.
“They forced me to change my hair color with magic, hoping I’d resemble both the Count and Countess, and continued to abuse me. I grew up in the suffocating Donovan house, never knowing why they adopted me.”
The more I heard about the Donovan family, the more disgusted I felt.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Grand Duchess. I want to help you in any way I can.”
Finally, Rachel smiled, her eyes regaining life.
I asked her:
“So, during the hunting contest, it was you who lured Ail into the forest?”
“…Yes, it was me.”
“And the one who ordered it was Countess Donovan?”
“Yes.”
The Countess Donovan led us into the forest with monsters!
‘Got you.’
I grinned meaningfully, clenching my teeth.
“We need to confront Countess Donovan.”
