Leaving the imperial palace and returning home was simpler than I expected.

Amid the unsettled atmosphere, no one paid much attention to my return to the Chadmon family under the pretext of illness.

‘I guess timing is everything.’

The nobles’ interest was focused solely on the missing Empress.

Where was the Empress, was Foil Viper really behind it, or was it the Emperor’s scheme as Foil claimed?

Since Foil had no time to worry about Soniel, I was able to naturally bring her with me to the Chadmon household.

But returning home didn’t make me completely comfortable.

‘They must have found evidence by now.’

I decided to seek Father’s protection first, not knowing what Foil might do when cornered.

But one important matter remained.

“Leonora.”

Father looked at me with concerned eyes.

“I’ve called for Viscount Ruhiben, so he’ll be here soon. He’s cared for you since childhood and knows your condition best.”

I couldn’t answer and bit my lip once.

It was time to speak now.

Soon all the truth would come to light.

I really didn’t want Father to learn it through someone else.

“Father, I have something to tell you.”

Sabine’s expression stiffened slightly as she stood by the doorway.

Without any specific instruction from me, she quietly slipped outside and closed the door soundlessly.

“Leonora, why don’t you rest first? The carriage ride must have been tiring.”

Despite Father’s gentle voice, I shook my head.

“No, I need to tell you now.”

If I told him that I wasn’t actually Leonora all this time.

How shocked and surprised would Father be?

“Leonora.”

Though I knew I had to speak, knew this was the moment, my mouth wouldn’t open.

“Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Father slowly took my hand with worried eyes.

“You’ll be disappointed and very angry with me.”

Father furrowed his brow and shook his head.

“Leonora, that will never happen. Even if you committed something terrible, even if you did something worthy of everyone’s condemnation.”

“……”

“I will always be on your side.”

If I were the real Leonora, he would understand anything.

But I’m not Leonora.

At that moment, my heart sank heavily.

I’m sorry for coveting what isn’t mine, a place that isn’t mine, as if it were.

I mistook the first love I ever received as if it were truly meant for me.

My lips dried and my chest trembled.

This felt completely different from telling the truth to Sabine and Soniel.

I took a deep breath to suppress my anxiety.

This can’t be avoided.

Even if I get thrown out immediately, I have to say it now.

“I hope you won’t be too shocked by what I’m about to tell you.”

I carefully released Father’s hand.

Though I moved away from his warm touch, my heart felt somewhat lighter.

“I am not actually Leonora Chadmon.”

After dropping this bombshell, I lowered my head.

I didn’t have the courage to look at Father’s face.

And now, I probably shouldn’t call him Father anymore.

“……”

But Father didn’t say anything. No response asking what I meant or to explain again so he could understand.

The bedroom was filled with suffocating silence. I couldn’t properly handle this uncomfortable feeling.

Just as I tightly gripped the blanket and bit my lip.

Father’s cautious voice settled down.

“What do you mean, not Leonora Chadmon?”

“Do you remember the day a year ago when I walked out of bed and everyone was surprised?”

I had simply fallen asleep after a tiring day. But the next day, I woke up in a completely different place.

That day when everyone shouted with joy and surprise as I walked out of bed in confusion.

As vividly as I remember it, Father surely wouldn’t have forgotten either.

“Yes, of course I remember.”

I calmly explained what had happened to me.

Once I started, the rest wasn’t so difficult to explain.

I checked Father’s expression occasionally; though his eyes were wavering, he listened calmly.

“I’m sorry. It may be hard to believe, but it’s all true.”

It was difficult to gauge what Father was thinking.

I wished he would say something, but soon realized that was asking too much.

I had become someone with nothing more to say, even if I had ten mouths.

After a long while, Father spoke heavily.

“So.”

But he couldn’t finish his sentence.

“…Leonora.”

“Leonora Chadmon is safe. She is currently in my body.”

“……”

I briefly considered whether to tell him that Leonora might have died if my soul hadn’t entered her body.

Perhaps I wanted to comfort the hurt father.

Or maybe I wanted to give myself absolution for deceiving the Chadmon family all this time.

But even if it were true, it wasn’t appropriate to bring up now.

“I’m sorry. I have nothing else to say besides that.”

We didn’t speak for a while.

This long silence felt like punishment to me, and I imagined the past year weighed heavily on Father like a penalty.

Then, breaking the long silence, Father spoke.

“You’ve been keeping a difficult and heavy secret for a long time.”

“I’m sorry.”

“But.”

He stroked my face once with his large hand and spoke again.

“I don’t know how this will sound.”

“……”

“Actually, I thought something was strange from the beginning.”

I raised my head at these unexpected words, and he wore a bitter smile.

“The Leonora who came out of that bed felt like a different person.”

When I swallowed dryly, Father slowly shook his head.

“She became a completely different person. She was still kind and lovable, but I could tell something was different. All her habitual behaviors and speech patterns had disappeared.”

After transmigrating into Leonora’s body, I initially acted cautiously in everything. Moreover, around that time, my self-esteem was at rock bottom due to memories from my time as Empress.

“I’m sorry. If I had told you then.”

Father shook his head and looked at me with calm eyes.

“No. You must have been confused too. But to think you were actually a different person—I don’t know whether to be surprised or think I was right.”

The Father I had known all this time was deeply considerate.

I could clearly feel him trying to ensure I wasn’t uncomfortable, even in this situation.

“Father, no… Duke Chadmon.”

I showed him a faint smile and said.

“Before long, everything will return to its rightful place. I will return to being Sienna, and Leonora will wake up healthy again in the Chadmon household.”

“……”

“I know it’s difficult for you to forgive me and His Majesty. I won’t ask you to understand everything.”

These were words I had kept in my heart even before returning to the Chadmon household.

Words I planned to say when the moment came to confess the truth.

“I know these words are meaningless, but the boundless affection you’ve shown me has always been a great strength. You taught me what a real family is after living a lonely life. I will never forget this gratitude.”

I didn’t expect to cry at this moment.

But strangely, my throat choked up before I could finish the words I’ve prepared.

Was it because I now had to truly say goodbye to Father and Brother who had given me unconditional love and always been my strength?

You’re selfish until the end.

Just as I was biting my lip hard enough to feel pain, trying to hold back tears.

Father’s warmth settled on the back of my cold hand.

“What do you mean, you won’t forget?”

Father smiled lightly and continued.

“By the way, this is really strange.”

“……”

“I know this doesn’t fit the current situation, and it may be rude.”

His hand holding mine tightened.

“I loved my completely changed daughter too.”

“……”

“So please don’t speak of forgiveness or wrongdoing.”

Just as I looked up at Father in surprise, he was gazing at me with such a familiar expression.

“I will always be on my little lark’s side. So dry those tears and come to your father’s arms.”