Chapter 3: The Cuckoo Chick

“When did our young lady grow up so much?”

Jane smiled with satisfaction, but the more her two-faced nature showed, the more grating it became.

“Oh, right. Jane, once I complete my coming-of-age ceremony, I’ll recommend you as the next head maid.”

“…Pardon?”

“When there’s no mistress, the eldest daughter assumes those duties and privileges once she comes of age. Until now, my sister managed the household since I was too young—but now, it’s my turn.”

Jane’s eyes darted nervously.

She hadn’t expected Edelweiss to try and reclaim control of the household.

Even if Rosemary had been managing the estate under the Duke’s silent approval, once Edelweiss came of age, the rights had to be handed over.

‘I let her have it since I didn’t want it before—but now, I’m taking it all back. It was mine from the start.’

This was enforced by imperial law, and no one could interfere.

That was also why Rosemary had never been officially granted the Stern family name.

A bastard.

There was an imperial law prohibiting illegitimate children from being registered in noble households.

“That way, I’ll be able to make you head maid.”

She said it deliberately—to shake Jane.

Jane had become Rosemary’s spy only because she believed Edelweiss held no power.

By showing her otherwise, Edelweiss wanted Jane to know her choice had been wrong.

“Does the idea of becoming head maid make you uncomfortable?”

“N-no, not at all, my lady! I’m so touched… I’d be honored if you’d do that for me.”

As expected, Jane smiled, but couldn’t quite hide the unease on her face.

“You’re one of mine. Unlike the others who serve me poorly or look down on me, you’ve always been on my side. That makes me happy.”

…Hmm. The tea’s gone cold.

If my sister brings more lily tea, I suppose I’ll have to drink it again.

Edelweiss drew a pure smile, pretending to know nothing.

***

She stopped in front of Rosemary’s room.

Every step felt like sinking into a soggy swamp.

She heard a mocking voice echo like a hallucination.

“It’s okay. Calm down. Don’t let it shake you.”

As if to comfort her, a green butterfly fluttered playfully against her cheek.

“Thank you. I feel a little better now.”

Edelweiss hid the green butterfly in her hair.

Upon entering the room, she saw the Duke of Stern placing a hand on the forehead of the bedridden Rosemary, his face full of worry.

“Rosie, are you feeling very sick?”

Rosie.

The affectionate tone used with Rosemary’s nickname stung unexpectedly.

She had seen this scene countless times, but it still made her feel bitter.

He had never spoken to her like that.

He had always addressed her coldly by name—

a name he hadn’t even given her himself. It held no affection.

Even when she had been gravely ill, he hadn’t bothered to visit her.

When she became limp, he hadn’t said a single word.

But for Rosemary, he was endlessly tender.

Granted, he wasn’t particularly warm to her older brother either,

but at least he received regular academic reports and was taught swordsmanship personally—

groomed as a successor.

Edelweiss had received nothing but coldness.

If only he hadn’t shown affection to anyone, she could’ve given up much earlier.

She remembered his words—

how sending her off as Queen of Yennieham would be convenient.

He couldn’t have been unaware that in Yennieham, she would be threatened by already grown royal sons.

And yet, he had planned to sell her off.

The Duke of Stern had abandoned her when she needed him most,

casting her into the worst possible environment.

‘Why did I always wait for you, even knowing you would never come?’

When Edelweiss glanced at the Duke, he immediately looked away,

acting as if she weren’t even there.

He didn’t even offer a meaningless ‘you came.’

She wanted to ask—

Did he know the beloved Rosemary wasn’t even his real daughter?

How would he react upon learning the truth?

‘Whatever punishment you give, you’ll suffer just from the fact you’ve been raising a cuckoo’s chick all this time.’

To avoid being abandoned, you don’t have to try to be loved.

You just need to be the one to abandon first.

She had learned this far too late.

Because she had hoped—

hoped that one day he might look at her with warmth—

she had suffered endless disappointment.

Now even expending energy on those emotions felt exhausting.

Edelweiss sat by the bed and looked at Rosemary’s face.

She wanted to strangle her then and there.

‘But a pain that ends quickly wouldn’t be proper revenge.’

She pressed into her skin, holding back her killing intent.

She would choke her slowly, like a viper coiling around her shoulders.

By the time Rosemary noticed, it would be too late—

she wouldn’t be able to escape,

and every breath would be suffocatingly long.

She hoped Rosemary would become lame too,

tormented at night by unbearable pain.

She wanted her to know how excruciating betrayal from a trusted person could be.

She wanted her to be abandoned by everyone once the truth she had hidden her whole life was exposed.

She wanted her to fall from the highest heights at the very moment she believed herself to be untouchable.

‘Don’t be too resentful.’

 Just like what Rosemary did to me—exactly the same.

“Aaah!”

“Rosie, what’s wrong?”

Frowning, Rosemary suddenly sprang up and burst into tears as she clung to Duke Stern.

“Daddy, in my dream, I was falling from a cliff, h-heuh…”

“There, there, darling. I’m right here. It was all just a dream. Calm down.” Duke Stern gently patted Rosemary’s back and soothed her softly.

Edelweiss took a deep breath to suppress her disgust.

Even as Duke Stern wiped away her tears, Rosemary continued to sob.

“Edel… uh, when did you get here?”

“Did you get sick because of the rain yesterday, Sister?”

“N-no, cough!”

As Rosemary coughed, Duke Stern clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“You knew your sister shouldn’t push herself, yet you couldn’t even take proper care of her…”

“Father, please don’t say that. It’s because I’m weak. It’s not Edel’s fault.”

“You’re such a sweet girl, Rosie.”

Edelweiss barely held back a scoff.

Rosemary’s gaze shifted to the item in Edelweiss’s hand.

“But Edel, what’s that you’re holding?”

“Lady Riche sent an invitation to a tea party. I was planning to go with you, but that’s not going to happen now, is it?”

Edelweiss purposely drooped her brows in exaggerated disappointment.

“N-no! I can go!”

Just like before, when the tea party invitation from the Marquess of Riche arrived, Rosemary insisted on going.

“What are you saying, Rosie? Your fever could return. You should stay in bed today.”

Despite Duke Stern’s objections, Rosemary refused to yield and went to sit at her vanity.

Seeing how suddenly fine Rosemary looked, Duke Stern’s expression turned baffled.

There was a reason why Rosemary was so determined to attend the Marquess of Riche’s tea party.

Being invited to such an event made one the object of envy.

It also offered a rare chance to form connections with the daughters of high-ranking nobles.

As an illegitimate child, Rosemary was often looked down upon, so this was her chance to mingle in high society.

A green butterfly that had been quietly hiding in Edelweiss’s hair fluttered in front of her.

Startled at first, she quickly realized that, curiously, Rosemary didn’t seem to notice it.

‘So only those of the Blossomweaver bloodline can see it.’

When Duke Stern’s gaze landed on the butterfly, Edelweiss realized it immediately.

His eyes widened, and he gestured for Edelweiss to follow him outside.

Glancing briefly at Rosemary, who was busy dressing up, Edelweiss followed him into the hallway.

“When did you awaken this ability?” he asked sharply, gripping Edelweiss’s shoulder tightly.

“Don’t touch me.”

Edelweiss slapped his hand away and stepped back. He let out a dry laugh.

“And you didn’t think to tell me about something this important?”

“I hid it on purpose. I didn’t want Sister to feel upset.”

Edelweiss cut him off with a slight smile.

He closed his mouth, at a loss for words.

Since she claimed it was out of consideration for Rosemary, he couldn’t openly scold her further.

“Then… postpone your coming-of-age ceremony by a few months.”

This was entirely because of Rosemary.

Nothing had changed. Even in the past, he had told her to delay the ceremony, and Edelweiss had obeyed without complaint.

And so, a rumor spread that she had committed some grave mistake and had to postpone her coming-of-age ceremony as punishment.

“Since Rosemary is an illegitimate child, she can’t have a proper coming-of-age ceremony under the Stern name.”

The sense of deprivation Rosemary would feel was bound to intensify.

“…Don’t you understand what a coming-of-age ceremony means?”

Why did he do it?

No matter how hard I tried, how much I gave up—he never looked at me, not even once.

“Edelweiss Stern. Don’t you feel sorry for your sister?”

“…Then am I not pitiful, too?”