Chapter 51

“Do you know that Damian and I are childhood friends?”

“…Yes, Harriet.”

“Our engagement was decided early on, so I practically lived at this estate when I was little. I remember clearly when you were born. The duke and duchess hadn’t expected a second child, so it was like a festival.”

Harriet took a sip of the warm milk instead of her chocolate.

“Damian was thrilled, too. He must’ve been twelve or thirteen back then—such a precocious boy. He pretended not to care, but he’d secretly sneak into your nursery to peek at his newborn sister, only to end up making you cry.”

Recalling the memory, Harriet smiled softly.

“You adored Damian as well. You followed him around like a little duckling, calling him, ‘Brother, Brother.’ And even though he acted annoyed and pretended you were a bother, he’d secretly shower you with gifts.”

Bleria couldn’t lift her lips from her cup, her parched throat demanding more. Her grip on the handle was so tight her fingertips turned white.

“On one of your birthdays, he badgered a craftsman to make an outrageously expensive pendant. He even pestered a portrait artist to create a miniature version of your favorite painting, which you loved so much you never took it off. But then you had that accident, and a storm swept through Heaven.”

Harriet paused, bowing briefly as if reconsidering continuing the story. But the words soon flowed again.

“The duchess left after the divorce, and His Grace fell into illness from heartbreak. Damian, who had never smoked, began to. I thought things would eventually get better, but they only worsened. Everything seemed like it would fall apart completely—until you returned.”

“…”

“Everything got better, almost like a miracle. So, Bleria, I’m always grateful to you.”

Harriet lifted her head and smiled warmly.

“Even if he doesn’t show it, Damian loves you. He still visits the room you used as a child. Whenever I follow him, he’s just staring at your portrait as if he still can’t believe you’ve returned. So I’m trying to say there’s no need to feel uneasy.”

Harriet rose from her seat and moved closer to sit beside Bleria. Her gentle hand rested on Bleria’s shoulder, patting it softly. Despite the tender gesture, Bleria felt as if the warmth had stopped at her skin, unable to reach her heart.

“It’s just that everyone’s a bit on edge because of the imposter trying to claim your place. His Grace, too, must have been startled when the silver-haired girl fell into the water. Just give it some time, and everything will be fine.”

As she spoke, Harriet embraced Bleria as she usually would. But the warmth in her arms failed to dispel the icy chill growing inside. Harriet’s every word felt like a sharp thorn lodged deep in her heart.

Bleria opened her mouth to say something, but all she could do was tremble. All at once, she found herself terrified of everything.

***

Upon returning from Heaven Manor, Gopher immediately sought out Eos. The two sat across from each other in a secluded parlor of the annex.

It was the first time he had seen Eos since the Heaven banquet, and she didn’t look well. Her disheveled appearance spoke of how poorly she had been faring.

She stared blankly at the tea before her, her eyes dull and vacant. When she finally spoke, her voice cracked and sounded dry.

“Did you come to see me because of that pendant?”

“You seem greatly upset, but I assure you, no malice was intended. Unfortunately, the item I worked so hard to obtain for you was called a counterfeit. I have no idea why you would have such a thing, Lady Eos.”

Gopher crossed his legs and smiled casually.

“You look as if you’re disappointed in me.”

“Yes, I’m disappointed.”

Her blunt honesty made him pause, and Eos raised her head, locking eyes with him. Her sunken gaze glimmered oddly, making her look like a small, wary animal.

“I thought you’d be honest with me by now,” she said.

She pushed her teacup aside.

“I won’t drink it. It could be poisoned, for all I know.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m well aware that my life is in danger. You’d want to deal with me before the controversy escalates.”

Interesting, Gopher thought, tilting his head slightly as his grin widened.

“It seems you have something to say to me, Lady Eos.”

“There’s an old saying: those who remain on a sinking ship are either sacrifices to the sea or fools. When I said I wanted to part ways with Mixel Luke Dice, I meant it.”

Ah, so she wanted to sever ties as allies, not lovers?

“Of course, Mixel was the one who discovered me first—or rather, I deliberately approached him. He seemed noble enough, and I needed a powerful patron to get closer to Heaven.”

“…”

“When I heard he led the intelligence division of Allnight, I thought Heaven was helping me. But he wasn’t as impressive as I’d imagined, so I couldn’t bring myself to stay loyal to the end.”

Gopher theatrically sipped his tea, drawing Eos’s gaze briefly before she looked away.

“After being separated from my family, life wasn’t easy. My adoptive parents were fallen aristocrats who took me in only because of my looks. I’m sure you’ve looked into it; they weren’t decent people. Even the villagers thought poorly of them.”

“So you still insist that you’re the real one.”

“Because I am.”

Gopher set his cup down, letting Eos continue.

“I admit I stole that pendant from the steward, but don’t misunderstand—reclaiming what’s rightfully mine was necessary.”

“I see.”

“Why? Do I seem unconvincing because I lie? Because I’m cunning enough to use others for my gain?”

Eos laughed mockingly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Gopher, who had been listening indifferently, paused for the first time.

The way her eyes curved when she laughed oddly reminded him of Bleria. It was strange; he had never thought they looked alike in other expressions.

Though, now that he thought about it, he had never seen Bleria smile.

“Believing that the truth must always be pure is a prejudice,” she said.

“…I didn’t think that.”

Interlocking his fingers, Gopher rested his hands on his lap, forcing his thoughts back into order.

“How should I take this? It’s a bit amusing to hear such words from someone who’s always accompanied by sharp eyes.”

“You’re a brilliant knight, aren’t you? Surely, you understand. There’s no maid or escort with me now. Besides, I’m not Mixel’s tool but his equal partner. I can break away anytime I want.”

Is she the only one who thinks that? Gopher wondered but kept silent, listening to her words.

“If you can’t believe I’m the real one, then you’re free to think I’m a fake. It doesn’t really matter, does it? Whether I’m real or not, as long as you have the leverage to manipulate me as you see fit, people will believe I’m real.”

“…”

“If you’ll be my new vessel, I’ll give you the leash to destroy me whenever you please.”

“More specifically?”

“Remove Bleria Heaven from her position.”

Gopher narrowed his eyes, staring at Eos.

“I want to reclaim my place no matter what it takes. I don’t want to live miserably and die in obscurity.”

“Mixel could probably do that for you.”

“He could have if not for you. But now? Things are far too precarious. It might be a different story if the heir changes, but that doesn’t seem likely.”

“…”

“I promise I can be a good partner for you.”

“Even if I accept everything you’ve said, that doesn’t necessarily make us partners.”

Eos’s eyes widened briefly at his blunt words before a bright smile spread across her face. Gopher’s fingers hesitated once more.

“I’m relieved to see you’re not one to be sentimental. I was worried you might still have lingering feelings for Bleria Heaven.”

“I haven’t agreed to anything.”

“Of course. Take all the time you need to think about it—the path that benefits you most.”

With that, the conversation ended. Eos gave a polite bow and left the room. Left alone, Gopher stared at the closed door, lost in thought.

“Those who remain on a sinking ship to the end are either sacrifices to the sea or fools,” he murmured.

Slowly, he rubbed his lips with his fingertips and rose from his seat.

***

“Father’s acting strange. Since waking up, he’s been avoiding me…”

“Did you hear the rumors? It’s difficult to explain in a letter, but we must discuss…”

“Count Dice said something odd. We need time to…”

“I can keep trusting you, right?”

As Bleria added another question mark to the letter, she didn’t know how many drafts she had written, so the nib of her pen broke, smudging the ink. It didn’t matter. She wouldn’t receive a reply anyway.

It had been several days since the duke awoke, and Gopher, who had promised to send a reply, remained silent.

She only received the same excuse every time she sent a letter: he was away. At first, she believed it, but now it felt like he was avoiding her.

No matter how busy he was, he had never stayed away from home for so many days.

“I have to trust him,” she thought, staring blankly at the half-written letter on the table.

Her vacant mind filled with thoughts she had replayed countless times: the duke, Mixel Luke Dice, and before she even met Mixel—the rumors Daisy had shared.