Chapter 5

Ray being Duke Conver’s son is absurd. Moreover, who are they to conduct a paternity test? Anger surged within her. But if she showed her true colors here, she would likely end up in the Imperial prison. She couldn’t give them any excuse. She clenched her molars tightly.

“Alright. Should I visit the Imperial Palace tomorrow?”

She asked, trying to relax her tense facial muscles from the boiling anger. The Knight Commander’s face brightened as soon as she gave a positive answer. Meanwhile, Diane’s face contorted mercilessly.

“I came here first!”

Diane shouted, raising her voice. The Knight Commander spoke to her, his fist clenched and trembling.

“Lady Lesper, such a critical matter cannot be decided by who arrives first.”

“……”

Diane pursed her lips and exhaled sharply through her nose. No matter how notorious Diane was, she couldn’t recklessly act against the Imperial Knights.

“But Miss Astrid, Her Majesty the Empress has ordered that you and the boy named Ray be escorted comfortably. So, we will escort you to the Imperial Palace.”

“No. Thank you, but I’ll decline.”

She answered firmly. To show her determination not to back down, she put strength into her eyes.

“Ray is only seven years old. If suddenly many strangers appear and say they’ll take him to an unknown place, he’ll burst into tears. No matter how grand the place is, even if it’s the Imperial Palace.”

Of course, their strong-willed Ray wouldn’t cry over something like that, but she had no choice but to use Ray as an excuse to persuade them.

However, the loyal Knight Commander seemed unwilling to back down and spoke again.

“But it’s Her Majesty the Empress’s command…”

“Oh, please. Once Ray starts crying, it takes at least three to four hours to calm him down. If he’s too shocked, he might even have a fit.”

“Oh dear…”

“He might be Duke Conver’s child, so we shouldn’t let him collapse, right? So please, I’ll visit the Imperial Palace with Ray holding my hand tomorrow.”

She tried to show the most sincere expression to gain his trust. But, as expected of the Knight Commander, he wasn’t easily convinced. He wasn’t ready to believe her easily.

“Miss Astrid, I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”

“This involves a child. You can’t just follow principles.”

“……”

“Not just any child, but possibly Duke Conver’s heir, right? You said Her Majesty the Empress cherishes the Duke. And of course, Her Highness Princess Stephania too.”

“How, how did you…!”

It would be surprising for a mere commoner to know about the romantic relationship between the Princess and the Duke. Imperial family scandals, regardless of their truth, were very sensitive matters and were only shared secretly among those who knew.

The Knight Commander and Diane’s gazes were filled with amazement and shock directed at her.

‘Why are they acting like this? As if they’ve never seen someone transmigrate to a book before?’

Princess Stephania was the original female lead who was romantically involved with Duke Bryce Conver, the male protagonist. At this point in the original story, their love was hotter than ever.

The Knight Commander seemed to be deeply contemplating. He had to follow Her Majesty the Empress’s orders, but he couldn’t just forcibly take a child.

Haah, the Knight Commander let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“Understood. Then let’s do it this way.”

In the end, the Imperial Knights decided to wait discreetly around the inn where they were staying. Tomorrow, they would escort her and Ray to the Imperial Palace from a distance so Ray wouldn’t notice.

If there was one good thing about the Imperial Knights appearing, it was that Diane’s group could be dealt with very easily. Despite her anger, Diane eventually left without saying a word.

Moreover, with the rumor that the Imperial Knights were guarding them, Geiser’s gang wouldn’t easily approach them tonight.

* * *

Inside the inn room. The night sky, not yet touched by dawn, was pitch black. Fortunately, Ray was sleeping soundly, unaware of the world. She gently stroked Ray’s black hair. The pleasant scent of soap spread in the air.

‘Ray might be the male lead’s son.’

Thoughts swirled in her mind. The Conver Ducal House was torn apart seven years ago due to treason. That was the event marking the start of the original story. Male lead Bryce’s father, the former Duke Conver, was executed immediately, and the family scattered. For a while, the entire Empire buzzed with rumors about the Conver Ducal House. Whenever two or more people gathered, conversations about the ruined Conver Ducal House were endless.

According to the original novel, Bryce’s wife died while fleeing.

‘Ray’s mother was Bryce’s wife…’

She recalled the time she met her in the forest on her way home late one evening. At the time, heavily pregnant, she was collapsed against a tree, unconscious. Fortunately, she was still breathing, so she brought her home and cared for her with the experience and knowledge she had gained as an apprentice pharmacist.

The next day, she barely regained consciousness.

「I’m Astrid. Just call me As.」

「I’m, um…」

「Can I call you Unnie?」

「Yes, thank you.」

Her faint smile was very beautiful. It was obvious she had reasons for not revealing her name. A pregnant woman in expensive silk clothes found alone in the forest meant she was being pursued.

Since that day, she didn’t ask her anything and focused solely on treatment. She offered to bring a doctor, but she refused vehemently. She didn’t want her whereabouts exposed to anyone.

Though she was an apprentice pharmacist, she often helped the doctor and midwife operating in the same building. Thanks to her skillful work, they appreciated her. Caring for a frail pregnant woman was an extension of her daily duties, so it wasn’t difficult.

A week later, she gave birth to a baby boy.

「As, you are the savior of my life and this child’s. So please, give the child a name. It would be a great honor for me.」

「Then… I’d like to call him Ray.」

「Ray… It’s a beautiful name.」

And so, the three of them lived together in the small hut in the forest. But before they could even feel the happiness of those times, their harmonious days ended quickly. Two months after Ray was born, his mother, who had been ailing, finally collapsed.

Startled, she hurriedly brought a doctor, who shook his head after the examination.

「The illness that started long ago has worsened rapidly. Sadly, there’s no hope. All we can do is ease her pain with painkillers.」

A week after the devastating diagnosis, she passed away with a peaceful face as if asleep.

For the past seven years, watching Ray grow, she often thought Ray’s mother might have been an angel. An angel who came to deliver Ray to her.

With this, one thing was certain.

‘Unnie wasn’t an angel.’

The male lead’s wife, who was supposed to die without giving birth in the original story, was saved by a passing possessor. By her.

Though she ultimately died, the child survived.

‘So cute and healthy.’

She wrapped her arms around Ray and hugged him tightly. Drowsiness overwhelmed her. After all, she hadn’t slept a wink last night handling Geiser’s gang’s attack, and today she had been running non-stop until now.

‘Did I cause the original story to twist?’

Did I?

Pfft, who cares.

“I’m just a nobody, not even an extra… Just an ordinary person… Haaam.”

Heavy eyelids slowly closed.

“But maybe… they’re all barking up the wrong tree… Haaam. Ray can’t be the male lead’s son… Haaam…”

Once she started yawning, she couldn’t stop, yawning repeatedly. But she couldn’t fall asleep yet.

‘I need to plan what to do next. Plan…’

She fell into a deep sleep, breathing in the fragrant soap scent.

* * *

「Hand over the boy!」

「Hahaha! With the child, the proud Duke Conver will tremble and bow down.」