The One Who Holds the Fake Princess Night After Night

“Mmm…”

For the first time in a long while, Breti fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. Hovering in that hazy place between dream and reality, she smiled when she felt something soft and warm against her back.

It wasn’t just the cosy sensation that made her smile; it was also the familiar scent of her mother lingering at the tip of her nose. For a moment, Breti let herself be swept away by it.

‘Mom…’

But her mother had died, so Breti quickly realised that this must be a dream. Her mother had never appeared in her dreams before, yet here she was. Maybe something good was going to happen today.

But her hopeful thoughts barely lasted a moment before she suddenly sucked in a breath and snapped her eyes open.

“Ah…!”

She glanced around in confusion, quickly realizing she wasn’t in the room she’d been staying in.

While she was still flustered, a gentle voice spoke by her right ear.

“Delia, are you awake?”

Startled, Breti turned her head to the right and saw Meliover seated in a chair, sipping tea. Setting her cup down on the side table, Meliover reached over and softly stroked Breti’s hair.

“You were sleeping so soundly that I laid you down in bed. The journey must have worn you out, hmm?”

“Ah—no, I mean, um…”

“If you want to rest a little longer, that’s all right, my dear.”

Still flustered by her touch, Breti sat up in a rush.

“I-I’m so sorry, madam.”

The moment the word “madam” slipped out, worry creased Meliover’s face. Breti realized at once she’d made a mistake—addressing her so formally must have unsettled her.

As Breti wondered how to recover from the slip, Meliover approached and gently took her hand.

“You must be hungry, Laterna, now that you’re up. Let’s have breakfast together.”

Led by Meliover’s hand, Breti followed her to the dining room. When they arrived, Karsten was already there, waiting.

“Mother, are you feeling any better?”

He immediately stood and approached Meliover, only to notice Breti’s hand clasped in his mother’s. He frowned slightly at the sight.

Meliover reached up and stroked Karsten’s cheek.

“Karsten, you can stop worrying about your mother so much.”

“But…”

“Were you eating already? Let’s all have breakfast together.”

Meliover had barely finished speaking when breakfast was brought out for the two of them. Once Breti was seated, Meliover sat down opposite her and watched her, smiling warmly and approvingly.

Feeling her gaze, Breti grew tense and gripped her cutlery tightly. She carefully took a spoonful of soup, trying to steady her nerves, and then Meliover spoke.

“Let’s bring Laterna home to the ducal residence today.”

“Mother.”

Karsten responded immediately, unable to hide his reaction.

But Meliover clearly had no intention of backing down.

“Shouldn’t we show Laterna what her own life is truly like?”

Her resolute gaze fell on Karsten, and his eyes flickered with uncertainty.

“She’s missed out on so much. I want her to reclaim her life as soon as possible—even if it’s only a day sooner.”

“Mother, that’s—”

“Karsten. Is your mother’s request really so difficult?”

“…”

Karsten let out a deep sigh inwardly, trying to keep his composure.

While they spoke, Breti could only pick at her soup, unable to say a word.

After a brief silence, Karsten finally answered.

“Yes, Mother. We’ll do as you wish.”

At his reply, Meliover broke into a radiant smile and gently took Breti’s hand.

“My dear, we’re going home.”

“…Yes.”

Breti answered softly, stealing a glance at Karsten.

Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, Meliover gave her a somewhat disappointed look.

“Delia, you’re returning to where you belong. Aren’t you happy?”

Where she belonged. Those words pricked Breti’s conscience.

“…Yes. I’m happy, Mother.”

Breti forced a faint smile as she answered, and only then did Meliover’s face light up with joy.

“I’ve prepared a room just for you. I hope you’ll like it.”

Meliover rose from her seat and took Breti’s hand, gently pulling her to her feet.

“My darling, let’s pick out some clothes for you before we go.”

“Ah. Yes, Mother.”

Breti followed after Meliover, glancing anxiously at Karsten as she left. Her steps felt unbearably heavy.

She wasn’t ignorant of the truth. She knew full well that the only reason Karsten was bringing her to the ducal residence was because of Meliover’s health.

When Meliover had collapsed so suddenly yesterday, Karsten had been visibly shaken. If Meliover were to fall ill again, he would surely blame himself.

‘Please, let nothing else happen to madam…’

For Karsten’s sake, too…

Breti suddenly shook her head, startled by the direction of her thoughts.

‘I’m overstepping my bounds.’

She knew these thoughts had to stop here. If she let them go any further, it would only betray the unspoken agreement between herself and Karsten.

Trying to clear her head, Breti followed Meliover.

“My darling, why don’t you try this one on?”

As soon as they made their way downstairs, Meliover began bustling around the dress shop with Bagi, busily picking out clothes. It was hard to believe she was the same woman who had collapsed just yesterday—she was as lively as ever.

Soon enough, Meliover and Bagi came over, their arms piled high with clothes.

“Laterna, go on—try these on.”

At Meliover’s urging, Breti was all but pushed into the fitting room.

She changed in and out of outfits over and over, but there was no sign it would end any time soon.

When Breti tried on a pale lavender dress and cautiously lifted the curtain that separated the fitting room from the rest of the space—

“…!”

She froze, spotting Karsten sitting next to Meliover, his gaze fixed intently on her. The way his eyes traveled over her made Breti feel as if she were standing n*ked before him.

Meliover beamed, reaching for Karsten’s hand and asking,

“Karsten, isn’t your sister beautiful?”

“Yes, she’s beautiful.”

“How could such a lovely girl…”

Suddenly, tears began to stream down Meliover’s cheeks. Startled, Karsten quickly moved to her side, and Breti hurried to join her as well, taking Meliover’s free hand and sitting beside her.

“Mother.”

“Why are you crying?”

“It just feels like a dream, having you—my Laterna—back with us.”

Meliover sobbed, squeezing Breti’s hand as she wept even harder.

All Breti could do was bow her head and gently stroke Meliover’s hand, unable to offer anything else.

‘How long can I keep up this act for Meliover’s sake? Will I really be able to see it through to the end, without anyone finding out?’

So many thoughts raced through her mind.

“It’s not a dream, Mother.”

Breti said softly, meeting Meliover’s gaze with care.

“Is it really true?”

“Yes. I’ll stay right by your side from now on. So please, don’t cry—smile for me instead.”

Breti wiped the tears from Meliover’s cheeks and gave her a gentle smile.

Karsten watched Breti intently. He had been worried she would break down or say she couldn’t do it, but seeing how well she was playing her part, he felt a quiet sense of relief.

‘Nothing out of the ordinary will happen.’

With Breti here, there was little risk of her suddenly vanishing and worsening Meliovers’s condition. Karsten gently cupped Meliover’s thin hand and pressed his lips to it.

“Yes, Mother. Laterna is right here with you, so please try not to worry.”

His greatest wishes were for his mother to recover and for peace to endure.

As Meliover’s tears finally subsided, the manager of the Lorin Dress Shop approached them.

“You have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“It’s Lady Etro.”

No sooner had the words left the manager’s lips than a beautiful woman appeared.

“I hope I’m not interrupting your family’s precious time together.”

Her voice was pure and clear, and for a moment, Breti found herself staring, captivated.

“Oh, Miss Sierra!”

Judging by Meliover’s warm greeting, it was clear they knew each other.

Breti glanced at Karsten. Unlike Meliover, who welcomed Sierra warmly, Karsten’s expression barely changed.