There were many ways to start a morning in the worst possible way. Even before she opened her eyes, Regina could feel the unpleasant dampness in her underwear. Forcing her heavy body upright, she checked the sheets.

“The monthly guest has arrived.”

A wave of emptiness washed over her at the sight of the dark red stain.

The return of her period after a year was, in a way, a good sign – but it was also undeniable proof that she wasn’t pregnant again.

That one time with Grey a few days ago – she had told herself not to expect much. But the cloud over her heart was darker than she’d expected.

‘Was I really that lonely?’

Regina wanted a child. A small, lovable child who looked like Grey. Someone who, unlike her father, would love her. Someone who would be hers, and hers alone, forever.

Even if people pointed fingers and called it a selfish desire, she didn’t care. The strength of her longing matched her confidence that she could raise the child with the same devotion. But it seemed that the baby had been so overwhelmed by her desperate longing that it had run away.

‘There was no need for it to take after him in that way too…’

Brushing back her dishevelled hair, Regina rose from the bed. Fortunately, the stain on the sheets wasn’t too big. She grabbed a handful of the leftover chocolate cake with cherry compote from the night before and smeared it over the stain. The cherry syrup and chocolate cream covered the blood stain untidily.

“Oh my goodness!”

Dain, who had brought in a basin of washing water a few minutes later, exclaimed in shock when she saw the sheet.

“What on earth has happened, my lady?”

“I spilled cake while eating in bed.”

Already dressed in clean clothes, Regina had completely covered her tracks. Dain, thoroughly fooled, trembled with disbelief as she picked up the sheet.

“This sheet is imported! The laundresses wash it with such care because it’s so rare!”

Regina didn’t answer. Her cold indifference made Dain’s voice shrink again.

“The master has gone to great lengths to have this brought in… He’ll be so upset to see it ruined like this.”

“I’m upset too. After all, my maid seems more concerned about my husband’s feelings than mine, don’t you think?”

With a bitter smirk, Regina tilted her head.

“Is the sheet really that important to you? Shall I put you in charge of the laundry so that you can take care of it every day?”

“I must have misspoken, my lady. I’ll bring you a fresh sheet right away.”

The threat of being sent to the hardest laundry duty immediately made Dain back down. She bowed her head and disappeared faster than ever.

Regina washed her underwear in the water Dain had left, then poured the dirty contents out the window into the garden. At least she didn’t want anyone to know that she had started menstruating this month.

The rich smell of grass came from the open window. Wherever she looked, the lush green was bursting with vibrant life – yet she alone felt like a withered plant that had died over the winter. Running her fingers through her still-dry hair, Regina wondered.

‘What do I even want?’

Could a dog, fed just enough to keep from starving, ever be happy under such a master?

As Regina stood blankly at the window, someone called to her from below.

“Hey. What are you staring at so early in the morning?”

It was Barbara. Dressed in black riding clothes, she had obviously gone for an early morning ride.

“Are you that free? If you don’t have anything to do, come and have breakfast or something.”

It was Barbara’s habit to speak with a slight glare. Combined with her tall, imposing presence and blunt tone, people often felt like they were being scolded.

Barbara knew she made people uncomfortable – but she didn’t care. For someone like her, who wasn’t naturally outgoing, trying to form connections felt awkward—almost foolish. Especially now, after her son’s success, when everyone around her seemed more interested in what they could gain from him than in her. In the end, solitude felt safer.

“Good morning, Mother. Have you had breakfast?”

… but she wasn’t used to such responses. Barbara was surprised when her daughter-in-law greeted her with a smile as bright as the sun.

“Eating early in the morning only makes my stomach feel heavy. Why don’t you eat instead?”

Regina’s expression faded. A strange pressure settled on her chest and before she realised it, she spoke words she hadn’t planned.

“Well, it’s almost lunchtime in thirty minutes… If you can wait, we could have brunch together.”

“Really, Mother?”

“You want to eat with me so badly?”

“Yes. I’ll wait.”

Regina smiled again. The sight was so dazzling that Barbara quickly turned away and walked into the mansion.

“What’s wrong with her? So happy to share a meal with her mother-in-law? So dramatic.”

As Barbara walked along, muttering to herself, her eyes suddenly caught sight of her own outfit. A black riding suit – what kind of choice was that for a bright, blossoming spring day?

“Emma!”

Barbara hurried into her bedroom and called for her maid. But instead of Emma, it was Melanie, the head maid, who came running.

“Why are you here? Where’s Emma?”

“Emma has gone out for a moment, madam.”

“Where has she got to?”

“Well, something seems to have happened to Dain…”

What could have happened? It was the middle of the day, in a well-guarded villa – what kind of emergency could there be?

And yet Barbara didn’t scold her. She just pursed her lips in a thin line, holding back. Every time she saw the scar on Dain’s face – left by her own hand – any harshness towards mother or child melted away.

It had been an accident, like most accidents – quick, thoughtless and irreversible.

“Take this sandwich to the lady.”

Barbara had always been fond of her young daughter, so she didn’t hesitate when Emma asked Dain to deliver the sandwich. Dain had gone out into the garden and found Barbara napping peacefully under a tree.

‘I shouldn’t wake her.’

It had been an innocent gesture, the well-meaning consideration of a child. How could a girl raised only within the safe walls of a mansion know the blood-soaked truth: that you must never approach a soldier from behind?

She had only intended to quietly place the sandwich beside Barbara and leave. Holding her breath, Dain tiptoed closer.

Unfortunately, Barbara had spent her best years actively fighting on battlefields and had developed an extremely sharp sense of perception.

In a place where swords and arrows flew in all directions, to move without thinking meant certain death. One survived by relying on instinct – dodging immediately, drawing the sword and striking.

The moment she felt something suspicious in her sleep, Barbara drew her blade. As she swung, a terrible realisation hit her – but it was already too late.

“Aaaah!”

A frightened, fragile cry, blood gushing from a small face and the yellow, chicken-like clothes Dain wore soaked in red.

Emma had rushed over as soon as she heard the news and silently embraced her injured daughter. She spoke no words of blame, nor did she look at Barbara with resentment. But the trembling of her fingertips as she caressed her child’s bandaged face said more than words ever could.

It was a memory Barbara would never forget, even on her deathbed.

“…Madam?”

Barbara snapped out of her thoughts to find Melanie still standing before her.

“Is there something you would like me to do?”

“Ah, right. I’m having brunch in half an hour – send it up to my room… for two.”

“I’m sorry, madam. I wasn’t informed we were expecting a guest today.”

“Family isn’t a guest.”

‘Family?’

With Count Cabil gone, the only one left might be Lady Regina.

As Melanie looked at Barbara with a mixture of doubt and confusion, Barbara’s expression grew noticeably colder.

“Is there a problem?”

“N-no, madam. I’ll have it prepared immediately.”

“Wait.”

Barbara stopped Melanie just as she was about to head down to the kitchen.

“I need to change. Bring me a few of my brightest dresses. At least three.”

“Yes, madam.”

“No—make it five.”

“…Yes, madam.”

***

An hour later, Regina appeared at Barbara’s door, eyes widening in surprise.

“Oh my.”

Barbara wore a deep pink dress that looked as if it had been dipped in ripe cherry juice. It suited her perfectly – elegant, yet full of life.

“You look stunning today, Mother.”

“Red has always suited me.”

“I thought you didn’t like bright colours. Are you going out today?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I just pulled out what was handy.”

Regina didn’t ask any more questions.

Everything tasted particularly good today – the toast with sweet syrup, the pancakes with fresh fruit, the salad. Maybe it was her period that increased her appetite, or maybe it was just that she was sharing a rare meal with someone else.

“You eat well.”

Still, Regina couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed when Barbara said that.

“I always think that, but our cook is really talented.”

“‘Our’ cook,’ you said?”

“Did that offend you?”