108. The Duke of Perdia knew

Outside the window, the crickets had long since retreated and darkness had settled in. The tightly closed hallway window rattled slightly in the strong night breeze.

Tonight, it seemed that a fierce storm was about to rage.

The path back to the bedroom was quiet.

The deserted hallway was filled with silence.

The shadows cast by the flickering candlelight along the corridor swayed in unison.

As I crept up the stairs, the silent Greed spoke up.

[I have a question].

“What is it?”

[Why did you cry?]

“Hmm…”

I pondered for a moment before responding as if murmuring.

“I don’t know.”

It had been a while since the tears had stopped. The overwhelming emotions had also subsided.

I stood still in the middle of the corridor, recalling the conversation we had just had in the dining room.

“What’s the real reason for wanting independence?”

“Enough of that. Can you tell me the ‘real’ reason?”

Until Jansi’s question, I had been perfectly fine.

“There’s nothing like that. I just… can’t stay here forever……..”

 “Why?”

 “Because I don’t fit in with Perdia, and……”

But somehow, as I answered, a panorama of memories flashed through my mind.

Living under the name Elodie Perdia, I encountered many moments that didn’t make sense.

I was undoubtedly a part of Perdia, yet I wondered why I was the only one living in the annex. Why did the rest of the family reside in the main mansion?

In the eyes of a child who knew nothing, the main mansion that was reflected was so grand and luxurious that it resembled an emperor’s palace from a fairytale.

Someday, out of sheer curiosity, I had asked the servants about it, but they responded with awkward laughter. Then, for the first time, I learnt the meaning of the word illegitimate.

‘Ah, I see. I’m a half-Perdia.’

Unless I completely removed my blood and replaced it, this fact would remain unchanged.

Time passed slowly.

Even as a half-Perdia, I grew up in abundance without any material deficiencies.

The dresses from the dressing room, which other noble children had to wait for several years to reserve, were prepared at my beck and call.

The chef in the attached kitchen was a former royal chef.

Even the tutors were former academy professors, ensuring a high-quality education.

In retrospect, I can see that he invested so much in an illegitimate child so that I would be seen as worthy of the Duke of Perdia.

Back then, I was so naive that I eagerly awaited my father’s visits, not realizing how spoiled I was. Even after that, many scenes flashed before me.

The first family meal I ever attended where no one spoke to me.

The day Jansi, the only one I thought of as family, lost his composure and shouted at me to leave.

The day Carlot, his face contorted, said he didn’t want to associate with a dirty illegitimate child.

The day I sat alone in the deserted annex, waiting for someone who never came…

Those days. I summed up those memories in a single word.

“…..Loneliness.”

I had this overwhelming feeling that I was adrift on an isolated island.

I could see a large, inhabited island in the distance, but I didn’t even have a raft to get there.

Not to mention a piece of driftwood to reach it.

I didn’t even have a wooden plank to cling to. But now things were different.

As Elodie had once dreamed of, I had entered the main mansion, and I received their attention.

But why do I feel this pain? It happened as I had hoped, but it was no longer my wish.

‘Because the Elodie of the past is no longer there……’

I cannot be the person I used to be after regaining the memories of my past life. It was funny. I had expectations from them and am hurt by them.

“Well, I’m not even a real Perdia…….”

I felt self-loathing as I harbored contradictory feelings even though I knew that we could never be a real family. I walked back to the quiet corridor, unable to contain a bitter smile.

[I think I know what it feels like].

Greed’s words were unexpected.

“You?”

[Yeah. There was a time when I wanted to be noticed too.]

“By whom?”

[Irkala, of course].

“That makes sense…”

Even if it’s like this, it’s a crime that it has a history of almost getting me killed while crying out for Irkala.

[Irkala is the creator of me. I love her very much. Therefore, as she commanded, I came down to the mortal world and worked hard on my mission.]

It sounded as if it was telling a story about wreaking havoc on the world.

“So, what happened?”

[I worked hard, but… I was sealed by those wretched humans. Irkalla told me that she would eventually come to rescue me if I waited. So, I waited for a long, long time, in a frozen, ruined temple for a very, very long time.

Suddenly I remembered the first time I met Greed.

[But Irkala did not come until the end].

In the vast, desolate corner of the temple, where time seemed to stand still, Greed had existed alone.

Thinking back to the days when I sat alone in the annex, gazing endlessly in the direction of the main mansion, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It seems our situations are similar.”

[…….]

Afterward, Greed remained silent.

Seemingly lost in thought or contemplation.

As I made my way back to the bedroom, I, too, found myself deep in thought.

The fact that I had shed tears unintentionally meant that I still had emotions attached to them.

Feelings that were too complex to define.

I thought there was nothing left, but apparently not.

‘Ah, how silly.’

A wry smile escaped me.

The words of the duke and his two sons who discouraged independence had a point.

Even though I wasn’t exactly young, my lack of social experience made it hard for me to justify pursuing independence. No matter how much I considered hiring a knight or a mercenary group, there was simply no safer place than Perdia. Moreover, my current situation was far from straightforward. As doubts about my need for self-justification grew, I found myself increasingly convinced that it wasn’t the right path to take.

Was I getting caught up in the euphoria of becoming something special because the things I thought were out of reach were in my grasp?

“Sigh. Stay on track, stay on track!”

I briskly wiped away the remaining traces of moisture around my eyes and continued with determined steps.

***

When your mind is cluttered, it’s best to divert your thoughts to something else.

Back in the bedroom, I began examining the stacked documents one by one.

The first one was the land and house documents I received from Mario.

“Ah, what a lovely house.”

It was a small mansion typically sought after by nobles as a vacation home.

Although it felt somewhat spacious for a single occupant, I had more than enough funds to hire someone to help with the household chores.

As I had requested, it was located near the harbor.

“Mario. He does what he’s paid to do.”

The second document was a report I had compiled regarding Duke Kreundel.

However, since I didn’t possess much information to begin with, I hadn’t managed to fill even a single page.

“I should consider placing an investigation request…”

Just as I muttered that, the communication magic device responded.

The one trying to contact me was none other than Raeyan.

The timing couldn’t have been more impeccable, considering my deliberation over the request.

“Raeyan, how have you been?”

[Yes. I hadn’t heard from you, so I thought I’d check in.]

We haven’t seen each other for a long time since the founding festival other than contacting each other a few times through the magic tools.

“I’ve been quite busy.”

[I saw an article about the meeting].

“Then you know it went well.”

After a pause, Raeyan asked.

[Is that really all there is to the story?]

“Well, in general, yes. But I’ll fill you in on the details when we meet.”

[Alright then.]

“But before that, could you take on a task for me? I need an investigation into Duke Kreundel.”

[I’ll inform Mario.]

Raeyan didn’t question why I wanted an investigation into Duke Kreundel and simply agreed, sparing me the need to provide explanations.

“Thank you, Raeyan. We’ll talk again later-.”

I was about to end the communication when.

[Lili].

My nickname being called out in a tender voice caught me off guard, and I hesitated before responding.

“Mmh, why?”

[What’s wrong?]

It was an unexpected question.

I hadn’t expected him to ask such a personal question without asking why I was entrusting him with the commission of Duke Kreundel. If he asked just by hearing my voice, I must have showing signs of being unsettled without noticing it. I rubbed my cheeks in embarrassment and asked back.

“Why. Do you think there is something?”

[Yes].

“I mentioned earlier that I was planning to become independent.”

Raeyan was the only person who knew all my secrets.

He was also the one who had encountered the other me the most.

So, there was no reason not to share such personal matters like this with him.

We were allies, after all. There was silence for a moment.

He seemed to be thinking about what to say.

Then, Raeyan’s low voice came through the magical device.

[If you ever need me, please don’t hesitate to reach out.]

“…….”

[If you call, I’ll come running, no matter what.].

It was just two sentences, but they were comforting enough.

***

My alone time didn’t last long.

It was disrupted by Martha, who burst into the bedroom, making quite a racket.

“Miss!”

“Mmh?”

“What on earth is going on? You’re leaving the mansion!”

Despite the mansion’s size, rumors spread quickly.

Apparently, what had happened in the dining room earlier had already spread among the staff.

Martha rushed in and asked.

“No, that’s not it. Please say it’s not true!”

“It’s true that I mentioned I’d become independent. But I haven’t received permission yet.”

“Where are you planning to go? Are you taking me with you?”

“Um.”

Instead of giving a direct answer, I hesitated.

Martha’s face fell into despair.

“You can’t just leave me behind! What am I supposed to do?”

“But Martha, you’ve been here since you were a child, and working at the Perdia Mansion offers better conditions… And besides…”

“Miss, do you know why I stayed here even when I had no mother? It’s because of you.”

“Martha…”

“If I had leave you behind, you’ll would have been all alone, Miss. That’s why I couldn’t leave. But if you’re going to leave without discussing it with me, what should I do?”

“……My thoughts were short-sighted. I’m sorry.”

Vaguely, I thought it would be better if Martha stayed.

The maid’s position in the Ferdinand family is notorious for being so well treated that everyone wants to get in. I was being presumptuous.

I had Nanny and Martha to keep me going.

“If you’re leaving the mansion, then you must take me with you. Do you understand?”

“I understand. I’ll make sure to take you with me.”

“Good then.”

She was still pouting, but it looked like she’d let it go. I took advantage of the opportunity and asked playfully.

“So, you’re going to let me get away with not paying you?”

“Of course not!”

“Geez…”

One thing was for sure, Martha was firm in her convictions.

Our conversation was interrupted shortly after, as there was a knock at the door.

Entering the room were some of the mansion’s staff.

“Um… Miss.”

“What’s going on?”

Not one, but many servants were crowded into my bedroom.

I looked at the head maid with a bewildered expression at what had suddenly happened.

“We heard that you might be leaving the mansion.”

“I just mentioned it, that’s all.”

Then a maid who looked familiar but whose name I did not know hesitated and asked.

“Is it because of our disrespectful behavior that you have made such a decision?”

“Please don’t leave, Miss.”

She started, and others followed with their thoughts one by one.

“We misunderstood you, Miss.”

” I only heard the guys from the annex…….”

“I’m sorry, miss.”

The more they spoke, the more embarrassed I felt.

‘Well, it’s not exactly a misunderstanding.’

Even if it was for talking behind my back, it was true that I had thrown a temper tantrum at the staff.

“We’ll serve you well from now on, okay?”

“And the atmosphere in the mansion has improved since you arrived, Miss!”

They were also good at paying lip service. Still, it wasn’t a bad feeling to listen to.

‘Life wasn’t in vain.’

***

The next day, I found myself sitting across from Duke Perdia.

“…….”

“…….”

Since our last conversation had ended with my unexpected tears, a heavy silence hung in the air.

I sipped my tea to quench my suddenly dry throat. My gaze wandered up and met the duke’s eyes.

“I’ll give you the diamond mine.”

Cough, Cough! The words caught me off guard, and I coughed out a reply.

“……Huh?”

“And if that’s not enough, I´ll add a crystal mine.”

“……What?”

“If there’s anything else you want, feel free to ask.”

The duke placed a document in front of me, and it was a mining rights transfer contract.

He wasn’t kidding, he was serious.

[What? Why am I not full?]

Greed muttered in disbelief.

‘That’s because I’m not greedy!’

When you see a fortune that’s too good to be true, it doesn’t feel real, and this was one of those times.

I turned to Duke Perdia with a stunned look on my face.

“Wait a minute.”

“Tell me. What else do you want?”

“No, I have something to say to my father.”

After a sleepless night of tossing and turning, I came to a conclusion.

I decided to tell him everything.

That I am not his child, but the biological daughter of the Duke of Severes.

I didn’t want to live with the guilt of deceiving my family any longer.

To start another story, I felt I had to come clean about this first.

Taking a short, deep breath, I parted my lips with difficulty.

Father, you may find it hard to believe, but the truth is-”

Before I could reveal the truth, Perdia Duke interrupted me with a firm response.

“Even so, you’re my daughter.”

“…What?”

“No matter who your biological father is, you’re my daughter.”

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