A gust of wind swept through the parlor.
Father and the n at the table were speechless and stared at .
“What did you say?”
Until then, Devon, who had been quiet, asked .
Cainrode furrowed his brows in disbelief.
Leo Taloff smiled awkwardly.
I said cheerfully,
“That’s right. I might be Lady Beltree’s daughter.”
Devon’s face hardened.
“I understand your curiosity about who your real mother is. But that’s impossible.”
“Yeah, and that Damon did those things to a corpse—ugh, ugh!”
Devon and Leo Taloff simultaneously covered Cainrode’s mouth.
Father glared fiercely at Cainrode.
‘Ugh.’
I looked at Cainrode with disdain, then at Father.
“The day you were at death’s door. The day Mother conceived .”
“Yes.”
“The visitor that day might have been Lady Beltree.”
“Erilot, Beltree is...”
“There’s no corpse.”
I said firmly, and the atmosphere froze.
Even Leo Taloff, who had been chuckling, now looked at with a grim face.
Of course, Cainrode, Devon, and Father did the sa.
“We’ve finished verifying through Han. There’s nothing in that grave.”
“Grave robbers could have taken sothing—!”
Devon said urgently.
I shook my head.
“A commoner’s grave? What would they steal?”
“That is...”
“Father, do you rember the mortician who oversaw Lady Beltree’s funeral?”
Father furrowed his brows and replied,
“I told Grimyay to find a mortician at Astra Manor.”
As expected.
‘Grimyay took charge of the funeral.’
Back then, Father and his academy classmates must have been distraught.
Bella and Lady Beltree’s family showed no interest in her.
So it was suspected soone else oversaw the funeral.
Father hurriedly continued.
“But I confird Lady Beltree’s heart had definitely stopped during battle.”
“What if it was magic that looked like a coma?”
That was Cainrode’s question.
Father and the n all stared at Cainrode at once.
“Beltree was skilled in magic, so it could be possible.”
Leo frowned.
“So are you really saying Beltree is alive, and this girl is her daughter?”
“It’s worth confirming. Right, Devon?”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Devon.
Devon was silent for a while but then...
“I’ll send soone today to deliver Beltree’s tooth. Cainrode, how long will the test take?”
“Four days. I’ll have an answer within four days.”
The parlor grew quiet again.
It was understandable, since a supposedly dead friend might be alive.
And Father...
‘His expression isn’t good.’
Of course, he must feel relieved she might be alive.
But he must also realize she tried to get away from him by doing such things.
“Father.”
I placed my hand over his.
“...”
“If... if I really am Lady Beltree’s daughter.”
“...”
“You ca to see when I was in danger.”
I smiled warmly at Father.
“You traveled a long, long way, disregarded your own situation, all for Father’s safety. Isn’t that right?”
“...But.”
I hugged Father’s neck.
“Even if Lady Beltree didn’t love you, what does it matter? I love you enough to give up this whole world.”
Father’s hand touched my back.
I clearly felt a tremor at his fingertips.
He buried his face in my neck and whispered,
“Yes, that’s right.”
His breath seed to say those words.
too.
I love you that much too.
As we, father and daughter, were lost in each other’s world, Cainrode grumbled.
“Those without daughters must live in sorrow. Get apart! It’s an eyesore!”
Leo Taloff chuckled.
“Ah, damn it. Should’ve kept an eye on your kid.”
Then Father laughed arrogantly at his friends.
“You think it’s easy to have a daughter like this?”
Devon snarled,
“You’re unlucky.”
I giggled.
Afternoon.
I paced by the window waiting for Devon’s ssenger with Lady Beltree’s tooth.
Then maid Betty brought good news.
“Soone from Marquis Rochefane’s house has brought the item, Miss.”
“Really? Where?”
“In the courtyard.”
I hurried to the courtyard.
Going down the stairs, a man in a brown jacket waited for .
‘Ah, that’s him!’
The man who ca with Devon to Astra Manor in my first life.
Back then, he seed very trusted by Devon.
‘Though much younger now, I recognized him imdiately.’
He looked humble and kind.
He gave cherry-flavored candy when I was listening quietly to the adults.
“Nice to et you, Miss Astra, daughter of the Count. I’m Hermann from Marquis Rochefane’s house.”
“I’m Erilot Astra. Did Devon send the item?”
“Yes, he insisted it must be delivered directly to you or the Countess.”
Hermann smiled gently and handed a box.
I opened it slightly.
On red cloth lay a small bottle, with a tooth inside.
‘Good, got it!’
I told our servants.
“Attend to our guest carefully. A precious visitor from the Count’s house—no mistakes allowed.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Yes, Miss.”
All bowed at once.
Hermann looked bewildered but accepted their hospitality.
No wonder, as employees rarely received such treatnt.
I greeted Hermann and quickly headed to Father’s study.
The second steward of our mansion guarded the door.
“Where is Father?”
“He’s in communication.”
“Then I should co back later...”
“He said you can co anyti.”
“Really?”
I opened the door slightly.
And when I parted my lips to say “Father,” the man communicating nodded.
“So, where is Grimyay being dispatched?”
At Father’s words, I pricked up my ears as I headed to the sofa.
‘Dispatched? The Duke’s eldest son is being dispatched?’
I smiled crookedly.
‘That’s exile.’
Proof that Grandfather was furious.
Besides, the Emperor intended to send Grimyay far away before punishing him.
If the Duke’s eldest son went to prison by imperial order, it would be a huge disgrace.
[It’s Ithakar’s land.]
Father chuckled.
“Grimyay must have really fallen out of favor.”
[Yes. Even though it’s exile, it’s no place for an eldest son. It’s a desert where nothing grows, and battles happen over a single river all year round.]
“Surprisingly, the old man made a decision I approve of.”
I narrowed my eyes and stared at Father.
Feeling my gaze, Father flinched and quickly changed his words.
“I deeply agree with my father’s decision.”
‘Good.’
I nodded.
[Yes?]
Father showed no manners to Grandfather, who seed very embarrassed.
“When does Grimyay depart?”
[Tomorrow morning.]
“Escort?”
[The Duke ordered no one to escort him.]
“Serves him right. Make sure to watch Grimyay’s movents carefully.”
[Yes.]
The communication ended.
I ran to Father, rested my chin on his desk, and asked,
“Grimyay is being banished?”
“Yes. To a harsh place. You won’t see him for years.”
“I’m thrilled—!!”
I raised both arms and cheered, and Father chuckled.
“What’s the matter?”
“Lady Beltree’s tooth arrived. I’ll tell Han to give it to Uncle Cainrode.”
Father stroked the box briefly and looked at .
“Erilot, even if you’re not Beltree’s child, I...”
“Yeah! But I’m still your daughter.”
“Yes.”
Father smiled at .
The sunlight pouring through the large window was warm, and the air inside was cool.
It was a good day.
anwhile, at Rochefane’s 4th Mansion.
Bella shouted at the communication stone.
“What is this docunt, anyway?!”
[It’s a docunt to expel the shaless woman who disguised soone else’s child as her own from my mansion.]
Her husband, Selto Rochefane’s cold voice ca from the stone.
“Where do you expect to go? Do I have a family ho? Do I have anywhere to go?!”
[That’s not my problem.]
“You should at least return my private property!”
[Nonsense! That money was left by my mother for the woman who would beco my wife. Thinking about how you squandered it all makes sick.]
“Are you serious? You know I spent all the money I got from Duke Astra as dowry, and I have nothing left!”
[I told you. Not my problem.]
“How can you be like this when you think of Blossom? That child has been raised as your daughter for over ten years...!”
[Three days. If you’re still in the mansion after three days, the servants will drag you out.]
Then the connection cut off abruptly.
Bella scread irritably and threw the communication stone.
‘Such a petty man...!’
The eviction notice arrived, so she really couldn’t hold out here anymore.
Bella shouted to the maid.
“Any news from Cainrode?!”
“Yes, ma’am...”
“Leo Taloff!”
“No reply to even letters...”
Bella threw torn paper scraps at the hesitant maid.
“Incompetent fools—!!”
Even Devon Roche, who was her most reliable support, refused to et her.
‘If only I had captured Damon, I could’ve left this /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ damn mansion any ti!’
All because of that ddleso Erilot Astra.
If only that damn girl hadn’t been around...
At that mont, the door slamd open and Blossom ca in.
“Mother! I was trying to buy a dress, but the guild wouldn’t accept my seal. They said I needed money?!”
Blossom stomped and shouted, “Are they crazy or what?”
“Now everyone knows you’re not your father’s daughter...”
“What?! Then what do we do? I’m not even a Wonhwa yet...!”
“......”
Bella held her forehead with one hand.
Mother and daughter had no money left.
Her furious father-in-law seized all private property and goods after learning Blossom’s true birth.
“What are we going to do, Mom? The other young ladies will look down on so much...!”
“Shut up—!! Think about it!”
If only Beltree had been alive, none of your n would treat you like this.
‘No, I can’t stand seeing that girl get all puffed up again.’
If you had even left a child behind, you might have gotten support from one of your n using that child as an excuse...
Bella flinched and looked at Blossom.
Blossom looked at her mother confused.
“Why? Why?”
“You’re tall, so people might believe you’re a couple years older than you are.”
“Yeah?”
“The only one who knew you were born twelve years ago was the midwife...”
What if you disguised your daughter as Beltree’s child?
‘That girl was away sowhere for nearly eight months right before dying on the battlefield.’
At that ti, I tried hard to get close to Damon, so I rember.
Beltree is dead.
Now there’s no way to confirm whether Blossom is that girl’s biological child.
‘I was the only one who saw Blossom’s birth—the old midwife. And everyone already knows this kid isn’t my husband’s.’
If you disguised Blossom as Beltree’s daughter, you could even silence the talk that you deceived the Rochefane family.
Bella’s eyes burned with desire.
“I will make you Beltree’s daughter, Blossom.”
“What?!”
“Then Damon Astra, Devon, Leo, and Cainrode will all be so moved they won’t know what to do.”
“But...!”
“Think about it. Is the daughter of a first love worse than the dirty blood of a mistake?”
Blossom’s eyes grew wide.
Bella laughed slyly.
“If you can beco Beltree’s daughter, all of them won’t even glance at that damn girl.”
“Really? But if the midwife tells that I was born to mother...”
“The midwife will be dealt with. Trust . I’ll make you the Astra young lady.”
The two looked at each other with smiles.
Blossom looked out the window.
‘Your boasting ends now, Erilot Astra.’
A few days later.
Leo Taloff and Devon ca to our mansion.
Because today was the day Cainrode was to announce the results of the paternity test.
We all sat around waiting for Cainrode.
Everyone looked anxious.
Especially Father looked tense.
“Cainrode has arrived!”
Han Ji-hyeok announced.
After a while, the door opened and Cainrode entered with a stern face.
Devon stood up quickly and asked,
“The results?”
Cainrode stared at for a mont, then handed the parchnt to Devon.
Father and Leo Taloff also stood to check the results.
“......”
“Sigh.”
All four stared blankly at .
“You—”
The mont Leo Taloff started to speak,
There was a hurried knock, and the butler entered.
“Mrs. Bella Rochefane and Miss Blossom Rochefane have co. They know the three of you are at Astra’s 2nd mansion and urgently want to et.”
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s urgent, and they want to speak directly.”
Father, I, and Father’s old friends furrowed our brows and exchanged glances.
Then we all headed to the courtyard.
‘What’s that about?’
Bella and Blossom looked like travelers.
Their luggage was piled all over the floor.
Father furrowed his brows.
“There’s a limit to rudeness.”
Bella took a deep breath and looked at Father and the three n.
“I know. I have no right to complain even if punished.”
“But—”
“She ca out of the Rochefane house. Her husband... knows she’s not his child.”
Cainrode chuckled.
“So now... why co to Astra’s 2nd mansion? Did she think you’d accept her?”
Bella teared up.
“I have a favor to ask all of you. Please take this child in.”
Cainrode said incredulously,
“Why would we?”
“This child is her sister’s blood.”
“...What?”
Then Blossom suddenly burst into tears.
“The reason I missed Lady Beltree... is because my real mother was Lady Beltree...!”
—and said.
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