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Chapter 58
Nine Breads. Shit is Shit, It Can’t Become Soybean Paste (8)
Irene, who had run away just like that, buried herself under the blankets on her bed and slowly replayed the maids’ conversation in her mind.
Eight years old wasn’t that young.
When she understood the voices she had let pass over her head in a moment of confusion, a vague hypothesis formed in Irene’s mind.
It was infinitely close to the truth, yet it was something Irene didn’t want to look at. She was afraid everything would shatter.
I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m Dad’s daughter. I’m Dad’s daughter too. That girl and I are the same. So… I was just startled, that’s all. I’m not bad. There are plenty of adults to take care of her. I wouldn’t have helped anyway, so I might have caused her trouble. It’ll be fine. That girl was probably just surprised too. She just met me, so there’s no reason for her to hate me.
“Yeah, there’s nothing wrong. I must have seen it wrong.”
Nothing had changed. Nothing had. There was nothing to be afraid of.
If ‘Ellie’ is Dad’s daughter, then we’re sisters. She’s just like me. That means we’re the closest in the world.
But then why did people say only ‘Ellie’ was pitiful?
“Irene, what’s wrong? You skipped dinner too.”
“Dad…”
“Are you feeling sick? Let me see if you have a fever.”
Her father’s large hands cupped both of Irene’s cheeks. Habitually, she buried her face in his palms and acted spoiled. She felt relieved.
“I don’t have a fever.”
“Dad… am I… am I a good girl?”
“Hm?”
“I’m good, right?”
“Of course. Irene, you’re the best. My daughter… why are you suddenly asking that?”
“Dad… do you love me?”
“Irene, there’s no reason for me to live without you.”
“……”
“I’ll do anything to make you happy. So never doubt it. You’ll be the happiest in the world. I will make sure of it. No matter what anyone says, I promise.”
“…Okay.”
“If you listen to only me, nothing will go wrong. So my princess, don’t worry about unnecessary things and have dinner with me. You can’t sleep on an empty stomach, you know.”
Irene raised both her hands, and her father naturally slipped his under her arms to lift her up.
She couldn’t ask about Ellie.
The girl had her father’s blue eyes, and the gentle look he gave her kept overlapping in Irene’s mind, making it hard to speak. ‘Ellie’ had fallen badly, yet Dad didn’t seem to care at all.
“Dad… um…”
“Hm?”
“…Never mind… I love you too.”
Her father smiled, and Irene smiled along.
I… I can’t do it.
It felt suffocating, as if someone were choking her neck. Irene didn’t know what to do anymore.
Father… Dad…
Since seeing Dad explode in anger at Ellie, Irene had started calling him “Father” instead.
She wanted to distinguish between the father who had once been the kindest hero in the world—“Dad”—and the actual father. It was an unconscious choice.
Franz.
I’m sorry.
As Seth had said, Irene had already known.
The moment she realized Ellie was her father’s child, she instantly understood the maids’ conversation. Even so, she couldn’t ask anything.
I already knew. That’s right.
She knew then, and in truth, she also knew now.
When she saw Franz dead, she immediately realized who had done it.
Even so, her mouth wouldn’t move.
She couldn’t bring herself to ask the man in front of her worried father’s face, Did you kill him? Why did you do it?
As time passed, resentment and guilt intertwined and tormented her.
Swallowing something with a mouth that couldn’t ask questions felt disgusting. She wasn’t worthy.
I can’t do it. I should avenge Franz, but I couldn’t betray ‘Dad.’
Even in hell, Franz wouldn’t forgive her.
No, even if he forgave her, it wouldn’t matter. The unforgivable one was herself.
Irene couldn’t endure her existence and actions that didn’t align with her clumsy sense of justice or innocent morality.
It led to self-loathing.
Her hands clenched the dagger tightly.
Finding Seth was pure chance.
Ellie hadn’t attended the evening party. Demian had allowed her not to come today.
So she even sent Taco out. He must really like this.
Taco was introduced as her merchandise. Ellie, dressed in a maid outfit, observed the guests’ reactions. Seeing the faces of those who enjoyed what she had made was the greatest joy in Ellie’s life.
The men ate well, but the women hesitated. Especially in formal attire, it would be hard to eat. She’d need to make smaller portions or wrap them so the filling didn’t spill.
After noting improvements, Ellie looked around.
Maurice seemed genuinely excited.
Of course. He’s thrilled at the thought of literally raking in money.
Although she was somewhat materialistic herself, Ellie realized just how much Maurice loved money. He was nothing short of a money fiend.
“You can’t miss an opportunity. Even Duke MacClure has been taken care of.”
“Not completely taken care of yet.”
“You can’t kill him, right?”
“…I suppose not…”
“Don’t show disappointment. It’s basically as good as done. Now you can expand your business and promote it without worrying about him. No need to hide.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“I know, I know. The important thing is that you can expand, advertise, and act freely.”
“How far are you thinking? I only have one store.”
“When we return, we’ll recruit branches immediately. Build a store in the busiest district of Rayard.”
“I don’t have the money.”
“I’ve got it.”
Yes, lucky her, rich enough to fund everything.
Ellie pouted. She could almost see the golden coins sparkling in Maurice’s light brown eyes. To him, Ellie probably looked like a bait doll made of scones decorated with gold coins.
Maurice leaned close to whisper something in a beautifully dressed lady’s ear, his gaze surprisingly gentle. Ellie briefly met his eyes, and he saw her. Yet he didn’t acknowledge her directly, just smiled.
Ellie turned and left the evening party.
She couldn’t remain calm, and, truthfully, she felt a bit annoyed. She didn’t know why—it irritated her just to see him excited.
“Ellie, let’s go together.”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course. I wasn’t planning on attending anyway. Staying by your side is more important.”
Ban, who had been trailing behind, spoke.
Ellie felt the disappointed gazes of those following Ban.
Even in a city close to the Empire, it was still within the Rosso Kingdom, and Ban was famous there. Known for his looks.
“I’m just going back to my room.”
“I’ll escort you.”
He leaned slightly and whispered,
“Duke MacClure is on the opposite side. He seemed busy; shall we see who he was talking to?”
“Leave it. I don’t care what he does as long as he doesn’t bother me. Ban might get yelled at if he intervenes.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“…Enough, just listen to me.”
If Ban got slapped by Duke MacClure again, Ellie knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back. She might forget all reason, rush in, and fight.
“I’ll feel too guilty if I do, and then I won’t be able to face him again.”
“So even if I say it’s fine, it’s the same? Then I understand.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Then it’s okay if I escort you to your room, right?”
Ellie couldn’t refuse, and she parted ways with Ban at her room’s door.
She wandered briefly to calm her restless heart and then spotted Seth.
“Damn girl, she’s crazy…”
Seth muttered to himself, highly agitated.
Fortunately, she was in a maid outfit. Ellie held her breath and hid.
Seth, who had been walking almost at a run, went into what seemed to be his room and immediately came back out. His following servant called out:
“Master, what do you mean going out at this hour? The master said to never leave Prince Marc…”
“Shut up. If you don’t know, stay quiet and follow my orders. Got it? We returned this evening—no, this afternoon—because of an urgent call from Father. You prepared to leave with me from dinner, right?”
“Y-Yes, I understand!”
“Remember, I was with you since dinner. Let’s go.”
“Yes…”
Kicking the servant’s backside, Seth disappeared like the wind.
A bad feeling settled in.
Before she knew it, Ellie was running in the direction of the lodging where Irene was staying.
