MHKBO 09

Chapter 09

The first time I cried was the day after my fifteenth birthday.

I noticed something glittering in the hallway trash bin and walked closer. When I looked properly, it was a necklace.

A dry laugh escaped me.

It was the ruby necklace Father had given me for my fifteenth birthday.

When Remir saw it around my neck, she had admired it and said to me,

“Hey, sister. Can I have that necklace? It’s so pretty!”

“Sure, take it.”

Even though Remir already had dozens of necklaces far more beautiful than the one I owned, I still handed it over without hesitation.

“Thank you, sister.”

Whenever Remir smiled like that, I found myself unable to say anything at all.

And the result was exactly what one would expect.

Sometimes I even thought Remir was better than Remic.

At least Remic treated me as if I didn’t exist.

You never truly understand how terrifying indifference is until you experience it. But I had already lived through moving between my biological mother and her lovers, so I knew that fear well. Knowing it didn’t make it any less frightening.

Then one day came the summer when I was eighteen and Remic was sixteen.

It is so vividly burned into my memory that even the despair of that moment remains intact.

As usual, I was walking down the hallway when I saw Remic coming from the opposite direction. He always ignored me, so I assumed he would do the same this time.

“Hello, sister. Are you free tomorrow?”

Because of that, I couldn’t help but feel shocked when he called me “sister.”

“…Did you just call me, Remic?”

When I turned my head, he was smiling gently, which was unusual for him.

Maybe something good had happened?

“There’s no one else here but you, Sister Tea. Anyway, do I really need to ask twice? Are you free tomorrow? I have a gathering, come with me.”

“Ah, yes. I’m free tomorrow. What kind of gathering is it?”

I hurriedly answered, afraid he might change his mind. Time? In truth, I never had enough of it, but never truly had too much either. Still, for my younger siblings, my time was limitless.

“It’s just… a private social gathering of minor nobles. Anyway, it’s settled.”

Normally, inviting someone to a gathering only a day in advance was against etiquette. But at the time, I was so happy that Remic seemed to be accepting me as family that I failed to notice anything strange. Even the fact that he only handed me a piece of paper with the location and time written on it now seemed incredibly rude in hindsight.

But in the end, the result was predictable.

No miracle occurred where Remic suddenly became considerate.

I got dressed according to etiquette in the morning, and when Remic said he had to leave early, I simply agreed. My excitement turned cold the moment I arrived at the empty party hall.

“Hey, you’re here, sister? Sorry about earlier. I must’ve given you the wrong location.”

“…It’s fine. That happens.”

“I’ll try not to make mistakes next time. Well… if there even is a next time.”

Hearing Remic’s playful tone, I went back to my room and cried under the blanket.

That evening, I truly felt like I wanted to die.

But crying changes nothing.

I woke up from a sleep that felt like death itself, cooled my swollen eyes with ice, and left my room wearing my usual bright smile. I greeted my parents in the morning and began another day.

Morning lessons with tutors. Afternoon gatherings and parties where I merely occupied a seat. At night, being served by maids, changing into comfortable clothes, and falling asleep again.

Nothing ever changed.

Even sitting silently at those gatherings, wearing a fake smile and meaningless responses, felt like a blessing. If I had still been a poor street girl, would I have ever desired such a place?

Everyone knew it.

Tearina, the eldest illegitimate daughter of House Tormoran, was disliked by her half-siblings. Yet no one spoke it aloud.

Because behind me stood the Duke of Tormoran. My parents loved me.

Yes, that too could be called a blessing.

My life became increasingly mechanical. I couldn’t even remember what I had eaten yesterday or whether today was today or tomorrow.

But I still couldn’t bring myself to do anything cruel to them.

Was it because of their beautiful, doll-like appearances? Or my desire to be loved? Or hope that someday they would understand me?

“Wow, sister. Your dress is torn? What happened? We have a tea party soon.”

“Oh, you’re right. Thanks for pointing it out, Remir. I’ll change.”

“I… I didn’t mean it like that. Well, whatever. Don’t thank me.”

I knew.

When I went into my room earlier to retrieve something, I saw Remir coming out holding scissors.

But I didn’t want to think about it.

Remir and scissors—those two words meant nothing to me.

There was nothing in my room worth taking. I had never considered the clothes or jewelry given by the Duke to truly belong to me. So whether it was Remir, Remic, or greedy servants—it didn’t matter who took them.

Even the daily humiliation from Remic and the malicious pranks from Remir felt like something I could endure.

But even in that miserable, empty life, change eventually came.

House Tormoran was invited to the imperial capital for the hunting tournament.

Preparations were intense, as expected of a grand ducal house. Each person needed over ten outfits for different occasions.

Three days and four nights. Such a long trip.

Not only that, but countless gifts from across the continent were being prepared for the Emperor. As one of the most powerful houses in the empire, House Tormoran could not appear empty-handed.

“Apparently it’s a rare beast from the north. It looks a lot like you, sister.”

“Well, I suppose it does have eyes, a nose, and a mouth.”

We agreed.

I was exhausted from fitting so many outfits, while Remir still looked energetic as ever.

We departed for the capital.

I rode a separate carriage from Remir and Remic, which was a blessing.

I slept through most of the journey—days blurred into night and night into day.

Finally, we arrived.

“Welcome to the Empire, Lady Tearina Tormoran.”

“Thank you.”

It was my second time in the capital. I had visited five years ago with my family, but I no longer cared for its splendor.

My plan was simple: stay in the lodging except for required appearances.

But that plan collapsed on the first day.

“His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Karife Irevita Sevis, has arrived!”

I saw him.

The roar of the crowd, the cheers, and then—

“Se…tsu?”

My body trembled.

He looked like him. No—it was him. It had to be.

The same posture, violet-black hair, deep blue eyes like the ocean.

Our eyes met.

The crown prince smiled gracefully, then his gaze landed on me at the far edge of the VIP seats.

It was Se-tsu.

I nearly cried from overwhelming emotion.

But I held myself together. He had changed, and so had I.

What should I say? “How have you been?” “I’m sorry for disappearing?” “Why did you become a crown prince?”

My thoughts spiraled uselessly.

But I never got the chance to approach him.

So I went to a quiet resting area instead.

The farther edge seemed best.

Eventually I found a secluded pavilion covered in overgrown grass.

“This is perfect…”

I sat down.

The sound of cicadas filled the air.

My head grew dizzy with heat and exhaustion.

Then I heard my name.

“…Tea, Tea! Wake up.”

Was I suffering heatstroke?

Why was I seeing Se-tsu from ten years ago?

I forced my eyes open slightly.

“…Se…tsu?”

“Yeah, Tea.”

I snapped my eyes fully open.

There he stood—dressed in imperial ceremonial robes.

“Take it slow and get up.”

I grabbed his hand instinctively, and he pulled me up effortlessly.

“Did you live well, Tea? I thought you were dead since you disappeared without a word.”

“Th-that’s…”

Before I could explain, he lifted my chin and forced me to meet his gaze.

“I never expected you to become Lady Tormoran. I was really wondering why you abandoned me.”

I couldn’t understand what he meant.

I hadn’t abandoned him.

“W-wait, that’s a misunderstanding—”

But before I could finish, his finger pressed against my lips.

And in a low voice, Se-tsu growled softly.