WCMP 17

chapter 17

The Duke I had seen in a previous dream was the same as when I first had a meal after possessing Rielly—he cherished his daughter and was desperate to do more for her.

The Rielly in the dream naturally accepted that, but it was also clear that she distinctly avoided the Duke.

The Duke had only appeared a few times in my dreams so far, and it was natural for someone under strict control to feel discomfort toward their father, so I didn’t think much of it.

“Anyway, we’ll depart in three days, so keep that in mind. …Don’t worry too much. I’ll return safely without any trouble.”

“……”

“I’ll summon the personal doctor. Please, finally get some treatment this time.”

I had conveyed my business and had nothing more to say, so I got up from the room.

As I left the office at a brisk pace, there was no sign of anyone calling or chasing after me from behind.

Yet that made it feel even more unsettling.

I didn’t intend to be close to the Duke in the first place, but seeing that kind of behavior repeatedly made it difficult to ignore him entirely.

The dream I was having now was roughly a memory from three years ago.

Because I had unintentionally been looking into someone else’s memories every night, at first it never felt like I was actually sleeping.

‘At least I’m used to it now…’

In any case, these were the memories necessary for me to live as Rielly.

If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it; it’s better for mental health to take a positive perspective.

The Rielly in the dream stood in the hallway on the third floor of the annex.

It was the best spot to see into the main mansion’s library across from her.

Rielly stood there, staring intently at Amon, who was sitting by the large window reading a book.

I couldn’t tell what Rielly was thinking as she watched Amon. I had no desire to peer into others’ thoughts.

But seeing her quietly observing Amon, I felt so suffocated and unsettled that it seemed like my breath had stopped.

No, this was the sensation of the Rielly in the memory, not me.

Clutching her chest with trembling hands, Rielly stayed in place for a long while before slowly walking back to her room.

As soon as she entered, she sank onto the bed, burying her face in her still-shaking hands, and didn’t move for a long time.

‘What… what’s wrong with her all of a sudden?! Why is she suddenly so sad…!’

A wave of gloom and sorrow swept over me faster than I could comprehend. It was the strongest emotional surge I had ever felt in a dream.

I was swept away in the rapid tide of emotion, disoriented and flustered.

I almost wanted to cry, yet the Rielly in the dream didn’t.

As a result, I had to wake up while clutching my chest in frustration.

“Ugh! Crazy…”

My eyes snapped open.

Returning to reality, the gloom instantly melted away, and I gasped for air.

It had been a truly dreadful nightmare.

I didn’t want to ever experience such a depressing dream again.

Even after waking, an uneasy, awkward feeling lingered.

What on earth was that memory?

“So, she wasn’t actually uninterested in her younger sibling in the original story…”

I couldn’t focus since morning.

Because of that, I woke earlier than the time the maids usually woke me.

My head felt so heavy that I decided to take a shower and went to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, Sebani, who must have heard me, was waiting with my clothes ready.

“Milady, you woke up early today.”

“Yes… I opened my eyes quickly.”

With nothing urgent in the morning, I planned to go downstairs, have some tea, and wait for Amon, leaving my hair only partially dried.

At that moment, I ran into Amon just as he was opening the door.

Seeing his almond-shaped eyes recognize me and curve into a half-moon smile, I couldn’t resist the impulse.

I instinctively pulled the small body into a hug.

Perhaps it was because I had seen a much smaller version of him reading alone in the library in the dream.

Or perhaps it was because I had empathized with the Rielly in the dream.

“Nu… nuna?”

Hearing the small voice, I released my arms.

His face, red to the ears, revealed wide, round eyes that looked like they might spill out.

Embarrassed, he lowered his head.

“Haha!”

Finding it so cute, I laughed out loud and hugged Amon again before letting go. How adorable.

“Have you always come out this early? From tomorrow, I’ll try to get up earlier too.”

“No, today I just happened to wake earlier… Normally, just come at your usual time…”

I lightly patted Amon’s rounded crown while he muttered, bowing his head.

His hair was noticeably softer than before, likely from using a good product these past few days.

“Alright, I will. You don’t need to come out so early either. Come on time. Waiting alone is boring.”

“Yes, I will.”

“Hmm… Amon, shall we go out of the mansion today?”

We had about ten days before the trip to the mountains, so we needed to buy some supplies.

It was too short notice to have anyone visit the house, and more than anything, I wanted to go outside.

Moreover, the Duke had said I could spend money freely, so I might as well indulge in some shopping.

Even if not extravagantly, I had my little fantasy.

I glanced at Amon. The child blinked in surprise at my words.

Even Rielly, cherished by the Duke, had been controlled—there was no way Amon had freely wandered outside.

“If you want to, of course…”

“Do you only want to go because I want to? If you feel forced because of me, you don’t have to. How about you, Amon? Do you want to go out?”

Being raised in a restricted environment, he nodded as if he could say anything, and I wanted to let him freely express himself.

Even if he didn’t automatically agree with me, I wanted him to know that it was okay.

Someday, I hoped he could act out, laugh, and play normally.

But I mustn’t rush.

“…I want to go out with nuna too.”

Start small and take it slowly.

Since we needed to eat before going out, we headed to the dining room.

I sipped some orange juice and asked Amon:

“Amon, is there anywhere you’ve wanted to go?”

“No, I’ve never been outside the mansion, so anywhere is fine.”

“Hmm…”

A boy who had spent nearly ten years only in the mansion casually said that.

Even if just to see the sea, mountains, or ordinary streets… he probably had that curiosity.

Hiding my regret, I spoke brightly:

“Then, since I have things to buy, let’s look around the downtown area first. Next time, we’ll go wherever you want. You can think about it until then.”

Amon nodded seriously.

“Where I want to go… since I’ll be with nuna, I’ll think carefully.”

“…Don’t feel pressured. You can think lightly. This isn’t the only chance. If you want to go somewhere else later, we can go then too.”

“Yes. Next time with nuna too…”

Mumbling, Amon’s voice was so soft I barely heard him.

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“Nothing, I didn’t say anything else.”

Did I mishear? I shrugged it off.

“Shall we eat and head out immediately?”

“Yes, let’s.”

Amon’s immediate reply prompted me to speak to Sebani:

“Sebani, prepare so we can leave right after breakfast. Only one attendant should wait… First, we’ll visit the designer salon, Rosny Melanis, as we ordered before.”

“Yes, milady. I’ll prepare it.”

If the person with money doesn’t spend it, the market doesn’t function properly.

So we must enjoy true shopping without worrying about cost.

I covered my mouth with my hand.

Otherwise, I might say something careless.

Amon looked up at me with bright, curious eyes.

He was cute already, but in his outing clothes, he was twice as adorable. Damn it.

His features were distinct, yet the child-sized face in a little suit was so charming he could be cast as a child model immediately in Korea.

Children grow fast, so I needed a portrait. A camera would’ve been perfect.

‘I’ll have a painter make a portrait someday.’

Determined, I walked to the front yard and saw the carriage waiting in the distance.

I had been worried yesterday since the Duke hadn’t responded, but apparently the servants had been well-informed.

It was somewhat surprising. I had secretly wondered if he’d try to stop me by force.

He is truly unpredictable.

‘But that carriage… it actually moves, right?’

It looked extravagant enough that it seemed impractical for real use.

Even the Grand Duke’s carriage I had seen with Arban was luxurious, and now I saw ours was equally so.

It looked like something from a fairy tale—more decoration than practical use.

In short, it was the height of luxury.

As we approached, the coachman opened the door and extended a hand toward me.

I glared for a moment, then raised my hand to accept, guessing it meant to help me in.

Grasping the coachman’s hand, I climbed into the carriage. The step was higher than expected.

‘At this height, a footrest would’ve been better.’

It looked beautiful, but like its exterior, the practicality was poor.

I complained silently as I looked around inside. The interior was just as lavish.

I took my seat and turned to Amon.

The carriage was high for a child to get in.

The coachman would help, but I couldn’t ignore my concern.

Yet, I was a little surprised when the coachman, who I assumed would help Amon, stepped back to prepare to mount his own horse.

What…!

“Excuse me, sir! You won’t help Amon?”

My voice was full of disbelief. The guard, Jerome, immediately bowed and replied:

“Yes, milady. Empire etiquette dictates escorting only the lady.”

Ridiculous etiquette.

I pushed aside the fleeting thought and stared at the coachman.