BPFP 19

Chapter 19

They only listened when threatened.

The story of The Witch’s Candy House was, just as Gaji had said, completely twisted. A widower raising two children remarried, but the stepmother was cruel and abandoned the siblings in the forest.

Wandering the woods cold and hungry, the children stumbled upon a house made of candy.

They were starving and began eating the candy, then discovered the door and went inside. But it turned out to be the house of a witch.

The witch captured them.

She fattened up the boy to eat him later, while making the girl do chores.

One day, the girl saw the witch boiling water in a huge pot, seized the opportunity, and shoved her in. The witch fell into the boiling pot and died.

The siblings escaped and eventually reunited with their father, who had been looking for them. The angry father chased the stepmother away, never remarried, and lived happily with the children.

Elia couldn’t help but feel the girl in the story resembled her.

[That girl is totally you.]

‘Yeah, I guess I kind of did the same.’

She had done some bad things.

Even arson.

But that was all in the past. She now felt remorse and was reflecting on her actions.

Elia picked up the next book.

The bookseller had said it was one of the most popular fairy tales among young girls.

Its title was Cinderella, with the subtitle The Ash-Covered Maiden.

‘This is supposed to be popular?’

The story was simple.

A mistreated young woman meets a fairy, captivates a prince, and becomes queen.

‘Now that is an upgrade in social status.’

The fairy tale ended with Cinderella living happily with the prince, but Elia couldn’t help but wonder—did Cinderella really let her stepmother and stepsisters off the hook?

Elia believed it was human nature to repay harm with retribution.

She had her own grudges and thirst for revenge. Why should Cinderella be any different? Most likely, the author had omitted those parts to protect the innocence of child readers.

But in truth, power wasn’t all that meaningful once you got it.

She had done many things for Raoul, but looking back, none of it mattered.

Because it was never for herself.

All that remained was regret.

And regret always came too late.

Just like for Elia now.

After reading Cinderella, her emotions felt heavier.

[Elia, do you still want revenge?]

‘I already got my revenge. What’s left?’

[Just wondering if those feelings were still inside you.]

Gaji’s voice sounded concerned.

‘No. I like things as they are now.’

Right now, her priority was strengthening the ducal house.

Because she wanted to protect it.

The ducal house was under constant pressure from all sides.

The only region that stayed neutral was the North.

‘That’s why Grand Duchess Christina always had her eyes on the North.’

If she couldn’t bring it under her control, she would eliminate it.

To her, neutrality was unacceptable.

‘Which means we need more power.’

Elia did a quick mental calculation.

It was currently mid-February, just two weeks until March.

That meant it had been three months since she arrived at the ducal estate. Time had flown by.

She thought deeply.

‘What was happening around this time again? If I’m seven now, Raoul must be eight.’

He would still be clinging to his mother’s skirts.

Even as an adult, Raoul never really broke free from his mother. Grand Duchess Christina had brainwashed him from childhood.

“Just study hard. This mother will take care of everything else.”

She had laid the path for him and told him all he needed to do was follow.

Elia had tried to convince him otherwise.

Tried to persuade him not to become a puppet of Christina’s will. But each time, he’d just treat her with cold indifference.

‘Stupid fool.’

Now, without her by his side, he would live his entire life as the Grand Duchess’s puppet.

Capital of the Adelheit Empire: Camel

Camel City, with a grand river flowing through it, spread out from the royal palace, whose golden domes and spires towered majestically.

Its commercial district hosted the offices of many merchant groups, and Black Pearl was one of them.

In the residence adjacent to the office, a young girl sat in a wheeled chair, gazing out the window. Her eyes were filled with a mix of hope and fear.

“Brother, am I really going to the North?”

The man packing in the room paused and looked at the girl.

“Are you nervous?”

“No. I’m excited to finally see the world outside again.”

Ever since falling ill, she had remained indoors. Watching the outside world through the window was her only pleasure.

“Razli, you’re going to get better.”

“Really? I’ll get better in the North?”

“Yes. I promised I’d help you get well, didn’t I?”

“Yeah.”

Lapis gently held her cold hand in his warm one.

He had always been this way.

Razli knew better than anyone how hard her brother worked to save her. That knowledge alone kept her from giving up on life.

“Brother, if I get better… will I be able to walk too?”

“Of course. Not just walk—run, even.”

“I hope so. Hehe.”

“It’ll happen. Just trust me.”

Lapis stroked her hair gently.

Sunlight fell softly on Razli’s pale face. And so, the siblings set off for the North.

The Ducal estate was bustling in preparation for guests.

Elia had invited the head of the Black Pearl Merchant Group and his younger sister.

Knowing the journey wouldn’t be easy, Alexis led the knights himself to escort them.

By now, it was March. The weather had warmed a bit. This was the time of year when monsters, starved through the winter, became active.

“Your Grace, it seems like we weren’t even needed.”

Beyond the wasteland leading to the ducal estate, small villages began to appear.

At this time of year, monsters often came down from the mountains to attack, so it was a dangerous road.

But when they arrived, monster corpses were scattered all around the merchant group’s carriage.

They had already fought.

“Thank you for coming out to greet us, Duke.”

Lapis stepped down from the carriage and bowed respectfully. Alexis gave a nod.

“I’ll escort you the rest of the way to the estate.”

“Thank you, Duke. I won’t refuse your kindness.”

At Alexis’s command, the Iron Eagle Knights surrounded the carriage. Alexis and their commander, Dmitri, took the lead.

Thanks to them, Lapis and Razli were able to travel comfortably.

Whenever monsters appeared, Alexis and the knights took care of them.

The ducal estate came into view in the distance.

It didn’t have a particularly bright appearance. It was cold and serene.

The carriage passed the outer walls and entered the inner estate.

Inside were trees just beginning to sprout and green patches of grass.

Following the path through the lawn, they arrived at a quiet mansion.

Waiting in front were the staff, along with Norman, Meryl, and Elia.

“Duke!”

Elia waved and ran up to Alexis.

“Did you wait long, Elia?”

“Not at all. Are the guests here?”

“They’re just getting off.”

Lapis stepped out of the carriage, fetched a wheelchair, and gently lifted Razli out, setting her into it.

He then turned and bowed to Elia and Alexis again.

“This is my younger sister, Razli. Please take good care of her, Lady Elia.”

Blushing softly, Razli greeted them shyly.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m sorry I can’t stand to greet you properly.”

“Not at all. We’re happy to have you here.”

Alexis gave Norman a look.

“Norman, please show our guests to their rooms.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Right this way, please.”

As Norman led the guests into the mansion, Alexis and Elia followed behind.

With a worried look, Alexis asked,

“Elia, are you really sure about this?”

“You said you trust me. Please do.”

“All right, I believe you.”

“Your Grace, I’m going to see Uncle Felix.”

“Make sure you’re back in time for dinner with the guests.”

“Of course.”

And with that, Elia headed straight to Felix’s lab.