DHDF 52

chapter 52

I tried my best to think it over, just as His Grace wanted, but it’s not like my opinion would magically change that fast.

If anything, after hearing Arthur’s explanation, my stance only became more solid.

“Don’t feel too pressured, my lady.”

Just hearing that made the weight of responsibility crush down on my shoulders.

How was I supposed to not feel pressured?

“To be honest, there isn’t much difficulty in the actual managing.”

That wasn’t a very helpful comment. And judging by his face, he seemed to know it too, because he didn’t add anything else.

I sprawled onto the sofa.

I flipped through papers that barely made sense to me and finally heaved a long sigh.

“In that case, what about talking with Lady Carlin? If I remember correctly, she started her business when she was about your age.”

So that’s why she was waiting the moment she got home.

We never knew when she’d leave again. And just sending Rosalyn to check felt too frustrating.

I only meant to ask her schedule and leave, but she invited me in so easily.

“Isn’t this a huge change?”

I flinched. I searched my head quickly, but I wasn’t sure what she was referring to.

“On the first day, you entered my room like you were walking into a lion’s den, but now my little fairy visits me on her own.”

“Oh.”

Right, that was true.

“Yes, really. Time flies so fast.”

“I feel it even more when I see Verjene growing. She got taller, didn’t she?”

She was right.

Once meals, sleep, and daily life became stable and regular, everything changed little by little.

I’d only just finished stopping her from trying to replace every piece of clothing in her wardrobe.

“Yes. About two finger joints taller.”

“Mm, good. She should keep growing.”

The moment we sat down, tea and pastries were set in front of us with frightening speed.

No matter how urgent you were, you still had to have at least one sip of tea before discussing business.

“His Grace wants to give me a position. It’s a management role, but… I want to refuse. I’m curious what you think.”

“I don’t know if my opinion will help, but… if it were me, I’d accept.”

Lady Carlin set her cup down and answered clearly.

“I was a very greedy girl. I wanted everyone to look up to me, I wanted to make money fast, and there were so many things I wished to have.”

She laughed softly.

“So I would’ve viewed it as a great opportunity and accepted it right away. Whatever that business was, I probably would’ve swallowed it whole.”

“I see…”

She was truly different from me.

Every word dripped with ambition—exactly the kind of drive that could put someone in the position she held now.

“I know His Grace’s personality. He didn’t offer this because he wants Verjene to accomplish something for him. He just wants her to gain experience. It’s not an easy thing to do.”

I knew that too. But I was certain I’d spend every day terrified of failing.

And then I’d end up unable to do anything, not even what I usually did well.

Lady Carlin noticed my expression wasn’t easing, and she held my hand gently.

“Then think of it this way: you’re just a figurehead. You sit in the position and simply watch how things work.”

“A figurehead…?”

“Yes. Even if something goes wrong, experts will help. And Arthur will step in immediately. How about that?”

“In that case, I think I can manage.”

The weight on my shoulders lightened noticeably. If it was really okay to treat it that way, then I could do it.

So I went straight to His Grace and expressed my decision.

“I don’t want an actual role. Something like an apprentice position would be best for me.”

Permission was granted immediately.

* * *

Finally, it was time for the training session with my uncle—the one I’d been waiting for.

But before we began properly, there was something I needed to ask.

“Have you ever met my mother?”

I tried to sound light and casual.

For all I knew, he might only have known of her existence. I didn’t want to burden him.

Thankfully, my worry had been pointless.

“A very long time ago, yes. Before I was even an adult, so… mm, that must be more than sixteen years now.”

He said he knew instantly that I was her daughter—same white hair, and I looked a great deal like her.

Once his reminiscing ended, I was relieved. Since he remembered her, I could open my curiosity without guilt.

First, was my mother a mage as well?

“Oh my, no. She could perceive things, I believe, but she had no talent for resonance. She used to say she was jealous of me because of that.”

What kind of person she was?

“She was very bright, loved to play pranks, and was endlessly curious. She read a great many books, but more than that—she wanted to see the world outside.”

And lastly, why I had been sent to an orphanage.

It’s not that I resent her. I just… want to know.

In truth, I wanted to confirm whether I had been an unwanted child.

Even if the truth didn’t change reality… still.

Before he even answered, my stomach churned like seasickness.

“My cousin wasn’t healthy. For a very long time. A rare constitution. Our family isn’t harmed by ‘the power,’ but she was.”

I had never known that was possible.

I had never been hurt by this power at all.

A storm of emotions twisted inside me. Someone once accused me of killing my mother.

Back then, I didn’t even defend myself, because… I thought maybe they were right.

But now I knew it hadn’t been my fault.

Still… the knowledge didn’t comfort me.

“I heard that the moment she became an adult, she ran away. She wanted to see the world before she died. Naturally, contact with my uncle and aunt was lost.”

I didn’t need him to say the rest.

She must have met my father while traveling, and then I was born.

My throat tightened, and I took a sip of tea just to steady myself.

“So no one even knew I existed.”

“Yes. I was surprised when I learned I had a niece. It would’ve been nice if we had known sooner.”

I smiled faintly. It was enough—knowing my blood hadn’t abandoned me.

As for my father, I deliberately avoided thinking of him. I didn’t care.

“I’m worried you might misunderstand, so I’ll say this clearly. My brother-in-law didn’t abandon you.”

“…Sorry? Then are you saying someone took me away and forced him to send me to an orphanage?”

“Oh, yes. Exactly. His Grace said it was a deliberate abduction.”

His tone was displeased, but his words made sense.

Otherwise, how would anyone have known so precisely about my power?

Most people wouldn’t assume a newborn was the cause of someone’s illness.

And when my power was that weak, the symptoms would have surfaced slowly.

Similarly, even if my father couldn’t handle me, he wouldn’t have handed me to strangers.

If he meant to sell me, he wouldn’t have picked an orphanage.

He would have gone straight to someone powerful and made a fortune.

A hollow laugh escaped me. Anger flooded so sharply that I felt dizzy.

“I debated how to tell you… but yes, you should know.”

The imperial religion, Lavna.

Long before the Empire was founded, there existed nine priests who served the prime god.

In return for serving, they received fragments of divine power.

The first priest held the power to forgive souls.
The second could heal wounds.
The third could hear the voices of nature.
The fourth saw through truth.
The fifth could see beyond time.
The sixth could endure suffering.
The seventh could wither life.
The eighth could silence.
The ninth trapped others in nightmares.

“You know the first priest’s descendant became the Empire’s first emperor, yes?”

Everyone knew this story. Followers increased rapidly when he claimed he held the key to paradise.

And the heroine of this world—Diheina—was a descendant of the fourth priest.

Wait. No way…