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Chapter 10
“Huh? He didn’t call me by mistake? Then is it about the lesson? But last time, Dikal clearly said I did well…”
In fact, Dikal had told me during the last sentence structure class that I seemed to have talent for the imperial language.
Even though I started learning it quite late, he said my understanding of sentence structure was fast and impressive.
‘It sounds a bit like bragging…’
But it’s true that I learn quickly.
He has probably seen many outstanding students at the academy, so he wouldn’t say something like that just to flatter me.
He wasn’t the type to butter up nobles.
‘Then what is it?’
While I was lost in thought, I heard Heinox’s voice.
“I heard there was some trouble.”
“Yes.”
“Why did that happen?”
So it is because of that.
Heinox was asking why I raised my voice. It sounded like scolding… but also a little like concern.
‘Yeah right.’
It would be nice if that were true, but there’s no way.
The cause of Priscilla’s death still hasn’t been revealed, and Heinox is still indifferent about everything.
A man who loved his wife so much went to the battlefield just to forget the pain. Even now, he might feel uncomfortable when he sees me.
“Ah! Th-that is, the reason is…”
‘What should I say? That Renzard picked a fight? That he insulted the duchess first?’
But I didn’t want to say that Renzard insulted the duchess.
Maybe this body being young affects me, since I sometimes act childish—but Renzard is still just a child too. He probably didn’t mean it badly.
Until the truth comes out, I’m still in a weak position in front of Heinox. I needed to show that it wasn’t only my fault, but also show some reflection.
‘What do I say?!’
My eyes shook nervously. I had to say something, but no excuse came to mind.
In the end, I shut my eyes tight and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“R-Renzard wanted my apple pie!”
“…What?”
Damn it. What a ridiculous excuse. As expected, Heinox looked like he thought he misheard.
“Renzard… wanted your apple pie?”
“…Yes.”
“So you fought because of that?”
“…Yes.”
Technically, it wasn’t wrong.
Before Renzard came, I was happily enjoying snack time with Puichi.
So yes, he did start trouble while I was eating apple pie.
“Ha… You caused chaos in the Tanjerik household over something like apple pie.”
‘Something like apple pie?’
I widened my eyes at his words.
The only reason Heinox could say that was because he didn’t know Puichi’s cooking.
If he had ever tasted Puichi’s desserts, he would never say that.
‘Okay, maybe I’m focusing on the wrong part—but it’s true!’
Puichi was an amazing chef. Every dessert I had eaten these past few days tasted heavenly.
My cheeks had even gotten chubbier compared to when I first possessed Roxina’s body—that alone proved his skill.
But Heinox still didn’t seem convinced.
“Is that really the only reason? You fought because he tried to take your apple pie?”
Well… not exactly.
‘Apple pie was just an excuse. I can’t exactly say “Renzard just didn’t like seeing me happy because he thinks I killed Priscilla.”’
I couldn’t bring up Priscilla in front of Heinox.
Everyone in the mansion misses her. And Heinox must miss her the most.
Even in the original story, he still longed for her at the moment Roxina was executed.
‘If I bring up Priscilla now, when it’s only been four years since she died…’
I might get kicked out of the mansion. No—definitely.
I only mentioned doubts about her death to Renzard because it might help reveal the truth later. I never wanted it to reach Heinox this soon.
‘Talking about her here is impossible.’
And besides all that, I didn’t want to hurt someone who was still grieving.
The image of Heinox smiling when he granted my request came to mind.
‘Still… we’re family now.’
I had no parents, no relatives.
This was the first family I ever had.
I tried not to get attached, but it wasn’t easy.
It wasn’t quite affection yet, but… I had hope that once everything was revealed, we could become a real family.
I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.
Like I once was.
A small, bitter laugh escaped me.
‘Why… is she making that expression?’
Heinox couldn’t understand Roxina.
Why did she look so lonely? Why couldn’t she tell the truth?
‘What should I do…?’
He didn’t know how to comfort a child.
Priscilla had always handled that for Renzard and Chedman. All he knew was how to scold strictly.
When he did, the boys would tear up and nod. Even if they didn’t understand, Priscilla would hug them and they’d calm down.
But Roxina was different.
Priscilla was no longer by her side, and Heinox was still inexperienced.
‘What do you say to comfort a daughter? Should I… hug her?’
Unfortunately, Heinox didn’t know how to deal with children. The more unsure he was, the colder his expression and voice became.
So instead, he spoke harshly.
“Tell the truth. If you lie, you will be punished.”
‘Punished?’
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Punished for not telling the truth? I’m keeping quiet because of you.
That one careless sentence was enough to break the emotions I had been holding in.
“I-I am telling the truth. R-Renzard got angry first, and I got mad too!”
The more I thought about it, the more upset I became.
“R-Renzard… and Puichi and Ann were there… and I couldn’t just stay quiet…”
I saw Heinox’s eyes shake in surprise, but I had no room left to consider him.
Punished? From someone I wanted to be family with?
“What should I have done? Stay quiet like always?”
“That’s not what I meant—”
His words didn’t help at all.
They just sounded like excuses. Late ones. Regret, maybe.
‘What am I to Heinox?’
If someone he believes killed his wife stood in front of him like this, how would he feel?
It was miserable.
“I’m sorry. I was rude. I’m really sorry.”
I took a deep breath and looked at him.
“I told the truth. I didn’t lie. Not even once.”
Heinox said nothing.
A long silence filled the room.
Finally, after thinking deeply, he spoke.
“You were talking about Priscilla.”
“…?”
My heart froze.
He said it. Her name. Directly.
I stared at him in shock.
“Why didn’t you mention that?”
There weren’t many answers I could give.
I couldn’t say, “Because you’d get angry.”
“S-So it wasn’t because of that.”
‘Even though it actually was.’
It was the best answer I could give.
Heinox fell silent again.
‘He knew all along.’
I stopped thinking.
He didn’t want the truth. He wanted repentance.
And I had already apologized.
“That wasn’t the reason…”
Heinox repeated my words slowly, then stood up.
“…Fine. If that’s what you say, then so be it. You may go.”
‘Huh?’
I didn’t expect him to just let me go like that.
“C-Can I really leave?”
“Yes.”
“T-Then I’ll go…”
As I reached for the door, his flat voice came from behind.
“Don’t forget to come after class tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
I quickly left the office, feeling strange.
‘What was that?’
The way he told me not to forget… sounded slightly gentler than usual.
When I stepped out, Ann rushed over.
“My lady! Are you alright? I was worried!”
I smiled.
“Don’t worry. Nothing happened.”
“That’s good, but…”
She still checked me carefully.
Feeling embarrassed by her concern, I hurried ahead.
“L-let’s go! I want to finish my apple pie!”
“My lady, wait!”
I walked faster on purpose.
“Hurry up!”
“My lady!”
Our voices echoed through the long hallway.
“Lady, are you awake?”
“Mm…”
I woke up to knocking.
“Ann?”
She usually let me sleep unless it was late afternoon.
“It still feels like morning…”
The sun was still low.
As I tried to lie back down, Ann rushed in and pulled me up.
“No, my lady!”
“Whyyy…”
“You’re having breakfast with the duke.”
“Breakfast… with him…?”
‘Ah!’
I suddenly remembered.
“Breakfast!”
‘From tomorrow, we will have breakfast together.’
That’s what Heinox had said.
And his reason was ridiculous.
He was too busy, so breakfast was the only time the whole family could gather.
‘What kind of nonsense is that…’
He ignored Roxina all this time.
“Ugh… why is this happening…”
I trembled in frustration.
“He wants to see you,” Ann said gently.
“No.”
“Don’t you want to eat with him?”
“No.”
“Please get up. He’s already waiting.”
“Ugh…”
I was dragged out of bed.
Ann sat me down and brushed my hair.
“I’m really glad.”
“What?”
“I was worried he would ignore you… or hate you.”
“Why?”
“Because… you did nothing wrong.”
Her smile looked a little sad.
Like she was remembering something.
“You’ve changed a lot lately.”
‘…!’
I flinched.
Did she notice?
But she laughed softly.
“I don’t mean it badly. You’re brighter now. Before, you barely spoke or left your room.”
“…Do you like me better now?”
She shook her head.
“I like both. You’re still you.”
“….”
“But I hope you don’t stay trapped in guilt anymore.”
“…Okay.”
“Then you should eat with the duke too. Hold your head high. You are Lady Priscilla’s last gift.”
‘A gift…’
Ann held out her hand.
“Let’s go, my lady.”
I looked at it, then took it.
“…Okay.”
Let’s go.
