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Chapter 5
“I could kill your mother right now.”
“Would you kill my mother faster, or would I use the power of water here faster? Conveniently enough, His Majesty the Emperor—who’s been deceived for years—is also here today. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”
I continued speaking while watching Cecilia’s face turn pale.
“I think I asked too easy of a question. There’s not even any point in hearing the answer. So stop speaking carelessly, Duchess.”
“Y-you… what on earth has gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“I told you already. I finally came to my senses. From now on, when I speak, listen carefully. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“Hah!”
Cecilia snorted in disbelief and glared at me.
“Foolish child. You know one thing and remain ignorant of another. No matter what, even the imperial family cannot destroy the Lewin Ducal House.”
“Of course not. They can’t survive without the power of water. But surely someone would need to take responsibility for such an incredible lie, wouldn’t they?”
I leaned closer to her and lowered my voice.
“When you were pregnant with Rosaline, Duke Isco got my mother pregnant too. How can you trust a man like that? Think carefully. Naturally, I wouldn’t be punished since I possess the power of water, right? Then who do you think would be left behind?”
She tried to appear calm, but the humiliation flickering in her eyes was deeply satisfying.
“I’m not saying I plan to lie like you people do. I’m merely reclaiming the rights I should have had all along as a daughter of the ducal house.”
I smiled brightly and spoke excitedly.
“I should hurry and make my debut in noble society. And let me repeat myself—don’t even think about threatening me with my mother anymore. The moment you touch her, I’ll turn this ducal house into a sea of water. I’ll make it impossible for you to survive in the empire.”
I glanced at the water bottle inside the carriage and used my power.
The water burst upward from the bottle and shot toward Cecilia’s face.
The stream stopped right in front of her, and she glared at me as if she wanted to kill me.
“Remember this carefully. In exchange for keeping my mother hostage, the only thing you can receive from me is the power of water. And from now on, my mother will also receive the finest treatment. I’ll check on her condition every week using mana stones.”
“You insolent little—!”
“I’m not finished speaking yet, so don’t interrupt me. You can imagine what will happen if you don’t do as I want, can’t you? You’re a clever woman. Always remember that I’m the one who holds the power.”
Cecilia kept her mouth tightly shut while glaring at me, but I could tell.
Her eyes were dull with despair.
“When we return home, I’ll be taking the room that overlooks the rear garden. And today will be the last time I stay hidden behind someone else.”
I spoke cheerfully and stepped out of the carriage.
Then I moved behind the pond together with the knight William.
I would have preferred stepping into the spotlight starting today, but not looking like this.
My debut had to shine brighter and hit harder than anyone else’s.
At the center of the garden, luxurious food and wine covered the tables while nobles gathered in small groups to indulge in the extravagance provided by the imperial family.
Wearing a blue dress—the symbolic color of the family of water—Rosaline pushed through the crowd while eagerly searching for someone.
Before long, a smile spread across her lips as she found the person she wanted.
“Duke Courtois.”
“It’s been a while, Lady Lewin.”
The empire’s only two ducal families, the Courtois Ducal House and the Lewin family, had maintained close relations for generations.
It was only natural since both possessed powers essential to the empire.
The most special people in the empire.
Rosaline had always been admired and envied because she belonged to a special family and supposedly possessed special power.
Just like right now.
Rosaline basked in the overwhelming happiness filling her chest.
There were very few people in the empire who could casually approach Varan, the head of the Courtois family and the dream man of high society.
Rosaline thoroughly enjoyed the jealous looks from the noble ladies around her.
I’m different from you people. I’m special.
The three families that had existed since the founding of the empire—
The Bernards, who received the imperial throne from the Goddess.
The Courtois family, who inherited the power of fire capable of burning monsters.
And the Lewin family, who inherited the power to control water.
Throughout a thousand years of history, these special powers had always been passed down through the daughters of each house.
Because of this, many empresses had come from the two ducal families.
Entangled through countless mutual interests, the imperial family and the two ducal houses shared a unique bond.
At least outwardly.
“Calling me ‘Lady’ makes us feel so distant. It’s a little disappointing, Oppa.”
“After a lady has made her debut in society, one cannot casually call her by name anymore. Our Delia also needs to make her debut once she returns from subjugating monsters.”
Although Varan’s face remained calm, concern lingered in his voice.
Delia, his only younger sister and the wielder of the power of fire, constantly avoided high society under the excuse of monster subjugation and spent all her time carrying a sword around instead.
It was driving their mother—the former duchess—to despair.
Rosaline decided that enough formal greetings had been exchanged, so she stepped closer to Varan and quietly asked what she truly wanted to know.
“Do you perhaps know any news about His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Instead of answering, Varan simply shook his head.
Crown Prince Blake had been studying abroad at the Vulcan Empire Academy, but several months ago he vanished after leaving behind nothing but a letter saying he was going on a journey.
Since then, nobody knew anything about him.
Not even whether he was alive.
Disappointment crossed Rosaline’s face, as she had loved Blake for a very long time.
I thought at least Varan would know where Blake is. Just where did he disappear to?
As Rosaline was lost in thoughts about Blake, a priest approached her.
“Lady Lewin, the ceremony will begin shortly. You must move now.”
“Yes.”
Rosaline greeted Varan with her eyes and followed the priest.
Now it’s my turn to become the protagonist.
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
Rosaline wanted to become empress—the highest position someone without imperial blood could reach.
It had started as an innocent dream after falling in love with Blake at first sight as a child.
But after Arabelle stole the power of water she believed was rightfully hers, that innocent dream transformed into an obsession she absolutely had to achieve.
That was how she wanted to prove her worth.
To everyone.
Rosaline approached the emperor and Evelyn and bowed.
Evelyn flaunted both her beauty and power in a dazzling dress decorated with diamonds and gold embroidery, impossible to even estimate the price of.
“Lady Lewin, thank you for your efforts today.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m honored to be able to use my abilities in such a glorious place.”
“Lady Lewin, please bless us with beautiful rain.”
“Yes, Lady Evelyn. Thank you for allowing me to bestow the first blessing.”
Rosaline felt exhilarated by the trust she received from the emperor, the pinnacle of power.
And because she loved Blake, she also desperately wanted to leave a good impression on the emperor.
At the end of the garden’s opening ceremony, Rosaline stepped onto the platform to deliver the blessing of water.
Then she glanced toward the dense trees behind the stage.
This might actually be safer than using the power directly myself. If the power goes wrong, things could become dangerous. Arabelle, if you stole my power, then you should pay the price.
As Rosaline pretended to use her power, the water contained within the earth and the pond rose into the sky before descending over the flower gardens like a fine drizzle.
Everyone attending the banquet stared blankly at the scene, which looked as beautiful as a painting.
After the rain finally stopped, people gazed at Rosaline in admiration.
Rosaline trembled from the thrilling sensation.
Thud!
“Huff… huff…”
The moment I used my power, I collapsed to the ground clutching my heart and gasping for breath.
Using power in this paper-doll body—the result of years of abuse—was even harder than I had expected.
“Are you alright?”
Knight William looked down at me expressionlessly.
Panting heavily, I snapped back sharply.
“Huff… your speech is awfully casual. Do I look alright to you right now? Huff… I wonder how a knight with eyesight this bad even fights!”
The world spun before my eyes, so I stopped talking and leaned against a tree with my eyes closed.
My heart ached thinking about how Arabelle had endured this pain all her life.
Mother, I’ll save you no matter what.
I must have rested against the tree for quite a while because eventually I could hear people nearby admiring the garden.
“You need to move.”
William tried to haul me up roughly, so I shoved his hand away.
Of course, he didn’t budge at all.
And just like that, I was dragged back toward the carriage while being held by William.
Before he closed the carriage door, I gave him a cold look.
“Sir Knight, from now on, show me proper respect. I won’t forgive this kind of rudeness anymore.”
