PVSS 8

chapter 8

I began writing the letter requesting excommunication, and the letter requesting the annulment of my engagement.

It didn’t take long to write them in a graceful hand and place them into envelopes.

Tomorrow, once these letters are sent to the Babeloa House and the Hessman House, I have no doubt that all ties with the past will be completely severed.

“‘Anyway, everyone already despises me.’”

The moment I thought of those families, memories of Meldenik’s childhood—details I hadn’t read in the original story—flooded my mind.

“‘That girl is cursed!’”

Little Meldenik pressed her small hands tightly against her face. She didn’t want to cry.

“No, I’m… I’m not cursed. I’m perfectly fine!”

“You’re lying! You don’t even wash properly, you smell!”

“They say she’s just a useless freeloader who brings shame to the family!”

The innocent children continued to ostracize and torment Meldenik.

Surprisingly, this wasn’t ordinary bullying among children. The one who orchestrated it was Hildegardt from the Babeloa House, the new stepmother who had only recently entered the estate.

“I could even kill you. But I’ll let you live. So live like you’re already dead.”

“Yes…”

Looking at Hildegardt’s swollen belly, Meldenik nodded blankly.

She thought that since her stepmother hated her, she should at least seek help from her father.

“Um… the children all hate me. I… I wish I had friends.”

“You’re the troublesome one. Being ostracized is your fault!”

“…What?”

“How stupid must you be for people to look down on you? Get out!”

Being bullied is supposed to be the fault of the perpetrators.

But in the Babeloa Duke’s estate, it was different. Everything was considered Meldenik’s fault.

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—the Duke of Babeloa was deeply self-absorbed.

He disliked directly speaking harshly to his daughter, who shared his blood, but only because it would harm his reputation.

People, mindful of the Duke, treated Meldenik as a ceremonial noble daughter.

But that was all.

None of those who bullied her were ever punished.

The Duke simply hated noise; he had no real interest in Meldenik.

As she grew older, the direct bullying faded, but the emotional scars remained.

To protect herself, she sometimes acted excessively cruel and arrogant. In a world where no one was on her side, she had to pretend to be proud and untouchable.

After possessing this body, Meldenik’s memories gradually began to blend into mine, as if they had always been mine.

They were nothing but gloomy, contempt-filled memories, and they left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“I really want to kill that trash family.”

Of course, I had no right to carry out some grand revenge on behalf of Meldenik.

At present, I didn’t have the power to oppose the male lead of the original story—the Duke of Hessman—or the Babeloa House, which was the heroine’s family.

The only thing I could do now was one thing: cut ties with that filthy, wretched family immediately.

If they refused to let me go easily and tried to attack me instead, what would I do then?

Would I finally gain the right to avenge Meldenik?

I still wasn’t sure.

Still, I rubbed the back of my stiff neck and whispered quietly.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

“So am I.”

How would the Duke of Hessman react upon receiving what was essentially a declaration of war in the form of an annulment request, and how would the Babeloa House react to an excommunication request?

I stretched and drew the curtains over the window. In this uncertain world, one thing was certain.

Tomorrow would be very busy.

The next morning.

We headed to the Central Postal Administration Office to send the letters of excommunication and annulment.

In noble society, correspondence was usually handled through household servants. However, when official documents were exchanged between noble families, certification from an official institution was required.

For that reason, there was a state-run agency established by the Imperial Palace: the Central Postal Administration Office.

Fortunately, it was near the academy, so I was able to send the letters easily.

“‘If this truly ends things cleanly, that would be ideal.’”

After sending the letters I had written the day before, we stepped out of the building.

Dominic spoke to me in a calm voice.

“This Duke Hessman guy you mentioned yesterday. He’s disgusting.”

“Why?”

“There are spies appearing here and there this morning. I suspect they were sent by him.”

I looked around.

But to my ordinary eyes, nothing seemed suspicious.

“About five of them,” Dominic whispered.

“Five…?”

Now that I thought about it, Lady Hildegardt and the Hessman Duke had often assigned watchers to me.

“Probably under the excuse of monitoring me in case I harass Sheria.”

I replied indifferently.

“Oh, it’s probably people from the Babeloa House and the Hessman Duke. They’re watching my every move.”

“…How vile. If they try to lay a hand on us, I’ll eliminate them.”

Dominic—like a righteous crusader—trembled with anger.

“Well… sure, sure.”

It was still useful to know there were spies nearby.

“They’ll show themselves sooner or later anyway.”

Hildegardt and Lenox’s spies had no hesitation in revealing themselves. After all, Meldenik had never been able to properly respond to them.

“Cover my sight a bit.”

“That’s my specialty. Concealment, cover.”

Hearing Dominic’s enthusiastic reply, I was about to call a public carriage on the main road when I paused.

“It’s not far. Should we walk instead?”

“Fine. I feel like moss is growing on me after being stuck in a sword for so long.”

At his words, I pressed my lips together to suppress a laugh.

“Let’s take a shortcut. With you around, it shouldn’t be dangerous.”

“Agreed.”

Smiling faintly, I began to walk.

Just as I was about to talk about what items to stock in the stationery shop—

Dominic, who had been silently counting the spies, suddenly frowned and said seriously,

“Mel.”

“Yeah?”

I stopped and turned to him.

“Look ahead.”

“Huh? What—?”

Following his gaze, I looked forward.

An alley that looked dark despite the midday sun came into view.

And inside it, there was something small.

‘A person?’

Upon closer look, it was a small boy kneeling on the ground.

His knees were covered in dirt, as if he had fallen. If he lifted his head, there might even be tear stains on his face.

Yet strangely, despite his appearance, he wore rather luxurious clothing that didn’t match a commoner at all.

It was plain, without decoration, but I had seen enough nobles to recognize it.

He was trying to disguise it, but it was obvious. I had lived one life as a commoner and another among nobles.

The air of wealth and status clung to him.

So maybe he was the child of a wealthy merchant—or a noble?

But he wasn’t anyone I recognized from the high-ranking circles I had dealt with.

‘Why would a noble child be lying here?’

Even if he was a student at the academy, it was strange.

The academy was nearby, but still.

Was this… violence? Or extortion?

“Dominic, wait here.”

If this was bullying, the child might be afraid of an adult man. Approaching together with Dominic might make things worse.

“Alright.”

Understanding my intention, Dominic stayed back.

Leaving him behind, I walked straight into the alley.

When I finally stood before the child, I was startled.

“Ugh…”

He was so pitiful, curled up and groaning on the ground.

I extended my hand toward the blond boy lying face-first on the ground.

“Get up.”

“I… I can’t walk…”

He looked about ten years old. He tried to grab my hand and stand, but collapsed again, as if his legs were in pain.

I looked into his bluish eyes carefully and asked,

“Should I call a doctor?”

“…I don’t like doctors.”

I glanced down at the unusually fearful child.

Was he afraid of being scolded by his family if a doctor came?

“It was just a small fall. I-it doesn’t hurt…”

A small, timid voice echoed. Occasional groans slipped out. He clearly seemed to be in pain.

I exchanged a brief glance with Dominic.

Receiving my look, Dominic quickly picked the boy up.

“Hey, kid. Come with us. We’ll treat you without calling a doctor.”

Dominic said sternly.

Though he looked young, he was a knight who had spent years on battlefields. Treating injuries like this would be easy for him.

The boy, now on Dominic’s back, muttered through his pain,

“I-I’m not a baby! I’m a… a child knight closer to being an adult!”

Even while hurting, he couldn’t stand being treated like a baby.

He’s… ridiculously cute.

Dominic and I exchanged a glance and quietly laughed.

“Alright, young knight.”

The boy’s eyes darted around, but he couldn’t hide his satisfied expression.