🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 2
‘It’s already been a year.’
I went everywhere trying to find him, but I failed.
I slumped in my chair and let out a deep sigh.
Where on earth is he hiding?
Or… has it not happened yet?
Knock, knock.
“Miss, the Count is calling for you.”
What is it so early in the morning?
The man I have to call my father looked down at me with a blank expression. I hated to admit it, but he looked exactly like me.
Of course, we shared blood—but having someone with the same face stare at me so coldly didn’t feel good at all.
‘Why is he suddenly calling me? Come to think of it, I don’t think we’ve ever properly talked face to face.’
I hopped down from the chair and dusted off my clothes.
I had to get rid of anything he could nitpick.
Whenever we crossed paths, his slow-moving gaze felt like it pierced right through me. Every time I saw Edgar’s eyes, I got chills.
“Do I have to go?”
I slightly opened the door and looked at Diria.
To others, I probably looked like a child throwing a tantrum. But I really didn’t want to see that man first thing in the morning.
And more than that, wasn’t it suspicious? A man who had never called for me before suddenly summoning me?
“Miss, there must be a reason the Count called you. It’s the first time! Maybe he’s finally taken an interest.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. He never cared before, so why now?”
At my grumbling, Diria gave me a pitiful look.
Do I look like a child who grew up twisted from lack of affection…?
“I’m just confused because he’s acting out of character, that’s all.”
“Hmm… Maybe it’s because you’ve been going out a lot lately?”
“Did you tell on me?”
“As if I would.”
Diria shrugged. If it wasn’t her, then it must have been the knights.
I shot them a resentful look.
The way they avoided my gaze confirmed it.
‘How petty, telling on me like that.’
I went out into the city once a week—sometimes twice—to find Rion.
It was also to buy things I needed, but still, he never stopped me.
He never cared about me in the first place. No matter what I did, he said nothing.
I trusted them to keep it a secret and went out freely!
They must have mentioned it casually because they felt uneasy about my frequent outings.
“Why don’t you ask the Count for permission and go out more comfortably?”
“He doesn’t care anyway.”
I walked lazily and stopped in front of the door.
Do they even know who I’m suffering like this for?!
If my so-called father hadn’t interfered between Jenis and Rion, I wouldn’t have died.
I don’t even have a partner, and I die at the prime of my youth.
At the hands of Delter Kabezer, I meet a miserable death on the terrace of a banquet hall.
Well… I guess it was punishment.
But why do I have to be punished for my father’s sins? That’s unfair!
Delter Kabezer, the Crown Prince of this country, was in love with his half-sister, Jenis Abel Botina.
He didn’t fall for her knowing she was his sister.
He met her by chance outside and fell in love, secretly nurturing his one-sided love. But when Jenis became a princess, he was furious.
Because that love could never come true.
Still, he must have been a kind second male lead.
He chose to support the heroine’s happiness.
And for that path, I couldn’t exist.
Because I was someone who could block their happy ending at any time.
Well… considering what my father had done, it made sense.
He secretly imported and sold drugs, opened slave markets, and even formed alliances with countries that could oppose the imperial family.
Of course, all of this was hidden from others.
On the surface, he ran an information guild and did seemingly legitimate work.
The scale of his business was large, and he left no gaps for the imperial family to exploit—no tax issues, no weaknesses. That’s how he had survived until now.
But if all of this were to be exposed…
It wouldn’t be strange if his head rolled off immediately.
‘Blood ties really are the worst.’
But running away wasn’t an option either. Where would I even go?
I looked down at my small hands, fidgeting.
Just the thought of facing him after so long made my heart pound like it would burst.
At this point, I might as well be bold and demand what I want.
As the door slowly opened, I stepped into the office with determination.
A man with red hair and blue eyes—just like mine—came into view.
‘That damn enemy.’
He looked at me entering and smiled mockingly.
“Looks like a stray cat has come.”
A stray cat? A stray cat?!
The first proper words he ever said to me—and that’s what he chose?!
Seeing my stunned expression, he chuckled.
His cold, sunken eyes scanned me quickly, as always.
“Seems like you have something to say to me.”
Oh, I do. A lot.
I clenched my lips, then shouted—
“Y-you enemy!”
My loud outburst froze everyone in the room.
His brow twitched.
“Ah… that wasn’t what I meant to say.”
I quickly covered my mouth, but the words had already come out.
Diria’s face turned pale, and everyone’s gaze shifted to me.
‘Yeah… I know.’
My so-called father set down the pen in his hand and looked at me with mild amusement.
“That’s not it—”
“An enemy, huh… You’re the same to me.”
He didn’t get angry.
Instead, he called me an enemy back.
Honestly… I appreciated that.
“Then since we’re both enemies, let’s call it even!”
“Why should I?”
“Well, whether we like it or not, we’re related by blood! It’s not like I chose to be born into this world.”
If you hated it that much, you shouldn’t have planted the seed in the first place.
You share responsibility for my birth too.
I don’t even mind being neglected—just leave me alone like this.
At my bold words, his expression twisted slightly.
“M-Miss…”
Diria tried to stop me, but once I started, I couldn’t stop.
“If you’re going to stop me from going out—!”
“It’s dangerous, so I’ll assign more knights. It would be troublesome if you died somewhere.”
Died? Wow, what a nice way to put it.
I put my hands on my waist and glared at Edgar.
He looked annoyed, as if my death would just be inconvenient. I almost wanted to punch him.
“Wouldn’t it be easier for you if I died?”
“That would only be the case if I killed you myself, without others knowing.”
H-hey!
I quickly covered my neck and stepped back.
No matter what, I’m still your child! Listen to how you talk!
Isn’t this like some twisted obsession? Like—only I can kill you?
Edgar looked away as if he had nothing more to say.
Still, when I didn’t leave and kept staring, he added—
“Once a week. No more than that.”
“…Really?”
I asked suspiciously.
Could I really trust someone like him in one go?
He nodded.
Watching me narrow my eyes, he tapped the desk lightly with his pen.
“What? Don’t want it even if I allow it?”
“No! Is that why you called me?”
“Yes. Sneaking around like a stray cat doesn’t look good. Especially for a six-year-old child. Remember—you represent the dignity of this count’s house.”
Oh—so he even knows my age? That was unexpected.
“You even know my age. That level of interest is enough for me. Let’s just go back to how things were. This kind of behavior feels unfamiliar.”
“Very well. But don’t do anything that annoys me. Everyone here serves as my eyes and ears.”
“Then don’t listen to things behind my back. That also lowers your dignity, doesn’t it?”
I didn’t back down at all.
Go ahead—kill me if you want.
‘H-he won’t really kill me, right…?’
At my raised chin, Edgar’s eyes sharpened.
Diria hurriedly picked me up, bowed, and rushed out of the room.
As I was carried away, I stretched out my hand, covered my ears, and grinned at him.
The knights watching all this stiffened and looked at Edgar.
He started to rise from his seat—
But Diria was faster than anyone, escaping the room immediately.
