VDBO 08

Chapter 08

The carriage gradually began to slow, then finally came to a stop in front of a large estate. Mr. Schvalt, who had been riding with us, opened the door first.

“Are we here?”

“Yes. I wonder if you’ll like it.”

Mr. Schvalt grinned and stepped down, asking the coachman for a footstool.

I followed my mother as she dismounted first.

Unlike our previous house that stood along the roadside, this one was set further inside. It was much larger, yet it felt cozy and welcoming.

I stood there blankly, surveying the mansion and its surroundings. In the meantime, my mother had already gone inside.

“Bella. Let’s go in.”

“Yes. Let’s.”

Holding up my dress, I headed toward the entrance. The moment I stepped inside, a wave of warmth rushed over me. Inside, people who appeared to be servants were moving busily about.

As soon as they saw us, they bowed respectfully.

I approached Mr. Schvalt.

“You won’t have to tend the fire anymore.”

“Well, that’s…”

“Isn’t that a relief?”

I smiled softly.

“Yes. It is.”

The mansion consisted of two floors above ground and one underground level. The basement was to be used as storage. Its size was similar to the house we had lived in back in the capital.

He had said most things were already settled, and it seemed he hadn’t been lying. From oil lamps to candlesticks, everything was of such high quality that it reminded me of the things we used to own.

I traced my gaze over the decorations mounted on the walls. Some of them were familiar. I had thought everything had been sold off, but it seemed a few items had miraculously survived.

When I turned around, I saw my mother standing still in one spot.

She was in front of our portrait.

In the most prominent spot of the central hall hung the only portrait of the two of us.

I was wearing a black dress with abundant frills and a black bonnet adorned with lavish jewels. My mother wore an equally black but more elegant dress, along with an alluring hat draped in lace.

Back then, we truly looked like a mother and daughter—so alike that no one would have doubted it.

The painter had asked us to smile dozens of times, but we hadn’t smiled even once.

At the time that portrait was painted, I knew nothing. I believed my life would be filled with roses from then on. Or perhaps that I wasn’t even of this world. I had lived such an extreme life.

Back then, I really would have done anything for my mother. Somewhere along the way, my resolve must have weakened.

I kept watching my mother as she stared endlessly at her own portrait.

Thinking of the moment when she risked her life to save mine.

What was she thinking now?

Before Mother carries out her plan, I have to stop her powers from awakening. At the very least, even if they do awaken, I need to find a way to hide them.

I secretly searched through every book I could find whenever I had the chance, but I still hadn’t found a solution. The original story mentioned nothing about it, so I had no choice but to figure it out myself.

If it’s discovered, she’ll be forced to imprint someone else—so if it comes to that, we might truly have to run away…

Even if that’s what it takes, I want to live a long, filthy life.

A very thin, very long one.

Quietly. Comfortably. Safely.

Chapter 1–2: Kasinev

“Your Highness. Everything is ready for departure.”

“I see. I’ll be out shortly. Before that, I should pay my respects to Her Majesty.”

Valerie finished preparing and rose from his seat. Having received the imperial order, he was fully prepared to head north. After checking that his attire was perfectly in order, Valerie headed straight for the Empress’s palace. His steps were decisive and unhesitating.

The Empress welcomed Valerie warmly.

“You’re not leaving right away?”

“Your Majesty. I came to greet you first.”

“It’s because your mother isn’t diligent enough that you’re inconvenienced.”

“Mother, please don’t say that.”

If the First Prince and Crown Prince resembled the Emperor, then the Second Prince, Valerie, was the spitting image of the beautiful Empress. From his ivory-toned skin to his shining golden hair, there wasn’t a single feature that differed.

“Travel safely. Have you greeted His Majesty?”

“I already did after last night’s banquet.”

“I see. Make sure you don’t get hurt.”

“Please don’t worry. Your Majesty, then I shall take my leave.”

After bowing deeply, Valerie exited the Empress’s palace. One of his guards, Marlon, followed silently like a shadow.

“We depart immediately.”

“I’ll prepare at once.”

Soon, the horses and carriages bound for the North were ready, and a small, carefully selected group assembled to accompany him out of the capital.

The journey from the capital to the North took about a week. The road was smooth up to a certain point, but beyond the northern entrance there were no gates and the region was underdeveloped, drastically slowing travel.

In winter, heavy snowfall could stretch the journey to as long as two weeks. Because of this, large groups couldn’t move together.

Moreover, this was an imperial command.

Though it was merely an undercover inspection of the North, it was Valerie’s first time traveling outside the capital—into a region both neglected and dangerous.

Part of the Emperor’s intent was to assess Valerie’s capabilities. He could not afford to disappoint His Majesty.

With only two carriages in total—including his own—Valerie set out for the North.

They hadn’t traveled far past the northern entrance when the carriage suddenly stopped.

While Marlon dismounted to investigate, Valerie waited inside. Before long, Marlon returned, his expression grim.

“Your Highness. There’s a problem.”

“What is it?”

“A bridge that allows carriage passage was destroyed by the recent heavy snowfall. Repairs won’t be completed until next month.”

“So we can’t pass at all?”

“It’s not impossible. We should be able to proceed on horseback.”

Valerie pulled back the curtain and surveyed the area. The snow had stopped, and with daylight, it had begun to melt slightly. If they hurried, they could reach deeper inside.

“Then we proceed on horseback.”

“Are you certain, Your Highness?”

“We don’t have time to waste.”

Valerie tightened his clothes and stepped down from the carriage. They dismantled it and mounted the horses instead. Once preparations were complete, Valerie lightly swung himself onto his horse and turned the reins.

They needed to find a place to stay before sunset.

“Let’s push forward and find lodging first.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Move out.”

Finding a place to stay wasn’t difficult.

In winter, the North was nearly deserted, leaving many inns empty. The one Valerie arrived at had only a single group staying there. They rented out the entire second floor.

A violent snowstorm began that night, completely ruining Valerie’s plan to conduct inspections starting the very first day.

The blizzard was so fierce it gave the illusion of turning the pitch-black sky completely white. With no choice, Valerie remained inside until evening, eventually giving up and falling asleep.

When he awoke the next morning, the snowstorm had stopped. It was as if nothing had happened, and a bit of sunlight even peeked through. Valerie hurried preparations to depart.

The innkeeper said that in winter, snow fell almost every night. Thinking they’d have to return sooner than planned, Valerie decided to split the group for the inspection.

Marlon followed behind Valerie, while the others headed in the opposite direction.

“They say the sun sets early here. We should hurry.”

“It’s inconvenient in many ways. I can understand why His Majesty is considering sealing this place off entirely.”

The North lay far beyond the reach of imperial power, and nobles avoided it, causing even the lords assigned to govern it to abandon their posts.

At the very edge of the North operated a massive prison where criminals were gathered. People avoided the area entirely—it was no different from a land of death.

It was utterly unlike the capital, where even winter days were often warm like a greenhouse.

Several hours into the inspection, lunchtime arrived. Hunger and fatigue began to set in.

Valerie turned his reins to head back along the path they’d come.

Marlon looked at Valerie’s broad back.

“We should hurry.”

Valerie spoke briefly, then spurred his horse forward. After riding for some time, they reached a fork in the road. According to the map, they were supposed to go left—but there was also a road leading right.

Marlon rode ahead to investigate, then returned.

“There seems to be a village this way. May I check it out first?”

“It’s dangerous alone. We’ll go together.”

“It looks like a small village—surely it’s safe. Then I’ll guard you.”

“Marlon! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine—ugh… I didn’t expect an ambush… Your Highness, are you unharmed?”

Not long after entering the right fork, they were ambushed. As if guarding something, the attackers blocked their path. There had been no sign of their presence at all.

Valerie immediately drew his sword and aimed it at the enemy.

But the enemy outnumbered them five to two. While Valerie was no stranger to fighting multiple opponents, these were highly skilled individuals—far too capable to belong in a place like this.

After a fierce struggle, they managed to defeat all seven attackers.

But Marlon suffered a severe wound.

Valerie, too, was badly injured all over.

“I’m fine. Can you stand?”

“I—I think I need to rest for a moment. Please… please retreat, Prince.”