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chapter 26
Suddenly, it felt like my head had been doused with ice water.
Out of nowhere, they started saying ridiculous things—like I wasn’t their daughter, or that I was an intruder.
Seeing Langton chatting back and forth so cheerfully made me think, perhaps the relationship with the Duke wasn’t as bad as I thought.
“…I let my guard down.”
My mood sank instantly.
I knew he was the kind of person who would ignore his real daughter and adopt another just because she hadn’t awakened yet.
Why did I hope for anything different?
One child, two children, three—being abandoned feels the same no matter what.
― If only you had awakened sooner, we wouldn’t have had to register Ji-han.
― Studying abroad? Hah. What could an unawakened person learn abroad?
My father’s voice overlaid the Duke’s, and the unpleasant feeling I had when I first read this story returned.
“Why do the terrible parts always have to match so closely?”
A bitter taste rose in my throat.
It was a good thing I hadn’t told anyone about my awakening. If he knew, the Duke wouldn’t have exposed his thoughts so openly.
“So I keep telling you not to linger around the Purifier…”
“…”
“Never mind. Talking to someone who’s lost their memories is pointless—they wouldn’t even listen.”
Maybe I looked like I was listening, but my eyes staring into the air made him shake his head.
Then he issued a warning.
“Your older brother too… you’re both in a sensitive phase.”
“…”
“Until the Purifier appears, live quietly like a mouse. Do you understand?”
No. Why me? If this is how it’s going to be, why was I even born?
Shut up. Please, just stop!
I couldn’t say any of this.
No matter how bad this house was, I couldn’t just run away.
If my half-siblings didn’t hurt me, my own father would—and that was too much.
“…Yes. I’ll do as you say.”
I felt like I might die, so I obediently replied.
Dirty and unfair, but there was no choice if I wanted to survive in this house.
“…The healer really isn’t hurt? Maybe you hit your head wrong when you passed out yesterday…”
My calm response seemed unusual, and the Duke frowned.
I didn’t answer and stood up abruptly.
“If you’re done talking, may I leave? I feel like I’m taking up too much of your time.”
The Duke looked surprised.
“…You haven’t even had tea yet, and you’re leaving?”
“I’m fine. I just had lunch. Have a good day, Father.”
I cut off his polite invitation sharply and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
The Duke stopped me.
As I turned slightly, a large hand shot forward.
“A noble girl should behave properly…”
“…!”
I barely heard what he said. I had already shut my eyes tight and hunched my shoulders.
‘Right…!’
I knew he wouldn’t hit me. But sometimes your body reacts before your brain does.
A moment stretched like an eternity.
I braced for impact on my cheek—but nothing came.
“…Edith?”
Instead, a puzzled voice reached my ears.
“…Hah.”
I opened my eyes in shock.
The hand that I thought would strike my cheek stopped inches from my face.
Behind it, I saw the Duke’s embarrassed expression.
“There was an eyelash on your cheek… I was just removing it.”
“…Ah.”
I made a dazed sound and touched my cheek to check. I didn’t even know if it was properly gone.
All I could think about was leaving.
“…I’ll be going now.”
I left the office without even thanking him.
At the door, I ran into Langton carrying a tray.
“Oh, Miss! I just brought the tea—where are you going…?”
“…”
I ignored him and continued. I knew the way back well enough to manage without a butler.
Bang!
I almost ran to my room, closed the door, and collapsed to the floor.
“Ha… ha…”
My lips trembled as I breathed heavily.
I didn’t know if it was from moving so fast or the shock of confronting my trauma again.
“Why does this keep happening?”
As I calmed slightly, self-loathing washed over me.
“Why do I flinch like that? That was years ago…”
I thought I had forgotten everything.
‘Have I still not escaped my past?’
After a few days in this world, I thought I had adapted.
Dealing with annoying men and extras was irritating, but at least here, there were no step-siblings to hit me, no father looking down on me because I hadn’t awakened.
But…
‘Nothing is okay.’
I was too arrogant.
This house, with trauma triggers everywhere, was terrible for my mental health.
Right after Edith dashed out of the office, the Duke, still frowning at where she had stood, sat back down and pondered.
At that moment, his aide entered with a tray.
“Did you pick and dry tea leaves?”
“No, sir. I just baked some cookies she likes… but she left again. Did you argue?”
“Argue? She’s too old for that. Tsk.”
The Duke clicked his tongue and asked in a quieter voice.
“Langton.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Has Edith ever been hit by anyone before?”
“Hit, sir?”
Langton moved the tea tray and answered cautiously.
“I don’t think recently… but if we look, there might be records of settlements somewhere.”
“No, that’s not it…”
The Duke hesitated, realizing the question sounded strange. Yet he couldn’t ignore the thought.
“Edith. Has she ever been physically harmed by others?”
“Yes?!”
Langton froze.
“Sir, she’s not the type to get into fights or be attacked.”
“Yes, but…”
The Duke remembered Edith just now. She only wanted to remove the eyelash. Yet she closed her eyes and curled up, as if someone was about to hit her.
It was a reflex typical of someone who had experienced severe violence.
He tapped the armrest, muttering to himself.
“…What happened in Tollen?”
“Fortunately, the Frederic family hasn’t sent any complaints yet.”
“Enough.”
The Duke commanded Langton.
“Go to the security office and bring the Tollen Gate incident report.”
“Why…? It should match our own investigation.”
“Ah, we never asked her about it.”
Langton was puzzled.
“Asked about what?”
“What happened at the Gate.”
Edith had been unconscious and now had lost her memory—there was no way to ask. The testimonies of all involved matched, so the case was closed. She had caused trouble alone and was injured while ignoring safety instructions.
“…Strange.”
At the time, he had accepted it. He hadn’t had time to think because funeral preparations followed immediately after the shocking news of her near-death.
“There were three S-rank Awakened there…”
“…”
“Why didn’t any of them stop her from being harmed?”
Seeing Edith’s unusual behavior after a long time and remembering the near-death incident, the Duke’s gaze darkened.
