Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ha….”

 

For the first time in my life, I could experience a dizzying moment where the sight seemed to recede into the distance.

 

At that moment, the short but long life that I had lived as a Cherrya passed by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Make a sound like you’re looking for Gray in front of the Emblem.]

 

This saying is one of the long-standing proverbs of the Lutinas Empire.

 

Its meaning was, ‘Do you want to die so badly that you’ve gone crazy?’

 

To understand why this proverb became the most beloved in the Lutinas Empire, one must delve into the relationship between the Emblem Knights and the Gray Duke Knights.

 

Both knight orders were the most beloved by the people of the Lutinas Empire. Despite this commonality, the characteristics of the two knight orders were very different.

 

“The Emblem Knights symbolize the passion of the sun. There is no fear in their swords, and pride emanates from the legs that propel the earth forward.”

 

“The Gray Duke Knights’ swords are flexible yet sharp. Their swordsmanship, reflecting the nobility, captivates the viewer’s attention. However, be cautious; what you lose may not be just your gaze.”

 

Their swords were like water and oil, impossible to mix, and determining superiority was equally impossible.

 

The fact that the Emblem Knights and Gray Duke Knights became each other’s most powerful rivals was entirely expected.

 

The history of how these two knight orders clashed and fought could be found in the annals of continental history.

 

And,

 

“Did you sign up for the ‘History of Emblem and Gray’ class? This class not only covers the historical periods of the empire but is also crucial for understanding the evolving language and lifestyle of the changing nobility. Make sure to enroll.”

 

It’s astonishing that there are historical records of inter-house squabbles, and with that, they even offer a class at the Continental Academy, where nobles from all over the continent gather.

 

“Were there days when Emblem and Gray got along? Impossible, even if the end of the continent is near!”

 

“Ah, whether that’s true or not. The day the two families get along will be the day the continent falls.”

 

Such words flowed naturally among the nobility.

 

However, the day they spoke of, the day the continent would fall, came unexpectedly fast, as if it were the apocalypse.

 

A dramatic event unfolded, completely overturning the history of the western continent and shaking the entire Lutinas Empire.

 

“Huh, Emblem Knight Commander Melsia Emblem and Gray Knight Commander Diana Gray became sisters through marriage!”

 

“What nonsense is that?”

 

“It’s true! They solemnly declared it in front of His Imperial Majesty. Emblem and Gray pledged to be each other’s unwavering supporters from now on!”

 

“Oh, gods. Whatever has the world come to…”

 

In any case, the two families, who had a long history of rivalry, seemed to be writing a new history through the shining friendship of the two youths.

 

“Melsia, let’s arrange a marriage between our daughter and son.”

 

“Sure, Diana. This should also be acknowledged before His Majesty. Before our fathers make a fuss, you know.”

 

The two commanders even made a pact, arranging a marriage between each other’s children.

 

The Emperor of the Lutinas Empire, amused by the intriguing situation, publicly expressed his approval with joy.

 

Thus, the prenatal betrothal between the unborn children Cherrya Emblem and Enoch Gray was safeguarded under the auspices of the Emperor.

 

“This can’t be! Melsia, you! Do you want to see this father crawling to his death?”

 

“Diana Gray! I can’t tolerate your insolence any longer. From today, withdraw your hands from all the Gray family’s authority.”

 

It was only natural that flames spewed from the mouths of both family leaders.

 

Duke Emblem issued a decree trembling with rage at his only daughter’s betrayal, while Duke Gray coldly dismissed his heir more frigidly than a midwinter iron bridge.

 

“Aaahhh!”

 

And I was born as Cherrya Emblem, the daughter of Emblem Knight Commander Melsia, amid the turmoil between the two knight orders.

 

“Congratulations, Lady Melsia. It’s a girl!”

 

“Finally, I get to hold you like this. Welcome, my child…”

 

Mother. The woman embracing me with a sweaty body and holding back tears was my mother.

 

“Cherrya Emblem. My child, that’s your name. The proud child of the Emblem family and the first to lead true harmony with the Gray family.”

 

Her embrace was firm and warm, with her sun-like red hair gently flowing down from her shoulders.

 

My hand, contrary to my will, tightly gripped her hair and pulled with force. It wasn’t my intention; my limbs were moving on their own.

 

Nevertheless, my mother spoke with great joy.

 

“Hahaha, seeing your grip strength already this strong, our Cherrya will undoubtedly become an excellent knight!”

 

“Well done, Mel. I’m sure, with you, our daughter will be raised to be the best knight in the world.”

 

“Benedict…”

 

My father and my mother’s husband, Benedict Emblem, smiled with crescent-shaped eyes.

 

His face also bore a flush of emotion.

 

“With such vivid red hair, you really resemble Mel.”

 

“And those adorable pumpkin-colored eyes. You’ve that from your father who knos as most handsome man in the Lutinas Empire. Our Cherry will probably charm many men when she grows up.”

 

“Mel, you were like that too. Do you remember how much you made me cry? I used to make that handkerchiefs wet of my crying every night, just thinking of you.”

 

“Hoho.”

 

My mother chuckled softly and gently stroked my cheek.

 

“Let’s make her grow up healthy, bright, and happy. Benedict.”

 

“Of course, that’s how it will be. Once the head of the family sees Cherry, I’m sure they’ll be relieved.”

 

My mother and father smiled at me with eyes full of love.

 

However, in this heartwarming moment, I was struggling with a shock greater than the realization of being a newborn.

 

‘What’s going on… What a crazy world.’

 

If I really was reborn, although I was indeed born again, there was something I couldn’t understand.

 

‘Why was I born with memories of my past life?’

 

I definitely died.

 

When I think about it as the tail of a inspector who had been chasing someone his whole life in South Korea, I died after being hit by a blind truck. Well, it was said to be a blind truck, but in reality, it was a trick played by that guy. It was a disaster brought about by a momentary lapse of attention.

 

However, I ended up being reborn as a newborn baby.

 

‘Why did I become a newborn baby!’

 

“Uaaaah! (So annoying!)”

 

“Our daughter’s cries are quite powerful.”

 

“Aaah, Aaah! (I should have put that brat in jail and died, not me!!)”

 

“She has a voice that can lead Emblem splendidly in the future.”

 

I screamed loudly, but there was no one here to understand my feelings.

 

No one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I quickly adapted to the newly born world.

 

It felt as if this world was trying to help me adapt.

 

I could understand all the unfamiliar languages, and my hands and feet could move freely compared to other babies.

 

It felt like a privilege given to me, remembering my past life.

 

“Aaah, our eyes met!”

 

“M-My heart… it feels like my heart stopped!”

 

Moreover, my appearance seemed to be very cute. The mansion’s butlers and even the knights would kneel and bow every time they glanced at my face.

 

“Aaah, how adorable!”

 

Even if I were to say, ‘In my past life, I was a 32-year-old detective,’ with bean sprouts in my eyes, it was certain they would say, “Oh, oh, your pronunciation is so cute!” while cooing and gurgling.

 

“Why hasn’t the head of the family come to see such an adorable young lady?”

 

“Yes, that’s right. She’s the only granddaughter.”

 

Sometimes, the maids would look at me with pity and click their tongues. They always had the same worry.

 

It was because the anger of Seffield Emblem, the current head of the Emblem Ducal House and my grandfather, had reached its peak.

 

‘They say that even Gray, the Duke, is someone who would jump up and swing a sword even in his sleep. He looks like he could go crazy and bounce around at any moment.’¹

 

Rumor has it that without the permission of the head of the house, no one can be recognized as a member of the Emblem family.

 

And now, Seffield Emblem has declared that he won’t even acknowledge the existence of a child like me in the noble lineage.

 

I judged that the noble lineage was something like a family register in Korea.

 

“The head of the family will surely changes his mind as time passes.”

 

“Sure, sure, our young lady is so adorable.”

 

While the maids painted a hopeful future, I quietly shook my head.

 

If my thoughts were correct, Seffield Emblem would never tolerate my existence.

 

According to the servants, even though the mansion I’m living in is located in the capital, it’s on the outskirts rather than the main area where the mansions of high nobility are concentrated.

 

Perhaps it’s because Grandfather, the Emblem Duke, cut off all support for my mother.

 

They said it’s a neighborhood that falls a bit short for the daughter of the Emblem Duke, who is also the heir, to reside in.

 

Although there are nobles in this area, it seems quite humiliating.

 

“Lady Melsia, she should enter the mansion quickly…”

 

“What if he never accepts her?”

 

“Then she will live a life no different from commoners without any guarantees of your status.”

 

The maids sighed and prayed every day.

 

Hoping that our three families can return to the Emblem Ducal House.

 

‘But even if we don’t climb the noble hierarchy, we won’t starve to death. Isn’t that okay?’

 

Unlike the circumstances of the adults, I was actually content.

 

Life was comfortable, guaranteeing abundance compared to my past life of earning less and working more.

 

So what if I’m a commoner without a title? I’ll be a wealthy commoner.

 

As someone who was originally born as a commoner, there was no sense of humiliation.

 

‘I just want to be forgiven, acknowledged, or not acknowledged forever.’

 

When my parents might be entertaining dubious thoughts about my fate,

 

A maid burst into the room in a hurry, shouting,

 

“Oh no, the Duke is coming this way right now!”

 

“Now? Lady Melsia, she’s probably at the knight training grounds. Get there immediately!”

 

“Where is sir Benedict?”

 

“Oh dear, he happened to go to accompany the Crown Prince for a military exercise just now!”

 

At this moment, when both my mother and father had left, the Duke Emblem, who is my grandfather and the master of the Emblem Ducal House, appeared.

 

The maids hastily prepared me for the encounter.

 

“You must look lovely, young lady.”

 

The maids’ voices trembled, and their hands dressing me were no different.

 

“Please don’t cry. Okay? Please…”

 

Their tension was so palpable that it made me stiffen too.

 

“Duke’s will be arriving shortly.”

 

“Oh.”

 

As Seffield Emblem was almost here, the maids lined up in front of the door, visibly nervous.

 

And a moment later,

 

“Where is Melsia’s daughter?”

 

Duke Emblem’s icy gaze swept through the room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

🍓 :

 

¹ I think this was in reference to Enoch and Cherrya’s moms being in charge of their children (Gray and Emblem) so they couldn’t keep their cool.