“You’ve changed quite charmingly in just one day, Lady Laila.”
“Does that mean you don’t like it?”
“Of course not.”
Kidon brought the wine to his lips again, revealing a sharp smile with narrowed eyes.
“I find it absolutely delightful.”
“…”
“You can look forward to it. In two months, I will make you the woman who has the most splendid engagement ceremony in the kingdom.”
While watching Kidon’s smile, Laila clenched her fist tightly. Her hand, resting under the table, turned pale.
With her knuckles aching from how hard she was clenching her fist, Laila managed a slight smile.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
When Laila began to see the Marquis of Hildegarde as a “person,” she started to think about what she could do.
[To Miss Laila,
Good morning!
The weather is a bit chilly, but I hope you’re doing well.
I’ve become friends with a fellow knight named Ridan, and I’m doing well.
Having a comrade to train with is a good thing.
I’m putting all my effort into improving my skills, but on damp days, I feel sluggish, and training seems harder than usual.
A knight named Nidson laughed at me a few days ago, calling me weak.
I’ve decided to train my body even harder from now on, so he won’t dare say that again.
I’ll end my letter here. By the way, congratulations on your engagement.
From the knight who once trained your servant, Taylor Igorton.]
Laila sat on the edge of her bed, reading the letter Taylor had sent from the royal palace. For the record, it was the butler who delivered the letter to Laila.
The butler calmly handed Laila the letter with a torn envelope. Laila also calmly accepted the envelope.
After reading the letter, Laila let out a faint, bitter laugh.
“Impatient, aren’t we…”
Laila rose from the bed. She then sat at her desk, took out a sheet of stationery, and picked up a quill.
[To Sir Taylor,
It’s a coincidence that I was just thinking of you when your letter arrived.
I’m glad and delighted to hear from you.
As I write this reply on a lazy afternoon, I imagine you’re probably deep in training.
I hope all your hard work translates into skill.
Anyway, thank you for your letter. I hope you continue to do well at the palace.
Thank you for congratulating me on my engagement.
Best regards,
Laila.]
She folded the letter and placed it in a crisp new envelope, leaving it unsealed since the butler would likely open it anyway.
Laila burned the letter sent by Taylor and then left her bedroom with her written reply in hand.
After personally handing the letter to the butler, she went to Marquis Hildegarde’s office.
“Father, it’s me.”
The door opened quickly.
“You’ve come?”
As she entered the office, Laila stifled a laugh.
Marquis Hildegarde had begun to play the role of a kind father, precisely since Laila had become engaged to Kidon Reisic.
Laila stood two steps away from Marquis Hildegarde’s desk, her gaze lowered.
“I have something to tell you. Could you dismiss the others?”
The marquis nodded slightly. An armed knight and a servant exited the office.
“Thank you.”
“What is it you want to say?”
“Last night, I had a dream about the future.”
The marquis paused.
A strange light flickered in the marquis’s eyes, which Laila had once thought resembled a frozen lake but now appeared to her as nothing more than a dull glass bead.
“I thought you could no longer have prophetic dreams.”
“It seems it was a temporary phenomenon.”
“So, what future did you see?”
“A future where those who invested in the Keron Merchant Guild reap enormous profits.”
“Keron Merchant Guild?”
“It’s a small guild. For now.”
“Keron, huh…”
“The head of the guild is named Daimar. He has exceptional talent in commerce. You should look into him.”
“And why are you telling me about this vision?”
After all, your slave is already dead. The Marquis added, and Laila replied.
“I will be leaving the castle in a few years as Countess Reisic. This is my last gift before I go.”
“…..”
“As a daughter, to you, Father.”
“Did you think of me as your father?”
“I’ve always obeyed you, Father.”
“…..”
“I’ve accepted Sion’s death a long time ago. My fiancé is someone I truly like.”
“Is this an engagement gift then?”
“You could see it that way.”
“Hmm…”
“I’ve conveyed my message, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Laila bowed her head slightly and then turned around. The Marquis remained silent until Laila had completely left the office.
As Laila walked quickly down the corridor after leaving the office, she recalled the name “Daimar,” which she had mentioned earlier in front of Marquis Hildegarde.
Daimar.
Divine punishment.
Remembering the meaning of an ancient word that had fallen out of use, Laila suppressed a bitter smile.
Does divine punishment really exist in this world?
No. Even if gods exist, divine punishment does not.
Gods do not punish living humans.
All rewards and punishments are given by people to other people.
Laila walked quickly. Soon, she found someone.
“Henry.”
“You crazy, Laila Hildegarde! Have you lost your mind after getting engaged? How dare you call the name of your esteemed elder brother so casually?”
“Don’t you want to make a good impression on Father?”
“What?”
“Shall I help you?”
“….”
“There’s someone who might be of help to Father in the future. I got to know him through my fiancé.”
“Ah, fiancé…”
“Don’t you want to know who that person is? If you become acquainted with him in advance, father will see you differently later.”
“…What do you want?”
“Um… an apology?”
“What?”
“Not just any apology, but a sincere one. Apologize politely.”
“Are you crazy? Why should I? Have you lost your mind?”
“You don’t want to apologize?”
“Would you want to, if you were me? I haven’t done anything wrong—”
“Should I just leave then?”
“….”
“Take care, Henry. Have a good afternoon.”
“….Wait!”
Henry abruptly grabbed Laila’s wrist as she turned away. Laila frowned at the strong force with which he mercilessly pressed her wrist, then cleared her expression and turned back.
“….”
“If you’re going to do it, do it quickly.”
“…I’m sorry.”
That was easy. Henry Hildegarde.
Well, I understand how great your fear and need for approval have been toward our abusive biological father since childhood.
That’s why I chose you…
Laila gathered the words she couldn’t say and swallowed them before opening her mouth again.
“Again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“One more time.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Again.”
“I said I’m sorry! Damn it! How many times do I have to say it to satisfy you?”
“You need to say it politely, Henry.”
As Henry looked down at Laila, he gaped like a fish pulled from water.
“…You’ve changed so damn much, Laila Hildegarde. Did your fiancé teach you how to be so insolent?”
“Can you let go of my wrist? I want to leave.”
“Cut it out.”
“Should I scream and call for help?”
“Y…!”
Henry gritted his teeth and then pounded his chest with the hand that wasn’t holding Laila’s wrist. Laila thought he looked like someone who had eaten something bad.
If I tell him, he’ll go wild, right? Let’s just not say anything. I want to keep this exchange brief.
After a while, Henry seemed to calm down and spoke in a much more composed tone.
“I’m sorry. I’ve wronged you greatly all this time. Laila. I’m sorry.”
“…”
“…Is that not enough? Still?”
Henry’s mouth twitched as if in a spasm. Watching Henry’s ugly expression, Laila slowly began to speak.
With this much done, simple-minded Henry wouldn’t doubt her intentions.
“It’s a little lacking, but I’ll let it slide. Even if we’re not fully blood-related, we’re still siblings.”
“Ah, right. Thank you so much, Laila Hildegarde.”
Henry pronounced “Hildegarde” with a distinct emphasis. Laila let his emotionally charged voice flow into one ear, then spoke up.
“Then listen carefully, Henry. The person you need to get close to is…”
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
After the engagement ceremony, Laila became more active. That’s how it seemed.
“Lady Laila! You’ve arrived!”
“Thank you for having me, Lady Hildegarde.”
“You look beautiful today as well. It’s no wonder the young count chose you…”
Ever since she gained the title of ‘fiancé of Kidon Reisic,’ Laila diligently attended various social gatherings.
Sometimes she attended with Kidon, and other times she showed up alone.
Laila met many people.
They included those she didn’t necessarily need to meet and those she absolutely had to.
The seasons changed.
The weather grew colder, then warmer again.
And when it grew cold once more…
Laila finally smiled brightly.
