Chapter 113
‘Adriana…’
I repeated that name in my mind once.
It seemed to suit Ascart, her older brother, and it was a beautiful name.
I didn’t know if it was coincidence or fate, but the fact that her nickname was the same as mine made it feel even more special.
And on top of that…
‘The baby was given a nickname filled with love even before birth…’
For some reason, my throat tightened.
The feelings of disappointment I had just moments ago melted away like marshmallows on top of hot chocolate.
I wasn’t sad anymore.
Thinking that I might be the child so cherished that even its nickname couldn’t be given to another made my heart swell.
“Lady Bianca, you’re coming to the duke’s house this evening too, right?”
“Hmm? Yes, I am. I was invited as well.”
“Hehe. I hope you come soon! I’ll see you then!”
Without even trying, I was able to respond in a cheerful voice.
Seeing Bianca’s brightened expression, I gave her a small bow and quickly turned away.
The cold wind brushed against my cheeks as I walked quickly, but I didn’t feel cold at all.
Still, for no reason, I fidgeted with my fingers once.
I missed the warmth of the hand I had just touched. I wanted to hold it again.
And if that day ever came, I wanted to say it.
That I was her daughter.
***
After the child disappeared with a flustered expression, an eerie silence filled the drawing room of the marquis’ residence.
The only noise that penetrated this silence was when Bianca, who had been watching the situation from near the door, asked the Grand Duchess for permission to step out.
After the Grand Duchess nodded in approval, Bianca immediately turned and left.
Watching this in silence, the Grand Duchess then turned to look at her father, who was frowning deeply.
Feeling a sudden surge of displeasure, she spoke coldly.
“Are you trying to use that child as a substitute?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know that child is the same age as our Adriana. That’s why you had her call you grandfather, isn’t it?”
“What? That’s not it. I just…”
The Marquis, who was about to hastily explain himself, suddenly stopped and shut his mouth.
Was it really not the case?
There was something endearing about the child, who approached so warmly.
Just like that first day they met, he found himself wanting to hear her call him grandfather and worry about him.
‘Yes, perhaps without realizing it…’
Deep down, maybe he had indeed been seeing the child as a replacement for Adriana.
“Then you should just adopt her as your daughter.”
The Grand Duchess, watching the Marquis’ darkening expression, spoke with an icy gaze.
“If she were a younger sister, perhaps I could accept her.”
“…”
Without saying another word, the Grand Duchess turned and quickly left the drawing room.
As she walked away, a sudden wave of dizziness made her stagger.
The maids hurried over to support her.
Looking down at her right hand, she suddenly became aware of the warmth lingering there where the small child had grasped it with both hands.
Just a while ago, even though she knew the child had done nothing wrong, she had spoken harshly to her father and her out of anger.
But when she saw the tears welling in the child’s eyes, her heart had dropped.
Before she could even think, her hand had moved on its own, wanting to wipe those tears away.
Thinking about how the child had flinched in surprise, curling up in fear, left her feeling indescribably unsettled.
As if to clear away her complicated thoughts, the Grand Duchess murmured,
“I need a bath.”
“I will prepare the water immediately.”
Back in her room, she waited a short while before the maids returned, ready to assist her.
Stepping into the steam-filled bathroom, she dismissed them.
Lowering herself into the bath, she closed her eyes, trying to erase the images that kept flashing in her mind.
But she couldn’t forget the way the child had trembled in fear, nor the sorrowful gaze that had looked up at her.
Her chest ached with a familiar pain.
“What if my Adriana…”
What if her own daughter was out there somewhere, suffering just like that?
A wave of regret crashed over her, and she splashed water onto her face.
But the uneasy feeling didn’t fade.
Not even for a single moment had she ever forgotten her daughter.
She still believed, without a doubt, that her daughter was alive.
Without that belief, she would have given up everything long ago.
Yet at the same time, that belief dragged her into constant suffering and despair.
She couldn’t stop imagining her daughter living through hardships, far from the safe embrace of her parents.
It tormented her every second.
“Haah…”
Pressing her hand against her aching forehead, the Grand Duchess let out a sigh.
But the pain in her heart was far greater than the pain in her body.
“Adriana.”
My beloved daughter.
Just thinking of her brought tears to her eyes.
She missed her so much, every second of the day.
If she could only see her again, she would be willing to give up anything… even her own life.
“…I should try to sleep a little more.”
There was still time before the evening banquet at the Elard Ducal House.
She had woken up not long ago, but after her bath, she decided to rest again.
Because last night, for the first time in a long while, she had dreamed of her daughter.
Though everything in the dream had been blurry, she knew.
Her daughter had been crying.
But not like before—not from pain or suffering.
She had been smiling brightly, even as tears streamed down her face.
In that dream, Adriana had spoken.
‘Mom, I missed you so much.’
‘I’m so happy to be part of our family.’
‘Even if I were born again, I’d want to be your daughter.’
The Grand Duchess had held her dear, beautiful daughter tightly and kissed her over and over again.
She desperately hoped she would have the same dream again.
***
As evening fell, two carriages from the Marquisate of Diapel entered the Duke’s estate.
From the leading carriage, the Marquis, the Grand Duke, and Ascart stepped down.
From the second carriage, Bianca helped the Grand Duchess out.
“Welcome.”
Duke Elard greeted them at the entrance, though his voice was noticeably cold.
His wife nudged him in the ribs, but their guests, knowing his personality well, said nothing.
Except for the Marquis of Diapel, of course.
“Still as rude as ever, I see. And why did you drag all the kids out into the cold to greet us?”
Clicking his tongue in disapproval, the Marquis grumbled.
“And you’re still as grumpy as ever, Marquis.” The Duke retorted.
The Marquis glared at him but then turned his gaze away, pretending to look elsewhere.
Because he couldn’t stop thinking about Lia.
After what had happened in the morning, she must have been upset.
He wanted to comfort her, but now that he had confronted his own feelings, he felt too guilty to look at her properly.
Yet no matter how hard he tried not to, his gaze kept drifting back to her.
And there she was, standing behind the Duchess and the other children, waiting her turn to greet them.
Fortunately, the child no longer seemed to be crying, and her face looked better than it had in the morning.
‘…Oh dear.’
However, her gaze was fixed on one spot.
“It’s been a while. I believe this is our first meeting since your last visit to the principality.”
“Yes, it’s been nearly ten years.”
The person speaking with the duke was none other than Grand Duke Belus.
The marquis huffed inwardly and turned his head away, though he understood.
That infuriating son-in-law who had lured away his daughter had a face that would shine no matter what he did.
Of course, Lia was merely studying the grand duke, who might be her father. But unaware of this, the marquis was lost in his own misguided thoughts.
Meanwhile, Lia noticed Ascart standing awkwardly, like an isolated island, despite being with his parents.
Seeing how the grand duchess wouldn’t even glance his way, she stopped observing the grand duke and turned to him instead.
He looked so lonely.
Cautiously, she raised her hand and gave him a small wave.
Though he had been staring blankly ahead, Ascart noticed her gesture and let a faint smile creep onto his lips.
Seeing his expression brighten made Lia feel lighter, too.
“Ah, how long do you plan to keep us standing out in the cold? There are children and an old man here, are you trying to make us fall ill?”
The marquis grumbled, prompting the duke to shake his head in exasperation and finally lead everyone inside.
As soon as they entered the hall, they naturally headed toward the dining room.
“Allen. You’ve finished greeting everyone, so take your sister upstairs now.”
“Huh? We’re not eating together?”
“Children would only disrupt the guests’ meal.”
“Aw…”
Allen pouted, disappointed. He had been looking forward to dinner.
Seeing him sulk, the duchess chuckled and asked,
“Diana, where would you like your meal served?”
“In my sister’s room!”
“Alright, I’ll have them set it up there. Lia, go up and wait for a bit.”
“Ah… okay.”
Lia was caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events.
She had assumed she wouldn’t be eating with the guests since it was a formal gathering.
‘But I thought I’d at least be able to stay close to them by assisting Diana and observing the grand duke and grand duchess.’
Judging by Ascart’s apologetic expression, it seemed this had been planned in advance.
Feeling like she had just lost a rare opportunity, Lia grew a little dejected.
“Lia’s room… it’s in the main house, not the servants’ quarters?”
At that moment, Bianca, who had been quietly standing next to the grand duchess, asked in a surprised tone.
“Yes! My sister’s room is right next to mine!”
Diana proudly clung to Lia’s arm as she answered.
Hearing that, Lia couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
Even esteemed guests weren’t allowed to stay in the main house unless they were part of the duke’s direct family. No mere servant had ever received such treatment.
This was proof that she was deeply cherished by the duke’s household, recognized as valuable, and worthy of love.
Lia wanted to show only her best side to the marquis, the grand duke and duchess, Ascart, and Bianca.
More than anything, she wanted them to see her not as a pitiful child with a tragic past but as someone useful and deserving of love.
“Ah… I see.”
Bianca murmured, but her expression remained rather uneasy.
