FWTR Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“I’m also Dad’s daughter, just like you. We’re both daughters of Winchester, so why can’t I?”

“I know, Melody. No matter what, you’re my daughter and a Winchester. But even if your sister doesn’t get engaged, the Empress has other candidates in mind, so it’s difficult. You’re a good girl.”

Estelle stood outside the door, listening to the conversation between Duke Winchester and Melody.

‘As expected, he doesn’t say it outright. Even though I told him that innocence, when it goes too far, becomes stupidity and that he should break her stubbornness by showing her reality.’

She felt uneasy at how gently Duke Winchester continued to console Melody, still worried about the hurt she might face.

‘Why is he so different when it comes to her? Of course, even though he’s raised her and even though she has pink eyes, which I don’t have…’

Duke Winchester’s real daughter was Estelle.
It made her curious—what would his reaction have been after realizing that the foster daughter he loved so much was actually the murderer who poisoned his real daughter with snake venom?

‘He would have denied it to the end, claiming that it was all a plot against the innocent child.’

When Estelle died, Duke Winchester had ordered the investigation to stop, worrying that Melody would be too shocked.

Her mouth felt bitter. Even though she wasn’t chewing on anything, it felt like she had a piece of very bitter herb in her mouth.

It was only because Duke Winchester had done this that she had been able to give up. If she hadn’t seen that side of him, she might have tried to earn his love once again. But she had realized that such efforts were meaningless, and this realization was enough for her.

‘Well, even without the Duke, I would eventually come to understand this truth. There’s no need to feel regretful at this point.’

The time she had left to stay in the warm greenhouse, under the protection of the Duke, was limited.

“I understand, Dad. I’m a little tired, so I’m going to head out now.”

“Thank you for understanding, Melody, what about food?”

“I’m not really hungry. I’ll eat something simple by myself.”

As the door opened, Melody stepped out. Through the gap, Estelle saw Duke Winchester’s gaze, filled with affection, as if he were looking at a child who hadn’t eaten in three days.

She quickly forced her smile into place and pretended not to notice as she asked Melody, “Melody, why do you look so upset? What did the Duke say?”

“…He said there are other candidates, so it won’t work. Sister, I’m so upset.”

“Oh no. He said he would talk to you separately, huh? Don’t worry, dear. The Duke will find a better match for you.”

Melody slumped her shoulders, her energy drained.

‘After all these years living as a noble, how can she still not understand something so simple?’

It was astonishing how the Duke believed his excuses without a shred of doubt.

“Melody, if you become the Crown Princess, you’ll have to shoulder many heavy duties because of all the rules. Wouldn’t it be better to live a more comfortable life?”

In truth, no matter how hard Duke Winchester tried, there were very few places that would accept Melody due to her low birth.

‘Most likely, it’ll be some insignificant noble family trying to use the Winchester connection, or a second or third son with no heir.’

Melody pressed her lips together, her face still sulky.

“That’s not so bad, but I want to rise to a place where no one can look down on me.”

“Melody, who is looking down on you?”

“Right now, even Liliana, every time she sees me, mocks me, saying I’m lucky just because I’m common! If I become the Crown Princess, I’ll get to see Liliana bowing her head.”

Liliana didn’t look down on Melody because she was a commoner. It was the malice she felt when someone, in a difficult situation, would laugh instead of help, that she despised.

‘She thinks she’s the most pitiful but forgets the things she’s done to others.’

No matter how much Estelle tried to explain this, Melody would never understand. At this point, Estelle didn’t even feel any affection left to explain it to her.
How Melody chose to live, and whether she fell into ruin, was no longer Estelle’s concern.

“Melody, if that’s what you want, I’ll support you. Let’s see how it goes.”

“Yeah! I won’t give up. I’ll definitely claim the Crown Princess position. You’re the best, sister!”

Estelle couldn’t help but laugh at her every expression.

‘Does she even know what “claim” means?’

Competing and reaching the same level as others was only possible when they were in similar positions.

“I’ll go ahead. Melody, don’t skip meals. The Duke will worry.”

Unlike me.
There was nothing more unpleasant than that, so Estelle bit back the words rising in her throat.

***

The next day at lunch, the servants were moving Melody’s belongings from the western room to the second floor.

“Be careful when moving it downstairs; it might get scratched.”

“Butler.”

Estelle called the butler who was giving instructions to the servants nearby.

“Did you call for me, Miss Estelle?”

“Where is Melody?”

“She’s having tea with the Duke.”

Usually, tea time was when Duke would take a break from his affairs, but it seemed like he didn’t want to see her much.

‘Don’t think you’ve lost, Melody. I’m just getting back what you took.’

What bothered her more than that was the furniture that showed signs of having been used.

“Order new beds, drawers, sofas, and curtains.”

She could endure for a few days, but she didn’t want to continue using furniture that had been touched by Melody.

“What should we do with the old ones?”

“Throw them away. Oh, and since we’re at it, get rid of that sofa.”

She commanded the servants, who were well-built, to remove the sofa. As they lifted it, an object covered in dust appeared in the corner.

“Miss, it’s dirty, let me take care of it!”

As Estelle approached to pick it up, the butler hurriedly tried to stop her.

“…”

However, Estelle shook off the old dust and checked what the object was, then bit her lip.

‘A rabbit doll…’

It was hers, the one that had been taken from her the day Duke Winchester had scolded her for not giving it to Melody.

‘Why take it if you weren’t even going to keep it properly?’

The fact that she hadn’t wanted it but had taken it made her feel even more disgusted.

‘Do you even know how many times I woke up in the middle of the night after you took this?’

Before she could dwell on it further, Anna suddenly stepped up and reached out her hand.

“Miss, should I have it washed?”

“No, I’ll do it.”

She didn’t want to entrust it to someone else again.

‘Ruby. It’s been a while since I’ve called your name.’

She promised herself she would never let it be taken away again.

Just as she made this resolution, a maid appeared, holding a box and looking around cautiously. Estelle recognized her as the same maid who had reported that Liliana and Melody were fighting.

“You’re Melody’s personal maid, aren’t you? What are you doing?”

“Oh, um, well, it’s just that. Miss Melody forgot to take something important with her.”

When Estelle asked, the maid seemed startled and couldn’t look her in the eye.
It seemed suspicious, far beyond simply coming to retrieve an item.

“What’s inside it?”

Curious if it might be snake venom, Estelle opened the box slightly.

“…What is this?”

Inside the box was a pink potion.

‘I thought snake venom would be black, so what is this? It doesn’t seem like a fever medicine.’

If it were, the maid wouldn’t have been so anxious while secretly taking it out.

“W-What is this?”

She stammered, unable to explain properly.

“Is this something Melody takes? I haven’t heard of such a prescription from her personal doctor.”

The butler also looked puzzled and questioned the maid.

“What’s going on here, everyone?”

At that moment, Melody appeared, her curious expression shifting immediately.

She snatched the box from the maid’s hands and quickly closed it.
She tried to act nonchalant, but her body was clearly trembling.

“Well, you see, this is—”

Fear and an unhidden irritation toward the maid made Melody hesitate, not knowing how to handle the situation.

‘I doubt she’ll tell me what this pink potion is if I ask.’

In that case, it was better to lower her guard and pretend she wasn’t interested.
Even if she didn’t know what the pink potion was for, it would definitely be a weakness for Melody.

“It’s probably just a fever medicine, so why make such a big deal of it, Melody?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. It’s a fever medicine. I was just being sensitive because I thought I might drop it. I didn’t want it to break and cause harm.”

When Estelle suggested a reasonable excuse, Melody quickly repeated it, hugging the box tightly.

“Sister, then I’ll go check out my new room.”

She hurriedly left, and the maid, after a quick glance, followed behind her.

‘She must have gotten this from somewhere outside. Come to think of it, Melody sneaks out once a month without any knights.’

Not wanting to draw attention, Estelle didn’t acknowledge it, but…

‘I know she exits through the back gate, so I’ll follow her later.’

She was genuinely curious about what role the pink potion played in Melody’s life.

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