ISPF CHAPTER 106

The bustling hub of Hedon, a waypoint in Duke Deneuve’s territory that intersected the empire’s central regions, was always teeming with merchants and travelers from all over. Though it was a small village, Hedon’s marketplaces displayed trade goods rarely seen outside port cities, thanks to the diverse people constantly passing through. The parks scattered throughout the streets were filled with the laughter of children, who gathered to listen to the exciting tales of storytellers.

Retina wandered through the village, which had remained unchanged over the years. Her silver hair drew curious glances from passersby, who backed away cautiously, though more out of curiosity than fear.

“Isn’t she the duchess they found in Rudenheim?”

“She really does have silver hair. I can see why it was considered ominous, even if the curse isn’t true.”

“Hey! Watch your mouth. It’s true we didn’t know because trade with the north was cut off, but they say there are people with silver hair in the north. With trade opening up, we’ll see more northerners, so you’d better keep such thoughts to yourself.”

“Ah, this blabbermouth of mine.”

There were murmurs all around, but none of them were filled with contempt. This was a stark contrast to a few years ago—or even a few weeks ago—when she had to conceal her hair with a wig. Although the truth that the silver hair curse was a myth had been known for a long time, people’s prejudices were slow to change. Silver hair had become a symbol of the curse, a trait to be despised and shunned. No one understood this more deeply than Retina.

“Rudenheim is changing too.”

Retina keenly felt the shift in public opinion. While not as pure white as Raglaras, children with silver hair were occasionally born. The thought that these children, like herself, wouldn’t have to hide made Retina happy.

Leaving the bustling village center, Retina walked down a quiet forest path she knew well. The unpaved road led to a secluded cabin in the woods, the home where she had lived with her mother until she was nine years old.

“Mom, I’m here.”

She placed the bouquet she had bought from a flower shop on the way on the gravestone. Cecilyca. The headstone, inscribed only with her mother’s name and no other epitaph, mirrored her mother’s life—one that left nothing behind.

“I’m sorry I haven’t visited. I couldn’t come because I was in the capital.”

When she lived in the territory, she visited her mother’s grave weekly, or at least monthly. Without worrying about dirtying her clothes, Retina sat on the grass.

“I spent the social season in the capital. Can you believe I made my debut? I kept saying I wouldn’t, but here I am. You’d laugh at me, wouldn’t you? I wouldn’t blame you for calling me foolish.”

Leaning against the gravestone, Retina looked up at the sky and vented her thoughts. She always sought her mother, whether she was struggling or happy.

Even though she never received a response, talking about things she couldn’t share with others brought her great comfort. Her mother was the only one who could truly understand the feelings of being discriminated against for having a different appearance.

“Mom, it turns out you were part of the northern royal family. Grandma’s stories about our noble lineage were true. It was only after 100 years that I discovered this pendant, passed down from grandmother to mother, was actually the symbol of the Ignis ducal house.”

Retina placed the pendant on the gravestone. She never imagined that the pendant, cherished by her grandmother as her sole keepsake, would become her mother’s keepsake and ultimately the key to changing her own destiny.

“When I heard the pendant was proof of our connection to the ducal house, I couldn’t help but wish trade with the north had resumed a bit earlier. Maybe then, Mom, you could have been happier. Yet, at the same time, I’m grateful we can finally return to the north in time. I want you to see everything I’ve seen.”

Her mother, who spent her days staring out the window at an unseen world, probably imagined a landscape not of lush green forests but of sunlit, sparkling snowfields. Although her mother had never seen it, she must have longed for the scenery her ancestors saw every day. She would have been more excited than Retina about returning to the north.

“……”

Even without hearing a reply, Retina continued to speak until she fell silent. Her lips pressed together as she stared at the sky, where white clouds floated by, her eyes reflecting a mixture of complex emotions.

“The truth is, I don’t want to go.”

This was a confession she hadn’t shared with anyone—not even herself.

Taking on the name of the ducal house meant accepting the responsibilities that came with it. Retina had accepted this from the beginning, understanding that the position beside the crown prince could never truly be hers.

“But…”

The real truth was…

“I want to be with the crown prince.”

Sitting with her knees drawn up and her face buried in her arms, Retina grappled with her emotions. She didn’t dislike the north, but adapting to a new, unfamiliar region would be challenging. The Ignis duchy was her duty to manage as the head of the family, and she had a responsibility to protect those who would become her family.

However, her feelings for the crown prince were so strong that every time she saw him, the resolve she had managed to maintain wavered.

“If this decision is for you, I will respect your choice. But if it’s for Herald, then reconsider. Herald’s situation might not be as dire as you think.”

A few days ago, when Sat had visited, he seemed to understand what was troubling Retina. He had pointed out that although the crown prince’s position was precarious, a political marriage alone would not resolve the situation. While it might provide short-term benefits right after the coronation, marriage alone couldn’t address the fundamental issues.

“I am the Duke of Ignis, with the responsibility to protect my people. The crown prince has his own duty to manage the empire. We pursue different things. I… I am not fit to be the empress.”

“Retina, listen carefully. I’m not talking about the situation. I’m asking about your feelings.”

Her feelings?

There was a time when she prioritized her emotions over her position and circumstances. Hadn’t she boldly declared her intention to marry the person she loved, regardless of her responsibilities?

But now…

“Are you overextending yourself just because you’ve become a duke? I thought you were indifferent to power, but it seems you’re more ambitious than expected.”

The Ignis family had persisted for over a century without the direct presence of a duke. The family, which should have been eradicated, continued to exist due to hope and longing for the lost members, as well as their symbolic value.

They needed a symbol of heroism for the increasingly dire situation in the north. Protecting Ignis’s people was not just a political duty; it was a symbol of resilience.

Even if it was challenging now, once stability was achieved, she could live between Rudenheim and Raglaras. This was Sat’s perspective.

‘Even though it will take a long time to travel back and forth… couldn’t Deneuve build a road? We would do anything for the princess. And with Deneuve’s power, moving a mountain in the North shouldn’t be a problem.’

Before Retina could even start worrying, Sat had already addressed her concerns with a decisive answer. If the obstacle was the rugged mountain range in the North, they would move the mountain, and if it was people, they would use force to make sure Retinna’s wishes were fulfilled.

‘Retina, you are not alone. Remember that. Even though you have become the Duke of Ignes, Deneuve is always behind you.’

Retina fought back tears at Sat’s simple and clear words.

From her father to her brother, they showed her boundless love and dedication. Seeing them always ready to help her without hesitation, despite her worries and doubts, made her question whether she deserved such one-sided love.

‘No matter what anyone says, Retina, you are our precious family.’

They always comforted her anxious heart with the same words.

Family doesn’t require debts or repayment. Although she had always tried not to be a burden to them, they had never once considered her a burden.

If that’s the case, can I be a little more selfish? Can I indulge in my desires?

Retinna’s expression softened as she poured out her true feelings without hiding anything.

“Mom, I feel like I’ve found a really good family. Thank you for letting me meet such a precious family.”

Without the love of the family that had always been by her side, she wouldn’t have been able to overcome her grief when her mother passed away. It was because of the people who protected her that she realized her own existence.

“I probably won’t be able to come often once we move to the North. But whenever I come to Rudenheim, I’ll come to visit.”

Feeling grateful for the love of her family that she had come to take for granted, Retinna left the small cabin in the woods, leaving behind her love.