I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration

‘It’s Killian who accepted marriage talks with Count Rigelhof, even though he loved Lise so much. I could easily be replaced by Layla Sinclair.’

 

A sigh escaped her without even realizing it. Killian looked at her carefully, then wrapped his arms around her shoulders and said.

 

“I plan to go down to Ryzen as soon as the territory war is over and the situation in the capital is stabilized. What do you think?”

 

“I agree with that. If I’m still in the capital, I’ll get a lot of gossip…”

 

“It might be a bit boring to go down because it’s an inhospitable territory, but for the time being, just treat it as recuperation.”

 

She was really looking forward to going to the manor, but Killian seemed to think that she had no choice but to go because she didn’t want to go. They started arguing about it, so she just nodded. She sincerely hoped that the day she would go down to the estate with Killian would come as soon as possible.

 

* * *

 

“The Count Rigelhof has done something in a hurry. It was annoying, but it worked out better. I have to really uproot it this time.”

 

Duke Ludwig said while looking through the current situation report handed to him by his aide. Cliff and Killian, sitting together in the office, nodded without saying a word. No one was embarrassed by the sudden declaration of territory war. Although it was a slightly earlier provocation than they expected, it was also expected considering Count Rigelhof’s behavior during the founding of the nation.

 

“Isn’t His Majesty angry?”

 

Duke Ludwig chuckled at Cliff’s question.

 

“Why not? It looks like he will use this opportunity to strike down both Grand Duke Langston, who is climbing up without knowing where he is going, and the Empress Dowager, who has never treated His Majesty like an Emperor.”

 

“At last!”

 

Killian answered as if he felt relieved.

 

“You have been patient for a long time. Honestly, it’s so loud that people watching from the side feel upset.”

 

“Your Majesty must have been waiting for a day like this. There has been no justification for the purge so far, but no one will be able to refute it this time.”

 

Cliff, who had been nodding, lowered his voice a little this time and asked.

 

“Have you finished writing the death report?”

 

The question was whether the families involved in treason had been identified and the level of punishment determined.

 

“I think it’s almost over. The Archduke of Langston, Count Rigelhof, and Count Aylett will not escape extinction.”

 

As soon as the ‘Count Rigelhof’ was mentioned, Duke Ludwig and Cliff’s eyes turned to Killian.

 

“From Edith… Do you notice anything strange?”

 

Killian’s brow furrowed momentarily at the Duke’s question.

 

“Edith thinks she has already cut ties with the Rigelhof family. Isn’t that true? They completely ignored the safety of their daughter, whom they had left as a hostage, and declared war without even a single word of concern.”

 

“If she really thinks so, then she’s lucky…”

 

Even while nodding his head, Duke Ludwig looked as if he did not like Killian’s answer. Although he was frustrated, Killian couldn’t say anything more.

 

‘Once this territory war is over, I have to go down to Ryzen as soon as possible. If the Count Rigelhof is exterminated, how many harsh words will be poured out on Edith…’

 

Killian no longer wanted to see Edith enduring the hurt and pain. If they lived quietly and faithfully in Ryzen for a few years, people would forget Edith’s past and the surname Rigelhoff. People’s curiosity boils over immediately, but it also cooled down just as quickly.

 

“I’m leaving in a week. Cliff, you will take charge of the knights, and Killian, you will take charge of the weapons department, and prepare for a smooth departure in a week.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

When the meeting was over, Duke Ludwig headed back to the imperial court, and Cliff and Killian were busy preparing for their responsibilities. After the sun went down, Killian finally found some free time and had dinner with Edith. He returned to his room, feeling disappointed because he had to document the situation at the armory that he had discovered today. But even as he worked on the document, he couldn’t shake the thought of Edith from the back of his mind.

 

‘The amount of food she ate decreased a bit… Even if she pretends not to, she is still worried.’

 

Edith, who always made exclamations while eating happily, started leaving food behind a few days ago. It was so outrageous that Anna, who was trying to clear the table, asked, ‘Are you sure you should eat your meal?’

 

‘Edith will have to endure well until the Territory War ends…’

 

He sighed softly and was just organizing his documents. A sound was heard. It was late for anyone to come, but Killian slowly walked to the door, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.

 

‘It can’t be Edith.’

 

Edith had never come to see him before, except that night when she tried to kiss him secretly. Killian quietly opened the door. And the person standing outside the door was Lise, just as he had guessed for no reason. She was dressed in a gown like when she came to talk about the missing maid, but unlike the gown she always wore, it had a design that exposed her shoulders like Edith’s gown.

 

‘Is this type of acupuncture a trend these days? But I don’t think it suits Lise… It looks like the child stole her mother’s bedclothes and wore it.’

 

When Edith wore it, she was glamorous and dizzying, but when the delicate Lise wore it, she felt anxious as if it would fall off at any moment.

 

“What are you doing, at this hour?”

 

Killian asked Lise, offering her a seat.

 

“It’s so hard to see Killian’s face these days. I came because I thought you would be there if I came at this time.”

 

On her smiling face was the bright smile he had become accustomed to seeing over the past five years or so. Killian just grinned and sat down across from her.

 

“Cliff won’t play a part?”

 

“Cliff is Cliff, and Killian is Killian. Did I interrupt you while you were busy?”

 

“No, no. Now that I think about it, I haven’t been able to take care of you lately.”

 

“I didn’t mean it that way. I know Killian is busy.”

 

Lise added, wriggling her fingers.

 

“Just… I’m worried because they said you’re going to go to war soon… I also wanted to say hello…”

 

“Where am I going to die? Both you and Edith are worried too much. Well, maybe it’s because you can’t see Cliff and me fighting on the battlefield.”

 

Killian said, pretending to be boastful. Lise smiled and said, “Fuu,” but her pretty light blue eyes looked somewhat sad.

 

“Killian. Do you remember that? When I first came to the mansion… I was walking around the garden when my hair got caught in a twig of a garden tree and she couldn’t move.”

 

“Ah! Haha! I remember. You were very embarrassed at that time.”

 

“That’s right. Unlike at Sinclair Mansion, I was really excited because I was told I could explore the garden as I wanted. I was embarrassed that my hair got tangled in the tree, but I was even more embarrassed when the scary second master caught me. I thought I might get hit a few times.”

 

Killian and Lise recalled events from the past that had already occurred five years ago.

 

* * *

 

It was an early summer day when Lise, who had almost been rescued from Count Sinclair’s family, was just beginning to get a taste of freedom. Lise was wandering around the Duke Ludwig’s garden, which was larger and more beautiful than the Count Sinclair’s garden, but the wind that day was a bit harsh and his hair got caught in a tree.

 

“Ah! Ouch… How did this happen?”

 

She reached out and fumbled with her hand, but she couldn’t figure out how her hair got caught. While she was wondering whether she should scream and call someone or risk getting scolded for being careless, she heard a rustling sound behind her.

 

“What…?”

 

“Ah, ah, hello, how are you?”

 

Killian with a cold expression was standing with a book in his hand. Twenty-year-old Killian was colder, sharper, and more sensitive than he was now, and Lise was trying to avoid being seen by him as much as possible. Although Lise was trembling, she desperately made an excuse.

 

“I-I didn’t do this on purpose, it was just the wind blowing, I really didn’t know it would happen like this… I’m sorry I didn’t tie his hair neatly. Sorry.”

 

Killian looked at Lise, who was scared of her for no reason, and then handed her the book he was holding. When Lise accepted the book in confusion, he took Lise’s hair off the tree with his free hands. As Lise whined, the part that became more tangled had no choice but to cut it off with his knife. After all her hair had been removed, the garden tree had dazzling blonde hair tangled here and there.

 

“Your blonde hair is so pretty, I guess he wanted to touch it a little too.”

 

Killian said, putting away his penknife and taking his book from Lise’s hand. It was the first time the two had spoken since the Duke and Duchess of Ludwig introduced Lise to their sons.

 

* * *

 

“I was sure at that time. I thought, this person is actually a kind person…”

 

Killian, who was thinking about the past, also smiled.

 

“I never meant to scare you.”

 

It was true. He didn’t like the Sinclair family’s illegitimate child that his parents suddenly brought in, but he had no intention of scaring her. It was just something that was a little annoying, and yet a little annoying. She didn’t know when that started to turn into love. At some point, when he heard Lise’s clear laughter, his heart started racing, and when he saw Lise’s tears, his heart sank. When Lise looked at Cliff, he felt jealous and impatient, and when Lise looked at him, he felt so happy that his whole body felt like it was melting.

 

But it’s all in the past now… 

 

“In fact…”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I knew Killian’s heart.”

 

Killian’s mouth, which had been smiling happily, suddenly hardened.

 

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Translator Note: