The Extra Decided to be Fake

Episode 33

 

Perhaps Cedric had been feeling this way from some point, but he had always avoided acknowledging it. When he lost both his daughter and wife simultaneously, he had forcefully suppressed the grief, a memory that he couldn’t forget.

 

Rejecting the child was much easier and more convenient than the opposite. The child was amiable towards Cedric, and even if she postponed her adoption, it wouldn’t cause significant problems.

 

‘What if I accept Lilian, and then I find my real daughter?’

 

Whenever this assumption popped into his mind, Cedric struggled with the urge to tear his head apart.

 

He couldn’t help but wonder if Lilian resembled Agnes even a little bit, leading him to scrutinize her face. However, even among the imposters who were revealed, some children seemed to resemble Agnes.

 

‘Even if Lilian resembles Agnes, can I truly believe it?’

 

In this place, where those impersonating his child roamed freely, what could he possibly believe?

 

Cedric was on the verge of succumbing to doubt, and that’s why he headed to the Merryfield Orphanage.

 

He felt he needed to find some evidence to confirm whether Lilian was indeed his daughter.

 

However, what fell into Cedric’s hands was not evidence, but a note written by a child.

 

‘Coming here with this note must mean that you still don’t believe Lilian, Your Grace, right?’

 

The writing was big and neat, representing the child’s personality.

 

‘But if you can’t trust the pendant, you’ll never find your daughter, no matter how long you search.’

 

* * *

 

The first page of Swan’s note had traces of flour paste sloppily stuck onto it.

 

Perhaps it was added later, not originally a part of the note.

 

And what was written on it was a letter addressed to Cedric.

 

[Hello, Your Grace. My name is Swan.

 

I am Lilian’s closest friend, and I know that Lilian is the missing lady of Maynard.

 

But it’s all because of me that she hasn’t left this place. Lilian would never leave me behind, you see. So, I’m leaving this note in case I have to leave first.

 

Coming here with this note must mean that you still don’t believe Lilian, Your Grace, right?

 

You might not know, but I’ve lived in the orphanage, and I know. Sometimes parents come to find their lost child, but even when their child is right in front of them, they can’t recognize them. Only after being told, their attitude changes, but their eyes still show doubt. We all know. We don’t know what will happen later, but those children will continue to live with doubts about whether they are truly their parents’ real child.

 

Of course, it’s not that the parents are bad for doubting their children. It’s understandable. Even if you don’t trust Lilian, I can understand.

 

But Lilian is much more precious to me than you, Your Grace. I wish she didn’t have to live like this. So, if you really can’t trust the real Lilian, please let her go, pretending you found only the pendant. Of course, Lilian found the pendant, so I believe you’ll provide a reward for that.

 

But if you can’t trust the pendant, you will never find your daughter, Your Grace. Even if someone presents another evidence, you’ll react the same way, not believing it.

 

I wish both Lilian and you happiness.

 

From Swan.]

 

The letter was filled with certainty and determination. If Cedric hadn’t recognized the author’s name, he might have met the child who wrote the letter at least once.

 

“Swan.”

 

Oddly enough, that name was written in the documents Cosmo had investigated.

 

As the name of the most recently admitted child at the Merryfield Orphanage.

 

The cramped handwriting of a mere ten-year-old could be dismissed and tossed aside, but Cedric couldn’t bring himself to do that. It was because the words of a mere ten-year-old girl had struck at his weaknesses so sharply.

 

Thus, when Cedric read the letter, he became convinced that his visit to the Merryfield Orphanage was meant to find this letter. He didn’t need evidence to prove Lilian’s birth. What he truly needed was just a small impetus.

 

An opportunity to sit face to face with Lilian and discuss her admission to Merryfield.

 

His resolve and opportunity were both formed.

 

Now, all that remained was to wait for Lilian to wake up.

 

* * *

 

Lilian had a dream.

 

She was unaware of her consciousness, but it couldn’t have been anything other than a dream.

 

“Lily, look at this! Isn’t it beautiful? Father bought it for me!”

 

Otherwise, there was no way Swan would be in front of Lilian.

 

Swan wore a jeweled headband on her long flowing hair and a matching silk dress that suited her well. The healthy color of her cheeks complemented the outfit.

 

Swan, all dressed up, looked truly beautiful, like a princess. Lilian should have naturally complimented her beauty, but instead, she blinked her eyes slowly, feeling somewhat absent-minded.

 

In response, Swan tilted her head.

 

“Is this dress not good? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

 

“Oh, no. It’s just that… I feel strange. Maybe I didn’t fully wake up yet.”

 

There was no way Lilian would think Swan was dead.

 

Lilian quickly shook off the odd feeling and praised Swan’s dress.

 

“Is this a new dress? It’s really pretty!”

 

“huh! I decided to wear this to a tea party today. With the young boy of the House of Potier!”

 

“Potier?”

 

Lilian asked absentmindedly, but Swan grinned and ran off in the opposite direction.

 

There were people waiting for Swan over there.

 

“Do you like the dress? It suits you well, Swan.”

 

“You look like a fairy from a fairy tale, miss!”

 

“I really like it. Thank you, Father! Thanks for the compliments, Mary!”

 

Cedric, with an affectionate smile, patted Swan’s head, and Mary warmly embraced Swan.

 

Next to them, Damian was also present.

 

“We’re supposed to play together today, didn’t forget, right? We promised to become friends.”

 

“Of course, I remember. Come here! Let’s play together.”

 

The pair of boys and girls walking and laughing together looked like a painting.

 

Both of them had exceptionally beautiful faces, making them even more striking.

 

Between them, Swan looked incredibly happy and no longer glanced at Lilian. No, strictly speaking, she didn’t even look back.

 

“Lily, what are you doing? Come with us!”

 

Swan often turned around and called Lilian while walking with Damian.

 

But Lilian’s clothes were not an elegant dress like Swan’s.

 

It was the black maid’s uniform worn by the servants of Maynard.

 

“Do you have to bring a servant along? Oh, are you trying to show off your status?”

 

“What are you saying? Lilian is my friend!”

 

“I don’t make friends with servants.”

 

Damian and Swan approached, chattering.

 

“Lilian isn’t a servant. She came with me to Maynard. So, you can be friends with her. Right, Lilian?”

 

Swan said gently and held Lilian’s hand.

 

However, Lilian found herself unconsciously pulling her hand away. Seeing Swan’s surprised face, she realized what she had done and quickly explained.

 

“Uh… I’m, I’m sorry. I feel a little unwell.”

 

“What? Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?”

 

“No, I’m fine. I’ll rest for a bit. You two should enjoy the tea party together.”

 

“Really? That’s a shame. Let’s do it together next time. Rest well!”

 

Swan hugged Lilian tightly, then let go and left with Damian.

 

Even without a detailed explanation, the situation was evident.

 

This was the world where Swan lived, and she became the lady of Maynard again, taking everything Lilian had. And in Swan’s world, there was no time where only Lilian existed.

 

Swan enjoyed everything Lilian once had—a beautiful dress, a caring father, kind servants, noble young gentlemen, and even her friends from the orphanage.

 

It was the time that would have naturally belonged to Swan if she were alive.

 

Lilian was left alone.