BHDV 02

Chapter 02

“Ah, wait a moment!”

Thud—

But Roberik’s hand was faster.

With an uneasy feeling, I looked up at Roberik’s handsome face.

Flustered like someone at a loss, he spoke in a hurried voice.

“I found out your name is Edith. I’m sorry… to only now learn my own daughter’s name.”

…Why is he acting so desperate?

I slightly furrowed my brows.

An ominous instinct rang a sharp alarm bell.

A warning that if I didn’t shake this guy off right now, my life would become troublesome in many ways.

Taking my silence as something else, Roberik bent his knees to meet my eye level.

His gaze was filled with guilt.

“I heard that Perion barged in yesterday. If he said anything, don’t remember it. It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

‘…He does resemble the Grand Duke quite a bit, but I suppose he hasn’t lost his mother’s nature. I sincerely hope this child is never acknowledged as a Grand Duchess.’

How could I possibly forget that?

Perion had said something that should never be said in front of a child.

And the hostility, contempt, and disgust vividly present in his eyes.

It was fortunate that I wasn’t truly a child at heart—if I had been, it would’ve remained a lifelong trauma.

And yet all he had to say was… that I shouldn’t worry about it.

…Let’s send him away quickly.

No matter how much longer I stand here facing him, it won’t be good for my mental health.

Swallowing a sigh, I opened my mouth.

“I heard from Grandfather. That you—”

“Uncle…?”

Roberik repeated my words blankly.

Then what else would you be to me if not an uncle?

Don’t tell me you expect me to call you father?

I continued firmly.

“That you’re my father. But even so, I have no intention of calling you that. Please leave. Before Grandfather returns.”

As I finished speaking, I grabbed the doorknob again.

“Ah, wait!”

But once again, Roberik blocked it with his hand.

I frowned deeply and glared at him.

His clear red eyes, glistening with moisture, trembled.

“Just once… just once, can you give me a chance?”

And there it was.

The one thing I absolutely didn’t want to hear, something I had never even imagined because of how repulsive it was.

Damn it, this isn’t some makjang drama—what the hell is wrong with you, male lead?

“It wasn’t my intention not to know about you… If your mother had only told me the truth, I wouldn’t have lived like this, completely unaware of your existence—my own flesh and blood…”

Roberik spoke as if barely holding back his sorrow.

“Edith. Just once… give me a chance, so you can come to see me as your father.”

It was a desperate plea.

Why is he clinging to me like this?

Because I’m his daughter?

You already have a daughter. Alea, back at the Grand Duke’s residence.

Ah… wait. I stiffened.

Is it because Alea isn’t his real daughter, and I’m his true blood?

“……”

Even when I read the original story, I never liked Roberik much.

The Duke Bastévan, who had saved him from a horrific past where he lost everything.

Because of Duke Bastévan, Roberik was able to spend a peaceful childhood free from pain and suffering.

Despite the fatal flaw of being a traitor’s child, he rose to become a close knight of the Crown Prince—all thanks to the Duke, whom even the Emperor couldn’t easily oppose.

Even if I tried to understand him by saying it was because of love, what Roberik had received from Bastévan was far too great.

It wasn’t a light debt that he could cast aside all loyalty for, just for love toward a pitiful widow who had nothing.

That’s why I didn’t like him.

I couldn’t.

Even though he was the male lead.

The same went for Shastia.

The scene where she faced Mariette—who had been unilaterally cheated on and suddenly had her engagement broken off—and instead acted shamelessly aggressive still lingered vividly in my mind.

‘…How can you say such cruel things? He—Sir Roberik—loves me. Truly. Do you know how much he cried, how much he suffered before telling you about the broken engagement? Even so, he made his decision for the sake of his love for me. So please… let him go now. I beg you.’

Even thinking about it again, they were a hopeless couple.

…If I hadn’t bought the whole series, I would’ve dropped it immediately!

Bang—

“Edith!”

Without a second thought, I shut the door.

There’s no point arguing with people who don’t listen—and I can’t start swearing at such a young age, can I?

“Ha…”

Staring at the firmly shut door, I let out a deep breath.

Please, just don’t come looking for me again.

“…How did I end up being born as Mariette’s daughter…”

Ugh. I rubbed my dry face and left the doorway, where Roberik was undoubtedly still standing.

But as expected—

Roberik was incredibly persistent.

Beyond being a nuisance male lead, he had practically evolved into a tick.

The next day, 11 a.m.

“Edith! I think I was too hasty yesterday. If we could just talk again—”

Bang!

“……”

The day after that, 2 p.m.

“Edith! We didn’t get to talk at all yesterday. I brought some sweets you might like—maybe we could—”

BANG!

“Ha……”

The day after that, 3 p.m.

“Edith! You don’t have to answer—just please listen to me for a moment—”

BANG!!

“You bastard…”

The next next day, 12 p.m.

“Edith! You seemed interested in this horse last time—how about riding it together—”

Bang, bang bang!

The next next next day, 11 a.m.

“Edith. Even if you won’t listen today, I won’t leave this door. Please, at least don’t shut it—”

Bang, bang bang bang!

“Crazy!”

Even after slamming the door hard enough to break it, my anger didn’t subside, and I kicked it.

He came again!

Biting my lips hard, I glared at the door.

It had already been five days since Roberik started clinging to me like this.

His persistence was becoming terrifying.

That lunatic always showed up exactly when Grandfather wasn’t home.

Did he station a spy nearby?

I stared at the door.

He’s definitely still outside.

Like when I secretly peeked through the window before, he’s probably standing there like a drenched puppy, staring at the house.

And today, he even declared he wouldn’t leave no matter what.

This can’t go on.

Making up my mind, I opened the door I had shut.

Click—

“Edith!”

Through the opening, Roberik looked down at me with a bright smile.

“Thank goodness! You’ve finally decided to talk to your father!”

Without a word, I looked up at his clear, unbothered face.

…How can he act like nothing’s wrong?

Seven years.

That’s how long it had been since he coldly cast out a proud noble lady to a remote countryside.

And yet now, facing me—the child of that very woman—he showed not the slightest hesitation…

It felt strange.

“…What are you thinking? Why do you keep coming? I’m not going with you.”

At my blunt words, his smile faltered.

Roberik looked down at me, his eyes wavering.

Hesitantly, he spoke.

“…Edith. Before, I asked if you could give me a chance. Is it truly… impossible for you to come with me?”

Instead of answering, I twisted my face in disgust.

That’s my answer.

Biting his lip, he pleaded.

“Think about it. Living here in such a worn-down environment… it would be far better to come with me. In a place incomparable to this, you could have everything you want, everything you wish for. I will make sure you are happier than anyone.”

“……”

My mood plummeted beyond recovery.

I parted my lips.

And asked,

“Why did you abandon my mother?”

A question that struck directly at his most sensitive point.

“…What?”

Ripples spread across his brilliant red eyes.

I carefully observed his reaction.

I was genuinely curious.

For the sake of his love, he abandoned her once—and then again, under accusations of harming his beloved and her child, he cast her away mercilessly.

And yet now, he was desperately begging to take me in.

Why?

Mariette was known to the world as a notorious villainess.

If I followed him, I would inevitably be subjected to hostility and contempt.

Even if he were naïve, as a Grand Duke, there was no way he didn’t understand this outcome.

That’s why I wanted to know what he was thinking.

What Roberik thought of Mariette now—after the original story had ended and time had passed—was something even I didn’t know.

To understand his attitude toward me, I needed to know how he viewed her.

“About your mother…”

Roberik avoided my gaze as he answered.

“I don’t think it’s a very important matter.”

“…My mother isn’t important?”

What kind of nonsense is that?

I asked in disbelief.

“Edith.”

He brushed back his pale bangs and sighed.

“I didn’t want to tell you this while you’re still young, but since you insist… Your mother—no matter what you’ve been told growing up… she wasn’t as good a person as you think.”

…What?

I stared at him in shock.

“It couldn’t be helped. She constantly caused trouble. …No, let’s stop this. It’s not something pleasant to hear.”

My lips trembled.

That’s it?

That’s all he has to say about her… in front of her daughter?

“My mother is already dead. …Don’t you feel sorry for her?”

I asked, unable to believe it.

But—

“Edith…”

With a faintly distorted expression in his beautiful red eyes, Roberik replied,

“The one I feel sorry for… is you.”