Chapter: 8
To think that the moment she learned her fiancé was handsome, wealthy, and not even a monster after all, she would also learn that she was never meant for him.
She had always believed that all the good things went to her older sister, and all the bad things came to her. It seemed that even when it came to her fiancé, that pattern held true.
Was that why she had kept her mouth shut, unable to bring herself to say that her sister was still alive?
The maid, who knew nothingâperhaps that was why she was still kind to herâsmiled brightly and said,
âBefore you change, let me help you bathe first. Soaking in warm water should help you relax.â
After finishing her bath and returning to bed, Ivenia tossed and turned for a long time before reaching a conclusion.
She should tell them that her sister was alive.
It was not a decision made for the sake of the family who had abandoned her.
The reason she had not revealed the truth right away was largely because she had not wanted to readily deliver such joyful news to the House of Hessen.
All they would gain, after betraying and discarding her, was happiness. Wasnât that terribly unfair?
It wasnât that she wished them misery equal to her own, but she had no desire to go out of her way to wish them happiness either.
âButâŠâ
Her silence would not only affect the people of House Hessen.
There was one man who had been kind to herâthe only one. She did not want to make him any sadder than he already was.
Just as he had wished well for a stranger he had only met today, she wanted to help ensure that his love could be well too.
As she slowly closed her eyes, Ivenia imagined him finally finding the wife he had longed for all his life, becoming happy once more.
It was a rather beautiful sight.
That memory would probably remain with her for a long time, a deep comfort in her life.
Having helped complete such a beautiful story, she could at least console herself that her life had been worth the final page of it.
âI wonder how long it would take to plan out ten years of my life.â
It certainly wouldnât be finished in a day or two.
It might take weeks. Perhaps even two or three months.
Ivenia decided she would make the future plans Agram had spoken of as quickly as possible. Then, when she left this place, she would tell them that her sister was alive.
He would give her a little time to gather her heart, and in return she would give him the news that would make him happiest. A perfect plan.
âEmilia, too, should rest comfortably in the arms of the family she missed for a few months.â
With that thought, Ivenia turned her head toward the bedside table.
The handkerchief Agram had given her earlier lay there. She had secretly set it aside before going into the bath so Hanna wouldnât notice.
She reached out and picked it up.
When she unfolded the neatly folded cloth, a lollipop tumbled into her palm with a soft tap.
It wasnât wholeâjust a broken halfâbut the orange scent that rose to her nose was still sweet.
She stared at it for a moment before putting it into her mouth.
âIâm not asking to have everything. I can at least be greedy for this much.â
As the Grand Duke had said, keeping one person like her in this vast castle for a few months wouldnât cause any great trouble.
And if someone did become uncomfortable because of her, she could always leave before it was too late.
Still, she would do her best to make sure that didnât happen.
She would live as quietly as the dead, without troubling anyone, and disappear like someone who had never stayed at allâŠ
Thinking that, she let the candy melt in her mouth as slowly as possible.
Even if only for a brief moment, she wanted to have a happiness that wasnât truly hers.
When Ivenia opened her eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.
Since the age of eight, she had lived a disciplined life of rising early and sleeping earlyâbut that record had collapsed in a single day.
Even so, the sky had not split in two.
Looking out at the green forest beyond the window, she ate the breakfast Hanna had brought to her room.
The menu consisted of soggy porridge that resembled goat mash, dried white bread, and a sour fruit purée of indiscernible origin.
The bread seemed to be leftovers from the previous night.
âIf this had been served somewhere else, I would have thought they were trying to torment meâŠâ
Even at a spread that looked close to an invitation to leave, Ivenia did not feel particularly hurt.
Guillermo was not human, and Hannaâwho had been in this castle since infancyâcould hardly have learned proper cooking. Considering that, this felt almost like a feast.
At least it wasnât food that would make her sick.
After finishing, she wiped her mouth calmly and asked,
âThank you. I enjoyed it.â
âWas the food to your taste?â
With the elegance of a noble lady, Ivenia redirected the question.
âWho usually does the cooking?â
âSir Guillermo did. I donât really know much about noble-style meals.â
There had been nothing noble about the meal Guillermo had prepared, but Ivenia merely nodded and said, âHeâs been working hard since early morning.â
She herself was hardly a proper noble either.
Being fed and given a place to sleep was more than enough to be grateful for. She had no intention of complaining about side dishes.
Reassured by her gentle answer, Hanna relaxed her shoulders, which had been stiff with tension.
As she hurriedly cleared the tray of dishes, she asked,
âIf youâre not too tired, would you like to meet the others who live in this castle? Sir Guillermo has been waiting since morning to formally introduce them.â
âYou should have told me earlier. I donât usually eat breakfast, so I made him wait for nothing.â
âOh, please donât say that. You really should eat more, Lady Ivenia. I thought all noble ladies would be plump from living in abundance, but youâre thinner than I am! Is fasting considered a virtue in Hessen?â
âNo, itâs not. I just have a small appetite.â
Ivenia quickly changed the subject.
âMore importantly, could you tell Sir Guillermo he may come in now?â
Fortunately, Hanna hadnât meant anything deeply by her comment. Without further fuss, she dashed outside.
For a ladyâs personal maid, Hanna was rather blunt in her speech, but though it felt unfamiliar, Ivenia did not find it uncomfortable.
Since arriving here, she had already met two people who worried about her thin frame.
At least to Ivenia, that wasnât unpleasant at all.
âLady Ivenia, weâve brought those who are to be introduced. May we come in?â
Not long after clearing the tray, Hanna knocked from outside.
Ivenia gave permission and rose from her seat to prepare to greet the guests.
Soon, Hanna and Guillermo entered, followed by a boy, an adult manâ
âand a massive crow.
ââŠA crow?â
Ivenia was inwardly startled by the unexpected creature.
Sensing her gaze, the crow, which had been about to perch on the sofaâs backrest, turned to look at her. Then it suddenly opened its beak wide and shouted,
âWhat are you looking at?!â
Startled, Ivenia looked around as if demanding an explanation, but she seemed to be the only one troubled by the fact that the bird had just spoken.
Guillermo, merely giving the crow a warning glance, stepped forward and bowed politely.
âMy lady, did you sleep well last night?â
âYes⊠thanks to your consideration. But just nowââ
When she couldnât finish her sentence and only kept glancing at the crow, Guillermo seemed to misunderstand and offered a tactless explanation.
âWe should have come earlier to introduce ourselves, but circumstances delayed us. These fools didnât even know my lady had arrived, so please direct any reprimand toward them.â
âWhy is that woman still here? I thought sheâd be kicked out. Caw! Why is she still here? I thought sheâd run away. Caw!â
âI was chopping firewood in the forest all day yesterday⊠I truly didnât know.â
âI didnât stay away because I didnât know. I just didnât think it was necessary to meet and greet her.â
One by one, the people Guillermo had brought explained themselves.
For the most part, they didnât exactly sound like excuses.
Struggling to compose herself, Ivenia looked at those standing behind Guillermo.
