SHBVH 07

Chapter 07

Daughter Fool
Lamein, who had returned to her room, let out a long sigh. Recalling how she had gotten worked up in front of Cedric just moments ago, she furrowed her delicate brows.

“What on earth did I ramble about in front of a man who knows nothing…?”

No matter how much she talked, it was obvious that a man who had spent his whole life among nobles wouldn’t understand. And then—

“It’s only natural he’d be bewildered when someone who’s never acted like that suddenly behaves that way.”

A man who clearly knew what kind of person Lamein was must have been even more taken aback. Regret came too late. Letting out another sigh, Lamein recalled Cedric’s blue eyes, which had seemed strangely darker when she had poured out more emotion than necessary.

“Still, he actually agreed to my request?”

Was it because he didn’t want to listen to any more nonsense? Contrary to her worries, she had achieved what she wanted, and her gaze dropped faintly in mixed feelings.

“I just hope Rodel doesn’t collapse again.”

She remembered Rodel’s face, worried about his future because of an illness beyond his control.

“Ha…”

Another sigh escaped, filled with pity.

“At this rate, the floor’s going to cave in.”

Taking a deep breath, Lamein slowly looked around the room as if to refresh her mood. Sunlight streamed peacefully into the neat room filled with luxurious furniture. She wondered how nice it would be if she could fully enjoy such a peaceful space, and yet—

“What should I do first once I get out of here?”

A wife unloved by her husband. Her resolve to escape that painfully predictable future had not changed, so she decided to plan ahead.

“I should go out for a bit first…”

It would also be important to see with her own eyes how this world functioned. As she absentmindedly scanned the room, her eyelids twitched slightly. Beside a large wardrobe packed with dozens of dresses, there was a door.

“What’s over there?”

Lamein walked over and opened it without hesitation. Beyond the wide-open door was an ordinary study with a desk and bookshelves. The only unusual thing was the sheer number of books.

‘Did Lamein like reading?’

She stepped closer to the shelves. Most of the books seemed to be novels that nobles of this world would enjoy.

‘Etiquette for the Ball. Riding Etiquette.’

There were also books about rules and manners for various settings. As she calmly read the titles, her gaze stopped at one spot—a section of the shelf filled with books that looked especially worn. Most of them didn’t even have titles. She reached out and pulled out the thickest one.

Opening it, she saw dense text and illustrations.

“Flowers?”

As she flipped through, there were descriptions of dozens of flowers, trees, and herbs. Beside them were tightly written handwritten notes.

—The moment you touch it, your fingertips go numb, and if placed on the tongue, your sense of taste disappears for a while.
—Grind it finely and apply it to a bleeding wound; the bleeding stops quickly.
—It has healing properties, but if it remains on the skin for too long, the skin begins to rot.

Her eyes, which had been carefully reading, slowly narrowed. She pulled out another book. This time, instead of plants, it contained drawings of the human body, like an anatomy book.

—Before a high fever sets in, small bead-like lumps can be felt in the neck and under the armpits.
—People who sweat a lot may experience peeling skin at their fingertips.
—Elderly people who stand for long periods develop blue, bulging veins in their legs.

“What is this…?”

The notes looked like a doctor’s examination records. Curious, she took out more books—one after another. Every book contained information about medicinal herbs and symptoms of diseases.

“Did Lamein write this?”

She tilted her head.

“Why would Lamein write something like this…?”

…Was there something? With wide eyes, she tried to recall the original story. Then she looked down at the book in her hands.

“Maybe these belonged to someone else.”

In the end, she concluded that although this room belonged to Lamein, the handwriting in these books was not hers. Nodding slowly, she lightly closed the book—

“Ah! That stings!”

A sharp sensation brushed her fingertip.

“Oh. What— I cut myself.”

The cut seemed fairly deep; blood began to well up with a stinging pain. As she wrapped it with a handkerchief, something slipped out from between the bookshelves and fluttered to the floor.

A picture, about the size of a photograph, had fallen beside her feet. She bent down and picked it up. It was a drawing of a small girl with beautiful red hair. As she gazed at the brightly smiling girl, her eyes fell on the words written on the picture.

—My beloved Lily.

Lily. It seemed to be the girl’s name.

“Who is this?”

She murmured softly, staring intently at the girl in the drawing. Just then—

Knock, knock.

A knocking sound came from the door. Quickly placing the book and picture on the desk, she walked over.

“My lady.”

Jane, who had been looking around the room, bowed politely and looked at her with wide eyes.

“What is it? Something wrong?”

She met Jane’s gaze directly, sensing she had something to say.

“…Duke Hether Calips has arrived.”

From Jane’s hesitant tone, it was clear the visit was unexpected. Hether Calips—the man most favored by the king among all nobles in this world.

And Lamein’s father.

In other words, her father.

“My father is here?”

“Yes. He’s waiting in the reception room.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Lamein replied lightly and sat in front of the vanity. As Jane approached to fix her hair, she stared deeply at her reflection in the mirror.

Lamein—herself—was currently Cedric’s wife and the daughter of a highly regarded noble. Although she had declared divorce to Cedric, she knew it wouldn’t happen immediately. After all, their marriage was bound by royal command.

In the original story, Cedric had decided to divorce Lamein once the nobles’ attention shifted away after their arranged marriage. However, after observing her, he changed course—exposing her misdeeds and driving her out of the mansion.

All the blame fell on Lamein. Cedric lost nothing.

Not divorce—but exile.

Enduring such humiliation on top of everything else was something she absolutely refused. That was why she had struck first and declared divorce herself—for the sake of her future.

And honestly—

‘Even if I get divorced, Lamein is still the daughter of Duke Calips.’

Knowing she had a powerful background, she hadn’t hesitated.

‘He wouldn’t cast out his daughter just because she got divorced… right?’

Lamein blinked slowly, steeling herself, and stood up.

…

Walking down the long corridor toward the reception room, she kept her back straight.

‘Duke Calips was someone who doted on his daughter quite a bit.’

She began recalling the original story. It said that after the king ordered Lamein’s marriage to Cedric, Hether had fallen into deep sorrow—because he had to send his daughter away for his own sake.

‘He must be the kind of father who dotes on his daughter, just like in the original story.’

Please, let him be the type who calls me “my precious girl.”

As she entertained hopeful thoughts about her easier post-divorce life, she arrived in front of the reception room. She stopped and took a deep breath, then put on a bright smile meant to please a doting father.

The thick, ornate door swung open.

“My Lamein. You’re here. I’ve been waiting.”

Hether, who had been sitting at the table in the center of the room, sprang to his feet with a bright smile. Lamein narrowed her eyes slightly as she observed him.

He was a man of small stature with a thin build.

‘This man is a war hero?’

His slender body, almost like a toothpick, made her subtly scan him before deepening her smile.

“I was surprised you came without sending word.”

She spoke as warmly as possible.

“Do I need to send word to visit my beloved daughter?”

He replied even more affectionately. At that moment, Lamein’s eyes sparkled. Just like in the original story—he truly loved his daughter dearly.

Meanwhile, a servant entered and placed tea and pie on the table.

“Peach tea and walnut pie have been prepared.”

“Thank you.”

Hether smiled gently at the servant, who bowed and left along with Jane. The heavy door closed completely.

“Please, have a seat.”

As Lamein spoke kindly again, the corners of her lips stiffened slightly.

‘What is this…?’

For some reason, beneath Hether’s endlessly gentle smile, she sensed a faint chill.

…Was it just her imagination?

She stretched her lips into a smile, hiding her momentary confusion. As if in response, his expression softened again.

Just then—

“Lamein. I came because I have something to tell you.”

His gentle voice carried a cautious tone as his eyes slowly scanned the room, as if checking whether anyone else was present.

‘Is it something important?’

Maybe he’d say something like, “Is anyone troubling you? Just trust your father and live without worries.”

Thinking that, she began—

“Father, please sit—”

Just as she parted her lips to speak, Hether suddenly stepped closer. Startled by the sudden closeness, she still met his gaze, maintaining her gentle smile.

‘What are you trying to say?’

As if asking with her eyes, she softened her expression. At that moment, Hether slowly tilted his head closer.