Chapter 46

“Why would that be your fault?”

“Th-That is.”

“There weren’t any particularly sharp blades in that place. Even from others’ testimonies, it’s clear you didn’t enter that room with intent.”

“…”

“The fault lies in leaving it there without proper care. Anything can be damaged if it’s mishandled.”

“Was there a reason it was kept there?”

“Because it was her favorite place.”

Damian said that and slowly started walking down the path.

“It has no meaning now.”

He added quietly.

Whether it truly had meaning or not was something only Damian knew.

But his flat voice made it sound as if what he said was true.

“So it has no meaning.”

“She broke a promise. This is nothing more than a final courtesy. A courtesy owed to her as the Duchess.”

Reina didn’t know what promise Damian was referring to, nor could she ask.

‘Is it related to the attack?’

She could only guess. Maybe Titania’s disappearance had something to do with that promise. Reina carefully made the assumption, then erased it.

Nothing was more dangerous than careless speculation.

‘Everyone has at least one secret they can’t speak of.’

Neither of them really knew why they were having this kind of conversation.

Starting with their gender, everything about them was different, and the only thing they shared was having a daughter under their care. Yet for some reason, during that brief time, they found themselves revealing their true feelings in subtle ways.

“Botn, where are you headed?”

“To see the young lady. I think I should check if she’s alright.”

She added that she’d also greet her properly and ask for her continued goodwill going forward.

Damian read the kindness in Reina’s consideration and nodded.

After glancing at him cautiously, Reina asked,

“And you, Master?”

“I’ll head to the knights’ quarters. There’s something I forgot to give.”

When they reached Estelle’s door, Damian gave a small nod.

“On the day the mage arrives, have Bonita tested as well.”

“Boni too?”

“Yes.”

He nodded again.

“Who knows. We might see the Empire’s first female Swordmaster.”

As he said that, the corner of Damian’s lips seemed to lift ever so slightly.

Reina stared at his face for a moment, then blinked.

‘Was I imagining it?’

Looking again, he seemed expressionless.

“Then.”

Damian turned and headed in the opposite direction.

Reina watched his retreating back and tilted her head without realizing it.

“…It must be my imagination.”

Why would he act doting over someone else’s child.

Reina knocked on Estelle’s door.

“My lady, this is Reina Botn.”

Asking if she might come in.

* * *

A tart piled high with jewel like fruits, cookies decorated with colorful icing, soft cream puffs as fluffy as clouds.

Along with those, the table in Estelle’s room was filled with sweet and lovely desserts straight out of a child’s dream.

It was the result of the kitchen staff putting in their best effort for Estelle, who had surely suffered deep emotional wounds from the Count Elbron incident.

But Estelle didn’t spare even a glance for the dazzling desserts, pacing anxiously around the room.

“…”

Reina was the only thing on Estelle’s mind.

‘Dad said he’d go talk to Reina.’

What if Reina doesn’t forgive me?

What if she leaves this estate with Bonita?

The vague fear Estelle felt kept growing and growing, until it was as big as a giant bear.

Knock knock.

A gentle knocking sound followed.

Estelle inhaled deeply, like someone who had just surfaced from the depths of the sea.

“This is Reina, my lady. May I come in?”

It was an utterly ordinary tone.

The same gentle voice she always heard, as if nothing had happened.

At that familiar kindness, tears filled Estelle’s heart.

“…Yes.”

She answered softly, nodding to herself, then replied again more loudly.

“Yes.”

Her voice was soaked when she answered the second time.

The door opened carefully, and Reina, dressed more neatly than usual in plain clothes, approached Estelle.

Reina bent her knees to meet Estelle at eye level and asked,

“My lady, are you alright?”

At that question, Estelle’s tears grew even thicker.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Instead of answering, she blurted out something else.

“I-I’m sorry I couldn’t help you back then, Reina.”

Damian had told Estelle it wasn’t her fault, but that didn’t erase the guilt the child felt.

“My lady.”

Reina’s voice was still gentle, yet Estelle was afraid to face her.

As Estelle bowed her head and apologized, Reina softly took her hands.

“My lady, please look at me.”

Estelle squeezed her eyes shut, then slowly opened them and lifted her head.

Through her tear blurred vision, she saw Reina’s face with a soft smile.

“I should be the one apologizing.”

“…”

Reina raised one hand and wiped away Estelle’s tears.

The child looked confused, not understanding why Reina was apologizing to her.

“I’m sorry for asking for help when My lady must’ve been more frightened than anyone. It’s not your fault that you couldn’t help me.”

Because Reina’s call for help had echoed throughout the estate, many servants knew that Estelle hadn’t helped her.

That was why Count Elbron’s claim that Reina had manipulated Estelle and deceived everyone didn’t work.

If Estelle had been persuaded, she would’ve helped Reina long ago.

In a way, it might’ve been better that Estelle didn’t help, but that didn’t make it something simply good.

What adult could feel glad, knowing a child would be haunted by that day’s memories?

At the very least, Reina wasn’t that kind of adult.

“There isn’t a single person in this estate who blames My lady.”

At Reina’s words, Estelle blinked a few times and asked,

“…Is that because I’m the only daughter of the duchy?”

It was something she’d heard all the time.

The only star of the ducal residence. The only ducal daughter. The sole heir.

Was she loved not because she was Estelle, but because she was the only daughter of Winternight? Because she was the Duke’s daughter?

Thinking that might be why no one blamed her, Estelle asked the question.

Reina shook her head.

“It’s because My lady did nothing wrong.”

“But I turned away from you, Reina. Because of that, something terrible almost happened to you. And I still did nothing wrong?”

“If my lady had moved for my sake back then, wouldn’t you have been punished by Count Elbron?”

“…”

The silence was an answer of agreement.

Though she hadn’t seen the punishment herself, Reina could guess well enough and gave a bitter smile.

“My lady, when a child can’t do anything in a coercive situation created by adults, that’s not the child’s fault.”

“Then whose is it?”

“The fault lies with the adult who created that situation.”

That was the answer.

The scene in the text where Estelle gained the trust of the estate servants and stood up to Count Elbron might feel satisfying at a glance. But if one were to witness it in reality, it’d be more painful than cathartic. It meant that Estelle had been hurt just that much.

“It’d be wonderful if my lady could stand up to such things on her own, but… that’s still difficult right now.”

“Because I’m young?”

“Yes, because you’re still young.”

“But I’m a ducal daughter. If I’m young, does that mean I can’t do anything?”

“It’s not that you can’t do anything because you’re young.”

Seeing that Estelle had calmed down a little, Reina guided her to sit on the soft sofa.

As she smoothed the child’s hair, she continued,

“Adults are bigger than you, stronger than you, and they’ve seen more. They’re very good at saying things that sound convincing.”

“Are you like that too, Reina?”

“Of course. I’m quite the liar, you know.”

Hearing that from someone who looked like she’d never lie, Estelle burst into a giggle through her tear stained face.

“My lady may be a ducal daughter, but you’re still inexperienced and delicate. That’s why there’ll be many bad adults who try to use you.”

“Will you use me too, Reina?”

“Hmm.”

Reina gently pulled Estelle, who was staring up at her with wide eyes, into her arms and rested her cheek against the top of the child’s head.

“I might grow greedy someday and try to use you. So before that happens, I’ll teach you wisdom. That way, when the time comes, my lady can tell the difference.”

“If you try to trick me, I’ll let myself be tricked.”

“That shouldn’t happen… but it makes me happy to hear.”

“I’ll let you trick me once. Because I turned away from you once.”

Like someone clutching sand on the shore, hoping it wouldn’t slip away, Estelle wrapped her arms tightly around Reina’s waist.