Chapter 337 The Truth About Erika’s Past

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"Thank you very much!" My father bowed, forcing me to bow as well.

I suppose I am truly different than my father. While he always thought about the security of the village, I was only thinking about running away into a safer place. He's someone dedicated to his people… One of my greatest mistakes was not being someone that cared enough, I let my subordinates all die because of my recklessness. Maybe I still have a thing or two to learn from my father.

As things seemed to be almost over, Erika was left with her request. She stood there in silence for a while, completely different from her former self.

"I-I have a request too…" Erika said.

"Ah, the girl with the doll spirits, aren't you? You're also a talented one. Ask away." Said the Duke. "If its money what you want, you'll get the same reward as the boy."

"I would like… I would like to meet my mother, Cattalina!" Erika said boldly, the entire hall fell silent.

"Cattalina…?" Asked the Duke.

"Cattalina… The only Cattalina I know is your elder sister, is it not?" Asked the Duke's wife.

"My sister Cattalina?" Asked the Duke.

"My father said my mama's name was… Cattalina Goldriver." Said Erika. "My papa was exiled long ago due to a crime he committed, but due to circumstances, my mama ended running away back home… Since then, papa has been taking care of me. I want to meet Mama… C-Can you help me find her?" Erika asked humbly, as tears began flowing from her eyes.

"Y-You… What's your name?" The Duke asked with a face filled with intrigue. "And your father's name?"

"My name is Erika… And my papa's name is Enriko." Said Erika.

"…"

? The Duke fell silent.

"Enriko, the Doll Maker, is it not?" Asked the Duke.

"Y-Yes…" Erika sighed, suddenly feeling a strong pressure from the glare of the Duke.

"This is a complicated matter, but if you're truly saying the truth, then I am your uncle, girl." Said the Duke.

"U-Uncle?!" Asked Erika.

"Well yes, you're the daughter of my older sister, daughter of the King! That also makes you the granddaughter of the King." Sighed the Duke. "You could quite possibly get a nobility title if the truth comes… We'll have to report this to the King and my sister, who had been lonely ever since she left the village where she lived with her husband, I suppose this is the place then, isn't it?"

"Yes, this must be…" Sighed Erika.

"But… there's something odd. My sister said her daughter died long ago, how come… are you a second daughter of hers? If so, why are you so young?" The Duke asked.

"I-I… Well, I…" Erika muttered, she quickly found out she couldn't properly answer that.

Simply saying "my father stuck my soul into a doll body" wasn't something that would be good. I don't know if what he did is even legal, and that could easily put him in jail even at his age for something that could be cataloged as "desecration of the dead".

"I can answer that myself, my lord." I said.

"Oh, Blake?" The Duke asked, quickly changing his expression.

"I know Erika since I was but a year of age. I've been with her since the beginning, she's someone that has a mysterious yet sad past. Erika, technically, had almost died." I said.

"Eh? She did…?" Asked the Duke.

"I've learned the truth about what happened to her from her father directly. When Erika was born, she was inflicted with a mysterious Curse that stopped her growth and development. Her mother had given her for dead, but her father continued working hard to find a cure. Eventually, he found it, almost while she was dying. Due to the curse, her body had to be slowly modified by her father to allow her to move and grow, as a doll maker, he had to replace some her limbs for prosthetic limbs, sadly…" I said countless lies combined with truth.

"I-I see… a Doll Maker is indeed a master of such craft." Said the Duke, his family and everybody else in the hall remained in silence.

"I humbly request for Erika's mother to be held responsible for her daughter as well, even if she doesn't desire to meet her, to at least give her some compensation." I said. "She should also be given the benefits that entail being a daughter of the royal family."

"Blake…" Erika said, as she began to cry.

"Hmmm… It is too complicated, this matter has too many details that cannot be completely conveyed, and if her mother gave her for dead, I don't know if she'll ever truly recognize her…My sister had been very depressed for a long time, and I have not known where she is in some time as well, it will be complicated and take its time, but I will try to see what I can do. I cannot give you any promises, young Erika, but if we find more proof of what you say being true, then we'll still request a nobility title, and even some compensation for everything." Said the Duke.

"Ah… Thank you very much…!" Erika said, in between tears.

"However… if what you said is, by any chance, false, there is a punishment." Said the Duke. "If what you said is false, you might be thrown to jail or even exiled from my fiefdom."

"A-Ah… I-I see…" Erika quickly went back to her doubtful and fearful self, feeling frightened.

"I don't know how far your father is willing to cooperate, Erika, but it wouldn't be bad if we go meet him later to talk to him about this." I said. "Maybe he could have more proof of these things."

"R-Right, you're right, Blake." Said Erika while nodding weakly. "I hope papa can help as well…"

And like that, our meeting ended with bittersweet feelings, we were granted several things, but what had happened with Erika only brought more mystery and intrigue to this entire problem with her family. After we were done there, I quickly decided to move to Erika's father home, and my father decided to get his nose into this as well, so he accompanied us.

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