CH 12

Her mother called Charelize using her title of ‘Princess’ just like others called her. Charelize thought of her mother as such a cold and terrifying person. She was thrown out because of a slip of the tongue.

Since then, Charelize has tried not to show her emotions. She also didn’t neglect her manners or expose her weakness.

“Princess, please keep your posture straight.”

“Even if you fall, it’s Princess’s job to get up immediately and shake it off.”

Nevertheless, to her mother, she was regarded as a princess. She couldn’t be her daughter forever. That’s why the story she heard from her mother before her death came as a shock.

“The day you cried because you shouldn’t show your emotions. I knew I was an ugly mother who couldn’t do anything for you…”

“I thought that the only thing that would protect you, who had me as your mother, was the status of a princess.”

“Even when I saw you fall when you were running at me… I was so weak that I couldn’t even hug you, let alone run up to you like other mothers. Not being able to hug you has always been a regret for me. You feel the burden of being a princess made me sad and angry at myself.”

“As time has passed, you will understand. I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with myself for not being a mother who holds your hand and walks together.”

Her mother wasn’t angry at what she said then. Even though she missed her mother now, she couldn’t reach her. Even if she reached out her hand, it contained only empty air.

“Isn’t this the color I inherited from my mother? At least when I see this, it will always remind me of my mother forever.”

“When the Count Kabe family fell, it was madam who brought me to Duchy.”

“It seems that I vaguely remember it too.”

“Your Highness will receive all the graces of the goddess that madam left behind in the world. Because madam left behind Lari, Martin, and Madam Helen for Your Highness.”

“About my nanny… did you know there was someone else who took care of me before Madam Helen came? She has been with me since I was in my mother’s womb, and I grew up feeding from her breasts.”

“Lona… was that person’s name from what I remember, Your Highness.”

Charelize’s nanny’s original identity was Viscountess Rael, whom Duchess Marsetta had brought when she came out of the imperial palace as a princess. She quit working when she married Viscount Rael and gave birth to her daughter, Martin. She then quit due to her chronic illness. At the request of Duchess Marsetta, she replaced Lona and became Charelize’s new nanny.

Lona leaked confidential information about Duke for money and stole expensive items. It was such a serious crime that it wouldn’t be strange if she was executed immediately. However, Lona, who raised Charelize on behalf of Duke and Duchess Marsetta, was the only one who cared for and looked after Charelize.

Charelize couldn’t stand the fact that Rona might be on the verge of death. It was clear that if what Lona did came into the ears of Duke Marsetta, you wouldn’t even find Lona’s remaining bones.

“Tell your mother that you’re quitting because of your illness. And survived by running away from Duchy as far as possible. I will pay your travel expenses and your necessary living expenses.”

“Why did Madam give me so much graze when I did something that could harm princess?”

“I know you have a baby. Your husband died from the epidemic.”

“…”

“I’m paying for what you’ve raised so far.”

“…”

“I… hope… we would never met again, Lona.”

Lona, who had been with Charelize since birth, left her job due to her chronic illness when Charelize was only nine years old.

“I haven’t really seen her since that day.”

“Shall we find the whereabouts of Madam Lona?”

“Don’t look for her.”

“Your Highness?”

“Not seeing her throughout her life is the only reward I can give for the price raising me.”

In order to live, it would be good for them not to see each other again. After those words, silence fell inside the carriage.

Charelize fell asleep at some point as if the aftermath of staying up all night for several days to finish her paperwork.

“Are you sleeping?”

“…”

Hailey, who looked sadly at Charelize, took out a blanket and wrapped it around her.

* * *

“…Your Highness. We have arrived at the academy.”

Hailey gently grabbed Charelize’s shoulder and shook it a couple of times. After waking up from her sleep, Charelize wiped her face with her hands. Upon getting off the carriage, it was none other than Dean Pavel waiting for them.

“Greetings to the little Duchess of Marsetta. May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you.”

“May Dean Pavel be protected too.”

“It’s an honor to have you come this far, Your Highness. It seems like it’s been a long time since I have seen you.”

Dean Pavel was a professor of political science at Rosielt Academy for quite some time. Then he became the dean of Eralpier Academy. Although Charelize had never been taught by him, he could be called as her teacher.

“It was really a pity that I couldn’t teach Your Highness because I got called to here.”

“It’s a pity for me too.”

“Let’s go to my office now, Your Highness.”

Charelize followed him inside. A structure similar to the Rosielt Academy caught her eye, and it was enough to evoke nostalgia.

“Hailey.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“You can spend four hours separately while I’m talking to the dean.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Hailey, the daughter of Count Kabe, dropped out while attending the Swordsmanship Faculty of the Eralpier Academy. She couldn’t afford the tuition because Count Kabe wasted his fortune on gambling. Even if Hailey didn’t say anything, it was clear that she would miss the people she had been with.

After graduating and coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 17, Charelize had never been to the Peschte Empire, including the Rosielt Academy. She wondered about the news of Ibelin, who shared a room with her before graduating.

Ibelin was one of the countess princesses of the Sishe Kingdom. She was a child who said she would succeed to the throne, beating her sisters. After Charelize’s graduation, her whereabouts became obscure, and there was no way to know about her.

“Is there a tea you like or dislike?”

“None.”

“Sit down for a moment, Your Highness.”

Dean Pavel, who came in with the tea, started talking earnestly about the scholarship project.

“These are the students who will be supported this time. Please take a look at it slowly, Your Highness.”

“If it’s the second daughter of Viscount Meiel… I’ve heard her name before.”

She was a great talent who promoted her family, which was on the verge of collapse, to the rank of Viscount.

“Her name is Karna Ciel von Meiel, and she’s also a particular student to whom I pay special attention.”

“I definitely wanted to meet her once. I can’t believe we’re going to meet like this.”

“She couldn’t afford to pay for the academy, so while she was thinking of dropping out, she was delighted that she could continue with the duke’s support.”

Upon hearing Dean Pavel’s words, Charelize smiled without her knowing. She then asked, carefully examining the contract for the scholarship he had brought.

“I was told that… Professor Hail wanted to see me.”

Professor Rosette Percy van Hail. She had something to tell him about her mother’s death and asked for the details of the bloody tragedy.

“I was also surprised when Rosette… said that he wanted to meet Your Highness.”

“Pardon?”

“He rarely leaves his office. It’s okay to go there right away.”

Dean Pavel answered Charelize’s question with an awkward smile.

“…Where is Professor Hail’s room?”

“IF you go straight and turn right, you will find a place with a lilac pattern engraved on the door.”

Dean Pavel detailed the route to Professor Hail’s room. In addition, they spent time talking about various things after a long time.

“Ah, I have something to ask Dean.”

“What do you want to ask…?”

“He was in the Magic Faculty in the Rosielt Academy. Since he was the same age as Your Highness, didn’t you graduate together?”