Chapter 24

“Well. Dylan’s already getting a good education at home. Also, he’s old enough to be a squire.”

“You don’t have to come in as a squire. There are many great knights in the Duke of Cabezo, so if you come straight in as an apprentice, you’ll get a good education.”

That was nonsense. The purpose of bringing Dylan into the Cabezo duchy was obviously to subordinate Count Daughtry to Duke Cabezo.

“You’ll get not only knight training, but also liberal arts education. Polia’s teacher is commendable.”

“It’s all right.”

Dylan, who had been silent, said coldly.

“Sir Dylan, this is a great opportunity for you too.”

“Thank you for your kindness, but I’m satisfied with the education I’m getting.”

“You still don’t know how the world works. You don’t have the professionalism like your father or brother.”

Duke Cabezo said with a sneer. Of course, Dylan’s road to ‘professionalism’ like Count Daughtry was being defamed.

“I respect my son’s idea.”

Victoire said calmly. The Duke of Cabezo shook his head. It was a blatant disregard. He shut his mouth and patted his daughter on the shoulder who was still staring at Dylan stupidly.

“But, but where’s the young lady Daughtry?”

Polia spoke as if she had come to her senses belatedly.

“There’s a rumor going around that she is hidden and doesn’t show up.”

Polia spoke stiffly, as if she was speaking a memorized line. Perhaps Duke Cabezo made her talk.

“My daughter is still adjusting to her new life, Princess.”

“Still? She must be slow to adapt.”

At that moment, the top of the table became frigid.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I want to help.”

“Polia, you don’t have to help everyone.”

“I think it’s my duty to help others if I am a princess. Besides, I’m the only princess in the Empire. I’m supposed to be a model for everyone.”

“You’re good-hearted, my daughter.”

Duke Cabezo stroked Polia’s head affectionately.

“Look at this child. She’s like me, so she’s very responsible. And she’s as kind as my dead wife. How can I not spare my child?”

Victoire, Damon and Dylan were dumbfounded by this stupid play.

Duke Cabezo then spoke.

“People who I don’t know have been making bad rumors about Lady Daughtry, but now they’ve heard a lot of good things. I am especially very curious to hear that Marquis Dalton and Sir Dalton say that Lady Daughtry is really cute.”

“She’s a particularly cute and clever daughter.”

Victoire answered quickly. Dylan looked at Victoire in bewilderment.

(Dy) ‘Isn’t it Victoire who deliberately started the rumor to protect Elisabeth? What’s wrong with him. What a dimwit.’

“Particularly cute and clever? I really want to be friends with her.”

Polia said. It was a voice full of jealousy.

“No matter how cute and clever they are, there will still be the unique rusticness of a poor-grown child, and I want to lead her well as a princess.”

As if she was not praising the other girl in front of her, Polia discredited the young lady of Daughtry, whom she had never seen before.

Damon smiled kindly.

“You don’t have to feel that much pressure just because you’re a princess. My youngest sister is growing up very well.”

“No. I’m the only princess of the Duke Cabezo and the only princess of the Empire. It’s natural to help a poor child.”

Dylan was annoyed by Polia’s constant emphasis on ‘the only princess.’ Moreover, it was ridiculous for Duke Cabezo to just listen as if it were natural.

“It’s late, but I’m sorry about Lady Emilie.”

Dylan said coldly. It was a provocation on purpose.

“It can’t be helped because human life depends on heaven.”

Duke Cabezo replied but he answered without his face changing.

‘How could he do that when his daughter is dead?’

I knew roughly how Elisabeth was treated by the Duke of Cabezo. However, I couldn’t stand but be angry when I met him in front of my eyes.

But Dylan was able to resist the rising anger because of concerns that permeated at one side of his heart.

‘Elisabeth would have a hard time just having this man here.’

Victoire had no choice but to contact Duke Cabezo because he had to approach the Duke of Cabezo to get revenge himself. It was unexpected that he even brought Polia.

However, it would be difficult for young Elisabeth to understand, and even if she did, she would be agitated.

“Father…”

Polia called Duke Cabezo and whispered something. The Duke of Cabezo stared at Dylan with wary eyes.

“Count Daughtry. I have a favor to ask of you.”

“A favor. If there’s anything you want, please tell me.”

“My daughter must be very pleased with the Daughtry mansion. I’d like you to introduce her around.”

Victoire’s expression hardened at the moment. However, he replied with a smile, thinking he should only need to not bring her near Elisabeth’s room and introduce her around.

“That would be welcome. Let my son Damon introduce you.”

“No.”

Polia cut in urgently.

“Sir Dylan, please show me!”

Dylan looked at Polia with cold eyes.

***

Elisabeth was blankly putting the puzzle together. It was one of the puzzles that Victoire bought her when she’s bored.

“Oh, miss! Wake up!”

Marian, who was bringing tea and snacks, smiled and said.

Elisabeth looked closely at the puzzle only then. It was a puzzle with a unicorn drawing, and the front legs of the unicorn were set instead of horns.

“Ah!”

“You’ve done it more than ten times, and you’re wrong, were you having any other thoughts?”

Marian knew nothing about it.

“When you have a lot of thoughts, take a cup of tea and take a breather, miss.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Marian.”

Elisabeth drank the sweet, strawberry-scented tea. She felt a little out of her mind, but still feeling unreal.

‘My father is in this house. Just like Polia is.’

I thought I had erased a lot of my abused past while I was mentally being healed in the Daughtry mansion. But when I thought of my father and Polia being in the same space, I couldn’t get my head together.

Even a moment’s gasping felt as if someone was stealing her soul, her thoughts bounced back to her father and Polia. There was nothing but horrible things and frustrations there, but I kept thinking about them like I was tempted.

‘There’s no more sadness or regret for not being loved by my own father.’

I have received enough kindness here.

‘But… still, my heart is beating fast.’

Elisabeth was unaware that it was a trauma. She couldn’t easily forget it because she suffered from it until she died in her previous life. Without knowing this, however, she was in pain while thinking about them.

‘Will I ever get involved with father or Polia again?’

Elisabeth was terrified even though she thought it wouldn’t happen.

A father who hated her enough to kill her, and Polia who took everything from her.

‘What if Polia takes away precious things from me again this time?’

Victoire, Damon, Marian… and Dylan.

It was funny to think of them as precious, but it was also them who came to mind again then she shook her head.

In this life, I didn’t want to be robbed of my life.

“Miss. Would you like to go to the window and get some fresh air? And warm sunshine.”

As Elisabeth’s complexion got worse and worse, Marian said that.

Elisabeth found calm by looking at the sunlight and the swaying leaves that permeated the window.

It was so peaceful and beautiful outside. There was nothing pushing her back or even threatening her.

‘Let’s be relieved, Elisabeth. These people are different from my father. They won’t abuse their youngest daughter like my father did, and they won’t fall for Polia easily.’

“What are you doing?”

Elisabeth, looking for stability in her mind, doubted her ears.

“Young master Dylan!”

At Marian’s cry, Elisabeth looked back. Dylan was approaching.

“Oh, what happened? You should be with His Grace and Damon together.”

“I’ve been here for a while. I have to go again.”

“….”

“I was just thinking of you.”

Dylan sighed at the dark face of Elisabeth. It was as expected. The child was fighting her past alone.

With this little body and young face.

“It’s good to see you.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. What were you doing?”

“I was just looking out the window. I’m so bored.”

Marian brought another chair near the window so Dylan could sit face to face with Elisabeth.

“I’ll get you a cup of tea, young master Dylan.”

Then Marian left the room for a while. It was reassuring to have Dylan there even if she was away.

“I’m about to go, but what Mrs. Marian is doing is useless.”

“Mrs. Marian is doing this for Dylan. When that happens, just say ‘thank you’.”

“You’re even lecturing me now?”

“If you don’t know, then you should learn.”

Dylan smiled.

Elisabeth had already returned to her usual form and was chattering briskly. He felt much relieved.

“Are you watching something funny out there?”

“Just everything. The sun and the wind are so nice.”

Elisabeth put her head out of the window and breathed heavily in the outside air. The warmth of this mansion warmed Elisabeth’s chilly heart.

‘I’m glad Dylan’s here.’

Elisabeth smiled and closed her eyes. Dylan looked at Elisabeth with such fond eyes.

Then they heard a rustle under the window. The moment she looked down casually, Elisabeth saw what she should not see.

“Fath…”

The Duke of Cabezo, who felt the presence, raised his head. Dylan quickly held Elisabeth and dragged her down the window.

Tremble, a little tremor filled Dylan’s arms.

“I heard something?”

Duke Cabezo looked persistently at the window, as if something was strange. He came slowly to see the window better.

“Father!”

It was then. Polia ran to Duke Cabezo with a bright face. The Duke of Cabezo held the running Polia in his arms without hesitation.

“Polia. Have you finished your tour of the mansion?”

“Yes. Sir Damon introduced me well. But I wanted to be introduced by Sir Dylan, it’s a pity.”

“Hmph. Forget that bastard. How dare he refuse a princess’ request? My one and only daughter’s favor!”

Dylan felt Elisabeth in his arms flinching loudly. He gave Elisabeth a hug with more strength.

“Isn’t he playing hard to get for a reason? There’s no one in the world who hates princesses.”

“I don’t like that asshole anyway. Why did he bring up Emilie’s story?”

“I think he’s a little slow-witted. I almost died of heartache because he suddenly brought up Emilie’s story.”

“That hurts my heart. Whenever you say such a thing, this father’s heart bleeds.”

“It wouldn’t have happened if Emilie hadn’t bothered an innocent puppy, but I’m so sad to think about it again.”

“She asked for it. I can’t believe there was such an ugly and wicked child in our Cabezo duchy.”

“My late mother must be taking good care of Emilie in heaven.”

“What do you mean Emily is being watched by Diana? The child who crazily pushed her mother with jealousy. It’s creepy to think now how one thought of killing someone at that young age.”

“It would have been nice if she had told the truth and apologized before she died, but I was a little upset that she insisted she didn’t kill mother until the end.”

“Forget it all now, Polia. Emilie died and paid for her sins.”

“I understand, Father. Let’s stop talking about bad things. Polia is so happy to be on a date alone with father after a long time.”

“Oh, yes, my daughter. I’m glad that the sinister matter is gone and it’s just you and me.”

Polia linked her arms to the Duke of Cabezo’s. Duke Cabezo laughed and disappeared with Polia.

“Sob…”

I could hear the small sob in my arms.

“Elisabeth.”

Dylan clenched his teeth.

‘I don’t care if you swear at me. But I can’t stand it when it’s hurting Elisabeth.’

I wanted to run out right away and kick that ugly father and daughter out. I wanted to get revenge on those stupid and insensitive people who were so cruel as to shake their teeth.

But for now, the crying Elisabeth came first. I couldn’t leave this child behind.

When the body temperature of Elisabeth, who was trembling and crying, was felt, sorrow came in and anger melted away.

Dylan hugged Elisabeth more tightly.