Episode 7.
It Was My Misunderstanding (3)
I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.
‘Shoes? Wait, are these really shoes? Why these?’
They looked exactly like sneakers from my previous life…
A unique design with cute little wings on both sides.
Just then, Father spoke.
“They might be too plain… Or do you not like them? Perhaps I should’ve bought something more sparkly…”
“No, it’s…”
“It’s…?”
I met Father’s gaze, and he quickly looked away. I averted my eyes too, then calmly replied,
“They’re wonderful. They look really comfortable at night.”
Tension left his lips for a brief moment.
It was a gift I truly liked.
Especially imagining Father choosing and worrying over them—
I felt like he must have thought of me, even if just briefly.
At that moment, I thought I heard a strange whoosh sound from somewhere.
‘What was that?’
Startled, I looked around, but Father was still looking away.
His aloof demeanor still stung a little, but for someone like me who liked to move around, these were a thoughtful gift.
It felt like he’d understood and taken that into account.
Maybe not consciously—but it felt that way.
Yeah, that’s what matters. My heart thumped.
“I really love them. Thank you, Father.”
And… I’m sorry I couldn’t say it more kindly.
Thank you for not telling me my cold expression is annoying—like my past parents did.
“…I’m the one who should be grateful, Hildea.”
Repeating his words, I hugged the shoes tightly to my chest.
I felt warmth spreading through me.
Ding!
– Observer-nim has entered the chat.
“The message is here!”
“Waaah!!”
The maids, who had been busily working, rushed over to the table at the sound of the notification.
In the wide-open notebook, glowing letters were magically being typed across the pages.
“What does it say? Read it out loud, quick!”
“Wait, wait. They’re still typing!”
The maids’ eyes sparkled with curiosity as they stared intently at the page.
Under their intense gaze, the letters appeared rapidly across the notebook.
–Breaking news! Hildea-nim’s smile pierced through the roof!
–Hildea-nim is shining bright again today! I can die happy now!
–Smiling with the shoes in her arms—destroyed me. Rare smile witnessed. I’m the ultimate winner. Too cute.
–Will soon illustrate Hildea-nim’s radiant smile. Title: “Smile of Life.” Interested buyers?
“Kyahhh!” The maids screamed with excitement.
“She smiled!”
“Ahh, thank goodness!”
“Lady Hildea never smiles, so—”
“And yet when she does, oh my god, it’s like… a blessing.”
Though their faces remained strangely expressionless, their flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes betrayed their thrill.
“It was all worth it. She liked the gift!”
“Yeah, Sien—you really went through hell for that one. That wasn’t just a regular pair of shoes! Honestly, I wasn’t sure you’d pull it off.”
“Even Lira admitted it. It was all based on imagination, and the girl didn’t sleep a wink. I was nervous just watching her.”
The maids gathered around the one standing blankly in the center, praising her—Sien.
Who would’ve imagined this scene?
Hardened women who normally dealt in blood and war were now desperately trying to make one noble girl smile.
And yet, they were happy.
“But the second young miss had it hardest, right? She was so surprised at the idea… and considering the Duke poured so much money and magic into it…”
Suddenly, Sien trembled and exploded with passion. Her shining eyes were on the verge of madness.
“Ugh, shut up! That’s all irrelevant! What matters is Lady Hildea smiled! She smiled because of the shoes I made! That’s what counts! Got it?”
Hands shaking with excitement, she dramatically pulled out a well-worn fountain pen.
As she touched it to the notebook, another alert chimed.
– Eunbami is the Best-nim has entered the chat.
Swallowing hard, Sien began to write:
–How much did Hildea-nim like the gift, on a scale of 1 to 10? I’ll buy all the illustrations.
–10. Definitely 10. Planning 10 illustrations. Limited edition. First come, first served. Confidentiality mandatory.
Ding! Ding! Alerts kept ringing as more responses poured in.
With a solemn look, Sien declared,
“I’m buying them all. For real.”
Her laugh, dangerously close to insanity, sent the other maids scrambling to step back.
It was absurd… but also strangely normal in their now-routine chaos.
—
A richly decorated ceremonial robe looked almost too fancy for the small frame of a young boy.
But his upright posture and cold, dignified expression made everything seem natural.
Who would dare laugh at a 12-year-old boy who radiated such power?
As time passed, that boy would only grow stronger—his blessing made it so.
Breathe, live, exist—and his power would keep growing.
Nothing could block it.
This was why the nobles of the Emperor’s faction looked satisfied, while those from the Empress’s faction looked grim.
A boy who’d survived countless dangers was now…
“The unshakable sword of the Mimmelro Empire. You shall pierce both internal and external threats with your blade. Walk your path with prudence and loyalty, for your actions will become history.”
“I accept. Your Majesty, I will do my utmost.”
“Good. From now on, you are the one and only Duke Belkious.”
Even under the sharp eyes of the watching nobles, the boy did not flinch.
In fact, his dry tone sounded more bored than proud—bordering on arrogance.
The Emperor, Dietroia, smiled with satisfaction.
The Empress observed with a cold, detached expression.
With the official title granted, the boy was now Duke Belkious—only 12 years old.
—
“My lord, how did it go?”
“As you can see. Nothing special.”
Despite his dismissive tone, the loyal aide quickly caught the thrown insignia before it hit the ground.
“Goodness, we’re still in the Imperial Palace, you know.”
“So?”
“You can’t just toss the insignia His Majesty gave you like trash.”
“You caught it, didn’t you? Problem solved.”
“…You don’t seem pleased. Isn’t this the moment you’ve been waiting for?”
“…Did the Empress provoke you again?”
“No. This time it was the Emperor himself.”
He sounded disgusted.
“…Is it the marriage proposal?”
“Yeah. He’s still at it.”
“…What a headache.”
The aide boarded the carriage after him. The Duke’s carriage pulled away from the palace, as if afraid someone might try to stop it.
“So annoying. I’ll just take care of it.”
“That’s not something you can ignore. Until now, the excuse of lacking a successor was plausible. But not anymore.”
Gabriel’s fine brow furrowed with irritation.
“Clinging to a dead man’s last wish… Pathetic. What’s the update on Hillington?”
“Not much, but enough to get by. The current lord… is a mystery.”
“…Go on.”
“Well, since they returned to the capital years ago, the security around their mansion has become incredibly strict—especially at night. Even our elite agents couldn’t break in.”
Gabriel stared out the carriage window, his voice icy.
“Good. I’ll use that.”
“…Use it? In what way, my lord?”
“If the marriage proposal is the problem, I just need a reason to reject it. Do they have the token of engagement?”
The aide’s jaw dropped.
“…Wait, you don’t mean—?”
The token of engagement was sacred.
If it were lost, the engaged party would have no claim to the match.
If only one side remained in possession, and the other declined, the engagement would be nullified.
“You’re going to infiltrate their house?”
“Who else would do it?”
“That’s suicide. Hillington’s head is—was—so dangerous that even the Imperial Guard hesitated.”
Gabriel’s eyes gleamed dangerously.
The aide shivered. The man known as a beast—Hillington’s head—was not to be taken lightly.
“If I get in and out without being seen, problem solved.”
“You could die.”
“You’re the only one who dares say that to me.”
“…Still, I have a bad feeling about this. Please reconsider.”
Gabriel didn’t reply. But no one could stop him now.
“I need certainty. I’ll go myself.”
—
As I stirred from sleep, I noticed someone clinging tightly to my pillow.
‘Oh, it’s her again.’
Sure enough, pulling back the blanket revealed a familiar face.
“Roze…”
Despite Lira’s scolding, Roze sometimes snuck into my bed and fell asleep beside me.
To be honest, I didn’t hate it. She was warm.
A laugh escaped me.
“What kind of dream are you having? What are you eating, huh?”
“Mmnn… umchi…”
I couldn’t help but smile.
Her puffy pink hair sprawled over the covers, her tiny lips munching away in her sleep.
Too adorable to hate.
A precious little girl breathing softly while pressed close to me.
“My little sister, Roze.”
In the beginning, I didn’t know how to approach her. I was hesitant.
But Roze was the one who crossed that line first.
This rose-scented child—never afraid of me—always calling,
“Unni! Unni! Unni~!”
We were born on the same day, but she felt more like a baby sister.
“You make me smile, Roze.”
Even when I opened my eyes, this pink puff would trail behind me.
I reached out and pinched her soft cheek gently.
She mumbled and gnawed on the blanket in annoyance.
“Eating meat now?”
Then,
“…Unni…? Mmm…”
Half-awake, one eye cracked open.
“It’s okay. Go back to sleep.”
“…Unni too…”
Yes. If I’m honest, one thing I’ve always envied about her is her honesty.
Her confidence to approach anyone with a smile.
Her ease in getting along with everyone in the mansion.
Her unshakable belief that whatever she says will be met with kindness.
Just then—
‘Hmm? Who’s that?’
—I heard someone talking outside.
