Episode 2
Before I returned in time, most of my memories involving the children were unpleasant—but not all of them were bad.
There were moments when unexpected people helped me, and others approached with nothing but pure goodwill.
Maybe it was those occasional breaths of fresh air that kept me going.
One such moment occurred recently—on the day the royal court held a trial regarding the Duke’s disappearance after my return.
Thanks to the testimonies of the ducal household staff and the children, it was proven that I had remained at the mansion on the day the Duke went missing and hadn’t made any unusual outings prior.
A mage from the Tower, gifted in reading the truth in people’s hearts, confirmed that the witnesses were telling no lies. It was officially concluded that I had no connection to Duke Perdo’s disappearance.
Even so, nobles from rival factions rose in protest, doubting the verdict, causing a brief uproar in the courtroom.
Up to that point, everything had mirrored the events before my regression.
Back then, I simply stood there in silence while the nobles tore into me like wolves.
And then, someone I had never even met before stepped forward to help me.
It was none other than Grand Duke Abellon.
Rising from his seat, he silenced the room with a low, firm voice dripping with displeasure—so potent it sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
“Anyone bold enough to question the ruling must surely have irrefutable evidence. Perhaps that’s why you think you can speak so rudely to the Duchess, who’s just been declared innocent.”
Thanks to him, the trial came to an end without further incident.
I was grateful for the testimony, of course, but instead of approaching the Grand Duke to express my thanks, I sought out the children. However, Kaelan was deep in conversation with nobles from his faction, and Haldeir and Reina had already left with the mages from the Tower.
When I arrived, only Anna remained—standing alone, having no group to belong to.
Anna looked at me with clear disdain. I didn’t dare speak to her at first. I simply stood quietly by her side, eventually murmuring a shy thank-you.
She didn’t respond.
Now, facing the same chaos after my return, I didn’t stay silent.
“Are you questioning the royal trial and the Mage Tower’s verified testimony? Do you believe you have stronger proof than those who ruled me innocent? Is that why you feel entitled to insult me here in court?”
At my uncharacteristic assertiveness, they hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words. But soon, their pride—bruised from being challenged by someone they deemed beneath them—reignited their fury.
And once again, it was the same man who silenced the chaos.
Just like before, the Grand Duke.
“Has the Duchess said anything untrue?”
That was all he said.
But with just those few words, the courtroom fell quiet again, just like it had in the past.
Though I was deeply thankful to him once again, I couldn’t help but feel bitter. When I said the same thing, I was ignored—but when he spoke, they listened. It was a harsh reminder of my standing among the nobility.
This time, instead of going to the children after the trial, I followed after the Grand Duke, who had already left the hall.
“Your Grace!”
When I called out, he stopped and turned to look at me—and in that instant, time seemed to slow.
Even the faint movement of his cloak was captured in sharp detail.
I watched as the tension left his clenched fist and his long, rough fingers slowly unfurled.
“What is it?”
“Ah…”
It was only after hearing his voice that I truly noticed the black mask he wore, marked with the crest of a bird—his presence unmistakable.
“Glory to the Empire. I just wanted to thank you for your support earlier—”
“No need for thanks. I only spoke my mind.”
He was exactly as the rumors described.
Cool, distant, and proud—just enough to suit his position.
But he never insulted or belittled others needlessly.
Realizing he had no intention of continuing the conversation, I decided not to force it. I had said what I needed to say.
Gathering my skirts, I bent my knees slightly and bowed my head.
“I see. I apologize for taking up your time.”
“Not at all.”
He gave me a slight nod before turning and striding away, his long legs carrying him swiftly into the distance.
As he disappeared from view, I quietly spoke behind him.
For the help—then and now.
“Thank you.”
My whisper, soft as the wind, brushed past his ears as he walked away.
“Thank you…”
And with that, he was suddenly reminded—of the voice of a girl, covered in dust, lying crumpled on the floor.
In that suffocating space, filled with shallow, faltering breaths, the only thing that sparkled were her violet eyes.
And the tiny voice she spoke with—so faint it might disappear at any moment—overlapped with the Duchess’s whisper in his ears.
He clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the instinct to stop. Instead, he quickened his pace, as if to outrun her.
That girl—her long, vibrant red hair tinged with brown, her deep violet eyes—she was gone.
She had died. And he had survived.
She’s gone.
Bella stood in place until even the flutter of his cloak had vanished from sight.
Only then did she turn and begin walking again.
As I recalled the past, I gently set the teacup down on the table.
Clink—
A pleasant breeze brushed against my chin through the open window, and the warm aroma of ilang tea lingered sweetly in the air.
The cozy atmosphere left me feeling light, almost like I was floating.
Moments like these—sitting quietly with a cup of tea in my room—had been almost nonexistent before I returned.
After the Duke’s death, I had no true allies left.
Those who coveted the Duchy worked tirelessly to drag me down.
And the four children, unwilling to hear me out, forced me to devote myself completely to managing the household and them, leaving no time for myself.
Even if I’d wanted a moment of rest, I feared what others would think.
“My Lady, perhaps you should take a break?”
“Steward, I don’t have that luxury. The Marquess of Taran entered the palace yesterday—how could I rest now?”
“But if you push yourself any further—”
“Don’t worry. I know my own limits.”
“My Lady…”
I had even suspected my steward of hidden intentions.
Telling me to rest? With all this work? Was he trying to ruin my reputation?
My body wore down, and so did my mind.
I couldn’t accept kindness as it was meant. I turned away from the servants, focusing only on my duties and the children.
I wanted to win over the hearts of those who resented me, and I tried—over and over—but their walls were too high. They rejected me to the very end.
Waiting for affection that would never come slowly eroded my spirit.
“Steward, where are the children? I thought we might share a meal.”
At first, since I didn’t know their whereabouts, I always asked him.
“Only Lady Reina is home, but she said she’s tired and will skip lunch to rest.”
“Oh? Then maybe I should bring something up to her—”
Are you out of your mind, steward? Did you seriously just say that to me?
I’d rather starve to death than eat with that woman. Tell her I’m sleeping. Hey, bring my lunch to my room—I’ll eat there.
“My Lady, skipping one meal won’t hurt. Since she returned late last night, I believe she’d benefit more from rest.”
“I see. There’s no helping it, then.”
Eventually, I realized how difficult it was for the steward to be caught between me and the children. So I began approaching them myself.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
“Kaelan, do you have any plans—?”
“I’m busy.”
He left before I could even finish my sentence.
All I could do was wave at his back and say,
“Take care.”
I didn’t expect a reply, but watching him leave so coldly still hurt. I just couldn’t show it.
Shrugging off the sting, I went to Anna next.
“Anna, are you busy?”
“Oh, madam. What brings you here? Don’t you have more important things to do than bother with me?”
“Oh… Thank you for the concern. I was wondering if you’d like to join me for lunch today?”
Even if her tone carried a hidden barb, I always pretended not to notice.
If I responded harshly, we’d only argue. I believed it was better for me to endure.
I was the Duchess. She was still a child.
“I’m actually having lunch with Haldeir and Reina today.”
“Really? Then maybe we could all eat together?”
“Hmm, not sure if the others would be okay with that.”
“Huh? Why not…?”
“Well, I’m busy. Why don’t you ask them yourself?”
“Oh, I see. I didn’t mean to bother you. I’ll see you later.”
“Sure, if you want.”
Maybe I should have noticed something was off—Anna smiling more sweetly than usual.
Knock knock—
“Hi there, I just—”
“Why are you here, in Reina’s room?”
“It would be nice if you said hello, Reina.”
“Hmph!”
“Hello…”
As expected, Reina snapped at me, while Haldeir greeted me awkwardly.
“Anna told me you were having lunch together. I thought I might treat you to dessert. What do you like—”
“Wait—what? Are you saying… you want to join us?”
“Yes, well. Kaelan’s out, and I thought it’d be nice for the rest of us to—”
“Why?”
“Because it’d be good to eat as a family for once. We don’t get many chances to—”
Before I could finish, Reina’s face flushed red, and she shouted as if I’d said something unspeakable.
“We’re not family!!!”
I didn’t ignore their barbed words because I was clueless.
If I truly were that oblivious, I wouldn’t have been hurt so often.
I thought—if I smiled, if I stayed kind—they’d understand my heart someday.
But things never went as I hoped.
Only when every child rejected me outright did I finally accept the truth: they had no intention of letting me in.
Clink—
I set down the empty teacup, savoring the lingering aroma.
If I’d known how peaceful this could feel, I might’ve tried taking a break before.
“This is nice…”
All I ever wanted was to be acknowledged—as someone who belonged in the Duke’s world.
I gave everything for that. And that version of Bella… died with it.
I’ve done more than enough.
“Good.”
Now, I’ll let go of what needs letting go, and keep only what truly matters.
I will protect the Duchy until Kaelan comes of age, as the Duke wished.
So, children…
This should be good news for you.
The attention you worked so hard to push away?
You won’t have to deal with it anymore.
