Chapter 9
Ella was still overwhelmed with betrayal and hatred toward Diasi, her mind consumed with revenge.
To her, everything—even this revelation—was just another crack she could exploit to fuel her revenge.
“Well… assuming my assumptions are right, of course.”
She needed to meet Diasi directly to understand how he truly felt about the Pope. If she wanted her revenge to be perfect, she had to be cautious.
“It doesn’t matter whether Duke Meyers knows our true intentions or not,” Lillia said. “Even if he suspects something, there’s nothing he can do. You just focus on your task. Understood?”
“Sure, sure. I got it.”
Ella’s half-hearted response irritated Lillia, and she opened her mouth to scold her—but Ella cut her off.
“Then would you mind leaving now? I need to start packing if I’m to leave tomorrow, and I don’t have much time.”
“…I was planning to leave anyway! Once again, let me remind you—don’t bring any more disgrace to the family.”
“I’ll try. Oh, by the way—Duke Meyers said he wants the wedding to be as simple as possible. No one’s invited, so you don’t need to attend.”
“As if I ever intended to! Do you think I want to see your disgusting face? Why would I attend the wedding of a devil’s child with filthy blood?”
Despite Lillia’s bitter words, Ella simply smiled sweetly. She was easy to deal with—her thoughts were always visible on her face.
“I thought you’d say that.”
“Tch.”
Lillia was increasingly irritated by how unaffected her daughter acted.
She didn’t want to stay a moment longer in this damp, dark room that reeked of its owner. Dreaming of a long bath when she got home, she turned to leave.
But then—
“By the way, Mother… if I’m a devil’s child, with filthy blood… then what does that make you, who gave birth to me?”
“…What did you say?”
Lillia turned her head sharply toward Ella, who spoke in a light, airy tone. But her lips were still curved into a soft smile.
It was strange. She was her daughter—yet she felt like a complete stranger.
As Lillia locked eyes with Ella’s clear, sky-blue irises, a shiver ran down her arm.
“It’s nothing, Mother.”
Ella, secretly mocking the panic flickering in Lillia’s eyes, graciously opened the door for her. Lillia’s hand trembled as she glanced back.
She was humiliated. She had felt an eerie discomfort from her own daughter—and even briefly feared her. Her face flushed red with shame.
She wanted to strike Ella, just like in the past—to release her anger. But she couldn’t.
Ella was going to the Meyers household tomorrow and would soon become one of them.
If Duke Meyers found a mark or injury on her and questioned it, things would become problematic.
“Hold it in. You must hold it in.”
Taking a deep, almost sigh-like breath, Lillia barely held back her impulses and left Ella’s room in an irritated stride.
SLAM—
Lillia stormed off, and the knights followed. The door slammed shut.
After leaving the room, Lillia began screaming in the hallway and throwing anything she could get her hands on. The loud crash of something shattering made the Meyer servants rush over in panic.
Back inside, Ella took a calm sip of her now-cold tea.
Her movements were elegant—like a dancer, graceful and composed.
The carriage from the Meyers household that had come to escort Ella was nothing short of extravagant—clearly flaunting the family’s status.
Yet the send-off itself was incredibly modest. In fact, “modest” might have been too generous.
As expected, Lillia and Logan hadn’t planned to come out—but they showed themselves briefly, likely just to save face in front of the Meyers servants.
Very briefly.
Recalling their emotionless farewell, Ella slowly blinked, her eyes devoid of feeling.
Ariane followed her into the carriage. After knocking on the front wall, the coachman shouted an order, and the carriage began to roll forward.
Looking around at the traces of the Meyers crest inside the carriage, Ella let out a bitter smile.
So I’m really marrying you.
There had been a time, long ago, when she had dreamed of marrying Diasi. She had even blushed while fantasizing about it.
“…It was all so meaningless.”
“Pardon?”
Ariane flinched at Ella’s sudden words. Realizing her slip, Ella shook her head.
“It’s nothing. You must be tired from the early morning. Why not get some rest?”
“Oh, no! I’m too excited to be going somewhere new! Thank you so much for bringing me with you, My Lady. I’m really happy I get to keep serving you.”
Ariane smiled bashfully, her cheeks flushed. For some reason, that innocent face made Ella’s heart twinge a little, and she turned to look out the window.
The letter from the Meyers household had said she could bring anything she needed. But Ella hadn’t packed much.
She had casually asked Ariane if she would follow her—wondering if she might refuse. But Ariane had answered without hesitation, “Of course.”
Though Ella still couldn’t fully trust anyone—having paid dearly for doing so before—she did feel a bit more at ease.
After all, whether it was the Meyers or Meyers households, she had no one to rely on either way.
…Still, it’s better to have at least one familiar face.
With that thought, Ella quietly wiped the sweat from her palms on her dress. Repeating to herself over and over that she could do this.
Inside the gently rattling carriage, only the soft sound of their breaths filled the air.
Ariane’s eyes widened as she stepped down from the carriage. Ella followed, her expression equally blank with surprise.
“Welcome, My Lady.”
Dozens of servants—perhaps more—stood in rows, bowing politely to Ella. It was a stark contrast to her cold send-off at the Meyer estate.
When the greetings ended, an older butler with a monocle approached her.
“Thank you for making the long journey.”
Though the wedding had yet to take place, the people of the Meyers household already referred to Ella as “My Lady.” It felt strange—but she would have to get used to it.
“I’m Rain. I oversee most of the capital mansion. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“…Thank you.”
As Ella exchanged a few words with Rain, the servants quickly unloaded her minimal luggage and began organizing it.
Once everything was mostly settled, Rain, wearing a warm smile, guided her to the duchess’s room.
“Wow…”
Ariane gasped in awe as they entered the room. Rain looked on fondly and spoke in his calm voice:
“This is the first time the duchess’s room has been used since the mansion was built. It may still be lacking. Please feel free to make any changes to your liking.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Oh, and… I’m very sorry to say this, but the Duke will not be able to return to the mansion for a while. There’s been an urgent matter in the territory…”
Rain trailed off, delivering the message about Diasi’s whereabouts. Ariane glanced nervously at Ella, but Ella’s expression remained calm as always.
It was hard to believe she was a woman hearing her husband-to-be wouldn’t be joining her on the first day of sharing a home.
“Yes, I understand. Thank you for telling me.”
“…Then I’ll take my leave. Please call for me if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
Rain briefly made a bitter expression at her flat tone, then turned to Ariane.
“I’ll give you a tour of the mansion. Come with me.”
“Ah, yes! I’ll be back soon, My Lady!”
“Go ahead.”
Click—
As soon as the door closed, Ella perched on the sofa in the drawing room.
Since waking up in this unfamiliar body, everything had felt off. Even the air in this mansion felt different—heavier, harder to breathe.
This room, unused since the estate was built, oddly carried Diasi’s scent.
That fact slowly dampened Ella’s mood. She leaned back and gazed at the glittering chandelier on the high ceiling.
Where do I start?
From the moment she stepped into this mansion, her revenge had already begun.
The first thing she had to uncover was Mason’s whereabouts. He was said to have retired and left everything to Diasi—but she needed to know where he was and what he was doing.
And for that…
She had to embed herself among the people of this house. To become part of the Meyers family—naturally, and meticulously.
Her grip tightened on her dress.
Through a large window that dwarfed those in the Meyer mansion, soft white-blue moonlight poured in.
After checking Ella’s bed and turning off the lights, Ariane left the room quietly. As soon as she did, Ella rose from bed.
Her first day here had passed without incident. It was no different from her days at the Meyer estate—except the food was better, the clothes finer, and the surroundings more luxurious.
Leaning against the bedhead and staring out the window, she suddenly stood up and approached it.
In the clear night sky, a full moon and countless stars formed a river of light.
It was a familiar sight.
She had always loved the night sky—thanks to her father, who had been executed long ago.
He used to say the night sky, appearing faithfully every day without fail, reflected his beliefs. He loved everything in it.
Back then, she never imagined she’d marry Diasi. And certainly not like this—in the body of a mage.
That thought sank her spirits.
She suddenly felt the urge to breathe in the cold night air. Maybe it would ease the suffocation.
“…I’ll go out for a bit.”
Murmuring to herself, Ella grabbed a cardigan from her wardrobe and threw it over her slip.
“It’s a bit chilly, but…”
It’s just a short walk. It’ll be fine.
