HTEVD 02

Chapter 02  …

“I’d like to have a brief talk with the child.”

The duke murmured without taking his eyes off me. He only spoke after having bitten the headmistress and the caretaker.

“Do you remember anything about your parents?”

“No, I don’t. But I’ve had this since I was little.”

Handing this ring back to him—it’s a dreadful task. Who would even understand? The person who wants to avoid this choice most of all is me.

The duke took the ring, now warmed by my body.

A ring engraved with the Perrian family crest, a memento passed down only to heirs of the Perrian marquisate. The duke gently fiddled with it, letting out a short sigh.

“Come with me. There are many people waiting for you.”

The duke smiled, a mixture of relief and sorrow.

◇ ◆ ◇

I boarded the Trapiche Duke’s carriage. I carried no luggage.

“It’ll be a long journey. Try to get some sleep.”

The carriage traveled nonstop for three days, and the duke apologized for the hurried pace. I slept deeply. When asleep, I saw Ruby’s face; when awake, I met the gaze of the Trapiche Duke, looking at me with a sad expression.

“Your eyes resemble your mother’s.”

The traces of the Perrian family I had so desperately sought were ordinary green eyes. Even so, just having the same green eyes didn’t mean I resembled the Marchioness at all. The portrait I had seen showed a beautiful woman with gentle eyes.

“Aren’t you curious about your parents?”

My mind scrambled to find a safe answer to the duke’s question. What would Ruby have said?

“I’d like my rich parents to show up and make me a huge pot of meat stew.”

That was all Ruby had wished for, unaware of her own worth.

Ruby had lain on the grass with her long, silky hair spread around her, yawning. Shadows from the trees mottled her pale, porcelain-like face, and her red eyes gazed indifferently into the air.

“Then I’d forgive them for leaving me in this dreadful place.”

Like any child in an orphanage, Ruby wished for parents who would care for her and feed her warm meals.

“Is that all it takes?”

I asked brusquely. Ruby responded with a playful grin.

“Well, I can’t really hate them if it’s just meat stew.”

“About my parents…”

I chose my words carefully. The Trapiche Duke was kind but not a fool.

“I don’t remember anything.”

It was true. I had never had any memories to miss or to be curious about. The duke looked at me with a troubled expression.

“I owe your father a debt.”

“……”

“If you need anything, tell me.”

“Are we going to Toledo?”

“Yes. We’ll arrive tomorrow. Have you ever been to the capital?”

“No. This is my first time leaving Verdade. Who are the people waiting for me?”

“Everyone will be waiting for you. Even very important people.”

I knew well who the “very important people” the duke referred to were. By custom, I would have to arrive in Toledo and formally enter the court three days later, but Henry II would call me straight to the palace to stage a grand reception for the daughter of the Perrian family arriving in the capital.

“The calculating emperor won’t miss this opportunity.”

In my second life, I had trembled before royalty and nobles. The more pitiful I appeared, the more the emperor rescuing me would appear merciful—Henry II’s little theatrical show. Having killed his half-brother and claimed the crown himself, Henry II exploited the daughter of a loyal retainer who had saved her master’s life during the revolution. A born politician, he was as cunning as a serpent.

“I have a request, Duke.”

“Go ahead.”

“Could you… provide me with a dress?”

The duke’s eyes widened.

“If you help me, I will repay you someday!”

The noble Trapiche family probably wouldn’t care about a single dress, but for a common girl, buying clothing was a rare luxury. And to ask a noble for it—no wonder he was surprised.

“You said I’d meet very important people, but my outfit doesn’t seem appropriate… I apologize.”

I shrank my shoulders, realizing I had misspoken. The duke waved his hand hastily.

“No, that was thoughtless of me.”

The duke would not refuse the daughter of a deceased friend and a poor orphan. Even in the chilly weather, I wore a thin dress that left my ankles exposed.

“But wouldn’t it be better to buy your dress in Toledo? I’ll take you to the finest tailor.”

“I don’t need fancy clothes!”

I shouted, almost desperately. As soon as we reached the capital, the knights would escort the carriage to the palace, and at the end of the crowd eager to see the Perrian heir, Henry II would be waiting with a gentle smile.

“A clean dress will suffice. I’m filthy enough as it is, and…”

“The journey is long. But as soon as we arrive in Toledo…”

“And!”

“?”

“…I feel a bit dizzy. It’s my first time riding a carriage.”

‘I cannot face people looking like this.’

First impressions were nearly impossible to change. No matter how sophisticated my language, how precise my manners, how beautiful the dress or smile, I would always be remembered as I first appeared.

In my second life, I could never shake the label of the poor commoner rescued by the emperor. Entering high society marked as a pauper was exhausting.

“We should rest for a while.”

Finally, the carriage turned toward a small county near Toledo—Rondo.

◇ ◆ ◇

Rondo was the fief of Countess Elsa, the Trapiche Duke’s cousin.

“Albert! What brings you here? I thought you were recuperating. And this child…?”

“I’ll be in your care. Is there a room where the child can rest?”

Countess Elsa gave me a curious look and instructed her maid to take care of me. I bowed awkwardly and left the reception room. I was used to curtseys, but it would have seemed strange for a common girl to perform noble greetings perfectly.

After bathing under the care of a young maid, I was guided to the dining room. The Trapiche Duke and the count and countess were seated at the table.

“How old are you this year?”

“Thirteen.”

“Thirteen…”

The count and countess’ expressions darkened.

“It is fortunate that His Majesty will acknowledge the Perrian family’s contributions, even now,” Countess Elsa muttered doubtfully.

“But why suddenly…?”

“Restoring a noble family fallen during the revolution and showing the emperor’s authority is not a bad move.”

I focused on cutting my food, pretending not to understand their conversation.

‘The emperor wouldn’t do this purely to honor his vassals.’

No sun lasts forever, and history repeats itself. Henry II’s imperial power, seated with the backing of local nobles, was not absolute. Resentment toward Henry II from vassals trying to check noble power grew, and the populace, weary from civil war, did not direct their discontent at the throne.

So Henry II devised a plan: to honor a loyal vassal, gather the people’s favor, and preserve the royal image—by finding the last daughter of the Perrian family and marrying her to one of his sons. Of course, the plan faltered when a scruffy girl, rather than a noble, appeared.

‘I must leave the palace as quickly as possible.’

Countess Elsa, seated opposite me, looked at me in surprise.

“Your dining etiquette… is excellent.”

I flinched, stopping my hand mid-cut on the steak.

“…Thank you.”

“You could almost pass as a noble young lady. Ah, I apologize.”

Her husband, Sir Clifton, immediately apologized.

Soon, I would be recognized as the legitimate heir of the Perrian family—not just any noble girl. I would be Evelyn Perrian, sole successor of the marquisate, a family whose sword served the empire, whose line contributed greatly to the current emperor’s reign.

“No, thank you for the wonderful dinner.”

“You’re welcome. I hope your accommodations are comfortable; call for a maid if you need anything.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

I gave a light bow and left the table.

In my second life, I only met Countess Elsa at fourteen. The Trapiche Duke, feeling pity for my long-neglected self, had invited her as my instructor. Naturally, my manners and posture pleased her. I had learned nobility, history, and the nuances of high society from her.