ISTV 15

I took a deep breath in front of the door.

‘I need to do well.’

This was a meeting of the heads of three major factions.

‘I have to make a good impression no matter what.’

My primary goal was to win over Themahnon, the head of the Queibek family.

Themahnon was a fair and just man. Once he gave someone his trust, he would extend endless generosity and grace.

‘If I can get Themahnon on my side, a lot of crises will resolve themselves.’

Wearing the smile I’d practiced in front of the mirror, I stepped into the conference room.

Three people sat there, each radiating an overwhelming presence. I grabbed the hem of my dress and bowed politely.

“This is Seyla d’Bevernon, third child of House d’Bevernon. I’ve come to greet my father and the two elders.”

Themahnon let out a hearty laugh.

“Well now, you’re very different from the rumors.”

The rumors about me had been quite distorted.

Most of them painted me as the disgrace of the family, a fool, or an imbecile.

After the entrance ceremony at Hamyun, those rumors had seemed to fade a little, but in the end, people believe what they want and hear what they wish.

If she’s so lovely, why did House d’Bevernon go to such lengths to hide her?

The idea that Seyla is sweet and wise is just false information spread by House d’Bevernon.

Or she must have a serious personality issue.

There were even stories that a large number of servants had resigned because they couldn’t handle Seyla’s hysterics, and so on.

‘Because I didn’t follow convention.’

I hadn’t participated in typical noble rituals like the Winter Vow or the Opening Banquet, so the rumors around me remained unfavorable.

Once an image sticks, it’s hard to shake off.

Still, I didn’t care too much.

Even in South Korea, where the internet and media are highly developed, information gets twisted and manipulated all the time.

In this world, it was bound to be worse.

I had far more urgent things to worry about than false rumors and public opinion.

‘Elegance, I’m counting on you.’

The rougher and more unfiltered my words, the harder “elegance” would have to work.

— Sup, badass head of House Queibek? I’m kinda nervous?

“I formally offer my greetings. It’s truly an honor to meet Lord Themahnon, the foremost leader of Queibek, cradle of all swordsmanship.”

Themahnon laughed heartily.

“What a polite child! Your speech is refined and absolutely delightful.”

Huh? I don’t think I’ve ever been called “delightful” before.

Or maybe he just wants to see me that way?

‘Themahnon has a huge soft spot for animals and kids.’

He was famously a lover of animals and a vegetarian, a character who cared deeply for the weak.

And he was also an infamous doting father of three sons. But secretly, he had a hidden trait:

‘[Dear God, Please Grant Me a Daughter!]’ or something like that.

I can’t remember the exact name of the trait, but in any case, Themahnon had a longing for a daughter.

He wanted one badly, but Rachel—the true mistress of House Queibek—had refused any further pregnancies, and he had been quietly enduring the disappointment.

“I can’t believe a daughter this lovely was born to the head of House d’Bevernon.”

His eyes were already filled with affection.

Maybe it was because I’d never received such warm looks in this body before, but my heart fluttered.

This body seemed particularly weak to unconditional affection like that.

“I’ve prepared some tea. It’s nothing compared to what the chamberlain could offer, but I made it with sincerity.”

Themahnon gulped it down in one go.

‘That was just boiled—’

He drank tea that was nearly 100 degrees like it was cold water. And it didn’t even faze him?

A true superhuman.

“I can feel your sincerity. It’s very sweet.”

Sweet? The black tea?

It was a little absurd, but the affectionate gaze was so nice that I couldn’t help but smile.

I think I smiled quite brightly without even realizing it.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Wahaha! What a sweet way to speak!”

‘He really is like my dad. Except for all the muscles.’

Now that I think of it, my team lead had said that she drew a lot of inspiration from the president’s father—who was my actual dad.

In hindsight, he was a solid reference for designing a perfect father.

In the game, he was just 2D, so I never thought much about it. But seeing him now, those memories of my real dad rose up in a rush.

He really did look a lot like him.

Themahnon couldn’t take his eyes off me as he spoke.

“Defelto. For the first time in my life, I feel defeated by you.”

Wrapped in a strange sense of victory, Defelto replied with a calm smile.

“Seems like House Queibek doesn’t have anyone like Seyla who brews such fine tea.”

“The kids are all obsessed with swords.”

To Themahnon, it was only natural for his sons to be obsessed with swordsmanship.

It was simply expected of the Queibek line. Still, seeing Seyla made him feel a little envious.

“What’s it like, raising a daughter?”

“Well.”

Honestly, Defelto didn’t have much to say.

Like most nobles, he hadn’t shown much interest in parenting, and until recently, Seyla hadn’t even been on his radar.

“As you can see, something like this.”

With practiced ease, Defelto sipped the tea Seyla had made.

He was mostly doing it because he had nothing to say, but in Themahnon’s eyes, he looked like the picture of a loving father enjoying the moment.

“Pfft.”

Arsagil, face hidden by a veil, chuckled.

Both Defelto and Themahnon turned to her.

“What are you laughing at?”

“What’s so funny?”

Arsagil shook her head.

She was now wearing white gloves trimmed with lace—when had she put those on?

“If I recall correctly, Defelto, you had zero interest in your daughter. Didn’t you forcibly drag her to the temple for a paternity test when she was around seven?”

At that, Themahnon slammed the table.

“You son of a—! Is that true?!”

“And if it is?”

A heatwave rose from Themahnon’s body.

Forcing a child to undergo a paternity test at the temple? In Themahnon’s moral code, that was a horrific, inhumane act.

Seyla chuckled internally.

‘So this is another moment of [Constant Threat of Sudden Death].’

Hard to explain exactly, but it felt like a hot fog creeping in.

As a former developer, Seyla’s brain instantly began calculating the next scenario.

‘Themahnon doesn’t tolerate injustice—he’ll get angry. Defelto won’t back down because of his pride. Themahnon will draw his sword. The two will fight.’

Those two characters were known to fight often.

‘And in the aftermath…’

There were just too many ways to die.

Maybe the chandelier would fall from the ceiling due to the force of their clash.

Or she’d be swept out a window by one of Defelto’s spells.

Or a broken sword shard from Themahnon would fly at her.

Or part of the mansion might collapse and crush her…

Seyla stepped between Defelto and Themahnon.

“Please, stop fighting. I’m sure Father was in great pain back then.”

Just stepping between them felt like walking into an invisible storm that tore at my whole body.

It was a good thing Themahnon withdrew his aura—if he hadn’t, I might’ve passed out.

And that’s what really pissed me off.

Themahnon eased up because he didn’t want me to get hurt. Defelto, on the other hand, did not.

‘Who’s supposed to be my dad again?’

I was annoyed, but I continued speaking with grace.

“My father gained a daughter, but lost the wife he loved.”

Themahnon cleared his throat. He looked like he had a lot to say, but restrained himself in front of a child.

“I think Father hated me back then.”

“That’s not your fault.”

“I feel strange saying this myself…”

I lowered my head.

“I looked a lot like my mother on the outside, but I was nothing like her inside. I was a coward. Unlike her boldness, I was timid. I think that disappointed him.”

“Child, that’s never a reason for a parent to be angry.”

You’re right. I didn’t do anything wrong.

When I recall Seyla’s old memories, I get so upset and angry too.

But the problem is… if they fight, I die.

“That’s why I asked for the paternity test.”

“…What?”

“Because I didn’t think I deserved to be a daughter of this house.”

Themahnon looked at me with heartbreaking eyes.

“You were only seven. What kind of parent demands qualifications from a child that age?”

His eyes were red, as if he felt my pain more deeply than I did.

“That must’ve hurt. You must’ve suffered a lot.”

Oh, please don’t do this.

If you say that with a face that looks so much like my dad’s, I will cry.

I barely held back the tears and continued acting as the ‘useful child of d’Bevernon.’

“I thought it was better to be legally disowned than to disappoint him by being pathetic.”

“…”

“But your words, Lord Themahnon, brought me great comfort. Thank you, truly.”

Themahnon seemed completely disarmed.

As if in a trance, he stepped forward, knelt on both knees, and gently hugged me.

‘…Warm.’

It was hard to describe. A complex feeling.

This was the first time Seyla’s body had felt a human embrace like this.

And to be honest, it was comforting.

I didn’t know if the feelings were mine or Seyla’s, but it didn’t matter.

I had become Seyla, and Seyla had become me.

A few quiet tears rolled down my cheeks.

‘Are my tears seriously falling this beautifully right now?’

I honestly wanted to burst out crying, but outwardly I remained calm.

Even to myself, I looked like a tragic heroine.

In a gentle voice, Themahnon said,

“Seyla. You’ve been through so much. You’ve done so well. You truly… truly have.”

His eyes were brimming with tears.