IWPU 29

Chapter 29:

Tears, clear and pure, streamed down from eyes the same chocolate brown as El’s. She clasped her trembling hands together on her knees.

“I hate you… for being so indifferent even after receiving all his attention and love. I resent that you never tried to understand everything he did for you.”

Her tears flowed down her cheeks, soaking her hands and knees. Yet even as she cried, her eyes remained firmly fixed on me.

“And still, I’m going crazy because you’re so lovable—for looking just like him. I hate you… I want to hate you. But I’m so grateful that you gave me El… hng.”

She couldn’t finish her sentence and finally broke down in sobs. Evan, who stood like a folding screen behind her, didn’t console her—he just stood silently behind her. His face was a little stiff, but he didn’t look sympathetic or moved by her emotions. It made me wonder what their relationship was.

One thing was clear: Anasha had loved my grandfather. Just from looking at her now, there was no denying that truth. I didn’t believe she had been unfaithful to him. And El’s red hair resembled the Marchioness’s red hair—something I had never inherited. El was undeniably my grandfather’s blood.

Then what exactly was the relationship between those two? Anasha and Evan didn’t look alike at all—definitely not family. Sensing my gaze, Evan looked at me and spoke slowly.

“Anasha… is one of the many people the Count saved.”

He took a step toward me.

“He was a savior to us. A light we met in the depths of despair.”

Another step closer.

“Do you know how wretched and painful it is to live only because you cannot die?”

Step by step, he approached me, shrinking the distance between us.

“The hand he extended to us… it was like salvation from the gods.”

Now, only one step separated us.

“Do you know… why he saved us?”

He slowly bent down.

“It was all for you.”

Evan’s knee touched the ground, and his eyes met mine at the exact same level.

“The Count traveled the world, gathering children. Some of them possessed extraordinary talents.”

He turned toward Anasha.

“Among them, Anasha was even more special.”

A child with talent who was still exceptional. Her business acumen was indeed remarkable. My grandfather must have had a great eye for people. Moreover, placing a woman in a position of true authority in the trading company required courage and decisiveness not common in most.

“The Count spared no expense in educating us. If he saw talent, he supported it without hesitation.”

He turned back to me. His eyes bore directly into mine.

“For you.”

“……”

I couldn’t understand his words. Why would he sponsor talented children for me? If he had taken in those children out of guilt for abandoning me and the Marchioness, that might have made sense. Some people do charity out of remorse. But for me?

“This merchant guild doesn’t belong to me. It doesn’t belong to Anasha, either.”

His clear gray-blue eyes reflected my face.

“It’s all yours.”

“He left everything behind… for you,” Anasha added, having stopped crying at some point.

I felt confused. My grandfather left everything to me? Why?

“Why?”

The question that had been spinning in my head spilled out of my mouth. Anasha stood and approached me.

“He knew… he didn’t have long to live.”

Hadn’t he fallen ill from the shock of losing the Marchioness? Sensing my confusion, Anasha gently took my hand in hers.

“He needed someone to protect you in his place.”

She slowly bent forward to meet my eyes.

“So he prepared us. For you.”

At the time, I had no idea. I thought what he had left me was just a bit of land, some jewels, and cash. For a commoner, it was more than enough to live a life of leisure. But compared to the vast wealth of the Pison family, it was a drop in the bucket.

If what she said was true—that he left the entire Pison estate to me—then I might finally understand where my seemingly endless wealth had come from.

“Why are you only telling me this now?”

“There was a need to keep it hidden. Officially, we couldn’t protect you.”

Her answer told me everything. Back then, and even now, I was the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Even with the Emperor’s support behind him, the Crown Prince still faced opposition. The First Prince’s faction had always viewed me as a threat. If they could’ve, they would have killed me before I could become the Crown Prince’s wife. And if it became public knowledge that I inherited the entire Pison estate, they might take drastic action against me even now.

I looked at Anasha, whose hand still held mine.

‘Why didn’t she tell me all this sooner?’

It couldn’t have been a mere coincidence that she was confessing this to me now. She must have been weighing the right moment to speak for a long time. So what had changed between then and now?

She said she hated me for receiving all of my grandfather’s affection. Then she said she loved me for looking like him. And finally, she thanked me for giving her El.

‘…I see.’

I think I understood. From the beginning until now, she had mixed feelings toward me—love and hate. She hated me, but couldn’t hate me. I was dear to her, but not someone she loved.

Back then, instead of telling me the truth, she gave me all the support she could. The wealth I could never seem to exhaust was proof of that. She repaid my grandfather’s kindness, and she avenged the child she lost. That was likely her best.

I gently held her hand in return. She smiled faintly, tear stains still on her face.

Evan, who had been quietly watching us, placed his right hand over his chest. Still kneeling, he spoke solemnly.

“I swear on my heart and soul… eternal loyalty to my master!”

It was an informal vow, but without question—it was a knight’s pledge.