Chapter 6 – [Change and Adaptation]
My vision spun. A bitter taste filled my mouth.
“Huff, huff…”
I could feel my pace slowing down. I gritted my teeth. In the distance, I could see my brother Eit, anxiously pacing, completely ignoring his own training.
Even though I told him not to worry.
I wiped off the sweat and kept running. When I finally finished the last lap, I was so exhausted that I collapsed on the ground. Eit rushed over to me, holding a towel and a water bottle in his hands.
“Lala, are you okay?”
“Yes…”
I shivered slightly as I accepted the cold towel and water. After wiping away the sweat, my vision finally cleared.
“Phew…”
I looked up at the sky. It had already been weeks since I started running. At first, even one lap was a struggle, but now I could easily run three.
“Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
Eit still looked worried. I replied firmly.
“Of course not. More importantly, you should get going. The other knights are waiting for you.”
I waved him off with a glance over my shoulder. It was his job to train the soldiers during the morning exercises. As I pushed him along, assuring him not to worry about me, he hesitated briefly before nodding and leaving.
Once Eit went to tend to the others, I did my cool-down stretches. No matter what, I never skipped this part—otherwise, I might get injured or my muscles might stiffen up.
As I stretched and looked up, the sky was brilliantly blue. Probably because autumn was just around the corner. I couldn’t help but smile.
It was the perfect day for an outing.
Life at the Duke’s estate was surprisingly simple. From dawn till morning was training time, with Eit and the knights exercising during that time. I would run or stretch in a corner of the training ground, then clean up and go eat breakfast.
Father had a rule that unless someone was sick or staying out overnight, the family should always eat breakfast together. He said it gave everyone energy for the day.
After breakfast, Father—who was the Minister of Civil Affairs—would head to the royal palace. Eit, who was the captain of the royal guard, would leave with him. Eddie would check on the estate, attend heir lessons, or manage the merchant group. Meanwhile, I would stay home and take family lessons.
Maybe because I had lost my memories, I had a lot to learn, and my schedule stayed pretty full. After finishing their work, everyone would return home around 5 or 7 p.m., and then we’d eat dinner together again. Sometimes Father or Eddie couldn’t make it because of work, or Eit would be on night duty, but even then, I never had to eat alone.
But today!
All those schedules were canceled.
In other words—it was a vacation!
Unable to contain my excitement, I stood in front of my vanity. A slightly slimmer girl than before smiled brightly at me in the mirror.
“You’re so excited to go out today, aren’t you?”
Emma, who was braiding my hair into two plaits, giggled. Beside her, Nana was laying out outfits, trying to decide which one would suit me best. There was a daring off-shoulder dress, a youthful lace dress with short sleeves, and even a modest high-collared dress.
“I’ve decided. This one!”
Nana chose a light and airy apricot-colored dress with tiny floral embroidery in various colors. She brought out a white hat and a pink diamond bracelet to match and began dressing me up in earnest. Time passed quickly.
“You look wonderful!”
The maids clasped their hands together in delight. I simply responded with a sweet smile. Unlike her reputation as a villainess in high society, Laila had a good reputation among her family.
Once I finished getting ready and walked down the stairs, three men already dressed and waiting stood in the hall.
I couldn’t help but be amazed.
“You’re here, Laila.”
Father’s beautiful aquamarine hair was neatly tied back with a metallic ornament. His white outing attire suited him well and looked comfortable, too. Smiling warmly, he greeted me. He looked far too young to be in his forties.
“Lala.”
Next to him stood Eddie, dressed in a blue formal suit. His silver hair, reaching down to his shoulders, was tied with a sapphire-studded ribbon. He looked incredibly elegant and strikingly handsome as he smiled at me.
“Lala!”
Eit grinned and waved energetically when he saw me. His short blond hair shone as brightly as ever. He wore his crisp black knight uniform, which only enhanced his glowing appearance. He never went anywhere without his sword, and today was no exception.
I lifted the hem of my skirt and greeted them politely.
“Good afternoon.”
Father broke into a wide smile and offered me his arm.
“Yes, it’s perfect weather for an outing.”
“No rain.”
“Pleasantly cool!”
“We really picked the perfect day.”
As we walked out of the mansion toward the carriage, we chatted lightheartedly.
In the garden, a pristine white carriage stood ready. Four white horses neighed softly in welcome. The carriage moved as smoothly as if under a magic spell.
Just like Cinderella’s carriage on its way to the grand palace,
Our destination was Remia Lake.
Remia Lake was a beautiful tourist spot on the outskirts of the capital. The area was vast, so even though it was a tourist site, it never felt crowded. Thanks to the capital’s designation as a protected area, the roads were well-maintained.
Since Father and my brothers were busy men, they couldn’t take long vacations without special occasions. So we decided to take a light trip nearby.
Father did suggest using a teleportation portal to show me beautiful places all over the country—but I had to stop him in a panic. Did he even know how much gold those things cost?
All I wanted was a simple, cozy family outing. Something to refresh my spirits. And Eddie had chosen Remia Lake, a nearby spot famous for its beauty—making it the perfect place.
We reached the lake quickly, and I gasped.
“Father, Eddie, Eit! Look at that!”
They smiled contentedly at my amazement.
In my past life, I was too burdened to ever go on a trip. School trips were to Gyeongju or a local hill. But now, the breathtaking view before me widened my eyes.
“A pink lake…”
Before me stretched a vast, pink lake. A pink lake—truly! I had never seen anything like it in my life.
The water glowed with a soft pink hue, like rosewater. I rushed over and dipped my hand in the pink water. Curious about the taste, I licked the droplet on my finger—and my face contorted instantly.
‘Ugh, salty! Why is it so salty?!’
Father, having seen me from behind, walked over and explained.
“Legend says the blood of a dragon seeped into this lake. That’s why it turned pink.”
“Dragon’s blood?!”
I widened my eyes in shock.
“They also say that if you lie here, you’ll be punished by the dragon’s wrath.”
“Amazing…”
Dragon’s blood. What a fantasy-like tale.
My brothers, father, and I walked along the lake, chatting as we went. Meanwhile, the attendants set up a picnic area.
They spread out a thick, red-checkered blanket on the grass, placed a folding table and chairs, and laid soft cushions that matched. Soon, food began to fill the table.
First came refreshing fruit sherbet, then golden honey bread and carrot soup. Fragrant grilled chicken legs seasoned with herbs, mashed potatoes, spicy sauced shrimp, crunchy vegetable sticks with herb dip, sandwiches, and sweet fruit punch followed.
The main dish, roast beef prepared by the chef, was still juicy despite being served outdoors. As I ate it with warm vegetables…
“This is delicious!”
I held my cheeks and smiled in bliss. Our chef truly was the best in the world. My brothers and father eagerly offered me more food.
Once we were stuffed, it was free time.
Eddie and Eit played with a ball for a bit, then returned quickly. Watching them, I wondered if I should teach them soccer or baseball sometime.
Father sat in a rocking chair, gazing at the lake. Eddie started sketching the lake with colored pencils. Eit, reading a mystery novel, soon began to nod off.
I wanted to walk more along the lake, but everyone seemed busy, so I quietly slipped away. Eddie noticed and tried to get up, but I coaxed him with, “I’m really looking forward to your drawing. I’d be so sad if it didn’t get finished because of me.” That convinced him, and I walked off alone.
Looking back briefly, I saw my family’s peaceful faces. It was a beautiful scene. I was glad I had suggested this trip.
I strolled slowly by the lakeside. Tall golden reeds and wildflowers swayed in the breeze. A cool wind blew from the lake. As I enjoyed the breeze—
A strong gust suddenly picked up.
The ribbon on my hat came undone, and my white lace hat flew up into the sky.
“…Ah…”
It looked like a painting—my white hat fluttering through the blue sky. But I couldn’t just let it go. The wind was strong, and the hat drifted into the reeds. If it fell into the lake, it’d be a waste of such a pretty hat. I grew anxious and began to run after it.
But before I could reach it, I froze.
A hand had caught the hat.
Short black hair swayed gently in the breeze. Black hair, black eyes… colors that reminded me of who I used to be.
The person who caught my hat was a boy, seemingly my age.
As the wind settled, my green eyes met the boy’s black ones. He smiled with a sparkle in his gaze.
“Hello?”
I stood there, mouth agape.
