Chapter〈002〉
“Didn’t the Atley Count’s family already go through several governesses? Wasn’t this the fifth one?”
“No, this is the sixth already. And this time, the governess had to quit because her leg was broken.”
“Heavens! Don’t tell me it was…”
“Yes. It was the eldest son!”
“Oh my goodness!”
Oh my goodness!
As a noble lady gasped in shock, I too couldn’t help but gape. A scoundrel in the making already showed signs from an early age. Daniel’s future husband—my ex-husband—was still just a child now, yet he was already breaking his governess’s leg?
Poor Daniel…
My heart ached as I thought of Daniel eventually marrying such a brute and suffering because of it. And that wouldn’t happen until at least ten years from now.
Is she being neglected right now?
Since the Earl of Winchester was still single, the stepmother—the typical abuser role—hadn’t appeared yet. That meant Daniel was likely being neglected by her indifferent father.
Is Daniel on the second floor?
I glanced furtively at the staircase leading to the second floor. Only the Camellia Hall and a few rooms on the first floor, intended for use as powder rooms, were open to guests today. The second floor was roped off, but no one was standing guard.
Should I sneak up there?
When I first came here, I only hoped to catch a glimpse of Daniel from afar. But after hearing about my ex-husband’s outrageous behavior, my heart ached even more for her. I suddenly wanted to see her up close.
I wanted to tell her—though she wouldn’t understand now—that even if things were hard, a happy ending was waiting for her in the future, so hang in there.
In the end, I found myself tiptoeing upstairs. The party was lively, and no one cared where a plain baron’s daughter wandered off to.
It was the power of being unremarkable that let me sneak to the staircase unnoticed. At the split hallway, I paused.
Which room is Daniel’s?
Back at the Baron of Formoz’s estate, my own room—being the third child—was about halfway down the right corridor on the second floor. But I had four siblings, plus my married brother and his child lived with us. Daniel was an only child, so her room might be in a completely different location.
Judging by their relationship, maybe their rooms are at opposite ends…?
Her father was that indifferent, after all. It wouldn’t surprise me if even their rooms were as far apart as possible. As I scanned both sides, I noticed a faint light coming from a dim corridor to the right.
As I quietly approached, I saw the light seeping out from a slightly open door.
“…Could it be here?”
Just as I peeked in, wondering if this was the right place, a voice came from inside. My ears instinctively tuned in.
“There must be lots of tasty things downstairs, and everyone’s probably dancing happily, right?”
It was a girl’s clear, bright voice. There was only one little girl in this entire mansion.
“Shall we dance too, Tosoon? Hmm~ hmhmhm~ hmm~”
Humming sounds, the thump of little feet, the rustling of clothes brushing together—it all echoed from within.
Oh my goodness! Too cute!
I imagined Daniel dancing alone with a doll in her arms and nearly squealed internally from how adorable it was.
Our little cutie Daniel! Kyaa! Too precious!
Afraid I might actually scream, I clenched my fists and hurriedly pressed one trembling hand over my mouth.
“I can’t do it, Tosoon. I feel weak. I’m dizzy.”
“…?”
“No one brought me food today because everyone was too busy. I’m so hungry I can’t move.”
What? Are they all insane? No matter how busy they are, how could they let a child go hungry?!
Suddenly, I couldn’t see straight. I pulled my hand away from my mouth and, without hesitation, knocked on the door.
“Y-yes?”
A small voice, startled by the sudden knock, answered timidly. The way she sounded like she never expected anyone to come for her hit me deep in the chest.
I remembered feeling that way too—thinking no one wanted me, that no one would ever come looking.
“Can I come in?”
“…Yes.”
She seemed hesitant at the unfamiliar voice, but eventually gave permission. I carefully opened the door so she wouldn’t be frightened, and a large room came into view.
Fitting for a noble mansion, it was spacious and furnished with antique décor. A large bed, several wardrobes, a big, old-looking desk, and intricately carved candlesticks filled the room.
And there, standing in the middle, was a small child.
She wore a plain dress even more modest than the heavy curtains on the window. Compared to the grand furniture, she looked far too frail, and her small frame seemed swallowed by the oversized bed. She didn’t fit the room at all.
What kind of child’s room is this? You could say it’s a seventy-year-old man’s room and I’d believe it. And look at that dress—who would think she’s the daughter of a count?
“Hi, Daniel.”
Swallowing the rising anger, I smiled brightly.
“Who… are you?”
Daniel looked up at me with fearful eyes.
“My name is Naeri. I’m one of the guests visiting your home today.”
I crouched to her eye level, and only then did the fear in her eyes begin to fade slightly.
“Your home is lovely! Thank you for inviting me.”
“But… I didn’t invite anyone…”
She trailed off shyly, hugging her bunny doll tightly and looking away, perhaps embarrassed to be thanked for something she didn’t do.
“It’s still your house, though, isn’t it?”
“…”
She said nothing and avoided eye contact. It was as if she didn’t believe this was her home at all.
“Oh! Do you like cookies?”
At the word “cookies,” Daniel looked up from the floor in a flash. Her sparkling eyes stared at me intently.
“I just happen to have some with me. Want one?”
I opened my purse and took out a cookie. I’d wrapped it in a handkerchief earlier, picking out what I thought a child might like from the food downstairs.
Even though Daniel was technically a noble’s daughter, I wasn’t sure if something like this would win her over. But I figured, a kid is still a kid, and brought it anyway.
“…”
She seemed conflicted. She looked at me, then at the cookie, her expression practically drooling, but clearly still too wary of me to accept it right away.
It reminded me of a stray kitten, eyeing a tasty treat but too cautious of the human offering it.
“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to. Or you can eat it later. I’ll just leave it here.”
Thinking she wouldn’t eat it in front of me, I gently placed the cookie-wrapped handkerchief nearby and stepped back.
This really felt like feeding a stray cat.
“I’m going to head out now, Daniel.”
“Hic—y-yes?”
She answered with a little gasp as she stared at the cookie. I really had to leave quickly.
“One day, good things will come your way.”
Knowing Daniel’s future, I could say that confidently. Even if things were hard and painful now, someday, happiness would surely come.
“If I’m a good girl?”
She looked up at me with clear, honest eyes.
“No. You don’t have to be a good girl.”
I shook my head. I knew the things that happened to Daniel because she was too good. I wished she’d be just a little less nice. That she wouldn’t hold everything in.
“You’re a precious child, Daniel. That’s why you’ll be happy.”
Once I left the room so Daniel could eat her cookie, the dark hallway greeted me again. Thankfully, the staircase I had come up was still bright with light from below, so I wouldn’t lose my way.
Alright! Mission complete!
Just a few more steps and I’d reach the stairs. If I went straight down and acted nonchalant, no one would ever know I’d been on the second floor.
“No, we can’t move the troops from Sturryhill. It may look small, but it’s a key strategic point.”
Suddenly, a door burst open from the opposite corridor, and a stern, decisive male voice rang out.
H-hide!
Panicking, I looked around. I grabbed the doorknob to the door nearest me, praying it would open—but it didn’t budge. Frantically, I scanned my surroundings, but the other rooms were too far, and there was nowhere to hide in the middle of the hallway.
“That’s why what we can do now is hire mercenaries nearby who can reinforce immediately, or pull a small squad from nearby military bases.”
W-what do I do?!
The man’s voice was getting closer. I instinctively took a step back—only to bump into a wall behind me. I glanced around in desperation as the sound of two sets of footsteps approached.
I kept looking wildly, but there was nowhere to hide.
What do I do?!
Without realizing it, I clamped my hands tightly over my mouth and shut my eyes.
