Chapter 13
The Duke’s Four Children
Everyone in the kingdom believed that the Dark Guild of Duren always stayed neutral. So, it made no sense that they would willingly reveal the female lead’s identity.
Most likely, the male lead — being clever as always — had secretly investigated her even after falling in love. Anyway, that wasn’t important right now.
At least it looked like I’d escaped from the Dark Guild’s hands. But if I was going to be dragged off to the Second Prince and killed, I might as well try something.
I shouted toward the knights escorting me.
“Prince Nicholas already knows that my kidnapping was done by the Second Prince!”
Several pairs of eyes widened through the slits in their helmets.
The knight in the blue cloak, leading the group, stopped. He tied his horse’s reins to a nearby tree and walked toward me through the snow.
His blue eyes matched his cloak as he said softly — but with an obvious threat:
“Excuse me, my lady, but would it be all right if I silenced your mouth myself?”
Even with that warning, I didn’t stop talking.
“If you want a civil war, go ahead! But if I don’t return home, Prince Nicholas will summon our vassals under wartime law. The kingdom will split in two — right when we’re supposed to be fighting the barbarians.”
The blue knight’s calm eyes stayed fixed on me.
For seven years, Nicholas had worked hard to secure his position as heir — gathering allies across the kingdom and even making contacts overseas. He knew not to trust the Fourth Prince or the Queen.
I hadn’t sent or received any messages since my capture, but I spoke confidently, pretending I knew Nicholas’s plans. I was sure that if anything happened to me, he would suspect the Second Prince first.
Not because he cared about me, but because it would be the perfect excuse to attack his rival.
A knight studying the map muttered,
“Civil war? What nonsense… The King still sits firmly on the throne.”
Another knight sighed.
“With things as they are, the royal family fighting among themselves isn’t surprising. The lady’s just trying to save herself. Let’s not get too bothered by her words.”
Even so, the group seemed uneasy.
Unlike assassins, they didn’t seem proud of what they were doing. They knew this mission was shady.
Finally, the blue knight frowned and said,
“If you wish to speak to His Highness yourself, you may do so once we arrive. Until then, please stay quiet.”
At his signal, one of the knights came up and gagged me. The fabric was tied tightly behind my head.
‘…So frustrating,’ I sighed inwardly.
Then we continued down the snowy path again.
***
Nicholas, the smartest of the Duke’s children, was his father’s favorite. He’d even replaced the eldest brother as heir at only five years old.
His birthday celebration was the grandest the family had ever held.
Everyone at the banquet praised him endlessly.
“Nicholas looks just like his grandfather!”
“Imagine, fifteen years old and fluent in three languages!”
“He’ll be the best finance minister this country has ever seen. The future of House Mermandi is bright!”
At that time, I — who was now inside the body of Natania, the nine-year-old youngest daughter — remembered him clearly, shining like a perfect gem.
But Natania’s real childhood was far from perfect.
***
“Now, my lady,” said my nanny, “what did I tell you this morning when I brushed your hair?”
I rolled my eyes, pretending to be a clueless child.
“Umm… to bow and say nothing when I see Father?”
The nanny sighed in relief.
“Yes, that’s right. And remember — no running around the house today. Especially not in front of guests, understood?”
I’d been playing hide-and-seek under the table earlier, so I reluctantly nodded.
The truth was, Natania had grown up lonely. Her mother — the Duchess — had died giving birth to her. The Duke never forgave her for that.
Even when she showed talent in her studies, he dismissed it as “useless.”
Her older brothers cared for her only because she was small and harmless.
“Yes, nanny,” I said softly.
She smiled and patted my hair.
“Good girl. I’ll give you a strawberry candy after everything’s over.”
Then she led me to a side room behind the drawing room. Inside, my eldest brother, Theodore, was secretly smoking a cigar.
The four siblings of House Mermandi couldn’t be more different. Theodore was a drunkard and troublemaker; Nicholas was the cold, brilliant heir; Zen, the third brother, was a gentle artist; and Natania — the youngest — was the quiet, ignored child.
Zen waved a hand at Theodore to put out his cigar, but Theodore didn’t listen. He just leaned back on the sofa, looking tired and drunk as usual.
Zen crouched beside me and asked kindly,
“Natt, the banquet’s starting soon. Aren’t you curious what Father’s gift for Nick will be?”
“Gift?”
“Yes. It’s his birthday today. Did you forget?”
The nanny helped me walk toward Zen, then bowed and left the room.
The air was thick with smoke, and I almost gagged — but I smiled anyway.
“Father will give Nick a Larry too!”
“Larry? What’s that?”
“My teddy bear! Larry keeps the monsters away at night.”
“Wow, really? Then you must be so brave with Larry by your side!”
Zen laughed softly, and I grinned like a child — because that’s what Natania would do.
At least Zen acted like a decent human being in this miserable family.
Theodore, watching us with a cold sneer, crushed his cigar in the ashtray.
“How old is the brat again?”
“About nine, I think,” Zen answered.
“…Can’t believe Mother died just to give birth to that thing. Should’ve gotten rid of her sooner.”
Zen immediately covered my ears, but it was too late. I’d already heard everything.
Even though I wasn’t really Natania, my heart ached for her. She must’ve grown up hearing that kind of cruelty all her life.
No wonder she’d learned to act innocent and clueless — pretending to be a child forever — just to earn a little affection.
Theodore staggered to his feet, reeking of alcohol.
“I’ve said it before — let’s just play our parts and step aside. The real star here is Nicholas.”
I couldn’t help but sigh.
Without Nicholas, this family really had no hope.
Zen looked down at me, worried.
“Natania…”
A normal child might have cried or shrunk back, but I just smiled brightly and pointed out the window.
“Brother! There are so many horses outside! Are they Nick’s birthday gift too?”
Outside, several carriages had arrived at the mansion gates — guests from noble families allied with the Duke.
Zen forced a small smile.
“No, those people came to congratulate Nick. They’re nobles like us.”
“What’s a noble?” I asked.
“Well…” he began, but before he could answer, a knock came at the door.
A maid hurried in, calling for Zen.
He hesitated for a moment, glancing back at me.
