SWMD 23

Chapter 23

“…That really happened?”

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?”

Even Diana couldn’t fully understand or believe what happened. Time travel—who would believe that?

“Icel.”

Diana held Icel’s hands tightly. Tears began to fall again from her eyes.

“I came back too, Icel. I’ve returned just like you.”

“…What?”

Icel looked at her in shock, but Diana wasn’t lying.

“This is unbelievable…”

As Icel stood speechless, Diana told her everything that had happened to her.

Sometimes Icel frowned or looked sad while listening.

When Diana finished, she gently stroked Icel’s hair and smiled softly.

“There must be a reason we both came back. Icel.”

Icel clenched her little fists.

“Mother.”

“Yes?”

“I want revenge.”

Their eyes met. Icel’s eyes were full of burning anger.

Diana could understand. They had both suffered and returned. Telling a child to stay calm after all that would be too cruel.

“Okay, let’s do that.”

“Mother…”

“But first, we need to prepare.”

Diana stood up. The coachman was probably waiting.

“Icel, can you bring me a robe?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Icel ran inside and brought out an old robe. Diana wrapped it around her and pulled the hood up.

“Let’s go.”

“…Where are we going?”

“To your grandfather’s house.”

Holding Icel’s hand, Diana walked to the waiting carriage. The coachman was still there.

“Your Grace!”

“Sorry for the wait.”

“Who’s the child…?”

Diana smiled and said, “Please take us to the Marquis of Pereshte’s house.”

“Not the Grand Duke’s house?”

“We need to stop by there first.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Diana helped Icel up into the carriage. She was so thin, her ribs showed. It broke Diana’s heart knowing this small girl had risked everything just to bring her food.

“Icel.”

“Yes?”

Icel sat on the soft cushion, bouncing a bit out of curiosity. She had never felt something so soft before.

“Let’s feed you well and get you healthy again.”

Diana held back tears. Icel looked down at her skinny arms and legs.

Suddenly she got worried. What if her grandfather didn’t accept her because of how she looked?

Diana noticed and smiled.

“Don’t worry.”

“What if he doesn’t accept me?”

“He will.”

“How do you know?”

Diana smiled thinking of her father.

“He’s a bit strict, but…”

“But?”

“You’ll understand when you meet him.”

They talked for a long time about things they’d never had the chance to before.

The carriage soon reached the Marquis’ mansion.

“Hold my hand.”

Diana helped Icel out gently. Icel’s eyes widened—she had never seen such a fancy place.

Everything was made of marble and gold. The house looked like it belonged to a very rich family.

“Wow…”

“Amazing, right?”

“It’s even prettier than the Grand Duke’s house!”

Holding hands, they walked in. The staff inside looked shocked.

“Oh my, Lady Diana!”

“How have you been, Lisa?”

“What brings you here at this hour?”

Lisa had once been Diana’s maid. Now she was head maid.

No one here knew Diana had lost her sight. If her father had known, he would’ve rushed over. That’s why she had kept it a secret.

“Where is Father?”

“He’s still awake. This way.”

Lisa’s eyes turned to the hooded Icel.

“Who’s the child…?”

“I’ll explain after I talk to my father, Lisa.”

They walked to the Marquis’ room. Icel swallowed nervously.

“My Lord! Lady Diana is here!”

“What?”

“Father.”

Before Lisa finished, the Marquis opened the door himself. He had Diana’s hair and eyes, and he looked serious.

“What are you doing here so late…?”

His eyes landed on Icel.

“Who is this child?”

“I’ll explain inside.”

Diana walked in and sat on the sofa. Icel followed her quietly.

The sofa was softer than the carriage. Icel wanted to bounce, but the Marquis was scary, so she stayed still.

“Father.”

“Wait.”

The Marquis stared at Icel. Even though she was a brave child, his presence was intimidating.

He suddenly shouted, “Lisa!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Bring warm milk—with honey.”

Icel tilted her head. He didn’t look like someone who drank that.

Soon Lisa came with milk, honey, and a mug.

The Marquis poured the milk and added too much honey.

“Hmph, I put in too much.”

He pushed the cup toward Icel.

“You drink it.”

Icel blinked in surprise. Diana nodded, telling her it was okay.

“Thank you…”

“Hmph. No need to thank me.”

But the Marquis secretly smiled watching her drink. When Diana saw, he coughed and frowned again.

Diana smiled and spoke seriously.

“I need to talk to you about something important.”

“Go on.”

“This child is my daughter, Father.”

“…What?”

His frown deepened. If Catherine wasn’t a twin, how could Diana have another daughter?

“What are you talking about?!”

“Catherine isn’t really my daughter.”

Diana calmly explained how Alicia had tricked everyone, and that Icel was her real daughter.

“So… this child?”

“Yes. She’s your real granddaughter.”

“Oh my…”

The Marquis looked at Icel. She was so thin and wore old clothes, and she kept glancing nervously at him.

He loved children. That’s why he had supported Diana’s orphanage without question.

Even if Diana had told him Icel was an orphan, he would’ve taken care of her.

But now he found out this poor girl was his real granddaughter…

His nose turned red with emotion. He tried to stay calm.

“…What’s your name?”

“…Icel.”

“How have you been living…?”

“I lived in Catherine’s bookshelf… like a maid.”

He looked at her hands—they were full of scars. Alicia and Catherine had clearly abused her.

The Marquis slammed his fists on the table.

He wanted to punish those two right away.

“I’ll go tear them apart right now—!”

“Please calm down, Father.”

“How can you be so calm?!”

“I’m just waiting for the right time.”

Diana’s eyes sparkled. The Marquis could tell—his daughter was not okay. She was holding back—for revenge.

When he calmed down, Diana explained her plan.

The Marquis and Icel were shocked.

“You really want to do this?”

“Yes. Please help us, Father.”

He rubbed his chin. He didn’t want to send his precious daughter and granddaughter back to that awful house.

But he saw the fire in their eyes. He nodded.

“I’ll help. With everything.”

Diana smiled. Now that she had announced her sight had returned, it was time for Act 2—to drive out the garbage from the Grand Duke’s home.

Later…

Two weeks had passed since Diana visited the Marquis.

She finally came out of her room to eat in the dining hall.

There she saw Calypso, Catherine, and Alicia—all eating together.

They were shocked to see her.

“It’s been a while since you joined us for a meal.”

“I invited the doctor too, since there was a free seat.”

They tried to act casual and defend Alicia.

“Oh? Good job.”

Diana walked over to Alicia.

“But now that I’m here, shouldn’t you move, Ali? That’s the Grand Duchess’s seat.”

“S-sorry, Your Grace.”

Alicia forced a smile and moved.

Diana sat down and calmly spoke.

“I have something to say in front of everyone.”

“What is it?”

They felt something bad was coming.

“I want to adopt a child.”

Catherine almost dropped her knife. Calypso nearly spit out his water. Alicia stared at Diana in shock.

“What do you mean, adopt?”

“Mother, why adopt when you have me?!”

Catherine shouted. Even if Diana wasn’t her real mom, she didn’t want to share attention.

“My father contacted me.”

“…The Marquis?”

Calypso twitched at the mention of her father.

“He said a child with Pereshte blood was found in an orphanage. No one is raising her.”

At the word “orphanage,” Alicia and Catherine froze.

“We could just support her…”

Diana popped a bite of salad into her mouth and continued.

“I feel bad for her. I want to raise her as your sister, Catherine.”

“I don’t need a sister!”

Catherine shouted and dropped her utensils. But Diana stayed firm.

“No, you do. You need to grow up a bit. Having a sister might help.”

Just then, Shane walked in with someone behind him.

“Oh, she’s already here.”

Catherine turned her head to look.

The child stepped forward elegantly.

Alicia and Catherine turned pale.

Even though she looked healthier and dressed in fine clothes and jewelry, they knew right away.

It was—

“Welcome, Icel.”

Icel smiled slowly, watching their shocked faces.