Chapter 26
“Hello?”
Icel smiled brightly, curtsied politely, and held her dress with both hands.
Her hair was shiny, her cheeks round and pink like peaches, and her lips sparkled. She truly looked like the daughter of Diana, once the jewel of high society.
The skinny, dull girl was gone. Now, she looked even more elegant than Catherine as she walked in.
“Honey, this is Icel. She will become your daughter.”
Calypso just gave an awkward smile. He had no idea the girl in front of him was actually his real daughter.
“Sit down, Icel.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Mother? Catherine’s eyes widened in shock as Icel calmly took her seat.
Icel smiled sweetly at Calypso, then turned her eyes to Catherine.
When their eyes met, Catherine felt a chill. It was like seeing a beast with sharp teeth hiding behind Icel.
She felt like this “real” daughter of Diana might devour her.
Under the table, Catherine’s hands shook. Cold sweat gathered on her forehead.
Icel, on the other hand, kept a calm and confident smile.
“It’s surprising, right?”
“Hm?”
Diana looked proudly at Icel, then turned to Calypso.
“Doesn’t she look a lot like me? And you, too.”
“…Yes, she does.”
Though her face resembled Diana more, her hair and vibe reminded him of himself.
Calypso gave a vague answer and glanced at Alicia, who sat with her head lowered, clearly shocked.
No wonder—it must have been a blow. Diana, who always adored Catherine, suddenly bringing home a girl and calling her daughter?
Calypso decided this adoption was a bad idea and set down his fork.
“I think we should reconsider the adoption, dear.”
“What?”
Diana frowned, but Calypso kept going.
“Other nobles might talk…”
“Honey.”
Diana laughed softly. She had a plan that Calypso wouldn’t be able to say no to.
“My father made a proposal.”
“What kind of proposal?”
“He suggested we enter the girls in the upcoming Magic Festival.”
“The girls?”
“Yes. Apparently, Icel has talent for magic.”
“Magic talent?”
Calypso looked at Icel in surprise. If this girl became a great mage, it could solve his money problems.
His eyes lit up with greed.
“Catherine studies magic too.”
“I know.”
“Then Catherine and Icel can be friendly rivals. My father said the winner would receive a huge reward.”
“Huge reward?”
“Maybe… the rights to operate a diamond mine?”
A diamond mine?!
Everyone’s eyes (except Diana and Icel) widened.
That mine was supposed to be Catherine’s debut gift. But now it might go to Icel instead.
“What…!”
“Don’t worry, honey.”
Diana cut into her pumpkin pie and smiled.
“Of course the real one will beat the fake, right?”
That comment made Alicia and Catherine swallow hard. The tension was unbearable.
“I-I’m not feeling well. I’ll excuse myself, sir, Your Grace.”
“…Me too.”
Catherine and Alicia rushed out of the dining room like they were on fire.
Diana watched them go, then signaled to Shane. He handed her adoption papers.
She gave the papers to Calypso.
“Here are the adoption papers. I’d like them signed today, honey.”
“…Alright.”
He had no choice. If the Marquis promised the mine, Icel had to be officially adopted into the Ernst family.
“Oh, right! Icel, eat your meal now.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Icel began eating perfectly, just as she had learned during her training at the Marquis’ estate.
Calypso watched as she gracefully ate her salad without clinking the cutlery. He smiled without realizing it.
Catherine always picked at her food, but Icel ate with charm and poise.
He had disliked her at first just for being from the Pereshte family, but now, seeing her reminded him of himself—he felt oddly fond of her.
“You’re eating well.”
“Yes, Dad—oops!”
Icel answered without thinking, then quickly swallowed and corrected herself.
“Sorry! I meant, Father.”
“‘Dad,’ huh?”
Calypso laughed heartily. She was a bold girl. On her first day of adoption, calling him “Dad”? So different from Catherine.
Diana watched him with a strange look. Blood really did matter.
But she couldn’t help wondering why he hadn’t recognized Icel before they turned back time.
This same man had ordered her daughter’s death, and now he was looking at her with warm eyes.
It disgusted her. She didn’t want to be near him anymore.
She spoke kindly to Icel after the meal.
“All done? Let’s take a walk. I’ll show you around the estate.”
“Yes, Mother. Father, I’ll excuse myself now.”
“Of course, Icel.”
Calypso now called her by name as if she were his real daughter. Icel bowed politely and followed Diana out.
But once they were outside, Icel made a disgusted face.
“Ugh.”
“What’s wrong, Icel? Are you sick?”
“No. Just grossed out.”
That man who killed me—now looking at me with such warmth?
She muttered, and Diana nodded, understanding her completely.
“So, where shall we look around first?”
“Catherine’s room.”
Icel smirked.
She planned to strike Catherine where it hurt most.
Diana saw right through her and led her there.
Icel paused at the door, remembering how she had once fled this room. She worried maybe her hatred had faded.
But no—it was still there, sharp as ever.
Memories of the beatings and cruelty rushed back. She bit her lip, trying to hold back her anger.
Diana gently knocked.
“Catherine.”
“…Yes.”
They entered the room. Catherine and Alicia were clearly having a secret meeting.
When they saw Icel, Catherine flinched hard. Her red eyes showed she had probably been crying.
“W-Why did you bring her here?!”
“Her? She’s your sister, Catherine.”
Actually, Catherine was older, but since the babies were swapped, no one knew.
Alicia, knowing the truth, slipped up.
“She’s the Grand Duke’s daughter’s sister?!”
“She?”
Diana raised an eyebrow. Alicia gasped and covered her mouth.
Diana stepped closer and stared her down.
“We’ve never talked about Icel’s birth order. How would you know, Alicia?”
“Huh? I-I didn’t mean…”
Alicia panicked. Icel smirked openly.
Alicia’s eye twitched in rage.
Diana spoke coldly.
“No matter how close we are, Alicia, don’t cross the line. You don’t get to call her ‘that girl.’”
“…I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
She had no choice but to apologize. Alicia lowered her head.
Diana smiled sweetly—like everything was forgiven.
But her next words shocked Alicia.
“Apologize.”
“…What?”
“Apologize to the new young lady of the house, Alicia.”
Alicia bit her lip. She had treated this girl like a servant all her life. Now she had to apologize in front of Catherine?
She shook with anger but eventually stepped forward slowly.
Icel smiled with one corner of her mouth raised.
Alicia finally bowed.
“…I’m sorry. Young Lady.”
She looked like she could barely breathe.
But then Icel replied with a sharp smile:
“It’s okay. Some people just never learned manners.”
“…What?”
“I heard you’re from the Baron Blair family. No wonder—poor education, poor money, right?”
Alicia’s mouth dropped open. Icel wasn’t finished.
“And you’re a doctor? Doesn’t seem like you’re very smart. Even if I was adopted, I have Pereshte blood in me.”
Icel lifted Alicia up by the arm and gently tapped her cheek.
“So be careful from now on. Not all nobles are the same.”
Her eyes said it clearly: I’m not the low one anymore—you are.
Alicia and Catherine saw it too—the fury and fire in Icel’s eyes.
They stood frozen like prey before a predator.
The real young lady had returned—with a vengeance.
