TLEDH | 09

Chapter 9

Since returning from my grandfather’s office two days ago, I hadn’t stepped a single foot outside my room in the annex.
Partly because I’d been busy reading the book I brought from his office, but mostly because I didn’t want to run into Chandler and Jason, who were no doubt still seething with anger.

I really shouldn’t have provoked them that day.

Knowing their vile tempers as I did, I figured avoiding them was the wiser choice.

Still, today the weather was far too nice, and since I was nearly done with my book, the long afternoon felt a bit too boring to spend shut up inside.

‘Maybe I should go out for a bit?’

After all, I couldn’t hide forever — I’d have to face them again in class in a few days anyway.

Yeah, let’s just go out!

So I did.

“Hey!”

Of course.

No sooner had I taken a few steps out of the annex than Chandler’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

I sighed, my shoulders slumping. Of course.

Chandler Asier and his little lackey, Jason Asier —
these two were the so-called “future pillars” of House Asier, blocking my way with all the arrogance in the world.

‘Grandfather, you really are something.’

Margo Hyden Asier — that was my grandfather.

A man of unmatched ability: sharp intellect, masterful strategy, keen foresight, and flawless political sense.

Thanks to him, the already powerful Asier Duchy had risen to a level where even the Imperial family hesitated to touch us.

But even Margo Asier had one fatal flaw:

He was a terrible parent.

As people say, children never turn out quite the way you wish — and of Margo Asier’s offspring, all except my father were complete disasters.

Naturally, the next generation was even worse.

If any of those brats inherited the ducal title, the great House Asier would crumble within a generation, that much was certain.

And right now, two of those walking disasters were standing right in front of me.

Smack!

‘Brother?’

“Who told you you could call yourself a direct heir of Asier? With your filthy blood?”

“Keep your mouth shut.”

Beating me up for no reason was one thing; they’d even accused me of being a thief and ransacked my room, taking anything they could sell.

‘Thief.’
‘Filthy brat.’

The image of Chandler — drunk, his yellow teeth bared in a cruel grin as he pinned me under his boot — flashed vividly in my mind. My lips pressed into a hard line.

That I once actually tried to get along with scum like them…

The thought made me sigh in sheer disgust.

‘I was so stupid back then.’

I exhaled, brushing away the thought, and raised my head.

“Move.”

“What?”

“I said, stop blocking the way and move.”

“You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you?”

Chandler’s face twisted in fury as he stomped closer.

“Just because Grandfather took your side once, you think you’re something now?”

“Something?”

Jason parroted Chandler’s words with that vacant, foolish look of his. I clicked my tongue.

They were seven and eight years old — and yet here I was, forced to deal with them.

Sigh.

Shaking my head, I tried to walk past them.

‘Don’t fight.’

No point in engaging — I’d only lose.

But apparently, my ignoring them didn’t sit well with Chandler. Scowling, he grabbed my shoulder roughly.

“Hey!”

And before I could react, I was shoved backward by his unrestrained strength.

“Ah!”

My body hit the ground hard, my hip throbbing from the fall.

For a brief moment, the boys flinched — but when they saw me sprawled in the dirt, their hesitation turned to laughter.

“Heh, serves you right.”

“Serves you right!”

“That’s what you get for talking back.”

“That’s what you get!”

Damn it. I’d even dressed nicely today.

My clothes, now smeared with dust, made my face scrunch in irritation.

‘Arina’s going to throw a fit again.’

I could already hear her nagging voice echoing in my head as I brushed off my skirt.

“Move.”

I kept my voice calm, meeting Chandler’s eyes without a flinch.

His pupils trembled — he’d expected me to cry like before.

Maybe once, I would have.

But not anymore.

I’d lived through a far crueler life before this — one where being shoved around was nothing new.

I’d scavenged for food off the ground when I had none.

After surviving that, did he really think something like this could make me cry?

Pathetic.

So I looked him straight in the eye — and walked past.

Chandler’s expression hardened. He glanced at Jason, then frowned deeply.

“Keep acting up, you bastard. You think you’re anything but a bastard child?”

“……”

Well, that’s a line you shouldn’t have crossed.

I stopped and turned my head slightly.

Smirking, satisfied that he’d gotten a reaction, Chandler swaggered closer, bending to meet my gaze.

“You better know your place.”

“……”

“You only get to stand here because Grandfather’s still alive, you filthy—”

“Then wait till Grandpa dies and say it again. For now, move. I’m tired and I’m going to my room.”

“…What?”

“And stop going ‘what, what’ all the time! I said move. I’m going to rest.”

I wasn’t even yelling — just speaking calmly, like an adult.

Chandler’s mouth hung open. Jason’s had already been hanging open for a while.

Looking at their dumbfounded faces, I realized there was no point in trying to reason with them.

I shook my head and started walking again.

But then—

“You little—!”

Chandler’s face turned red with rage as he grabbed my shoulder again, and I fell once more.

But I just stood, brushed off my skirt again, and decided—

‘Forget it. I’ll just go back inside.’

There was no point in arguing.

“Move.”

Even if I shouted, no one would help me — no servant would dare defy a direct heir.

So ignoring him was my only option.

Of course, that meant by the time I reached the annex, I had fallen ten times, my clothes ruined and my knees scraped and bleeding.

“You useless brat!”

“Chandler, let’s just stop.”

Panting hard, Chandler glared down at me after tripping me for the eleventh time.

Jason tugged at his sleeve anxiously.

“Come on, let’s go, please?”

“Let go!”

Chandler yanked his arm free and raised his hand high, fury blazing.

Then—

Rustle.

“Hey! Lieutenant Bennet!”

A distant voice called out from somewhere — maybe even from up in a tree?

Jason’s eyes widened. “If that’s really Bennet, we’re in trouble! He’s Grandfather’s adjutant! Look at her — if he reports this, we’re dead!”

“……”

Chandler clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth creaked.

He looked like he wanted to kill me then and there.

“You’re lucky.”

He straightened his hair, pretending nothing happened, and turned to leave.

“See you later.”

He smacked my shoulder hard as he passed, the sound echoing sharply.

But I barely noticed.

Instead, I was wondering — why was Bennet here?

I lifted my head, scanning the area.

“……”

But the surroundings were quiet as always.

Strange.

He’d definitely said Bennet.

I frowned and turned in a slow circle, searching.

Still nothing — not a soul in sight.

A ghost, maybe.

Well, whatever it was, it ended the situation sooner than expected, so I wasn’t about to complain.

I clutched my book tighter and turned toward the annex.

Then—

“Young Lady!”

From behind the annex, Hale emerged, dropping her laundry basket at the sight of me.

Was I really in that bad of a state?

I hadn’t seen myself, but judging from her horrified expression, it must’ve been worse than I thought.

Still, I felt fine.

“I’m—”

But before I could finish, my lips just… moved soundlessly. No voice came out.

The world spun.

Hale’s face blurred, her frantic shout fading into darkness.

Thud!

“You call these grades?”

The orphanage director’s voice rang in my ears as a baseball hit my stomach.

A dream?

‘It has to be.’

I didn’t want to go back there.

“Do you think this’ll please the sponsor?”

The new director, appointed in the name of “modern management,” was nothing like the kind old nun who’d run the orphanage before.

When angry, she’d take it out on the children — over and over until her temper cooled.

Even if we apologized, we were beaten. If we talked back, we were beaten worse.

“You have to get into S University! That’s the only way we’ll get more funding!”

“……”

“Answer me! Or do you want me to send you off to some countryside dump?”

I wanted to say no, to beg her to stop — but my lips wouldn’t move.

Seeing that, she snapped, stomping closer.

“So now you’re being defiant, huh?”

Then her hand flew across my face. The impact sent me sprawling to the floor — but when I hit the ground, it was no longer the same floor.

“You dare ruin our family’s name? Did Sharie tell you to do this?”

Before I could even comprehend what was happening, a kick landed on me.

“You worthless filth! Disgusting brat!”

Uncle Andrea’s boot struck my small body with terrifying force.

He kicked and kicked, as if he meant to break every bone in me — and no one in the room tried to stop him.

In fact, they urged him on.

And Lady Belia just watched, her face twisted in revulsion, as if she were staring at something foul.

Contempt. Scorn. Laughter.

I wanted to close my eyes — but I couldn’t.

I knew it was a dream, but I couldn’t wake up.

There was no pain, yet their voices and gazes tore into me worse than any wound.

‘I hate this.’

I didn’t want to see it. I didn’t want to go back.

Never again.

To that hellish past.

“No…”

Please… someone save me.

Barely able to move, I whispered faintly — and then warmth enveloped me.

“Very well. I shall grant you a chance.”

A hand appeared before my eyes.

The uncle, the director — all gone. Only golden light remained.

I reached out with trembling fingers and grasped that hand tightly.

I want to live.

I want to live — and be happy.