Chapter 1: Who… Are You All?
“C-cold…”
Suyeon trembled and slowly opened her eyes. Whether it was the aftereffect of her exhausting part-time job or just sheer fatigue, her eyelids felt like they’d been glued shut.
Before she could fully open her eyes, a clamor exploded around her ears.
“Miss, miss! Are you awake?”
“Oh, dear heavens. Our young lady has finally opened her eyes.”
“Oh, my darling! My daughter, Lucia!”
The last thing Suyeon remembered was collapsing into the tiny bed in her goshiwon after finishing her final part-time shift.
That freezing room barely blocked the outside wind, but it was still a comforting shelter. At least it had a door to keep out the cold.
At least, that’s how it should have been—
But what was this soft bed and these silky pajamas that shimmered in the light?
What is going on here?
…A dream?
Forcing open her sticky eyelids, Suyeon scanned the crowd huddled around her.
And then, like a jolt, the remnants of sleep vanished from her eyes.
Gasp.
Glittering eyes in all sorts of brilliant, unnatural colors stared down at her.
Suyeon froze, locked in eye contact with someone whose eyes sparkled with pure delight.
Who… are you all?
The Viscount House of Wyars.
Simon Rhone Wyars, the current head of the family and the Emperor’s closest confidant, was also the Chancellor of the Silven Empire. He was a central pillar of power, with wealth nearly rivaling the imperial family.
Especially during his early years in office, he became known as the “Iron-Blooded Chancellor,” having purged incompetent officials with cold logic and swift decisions, filling the administration with merit-based talent.
To Suyeon, though, all of that sounded like idle gossip.
Through her eyes, Simon was nothing more than a stereotypical doting father—completely whipped by his daughter. He had even resigned from his prestigious position without hesitation just a few days ago because his daughter had fallen ill.
And the rest of the household servants weren’t much different. The reason? Their young lady had just awoken after being on the brink of death from a long illness.
“Phew, all right. But how long am I going to be stuck in this room?”
With a sigh, Suyeon brushed her face in exhaustion, an expression far too tired for a child.
It had been a month since she woke up in the body of an eight-year-old girl.
Sure, she’d been bedridden for years, but did they really need to keep her locked inside like this?
Her tiny hand caught her attention.
What once looked like dry twigs had now filled out, looking more like an actual child’s hand.
“I’m not livestock, for crying out loud.”
Fate really was strange. Not long ago, she’d been curled up in a freezing goshiwon, and now she was complaining about living in luxury.
Suyeon flopped onto the enormous bed and rolled over.
Whatever complaints she’d had were already forgotten. The corners of her mouth curved upward into a wide grin.
“Look at me, actually living like the only daughter of a rich family.”
Just thinking about it filled her chest with warmth. Like she was floating on a fluffy cloud.
“Well. At least I don’t have to stress about money anymore. Hmph… things could be worse.”
Humming cheerfully, Suyeon rubbed the soft blankets with satisfaction.
The sheer canopy, the luxurious bedding, the warm and cozy room.
She now had a family—people who worried for her, who looked at her with affection, who brought toys and jewelry to entertain her.
Every little movement she made—her eyes, her hands, her voice—was met with care and response.
All the things she once only dreamed about were now hers.
She was no longer Han Suyeon, the orphan.
She was—
“Elluciana Loti Wyars.”
Whispering the name she’d grown used to, Elluciana rolled across the Atlantic-wide bed with a smile.
“Young Lady Elluciana! Where are you?”
“This is dangerous! What if your illness relapses?!”
“Please answer us, young lady! If the Viscount finds out, we’re all dead!”
Having slipped out past the servants’ eyes, Elluciana hid behind a tree.
Watching the frantic house staff scurrying about, she felt a twinge of guilt—but not enough to turn herself in just yet.
Sorry. Just hold on a little longer.
She hadn’t meant to sneak out like this. She only wanted a bit of fresh air before going back.
Servants rarely came in during her scheduled nap time anyway.
But today, her personal maid Trisha had entered unusually early and messed everything up.
Seriously, I’ll make it up to you later. I was just feeling so suffocated.
Elluciana clasped her hands together and apologized in her heart.
She knew they were looking for her out of genuine concern. But if they caught her now, it would be ages before she could go outside again.
Pushing away her guilt, she quietly moved toward the front gate.
After walking a while—
“Ah…!”
She gasped involuntarily and quickly covered her mouth.
Before her stood a grand gate like something out of a medieval fantasy.
White ironwork entwined like roses, columns engraved with intricate designs…
And guarding it, a knight in gleaming armor—just like the ones in her imagination.
I knew this world wasn’t the same one I lived in…
But seeing those knights, their swords gleaming at their sides, it finally felt real.
Oh no, knights are supposed to be sensitive to movements. I’d better be careful.
Like a sneaky cat, Elluciana poked her head out slowly.
And then—
What the—?!
She stifled a scream and froze. Her breath caught in her throat.
…A p-person?
There, lying in a pool of blood, was a child. Frail, skeletal, like a corpse.
It was a horrifying sight—no part of the body seemed intact.
Her heart pounded. The knights were panicking, so maybe the kid was still alive?
No way. D-don’t tell me they’re dead?
She’d seen people get beaten before. She’d been beaten herself for no reason plenty of times.
But never like this.
A strange blend of fear and rage welled up inside her.
And then, she saw it—the knight lifting the child onto his back.
The child, limp like a ragdoll, didn’t move an inch.
But something felt off about the knight’s movements.
Wait, what are you doing?! Where are you taking them?! You should be treating them, not—
Instead of bringing the child into the mansion, they were walking away from it.
No knight of House Wyars would ever do such a thing. Weren’t they famous for opening their gates to help the needy?
Panic surged through her. Without thinking, Elluciana sprinted toward the gate.
No!
Why was she so emotional? Was it fear of tarnishing the family name? A sudden realization of the value of life? Guilt?
No. It wasn’t any of those.
She just… couldn’t bear it. She didn’t want that child to die. She had to save them.
Because it reminded her of herself—abandoned by the world at a young age.
Weak, powerless, utterly alone.
Because the child resembled her unhealed wounds.
Ah… so that’s it. You’re just like me.
And before she realized it, she was at the gate.
“Stop!”
She screamed with everything she had.
“Please, I said STOP!”
The two knights froze mid-step at the sudden shrill voice.
Startled by the sheer desperation of the shout, they turned their heads—
Gasp!
“M-Miss Elluciana?!”
Breathing hard, Elluciana stretched out a trembling hand.
“…Put the child down. Huff… now.”
“Miss, how did you get out here? You’re still not well—”
“I said put the child down. Now!”
Her clenched fist trembled as she shouted, voice filled with fury.
The knights flinched.
But the senior knight kept calm. Scanning the area and confirming no other servants were around, he asked:
“Miss… Don’t tell me you came alone?”
He signaled the junior knight, then stepped forward.
“I’ll escort you back to your room, Miss.”
But Elluciana’s eyes were fixed solely on the child.
The small, broken body drenched in blood—like meat in a butcher’s stall.
No matter what the knights said, she didn’t hear a word.
“Miss…”
“This is your last warning!”
Her voice was icy and sharp.
For an eight-year-old, it carried frightening authority.
“Put that child down. Right in front of me.”
Her body shook as though it might collapse—but her gaze was unwavering.
She was a miracle child, one who’d come back from the brink of death. If she got hurt again because of something impure…
The senior knight felt dread wash over him.
He should’ve gotten rid of the wretched thing sooner. But regret always came too late.
With great reluctance, he lowered the child.
“Please don’t get too close, Miss. It’s not… a pleasant sight.”
But Elluciana ignored him and stepped right up to the child.
