Chapter 10
“So boring…”
I spent time idly with my chin resting on my hand from time to time. The ultimate reason for my boredom was my mother’s strict order not to go outside—and also because I had to be careful not to let the servants catch me looking up information about my powers.
Since we moved to this new house, the number of guards had increased significantly. I suppose it’s because the house is much bigger now, but no matter how careful I was, I couldn’t escape all their eyes.
The only good news in this unfortunate situation was that the capital rumors had died down completely.
“Lisa.”
“Yes, young lady?”
One of the most quick-witted maids came over.
“Bring me some warm tea.”
“Yes, right away.”
Anyway, having someone to order around was incredibly convenient.
Until my mother returned, I endured my feigned leisure that masked helplessness and anxiety. That helplessness finally lifted when she returned that evening.
“…You’re telling me to go to the capital?”
My anxiety had hit the mark. The one heading to the capital wasn’t my mother—it was me.
“Yes.”
“Ah… but I haven’t even manifested my ability yet…”
I hoped Mr. Schubalt would say something, but damn it, he wasn’t here today. It was suspicious—like he intentionally didn’t show up.
“That doesn’t matter. Is there a problem?”
“No, no. That’s not it…”
“This is just a matter of early preparation. For now, you’ll be the one moving, since your face isn’t well-known. Even among our family, there are many who wouldn’t recognize you.”
I wanted to scream.
“The First Prince would be ideal.”
“…What?”
To make matters worse, she mentioned the very person I didn’t want to hear about. My ears started ringing.
Here it was. Finally.
“You’ve developed a habit of repeating yourself. Delkian Elrova Cassinef—he’s been building up his influence recently.”
“Really?”
“Schubalt and I will handle the rest.”
“But going straight to the prince seems a bit…”
My mind was racing. After the First Prince came the Second Prince. What my mother wanted was the downfall of the Emperor and Empress.
Both princes were dangerous to me, but if I had to choose the lesser evil, I’d go with the Second Prince. I’d saved his life once, after all—maybe there was hope.
I was thankful that instead of telling him to forget everything, I’d told him to remember only that I saved his life.
“I’m not asking you to do much. Just make a strong first impression.”
“…”
“Then things will naturally move forward. See? It’s not that hard.”
I wanted to ask, “Do you really think my looks alone will be that effective?” but I held it in.
“Well, then… what about the Second Prince instead of the First?”
“Why bring up the Second Prince?”
“To be honest, he seems like a more promising option.”
My mother gently set down her fork and knife.
“Why do you think so? The Crown Prince is obviously Delkian.”
“He hasn’t been officially declared Crown Prince yet, right? I heard the Second Prince is being sent on external missions. Maybe the Emperor wants to test his capabilities. The First Prince is in weaker health… so it’s still up in the air who will be more advantageous. Or… am I wrong?”
“You didn’t know any of that just a moment ago.”
I barely held back a cough.
“Ahem, that’s true… but I do have ears, you know. Now that I think of it, I might’ve overheard it when we went to place the firewood order.”
Please believe me. Please.
“Well, such talk can be helpful sometimes. The Second Prince, hmm.”
“I heard the Empress favors him.”
I added that casually and stuffed a piece of meat into my mouth, feigning ignorance.
“Hmm. I’ll think it over a bit more. Either way, be ready to move. We could leave at any moment.”
“Yes.”
It was time to seriously start stopping my mother. I sighed inwardly.
Three days after that conversation with Mother.
My hair had been dyed a deep red. A splash of color now lay over my previously neutral appearance.
I examined the bright red strands. It had taken two days using a special solution, and my scalp stung like hell. I should’ve splurged on the pricier one.
On the bright side, it was very colorfast.
I leaned closer to the mirror and stretched my lower eyelid with my index finger.
“Can I dye my eyeballs too?”
Green eyes would probably suit me more than red. But apparently, red eyes were required to go with red hair.
“Hmph…”
I still didn’t like Mother’s orders. But if she commands it, I have to obey… though I’ll still try to stop her.
Isn’t that the reason for my existence in the first place? I had forgotten that for a while. I just needed to block what was truly important—without her noticing.
I grimaced at the bitter taste lingering in my mouth. Even then, I remained in front of the mirror for a long time, feeling a strange dissonance with myself.
The next day, a man I’d never seen before arrived.
Mother introduced him to me.
“He’ll be protecting you from now on.”
“I am Ian Fidelique, assigned to serve the young lady. Please feel free to call me Ian.”
A tall and slim man, a full head taller than me, approached.
He had ashen gray hair and dark eyes. His voice was unusually low—deep and resonant like an echo in a cave.
“You look too skinny.”
I pretended to be picky, scrutinizing him as I muttered. I had to at least look like I was cooperating with Mother.
But his expression didn’t change at all in response to my comment.
“He’s capable. I can’t assign Schubalt to you. But Ian here was brought in by Schubalt himself, so he’s trustworthy.”
“Mr. Schubalt hasn’t been around much lately.”
“He’s busy with unnecessary things. Ian, stick to her like a shadow.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After introducing him, Mother left for another outing.
Ian truly did stick to me like a shadow. He followed silently, and the sudden presence annoyed me. I stopped mid-walk and turned around, halting just three steps away from him.
“You don’t have to do that while we’re at home.”
“I’m only following my orders.”
“So stiff.”
I waved my hand, meaning do as you please, and went inside, closing the door behind me.
During winter, travel to the northern region stops—not because of blocked castle gates but because of massive snowfalls.
Roads and bridges get completely cut off.
But this time, for some reason, the collapsed bridge and road had been restored surprisingly quickly.
Maybe the lord here finally got struck by lightning and came to his senses.
Unfortunately, that meant my departure to the capital was moved up by a full week. Now I was inside a black carriage headed to the capital.
“I didn’t expect Mr. Schubalt to come with us.”
“I needed peace of mind.”
“Then you should’ve talked Mother out of this.”
I leaned my elbow on the window frame and rested my chin in my hand as I waited for departure. Ian, who had been sticking to me like a shadow for days now, was seated nearby.
He never spoke unless I addressed him first. Sometimes I’d forget he was even there, only to turn around and find him quietly following.
I hadn’t noticed any major benefits to his presence yet, except one: I didn’t have to bend down when I dropped something—he’d pick it up.
That was about it… for now.
Mr. Schubalt reached out his hand toward me. Unsure, I held out my palm.
Clink. A heavy set of metal keys dropped into my hand.
“Your lodging in the capital.”
“So many rooms.”
“Don’t bring too many boyfriends over.”
I laughed awkwardly at his joke. I counted the keys—it looked like I’d have a different room even if I brought a new guy every day. Not that I had any interest.
“I’m not into that.”
After staying two nights at an inn, we finally reached the capital. We’d slept in the carriage the rest of the trip, and my body felt like it had been run over.
Our destination was a secluded mansion on the outskirts of the capital.
Returning to the capital for the first time in years felt both familiar and strange. The roads and surroundings had become much more modern in that time. Or maybe it was just that I’d grown too accustomed to the North.
Mr. Schubalt unloaded everything and said he’d return in the evening before disappearing somewhere.
Ian followed me into the mansion effortlessly carrying all my luggage. I couldn’t even bother climbing the stairs and chose a room on the first floor.
“Just set it down. Someone else can arrange things.”
“Understood, Miss Karbella.”
“Ian.”
I sighed and looked at him.
“My apologies, Miss Blake.”
Ever since arriving in the capital, I had taken on a new identity: Blake Ariandel. Mr. Schubalt had created this new persona for me.
For him to forget already…
Luckily, he realized his mistake quickly and corrected himself. I’d scold him properly later—but I let it slide for now because of his face.
“Alright, let’s move. There’s somewhere we need to go first.”
