Dantellion had been a figure nearly forgotten in Veronica’s hazy memories, yet now, upon meeting him again, he had somehow become more precious than anyone else.
He had made a promise. That he would win and return.
Veronica clenched her teeth and said,
“His Highness will not lose.”
“Veri…”
“I said he won’t lose!”
Veronica raised her voice in agitation. The Duke let out a long sigh.
The situation he feared had come to pass. The Duke, feeling an unpleasant sense of déjà vu, pressed his fingers against his forehead.
Veronica’s current behavior was exactly like before—when she had been bewitched by that bastard, Cedric.
“Father, you don’t know anything about him!”
She had shouted at him like that before, furious that he opposed her marrying that illegitimate child, treating him as some old-fashioned relic.
But Duke Winston hadn’t hated Cedric simply because he was born out of wedlock.
Cedric carried a victim complex unique to those who grew up discriminated against. Worse still, he had a naturally twisted and arrogant character.
Veronica, who had grown up surrounded by love, was no match for someone like him. The Duke could easily foresee that only Veronica would be hurt if she married him.
‘Of course, His Highness is different…’
The Crown Prince, Dantellion, also carried many wounds. Born the sole legitimate heir to the Imperial Family, he had once been surrounded by blessings and love. But after the early deaths of the late Empress Dowager and the previous Emperor—who had adored her—his true misfortunes began.
And now, even after the deaths of the former Emperor and Empress, he had yet to be crowned emperor despite being well past adulthood. Surely, the emotional scars from his youth ran deep.
But he was definitely different from Cedric.
Whether due to his nature or perhaps the love he once received from his family, Dantellion had grown upright and righteous. Duke Winston, who had observed him closely, knew this better than anyone.
‘And yet, this father’s heart cannot be at ease.’
Seeing his daughter swept up once again in that futile emotion called love, the Duke felt anxious.
Even though he knew Dantellion was clearly a better man than Cedric.
Moreover, this duel did not guarantee Dantellion’s victory. Too much was at stake. The Duke furrowed his brow deeply.
“Veri, if His Highness loses, the House of Winston will withdraw its support for him.”
“Father…!”
“I called you here just so you’d understand that.”
“…”
Veronica silently stared at the Duke. Seeing his hard expression, she realized he had no intention of changing his mind.
Just as the Duke recalled the past, so did Veronica.
Certainly, she had been ignorant back then. She had blindly chased Cedric, knowing nothing.
But now, things were different. Veronica felt that very clearly.
“Fine, Father. But in return…”
“…”
“If His Highness wins, swear to me that no matter what happens, you’ll support him.”
“…!”
Startled by her bold demand, the Duke widened his eyes.
But soon, suppressing his inner turmoil, he nodded.
“Very well. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
Veronica turned and left the study without another word.
Clack. The sound of the door closing echoed softly within the room.
“Hmmm…”
Having overheard Veronica and the Duke’s conversation, I let out a small sigh.
It was unexpected to hear that they had argued, but if Dantellion beat Cedric, it would all be fine.
And Dantellion would win. I would make sure of it.
Wearing a confident smile, I wished the day of the duel would come quickly.
And then…
“No! Dia wants to go too!”
“Oh my…”
“Take me with you tooooo!”
The day of the duel.
Veronica said the Colosseum wasn’t a place for children and didn’t want to take me. In despair, I flopped to the floor and threw a tantrum like a real child.
“Dia, you can’t go,”
“Dia, you’re a good girl, right?”
As I cried, Vincent and Brandon fussed over me, trying to soothe me.
‘I want to see it too! A Sword Master’s duel!’
It was practically guaranteed that Dantellion would win, but I still wanted to see it with my own eyes—because it sounded exciting.
And yet they were leaving me behind? Not letting me see the duel between the original protagonist and the villain? Missing out on such popcorn-worthy drama?
Devastated, I cried loudly like a toddler. Veronica and the direct family members looked down at me, visibly flustered.
“What should we do? Dia wants to go so badly…”
“No. It’s not suitable for a child.”
“Exactly. This time, it’s just too much…”
“…”
Hearing them murmur, I realized the consensus was shifting toward leaving me behind.
No matter how much I cried, it wouldn’t work. Come to think of it, a brutal duel that continued until one side surrendered wasn’t exactly child-appropriate.
‘Tch. I may look five, but I’m not really five inside.’
But mentally, I was an adult, and it felt so unfair. Even if limbs were cut off or lives lost—I could handle it just fine.
Eventually, I stopped crying, but I pouted in frustration. Veronica looked at me with pity and gently patted my head.
“Dia, Mommy will bring you a present. So don’t be mad, okay?”
“Sniff…”
In the end, I had no choice but to stay behind at the townhouse. Sophia comforted me in her arms as I still sniffled.
“Our pretty little lady, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“Yes, so let’s stop crying, shall we?”
“…?”
Who could it be? I wasn’t expecting anyone.
Compared to the Duke or the other direct family members, I had little influence in social circles—there was no reason for someone to visit me personally.
And judging by Sophia’s cheerful expression, it must’ve been someone she knew well too.
“…Abel?”
“Dia.”
Abel, who had been waiting for me in the parlor, sprang to his feet.
It was Abel, my new playmate. I slipped from Sophia’s arms and ran toward him.
“Abel!”
“Mm.”
Abel’s face lit up when he saw me, but then quickly darkened. I stared at him curiously as he asked with concern,
“Did you cry? Did something happen?”
“Ah…”
I must’ve still had tear stains on my face. I raised my hand and rubbed my eyes vigorously.
Then Abel gently grabbed my arm.
“Mommy… left me behind.”
“Lady Veronica did?”
“Yeah, everyone left me and went to see His Highness…”
“Ah.”
Abel nodded in understanding as he realized what I meant.
“I see. I wanted to go too, but I couldn’t.”
“You too?”
“Yes.”
“…”
But unlike me, Abel wore a calm expression, as if he wasn’t particularly upset about missing the duel.
It seemed the Duke or Veronica had asked him to stay with me so I wouldn’t be alone at the mansion.
I didn’t need that kind of consideration—I just wanted to go to the Colosseum. Unable to hide my gloom, I slumped my shoulders.
“I really wanted to see it too…”
“Dia.”
“Mommy’s mean.”
For the first time since transmigrating into this world, I resented Veronica.
Of course, she had left me behind for my sake. But maybe because I had taken on a child’s body, my tolerance had shrunk, and I couldn’t understand her decision at all.
At this moment, I truly hated Veronica for not taking me with her.
“Sniff…”
“D-Don’t cry, Dia.”
“Hic…”
I didn’t want to cry in front of Abel, but I couldn’t help it. Watching me sniffle, Abel seemed completely flustered.
“You really want to see the duel between His Highness and Marquis Cedric?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded, mumbling through my tears.
“He said he’d definitely win… He promised me… I have to see if he keeps his promise…”
“…”
Abel stared at me intently. His navy-blue eyes seemed to deepen even more. I had stopped crying without realizing it, mesmerized by his gaze.
“Then, shall we go watch it?”
“Huh?”
With a mischievous smile, like he was about to do something naughty, Abel asked. I looked at him, shocked.
Go watch it? The duel?
“How?”
“Secretly.”
“Secretly?”
“Yes.”
Abel said it so confidently that I was momentarily speechless.
And judging by the certainty in his expression, it seemed like he really could take me to the Colosseum if I simply nodded.
“Can we… really get there?”
“Of course.”
Abel smiled and nodded. I eyed him suspiciously, then glanced around.
“…?”
Sophia tilted her head at me when we made eye contact. Abel had whispered quietly, so she couldn’t hear what we were talking about.
“It’s impossible. There’s a nanny in the room, and Sir Raven outside…”
“I’ll use my ability.”
“Your ability?”
“Yes.”
My eyes widened at Abel’s confident face.
