Chapter 10

When I was five years old, my mother passed away.

My mother was the heir to the duchy. Originally, it was supposed to be my uncle, her younger brother, who would inherit, but he became a son-in-law to a neighboring country because he fell in love with their only daughter. So, my mother happily took over the inheritance. My father, who was in a political marriage, was a typical noble couple in both good and bad ways, as I remember from my childhood.

Their love might have been different from the general idea of marital love, but I was able to live without any doubts because of the overwhelming love from my mother.

Everything changed when my mother died, and my stepmother and stepbrother moved into the duchy with my father. My stepbrother is said to be my father's biological son. Ah, so that's how it is.

From that day on, I lost my family. Family dinners, outings, and anniversaries—none of these included me. The servants were all replaced, and I, who was treated as if I didn't exist in the family, seemed to be nonexistent even among the servants.

My life as a human was barely guaranteed, but only to that extent. Meals were left outside my room, and I had to take care of my grooming and changing clothes on my own. Days without speaking to anyone in the house were not uncommon.

All communication with my father ceased, and when there was something to discuss, I was instructed to write a letter, even though we lived in the same house.

Having a home, having meals, and being able to survive—what did that mean? Someone inside me screamed that what my heart, now with a large hole in it, needed was not that.

When I learned at the age of seven that I was to be the prince's fiancée, I rejoiced, thinking that I finally had a place to belong.

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"Are you my fiancée?"

Fiancée?

"Hmph, let me tell you this now: I intend to spend my life with someone who is truly in love, like my parents. My mother used to say you were just a temporary arrangement. Well, I think our relationship will be short-lived... Try your best, though."

A place to escape from a family that didn't love me. My place to belong crumbled so easily. I had thought a fiancé was someone to cherish and support... I clutched the pink dress I had dressed up in for today, wrinkling it.

"The poor boy, chosen for political balance."

"Ultimately, my son will find true love, just like me."

"Don't get your hopes up. But until that day, you must work hard. As a duchy's daughter, you understand, right? If you work hard, you might become a concubine."

The words of the queen, repeated so often that I could recite them by heart.

"Oh, tea parties are fine, even if it's just a future as a concubine. We don't need to deepen our relationship that much, right?"

At the palace, I was subjected to strict education and taught vast amounts of knowledge by my tutors. My dance partner, my dining partner, and my practice partner for tea parties were all my tutors. I was expected to perform well; if I failed, I was scolded and sighed at. I wondered why I was studying and for whom.

When I turned ten, I discovered that I had the power of a saint.