Chapter 73

* * *

Daimond Province.

In the end, the former empress didn't keep her promise and only sent me back when it was late at night.

What does Dad like these days?

Does he remember the red tulip, a flower of our shared memories?

Does he still hate broccoli?

I've never heard such detailed stories about Dad, even in novels.

When I ascended to my room with a vagrant's expression, Han Ji-hyuk narrowed his eyebrows.

"Why do you look so mentally shattered?"

"Because I am."

I've never encountered such a formidable opponent in my life.

It was really the first time.

"Former Empress?"

At Han Ji-hyuk's words, I widened my eyes.

"How did you know?"

"You told me to call her mother."

"......Has it become common knowledge?"

"Even the stray dogs on the street know it."

I heard about it less than half a day ago?

Rumors spread faster than my return to the province.

Everyone in the province already knows.

I thought rumors would spread quickly, given the shocking and terrifying nature of the story, but...

'I understand why Dad had such an exasperated look on his face.'

He must have been tormented by the former empress for a long time.

Not having emigrated, Dad must have been a truly remarkable person.

'I already want to emigrate.'

How did he endure it?

Dad, who used to have a different temperament, must have been pushed to his limits.

I slumped onto the sofa and patted my shoulders.

"Ouch..."

A groan escaped me involuntarily.

Han Ji-hyuk, while changing the water in the vase in my room, said,

"If you're this bad, the former empress must have been reduced to ashes, right?"

"No."

"Huh?"

Han Ji-hyuk narrowed his eyebrows.

After staring at me for a while, he said, "Ah," and shrugged.

"Why?"

He put down the vase and said,

"You're weak when it comes to people who are kind to you. I thought you were lenient with her."

"What?"

"You're ruthless when others bother you, but when it's someone you like, you tend to be lenient."

Is that true?

While I was pondering, Han Ji-hyuk continued,

"Like with the maids."

Now that I think about it, it does seem true.

"Elliot, you were the same with Liangtin. At first, you said you gave him a taste of his own medicine."

"Right."

"But now you're more lenient. Because Liangtin has a crush on you."

That's true.

Even though Liangtin pretends otherwise, he likes me, so I don't mind his grumbling.

"Is that why you can't be harsh with the former empress, who bothers and interferes with you?"

As he said that, he frowned.

"Or, would you just let it be, given your personality?"

"Hmm... That could be."

"Do you know what the twist is here?"

"What?"

"When someone you've been lenient with turns on you, you become terrifying."

"......"

"Really. You're really scary. I mean it. You can believe it."

Han Ji-hyuk shuddered.

I nodded.

"Right. Just like you."

"Huh?"

I pulled the communication line connected to the guard.

Soon, Mosko entered with a loud thud.

"Yes, Miss!"

"Han enjoyed the training ground. He wants to train with Mosko again."

"Is that so?!"

Mosko laughed and said, "You should have told me!" while patting Han Ji-hyuk's back.

It was just a pat, but it sounded like his spine was breaking.

"Let's build our friendship through training! Hahaha!"

Han Ji-hyuk was dragged away, pale-faced.

'He's being cheeky.'

I smirked.

* * *

Dad was in a bad mood from the morning.

We ate breakfast in complete silence, glancing at the irritable Dad.

Even the usually quiet Richmond.

The twins, who are usually noisy when together.

Even I.

But that only lasted a minute or two.

Eventually, we started whispering.

"Father's frown will solidify into that shape."

"It's because the former empress told Elliot to call her mother, right?"

"Actually, it's probably because of the rumor that Elliot isn't a commoner but was born between Father and the former empress."

I was exasperated.

How hard I've tried not to hear the dirty blood rumors?

If I were the former empress's daughter, I would have suffered.

'And I like my mom.'

Dad and Mom had me because they wanted to, but Dad said,

Mom really, really loved me.

She loved me more than expected, and came all the way to Astra Ling to give birth to me.

So, even though I've never seen her face, I like her.

I've seen through media how difficult it is for pregnant women.

Their legs don't get enough blood, they can't trim their nails, they suffer from insomnia or eating disorders...

I can't even imagine the state she must have been in.

Also,

"Elliot. This child's name is Elliot. Tell her that her mother is sorry, so very sorry."

When I saw Mom through my <Reading> blessing, she had a very earnest look.

'Mom must have chosen my name.'

I thought Grandpa chose it, but it seems Mom chose it and Dad kept it.

Anyway, I know why people spread such rumors about the former empress from yesterday's experience.

'How can the former empress speak without considering the impact on the parties involved?'

She never once worried that such rumors would cause trouble for me and Dad.

"It might also be because of the rumor that the palace is pushing for a marriage."

That damn rumor.

I stabbed the omelet in front of me with my fork, my eyes clouded.

The former empress is a madwoman who doesn't care about rumors.

Because she doesn't care, she says things like, "You can think of me as your mother" in a place where everyone can hear.

The rumors about the former empress herself are also enormous.

When she wanted to see Dad, who was visiting the capital but wasn't prepared, the palace staff stopped her, and she jumped from a second-story room, they say.

She seems to be the type who doesn't hesitate to get what she wants.

'Really, she's a nuisance.'

If she likes Dad, she should just go to him.

Don't unnecessarily hold me back.

'Don't use me as a baby messenger!'

I have so much to do, and I don't need this annoying situation.

'I want to get something out of the Harvest Festival.'

The Harvest Festival is an event for agricultural regions.

It doesn't really help our commerce-focused Astra Ling.

Regardless of my judgment, the Harvest Festival will proceed since it's already decided, so I need to make the most of it.

There are many practical benefits to be gained.

'For example, using the Harvest Festival to create a food street.'

The food street is a tourism business I've been quietly promoting.

'It's not for nothing that each area creates X Road or X Lane.'

By setting an image, people will gather.

However, most officials are strongly opposing it, saying it doesn't fit the now-luxurious image of Daimond Province.

'What's the point of just looking luxurious if there's no substance?'

This won't work.

Daimond Province is currently collecting taxes from conquered lands and pouring them into the border regions.

'With a small population, there's no crowd, and the barren land isn't suitable for agriculture.'

Taxes alone can't solve everything.

Ultimately, it needs to be self-sustaining.

At the very least, we need to create an infrastructure where people can support themselves.

'The Harvest Festival will be a good start.'

A large-scale event like the Harvest Festival will attract nearby residents.

Not just from within Daimond Province, but from other provinces as well.

'It would be great to develop and support products that can be sold and provide surplus labor.'

If we make it profitable for street vendors, people will start making it their livelihood.

It would be ideal to develop the Harvest Festival site into a landmark of Daimond Province and a tourist attraction.

'In Yoo Hye-min's world, there are countries that survive solely on tourism.'

There are countless things to experiment with in this Harvest Festival.

I have many ideas, but I'm stuck with the former empress—!

Am I frustrated, or am I not?

'Sigh. I have to go to the duchy today...'

If I don't go, she'll come to Daimond Province, so I said I'd go.

'With rumors already rampant, if I meet Dad...'

The rumor that my birth changed immediately after she told me to think of her as my mother.

If people see me meeting Dad, it will be a complete frenzy.

The general of Daimond Province suddenly left while talking to the former empress?

The former empress was desperately pleading that her feelings hadn't changed.

Moreover, the former empress came to Daimond Province to see the general's youngest daughter, Elliot.

This is completely...

'Oh no.'

The thought of people talking about Dad's night life made me shudder.

Of course, thinking about how angry Dad would be is part of it.

Now, Dad has developed a bit of patience from raising four children, but originally, he would have been like a lion on the loose.

'It's better if I go.'

I sighed deeply and put down my fork.

"Then I'll go to the duchy."

My three brothers widened their eyes.

"So early?"

"Yeah, it's not even 8 yet?"

"Besides, you're leaving so much food?"

I sighed and said,

"I just want to go and come back quickly."

Most importantly, I want to talk to Conrad before meeting the former empress.

'I need to quell the rumors about the former empress.'

Conrad is excellent at handling information, so he will definitely be helpful.

I stopped whispering with my brothers and approached Dad to tell him I was going to the duchy.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to."

Dad said, but—

'What are you saying? I need to save Dad from the rumors!'

I left the dining room with determination.

I quickly prepared to leave and activated the <Movement> blessing stone.

* * *

When I opened my eyes after the light faded, the duchy's landscape came into view.

The majestic duchy's chapel and the lake and forest beside it were always impressive.

'Instant teleportation is the best, after all.'

Since the <Movement> blessing stone was created, I haven't even looked at a carriage.

I took out my pocket watch to check the time.

'Hmm, it's still early.'

It was before the morning meeting (the duchy's morning meeting) ended.

Naturally, Conrad was attending the morning meeting.

'I need to kill some time while waiting for Conrad until the meeting ends.'

It was close to the nest I made for Ragon.

Playing with Ragon would be perfect.

I called out loudly,

"Ragon!"

Kaaah!

In response to my voice, a cute cry came from a distance.

'He's eating and sleeping well.'

I smiled contentedly and blew the flute hanging around my neck.

Whiiik!

But something was strange.

No matter how much time passed, Ragon didn't come.

'What's wrong?'

Ragon is a very obedient child and usually comes running when I call.

"Ragon? Ragon!"

As I kept calling Ragon, a scream reached my ears.

"Kiaaaah! Help! A monster—!"

'Monster? There's a barrier around the castle, so other monsters can't enter, right?'

That's also why I can't easily bring Ragon and Ombre to the province.

They can't go beyond the barrier.

'...Then, could it be Ragon?'

I quickly ran in the direction of the scream.

Soon, I could see Ragon clearly.

'His state is strange!'

He was completely ferocious, roaring threateningly.

The one Ragon was attacking was—

'A maid from the palace?'

The maid, pale with fear, was trembling and couldn't even run properly.

"Ragon!"

I called out desperately, but Ragon didn't even look at me.

Ragon is a gentle and kind child.

Among the monsters I keep, he is the most human-friendly.

Monsters usually see all humans as prey.

Even the ones I've tamed see all humans except me as prey.

That's the instinct of monsters.

But Ragon is a well-behaved child who can tolerate humans within a 100-meter radius.

Ombre, who is timid, has started disobeying me since puberty.

But Ragon, except when he was very young, has never disobeyed me.

'He's not the type to ignore my voice like this!'

I rushed to the maid's side.

"Ragon! Stop it!"

I blocked the maid's front and ordered Ragon, but Ragon tried to attack me as well.

His dilated pupils and unfocused gaze.

He looked completely insane, having lost his mind.

The maid screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Help! Help! The monster is going to kill me! Kyaah! Help!"

Ragon seemed more agitated by her screams and flapped his wings roughly.

"Calm down, Ragon. It's me!"

Kiaah! Kiaah!

But Ragon growled more ferociously and tried to attack me.

I didn't back down.

I looked Ragon in the eye and put the flute in my mouth.

Whiiik!

"Ragon. Be good? We agreed not to attack humans. Remember? We always agreed not to attack humans."

In a low voice, to avoid provoking Ragon, I repeated it over and over.

Did it have an effect?

Ragon, who was about to peck at me, hesitated.