Chapter 10

9.

The saying "just looking at it makes one feel full" must be used in situations like this.

Rachel spoke to Liz, who was earnestly chewing with her small mouth to fill her stomach.

"Chew slowly."

"Yes, yes."

The tableware on the noble's dining table is not just one or two kinds.

Different utensils were used depending on the type of food.

To help Liz, who still didn't know how to use the tableware, she brought out some simple snacks.

How much must she have suffered in that house?

Her gaunt cheeks and bony limbs.

'Hmph, no matter how I think about it, it makes me angry.'

She locked that woman in prison, but her anger still hasn't subsided.

The child had such a look in her eyes.

Familiarity or resignation.

It seemed like this wasn't the first time.

In the novel, Liz's childhood, before she entered the duke's mansion, was not described.

She just said she lived a normal life, thinking she was a commoner.

Liz recalled it that way.

'But it wasn't normal...'

If that was normal, it would be truly terrifying.

The time after that.

The things Liz must have experienced in a world without me are unimaginably horrific.

Grip.

As the hatred towards Abigail, the cause of all this, rose again, she bit her lip tightly.

Startled.

Was Liz surprised by her expression?

Liz carefully put down the food she was eating.

"A, it's nothing. Don't worry, just eat."

"......Yes."

Despite her words, Liz kept glancing at her, eating cautiously.

It was clear she had been eating "rice of fear" for a long time.

Damn.

I should have slapped that woman's face.

After the meal.

Rachel entrusted Liz to Bella and returned to her study.

"Marcus, how did the disposal of the seized items go?"

"I was just about to report."

She skimmed through the documents Marcus handed her.

"Good job. You did well."

The amount received was 20% more than expected.

With this amount, the duke's mansion should have no problem operating until this winter.

Some money has been set aside.

She called Rupert to her study.

"I'm sorry. I'm a bit late because I was cleaning up."

"It's fine. I called you because I wanted to give you this."

Rachel handed him a document.

"This is......"

"I sold the suburban villa that the former head of the knights bought. I think it's best to use this money for the knights."

"......Thank you!"

Rupert's blue eyes shimmered with gratitude.

"The last time I saw, the weapons needed to be replaced, and the training ground needed repairs. I think this amount should be enough. If it's not, let me know. I don't plan to cut costs for the knights."

"Thank you for your concern."

"No, I'm the one who should be grateful. I'm thankful that you stayed by my side despite everything."

Rupert is a talent I can't afford to lose.

Thinking that if I had been just a step late, I might have lost him, sends chills down my spine.

'Anyway, I'm worried about going to the royal palace soon.'

There's a lot to do.

I brought Liz here.

Thinking about leaving my seat in this situation makes my heart heavy.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Duke, it's me, Ann!"

"Huh? Come in."

"Hehe, everything is ready."

"Really? Already?"

Rachel sprang up from her seat as if she had been waiting for this.

It's the historic day Liz entered the duke's mansion.

She prepared a small welcome ceremony.

With a pounding heart, she hurried to the dinner room.

The long table was decorated with silver candlesticks and vases filled with purple hydrangeas.

On it were a white strawberry cream cake and desserts that a child would love.

I hope Liz likes it!

Rachel waited for Liz with a pounding heart.

"Duke, the young lady has arrived."

A moment later, Bella appeared with Liz.

"You're here?"

Liz's eyes widened as she looked at the large cream cake.

"......Cake?"

What is so fascinating?

Liz couldn't take her eyes off the cake.

Her eyes sparkled like she had discovered a Christmas gift, making Rachel's heart ache.

"Liz."

Kneeling slowly and calling her name, the child finally turned her gaze to her.

Gripping the small hand that seemed to break if any force was applied.

Tickle, tickle.

Liz couldn't keep still, her hand held in hers.

Although she still felt unfamiliar and awkward, she didn't show any dislike.

Slowly, slowly, it's okay to approach.

Wishing her sincerity would be conveyed, she gazed deeply into her eyes.

Most of all, I want you to know that I love you and want to protect you.

"Hmm."

Why is my heart tingling as I try to say what I prepared?

It feels like a proposal, making my heart race.

"......Liz, thank you for coming to me."

"......"

After a moment of silence, a transparent stream of tears ran down Liz's cheeks.

Drip, drip.

Rachel, Bella, and Ann couldn't say a word at the tears falling like rain.

Their hearts ached, watching her shoulders tremble as she sobbed silently.

The path the child had walked.

I can imagine that there was no one to hold her hand along the way.

"......Why, did you, come to find, Liz, so late?"

Sniff, sniff.

Rachel's eyes twisted painfully at Liz's words, mixed with sobs.

"......You've been in a lot of pain."

Damn.

I don't want to use what Abigail did to "this body" as an excuse.

But I don't want to hurt Liz's heart, which is waiting for my answer with tears brimming in her eyes.

"I was in too much pain to bring Liz here."

The real owner of this body didn't even know of your existence and left the world.

If it had gone according to the original story, that's what would have happened.

Rachel swallowed the bitter truth and told a white lie.

The purple carpet and dark green wallpaper.

It wasn't a room that suited a child, but it was the second largest room in the duke's mansion after the head's bedroom.

"Do you like the room?"

Liz nodded, her lips pressed together.

"......It's warm and spacious."

A single word filled with many stories.

Rachel's lips twitched for a moment before she spoke carefully.

"There......"

No, no.

Liz had just stopped crying.

With her eyes still wet, she was afraid that her question might bring back bad memories.

"I'm glad you like it. If you need anything, just let me know. Understand?"

Liz, who had been lost in thought, timidly tugged at her sleeve.

"Liz......"

"Uh?"

"I've never heard someone say thank you before."

"......"

"I've never tasted a cake before. I didn't know there was something so delicious in the world."

Liz said, her blue, clear eyes filled with her face.

"I like it now. I don't need anything more."

Kind words, pretty clothes, and delicious food.

You experienced all of these for the first time.

Unable to hold back the overwhelming pity in her heart, Rachel pulled Liz into a hug.

Holding the small body that didn't resist, she kissed her head tenderly.

My Liz.

How can you be so touching and lovable as a child?

"......But I have a question."

"Uh?"

The quiet night, where only the sound of crickets could be heard.

"Why are you being so nice to Liz?"

You don't know what kind of child Liz is.

In that silence, Liz's sharp question pierced her heart like a thorn.

Park Ye-an.

A promising child actor, that was me.

At first, I started acting reluctantly because my parents told me to, but I soon became captivated by the charm of acting.

Living as 'someone else' in the screen was a surprising and wonderful experience.

But loving it didn't mean I could do it well.

Sparkle.

My talent, which was only that much, soon hit a wall.

"Park Ye-an, I believe in her lol. Not worth watching lol lol lol"

"Who is Park Ye-an? Heard of her lol"

"Ran into her on the street, no one recognized her"

"But how did you recognize her?"

"No, she was in my school lol lol lol. Always wore a hat and mask, no one knew she was a celebrity, so funny"

"Wow, so pitiful lol lol lol lol"

As a child actor, I received a lot of love, but when my acting skills were exposed to be lacking, I became a laughingstock.

Netizens dissected me from head to toe and mocked me, and my friends laughed behind my back.

Even stars have a lifespan.

My star's lifespan was just shorter than others.

But the sense of loss after losing the overwhelming love and attention I had received was beyond what I could bear.

I escaped into novels, as if fleeing from reality......

There, I met 'you'.

"Look at that outfit. As expected of a bastard, so vulgar."

"Trying so hard to catch the Emperor's eye? He won't even glance at you."

Clack, clack.

Liz, who was crossing the ballroom, stopped in front of the young ladies who were deliberately mocking her.

Smile.

Her lips curved like a crescent moon.

One, her blue eyes were as cold and fierce as a snowstorm on a snowy plain.

Startled.

"Why? What did we say wrong?"

The women who met Liz's gaze took a step back, looking as if they had been caught.

"No, that's not it."

Liz approached them.

"Putting on airs and trying to look noble means you're not that desperate."

She continued, her voice languid.

"I have no pride when it comes to what I want. I don't hide anything."

So, young ladies, don't even cast a shadow in front of the Emperor.

If you don't want to disappear without a trace.

Liz smiled brightly at the pale young ladies......

My parents, who blamed each other for my failure and split up.

People who turned their backs on me like the flip of a hand when I hit rock bottom.

When I was disappointed and frustrated, always being a supporting character overshadowed by the lead.

I saw a supporting character who shone brighter than the lead.

"......Liz. You may not know this, but you are my star."

You were strong and free from people's evaluations, unlike me.

The mocking gazes directed at me.

I could forget all of that during our journey together.

Life only has meaning when you love.

And the one who gave meaning to my life was Liz.

Pulling Liz, who didn't understand her words, into her arms.

Even if I knew your efforts were in vain, even if you were heading towards a tragic end, I cheered for you and stood by you.

I endured the long, lonely journey.

So this time, it's my turn.

It's my turn to stand by this child on a long journey.