The Cartesian Empire was under the protection of spirits. And there are two family bloodlines that were chosen to have the protection.
First, is the Imperial Family Descartes. The other one is my family, the Duke of Diollus.
The spirits are only produced from these two families that were chosen by the spirits. The proof is the golden eyes.
Naturally, the bloodlines of the royal family and the Duke of Diollus, were all born with golden eyes, and those who have it were able to make a contract with spirit on their 15th birthday. Without exception, that means everyone.
‘It is a symbol of incredible and absolute power.’
Spirit lords have reigned as powerful rulers over a long history, exerting various types of absolute power that are commonly known as ‘superpowers’.
Therefore, the Imperial family of the Descartes Empire regarded it as a virtue to provide the maximum number of members of the Imperial family, that is, spirits. That way, they can solidify the Imperial power.
In other words.
‘Have as many heirs as possible!’
What does this mean?
‘It means that the Imperial family is known to have an unparalleled law of producing multiple heirs as possible.’
The current Emperor, Descartes XI, had seven wives.
The surprising fact is that, compared to the previous Emperors, Descartes XI, who had seven wives, was on the side of the vassal.
‘And to think that Descartes V had thirty-two wives…’
Truly, amazing.
Anyway, the reason that this has become a problem is that there is only one throne, but there are dozens of children of the Emperor who are eligible to ascend to the throne.
Without considering them as older brothers… Without considering them as younger sisters… Older sister and youngest brother… Those seeds that wanted to cut their own bloodlines, and not to mention the Second Prince of the empire, Nathan van Rashmach Descartes, were one of those seeds.
(T/N: Seeds are what they called for the children of the Emperor.)
‘Let’s see, the Crown Prince died around the time of Rubette’s 16th birthday… So there is less than a year left.’
“Time is running out?”
As I looked at Wisht’s desirable face, I settled down with a bit of hesitation.
He was too handsome to pretend not to know that it was someone else’s business.
“Lady, the tailor is here.”
“Oh, come on in.”
Just then, I heard Rebecca’s voice telling me that she had brought in the tailor. I gladly got up from my seat.
The door opened and a girl came in who seemed a little confused about what’s happening.
Her name is Becky.
“You’re finally here.”
“Yes, my lady. How have you been?”
“I’m doing well, thank you for asking.”
Wearing thick glasses and old clothes, she was an unknown tailor who made new clothes almost every day, to accommodate Rubette’s growing body.
Kind and loyal. Her sense of design was a bit lacking, but she was an excellent sewer.
“But, what did you call me for? It hasn’t been that long since I’ve made you a new dress.”
“Oh, I didn’t call you today because of a new dress. Please sit first.”
When I suggested for her to sit down first, Becky tilted her head, thinking that this sudden call was very strange.
“I have a lot to discuss with you today.”
I smiled at the lucky tailor who would soon become famous by riding the rope with me.
***
(Rubette’s POV)
One day, two days, three days, four days.
Time went by quickly and I perfectly adapted to Rubette’s daily life.
In fact, there was no such thing as adaptation. As I absorbed all of her memories and emotions of the 45 years that she has lived, it would not be wrong to say that I already consider myself as Rubette.
There was, however, a distinct difference from the previous Rubette.
“You did a great job today, miss. Was the morning air good?”
“Yes, Rebecca. It felt good to run.”
The fact that I have been maintaining a workout schedule that the past Rubette can’t do due to her weak determination, which I have already been maintaining for four days now.
“She has been staying in her room all the time, so what kind of air did she get to suddenly change like that?”
“Didn’t you hear the news? They’ve said that she changed just after she fell into the pond four days ago and almost died. She even slapped Lord Ricky in the cheek.”
The living environment, In which she was usually confined inside her room 24 hours a day, has suddenly changed 180 degrees.
And…..
“By the way, has she always been that close to the Duke in the first place? There was a rumor that said that the butler was fired and that is because Lady Rubette said so ….”
“Really, is that true?”
“Regardless if it’s rumors or not, once the Duchess returns back, there would definitely be a riot. Can you imagine the two of them eating together every day?”
“Shhhhhhh. Let’s just keep our mouths shut.”
‘What’s wrong with having a meal with my dad every day?’
“……”
“……”
I’m now in my dad’s room, which is a little more lively than the first time we saw each other.
I felt his gaze, and when I looked up, my father was staring at me.
“Yes?”
Since I was sketching a dress while we were eating, I asked him as I ate my oatmeal with my other hand.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m sketching.”
“So, what is it?”
“Why are you so curious about this? Don’t pay too much attention to me.”
“……”
As soon as I shoved it, my father’s mouth was completely bitten in dissatisfaction.
Two meals a day. It’s already been four days since we ate breakfast and lunch together.
It was my emergency measure to put my father’s crazy lifestyle back on track and monitor him if he touches any alcohol and cigarettes again.
My dad then asked me with his hands crossed.
“Then why do you keep coming to eat with me after telling me not to pay attention to you?”
“Well, I don’t need dad’s attention, not that I said that I was interested in it. Just hurry up and finish your meal.”
After giving a rough answer, I diligently moved my right hand to focus back on my sketch.
I could feel my father, who had been staring at me a little more, continue to eat again with a sour face.
“……?”
Hmm? I suddenly stopped sketching the dress ribbon and looked up.
Dad’s hand was suddenly heading towards a wine glass that was filled with smooth white wine.
“Tak!”
“……”
The sullen dad stiffened as it was.
As soon as I knocked on the table, the kitchen maid who was waiting next to me hurriedly approached me.
“Yes, my lady.”
“What is that? It wasn’t there until lunchtime yesterday. Didn’t I mention not to include any alcohol?”
“Oh, it must be a mistake in the kitchen. I’ll get it right away.”
After meddling a lot over the course of four days, the kitchen maid, who was so proud of herself, quickly removed the wine glass without my father’s permission.
After a few days of experience, they seemed to have realized that whatever I said was the law, and not the Duke whenever it’s mealtime.
Dad’s lips twisted from dissatisfaction when the maid left the room together with the glass of wine.
“The doctor said that I’m healthy, so how long do I have to stop drinking? I can’t even drink a glass of wine?”
“I know. I just thought that one of them was definitely not telling the truth, I just want to confirm it.”
I was worried that the family doctor would also have been bought by Molga, so I deliberately called in a commercial doctor in the capital and had my dad to be diagnosed, but they all mentioned that he was healthy.
‘For over 10 years, he’s been living his life in waste while drinking and smoking, but based on Rubette’s memory he would die three years later. If it’s a three years deadline, there should be some sort of symptoms to be showing somewhere by now…’
I had only stopped him from drinking and smoking for four days now, and I could already see his complexion becoming better now. I could already tell that he’s doing well even if I’m not a doctor myself.
My dad’s health is getting better now.
‘Would it suddenly get worse three years from now? Or maybe alcohol and cigarettes weren’t the problems? As I remember, my dad died due to his damaged body all because of alcohol….’
As I was thinking, my dad, snapped his finger to get my attention.
“A glass of wine….”
“No, you can’t. And you can’t do that secretly as well. I can trust my dad’s conscience right?”
“……”
Dad, who looked at me with dissatisfied eyes, gave up and continued eating again.
After I emptied my oatmeal, I put the spoon down, waited for my dad to finish eating, and this time I opened up a copy of the magazine I had brought and read it.
“…Are you just eating that?”
My dad talked to me again when he saw me finish my meal.
As our eyes met, Dad swung a plate of juicy marinated meat toward me.
“Eat more. Even mice can eat more than that.”
“I’m full. What’s wrong again? You know that I only eat oatmeal every morning.”
“How can you survive eating like that…”
It was then.
A maiden’s voice came through the door with a shrill, small knock.
“Duke, the Madam has returned back home.”
“…!”
So you’re finally here Molga Diollus.
The return of the demon who I had been desperately waiting for.
I have already thought of dozens of simulations in my head to figure out how to treat her when I finally met her.
I was confident that I would never be taken lightly, but…
“Ugh.”
Unfortunately, I ran into an unexpected problem.
Surprisingly, the trauma engraved on this body was not something that could be easily shaken off.
Tag! Tag! Tag!
The moment I heard that Molga had returned, my heartbeat raced uncontrollably.
“I’m so frustrated.”
“Why are you being so undignified and vulgar?”
“You are a child who does not fit the name of Diollus.”
“Your father and your brothers are all ashamed of you.”
“Did you know that everyone hates you?”
I didn’t know that the aftermath of the trauma could be so terrifying, so I couldn’t help but panic.
“You are the one who killed your mother, so how could your father love you?”
“Your father was right. You should not have been born.”
“Baby, please don’t tarnish our family and live as if you don’t exist at all.”
“You have to thank Lilia, for shining our family on your behalf.”
When the memories of Molga’s abuse flooded through my memories, my body suddenly reacted accordingly.
“Gasp… Ahhh…”
My hand, which became white and started to tremble, was suddenly revealed in the open.
‘Why am I being like this?’
A feeling of shortness of breath.
As I continued panting, my breathing was slowly being blocked due to anxiety, then a large shadow loomed in front of me.
‘…Dad? ’
I didn’t have the strength to lift my head, but it didn’t matter. Because my father immediately bent his knees and made eye-level contact with me, as he held my shoulder.
“What’s wrong with you?”