Chapter 31

“So, if I were to stuff cotton into that, it would become a teddy bear?”

Not quite fully understanding, Hannah pointed at ‘that,’ a bear hide carpet. Kathia gripped her stomach and rolled on her bed, laughing for quite some time.

“No way! Not so realistic, but cute, like a character… How should I describe it? Ah, like how a kid draws!”

Hannah still appeared puzzled, tilting her head. Right now, she didn’t want to disappoint her daughter.

Kathia patted Hannah, so she wouldn’t feel as pressured, then slowly closed her eyes.

She felt relieved.

She didn’t bring it up in the beginning, since she didn’t expect to receive a doll. It was just her long-awaited wish, and she was happy to just let it out to Hannah.

She was unable to whine like a normal child to her mother from her previous life until death.

“Kathia, are you asleep? You must’ve been really tired.”

With great relief and a bit of a drunk feeling combined, Kathia fell into a deep sleep in an instant. “Sleep well,” a tender voice whispered.

* * *

[CW: unwanted contact (almost r***)]

Crack. Crackle.

While half asleep, I heard some noise. A crackling…

Ah. The noise of the fireplace is rather loud, Kathia thought, before raising herself upright.

This was NOT the sound of a fire crackling.

It was the sound of heavy raindrops crashing against the window.

And Hannah was nowhere to be seen.

“Mom..!”

This is crazy. On such a cold night like this!

How far did she go off to? She couldn’t even imagine. Patting beside her on the bed, it was ice cold.

As Kathia stepped onto the bear hide carpet in a rush, she heard footsteps in the hallway. Tap, tap. She sensed someone’s presence in the hallway.

‘She must’ve returned.’

I can’t imagine how cold and lonely she must’ve been. I should’ve stayed by her side. As a pang of sadness hit her, Kathia rushed to open the door.

When she grabbed the arm of the person that was right in front of her, she instinctively felt she made a grave mistake.

“What? You’re just playing innocent, aren’t ya? You’re just like your mother.”

Boom!

As lightning struck faraway, veiled in the dark night, on top of the man’s face, the shivering light shone and disappeared.

“…Crown Prince?”

Why? Why is this person here? The speed of her thoughts couldn’t keep up with reality.

While Kathia was blinking, the prince advanced towards her, chasing her into the room.

“If I knew you were thirsting for me this badly, I would’ve come a little bit earlier. If the Second Consort didn’t tell me, then I wouldn’t have known before.”

“What?”

“Were ya embarrassed? It would’ve been nice if you told me directly. That you’d be waiting for me tonight.”

“What in the world…”

“Then again, Father is going to die any moment now, so you must find your own way to live. Good thinking.”

The means to survive.

Yes. It was true that Kathia was seeking a way to survive.

But she never wanted anything like this.

While stumbling backward, the prince pushed her and she fell. Behind her, there was the soft bed.

Startled, she rushed to get up, but was pinned down by his weight, unable to even flail her arms.

“Is it past midnight? Congrats, truly, on your coming of age, little Sis.”

Damp air and shadow came upon her. Kathia’s eyes, which had a glimpse of sparkle, suddenly turned murky.

Now, she couldn’t see anything.

“I’ll give you an honor-worthy gift, one you won’t forget.”

AH.

AH. AH!

Kathia hyperventilated. Scream, I need to shout out! As her throat was blocked, not even a whisper came out.

Even if she were to scream, who would help? The palace guards stationed around like a folding screen?

Wouldn’t it be almost impossible to have the guards come in when they were the very ones allowing the prince to enter?

From the beginning, was the mother and daughter’s only way of survival through things like this…?

“Coming from such worthless blood, your beauty is such a waste. Even my old man wanted to have you gals sticking around. It’s a good thing you inherited the good genes from your mother. Oh, right— Where’s that red-head mother of yours? Wouldn’t it be better for the both of you to get together and ‘survive’? Hm?”

Filthy words continued to gush out. A foul hand streaked down her face.