CH 25

If the Goddess was truly in the world, she had to see with her own eyes. That was why she had been doing business by interpreting the ancient characters. Until then, there was no Goddess for Charelize.

It was the reason why she couldn’t forgive Viscount Argent’s poor report. Without anyone’s affection or approval, the next owner of the portrait to be hung next to them had to be herself, no matter what. Nothing could be solved by hiding and crying alone, like when she was a child.

“G-Greetings to the little Duchess.”

“May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach the young Master.”

Arriving at the front door of the study, the knights guarding the front seemed surprised to see Charelize.

“You’re looking like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Your Highness, that’s….”

“Your Grace is…”

Perhaps it was because they knew nothing good would happen if Charelize met Duke Marsetta, who was spending his time with Lillian. Even the knights knew that fact and were wary about it. Nevertheless, Charelize was angry at Duke Marsetta’s selfish attitude.

“I’ve already known everything, so either tell him I’m here or open the door right away.”

“I will come and tell him that young Master has arrived, so please wait for a moment.”

The knights, who exchanged glances awkwardly, bowed their heads and followed Charelize’s orders.

“Please come in, young Master.”

It wasn’t long before the door opened.

“Lilli, I’m gonna call it for today.”

“Dad, why all of a sudden… Oh my, Sister?”

When Duke Marsetta saw Charelize, he panicked and tried to send Lillian away. Again, Lillian called Charelize as her sister.

“You think it was right if the favor continued? It must have been the words

“Continuing to give favors makes people believe it is a right they deserve. It must have been a sentence made for the Duke.”

“Let’s talk in private. Lillian, get out for now.”

Duke Marsetta even pushed Lillian on the back, trying to get her out. Watching them, Charelize burst out laughing involuntarily.

“Are you afraid I’m going to do something to Lillian?”

“…”

What was even funnier, the Duke didn’t deny it.

“You gave Lillian the allowance.”

“…that.”

“It is safe to say that you’re giving out Rosnia, which can only be used by the eldest daughter and royal princess, is the way you’re denying my existence.”

When Charelize said it with her own mouth, it was truly depressing. Recognizing the unusual atmosphere just then, Lillian hurriedly moved her steps to get out of the study.

“If you move even more steps from there.”

“S-Sister…”

“You will never walk out of this place on your two legs.”

It was said that blood is thicker than water. Perhaps what she did was no different from what Duke Marsetta did. Beyond the unpleasantness, it was now reaching the point of novelty.

Lillian knew that Charelize would be angry when she called her by that. Still, Charelize could tell it was her actions to win the sympathy of Duke Marsetta. Lillian was stupid. It was obvious to her that she was rolling her head and trying to figure something out.

“Lillian.”

“…yes?”

Charelize called Lillian’s name in a friendly voice. At the unexpected reaction, Lillian’s tears, which she had prepared to shed at any moment, fell into her eyes again.

“Are you lacking in learning ability? It’s okay. Being stupid is not a sin.”

“Wh-What are you—”

“It is a sin to have a head without nothing in it and insist that your beliefs and logic are correct.”

Angry at Charelize’s words, Lillian trembled all over her body. It was only a brief moment, but she chewed on her lips and even looked at Charelize with a bitter look.

“Charelize, that’s too much.”

“Which part are you talking about?”

“Didn’t your eyes see that Lillian was frightened? There is a limit to let it go. Do it in moderation.”

“In moderation…”

After all, trying to communicate while consuming her emotions was wrong.

“She is your only sibling anyway. Even if you treat her kindly once in a while—”

“Sibling… that’s right. She’s my sister.”

“Yes, so—”

“If it hadn’t been for the Duke, who didn’t even attend my mother’s funeral, to bring her in the very next day… it would have been the case.”

Hearing her words, the face of Duke Marsetta, who was about to smile brightly, gradually hardened.

“I’m sorry. I think it’s because of me that Sister and Father have parted…”

“Lillian, it’s not a sin to be stupid, but it would be good at least to learn how to tell when you have to act and when not to.”

“…”

“And let me correct you one thing. You don’t have to worry about my relationship with the Duke since we will never be close, even if it’s not because of you.”

“…”

“Duke.”

Charelize turned to Duke Marsetta.

“What would you do?”

“…butler.”

“Yes, Master.”

Sighing at Charelize’s question, the Duke called the butler.

“Collect the money given to Lillian, and in the future, it will be settled by mine.”

“I understand.”

Charelize was dumbfounded. If he would rather say no, it was better to be sure. There was no way Duke Marsetta would impose sanctions on the money spent for Lillian. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him to give money to Lillian at all. She was asking him to at least protect her authority, but the Duke wasn’t joking around with words, and it was ridiculous what he was doing now.  

“Charelize!”

Charelize, who felt frustrated in the corner of her heart, struggled to ignore Duke Marsetta, who called her. She just went out and walked around the garden. The petals of the lilac, which she had planted by her hands before her mother died, were blown away by the wind. The way they fluttered was terrific, and above all, the sweet smell vibrated.

“…ah.”

Suddenly, an intense headache came out of the blue.

“Everyone around me is dead. Both my mother and the servants.”

“…”

“If you want to die, die too. There’s nothing to gain. So, just go back.”

“I can’t walk because my leg hurts.”

“What?”

“I can’t walk.”

“…get on my back.”

She closed her eyes tightly in pain as if her head was about to break. She saw herself as a young child with a wound on her leg, crouching in a wide field of flowers. The boy sighed deeply, turned around, and gave his back away. There was not much difference in height or size, whether there was a small age gap. Nevertheless, his back felt somewhat wide. It looked very warm and cozy.

Charelize stretched out her hand without realizing it. Of course, nothing was caught by her. Even though she knew that she was somehow saddened. She soon found it awkward and unfamiliar as she hadn’t felt that way for a long time. Surprisingly, she was in a relationship where she showed the real herself.

“You’re heavy, so don’t lean on my back.”

“Sleepy.”

“Sleepy?”

“…”

“…good night.”

After his words, her memory disappeared as if it were the first time in her life. It only gave her a small piece of information, so she had to come up with her own.

The boy who gave his warm back had light blue hair.

“Arensis.”

As she spoke her name, her calm heart pounded violently. Her face quickly turned red, and she heard uncontrollable thumps in her ear. The boy she saw in her memory just now was Arensis.

“When the day comes when you will break the barriers you have blocked yourself… I will not run away in fear. I won’t regret it again… so, just wait a moment.”

The fact that she had to break the barriers she had blocked herself seemed to mean that she had to recall the erased memories by herself. Arensis was scared because she was such a precious person to him, so he regretted running away. That was what it sounded like to Charelize. She wanted to find out the meaning of his words, even if she interpreted them at her will.

‘I wondered where the hell did these memories come from?’

Just thinking of Arensis made her heart beat faster.

At the moment of her death, thanks to him, she could smile.

“Lize!”

“No. No. Lize. Please… Please wake up. You can’t die. Lize…”

The day she died as soon as she made eye contact with him was familiar as she had already experienced it.