It started with a letter. It was written on an old paper that would have been exchanged between grandfather’s grandfathers.

Bern’s kin marries the oldest son (or eldest daughter) of the Meyer family.

Why Bern, a poor farmer, formed a marriage with a noble family, is something no one knows.

Either he saved a life or won a gamble. Or it could be just a joke.

Whatever the reason, of course, the marriage did not happen. At that time, for a commoner to marry a noble was like plucking the stars from the sky.

The letter was completely forgotten, and more than a hundred years passed.

And the times began to change.

When the revolutionary army brought down the King in the neighboring country, the idea that all men and women were equal before the law was burning in people’s hearts.

When machines were invented, factories were built, and a new class of wealthy commoners was born.

Emilia’s father, Jim Bern, came across that letter in that very chaotic time.

He took the letter and dared to knock on the door of the Duke of Meyer’s mansion. But he could not take even one step and was kicked out immediately. No matter how different times were, the wall of status was still as high as the sky.

The way for a commoner to deal with nobility is by beating their heads against the wall.

He decided to bypass it even if it took time. He took the letter and went to the parliament, which was standing opposite to the nobility. They went to the King.

Contrary to expectations, the King did not respond immediately. It is a foolish thing to do, to ignite a conflict when the discord between the parliamentary and the royal factions, the commoners and the nobility, is acute. Years passed after the vague answer “I’ll think about it.”.

Meanwhile, Emilia’s father, Jim Bern, died of an illness, and the letter was forgotten due to a trivial happening.

Then one day, the King had a petty argument with the Lady of the Meyer family. It was a minor quarrel, embarrassing to be called an argument. But it was enough to make the King want to take revenge. He felt the need to drive a wedge into the Meyer family, which was too overpowered.

The King, again, pulled out the strange letter that he had forgotten about.

And like that, Emilia’s engagement was realized at the age of fourteen years old.

In just one day, a poor commoner girl became the fiancée of the heir to a great conglomerate.

It is not what she wants, it is a royal command.

Still, people criticized the girl and her household.

A greedy girl aiming for a position as the Lady of the Duke’s household.

A vulgar snob blinded by the rise of status. Then slowly, it was forgotten. It was forsaken.

***

A day in May, when the scent of lilacs vibrates.

One girl was heading towards the mansion of Baron Bernen Cavendish.

With dazzling blonde hair, swaying in golden color, and a smooth and white skin like the finest porcelains that only the Emperors of the Far East use.

Eighteen-year-old Emilia Bern, mature to be a girl and young to be a woman.

Emilia’s steps were slow and heavy. Since she suddenly became the fiancée of the Meyer family 4 years ago, it was always like this whenever she came to this place.

Still, she must go. Since it is the King’s command.

Upon being engaged, the King ordered Emilia to visit a nearby nobleman’s mansion in order to receive etiquette education and bridal lessons.

Thanks to this, she had to master how to lay down a teacup, or how to laugh without making a sound, with the kids pointing fingers at her for being a commoner.

Now, 4 years later, His Majesty must have completely forgotten about this important commoner girl. It has been a long time since the letters sending regards and the monthly payments were cut off. Nevertheless, Emilia never once violated the order to attend the bridal lessons once a week.

The Cavendish mansion was in the center of Dill Street, famous for being wealthy. As Erndorf’s largest and wealthiest home, it was splendidly decorated with famous works of art and beautiful garden trees.

Emilia crossed the board lawn and, taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

A servant came out. Upon seeing Emilia, she quickly erased the smile that had been full on her face. A cold voice followed.

“May I see your card?”

Emilia took a piece of paper the size of her palm from her bag. It was a visiting card, bearing the seal of the Meyer family.

She received the card and said, “Please wait a moment.”, while closing the door. Emilia waited silently, with her back upright.

Quite a bit of time passed.

Meanwhile, several other people knocked on the door, just like Emilia. However, no one else was asked to show their visitor card, and they also didn’t wait in front of the door. Watching them pass right through without a verification process, Emilia felt something hot deep down.

The door opened at the ‘right’ time. Long for those who wait, short for those who grant permission. An ambiguous time.

Emilia went inside calmly. Considering they did not block the entry, it seems the seal of the Meyer family is still valid, she thought.

In the living room, the noble ladies’ teatime was in full swing. Someone blocker her way as she was passing by, pretending not to see her. It was the butler, Mr. Haspel.

“Hey, Emilia. Can I ask for a favor? The precious tea I got from Ludwick…”

As soon as she saw his very troubled face, she knew. It was again a request to run an errand for tea.

The ‘precious tea’ Haspel spoke of was difficult to brew. From the water’s temperature and quantity, brewing time, and choosing the proper tea set, even the slightest mistake significantly decreased the flavor.

“I have a very important guest from Nowak. My Master isn’t usually paying attention. Please, just one more time?”

Haspel was the only person in this house who showed kindness to Emilia.

The ‘kindness’ was exchanging greetings and not staring at her with a weird look, but that alone was a thankful thing to Emilia.

So, she never really refused his requests for help in either brewing tea or organizing the master’s ledgers. It wasn’t a big deal, and she didn’t want to turn her back on the last one.

“Okay, I’ll help you.”

Instead of going straight to the study, Emilia headed to the kitchen. When she returned to the living room, she had her hands full of teapots, teacups, and tea leaves. Small, delicate hands began brewing the tea. The conversation between the noble ladies continued.

“Now I know how important sunlight is. While I was here, my neuralgia was healed. This place is like a hidden treasure.”

That woman is probably the ‘important guest’ from Nowak. A crinoline-style dress, with layer upon layer of top-notch lace, was too much even for the landlady, Mrs. Cavendish.

“In Thebes, ‘Ern’ means ‘hidden’. So Erndorf is a ‘hidden village’.”

“Oh my God, it really is!”

The ladies responded enthusiastically. Of course, they aren’t really interested in the name of a country village. They must have wanted to get acquainted with that lady somehow.

When the laughter subsided and an awkward silence began again, someone talked.

“Right, doesn’t that child come here to receive bridal lessons?”

“Who?”

“The fiancée of the Meyer’s family.”

Emilia almost dropped the kettle.

“It’s amusing to call her a fiancée since it’s an engagement only in name. Because of His Majesty’s command, it is said that the two of them are forced to meet once a year.”

“But she comes here regularly, doesn’t she?”

“It’s really disgusting. To dare to covet the position of the Duke’s family’s Lady. What on earth is she? Wouldn’t Mrs. Cavendish know that?”

The lady of the mansion, Mrs. Cavendish, took the teacup to her mouth. Her gaze was on Emilia the whole time.

“There is nothing to be curious about. She is just an obvious child. Servile and greedy. She also has that characteristic gloom of those who have nothing.”

It was something she experienced a lot for the past 4 years. It might have been something she was familiar with, but Emilia still felt something stirring in her heart like a wildfire.

“I’m more disgusted with the parents. There’s no helping it that the father died a long time ago, but the mother should’ve taken action and stopped it.”

“I heard she’s a stepmother?”

Oh my God.

Sighs burst out here and there.

“If she stopped, she would have to get rid of her greed. She’s like a pimp, selling her child to get a share of the profit.”

Rattle.

Emilia’s teapot, which was moving silently, finally made a noise. Of course, no one cared.

“By the way, what is her name?”

“‘Emilia’.”

“Last name?”

“I believe it was Weber, Bern, or Begger.”

Some of the ladies laughed.

“And age? How old is she?”

Emilia removed her hands completely from the tea set.

Why am I here doing this? Now that I have brewed and set the tea in place, I’ll tell Mr. Haspel to pour it himself or to ask another servant to do it.

At that moment, a cold voice rolled down her spine.

“Hey, can you come over here?”

It was the woman who called Emilia’s parents pimps.

“Please bring me my hat. It has light green peacock feathers.”

Emilia turned around and looked straight at the woman.

“What are you doing? Bring it right away.”

“… I’ll call a maid for you.”

Emilia answered calmly and turned around.

“What? You’re going to call a maid? You talk as if you are not a maid yourself. Where else did you learn that arrogant attitude?”

“With all due respect, Madam, I am not a maid. Since I am not a maid, I have no reason to run personal errands.”

“You’re saying… You’re not a maid? Then why are you here doing this?”

Mrs. Cavendish and her daughter could be seen looking at each other and smiling. Emilia replied with a cold sigh.

“The butler here specifically requested so. There is not even one maid who knows how to brew this precious tea from the Ludwick Plateau.”

Only then the woman noticed that the child wasn’t wearing a maid outfit. However, not many nobles would acknowledge making a mistake in the presence of servants.

“If so, I’ll have to scold the butler first. He is the person responsible for managing the villa, and he couldn’t get a maid properly. Mrs. Cavendish, can I? ”

The woman muttered, putting on her gloves. Beyond mere irritation, there was a certain ‘come’ in the nervous gesture. There’s nothing to benefit from attacking a hedgehog-like opponent. But Emilia couldn’t stand it.

“It’s not that the butler is incompetent. It’s just that there is an absurd scarcity of women who will work as maids in Erndorf.”

For a moment, the woman’s body stopped; and then she resumed her graceful movements again.

“My, aren’t you a funny child? Someone would think you are a noblewoman. Where did you learn to speak like that?”

She looked with contempt at the shabby clothes, from top to bottom.

“All the commoner girls are like that nowadays. They sing the song of equality and avoid working as maids because it is lowly. And then, they walk around acting arrogant as if they are noble ladies.”

“I see you look at the world very naively. You think the ‘commoner girls’ avoid the work of maids simply because it’s ‘lowly’.”

The mockery disappeared from the woman’s face. Her eyes went cold, and her mouth opened slowly.

Emilia said calmly.

“Recently, a spinning mill was built around here. The daily wage there is twice as much as what they get working as a maid. So, they just switched it for a job at the factory. It’s called a ‘reasonable and free choice’. It’s as reasonable as the ladies’ choice of coming to Erndorf to rest and escape the rainy season.”

The ladies, who were watching, stiffened as they were holding the teacups, and the woman started to glow red like charcoal. It’s only shameful, the one who tried to scold was the one who was scolded.

“You… what the hell are you?!”

At last, the woman shouted.

“Are you perhaps asking my name right now?”

Cold eyes calmly looked around the ladies without ceremony.

“Bern.”

Emilia’s gaze was fixed on the Cavendish mother and daughter.

“Not Weber.

“Even less Begger, which means beggar. My name is exactly Bern, Emilia Bern.

“You mean you gave those arrogant ladies a blow like that? Incredible. That’s really incredible.”

Haley muttered with cookie crumbs all over her mouth. Unlike her voracious mouth, her eyes were filled with awe.

“If I were you, I’d be scared and run away. I would beg for forgiveness. I know it’s really embarrassing, but what about it? Better than being whipped by the noblewomen.”

“What? Whip?”

Watching Emilia open her eyes wide, Haley calmly picked up another cookie.

“Listen up, Haley. It was forbidden 100 years ago for the nobles to carelessly punish commoners. That day, if she had swung her whip, I wouldn’t have let it go. I would have gone to the magistrate right then and put her on trial!”

“Whoa, calm down. Emilia. Even though I am illiterate, I know what the law of equality is. But it’s just something written on paper. It is not written in reality. And as you say, it’s more than 100 years old, so where on earth is someone who obeys the law?”

Emilia’s mouth opened in protest, then slowly closed.

“No one would have stopped that lady even if she said she was going to fix your habits with a whip. It would have been of no use even if you went to a judge. He would have been too busy to settle it and asked you to come back after a year. If you went after a year, it would have been 2 years; if you went after 2 years, it would have been 3 years; just like that. Don’t you think?”

Haley brushed the crumbs off her hands while chewing on cookies. Emilia sighed in dissatisfaction, but couldn’t refute anything.

“The reason why you were able to talk back to the nobility and stay safe and sound is none other than that. That’s it.”

“… That?”

“You are that person’s fiancée.”

At the mention of ‘that person’, Emilia’s lips, eyes, and body began to stiffen.

“I know how smart you are, but please be careful. There is also a saying like this. God didn’t plan to create poor but smart people, especially women.”

Haley chuckled at her fancy words as if they satisfied her.

“To me, Emilia Bern is an amazing friend, but in the eyes of those people, she is just a greedy, petty little girl. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it is.”

Emilia nodded with a bitter look on her face.

“Is it only ‘those people’? Even the villagers think like that. My late father, blinded by greed, sold off his daughter, and I am a foolish child who dares to covet the Duchess’ position.”

In the end, Emilia and her family had to leave the house they lived in, unable to bear the stinging glare of the villagers. They lived in hiding in a small cabin in the zelkova groves, south of the village, having almost stopped interacting with people.

“Cheer up, Emilia. At any rate, everyone is forgetting the ‘Meyer family’s fiancée’. Even the pastor said so a while ago. It would be great if your family could come to church again.”

“… Thanks for letting me know. My stepmother would love to know that the pastor said that.”

Emilia eagerly lifted the drooping corners of her mouth. The two girls were facing each other with sad eyes, and, from far away, a bell rang announcing 3 p.m.

“Huh? Is it this late already?”

Emilia stood up from her seat.

“You’re leaving already?”

“Yes, Charlotte is alone.”

Emilia busily packed her hat and coat.

“Emilia, can you come to the town hall next week? We all decided to prepare together for the fair there. I’m thinking of making a cookie the size of your height with my mom’s special recipe.”

“Really? That big?”

Emilia’s deep blue eyes, sparkling with anticipation, quickly faded.

“But I don’t think I can. That day.”

“Why?”

“… It’s the day I go there.”

“There?”

“The dinner party. To meet my fiancé.”

“Ha!”

Haley’s eyes once again filled with awe, whether she knew Emilia became gloomy quickly. Perhaps Haley Waldorf’s head is filled with dreamlike scenes.

A dizzying scent of flowers, a fancy chandelier, making an appearance holding the prince’s hand while receiving the admiration of the people…

“How lucky! Wouldn’t it be nice if I could be small like a thumb princess? I want to hide inside your vest pocket and go take a look!”

There was a smile on her white and beautiful face. It was a bitter smile.

***

A few days passed since then. The toughest day of the year for Emilia has come. ‘That day’, that she spoke of to Haley a few days ago, has returned.

It starts with a large four-wheeled carriage arriving in front of the house.

She just needs to get on. The fancy carriage will take her to a mansion in Nowak, wait there, and return home when the time comes.

Why does something so easy feel so difficult and terrible every time?

“Hello, Miss Bern.”

“Hello, Mr. Hewitt.”

After greeting the coachman, the girl walked into the carriage with heavy steps.

“Giddy-up!”

The carriage started to move. Outside of the forest, the carriage crossed the vast plains.

Dozens of birds were flying in flocks in the clear sky above the long stretch of mountains. The magnificent scenery cast a strange comfort.

[No one can bring you down unless your heart allows it.]

Emilia made up her mind, as she recalled the passage she read in a book.

The carriage ran for a long time after that.

When her body was starting to get stiff, they finally arrived in Nowak, the largest and most impressive city on the continent.

As if to announce the opening scene, a large plaza and a clock tower came into her eyes. Just looking at the crowd of dozens, or hundreds of people filling the streets, Emilia seemed to get dizzy.

Unlike rural roads, city streets were crowded with carriages and wagons loaded with luggage.

As the speed gradually slowed down, the beautiful Rivier River appeared. Whether it was someone walking there, a carriage, or a pet, everybody looked like they were beings from a completely different world.

It was Nowak, the place where the richest and most powerful people on the continent gathered.

Rattle. The carriage, which was slowing down, came to a halt. They had arrived at their destination. Emilia took a deep breath in front of the large townhouse with a garden.

Don’t just harden your heart. From now on, you have to endure the rest of the day, blocking your eyes, ears, and all your senses.

Emilia got off the carriage and walked under the guidance of a servant. Her heart throbbed. Her shoulders kept stiffening and her steps became heavier.

Finally, the door opened.

The interior was as big and impressive as a palace. Seeing the huge chandeliers and the magnificent staircases that lined both sides, Emilia felt the power and wealth of the Meyer family.

“Miss Emilia Bern has arrived.”

The eyes of the people gathered in the living room turned to Emilia all at once. Then, in an instant, returned to their original positions.

As if looking for a fly that was flying annoyingly.

It was also different from the Cavendish mansion.

No one laughed at her or mocked her. They just ignored her completely.

“You’re here.”

The only woman who approached her with a smile is Caitlyn Meyer, her fiancé’s mother.

She was completely different from the ladies of the Cavendish mansion.

She dressed splendidly but wasn’t shallow, and her upright body overflowed with elegance and dignity.

“Hello, Madam. How have you been?”

Emilia greeted politely with an adequate smile.

“Well, as you can see, I’m healthy. What about you?”

“Thanks to you, I am doing well.”

“What about your mother and siblings? Are they well and without any problems?”

“Yes, thank you for worrying about my family as well. I wonder how Sir Meyer is doing. Is there any improvement?”

“Thanks to your concern, he recovered a lot of his energy.”

She had mastered the etiquette perfectly, so the conversation was not interrupted. Like an affectionate mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, they mixed in with the crowd.

“By the way, Emilia. I think I have to make a difficult request.”

Caitlyn looked extremely sorry.

“Today, of all days, my grand-aunt came to visit without notice. She lives far away so she does not know anyone… I think we have no choice but to escort her.”

Emilia smiled gently.

“It’s alright. Madam.”

“Thank you, Emilia.”

It was the same every year.

An old lady from the imperial family came alone, we must help a lady with a leg problem, and now the grand-aunt came to visit without notice…

Caitlyn Meyer put her son next to someone else using a ridiculous excuse.

“In a little while, someone will come to replace your partner. He is a young man who will become the second son of Viscount Wischer. I hope you have a good time with him.”

That was it. Caitlyn Meyer left Emilia’s side without looking back.

Emilia was left in the middle of the hall.

No one talked to her or made eye contact. In the midst of exchanging friendly greetings and conversations, Emilia was struck back and forth like a piece of luggage.

Perhaps the people in the Cavendish mansion are more humane. Since at least they treated her like a ‘person’.

Right now, in this place, Emilia didn’t exist at all.

She should’ve brought a fan.

There was no way to control her empty hands.

Emilia fixed her gaze on a large tapestry that was hung on the wall, holding her hands together. There was a scene from a famous myth. When Emilia looked up, as if she were bewitched by the drawing,

“The oldest son of Sir Meyer, Prince Hadius Meyer, has arrived.”

People’s gaze turned to him all at once. Emilia also followed.

Hadius Meyer.

As the name implies, a beautiful person who received God’s blessing. My fiancé, who people all over the world envy.

Although it was only a year ago, the face that I was so familiar with became closer and closer in my mind.

Did he come straight from Elfort’s academy? He was dressed as a navy officer. A cold dignity came from the pure white uniform.

He took off his hat and greeted the people. A circle formed around him.

It looked ridiculous, but it is a matter of course. Because the purpose of the dinner party was Hadius Meyer, the heir to the Meyer family.

Hadius exchanged conversations with people with his characteristic cool and elegant smile.

In no way did he brag or act arrogantly about being the center of the world.

He approached the farthest guest first. He didn’t make distinctions based on title or rank and treated everyone fairly.

Except for one person.

His fiancée, Emilia Bern.

At some point, their eyes met. Silver eyes underneath a fine black hair pierced through Emilia’s chest and made her head dizzy.

Those eyes are the problem. That intense gaze that stares at you breathtakingly, as if nothing else in the world matters.

Emilia concealed her trembling body and pulsating pulse in her cold, indifferent look.

Hadius bowed his head slightly towards her. Emilia returned the greeting by slightly bending her knee.

That was it. After that brief encounter, the two moved away again.

Emilia stood with an upright posture and stared at her fiancé’s back.

Then, an unfamiliar face suddenly popped into her blurry field of view.

“Hello, I am Erger Wischer. It is an honor to be next to such a beautiful person.”

The person who gave that awkward greeting is the one that Caitlyn Meyer said would fill in for her partner. Emilia had a sociable smile.

“Hello, Master Wischer. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

Having a partner by her side didn’t make anything different. Erger Wischer was too busy talking to others, while Emilia stood there upright like a doll.

Have I gotten too accustomed to this kind of treatment?

Emilia didn’t hate it too much.

Should I call it a cold treatment without hostility? From the glancing eyes and the wiping of sweat, you could see he was extremely uncomfortable, as expected. Unless you are a devil, it will not be a very pleasant thing to treat someone you don’t even know as an invisible being.

Even if he wanted to talk, there is no helping it because the Meyers’ eyes are watching.

Emilia thought bitterly and stood silently next to Wischer.

Time flew by. Her shoulders were stiff and her feet were sore from being stuck in old shoes. It became more and more difficult to breathe as if she was trapped in a confined space. She reached her limit.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Emilia exited the hall without acknowledging her partner’s reaction.

As she stood under the obelisk with blossoming vines, the breath she had been holding in burst out. The cool breeze and scent of grass slowly subsided the heart-wrenching whirlwind of thoughts.

Emilia walked along the garden path. The slow steps came to a halt in front of the flowerbed. Bees were flying from flower to flower, collecting nectar.

Among the fresh and colorful flowers, a bunch of withered and drooping geraniums caught her eyes. Emilia crouched down and reached for the curved stem.

“Miss Bern.”

Emilia was startled by the sudden man’s voice. When she looked up, both the familiar and unfamiliar man’s face was looking down, motionless.

“Master… Wischer.”

Standing against the gray building, he looked completely different from inside the hall. The pale yellow eyes under the dark eyebrows were full of tension instead of fabricated indifference.

“That’s where you were. You might be surprised if I suddenly say this but, actually, I…”

Suddenly, he was unable to speak. The reason must have been none other than Emilia herself.

Beyond Erger’s shoulder, there was another being that stole all her consciousness.

Hadius Meyer.

He, too, was walking towards the garden. Every time she sees a long man’s body through the thick bushes, the tremors multiply, and heat rises to her ears.

He was pushing a wheelchair with both hands. The person sitting must be the ‘great-aunt who suddenly came to visit’, as Caitlyn Meyer said. When he whispered something in the old lady’s ear, laughter bloomed in her dry and thin old face.

It was weird. Hadius Meyer’s eyes were fixated on the white-haired old woman, not on his timid fiancée who hid in the garden, but Emilia felt as if he were certainly looking at her.

A funny delusion. Embarrassing to call it unrequited love.

Emilia stood up with a twisted smile. She had no intention of running away like a startled rabbit. That kind of overreaction is just proof of her anxious heart.

“I’m sorry, Master Wischer. Did I come out too suddenly?”

Emilia smiled widely towards Erger Wischer.

He was embarrassed by the sudden change, but she did not want to care. After all, he is someone she will only see and talk to today.

“I came out because it was too hot, but it’s hotter here. Shall we go back now?”

“Sorry? Ah…”

“I am a little thirsty. I have to go and drink some water.”

Emilia passed by a helpless Erger. She also passed by the man who, stopping the wheelchair, had turned his head towards them.

You must brush it off.

Hadius Meyer is a star in the sky.

A person who is revered by the world. A person you cannot reach no matter how far you stretch your arms. Someone who makes you smaller and smaller… That kind of person.

***

When Emilia returned to the zelkova forest, the sky was getting dark.

In the dense forest, where a gentle breeze brushed the leaves and nameless insects cried, the large four-wheeled carriage came to a halt. After getting out of the carriage, Emilia thanked the coachman and headed straight to the cabin.

It was funny. She was buried in a crowd of people laughing happily, silver candlesticks and fancy plates, while tasting delicious food that makes your mouth water just from looking at it, yet she was as tired as if her whole body was falling apart.

There was a lot of laundry in the garden. Through the swaying fabrics, the wrinkled face of a middle-aged woman came into sight. Emilia’s stepmother, Kallia Bern.

“You’re here? Isn’t it a bit late?”

“Yes, the carriage wheel got stuck in the mud on the way here.”

“Oh my, are you okay? Did you get hurt?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Mr. Hewitt, the coachman, had a hard time.”

Emilia smiled weakly and stood in front of her stepmother. There was still a pile of laundry in the basket next to her. Kallia stopped Emilia, who bowed down to pick it up.

“Leave it. You must be tired, so take a rest.”

“Tired? I came after only eating and playing to my heart’s content.”

Emilia pushed her stepmother’s arm away, then brushed off the cloth and hung it on the clothesline. Kallia let down her arms as if she were defeated, and soon resumed what she had been doing.

“How is Mrs. Meyer? Is she healthy?”

“Yes.”

“And the Young Master?”

“Him too. He looked exceptionally good.”

“That’s good. I heard that Elfort’s training is very arduous, so please comfort and cheer him up.”

Emilia nodded with a forced smile.

She was the one who kept secret the fact that she was treated like an invisible person at every dinner party, but it was confusing seeing her stepmother say something like that.

Her stepmother, Kallia Bern, is an overly naive and innocent person. Rescued by Emilia’s father after being whipped by her ex-husband while in a pregnant state, she is a person who knew obedience and endurance as a virtue.

Besides, her stepmother knows nothing. She could not even attend the engagement ceremony 4 years ago, so she never met Hadius Meyer or his parents. She only met the Meyer family through the mouth of her stepdaughter.

“It’s all done. Let us go inside quickly.”

Emilia, who came inside the house with her stepmother, suddenly realized something and stopped.

“What about Charlotte?”

Kallia shrugged, knowing why she asked that. Emilia’s face stiffened.

“Is she in the attic again?”

“You know how sensitive that child is. As soon as she heard the sound of the carriage, she went into the attic and locked the door. It’s no use even if I tell her not to worry, and that it must be her older sister…”

“Charlotte!”

Emilia went straight to the attic.

“Charlotte Bern, come out right now!”

Bang, she knocked on the door while shouting.

“Open the door! Right now!”

After a while, the door opened. A small figure emerged through the floating dust. The child sneaking out her head was Emilia’s real sister, Charlotte.

The child was very similar looking to her older sister. From the light blonde hair that comes down to her waist, to the deep-blue eyes, sharp nose, and vivid rosy lips.

But there was one thing that was definitely different. There is something else in the place where the left eye should be.

A lump that protrudes from her brow to her cheek.

The dark lump, which occupied half of her face, had protruding veins, and one eye almost went to the ear with its pupil curled up.

A distorted face, that can only be referred to as ‘grotesque’.

One-eyed monster.

It was another name people used when addressing Charlotte.

“I told you not to hide.”

“I didn’t hide. Charlotte was looking for Ferguson.”

Charlotte held out a brown teddy bear. Of course, Emilia was not fooled.

A few years ago, some vicious kids hung Charlotte upside down from a tree, saying they were hunting for monsters. A child who couldn’t see from the moment she was born, who didn’t even know what a ‘monster’ was…

Since then, Charlotte has avoided strangers.

Today too, as soon as she heard the horse’s hoofs, she hid in the attic like a rabbit. Even though she knew it was her older sister, she must have done so instinctively.

“I’m serious. I fell asleep while looking for Ferguson.”

“…….”

“I’m telling you!”

“Okay, I got it. It’s alright, so come out for now.”

Emilia forcefully grabbed the child’s hand.

As they went down the wooden stairs and entered the small kitchen, their stepmother handed her a teacup, as if she had been waiting. When she grabbed the teacup, the warmth passed through her hand and went all over her body. The shoulders that had been tightly stiffened finally felt like they were loosened.

“Right, Emilia. From tomorrow I will be going to a factory in Tyron.”

Emilia’s body stiffened and she blinked her eyes several times.

“They say it’s for oiling the spinning machine. The stagecoach runs right in front of us, so I think I can commute.”

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She talks excitedly as if she had gotten a great fortune. Emilia didn’t know what to answer, so she took the teacup to her mouth.

Compared to laundry service, working in factories exposes you to various risks in exchange for a higher wage. All kinds of incidents and accidents she read in the newspapers, concerns, and worries filled up her head.

But Emilia couldn’t say a single word.

She couldn’t help it. His Majesty’s royal grant, which was paid monthly, has long been cut off. The laundry that her stepmother brought from here and there was not enough to make ends meet.

They needed living expenses right away, and the fiancée of the Meyer family was unable to work.

As if she knew the heart of her stepdaughter, Kallia smiled gently.

“It isn’t a very difficult or dangerous work since it was recommended by the pastor. Most of all, you can receive a fixed monthly salary. You can also earn Mitch’s tuition, isn’t that wonderful?”

But Emilia couldn’t smile at all.

The empty hand that put down the teacup only swept away the hair of her innocent younger sister.