The two young ladies found themselves alone again on a night when the Duke, Duchess, and the young lord had left the mansion for some urgent matters. Shailo had asked Claire’s maid to deliver a polite request for Claire to visit her room. Curious about Shailo’s intentions, Claire soon appeared.
“Why did you call me out of the blue at this hour? If you’re just going to stay silent, I’ll be leaving.”
“Claire.”
Shailo, clutching the hem of her dress tightly, finally managed to speak.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Claire frowned, her expression cold and unyielding, as if not a drop of blood would spill if pricked. Shailo bit the inside of her cheek.
After sending a letter to the Kildare Barony, Shailo had fortunately received a reply not long after. The Baroness, who had lost all her children to accidents and illness years ago and had no grandchildren, was looking for a companion to keep her company in her old age. However, the Baroness had refused, stating that while she was searching for a maid and companion, she could not take in a girl adopted and supported by the Duchess without a valid reason.
“You made Mother and Father sell me off to the head of the Greed Merchant Guild. This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t encouraged them.”
“How did you—”
Claire, startled, began to respond but quickly changed her demeanor, smiling shamelessly.
“Shailo, I’m sorry, but honestly, this isn’t such a bad opportunity for you. He may be a commoner, but he’s incredibly wealthy, and most importantly, he has no children. If you go and give him a golden son, you’ll be able to live in luxury for the rest of your life, don’t you think?”
“Why are you doing this to me? Why are you framing me for things I didn’t do, driving a wedge between me and the family, and now trying to drive me out? Do you hate me that much?”
Each word was filled with sorrow and resentment. A cold silence stretched between the two girls like a deep river. Shailo asked one last question, the one she was most curious about.
“If you were going to treat me like this, why were you so kind to me in the beginning?”
“…Fine. Since this will probably be the last time we see each other, I’ll tell you.”
Claire closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, speaking clearly and deliberately.
“At first, I wanted to be kind to you because I pitied you. A beggar under a bridge, abused in an orphanage—I thought I’d be kind to you and make you my sister. But then—”
Claire took a deep breath, gripping the hem of her dress tightly.
“When I faced you, I realized you had no scars at all. That’s when I started to hate you. I really, truly hate you. I hate our parents and brother for putting someone like you in my place when they thought I was dead, but more than anyone, I hate and despise you. Thinking about how you ate, slept, enjoyed life, and lived happily during the eight years I lost—it’s enough to wake me up in the middle of the night. Your brightness was stolen from me. You’re nothing but a thief.”
“That’s absurd! It’s not my fault that you had an accident.”
“You wouldn’t understand. Human hearts aren’t rational things, after all.”
“…So that’s how it was.”
No sooner had the words been spoken than an unfamiliar voice came from behind them. Claire spun around, startled.
Her expression, which had been anxiously watching for any sign of the Duke or Duchess, quickly turned to relief.
Behind the curtain was a strange elderly lady. Claire, having calmed her racing heart, glared at the uninvited guest.
“Who are you? From your clothes, you’re not a servant, but how did you get in here?”
“I invited her. You should know her. She’s Baroness Kildare.”
Shailo, who had risen to stand between them, answered instead. The elderly lady, who had been studying both girls with an unreadable expression, nodded.
“Yes… this certainly qualifies as a valid reason.”
“Valid… what?”
Claire stood up abruptly, her face incredulous.
“What are you talking about? Did you deliberately hide this person here just to—”
“Don’t worry. I don’t use underhanded tactics like you do.”
“Wait… if you’re from Kildare…”
Claire’s face grew increasingly pale as she realized who the elderly lady was.
Baroness Kildare.
In her youth, she had served as the Queen’s chief lady-in-waiting at the palace, and after marriage, she had saved the failing Barony through her exceptional insight and forward-thinking investments. The Duchess deeply respected and admired her aunt’s dignity. She was one of the few people they couldn’t treat carelessly.
“Ba-Baroness… I…”
“Don’t get excited, child. I have no intention of reporting your words to the Duke and Duchess.”
Shailo nodded at the Baroness’s words. If the elderly lady were to immediately relay their conversation to them, the current misunderstanding would be resolved. But the peace would be temporary—new conflicts would arise, and ultimately, they would surely take Claire’s side. The root of the problem wasn’t ‘who was wrong’ but ‘who was the biological daughter.’
“You have nothing to worry about, Claire. I asked the Baroness for help to leave this place. When she initially refused, I humbly requested her to come quietly.”
Having deliberately brought up the debutante topic two days ago, Shailo had anticipated that an anxious Claire would soon try to drive her out. It was something of a gamble.
“As you wish, I’ll leave this mansion and your family.”
Your family.
Though it had been difficult to accept, now that she’d said it aloud, it didn’t tear at her heart as much as she’d expected. Shailo stood quietly, taking in the room. Every corner was familiar and well-worn. From the warm cream-colored wallpaper to the ivory-carved fireplace, the lace-draped bed, and the masterpiece hanging above the headboard.
The past eight years had been spent striving to overcome her lowly birth and become a true noble lady. While there had been difficulties, the happiness had outweighed them.
“Claire, from now on, this is your home.”
“Could someone like me… really live in a place like this?”
“What are you saying? You’re our daughter now.”
Remembering the gentle hands that had embraced her shoulders brought a bitter taste to her throat. Though all her efforts had been in vain, there was nothing to be done. The true owner had returned, and though it left a bitter taste and heavy steps, it was time to leave everything behind.
“You called me a thief, didn’t you?”
After bidding farewell to each item with her eyes, Shailo announced to Claire.
“I can’t return the time, but I’ll return everything else.”
“……”
“So all you need to do is keep quiet until I leave today, you—”
Aware of the other pair of eyes watching, Shailo slightly bowed her head. Seeing that she had something to say, Claire leaned in to listen, and a cold mockery fell from Shailo’s lips.
“You cowardly, wicked girl.”
With the Baroness’s intervention, everything proceeded surprisingly smoothly afterward. Thanks to having packed her belongings the day before, Shailo was able to leave the mansion immediately. The Duke, Duchess, and the young lord, caught off guard by the Baroness’s sudden appearance, saw Shailo off with bewildered expressions.
“Take… care, Shailo.”
“Stay healthy.”
“Shailo…”
The young lord approached, fidgeting like a puppy needing relief. Shailo gave a bitter smile and cut off the conversation with a polite bow.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Shailo, why are you acting like you’ll never return? You can come back anytime. This is your home.”
“Your mother is right. Though adopted, you’re still our family, so come back whenever you wish. Make sure to write.”
With Claire excusing herself from the farewell due to feeling unwell, their gazes toward Shailo were surprisingly tender, as if by magic. In the end, she had just been a substitute—a replacement to fill the void left by the real daughter’s absence.
The easily changing gazes, like switching masks, made her nauseated. Yet, despite everything, the memories of those years couldn’t be forgotten.
“I’ll write as soon as I arrive. Mother, Father, Brother, please take care of yourselves.”
Turning her back on the three regretful figures, Shailo climbed into the carriage without hesitation.
“Are you sure you don’t want to say more goodbyes?”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
Though her voice seemed calm, her eyes were wet. The Baroness tapped the driver’s window with her cane.
“Hya!”
As soon as the driver cracked the reins, four horses kicked up dust as they departed from the familiar Ducal mansion.
Leave a Reply