That day, rain fell incessantly from morning to afternoon. Despite the refreshing scent of rain, the northern region felt unusually cold for the season.

Helena, using the sporadic sound of rain as a prenatal education, massaged her belly. Though she was still dry and slender, she had the illusion that her belly was protruding, perhaps due to her mood.

“To the princess who wanted to go to the ball…”

It was when she was reading a fairy tale to the baby in her belly.

Knocking sounds, breaking the silence, echoed.

“Come in.”

Perhaps due to Helena’s inviting tone, a maid cautiously approached, glancing around nervously.

“I told you not to come in at this time! I must have firmly told you that it’s the time to read a book to our child!”

“I’m sorry. Madam, there’s something urgent I need to inform you.”

Closing the book loudly, Helena glared at the maid. It was a signal to quickly convey the matter and leave.

“There’s someone who wants to see you, madam.”

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know. An old man, but he’s been waiting in front of the gate for hours…”

“You want to bring someone with an unknown identity in front of me? What if he’s threatening? How are you going to handle that?”

Helena sharply reprimanded the incompetent maid.

“Well, we initially ignored him as well. B-but… he has been waiting since lunchtime…”
The maid seemed to express a sigh, as if asking them to consider the situation. The subtle glances towards the window conveyed a sense of injustice.

“I came running because I was worried that the old man might collapse or something.”

“Sigh… Probably another shameless request asking for attention to the estate management!”

The servant, witnessing the annoyed demeanor of the mistress, couldn’t help but feel awkward. The old man, standing in the rain at the gate without flinching, strangely reminded her of her own father.

Determined to save the old man with just one step, the servant earnestly pleaded with Helena, ignoring the impoliteness.

“N-No, it didn’t seem like that. He mentioned something to tell you separately…”

“That’s it! So, it’s not related to estate welfare issues!”

“Oh, by the way, the old man mentioned a name. Shasha…”

The maid recalled the dying voice of the old man. The cute name was uttered between the grotesque lips tightly pressed between the iron bars.

“What?”

“He told me to convey the name Shasha to the madam!”

Upon hearing this, Helena, who had been brooding all along, was taken aback.

“What are you doing? Guide him in.”

Helena, who stood up from her seat as if nothing had happened, demanded guidance as if it were a routine.

The old man was melting in the reception room. Wrapped in a blanket, he drank warm milk. Finally, the Duchess, who had requested the meeting, revealed herself.

“Hel…!”
The old man who was about to speak suddenly closed his mouth. Perhaps feeling the chilly gaze of those around, including the Duchess, he weakly kept his mouth shut.

“Everyone, leave.”

“Yes? But for safety…”

“Don’t make me say it twice. Get out.”

“Yes, yes. If there’s any trouble, please call us.”

Despite summoning even the knights due to excessive concern, he now capriciously changed his mind.

Eventually, the courtiers and knights surrounding the room exited.

Helena, staring at the man sipping milk, spoke.

“What’s the matter? I told you not to come this far! I asked you to wait until I come or send a letter!”

“W-Well…”

His hands, discolored due to the cold, clinked the cup.

The old man, looking around in fear as if he were the culprit, only relaxed after confirming the emptiness around him.

“H-He, Her Majesty came to our house and left.”

“What?”

“The Emperor asked me about your story.”

“So, did you tell him?”

“That…”

“Did you burn everything about that day!”

The old man, Shagriyon Engam, Helena’s father, nodded slowly.

“Are you insane?”

Suddenly, a curse burst out of Helena’s mouth. Despite knowing that her words would stab her parents, she was eager to release her immediate anger.

“T-That couldn’t be helped. Her Majesty already sensed everything. If I didn’t speak, she threatened to kill you…”
“Am I confessing my sins to the Emperor for my own sake? There’s no such nonsense in the world.”

“You fool? The fact angers me just like being killed!”

Helena, shocked by her parents’ foolishness, shouted. She didn’t even realize that the excitement could leak outside.

“Now shut up. If you don’t really want me to die, don’t say anything anymore. Even if the Emperor comes again, stay quiet!”

“Y-Yes. I understand… I’m sorry.”

“My parents distorted my story! Ruined my life!”

Helena wiped her bewildered hair, brushing away the sweat-drenched strands that clung to her forehead.

“Is that all there is to discuss?”

“W-Well, there’s nothing else.”

At the mention that there was nothing more to disclose, Helena reached behind her back. She threw the jewels that she had secretly brought in and wrapped around her arms in front of the old man.