A faint scent of perfume wafted from Isabel. As she arrived in the room and sat at the table, the subtle fragrance intensified.

Seated, I drew my legs together and straightened my back. I waited for Isabel to speak first, but she seemed intent on making me anxious, only examining the table’s surface.

Instead of opening her mouth, the silent Isabel rose from her seat.

“…?”

Should I stand up with her or remain still?

After deliberating, I simply watched Isabel. She didn’t go far, but went to the drawer beside the bed and opened the bottom one. Reaching deep inside, Isabel struggled to pull out a large object.

‘What could that be?’

I wondered, but it turned out to be a large, wide wooden chessboard. She also took out the pieces from a bag and sat back down at the table. The chessboard seemed old, with blunt edges and faded colors.

Isabel wiped away the dust on the chessboard, apart from what was on her hands. Dust scattered heavily on the table.

“Why the chessboard…”

“Is what Roger said true? That you’re learning chess from Duke Penton and Baron Kito?”

Isabel had heard everything Roger said. Though I had anticipated this, I couldn’t find a suitable answer.

I wasn’t sure whether lying or telling the truth would be more advantageous for me.

As the silence from my deliberation seemed to answer for me, Isabel parted her lips.

“Take it. It seems the chessboard you have is a cheap one from the market.”

“…Pardon? You’re giving this to me?”

“It’s valuable, even if old.”

She opened the bag to show the neatly arranged chess pieces inside. They seemed to be made of metal, each piece gleaming.

The chessboard too, perhaps carved by a renowned craftsman, had a small signature etched in the right corner. I traced the engraved letters with my finger.

It was surprising enough that Isabel had such a large chessboard, but she was offering to give it to me.

I took out a black pawn from the bag and examined it closely. Holding it, I felt its proper weight and saw how it brilliantly reflected the light. It looked quite valuable.

“Are you really… giving this to me?”

“Your mouth is already smiling with joy, Lize.”

“Ah.”

At Isabel’s words, I quickly put down the pawn. I needed to compose myself and determine if I had fallen into a trap.

Isabel is not someone who would give me what I want without any catch. To avoid being tempted by material things, I closed the bag containing the pieces.

“Why suddenly? If you’re giving me this in exchange for kicking me out of the mansion, I won’t accept it.”

“I’m not kicking you out.”

“Then are you going to prevent me from ever seeing Roger or Yurik?”

“No.”

But why? What was the reason for giving me the chessboard?

Isabel’s behavior was gentle and meek. It was similar to her usual self, yet subtly different. Isabel’s demeanor, as if she were setting down a heavy burden, made her seem like someone about to depart.

Still, Isabel remained composed.

“Give the books you took to Bitty. They’re piled up in the storeroom, so you can read whatever you want now.”

“…”

“You can also go outside freely. But it’s best to tell me first before you go out. Make sure to return before dinner. I’ll punish you if you’re late.”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Because I’m bewildered. The Isabel in front of me is indeed Isabel Marsen, but.

“It’s just so sudden.”

I was eager to accept, but what if it’s a trap Isabel has set?

“Since when have you been meeting Baron Kito? And how did you come to meet the Duke?”

“…It’s been a few months. Baron Kito and the Duke are close, so I naturally came to greet the Duke as well. Baron Kito teaches me chess, and when he’s busy, the Duke sometimes teaches me instead.”

I still couldn’t guess what Isabel was up to. Nevertheless, I spoke honestly because I thought if I was honest, Isabel might be honest too.

“And why is the Baron teaching you?”

“He suggested I participate in a chess tournament. I agreed. The Duke was initially suspicious of me, but now he teaches me sincerely.”

“It’s best to keep this a secret from the Count. I might be fine, but the Count greatly dislikes Duke Penton.”

“What about you, Mother? Don’t you dislike him?”

I asked curiously.

That statement about keeping it secret from Father meant that Isabel would respect whatever I did from now on. She who had been sensitive to my actions suddenly changed her mind like flipping a hand.

Why?

“You’re asking if I dislike the Penton family?”

“Don’t you dislike them?”

“Why would I dislike the Duke Penton’s family?”

I flinched at Isabel’s answer. Her response left me speechless.

“I had no connection with them before.”

Isabel muttered.

Isabel Marsen.

‘Before that, Isabel Pollon.’

Perhaps I knew why Isabel’s heart had changed. Along with what Mrs. Bakus had said, I vaguely imagined Isabel’s past.

A marriage chosen by giving up desires and achievements. Was that choice right?

Compared to what she gave up, the happiness was minimal, and the wounds deepened.

She did gain higher status through marriage. But she was originally a noble. She wasn’t impoverished. She grew up wanting for nothing. Though the Pollon family suddenly grew through Isabel’s marriage, the rewards didn’t come to Isabel.

“Is that all you’re curious about?”

Isabel asked first.

“No. But I have so many questions, I don’t know where to start.”

“Think it through carefully. Since it seems our talk will be long, I should have a maid bring some tea…”

“Don’t you hate me?”

Isabel’s body, which was about to move to call a maid, froze in place. I was no different. I asked out of anger but regretted it immediately after speaking. Why ask a question I already knew the answer to, just to hurt myself, I felt self-reproach.

But Isabel didn’t answer right away. In the silence, she chuckled.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer that question.”

My heart sank. It would have been better if she had said everything rather than hiding her answer like that.

“If you’re doing this because you’re afraid I’ll be hurt, it’s okay. So please tell me honestly.”

“Lize.”

She called my name.

“I chose that name.”

“…What? You did, Mother?”

This is the first time I’m hearing this.

“You, who had no name, were left with only the title of Marsen. But I couldn’t acknowledge you as a child of Marsen, so I quickly gave you a name. That’s Lize. Lize Marsen.”

Isabel continued.

“I even nursed you once. You cried so much that even the wet nurse couldn’t handle it, and the mansion was constantly noisy. The Count was angry and raised his voice, which made you cry even more. Strangely, when you latched onto my breast, you stopped crying, so I had no choice but to nurse you.”

“You… didn’t dislike it?”

“I did dislike it. I didn’t like that you, who wasn’t my child, learned faster than the child I raised, that you received affection from others, that you were praised, Lize.”

Words were indeed a powerful weapon.

Even though I knew the truth, hearing it directly made my insides ache. My lower abdomen tightened and my heart raced, and before Isabel even finished speaking, my head drooped.

“But more than anything, I hated terribly that you resembled me.”

“…”

“So I acted meanly, but that behavior of mine was just like my parents, which was also terrible. My parents feared my desire to become an astronomer and forced me into marriage.”

Tears fell onto my hands.

“I always resented my parents, but I didn’t want to follow in their footsteps. So I thought it would be fine if I arranged your engagement from a young age. I thought an marriage promise made from childhood was different from suddenly announcing a marriage like my parents did.”

Isabel’s voice trembled. Surprised, I raised my head to see her crying in front of me.

Isabel’s face was contorted as she honestly confessed her feelings while trying to contain her emotions. As soon as I saw that face, something heavy in my chest rose to my throat.

“So I was so focused on you that now I don’t know. If I really do hate you…”

“…”

“But one thing was certain. I was afraid of you.”

Tears suddenly poured out.

“You resembled me, but you were different. Unlike me, you were bold, strong, and daring. So I thought you would succeed no matter how much I opposed and blocked your way.”

“…I.”

“I thought you would block my path after you succeeded, Lize. So I was scared and anxious. I felt like you would push me off a cliff… That was scary… and frightening.”

“But… but, why are you suddenly letting me go?”

It was an ordeal just to speak, but I tried my best to pronounce clearly. Isabel wiped away her flowing tears.

“Because I realized that no matter what I do, I would lose.”

“In truth, Isabel, I disliked you.”

Isabel looked at Sili Bakus in front of her. She had come to Sili’s room herself to gently ease the tension between them, but Isabel hadn’t expected to hear such candid words from her.

“You were my only friend. So I hung around you and stayed by your side, but I disliked you.”

“May I ask the reason why, Sili?”

“Because you were perfect. When I was beside you, Isabel, I looked shabby. Yet I was anxious that you might push me away.”

Sili spoke dryly.

“I thought I might live my whole life just comparing myself to you while staying by your side. That scared me. So when you said you were giving up everything and getting married, I was actually glad inside.”

“…”

“But that’s all in the past now.”

Sili Bakus belatedly checked Isabel’s reaction. Instead of looking at Sili, Isabel was focusing her gaze elsewhere. Sili followed her line of sight and turned her head slightly. What Isabel was looking at was Sili’s bag.

In Sili Bakus’s open bag, there was a sheet of paper with chess notation drawn on it.

“Ah… That’s Roger’s. He entrusted it to my bag to give to Lize, but when I returned it, I unknowingly left out one sheet.”

“You said it was to be given to Lize?”

“Would you like to deliver it to her yourself, Isabel?”

Sili took the notation from the bag and held it out to Isabel. Isabel examined the chess notation carefully.

“Isabel?”

Sili called out to Isabel cautiously. Isabel folded the paper with the notation and smiled bitterly.

“Somehow, Sili, I think I can understand your feelings.”

Isabel gently placed the folded paper in her pocket.

“I think I’m the same as you.”