Although Ariana remained calm, her heart was pounding. Isabel’s words seemed to say, ‘Live the way you want to.’

The restaurant door closed behind the departing Isabel.

Isabel’s complaints continued to echo down the hall. “What did I do wrong? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?” As her voice grew fainter, Lady White spoke with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Ariana. Our daughter is rather rude.”

“It’s alright.”

Ariana looked down at the carrot she had set aside to eat later.

“I appreciate your concern.”

An awkward silence enveloped the meal’s conclusion. Eversor and Isabel did not return until they moved to the drawing room.

The Countess and Lady left to check on their children, while the rest moved to the drawing room. After the servant set down the refreshments and left, Langsty spoke.

“Ariana, there are a few things I’d like to ask.”

So it begins.

Ariana steeled herself and lifted her head.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I’d like to know why you came here. You have some kind of wish, don’t you?”

“Yes, I’d like to stay at Castle Chase until I become independent as an adult. May I stay here under the name Ariana White until then? Of course, I’ll make sure not to tarnish the White family’s name.”

“Tsk.”

Pelos clicked his tongue, seemingly dissatisfied with the answer.

“What are you talking about, Ariana? Until you’re an adult… You should stay here even after that. Until you meet a good man and get married. Right, Brother?”

Russel did not respond. His blue eyes keenly scrutinized Ariana as if trying to read her thoughts.

“I don’t dare to ask for much. If you could simply provide a place for me here in Castle Chase, I’ll take care of the rest. I will not forget the favor you bestow upon me and will repay it twofold. It won’t be a wasted investment.”
Hearing Ariana’s resolute voice, Russel quietly closed his eyes.

Each of Ariana’s words stabbed into Russel’s lungs. Her attitude of refusing any help or affection seemed to harshly rebuke him.

“What have you done to make me end up like this? You’re my father. Did you really not know that I’d suffer this way?”

People sent by Cardin found out how Ariana had lived in the western province. The maids who had made minor mistakes and been expelled from the House of Duke Bronthe spoke easily.

Worn-out clothes that even a maid wouldn’t wear. Thin clothes even in mid-winter.

Doing dishes and laundry with ice-cold water even on cold days, getting hit for minor mistakes, being locked in a room and skipping meals to write reflections.

Not even calling for a doctor when severely sick and dying, instead continuing to do household chores.

When Ariana, who had been cleaning, collapsed from fever, the duchess said, “She’s useless. I wonder who she takes after,” showing only irritation.

Reports worse than imagined kept coming. Even the composed Lengsti couldn’t hide his trembling fist.

Therefore, it was natural that Ariana couldn’t trust anyone or give her heart.

Who here dares to say words like ‘We are family’ to Ariana?

“The debt is repaid,” Russel spoke in a somber, sinking voice.

“There’s no need to consider it a favor. This is where you rightfully belong, so you will become the princess of the eastern province as soon as preparations are made.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“To do so, we need to recover your custody rights. We have found witnesses and evidence, but since we don’t know what tricks might be pulled in the western province, we’re preparing more solidly.”

“The witnesses you found are the expelled maids?”

“Yes.”

“There are witnesses with more substantial influence.”

As if expecting this, Ariana calmly recited two names. These powerful names, seemingly unrelated to a young girl, surprised the adults.

Ariana, who brought up these names, continued indifferently.

“The testimonies of these two would be worth more than those of a hundred maids.”

“That’s probably true…”

“I’ll rely on you, Your Eastern Majesty.”

Ariana stood up and deeply bowed towards Russel. As for what to say to a daughter showing the respect of a subject to her sovereign, Russel didn’t know.

A voice slipped through her moist red lips.

“You must… resent me.”

Ariana kept her head down, biting her lower lip.

Of course. How could she not resent? If he was going to abandon her, he should have not given birth to her. If he was going to neglect her, he should have killed her in the womb. If she had died then, she would not have known loneliness or pain, cold or solitude.

Just before dying, she vividly recalled the coarse rope digging into her neck. The despair and sorrow were still vivid.

Only two months since her reincarnation. Too short a time to forget. The horrible stench of those past 28 years, a life full of nothing but darkness, was still deeply embedded in Ariana.

She silently folded and swallowed the storm of emotions rushing in her heart.

When she raised her head, Ariana wore a carefree smile. With a flawless, clear smile, she said,

“How could I? How could I resent the parents who gave birth to me?”