Chapter 21
— — —
I had wished for it once.
The moment I would sit in that chair, showered in the blessings of many, and pick up an old fountain pen to write my name on my first official document.
That was back when I used to hopefully envision myself sitting in the seat my father would one day pass down to me.
The dream I had so desperately craved had become nothing but a mirage.
I was pushed into this seat without anyone’s permission or blessing.
The ritual of signing with that old fountain pen, said to have been used since the founding, had long since lost its luster.
"Ah, that’s right. There was a document that needed final approval."
I muttered to myself on purpose to clear the air.
I waited until the Foreign Minister was sufficiently far away, then gathered the documents and headed out of the office.
The long hallway, carpeted and bathed in sunlight streaming through the windows, was as peaceful and cozy as ever.
And silent.
As I broke that silence, a massive, firmly shut door appeared.
"Hoo."
I took a short, deep breath and knocked on the door.
I waited for a moment, but as expected, no answer came.
"Father. It’s me. Idir."
Even after calling out again, there was still no response.
I was used to it.
"I’m coming in."
I announced my entry instead of waiting for permission and opened the door.
The room was bright, the curtains left undrawn.
The white light pouring in as if to pierce through everything felt strange today, so I held my breath for a moment.
In the vast room, my father sat before an antique black desk pushed to the left.
Grand Duke Hubert. The current master of the Grand Duchy of Plene, and my beloved father.
He slowly lifted his head.
His soft green eyes, brimming with the lushness of early summer, curved slightly.
Like a smiling wax doll.
"Father."
I smiled back at him.
"I have some documents that need your approval. Could you review them?"
"……Yes."
Finally, he let out a dry voice.
It was a raspy sound, like a music box clogged with dust from long disuse.
Even this was familiar to me.
"Here. I’ve made some adjustments to the trade items this time. I reduced the import volume of unnecessary spices and added more practical……."
"Idir."
"……Yes, Father."
When I stopped speaking and answered, he reached out with a thin hand and wrapped it around the back of mine.
"On the day this country reaches its 100-year history, I will pass this seat to you."
"……Yes."
"Though it is not a powerful nation, I promise to make it a peaceful and beautiful one to pass on to you."
Under normal circumstances, I would have just thanked him and left it at that.
But today, wanting to give a different answer, I knelt slowly while still holding his hand.
"Father."
I knelt on the floor and rested my head on his lap.
Lukewarm body heat seeped from the back of his thin hand.
"I will prove it."
"Idir."
"That your choice was not wrong."
"On the day this country reaches its 100-year history, I will pass this seat to you."
I rubbed my forehead against his dry warmth and promised, as if making a vow.
"Once I have finished the revenge perfectly."
"Though it is not a powerful nation……."
"Will you come back to me when that time comes?"
There is no such thing as undoing the past in this world.
One can only struggle toward the best possible path while desperately dealing with the misfortunes that befall them.
"You promised me."
I stood up and kissed his cheek lightly.
Then, I picked up the Grand Ducal seal from the desk and stamped the documents.
Just before I finished gathering the completed papers and left my father’s room.
I looked back at him one last time.
He was, as always, showing me only a smile.
A warm and kind smile.
The one I had loved so much.
"We’re almost there."
My beloved father.
I will prove to the entire continent that your fragility and kindness were not wrong.
'I will.'
Chapter 3. My Hell
— — —
"Oh, how pretty."
"Wow!"
That day was Independence Day.
My mother came to see me first, having spent the early morning busily getting dressed up.
I marveled at my mother, who was so dazzlingly beautiful that I wondered if she were an angel reincarnated.
"Mother. You look like an angel."
"Really? Then is this little lady an angel’s daughter?"
"Oh, stop it."
Even though I had just turned thirteen and had only recently started playing the part of a young lady, my mother still treated me like a five-year-old child.
She poked my cheek, scrutinized my makeup with delight, and laughed again.
"Sit here, Idir."
Led by my mother’s hand, I sat before the vanity.
My mother’s gentle hands brushed through my hair.
"This hair ornament will suit this dress."
"That is……!"
"Yes."
My mother smiled at me through the mirror, seeing my surprised expression.
A tiara rested atop my hair, which had been swept up to show off my shimmering blonde locks.
It was a beautiful tiara, with gems the color of deep lakes—just like my mother’s eyes—radiating light in every direction.
"You’re beautiful, my daughter."
She kissed my cheek tenderly.
The tiara was a symbol of the successor.
"It’s a gift from your father and me."
Thirteen. It was a bit early to be recognized as a successor, but I was happy.
It felt as though I had been acknowledged by my parents.
Moreover, giving this to me on Independence Day meant they would officially announce me as the successor.
Unable to hide my joy, I beamed and returned the kiss to my mother’s cheek.
"Thank you. I will become someone who loves this country and its people more than anyone else."
"You will do well. I have always believed in you."
Her embrace was so warm that I felt like crying.
Just as I was hugging my mother, my impatient father burst in.
"Are you not ready yet……? Goodness. My two ladies are hugging each other. That’s unfair."
"Oh my. Have some decorum."
"I never had any to begin with. In front of you, I have no face or pride left."
My father, who had come over to be included, hugged us both at once.
My younger brother, who had arrived late, also awkwardly clung to my father’s waist.
"Sister, congratulations!"
"Thank you."
That day was like a blessing.
As if it were a day prepared solely for me.
Everything in the world I could see was celebrating me.
People were excited, eating, drinking, singing, and dancing happily.
Flowers scattered as we marched through the plaza, and the weather was sunny.
"Congratulations, Your Highness!"
"Congratulations!"
"May the gods bless you, Your Highness!"
"Thank you, everyone."
My country. My people. The things I must protect and nurture.
My precious…….
No, our Grand Duchy of Plene.
The festival continued late into the night, even after the sun, which had been clear without a single cloud, had set.
The lights of the village seen from the Grand Duchy Castle were more beautiful than the stars twinkling in the sky, and I watched them with my father for a long time.
"Idir. On the day this country reaches its 100-year history, I will pass this seat to you."
It was the day my father first made that promise to me.
I think I talked about how it was the most perfectly happy day over and over again.
I puffed out my cheeks at my father, who was swirling his wine glass.
"Alcohol! You’ve had too much."
"Ahaha. It’s fine. I’m not saying this because I’m drunk."
"Really?"
"You cute thing."
"Ugh! The smell of alcohol."
"Want to try a sip?"
"Mother will be angry."
"Hmm. That is a bit scary."
*Giggle.*
Watching my father shiver his shoulders, I laughed, but then his smile slowly faded.
"Idir."
"Yes?"
"What I said just now is the truth."
I set aside my playfulness as well.
"Yes. I know. I believe you."
"Though it is not a powerful nation, I promise to make it a peaceful and beautiful one to pass on to you."
My father promised me with a serious face.
I nodded quietly.
"Yes. I will believe you."
And I hugged my father’s waist tightly.
He shared his body heat with me and told me he believed in me.
"You are a beautiful, wise, and kind child, so you will do well. I have always believed in you."
"I will try even harder."
"Who knows, perhaps."
Playfulness returned to my father’s face.
"Maybe you will lead this country to prosperity and earn the title of a Kingdom! Then you would be the founder of the Kingdom of Plene."
"Yay!"
"Hahaha!"
My father burst into loud laughter at my bold ambition.
Eventually, my father had drunk a bit too much, so I called for a knight to assist him.
"I’m going to tell Mother."
"Idir, child! You’ll trip……!"
I ignored my father’s nagging and ran down the hallway, laughing.
My destination was, of course, my mother and father’s bedroom.
"Mother!"
It was when I threw open their door.
"Oh……?"
Something long was hanging from the ceiling, swaying back and forth.
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