That’s right. I cut the onion Han Jihyeok had brought in half and rubbed it in my eyes before going to see Grandfather. My head was so cold that no tears came out at all. ‘If I hadn’t had the onion...’ Maybe not a single tear would have come. Usually, I handle this kind of thing without any problem. I dabbed my eyes gently with the cold handkerchief Han Jihyeok gave me. “Ugh, I thought my eyeballs would fall out.” “So? Do you think your grandfather came over because of that?” Anyone could tell it was a performance worthy of an academy award. Naturally. If someone had watched my acting, they probably would have given me a standing ovation. If I hadn’t been born as the Duke Astra’s granddaughter, maybe I’d be a renowned stage actress in the Kalsoye Empire. When Grandfather awkwardly tapped my back— That feeling was conveyed, and I was a bit immersed. ‘Grandfather’s gesture was so awkward it made me tear up on its own.’ It was probably his first time holding his grandchild. Without realizing it, I contorted my face and cried bitterly. ‘By the end, I was almost genuinely crying.’ From this, it seemed Grandfather liked me quite a lot. And being a wise man, he seemed to realize someone else’s hand was involved in this matter. ‘He even spoke as if he already knew it was a misunderstanding.’ “Yes.” I answered. Han Jihyeok glanced at me. After hesitating briefly, he spoke. “Don’t feel guilty for using your grandfather today. You had your reasons...” —But I furrowed my brows. “What?” “I mean don’t be upset that you hurt your grandfather’s feelings with fake tears.” I stopped walking and stared intently at Han Jihyeok. Then tilted my head. ‘What is he talking about right now?’ When Grandfather said he would never forgive the culprit, I nearly broke into a samba dance. I was cheering silently inside with an ‘Oh yeah!’ and secretly clenched my fist. It was chaos. “I’m not upset.” With confidence, I said this, and Han Jihyeok looked flustered. “What?” He said that because he was scared of me, but now it seemed he’d been a bit kind. I looked at Han Jihyeok coldly and said. “I’ll use whatever I can. Not just tears, but blood, organs—everything.” “......” “So even if I go to hell, I won’t regret it.” “...Why?” Han Jihyeok looked truly puzzled. I glanced around and then looked at him. “I was born in the middle of a battlefield. An enemy who’s clearly kin cursed me as a newborn.” “......” “Grandfather is my kin, but my enemy is also kin.” “......” “Don’t pretend blood ties mean everything. I’m a child who’s already been through hell and back.” Grandfather is the judge of this war. Not just any judge, but the judge who will inherit the crown. ‘And if our judge doesn’t declare victory, our whole family dies.’ I’m someone with something to protect. And for that, this kind of acting is nothing. Han Jihyeok listened and smirked. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞 “I’m glad it’s not a burden on your heart.” Then he ruffled my hair. “You’re a bit much every time you act like a big brother.” “Are you calling me annoying? Even if I worry─!” “Go wash that handkerchief. You said it hurts even after wiping.” I grumbled for no reason. Then I placed the cold, wet handkerchief directly over my eyes. Pressing hard, I groaned. Rubbing onions so hard, my eyes stung sharply. ‘I’m really dying from the pain.’ I thought I might lose all my eyeballs to the onion. Well, I did get something out of it. “Dad is with Anatoly, the late princess, because of me.” “I know.” “That pains me so much.” “......” “So, about that... just let me be stubborn one time... just once...” At ‘just once,’ Grandfather’s expression stiffened. He stared hard at me. I had never once been stubborn just for myself. I lowered my head under his gaze and waited for an answer. Grandfather was silent for quite a long time. It was such a long silence I wondered if he’d say no. But finally, “Yes.” —The answer I wanted came. It was the signal that the family head granted permission to retaliate. I wiped the tears still on my cheeks and gleamed mischievously. The next day. Princess Anatoly, as expected, called Dad out again. The two occupied the entire garden. They sat across the table, drinking tea together. If a stranger passed by, it would look like a date—so friendly. Princess Anatoly, all dressed up from the morning, laughed covering her mouth. Even hiding her mouth, the corners of her lips clearly stretched up to her ears. Dad, on the other hand, wore his usual expression and only answered her questions. “How do you like the tea’s aroma? Is it okay?” “Yes.” “I’m glad you like it! Next time I’ll bring Darjeeling. It’s my favorite tea.” “Yes.” “By the way, last time there was talk of renting a boat. You’ll come along, right? I’m worried about what to say to His Majesty...” “Yes.” The princess flaunted her affection blatantly. People passing by glanced at the two in the garden. And each whispered something as they passed. Those who didn’t know the details said, “They look quite a good match.” “Maybe this time the two of them will work out.” “Even if it’s because of the daughter, being together like that every day is hard.” “Maybe Daymond’s heart opened because of his beloved daughter and even Erilot.” —It was ridiculous to me. But that’s the reality. That’s the recent public opinion. If there’s such whispering at the factory, would it be any different outside? Now there were rampant rumors that Dad and Princess Anatoly were getting along well. ‘Princess Anatoly must have quickly spread it in the social circle.’ The gossip birds who love to spread rumors would have eagerly passed it along. Servants whispering near the garden caught my eyes. My sharp gaze made them flinch their shoulders. Without a word, they bowed their heads and went their ways. Normally, this would have been unthinkable. Among the three-year-olds, I was Grandfather’s most favored grandchild. That was well known among the servants sensitive to ranking. Usually, they wouldn’t just chatter in front of me and then bow their heads quietly. They’d have knelt and begged for mercy, hands clasped together. ‘They must think Grandfather’s quietness means he’s lost favor with me.’ I glanced once at the passing servants who acted like that and headed toward the garden. Two guards stood in front of the garden. I looked up at them and said, “Tell them Erilot is here.” The guards immediately reported my words to the princess. After a brief silence upon hearing the report, the princess called out loud enough for me to hear, “Come in~.” Her voice was kind. ‘It’s obvious she’s shouting so everyone can hear.’ Trying to pretend they were family. Once permission was given, I gracefully walked to the garden table. “Hello, Princess Anatoly.” I held my skirt and greeted elegantly. “Hmm. What brings you, Erilot?” Princess Anatoly placed her clasped hands on the table. Then, resting her chin on them, smiled with lifted lips at me. Her posture was definitely more relaxed than before. Normally, she couldn’t have acted this way in front of the Duke’s son. She must have felt very close to Dad. Regardless, I ignored her actions completely and smiled brightly. “I came to see Dad.” Then I walked over to Dad. His pupils flickered narrowly as he looked at me. Princess Anatoly’s eyebrows twitched, but she forced a smile, probably because Dad was there. “What to do? General Daymond and I have things to discuss. We’re talking about how to explain your case well to His Majesty.” She always said that and summoned Dad completely. I was already watching. I had Ombre watching to make sure she didn’t try to ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) pressure Dad again under the guise of a meeting. ‘But I never got to see the meeting.’ Yesterday, she babbled about a travel spot she wanted to go to. The day before, she chattered about her childhood. Today, she gossiped about people around her. Dad listened silently to the princess. I met her eyes without concern. “It’s okay.” “...What?” Princess Anatoly was flustered by my answer. “I’m confident! I’ll speak well even at the royal palace. It’s a misunderstanding. And...” “......” I deliberately spoke clearly, pretending to be an innocent child. “Grandfather said he’d help!” I emphasized the four words clearly with a bright smile. The princess’s face stiffened. ‘Don’t you think Duke Astra will step in and solve this?’ Won’t all your misdeeds be revealed? I sneered secretly without Dad noticing. Then I held Dad’s hand tightly. “Dad, let’s go.” “Erilot.” Dad called my name gently to soothe me, his eyebrows sagging deeply. “I don’t want you to be upset anymore...” “......” “Dad gets upset when I’m struggling, so why wouldn’t I when he’s struggling?” I frowned and pulled Dad’s arm. Dad looked at me silently. “If you don’t come, I won’t eat anything. I’ll starve all day and become skin and bones.” “......” I bit my lip and looked up at Dad. “I don’t want a house without Dad.” “......” Dad stared at my stubborn face. Then shifted his gaze to the princess. “I’m leaving now.” “General!” The princess cried out, but Dad lifted me up in his arms and said, “My daughter can’t become skin and bones.” Dad was the same as always. Pretending not to give in to my stubbornness as usual. Not belittling a child’s sadness, he always put my feelings first. I pressed my forehead against Dad’s and chuckled softly. “Let’s go.” “Yeah.” I hugged Dad’s neck and looked at the princess trembling as she glared. ‘She looks furious.’ Since you’re not normal, I thought you’d be jealous about this. So now, go wild. You crazy woman. As we left the garden, Dad gently patted my back. But I was hugging him with a very displeased expression. After we left the garden and were quite far away, I said, “Put me down.” I glanced at Dad. “Why?” Dad, startled, asked again. “I want to get down.” Then I jumped out of Dad’s arms, bending my waist slightly. Dad still looked confused, staring at me. “Shall we talk while eating?” Dad bent his knees to console me and met my eyes. Then, from afar, the three brothers approached side by side. “Found you.” “Erilot.” “Where have you been?” Lately, even when told not to follow, they always insisted on chasing after me. And they glared at the people who glanced at me as if they wanted to tear them apart. ‘It was like walking around with three hunting dogs on my back.’ I grabbed my brothers’ hands. First were Richmond and Balzac. Then I glanced at Dad. “I want to eat with Balzac oppa,” Thud. Dad looked at me as if a rock had fallen on his head. Startled, Dad said, “Then shall we have tea together?” “I want to have tea with Joshua oppa.” Second thud. Dad’s voice grew more and more flustered. “Shall I read a book to you?” “I want to read with Richmond oppa.” By the third thud, Dad’s face looked like the sky was falling from the triple shock. Usually, the three brothers would be smiling happily, but now they looked back and forth between me and Dad. They knew Dad was being dragged around by Princess Anatoly because of me. They were watching cautiously between Dad and me. Their expressions asked if Dad was okay, considering how hard he was working because of me. “Erilot...” Dad called my name with sad eyes, and my lips kept wanting to pout. Emotional turmoil triggers the supporting role penalty. I thought it had disappeared, but since my heart ached like this, it must have come back. “I’m sad too!” I frowned and said. “......” Dad didn’t answer. “I don’t like it when you do that...” “......” Dad had no answer, so I hesitantly finished speaking. “If I meet a boy I don’t like and say I want to save Dad, you’d hate it, right?” “Of course─!” Dad answered instantly as if he didn’t even want to imagine it. “See.” How could I not understand his wish to protect me? How strong a man is Dad, who gave up his pride like a mountain to fulfill his parental role? ‘I know it well.’ That the situation can’t be helped. That this was the best choice Dad could make. ...And that Dad would always make the same choice whenever this happened. But. “Am I just a burden to Dad...?”