Chapter 78

I grew up feeling a pang of envy each time I saw a father and child interact warmly, their bond a painful contrast to my own fatherless life. I had a mother who worked day and night for me to have a house to sleep in, and warm meals to fill my belly, yet there was no sight of my father anywhere. Thus, I would often brood about it quietly so as not to burden my hardworking mother. Though she wasn't home often, I always found myself missing her and wishing she could stop leaving the house every day. Then one lucky day…

"I'm sorry, miss Bettie. My husband was implicated in a carriage accident. I must go and take care of things at home."

"No worries, dear. Go on ahead, I will stop by your house later."

My mother allowed me to stay with her for the entire day. I explored the palace's exterior, taking in the grandeur of its architecture and the sweet scent of flowers from the nearby garden until I was tired and famished. However, what I stumbled upon…was enough to shatter my already fragile heart to pieces.

"Have you heard? Apparently, Countess Yvonie gave birth to yet another daughter."

"Oh, my! Again? I can imagine the count's disappointment since he always wanted a son."

"I heard he kept purchasing male newborn garments all throughout the countess' pregnancy."

"He can be disappointed for all I care. I say this is his divine punishment for what he did to Miss Bettie."

"You're right, Shelley. How can a man divorce his wife over a mere letter stating she was barren without even confirming the information? He threw her out without a single goud to her name."

"*sigh* Just thinking about it is making my blood boil."

That night, I hesitantly asked my mother about Count Dalliance, a question that unexpectedly led to a confession, much to my surprise. Count Preston Dalliance, who is my mother's ex-husband, is also my biological father.

"I present my sincere greetings to the Lord of the Dalliance countdom."

Up until this moment, my knowledge of him has been limited to the images printed in newspapers; therefore, this meeting makes up my very first in-person encounter. This man, who stands before me, is the one I have despised and loathed with a burning intensity for over a decade; a hatred that has festered and grown over the years.

"Greet the count, Pervess." my mother whispered while nudging my elbow.

"Greetings, my lord." I bowed reluctantly.

"I did not know you had such a charming son, Bettie. He resembles you in so many ways."

That statement is completely and utterly false. As much as it pains me to admit, looking at him feels like I'm staring at my future self. Mother was right when she said I was the spitting image of that man. I'm curious as to why he is looking at me with such intensity and has such a wide, almost unsettling smile on his face. How utterly repulsive!

"If I may ask, what brings you to these parts, my lord?"

She deflected his remarks so casually.

"Ah! Yes. I understand there was a conflict between you and Yvonie at the palace, and I wanted to apologize for her actions."

*sigh* This man…must take my mother for a joke. I would've already jumped at his throat had it not been for her firm grip on my arm, instructing me to keep things civil to the very end.

"There is no need to apologize, my lord. Thankfully, my son here intervened just in time, preventing the situation from escalating any further."

"If there is nothing else, my mother and I will take our leave, my lord."

With a respectful bow, my mother and I turned and walked away. The count stared at our backs in a daze, as though he had something to say but couldn't bring himself to utter a single word. The sight of his downcast expression only served to amplify the joy bubbling inside me. Mark my words, the pain you caused my mother will be repaid a thousandfold, and you will live with that regret for eternity. I, Pervess Flinn Porche, pledge this oath with every fiber of my being.

+++

"I'll ask again, just to be sure. Lady Eusebia Talie Perceval and Eugenie Ceria Perceval wish to relinquish their status as daughters of house Perceval and live as commoners from here onward. Is this correct?"

"Yes, your highness. That is correct." Lady Eusebia answered confidently.

"My answer is the same as my sister, your highness."

The resolute expression on their faces didn't so much as waver when they uttered those words, unbeknownst to them, that such a thing isn't possible. Alkaraz laws prevent single women under the age of twenty-five from acquiring titles of their own or renouncing the likes as they please, whereas such restriction does not exist for the opposite gender. And since I had a feeling they would come to this conclusion, I prepared things in advance.

"Leo?"

"Yes, your highness. Here are the documents."

"Unfortunately, the law forbids young women such as yourselves from relinquishing your noble titles until the mature age of twenty-five."

"B-but…your highness-"

"Yes, I understand how frustrating that sounds to you, but it's the truth. The law will not relieve you of your titles without probable cause, and the only ones who can do so are your parents, but I highly doubt they'd be willing to do it free of charge."

Is his highness suggesting that we continue to live as our parents' daughters? Then…what was the point of freeing us? If we continue to bear the Perceval name, it won't be long before we become slaves again. The incessant cycle of debt plagues our parents because of their consistently poor financial decisions, leading to a life filled with financial strain and anxiety. Driven by a desire to keep up with the wealthy elite, they adopted an extravagant lifestyle that is financially unsustainable; as a result, when money becomes tight, they will sell almost any of their possessions. Even their own children.

"I had this prepared just in case, but I believe this is the best course of action we can take right now."

Confused, they turned to look at each other before simultaneously shifting their gazes to the coffee table, where documents and photographs were neatly arranged.

"This is marchioness Rebecca Lariette Rocktenberry, my late mother's youngest sister. She lost her husband to a carriage accident a few years ago and has been living alone ever since then."

"With all due respect, your highness, I do not understand how that information relates to our current situation." Ivy said in a serious tone.

"Oh, but it does, my lady. Very much so."

Why is his highness suddenly addressing us formally? His slow grin, the way he leaned back in his seat with such casual confidence, tells us we are in for something big. In this world, the concept of a favor is nonexistent, as every action, deed, or service carries an inherent cost or compensation. I sincerely hope that his highness will be reasonable in his demands and will not ask for more than we can afford to give.

"It was her lifelong dream to give birth to multiple children. Daughters, to be specific. However, her husband passed away before that could happen, and she never remarried. Which is why she was more than happy when I made the proposal."

In a mere instant, the amiable smile on the crown prince's face was gone, replaced by an unwavering gaze as he straightened his posture and looked directly into our eyes. A palpable tension filled the study as I, seized by a sudden and profound fear, shuddered and held my breath, waiting with mounting dread for his next words. In contrast, Clover was visibly shaken, her small hands clutching my skirt as her entire body shook uncontrollably.

"Inside these folders, you will find adoption papers and photographs of my aunt. With your agreement, Marchioness Rebecca would be delighted to formally welcome you both as her newest daughters."

*Silence*

"Ivy? Clover?"

Why are they just staring without saying anything?

"I believe they might have gone into a state of mild shock, your highness. Allow them a moment to come to their senses." Leo chimed in.

I have never witnessed anything like this before. Their bodies were rigid, their hands clenched so tightly that the papers they held crumpled, and their wide, unblinking eyes revealed the intensity of their silent shock. At first glance, one would think they'd stopped breathing, but in reality, they're just stunned. Sixty seconds later, Ivy gasped loudly, and in that same instant, Clover mirrored her reaction with an equally startled gasp.

"Y-your highness, we appreciate everything you've done for us thus far. Please believe me when I say we are immensely grateful, b-but…this…this is just too much. We have done nothing to deserve such a grand gesture, your highness."

"Like Ivy said, we can't accept this, your highness. We just want to live a peaceful life away from everything…that's hurt us in the past."

With hands trembling like leaves in a storm and faces streaked with tears, they carefully placed the documents back into their envelopes, the crumpled paper sliding between their fingers, before pushing them across the table towards me. Although I did take it into consideration that they would respond in this manner but seeing it unfold before my very eyes… is making me feel conflicted.

"Do not be mistaken. I am only using the two of you to reconcile with my estranged aunt and win a bet I made with the emperor."

Which is half the truth, but they don't need to know that right now. It had always been Fati's fervent hope that these two would enjoy a life filled with ease and contentment, surrounded by a circle of kind and supportive friends. She wanted them to escape the fate of a slave, even if it means leaving her behind. Unbeknownst to her…that she was conveying those innocent thoughts of hers to a double-edged sword.

"In other words, I am no different from your parents. The only exception is that I am offering you an opportunity instead of selling you off as slaves."

"B-but…" stammered Ivy while averting my gaze.

"If we were to be adopted by the marchioness…we'd become your highness' cousins."

"Correct!"

"T-then…wouldn't our past status as slaves put a stain on the imperial family's reputation?"

"There is no need to worry about that right now. It seems your parents have been quelling the suspicions by telling people that the two of you went to study abroad."

"P-pardon?" exclaimed Ivy with a jolt.

"Um…your highness, if I may…"

"Yes, Clover. Go on." I nodded in response.

"If we accept your offer, does that mean we'll never see Fati again?" she pouted.

"I was going to save this for last, but since you are starting to consider my offer, I see no reason to hide it. Once the adoption papers are signed, the three of you…will live under the same roof."

"W-whaaaat?!"