Chapter 13

"Maison, call that girl to my study," the Marquis ordered, his voice as cold as ever. The butler bowed without question and left to fetch her.

After some time, Maison returned, Riona following silently behind him.

The study was dark — light hadn't touched the room in years. The air felt hollow, lifeless. The only sign of warmth was a small, faded painting of a beautiful baby hanging on the wall. In the center of the room sat a man with light blonde hair and cold, light green eyes. Riona knew he sat there every day. Sometimes he worked, but mostly, he stared at the painting, unmoving, unspeaking.

This was his life now — the man who once had everything, now trapped in grief and bitterness.

His wife had brought another child into their home. A replacement. The woman who "killed" his daughter dared to fill the void with a stranger. He couldn't accept it. He wouldn't.

He ordered the maids to make the girl leave. When that failed, he hired the strictest, most elite tutors, hoping they'd break her spirit. But every time, she rose above it. She succeeded. She won people's hearts — the servants, the staff, even his wife.

How dare she.

She wasn't his daughter. She was a cheap, unwanted substitute. And yet, after years of watching her endure everything he threw at her, he made his decision.

Riona stepped forward, her voice empty. "You called for me, Master?"

The Marquis didn't look at her. His eyes remained on the painting.

"You are to leave for the academy in two days' time."

Riona froze. Her voice trembled. "Sir... I... I can't. I haven't found them yet. If I leave—"

"This isn't a request. It's an order." His voice cut through her words like ice. "If you want to continue living in this house, you will go to the noble academy and complete your studies."

Her knees nearly gave out, but Maison caught her, steadying her gently.

He whispered, "Not in front of him."

Swallowing her pain, Riona forced the words from her throat.

"Yes, Master."

After that, she had no choice but to leave the study.

"How could he...?" she muttered under her breath. "All these years, I did everything he asked. Bow? I bowed. Bark? I barked."

As she walked down the hall, she repeated those words over and over, her frustration bubbling up with every step. The servants and household members waved at her as she passed, acknowledging her presence. After all these years, she had carved out a place for herself in this house—not as "my lady," but as Riona. A name that reminded everyone, including herself, that she needed nothing from this place.

Before long, she found herself at Mairy's study. She knocked.

"Come in," Mairy called, her voice as gentle as ever. The only thing that had changed over the years was her eyes—now carrying a small light that hadn't been there before. Years with Riona had helped bring that change.

"Mairy! You won't believe what that man just said!" Riona burst into the room, her voice sharp with frustration. She plopped down onto the couch, where a cup of tea was already waiting for her, just as it always was.

"Take a sip and calm down," Mairy chuckled.

Riona grabbed the cup and downed it in one go. Then she blurted out, "He's sending me to the noble academy!"

The shock was so great that Mairy dropped her own teacup. Just like that, the soft, calm atmosphere of the study shattered.

"What?!" Mairy gasped. "The noble academy? He can't!"

Riona shot up from her seat. "I know! That's exactly what I said! But he threatened me... I don't have a choice."

Mairy stood as well and took Riona's hands in hers. "Relax. We'll find a solution. And if we can't, I'll keep doing what we've been doing—I won't stop. I owe you that much."

Hearing those words, Riona broke down into tears. "How could he... I'm not done yet. I haven't found them yet..." She sobbed into Mairy's arms.

"I know," Mairy whispered, holding her close. "Just focus on making it out of there. I'll have my eyes and ears open for them."

Later, Riona returned to her room. It was now filled with books about gods, her desperate attempt to study the goddess who had helped her and to uncover the identity of the other presence she had always felt watching over her.

But today wasn't a day for studying.

She collapsed onto her bed, tears spilling onto the sheets. Her mind was consumed by a single thought—them.

How could she forget them?

They were her friends.

They were her family.

They've been gone for years now, but that doesn't change anything. The worst part? She's almost forgotten them. The only thing she remembers clearly are their beautiful golden eyes.

The next two days passed far too quickly. Riona had to take care of their "business" so Mairy could manage it on her own. It was exhausting, but she had no choice. And just like that, the morning of her departure arrived.

This time, it wasn't just Mairy, Maison, and the maids seeing her off. The Marquis was there too. The atmosphere was tense—cold and awkward, instead of warm and heartfelt.

Riona didn't care. She ran straight into Mairy's arms, hugging her tightly. She whispered, "Please be safe. And if anything happens… tell me."

Mairy nodded, swallowing back tears. "You've grown so much," she murmured, brushing a hand through Riona's hair.

Then, Riona turned to Maison and hugged him as well. "Protect her," she said firmly.

Maison gave a small smile. "Don't worry. I will."

Before anyone could say more, Antonio interrupted, his voice cutting through the moment. "It's time to leave."

Riona exhaled softly, glancing back one last time before stepping into the carriage. Their faces were lined with sadness, and seeing it made her chest tighten.

Antonio sighed. "She's not going to war. Stop overreacting."

Mairy, her voice barely above a whisper, muttered, "If you could, you would've sent her there too."

He heard her. He always did. But, as usual, he chose to ignore her.

Once again, Riona found herself in a carriage, leaving everything behind. This time, she could only hope that when she returned… they would all still be there.