I stared back at my father with unimpressed eyes and replied in a flat, dry tone.
“Regarding that matter, I have already told Mother everything.”
And the biggest piece that moves Father is Mother. Father tends to follow Mother’s will in most things.
That was also a scene I had witnessed since I was very young.
Because Father loved Mother, he was always on high alert to avoid losing her.
So, how could he even think of opposing her opinion?
At my words, Father narrowed his brow and fell silent for a moment. Then, in a blunt tone, he spoke.
“I say this because I believe you do not desire that position.”
“Why?”
“If you were a child who desired such a position, you would not have been obsessed with Maxel from the start.”
“You’re speaking of a past so distant it’s hazy.”
A sneer escaped me before I knew it. Seeing my reaction, Father asked in a calm voice.
“Was your dream not to become the Empress?”
“……My dream?”
The word ‘dream’ coming from Father’s mouth felt quite unfamiliar.
Had the meaning of ‘dream’ changed without my knowing?
“I didn’t know you would mention such a thing.”
“I know you put in that much effort.”
If you know that, how can you so easily place me on the chopping block?
The resentment and sense of betrayal, which I thought I had discarded entirely, surged up in an instant. Clenching my teeth to push down that emotion, I forced a smile and turned my head away.
I fixed my gaze on the dusky scenery and parted my lips.
“Having one’s name entered into the imperial family’s register was Mother’s dream.”
Then, I deliberately brought up something that would provoke a sensitive reaction from Father. Only this way, it seemed, could I stop Father’s pointless trip down memory lane.
“Having failed to achieve it herself, it was Mother who decided to place her daughter on that throne to exert influence over the imperial family. Not me.”
The most noble woman in the Empire. It was Father who made Mother, who had wanted to become the Empress, the Duchess of Roam by his side.
The world evaluated Father’s love for her as a poignant, pure devotion.
That the ever-calculating Duke of Roam becomes a man smitten only in front of his wife seemed to be a fine tale for the gossipmongers.
In noble society, such rare, ardent love made noblewomen envy Mother. There were also quite a few jealous glances.
Mother laughed at it all. It seemed Father’s love did not hold as much value for Mother as one might think. Or perhaps she grew tired of it faster than expected.
Father must know that. He is the one who pays the most attention to Mother.
“So, Mother will be satisfied if the child she chose sits on the Empress’s throne.”
“Then, does that mean you truly loved Maxel back then?”
I, who had been staring into the distance, turned to look at Father. He stood perfectly straight, without a hint of disarray.
“Is that important?”
“If you still desire that, we could bring him into our family as a son-in-law.”
Father’s face was serious as he spoke of bringing the Crown Prince, no less, into the ducal family as a live-in son-in-law as if it were nothing.
That also meant he truly had the confidence to make it happen. Given Heinri’s rising momentum these days, it was entirely possible.
If I wished it.
“Is that necessary?”
I twisted my lips into a smile and turned my eyes back to the scenery. In the far distance, I could see the shadowy silhouette of the Crown Prince’s palace.
I was idly pondering how to destroy that thing later when Father spoke softly.
“I think you know what the position of a minor duke means to a Phrygian.”
“Yes, I know. But didn’t Mother judge my value to be higher than that of Phrygian unni?”
At my words, Father, who had pressed his lips into a thin line, fell silent for a moment. Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he stood beside me. Father’s gaze, fixed in the distance, was directed toward the Crown Prince’s palace.
“Does Crown Prince Heinri not meet your standards?”
It seemed Father truly believed I had wanted to become the Empress.
Well, it might have looked that way. After all, if Maxel hadn’t been appointed Crown Prince, I would never have met him.
The assumption that I loved the Crown Prince would have been easier for Father to accept than the assumption that I loved the man named Maxel.
“Yes. Having died and come back to life, I find the imperial family utterly tiresome.”
I nodded indifferently and continued calmly.
“Don’t ask about my dream now. After all, the only one who truly matters to you is Mother, isn’t she?”
I don’t think Father’s reluctance to push Phrygian unni aside is truly for her sake.
Rather, it’s because he thinks she is better suited to the position of a minor duke.
Because she devoted everything to Roam. Just as I devoted everything to the imperial family.
“Mother wanted to sit in the highest position, but she couldn’t find a suitable means other than the Empress’s throne. Then, I appeared. A more useful proxy of the goddess than an adopted daughter who lost her foresight.”
However, Mother is absolute to Father. Father’s aim to make the House of Roam powerful and prosperous was to place Mother in a position more noble than any woman in the imperial family.
For the sake of Mother, the mistress of Roam, he concluded that Roam must be elevated.
“Even if you lose someone like me to the imperial family, can you still fulfill Mother’s wish?”
I asked gently, turning to look beside me. I saw Father’s face, his brow furrowed.
He looked somewhat troubled, but not for long. In fact, the mere fact that he had come out to this balcony to meet me meant his decision was already made.
The conversation up to now was merely a process to confirm my will one last time.
“The day after tomorrow, the imperial palace’s security magic will be deactivated.”
That was welcome news to hear. Father must be planning to arrange things to facilitate my escape, but for me, it meant I could use that gap to retrieve the Dullahans.
To take Bark out, I would need to activate the bracelet’s magic anyway.
‘Come to think of it, Roam’s influence has grown so immense it can deactivate the imperial palace’s security magic.’
I must be sure to tip off Heinri later. That Roam has agents embedded in the Ministry of Magic.
“I will also make separate preparations to kill the Dullahan said to be in your detached palace.”
“If it’s the Dullahan, I have my own means to handle it.”
At my answer, Father raised his eyebrows in apparent surprise.
“You?”
“I am the Resurrected One chosen by the goddess.”
Father showed no sign of believing in my divinity, but he seemed to understand that I had some means.
“I will send word of the specific plan through Crown Prince Heinri.”
Father turned away first. Feeling no need to exchange further pleasantries, I stood motionless before the railing. Just as I thought he would leave, he suddenly spoke.
“Melonia rejoiced at your resurrection. As did all the other family members, including myself.”
“……Yes.”
“What Phrygian told you is true. Our choice was difficult. That is why we feel relief at your return.”
Those words felt like they were constricting my throat, and my breath stopped of its own accord.
“…….”
Ah, I had been with such selfish people all along. The price for realizing that was death.
Though the price was steep, I am so grateful to have realized it now, however late.
“It has been a long time since your resurrection, but I am glad I can tell you this now.”
I placed my hand on the cold, chilled railing. Gripping the hard stone firmly, I took a calm, deep breath and moistened my lips with my tongue.
After swallowing dryly, I fervently prayed my voice wouldn’t tremble and slowly opened my mouth.
“Aren’t you worried that Lilia’s prophecy might be fulfilled, even if belatedly?”
“I see you wish to reproach us for our foolishness.”
Father let out a hollow laugh.
“Whoever deceived Roam will pay the price.”
At that moment, I was deeply relieved to have my back turned to Father.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to hide the smile that rose to my lips.
“That’s a relief.”
I replied flatly, and no more words were heard. I listened to the sound of the door closing behind me and stretched the corners of my mouth a little wider.
I couldn’t contain my laughter.
I, who always ignored and mocked Lilia’s prophecy, had now become the only one who believed in it. How could I not laugh?
「Lilia prophesied it! That you would bring ruin to the House of Roam!」
Lilia’s prophecy was true.
I will bring down Roam.
* * *
After successfully concluding my conversation with Father, I returned to the banquet hall.
Though annoyed by the nobles clinging to me again, I decided to choose a few appropriately and accept a couple of dance requests.
“Y-You are as beautiful as ever.”
“Ah, yes.”
“It is an honor to be your partner like this!”
Men whose names I couldn’t be bothered to remember passed through as dance partners.
Even holding the hands of these pretentious nobles to dance made my skin crawl, but I endured, thinking of how much gossip and speculation a single dance from me would generate.
Even amidst this, Xenon was still nowhere to be seen.
‘Perhaps I should have accepted his visit this morning.’
The nagging feeling wouldn’t easily subside.
So, while absentmindedly scanning the banquet hall, men who misinterpreted my gaze approached, but Samuel appropriately blocked them.
Just now, Samuel, who claims to be a fanatic of the Resurrected One, had chased off some man.
To show appreciation for his efforts, I handed him a wine glass and casually asked.
“Have you seen Xenon, by any chance?”
Taking the wine glass, he narrowed his eyes and searched his memory.
“If you mean that mage…… I saw him come to the banquet hall earlier.”
What? He came to the banquet hall but isn’t seeking me out?
“He seemed busy.”
“What could possibly keep him busy here?”
I asked with a puzzled expression.
“Seeing a few women following him around, he might have made some new connections.”
Listening to Samuel’s indifferent muttering, I unconsciously frowned.
“Women?”
“Yes.”
Of course, I don’t think Xenon is so shameless as to be flirting with another woman the day after kissing me.
Rationally, I knew he wasn’t that type. Especially after all that talk of unrequited love!
……Nevertheless, knowing and feeling displeased were separate matters.
Especially for me, who had clearly witnessed the reactions of the young ladies watching Xenon with interest on the first day of the banquet.
‘No, wait. Why should I be displeased? It was just one kiss. What’s the big deal.’