"...dy.."
…who?...
"...m..l…ad… "
…So…loud…
"...mil…can…me…"
….my body…it hurts…and it's so…loud…and…dark…
"Milady, can you hear me!"
Marian's voice echoed deep in my head and I slowly opened my heavy eyelids.
"Oh thank Chronos you're awake!" Marian's face was streaming with relieved tears. "I thought I nearly lost you there milady!"
…I...remember Odette with a needle and lots of blood…
I cringed in pain. That psycho.
Mariana's voice brought me back. "Milady, how are you feeling? You have been sleeping for four days now."
No wonder my throat felt perched. "…wa…ter…"
Mariana smiled in relief and quickly fetched a glass of water. Helping me sit up I weakly took the glass from her and drank.
…Ah, how refreshing…
After a while I rested while sitting up and leaning onto the pillows. The doctor came and went saying I'll be fine after a few more days
Mariana was speaking as she fixed up a light meal for me. "Milady, as soon as I regained my senses, I rushed to see the marquis . He was extremely angry and has confined the eldest miss in the separate building so you don't have to worry anymore!"
I smiled weakly.
In the future, when father placed Odette in the separate building, stepmother also went there. Not only did they cause trouble there, they also ruined the gardens that my mother loved. Father couldn't confine Odette longer than a week since stepmother's family was pressuring him and the vessels.
…I won't let them ruin my late mother's beloved things…
"Mariana, where is father? I want to see him."
But before Mariana could answer, the bedroom door slammed open.
Mariana looked shocked and angry. "Wha-? Who's the disrespectful person who barges in Milad- Ah! M-madame, it's you!"
A tall cold faced woman walked in, her shining gold hair in an elegant hairstyle. She had glassy gray eyes that were stern and sharp. The purple gown and lace gloves made her look beautiful but oh so terrifying.
She stuttered in and stopped in front of me.
Time seemed to stop as she stared down at me like a haughty god looking in disdain at their creations that dare to stand above their stations. She knelt down and held me tightly, her sharp nails digging into my clothes. I slightly winced.
…More than Odette, a sense of discomfort came over me…
"Er, m-madame, the young miss is still resting…"
She raised her diamond studded hand and said in a cold voice. "Silence. A mere servant can't dare to come between the bonds of mother-daughter"
Though she said that, she was looking at me in complete disgust. Gazing into my eyes when she grabbed me hard by the chin and clicked her tongue. "...Just what did Odette see in this wretch to be so obsessed with her? Such an awful hair color...No man would look at that mop of red hair and not think about blood!" She threw my head back and I hit the headboard.
"OW!"
"Milady!" Mariana quickly came over and rubbed my head.
"Oh please, I didn't hit her that hard. And even if I did, it probably wasn't hard enough compared to the pain my sweet Odette is feeling."
Mariana lost her cool and stood up. Before I could stop her, she went on a tirade. "The eldest miss sewed the young miss's mouth and would have done Chronos knows what hadn't the marquis intervened!"
No, no, no! Mariana! Stop it! If you do it anymore, you'll die!
I clambered out of bed and fell down on my knees dragging Mariana with me. I kept my head low and spoke in a terrified whisper.
"I-I apologize stepmother. It's all my fault…*
"Milady-mmph!"
I kept my head down and counted to 5.
…1...
…2...
…3...
…4...
...5
''...Very well, since you understand your mistakes, I will forgive you. Make sure to also apologize to Odette as well…Poor girl, because of you she nearly had to go to the annex…"
With a venomous sneer, she walked out and slammed the door shut.
Trembling, I collapsed on the floor taking Marian with me.
"Milady!" I couldn't see her face but I could hear the worry for me in her voice
My body trembled. I can't believe it worked. I can't believe I had to kneel down, hurting my pride again. I vowed to myself that after Step mother died I won't let another person push me around.
...But it seems like I was lying to myself again…
"Father?" The well oiled door creaked open smoothly. I peeked inside. Sitting by the fire I saw my father, shoulder slumped in resignation and the first few buttons undone. He had the same red eyes and red hair but that is where all the similarity ends. He was a tall man with refined sharp features, broad shoulders, a thin nose and the built of a burly knight. His neat hair was tousled back as if he was weaving his hand through the thick waves. Three days' worth of stubble was growing on his chin and a certain tiredness was in those burning red eyes of his. Despite the apparent stress, the maid who accompanied me swooned at the sight and left with flushed cheeks.
My father, the marquis of House Crescent, was considered extremely handsome by people's standard. In the previous timeline, when I debuted, many noble women sought me after asking if the marquis was looking for a wife. What's more shocking was most of them were that year's debutants.
I never found my father handsome. I am proud of him but seeing him in that way is strange and downright disgusting. He is my father before he is a man. And he will always be my father.
A storm was brewing in his eyes though they instantly brightened up at the sight of me. "Ah, Ophe. Come, come. I was waiting for you."
I walked inside before taking the tray from the maid.
"Hm? What's this?"
"Just something I made this afternoon. I hope you like it." I placed the tray on the table and went to sit on the other sofa but father caught me around the hips and made me sit on his lap.
My face heated up due to embarrassment.
"F-father?!"
"Father? Ophe, when did you get so distant? You always call me dad."
"Er…"
Right, psychically I am six but mentally I am 30. Swallow your pride Ophelia. "D-dad?"
"Yes?"
I returned his beaming smile with a wry one. "W-won't you try the cake?"
"When have I ever refused?" Snaking one hand round my waist, he took the plate. If I do say so myself, the cake came out very nicely. Sweet and moist with fresh cream dolloped inside and candied berries on top.
"This looks quite good."
"What matters most is the taste, I believe."
"Everything you make has always been good." He took his first bite and looked down at me in tenderness. "It's wonderful, Ophe."
I smiled and ducked my head. It's been so long since Father called me by my nickname. I can't let him see me cry now.
"...Ophe, regarding that incident from the other day....how are you feeling?"
I froze.
"Ophe." he put the plate away and pulled me up. "Ophe, don't cry." Holding me close, he smoothed out my curls. "...I am sorry. Because of me, you are suffering." I clutched onto his shirt.
Father had a sad and complicated expression. "If I had been competent enough, House Crescent would have never fallen. And I wouldn't have to remarry to regain our lost honor. I am sorry Ophe, forgive your foolish father."
I gritted my teeth. It's not your fault, father.
We had no way of knowing the widowed bride sent by House Crowley would be like this. Neither did Claudina. She was and is way too young to have done a background cheek so no one was the wiser about her abuse. And the Duke Crowley was none the wiser. He had on inkling that his cousin-in-law and her children would be this demented.
That's why Claudina was so protective of me ever since she found out.
"Ophe if you want, I can divorce that woman. You don't have to suffer through this"
Divorce…certainly father could do that. Father doesn't hold affection for Step mother, simply seeing her as a business partner.
The problem lies if she ever leaves, House Crescent will fall. Step mother's count family is supporting our marquis household. That was how much we have fallen.
And the bigger problem is I won't be able to meet Claudina again. If I were to disappear…well history tends to repeat itself. Claudina will fall to despair and all of Chronosits would be destroyed.
So even if I get hurt, get yelled at, I will endure. Just as she endured in her own way, I too will endure.
"...Don't do that."
"Please, dad, don't do this! Please don't divorce mother!"
Father gazed at me in bafflement. "...I understand you want a family, a mother to provide you what father can't, but there is no need to push yourself like this."
…I don't need a mother.
I grew up…fine. I only need her around till I meet Claudina
"...It's fine, dad. I am sure in due time, Step mother, no mother will come to see me as her child."
She never will. On the day she died she cursed me. She had never once seen me as her child.
"So don't say anything to her. I am sure she will come around."
Father looked at me with pity in his eyes. "Ophe if she stays I can't protect you. You know that right?"
I know and I don't blame you. I blame that foul contract that restrains your power as the marquess. That so-called debt contract; one where you won't be able to harm step mother or her assets will be taken from the marquis house. Step mother made sure to also include her children to be in Father's will even though I am his only blood child. Now father can't take any action against them either.
Fortunately that contract will be dissolved after I debut. A new law will be reinstated by the prime minister's son and the contract will be voided. Ironically Mother's count family was one of the nobles that gave the most funds to forward the law.
And father never had children with her so it was easier to send my step siblings away as well. It wasn't public but insanity runs in Step mother's side of the family and father wouldn't want an innocent child going through the motions of madness.
"Dad," I touched his face and smiled confidently. The way Claudina taught me. "Dad, don't be worried. I will be fine." I giggled. "And besides, didn't you tell me that I am a lovable child? She will love me for sure one day!"
Father cupped my face and kissed my cheeks with tears steaming down his eyes. "...Ophe, you are truly a lovely child. I wonder what good I have done to have you."
My smile strained.
I'm sorry Father. I am not lovely or anything like that.
I'm a selfish liar...
...And I'm sorry.
Dragging the piece of paper towards me I jolted down everything I needed to do to give me a clear picture.
First and foremost, both Claudina and I came back to the past. We both know the events of the future so we will both do our best to save the other. This puts us on equal footing.
…
…It feels strange to be on equal terms with Claudina. She was always the brilliant one, the ever shining unbreakable diamond. Though she neve once made me feel like second best, the people around us didn't hesitate to let their mouths run.
I shake my head. Stop thinking about old things. It's different now. I can still change.
Where was I…
Claudina and I will meet two years later in the future. From there on she will start to push me to meet Lucian and eventually be engaged to him.
Lord Chronos said Claudina annulled her engagement with Lucian as soon as she became a Saintess, so match making her with Lucian is out of the question. I crossed out the words I had written.
…but I can't get engaged to Lucian either. With how much of a coward I am, he deserves better. But the thought of someone else beside him…pains me…
I looked down at the paper. For now let's leave it blank. We will cross that bridge when it comes…
The next is the academy…
Noble children go to the Imperial Academy for eight years for their studies starting from age ten. There I would meet the 1st imperial princess. She was a huge supporter of Claudina in both of the previous timeline. They were also the social Queen and princess respectively.
…She was a tricky person. The imperial princess wasn't fond of anyone but Claudina. So she especially hated me for having all of her attention. However, out of respect for Claudina, the princess never did anything other than ignore me even after I became the crown princess.
Then I underwent the trial of Sainthood…
I choked back my tears.
To think that I would have killed her in that damnable trial!...That makes me the same as that wretched being that tried to kill her previously. No, I am worse than that rat. I killed her. Sure she was resurrected but it doesn't change the fact my sword drew her blood.
…This time I won't become a saintess. I was quite pathetic at it in the first place. I only did so because Claudina said it would solidify my position as crown princess even more.
After the trail ended Claudian became more distant. But now I realize that she was a great actress.
And when we debuted at 15, she had practically become a stranger but she would push me in the limelight while she withdrew from it… It was strange at that moment to see the usual attention seeking Claudina shunning the main spot. I thought at first she was going to become my friend again but she never did and I was heartbroken and also kept my distance. But now I understand…it was to protect me from that incident that would cause her banishment.
…At the night of my engagement with Lucian, Claudina summoned a rabbit demon and monsters using a blue grimoire. People thought she was jealous of me so she made a pact with the demon king for her powers.
After attacking everyone at the party, she disappeared before resurfacing as the tyrant of Valfri.
…None of these will happen this time around though.
I will make sure of it. This time Claudina will become happy. And if her happiness lies in mine…I am quite good at smiling through pain.
I smiled out the window. Just two more years.
Two more years till I see you again.
Until then let's keep staring at the same stars so far away.
…Hey Claudina, are you also looking forward to it?