Inside the carriage, I looked at my mother, who seemed to calm down a little. "Mother?"
She turned to me, holding my cheek with a soft smile. Her eyes were swollen from crying. "Yes, my child?" Her thumb gently rubbed my cheek.
"Where are we going now?" I asked, squeezing her other hand slightly.
"We're going to your grandparents' manor. I know I've never introduced you to them before, but they're kind…" I processed this new information. I still had grandparents on my mother's side? Oddly, no one from her family had ever been mentioned in the novel.
In the story, everything that happened today was absent, and the plot began with Claudius at ten years old, while we were still seven. So many changes had occurred that I wondered how they would affect the order of this world. I developed a theory: the novel might be set in the same world but exist in a parallel universe. Could it be an alternate reality? If that were true, I could change the future as I wished. I had been restraining myself, unsure of what actions to take, fearing they might disrupt the world's balance. Yet, it was likely that other events would unfold according to the novel's narrative.
As I analyzed my situation, trying to think of my next move, my mother suddenly patted my head. "Now that we're free from your father, you can be a normal girl," she smiled, continuing to comfort me.
"But, Mother… deception of identity in this country is taboo. Those who commit this sin are heavily punished. If I reveal that I'm a girl now…" Arthur had already exposed my identity in public as his son. If I revealed my true self now, it would be considered deception against the kingdom.
My mother cupped my cheeks with both hands, her teary eyes locking onto mine. "It's my fault for not standing up all these years. I didn't want you to be killed because of your father, so I selfishly let you live your life as a boy. I was scared you would grow up without a father and with a broken family if I severed our marriage. But I was wrong. I should have taken my stand from the beginning… So, I'll take full responsibility."
I shook my head, tears welling in my eyes. "No, Mother! You're a good mother—the best I could ever wish for. If I could choose a mother, I would still pick you." I squeezed her hand gently. "It's not your fault, okay? I'm forever thankful that you are my mother. You were scared for me and Claudius, and you did what you thought was best for us. Please, stop blaming yourself!"
I hugged her tightly, and she embraced me back, her tears soaking my shoulder.
Once we calmed down, I looked up while still holding my mother. "Mother… I want to continue living my life as it is now. I don't want you to be punished because of me, so please don't tell anyone else." She bit her lower lip, looking at me with sad eyes.
In this kingdom, deception was viewed as treason. Those branded as traitors faced heavy punishments—far worse than death; they would be tortured until they longed for death. I'd rather live as a traitor than let my mother suffer the punishment she didn't deserve.
Punishment… the kind my mother does not deserve…
Those thoughts sparked an idea in me: I would punish the one responsible for all this—Arthur Ashford.
I would make him feel the pain and suffering he inflicted on my mother a hundredfold. All this time, she thought I was unaware of her struggles, but I knew. During those times she couldn't see me, I realized she was being abused. To shield me from the sight of her bruises, she often avoided me. I wished I had realized it sooner; maybe I could have—
My thoughts grew darker. I hugged my mother tighter, and she gently patted my back. I didn't want to succumb to such thoughts. I'm not a murderer. What would be the difference between me and Claudius if I killed my father? I would give him a punishment worse than death!
We arrived at our destination, and I was taken aback by the sight of the enormous manor—it was larger than our previous home.
Mother held my hand. "Let's go, Oliver." As we approached the gate, a knight in uniform suddenly saluted us.
"You're back, milady! This lowly knight welcomes you!" Mother smiled and nodded toward him.
"Go inform the Duke and Duchess of the lady's arrival!" the knight instructed, patting a startled colleague on the back.
Duke and Duchess? I looked up at my mother, who simply smiled. I followed her inside, and the interior of this manor was even more impressive than Arthur's.
"Wow…" I murmured, admiring the surroundings. Mother chuckled. "It's much more beautiful compared to the doghouse we lived in, isn't it?" I was stunned. All this time, she considered Arthur's home a doghouse?
Moments later, a man rushed toward my mother and hugged her tightly. His emerald eyes, reminiscent of hers, were brimming with tears. "It's been so long! Why didn't you write us or visit?" He was tall, with long red hair tied in a ponytail, and built like a seasoned knight.
"Sorry, Dad… Arthur wanted me to cut my connections with you…" Mother sobbed as she embraced him.
"That rascal! I should have known… We thought you wanted to sever ties with us because we opposed your marriage," he said, sadness etching his features.
A woman who appeared slightly older than my mother approached us, tears glistening in her eyes. "My baby!" Mother broke free from her father's embrace and rushed to the woman, who I assumed was my grandmother.
Grandmother hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry, Mom… I'm so sorry." After a moment, my mother walked back and placed her hands on my shoulders.
"Mom, Dad, this is Oliver, your grandchild. There's also Claudius, but he wanted to stay with his father." Mother smiled, but sadness lingered in her eyes.
Grandfather knelt down, taking my hand. "Why is your face swollen?" He noticed the marks left by Arthur's slap.
"Oh, you poor child. Come here to Grandma." I stepped toward her, and suddenly a green light appeared at her fingertip near my face. I felt the pain dissipate—my grandmother must possess rare healing magic.
"What happened to you, dear? Did someone hurt you?" she asked gently. I hesitated but looked at my mother, who felt guilty.
I forced a smile, looking down as if in sorrow. "Father… Father beat me up… But thankfully, Mom was there and saved me!" I pretended to look sadder, clenching my fists. "He also said I was a failure and didn't want me as his child." I feigned a melancholic smile. Grandmother hugged me tightly.
"Don't listen to him, okay?" she comforted me. Then, suddenly, my grandfather shouted in rage, "THAT BASTARD! I'LL MAKE SURE HE PAYS FOR THIS!"
I smirked slightly, concealed by the hug from my grandmother. The first step of my revenge had begun.
I can't wait to see your downfall, Arthur Ashford.