Chapter 43 - 15. The Protagonist (1)

“…”

After that, I, who was taken to the widest bed in the mansion, lay still and looked at the ceiling.

‘It didn’t feel hurt anymore.’

It was just a fall from the low stairs. The bleeding from my nose has stopped for a long time.

‘People might mistake it as if someone is dead.’

Still, godmother, who was sitting next to me, was crying.

I spoke to her and smirked.

“I’m fine, so don’t worry too much.”

Godmother, who heard those sentences, fell into remembrance. She had experienced the same scenery in the distant past. A young lady half was lying on the bed by the window where the sunset cast, saying words not to worry about her in her remembrance.

Godmother, lost in the reminiscences, looked at me with wet eyes. Beyond the tears, this moment seemed to overlap with the scenery of the past.

“When I see you, you remind me of my daughter.”

She reached out her wrinkled hand and placed it on the back of my hand, giving me a rough feeling.

“Yesterday, you asked. Why did I listen to Ronwe’s will?”

“…”

“It’s not because I owe him a favor. It’s also not because I feel sorry for him who died… but this was just because you looked like my daughter.”

I understood her right away.

A few days ago, the girl in the drawing in the book I opened was her daughter. Then, if I naturally asked, “Is your daughter in the estate?” The conversation will continue. But my mouth didn’t move easily. It was because I had sensed intuitively that Madam Maquil was talking as if pointing out that her daughter had already died.

“You’re as smart as my youngest daughter.”

Godmother clearly taught me that it was a virtue for nobles to lead the conversation smoothly. Still, I didn’t bring up my words. She, who noticed my thought, smiled sadly.

“It reminds me of the old days when I taught her like this.”

“…”

“I have taught my children the virtues and culture by myself. But there was only one person who followed my education perfectly.”

“Was it your youngest daughter?”

Godmother nodded with a mellow expression.

“She was a genius.”

A genius

That word reminded me of that woman’s name. Soon after, that woman’s name was also mentioned by Madam Maquil.

“If she had been alive, she would have been able to match that Vasago.”

“She’s really a gift from heaven.”

“And you don’t know how kind-hearted she was. When she sees a wounded beast, she can’t just pass by it.”

Godmother said, sweeping the back of my hand as I sat on the bed.

“The baby born from my belly is cute even when she stays still. Lady Vanora will understand it when you have a child someday.”

“Yes.”

“And you don’t know how lovely she had been since she was smart and kind.”

It was said the youngest daughter of the godmother would not be defeated when compared with Vasago. Moreover, unlike Vasago, who has an arrogant side, she must have been like an angel because of her kind heart.

“…What happened to your daughter?”

But how did such a lady die?

As I asked carefully, godmother said calmly,

“She died. Because of her kindness.”

“!”

Soon her hand, which had been placed on the back of my hand, fell off. Sat upright, godmother continued.

“I put everything I had into raising my youngest daughter. When she was about to make her debutante, I finally realized that she became the most perfect noble in this world.”

‘Well, of course, the blood of Madam Maquil could do that.’

“It was my job to lead her on the perfect path. Because I believed that making her second to none would make my daughter happy.”

Godmother told the story still in a dry tone.

“But as soon as my daughter made her debutante, my mistake began to be revealed.”

“…”

“I was so obsessed with refining her skills that I didn’t teach her the bad intentions of people.”

‘No way…’

“My daughter was in trouble for a while. She lent huge sums of money to the fallen noble who pretended to be pitiful. Misunderstood her kindness, she got involved with political affairs.”

The story is still fine so far. At that time, godmother had the strongest influence, so she could solve her daughter’s problems if she stepped in.

“And this story ends in a really pointless way.”

“…”

“My daughter got hit by a carriage one day while trying to save a young servant.”

Godmother made a sigh, and I closed my mouth tightly.

“Then everything went futile.”

* * *

Madam Maquil, who was telling the story, looked at the distant window for a moment. Her eyes were filled with regret.

“I feel useless when the best child I raised with all my heart disappeared instantly.”

“Godmother…”

“I had my daughter’s funeral and never took a step out of the mansion in my estate. Did you think the same way when you were left alone?”

‘What if I hadn’t praised my daughter’s good character?’

‘What if I hadn’t liked seeing her helping others by sacrificing herself as a virtue?’

Parents worry that when their beloved child is sick, it might happen because they didn’t give to their child healthily. Likewise, Iva Maquil also blamed herself for contributing to her daughter’s death.

“Lady Vanora.”

The old woman, looking at the window, turned her eyes and called for Vanora. The girl’s appearance sitting there made her keep thinking about her daughter even though Vanora didn’t have any resemblance with her daughter.

“You look like my daughter.”

“…”

“When we fell down the stairs, and you wrapped me around, I couldn’t hold back my tears when I heard you say that your body moved first. Because my daughter often said the same things.”

Vanora bowed at the words and only wiggled her hands.

“It was just an impulsive judgment to have you as my goddaughter, but seeing you say the same thing as her…”

This became heavy guilt that weighed on herself.

“…”

“It feels as if we were destined to meet.”

Madam Maquil, looking at Vanora, who avoided her eyes, reached out. Then she gently stroked Vanora’s hair and said,

“I want to give you an education that I haven’t been able to teach my daughter.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t live to be a good person.”

At those words, Vanora widened her eyes, and Madam Maquil continued solemnly.

“A kind and pure heart are useless in this world. Others know that too, so those who call themselves prestigious families are already in a hurry to care for themselves and pretend to be kind. That’s why I got sick of the social world.”

“!”

“I was interested in you being good and becoming your godmother. But from now on, you must abandon your kindness.”

“How could I…”

Don’t live to be a good person.

Vanora reacted with discomfort to those words.

Madam Maquil said firmly as if she finally made up her mind.

“It’s okay to be evil. Never help others if there is no benefit for you. Even if you live like that, I will help you so no one can point a finger at you.”

“…!”

“I’ve kept my distance because I was afraid I would get hurt again, but now I’ve made up my mind. I won’t make such a mistake again.”

Madam Maquil returned to her usual stern expression. But there was no longer sadness and hesitation in her eyes.

“You will be my last daughter.”

“…!”

“Even if your debutante is over, I will remain in this capital as your godmother.”

Hearing those words, Vanora felt something stuck in her throat. And a little later, Vanora stepped in and took action instead of answering. She opened her arms and hugged her Godmother.

“…!”

In Madam Maquil’s arms, the warm body temperature of the young girl touched her. It’s been years since she hugged a girl. Madam Maquil held her awkwardly at first, then she was overcome with strange emotions and held her tears.

“…”

Vanora, who leaned her cheek against her shoulder, spoke quietly.

“I will do as Godmother’s wish.”

Out of the reach of Madam Maquil’s eyes, Vanora’s expression hardened out. She seemed to ponder something deeply at that moment.

* * *

My schedule hasn’t changed much since that day. Godmother still conducted the class strictly, and I quietly carried out my busy schedule. But if there was one difference, it was this.  

“It’s perfect. Good job. As promised, you can hang out with your friend tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Godmother.”

Godmother no longer had a stiff expression on her face.

“Then I’m going to check the letter…”

I felt relieved that I had a strong ally I could use even after my debutante. It gave me more peace of mind. Now, all that remains is for me to plan for the future comfortably.

“Let’s see. There’s no letter coming from home either.”

Rustle.

I immediately ripped open a letter the servant had brought to me. There were short sentences written in messy handwriting.

[Good. I will see you that day.]

“It’s a relief.”

I had told Carl immediately when my break time was decided not long ago. I have break time every 10 days, so he will come to help me train. Naturally, I refrained from directly telling him about the training, and Carl sent a reply that there would be no problem if I wanted to be trained at any time.

“I can’t neglect this side either.”

I read the books Carl lent me in my spare time, even during my busy days of studying. If I add the education from Andras’s family, who is good at knocking down people, there must be something I gained in the future. I reviewed the book about the vital points of the human body again before the appointment.

…And the next day.

6 A.M. 

“..”

“Hello, Lady Vanora! Good morning.”

“..”

“This mansion is wonderful. There is a lot of planted grass, so it smells fresh.”

“..”

“By the way, are you very busy these days? In the meantime, under your eyes got darker.”

Early in the morning, when the sun had just risen, I silently listened to the boy in front of me chattering.

“Lady Vanora? You look dazed. Are you okay?”

Usually, it’s around 3 P.M. when the nobles of the Kasius Kingdom visit someone else’s mansion. You can meet in the morning if you make an appointment in advance by letter, but even in that case, it’s common sense to come around 11 A.M.

And now it is still 6 A.M.

“..”

I remained silent for a while before spitting out my first word.

“Why are you here now?”

“You told me to come today, didn’t you?”

“It’s still 6 o’clock.”

“Yes! The morning started now.”

After hearing Carl’s cool answer, I thought, ‘Is he crazy?’

I can’t even say that he was being rude while he talked to me with such pure eyes.

‘Godmother will be shocked if she sees Carl’s manners.’

I looked at his clothes at the same time. Normally, nobles wore attire that revealed their identity even when going out for a simple trip. But instead of looking elegant, Carl appeared sloppy in old and worn clothes. I know we met today to learn about fighting, so it’s right to wear comfortable clothes, but…

‘Does he hate clothes with buttons on them?’

I didn’t expect him to wear clothes without buttons.

“Lady Vanora, you look tired. I think you should cancel today’s appointment.”

“No, I’m fine. I know a place to avoid public eyes around here, so let’s go there.”

But it doesn’t matter.

What’s the big deal? It was good that we had more time to train as we met early.

I took the lead with a rather bright look. Carl Andras followed me with a smile as usual.