"Really, is it okay to go like this?"
I clearly slapped the cheek of the emperorās most cherished princess in front of everyone just a moment ago. And yet, I can really leave like this without any punishment? Gloria, who noticed my bewildered expression, turned to look at me.
"Why? Is there something you need to do here?"
I subtly glanced at the emperor. He was glaring at me so fiercely; can I really just leave like this?
Gloria, who saw my gesture, nodded as if she had just realized something. Yes! The emperor! The princess slapped me, and now the emperor is incredibly angry!
"Theo and Celphi, right? Donāt worry. ...Celphi, the rest is up to you."
"Yes, Lady Gloria. Iāll inform the two of them. ...Shasha, donāt worry. You must be shocked. Follow Lady Gloria and get some rest."
Good grief, can the La Pierreon family not see the emperor? Despite my shocked expression, Gloria led me away without a care. Strangely, the emperor, who had been furious and threatening to punish me just moments ago, was silent. When I glanced back, he was only glaring at us malevolently but did not stop us.
"Really? The emperor is actually letting us go?"
I was certainly not the only one surprised by this sudden turn of events; the nobles watching were also taken aback. As I followed Gloria, still in shock, the carriage started as if it had been waiting for us.
"Weāre going to the La Pierreon villa where weāre staying."
"Yes, Ailettās adoption and academy enrollment went smoothly. Fin and Ailett are both here."
Children grow so quickly. How much has Ailett grown since I last saw her? Thinking of her adorable eyes, I smiled slightly, and Gloria changed the subject.
"I heard you got involved in an accident. Are you okay now?"
"Yes, I got caught in a fire, but Iām fine. A friend helped me."
"Thatās a good friend. Let me know who it is later. I should thank them properly."
"Iām sorry to have caused you worry."
"What do you have to be sorry to me for? Comfort Ailett instead. She was determined to come here on foot when she heard about your accident."
Indeed. Ailett had once come to the La Pierreon mansion alone, even without proper attire. Thinking of her pitiful state then still hurts my heart.
"If something happens to you, many people will be in pain."
Gloria reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, smiling wistfully.
"So, you should take extra good care of yourself. If I or Celphi hadnāt been there just now, what would have happened?"
It was reckless, I admit.
"Thank you for saving me. Both then and today."
Gloria, who had been smiling at me adorably, suddenly lit up and said firmly.
"I donāt think youāll do it without reason, but be careful."
"Yes, from now on, Iāll absolutely avoid violenceā¦"
"Make sure to do it where no one can see you if you must."
Didnāt she mean I shouldnāt hit anyone anymore?
"Also, donāt go around alone. Take a maid with you. I remember you always had one with you."
Indeed, I had gone to the royal-sponsored event alone without a maid to attend to me. Feeling embarrassed, my face turned red.
"From now on, Iāll be more careful."
"Yes, and if someone tries to harm you, you should have someone to shield you."
ā¦What? Did she mean to use someone as a shield? I closed my gaping mouth and quickly regained my composure. Conversations with the La Pierreon family often leave me flustered.
"I do have a maid, but I sent her back home."
"Why? I thought your maid was a noble from the Knights family. Did she not do her job well?"
I hesitated and trailed off. I didnāt want to bring up a story I wasnāt sure about yet.
"From what I heard, the Knights family is in so much debt that theyāre almost bankrupt."
Gloria frowned, trying to recall.
"Yes, I remember hearing that."
"But to me, she seemed different. I wanted to confirm something, so I sent her back home."
"If you need to confirm something, you can ask Theo or Celphi, or even me if itās too difficult."
Of course, I could, but the La Pierreon family would surely find various reasons to punish her if I told them.
"Itās not good to act on suspicion alone."
I used the excuse I had prepared, and Gloria stroked my head, looking proud.
'My child, you can think of such things?'
'Indeed, I must never tell the La Pierreon family anything.'
By the time we arrived at the villa, the sunset had already begun.
"Fin is out, and Ailett is at the academy."
I was so excited to see Ailett! What a disappointment. Seeing my obvious disappointment, Gloria pointed to the tea table. The villaās maids were busily setting it up.
"Letās have a cup of tea until Celphi arrives."
As we moved to the table, the sweet scent of desserts kept wafting to my nose.
"I wanted to have a conversation like this with just the two of us, so itās good that it happened."
"Do you have any questions for meā¦?"
"Fin told me that Celphi calls you 'mom'?"
The La Pierreon family really only talks about me. I blushed and nodded shyly. Gloria smiled faintly at my affirmative answer.
"Youāre carrying the burden I left behind."
It was a bittersweet and guilty smile.
"Burden? Iāve never thought of it that way."
I firmly replied, and Gloria adjusted the shawl on her shoulders. Gloria, who had been smiling softly, suddenly stiffened.
"I have a question, but it might be sensitive."
"How many children do you plan to have?"
I almost spat out my tea. Shocked, I quickly turned my head and coughed. My face turned bright red as the coughing wouldnāt stop, and Gloria calmly stood up and came over to me. She rubbed my back with her bony hand and said doubtfully,
"I donāt want you to live a life full of guilt like I did."
The coughing finally subsided. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and looked at Gloria. Her expression, lowered, was filled with sorrow.
"In my youth, I thought love was enough for everything. I was reckless. I never thought my love could cause my children pain."
"I donāt want you to walk the same path I did. Thatās my concern as an old woman."
Her voice, filled with sorrow, was full of worry. To the La Pierreon family, Gloria is an outsider like me.
"To watch my children suffer and then leave them first was a curse on me."
She had to watch her children suffer for a long time due to the curse. It must have been another kind of pain. Knowing the curse would be passed on, she must have felt fear and seen people who were afraid of or abused her children.
"I havenāt really thought about it, butā"
But itās an unnecessary worry. Because thereās no way Iāll have a child with Terdeo.
"I wonāt do anything to regret, as you said."
"Youāre wise. Sometimes, love alone isnāt enough. I realized that too late."
"Because of the cursed children?"
Gloria managed to smile without saying a word. She sat down, her trembling steps betraying her. She held the warm teacup as if to calm herself.
"Yes, thatās right. When I was young, I was afraid to face my children."
She wiped the teacup with her thumb, lost in thought.
"I was afraid they might blame me for bringing them into this world."
"If I thought they might blame me, I couldnāt love them. Sometimes, I even left the mansion, leaving a crying child behind. There were times when I felt so overwhelmed that I wanted to die."
No one could blame Gloria. If I werenāt immune to their curse, I would have been the same. I would have struggled to avoid death.
"But then I thought, if I donāt love my children, who will?"
"I needed a power that no one could mock. Before sending my children to war in place of my deceased husband, I had participated in the war myself."
Gloria participated in the war? I looked at her in disbelief. Even sitting, she exuded a noble aura. In her youth, Gloria must have beenā¦
"I was quite skilled with a sword in my youth. My grandchildrenās sword skills are also like mine."
"ā¦I canāt imagine that."
"Iāll show you if thereās a chance. My skills must have rusted over the years, butā"
Gloriaās low laugh sounded like a beautiful instrument. She covered her face with her trembling hands.
"All I can do is this. I tried to prevent anyone from speaking ill of my children."
Gloria rubbed her tired face with her palms. The accumulated fatigue of many years was evident.
"I donāt know if it was right, butā"
"Everyone knows that Lady Gloria loves her family."
I answered without hesitation. I didnāt need to ask; it was clear from how everyone sought her out in times of trouble. Everyone relied on her. I was certain.
"But, Lady Gloria, how can you be so sure? It took me decades to be certain without doubt."
"The best way to comfort someone is to be there for them."
"Lady Gloria, youāve always been there for everyone."
Perhaps thatās why Iām considered the hope of the La Pierreon family. Because I donāt die. Because I wonāt leave the La Pierreon family. So,
"Even if you wanted to leave, you stayed by their side. Thatās why youāre everyoneās hope."
It was only natural to be certain.