Chapter 17
#017. The Best for Family Crumbled
Esella found out. How, or rather, to what extent.
My mind went blank.
I thought Esella would find out someday. But I thought I would tell her when I was somewhat prepared. Not so suddenly and defenselessly like this.
"Esella. Please, listen to me."
Olivia desperately called out to Esella, not knowing what to say. The inside of her parched throat felt like it was being scraped.
Esella, who always smiled with affection, glared at Olivia. Her eyes were red and sore from crying so much.
"Esella,"
"Don't touch me! You're filthy!"
A sharp scream was followed by a loud smack as flesh collided.
Olivia stared blankly at the back of her hand. It quickly turned red. But the slow trembling of her hand wasn't because it hurt.
Esella's contemptuous words pierced Olivia's lungs. Her legs gave way, and Olivia involuntarily took a few steps back.
Esella gasped, seemingly surprised herself. Olivia tightened her lips. She wanted to smile and tell her it was okay, but her lips trembled too much.
"Does your hand hurt?"
"Don't pretend to care. How could you do this, Olivia!"
The resentment in her sharp scream stabbed Olivia.
I should say it's not true. But I couldn't.
Esella might have lost everything because of me. My kind and gentle mother.
"It was because of you. Mom disappeared suddenly. It was all because of you!"
Esella's face was soaked as she screamed. Tears dripped down her jawline. Olivia bit the inside of her cheek hard, her lips sealed shut.
I couldn't cry, at least not in front of Esella. Unable to comfort her or hold her hand, Olivia lowered her head like a criminal.
I strained my eyes, trying not to let the tears fall, but the floor kept blurring.
"Get out! You're not my sister! Not you! Get out! I don't want to see your face!"
Eventually, Esella screamed and sobbed.
Esella's sobs, as she lay face down on the bed, weighed heavily on Olivia's shoulders. The hand reaching out to Esella fell limply.
Olivia moved her feet, which felt like they wouldn't move. She staggered that short distance, her legs giving way.
As soon as the door opened, the maids standing outside pushed past Olivia and rushed in.
"Young Lady!"
"Get out! All of you!"
The maids froze at Esella's scream. It was a side of Esella, who was like sunshine, that they had never seen before.
It's all because of the First Princess. The maids, who were kicked out of the room, glared at Olivia. What's with walking so straight even at a time like this? It's all because of that woman.
The maids, filled with venom, didn't notice. The tightly raised shoulders that trembled, the staggering gait, the red eyes that desperately held back tears.
I don't know how I got back to my room. After closing the door, Olivia collapsed to the floor.
I was definitely happy until just a moment ago. Receiving flowers, receiving a necklace, receiving praise. Receiving a gift to give to Esella.
I should have known that the unfamiliar happiness was a harbinger of misfortune. I had already experienced it once, yet I foolishly rejoiced.
Jade and Esella, who called me Princess, shattered like fragments and stabbed Olivia.
A dull, hot pain surged over the torn wounds, and Olivia curled up into a ball. A stifling, hot breath choked Olivia.
I knew it would come again someday.
Jade and Esella too. I thought the day would come when even Conrad and Father, who never included me, would be together.
But it hurt that even Esella had come to hate me.
It was hard to breathe, so I ran my hand over my neck, and felt something hard. Feeling around with my fingers, it was the Pink Diamond Necklace I had received as a gift from the Grand Duke.
Something I was supposed to do with Esella.
Olivia exhaled. She swallowed the surging sobs and opened and closed her tear-filled eyes.
I couldn't sit here as if everything was over when I hadn't even properly talked to Esella yet.
Olivia regained her composure and stood up.
Her legs trembled, but she didn't care. I had to go back to Esella and talk to her again.
That I didn't do that.
If Esella would listen, maybe. A faint hope sprouted.
But when Olivia came out into the hallway, the atmosphere was somehow strange. It was busy and seemed urgent. All of this was directed towards Esella's room.
"Where's the doctor?"
"I heard the Young Lady fainted?"
"After crying so much. And she's so frail."
Someone said with a pitiful voice. A chilling fear enveloped Olivia.
Esella fainted.
Olivia, her legs giving way, grabbed the wall and walked towards Esella's room. Beyond the maids standing in front of the room in the distance, I could see the Duke. His neatly combed hair, which was always perfect, was slightly disheveled, as if he had rushed here.
The Duke frowned when he found Olivia. As Olivia trembled slightly at the coldness, the Duke strode towards her.
"Fath-"
"You really can't do anything right, can you."
Suppressed anger crushed Olivia. His glittering eyes glared at Olivia as if to cut her.
The servants, who had been busily moving around, quietly retreated, but even that didn't bother her.
"Couldn't you even keep the promise to keep it from Esella?"
Sharp words coming from between clenched teeth. Amethyst eyes staring coldly.
As soon as I realized it was the same as the day his wife died and Esella was sick, the Duke said quietly.
"Did you finally pass that disgusting misfortune on to Esella?"
Thump. A loud noise rang out. It felt like one of the pillars supporting Olivia had collapsed. Olivia hurriedly clenched her fists tightly.
"I shouldn't have brought you here."
The Duke covered his eyes with his hand and let out a deep sigh. The Grand Duke, not even caring that those sincere words were constantly breaking Olivia down, passed by Olivia and said.
"If I could, I would erase you from my life."
My heart was pounding as if it would burst. A ringing sound rang in my ears, and reality felt strangely distant.
This must be a dream.
That Esella fainted, and the words Father said to me, must all be lies.
But we're family, after all. It's just that hating each other for a while has gotten longer.
Beyond my dazed vision, I saw Conrad running over in a hurry. Olivia reached out her hand towards Conrad as if seeking salvation.
The moment I discovered that worry was mixed into his usually expressionless face, Conrad's face distorted before Olivia's expectations could swell.
"...It's you again?"
"......"
"Now that you've taken Mother, are you trying to get Esella too?"
How could he resemble Father so much?
Olivia blinked. I wish I could wake up if this was a nightmare. Conrad's fierce criticism continued to destroy Olivia's insides.
"I told you to write it down if you don't know. Please, memorize it and don't come near Esella."
Conrad, after giving a chilling warning, entered Esella's room. Olivia knew that the second pillar had also collapsed.
When the expectations that had been so crudely pieced together, even though they were so cracked, were utterly ruined.
"Olivia!"
Jade's voice, as excited as fire, shouted. Jade, who had run up the stairs from below in one breath, grabbed Olivia's shoulder roughly. Olivia swayed like a paper doll at Jade's gesture.
"I told you. Don't let Esella find out! How can't you keep even that one thing?"
Jade's voice, growling like a beast, was cut off. Hasty anger was directed only at Olivia. Olivia blankly met Jade's eyes as she swayed.
At that moment, Olivia realized.
The day I had so desperately wanted.
The day when my family would smile at me.
That day would never come.
That my best was so insignificant.
I couldn't breathe. Olivia slowly blinked. Without even noticing the strength leaving Jade's hand, Olivia cast her gaze behind Jade.
"You. Go see Esella and then we'll talk again."
While Jade, who had been threatening in a low voice, hurriedly went to Esella's room. Olivia unknowingly groped around her neck. She grabbed the necklace that was caught in her hand and tried to tear it off, but the sturdy clasp wouldn't come undone.
Wanting to breathe, Olivia walked aimlessly.
In the blurry vision that passed by, I caught a glimpse of the servants looking at me with pity, Sally standing frozen with flowers, and the doctor rushing in.
And the last thing was the portrait hanging on the first floor.
"Ha, ha."
A hollow laugh burst out. As if the tears had dried up, the portrait was clearly visible. My awkward and tense young self in the portrait of the Madeleine family.
Poor, foolish Olivia.
It was so obvious that I didn't fit in.
Why didn't I know until now?
Olivia smiled emptily.
Unlike the crowded stairs above, there was no one on the first floor. Olivia opened the door and left the mansion.
A dark night spread over the garden. Where should I go? Olivia's mind moved slowly. Even a nearby hotel would be fine. Anywhere would be better than this mansion.
The Knights standing at the gate looked at Olivia with puzzled eyes, as if they had sensed her presence. As Olivia silently continued to walk, one of the Knights opened the gate.
When the tall gate opened and I took a step out of the mansion. Olivia took a breath, looking up at the sky. It was a fleeting moment when a thin breath was gasping, as if a string that had been strangling my chest had been loosened.
"My Lady?"
Emotions surged at the languid voice calling out. When Olivia turned her head, the Grand Duke was there.
The Grand Duke, leaning against a large carriage, waved his hand. While the jewel pin in his hand sparkled in the moonlight, the Grand Duke said pleasantly.
"Wow. You came out to greet me because of this jewel pin,"
The Grand Duke's words were cut off. The portrait was clearly visible, but strangely, the Grand Duke's face was not clearly visible.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders.
"Good evening, Your Grace."
The nonchalant voice was scattered here and there. Olivia coughed every time she spoke in a deeply sunken voice. My throat was stinging.
The Grand Duke rushed over and stood in front of Olivia.
"What's wrong?"
"I think something happened."
Olivia spoke haltingly and then smiled a little. The Grand Duke's worried face was funny.
I don't know why that man always looks at me like that.
Why does he always make such a sad face?
A face that even my family doesn't show me.
This was an impulse. An impulse that suddenly arises whenever I see the Grand Duke.
Olivia smiled faintly.
"How well can you treat me?"
"...I can probably count the things I can't do for you on one hand."
"Then please help me."
Because I have nowhere to go.
Olivia swallowed the words and smiled.
The Grand Duke, facing the green eyes with tears dried up in the red eyes that seemed to burst, clenched his fist tightly without Olivia's knowledge.
So this is the Grand Duke's Residence.
A splendid and elegant room. Olivia looked around the room with somewhat dazed eyes.
There were rumors that there was a gloomy den inside the gate of the impregnable Grand Duke's Residence. The place I actually came to was a mansion that was as well decorated as any other mansion.
"Get some rest. I hope this becomes a place where you can live comfortably, My Lady."
Olivia mulled over the Grand Duke's words and gave a faint smile.
The Grand Duke was quick-witted. He omitted the customary, "Make yourself at home."
Perhaps he had caught on a little. To why she had left the residence at this hour.
A heavy sigh escaped Olivia's lips. As the tension eased, her shoulders and the back of her hand throbbed. Olivia deliberately ignored her red, swollen hand.
Instead, she sketched out various plans in her mind, which was now much clearer than before.
A knock sounded from outside.
Olivia answered, and a maid entered. She resembled Sally, except for her light straw-colored hair.
"Greetings, young lady. I am Hanna, a maid of the Grand Duke's Residence. I came to ask if you have any discomforts or needs."
Her face, full of tension, was youthful. When Olivia smiled, Hanna's face brightened.
"I'm very comfortable and happy. Thank you."
It was true. She hadn't even brought a single dress, but the closet was full of dresses, slips for sleepwear, shoes for going out, and even jewelry. The Grand Duke's Residence was fully prepared. And with everything in her exact size.
"Please speak comfortably. Young lady, you are a precious guest to everyone in this Grand Duke's Residence. If you need anything, please pull this cord at any time. We will prepare anything immediately."
"Anything?"
"Yes! His Highness has ordered us to fulfill anything the young lady desires!"
Hanna's face was slightly excited. Seeing that face, Olivia made a small request. Hanna blinked at the request.
"...You really intend to depart tomorrow at dawn? In a carriage without a crest? Will that be alright?"
"More than enough."
Olivia smiled gently.
And when Hanna left, Olivia curled up in the darkened room. No matter how much she huddled, her broken heart felt empty.
It was a sleepless night.
Olivia gritted her teeth at the faces that kept appearing whenever she closed her eyes.
Don't cry.
But in the darkest hour before the black darkness receded and the sunlight appeared.
Unbeknownst to anyone, the corners of Olivia's eyes became slightly wet.
* * *
A hazy morning rushed in through the glass window. The Grand Duke gazed out the window. A carriage was crossing the garden and heading out the gate.
"The young lady has departed for the Imperial Palace."
Howard reported respectfully. The Grand Duke watched outside until the carriage was out of sight. When the carriage disappeared, the Grand Duke looked down at the note he was holding.
Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. For the time being, I have decided to reside in the Crown Princess Consort's Palace as the Crown Prince's fiancée. I will invite you soon. To the ever-kind one. Sincerely, Olivia Madeleine.
"...Honestly. Such a sharp young lady. Then and now."
A sigh was mixed in with the seductive murmur. The Grand Duke scanned the desk with longing eyes. It was piled high with letters of beautiful colors. The sender, written in elegant handwriting, was 'Liv Green'.
