# 110
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No matter how much I hated looking in the mirror, I had to wash my face, comb my hair, and style my clothes in order to go about my daily life.
I just pretended not to notice it because I thought it wasn't my face, but I couldn't for the life of me mistake it for something I'd seen.
Of course, I couldn't compare myf, who looked frightened even though I tried to act confident, with the Archduchess, who exuded arrogant grace even when she was still...
Features and impression. My hair color and eye color were so similar that I had never seen it on anyone else before.
‘How in the name of Heaven’s Creator could this have happened? …? ….’
“Oh, she's a princess!”
At that time, Diana, who was standing next to me, opened her eyes and screamed as if she was as surprised as I was.
Now that I thought about it, she looked similar to the princess in the children's books that Diana enjoyed reading.
Upon hearing Diana's voice, the eyes of the Grand Duchess, who was getting off the carriage accompanied by the Archduke, fell on us.
The Grand Duchess narrowed her eyes and gracefully tilted her head to one side.
"You . … ".
“This is Princess Elad.”
Perhaps worried that Diana would be reprimanded for her insolence, Ascart took the initiative to explain.
The Grand Duchess looked at Diana, whose mouth was still open and her large eyes twinkling, and nodded.
“I thought so. My eldest son was like that, and my younger daughter is just like her.”
She said coldly, as if she was snoring.
But even for a moment, the Archduchess's pale face became cloudy.
“Askart, I’m glad you look healthy, congratulations on your graduation.”
Ascart paused for a moment, then nodded silently and spoke.
“The Marquis is waiting in the drawing room.”
“Yes, let's go.”
The Archduke occupied first place in an elegant manner.
Ascarte came out and smiled awkwardly at Diana, then spoke to the servant next to him.
“Princess Elad and... take the child safely to Elad’s palace in the carriage.”
While the servant who had received the order went to call the driver, I was still watching the back of the Archduchess as she walked away, fascinated.
Bianca, who had been following the Archduchess, turned for a moment and motioned to me, but unfortunately she did not have the presence of mind to wave again.
“Noona, noona.”
At that time, Diana shook my sleeve and called me urgently.
When I finally let out the breath I'd been holding and struggled to look away, I saw Diana looking at me with a worried look on her face.
“Why…what’s wrong with you, miss?”
When I asked, unable to hide my cracked voice, Diana quickly whispered in my ear.
“Noona, you look just like her! Is she Noona’s mother?”
My eyes widened at the unexpected words.
When I looked at her with a shocked face, Diana seemed equally surprised and said, “Hap!” She covered her mouth with her hand.
After a while, the little girl slowly withdrew her hand and spoke with a tearful expression on her face.
“Is this a secret too?”
* * *
The path to the drawing room was quiet.
Ascarte thought he was used to the silence, but it had probably been a long time since he had seen his parents. A feeling of rejection and embarrassment rose from deep within my heart.
“How did it get so dangerous?”
At one time, the family was more harmonious and peaceful than any other home.
However, after the youngest daughter disappeared right after giving birth, his father was frantically trying to find him, and his mother was weakening to the point that she could only gradually crack in the close-knit family.
I felt as if my chest had been hollowed out.
But when I thought about my younger sister, whose life or death I didn't even know, I felt like I was filled with sadness.
"Are you here?"
At that time, the Marquis, who was waiting impatiently in the drawing room, saw the Archduchess and got up.
". … my dad."
“You don't look well, it must have been difficult, because it was a long way to get there.”
“Yes, a little.”
“Yes, I saw your face and it's over, go quickly and rest, your room has been disinfected.”
She was the daughter he had wanted to see so much, but when he saw her in front of him, the Marquis couldn't say anything and took a step back.
The Archduchess nodded as if she did not have the strength to answer.
The Marquis felt a little lonely when he saw his son-in-law, Archduke Bellus, looking shyly and supportively at his daughter.
So, I clicked my tongue and turned around.
I saw my only grandson standing tall as if he was stuck on the ground.
“Askart, why are you doing this? It has been a long time since I met your parents, but you will not follow them.”
When I blurted it out, contrary to my feelings, Askart smiled faintly.
“Just… I think they must be tired by now.”
“Hmm, what about those kids? They say they came right before I sent the message, but if they’re still there, let them in now...”
“We actually got the kids back on the wagon.”
Almazarquis frowned at Ascarte's answer.
"Why are you in such a hurry . … ".
“Well, I guess my mother wouldn't feel comfortable around young children.”
However, I was left speechless by what he added.
The Marquis, who had been silent for a moment, made a loud noise and turned around.
“There's no other meaning! She bragged so much about showing me a taste of cake, but it seems she didn't keep my word, ahem!”
Seeing his back dripping with remorse and disappointment, even the oblivious Ascarte realized the Marquis's true intentions and smiled faintly.
But even for a moment.
Askart turned his head in the direction where his mother had disappeared with a calm expression once again.
I thought I would be happy to see my father after a long time. ….
This was not the case at all.
* * *
“It's uncomfortable.”
The Archduchess, who had just laid down on the bed, suddenly spoke.
asked the Archduke, Bianca, and the maids, surprised, with expressions of helplessness.
“Ma’am, are you feeling very unwell? Please answer...”
“No, I'm fine.”
“So are you uncomfortable in the room, Your Highness?”
“I asked you to leave the bed as you usually use it, but I think this is due to the location changing, take necessary measures immediately...”
“That's not all, just come out and have a look.”
Before the maids' commotion could get any worse, the Archduchess raised her hand to bite them.
Then he looked at the Archduke and Bianca, who were still worried.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
At the invitation of the Archduchess, the Archduke immediately sat down on the bed and made eye contact.
“Please speak.”
“Your Highness, please come out.”
"Yes? Me too?"
“Shouldn't you go to the Imperial Palace? The news should be delivered now.”
“You don't have to worry about that, ma'am.”
“It's because I'm uncomfortable.”
"Yes . … ".
Only then did the Archduke realize that it was I who had pointed out that the Archduchess was uncomfortable, and he blushed.
Unable to disturb the comfort of the Archduchess in bed, he rose.
“Then rest comfortably, I will be back.”
When the Archduke quietly left the room, Bianca also bowed and was about to leave the room.
“Is this the same girl from before?”
"Yes?"
The Archduchess, who had her eyes closed, slowly raised her head and asked.
“The young maid who was at Princess Elad’s side a short while ago, is this the girl you were communicating with?”
"Yes, this is correct."
I really didn't think he would pay attention to Leia next to the princess.
Bianca nodded, feeling a little puzzled by the unexpected question.
“I was just wondering, but she was smaller than I thought, I'm so dumbfounded, how dare he bring such a little girl and make her work just because she has nothing to eat!”
The Archduchess, who was speaking a little excitedly, coughed and clutched her chest.
Bianca was surprised and quickly gave her a glass of water, and the Archduchess, who had finally caught her breath after taking a few sips of water, spoke weakly.
“When I meet Duke Elad, I will say something, so don’t worry.”
“Ah...yes.”
The Archduchess seemed to believe that Duke Elade was committing a heinous act by exploiting children.
But Bianca knew that wasn't true.
This is because when I met Leah again, she looked healthier and radiant than before.
Is this the reason? The joy I felt upon meeting the baby became a little overwhelming.
“I really wanted to take her to the emirate this time.”
In addition. …
Until now, I had not thought ahead about my greed.
How will the Archduchess feel when she suddenly meets a girl the same age as her missing daughter?
'She has taken care of countless children, but has never actually met any of them.'
She acted like she wasn't interested in front of me, but when I saw her talking like that behind her back, it was clear that she was paying attention.
At that time, the Archduchess closed her eyes again and waved her hands as if she had finished speaking.
Bianca watched in silence and quietly closed the door.
* * *
I was standing in front of a full-length mirror.
Light pink hair reminiscent of cotton candy and delicate features on a thin white face.
Among them, big, deep, jewel-like pink eyes were looking directly at me.
“Is this really me?”
My heart felt like it was going to explode when I tried to confront something I had been denying for so long.
'Now that I think about it, I think the drooping corners of my eyes resemble Askart's eyes.'
I really liked his cute eyes.
My heart trembled helplessly at the thought that I might resemble him.
“Noona?”
At that time I saw Diana tilting her head in the mirror.
At my request, he remained quiet for a while, but the short wait seemed to be very boring for the child.
"Ms ."
Eventually, I made up my mind and leaned down to make eye contact with Diana.
Then I looked into the eyes as blue as the surface of a clear lake, and slowly opened my mouth.
“I want to ask you something, please answer honestly.”