Three Months Later
It has been a few months since I arrived in this world.
The only people who regularly visit me are my brother, Nolan; Lilian, who has now become my nanny; and a few maids assigned to this room. The difference between them is painfully obvious.
Nolan visits me with awkward sincerity, always trying his best.
Lilian cares for me with genuine warmth.
The other maids, well…
They clean the room efficiently, but their voices carry no affection. When they think I'm asleep, they whisper without restraint—about how pitiful it must be for Lilian to care for the unwanted young lady, about how noble the Young Master is for looking after the reason the Duchess died.
That was how I learned her name.
My mother's name was Anastasia.
A name only those of royal blood could bear.
So she wasn't just a duchess.
She was royalty.
That realization settled heavily in my mind. If that was true, then living quietly—living unnoticed—would be impossible. The Emperor's eyes would inevitably turn toward me one day.
So much for a low-profile life.
Still, for now, life as a baby isn't so bad.
I don't have responsibilities. I don't have expectations placed on me yet. My days consist of eating, sleeping, and occasionally playing with Nolan when he visits. I sleep the most. Even though I'm twenty-three years old at heart, my body is still that of a newborn. Holding my head up is difficult, but I can move my arms and legs now. Grasping objects, however, is still beyond me.
Sometimes, I wonder if it would have been better to forget my past entirely—to live this life without memories that haunt me.
But that isn't an option.
This is the life I was given.
Click.
Someone entered the room.
"How are you today, my lady?" Lilian asked warmly. "Did you sleep well?"
"Agho… ah!"
…Why does my voice sound like that?
Lilian laughed softly. "It must have been a good night, then," she said as she lifted me into her arms.
"Your hundredth day is coming tomorrow, my lady," she continued. "You must be excited."
"It won't be a big celebration," she added gently. "But the Young Master and I would like to celebrate it with you. I hope you'll like it."
My hundredth day…
I was surprised that he—that man I was supposed to call Father—had even allowed it. I thought he would still be drowning in his grief over the Duchess's death. But perhaps this wasn't kindness.
More likely, it was pride.
The thought alone made irritation bubble up inside me.
I shook my head unconsciously.
"My lady?" Lilian asked, concern slipping into her voice. "Are you uncomfortable? Am I holding you wrong?"
Ah—no.
I smiled quickly.
"Agho gah gah!"
I really don't think I'll ever get used to the sound of my own voice.
Lilian's eyes widened in delight. "Oh my lady, you understand me?" she said softly. "You must be a genius! After all, you are the daughter of Her Highness."
So my guess was right.
My mother truly was royalty.
But… what's the point of dwelling on it now?
For once, I want to enjoy something without fear. I want to live peacefully—at least for a little while longer.
I should just think about tomorrow.
My first celebration in this world.
I wonder what it will be like.
For the first time since waking up here, I found myself genuinely looking forward to something.
I can't wait for tomorrow to come.