Chapter 4

Blanchard Baronet Family’s Mansion.

From the beginning, she had no particular interest in the Blanchard Baronet Family’s Mansion. It was just that her arranged marriage partner from birth was the heir of the Blanchard family. Even when he succeeded to the baronetcy and she became the baroness, she felt no excitement whatsoever.

Her life was akin to that of livestock. She entered a loveless marriage. Having abandoned her once-held dream of becoming a perfumer, she resigned herself to the fate of fulfilling her duties as the lady of the house.

Even when she heard rumors of the baron’s infidelity or learned of his association with disreputable nobles, she felt nothing.

From the start, she knew what kind of man he was, so she harbored no interest. She doubted she would feel even a hint of sorrow if he were to disappear without a trace one day.

Blanchard Baronet Family’s Mansion.

To her, this place was merely a livestock pen where she had to live out her days—nothing more, nothing less.

Yes, that’s what she thought.

Until she met Tina.

[Waaah!!]

[Ahh…]

It was miraculous.

Her tiny hands could barely wrap around her fingers, and her fragile body seemed as though it would shatter at the slightest touch. Her tear-stained eyes, scrunched up in sorrow, streamed with endless tears.

She was so fragile.

Yet, at the same time, she was beautiful.

Her slightly lighter blue eyes were more dazzling than any gemstone in the world.

When the tiny life reached out with her adorable arms, she instinctively stretched out her hands to cradle the precious being. As she embraced the child in her arms, a sense of fulfillment she had never known before painted her world in vibrant colors.

Her heart pounded so violently it felt like it might burst at any moment. Her hands trembled like a quaking aspen.

[Tina… your name is Tina.]

Tina.

My beloved daughter.

She vowed to make this child happy, no matter what.

From that moment, her life completely changed. Light seeped into the life she once thought was no different from that of livestock. Each day was so abundant with joy that she dared to call it happiness.

Perhaps it was a small mercy that the baron, who had been wasting his life like a rogue outside the family, refrained from drinking and smoking in front of his daughter. Even a scoundrel like him seemed to want to show his best side to his child.

As time passed, Tina, now five years old, was as beautiful as a blooming flower. Her pure white hair seemed to reflect her angelic heart. Her eyes and nose were so endearing that it was a struggle to resist the urge to hug her tightly and nibble on her.

[Mommy!]

[Tina.]

The tiny fairy, radiating cuteness, rushed into her arms. Though her body still felt as light as cotton, the happiness it carried was heavier than anything else.

She was happy.

So happy that she wondered if it was even allowed. Tina had completely transformed her life. She was certain that from now on, she would live happily with Tina, just as they were now.

But that certainty didn’t last long.

For the Blanchard family crumbled with the news that Bonnie Blanchard had died in a drunken rage.

*

On a gloomy, rainy day, she was returning in a carriage after attending Bonnie Blanchard’s funeral.

[I resent you enough to wish you were dead.]

The resentment in Tina’s eyes was directed at her. Just looking into those eyes was enough to send a heart-wrenching pain coursing through her entire body.

[Ti, Tina… Mommy…]

[You could have stopped Daddy. You knew and yet you let him die!]

She couldn’t deny it.

As Tina said, she knew everything. Countless reports had come from the social circle about the baron still mingling with disreputable nobles. Recently, she had even heard that he had taken up gambling.

Perhaps because he subsisted on alcohol, his health deteriorated day by day, a fact that was painfully clear.

Even though she knew, she didn’t stop him. She would rather spend that time giving Tina an extra ounce of affection.

She had no desire to nag someone for whom she felt nothing but disgust. Deep down, she had even been glad at the thought that if he left, she could live alone with Tina.

[Why didn’t you stop Daddy? Were you… planning to take his position?]

[That’s not it!]

The head of the Blanchard family? In her past self, she would have refused such a position outright. But contrary to her feelings, she had no choice but to succeed as the head of the Blanchard Baronet Family.

A few distant relatives had appeared, hoping to claim the position. But they were no different from wild beasts with dark intentions. How could she stand by? For Tina’s sake, she had to step forward.

[So… you did want Daddy’s position…]

From that moment, Tina’s gaze turned from resentment to contempt. She could never forget the disgust in those clear eyes.

[…I really hate you to death.]

A voice devoid of any warmth.

That was the end of the story between Tina and her.

Tina no longer called her “Mommy,” nor did she show her sunny smile anymore. No matter how many times she reached out to Tina, all she received in return were cold insults and disdain.

In the end, their relationship deteriorated into something worse than that of strangers, devoid of even a shred of love or affection. Her life, now devoid of Tina’s color, reverted to being no different from that of livestock.

No, she should correct herself. At least she had a goal, unlike livestock.

The sole remaining driving force in her otherwise bleak life was to leave Tina enough wealth to secure her future. To give Tina everything and then embrace death. That was the only peace she could find now.

But it wasn’t easy.

The previous head had left behind countless traces of gambling debts scattered everywhere. She hadn’t heard of any loansharks, but he truly was a man who only caused trouble till the end.

Day by day, the mounting debts became overwhelming. There was no one to turn to for help. Thanks to the former head, the family’s reputation was in ruins, and all the connections she had built in the social circle had severed ties with the Blanchard Baronet Family.

[…Should I actively re-enter the social circle?]

Surely, people would heap all sorts of insults and humiliations upon her. She could endure such insults. But what she truly couldn’t bear was the thought of Tina suffering the same humiliation.

She worked day and night to gather the family’s assets. She didn’t hesitate to sweep up even the smallest things that could be of help. She spared no effort to erase the cursed debts, even at the cost of her health.

Day by day, time passed. Fortunately, thanks to her resourcefulness in various areas, the debts gradually decreased, but the mountain of loanshark debts still remained.

[Baroness…! You’re bleeding from your nose!!]

[…Ah.]

It was hard to find a day when she wasn’t exhausted, and she often suffered nosebleeds. Her appetite waned, and as her body gradually weakened, her mind began to grow more erratic.

Because of this, she had often been harsh with Tina. Once, unable to contain her rising anger, she even struck Tina.

Tina spent her days at the Empire Library, like a ghost haunting the place. On days when the library was closed, she would lock herself in her room, refusing to come out.

She tried to push Tina to at least attend etiquette lessons, but all she received in return was cold indifference.

[…I’m tired.]

Each day was a meaningless struggle. Though the financial situation was improving, she wasn’t sure if she could hold on until all the debts were paid.

She didn’t want to admit it, but after five years, even her once steadfast heart began to waver. Now, she wasn’t even sure why she had to sacrifice so much.

[…But I must continue.]

Yet, whenever such thoughts arose, she straightened her pen. She drew the curtains to let sunlight into the dark room. She reassured herself that if she didn’t give up, someday, she would see the light.

Someday.

Believing that someday, she would surely reach the light.

And that light.

Finally came to her.

Mwah-

Tina’s lips, softer than plums and sweeter than peaches, touched her cheek. It might be an exaggeration, but it felt as though life was returning to her dead body. As her lips touched her cheek, color returned to her pale skin, and vitality surged through her withering body.

She could swear there was no pleasure in this world as sweet as Tina’s lips. Overwhelmed with emotion, it was all she could do to hold back tears in front of Tina.

[I’ll always be cheering for you. Stay strong, Mommy.]

Those words became the reward for years of hardship. For a moment, she wondered if she was dreaming, but even when she pinched her own cheek, all she felt was a blissful pain.

“Head of the family.”

Just a little more.

She wanted to be a little more greedy.

“Dinner is ready.”

“…Ranihel.”

“Yes, Head of the family.”

She looked out the window. Gazing at the bright sunlight, as radiant as Tina’s eyes, a smile naturally spread across her face.

“Call Tina for dinner. I want to eat with my daughter.”

The meals she had to eat alone were now unbearable.