Chapter 78

Chapter Fifty-One The Storm

Clap, clap, clap—

The sound of applause came, not just from one pair of hands.

I turned my head and saw that Lady had somehow appeared at the door. She was still wearing her white apron, her face flushed with excitement as she clapped continuously.

“How beautifully you played… Eh, why are you crying?”

Lady’s beaming smile froze on her face the moment I turned to look at her.

…Crying? Am I crying?

Puzzled, I raised my hand to touch my cheek. My skin felt soft and smooth, yet there was a damp sensation.

Immediately after, emotions surged within me.

Cold, numb, painful, desperate.

A strong desire to survive.

My breathing paused for a moment, complex feelings tightening my heart. I clutched my chest tightly, gasping for breath.

“Hah—, hah—…”

Bam!

My body softened, and I fell off the piano stool, kneeling on the carpet.

“What’s wrong! Are you okay?”

The Duke suddenly stood up, his expression tense. Before he could take a step, Lady rushed to my side.

“What’s wrong? Why are you like this? Are you feeling unwell? Chest pain? Short of breath? Doctor! Doctor…”

Her voice was frantic, her movements wild, clearly in a state of panic.

I waved my hand quickly to show that I was fine, trying to speak but finding no sound coming out.

My heart felt like it was about to jump out of my throat.

“I’ll call the doctor…”

Lady started to stand up, but I grabbed her arm.

“What’s wrong! My dear niece, why are you pulling me?”

“…No, no need…”

Deep breath… Deep breath… I’m fine… I’m still alive… I’m still living…

I clenched my teeth.

“Madam, Uncle Duke. I’m fine… I…”

“This child, even now saying nothing’s wrong—”

After several deep breaths, I felt slightly better. I looked up at both of them.

“I really am fine. I just… I remembered some things.”

As I spoke, their eyes widened.

“You…”

The Duke raised his hand towards me, but hesitated and stopped. Lady continued where he left off.

“…You… You remembered…”

Her voice trembled slightly.

She reached out and gently touched my face. The touch was warm and gentle, reminiscent of the little girl in my memories.

My heartbeat slowed down.

“You… You’re Pei Pei…”

I looked into her eyes, filled with hopeful joy, yet also with fear of disappointment.

This question had become easy to answer now.

Whether or not I had any memories, this body contained the soul of Pei Yiluo.

Or rather, it once did.

Even if it has faded due to some reason now, I think…

“I think I am.”

Lady smiled, but her lips trembled.

“You’re Pei Pei… I won’t mistake you… You’re Pei Pei… Even if the age doesn’t match… I won’t mistake you…”

At a loss for words, the Duke gently patted her shoulder.

“Alright, alright. We’ve known this for a long time. The answer wasn’t unexpected. You should be happy now. Why are you acting like a child… Pei Pei, how do you feel? Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, much better.”

Lady rolled her eyes at him and wiped her eyes.

“So tell… Mom, what did you remember? Why did you suddenly change like that?”

“I remember… That night, many soldiers were chasing me. I fell off a cliff… It was very cold… My body hurt… so much… so much… I was so scared… No one saved me…”

I recounted the scene from that night, piece by piece, to them.

That suffocating despair still lingered in my heart, unwilling to dissipate.

Large tears welled up uncontrollably, sliding down my cheeks and falling onto the carpet.

One drop, two drops…

Uncontrollable, because this had nothing to do with my emotions.

It felt as though this body was instinctively releasing something.

Unbeknownst to me, Lady had already tightly embraced me, stroking my back gently, her voice choked with emotion.

“I’m not afraid anymore… I’m not afraid anymore… It’s our fault for not protecting you… I’m sorry…”

I saw the Duke clench his fists.

“What happened after that?”

I shook my head.

“I don’t remember… but I do remember who led them. His name was Edward, black hair and black eyes.”

As soon as the name was spoken, the Duke’s eyes turned red.

“…Edward? How could it be Edward?” The lady’s tone suddenly rose, her eyes widening in disbelief. “How could he do such a thing… How dare he do something like this!”

“It seems he tricked me out because of Lafayette… Who is he.”

“Edward Bradley Winter Moon, the Crown Prince of the Valen Empire, the first in line to inherit the throne, and also… your cousin. His father, Emperor of the Valen Empire, is your father’s elder brother.”

“…In recent years, your eldest brother Lafayette might have shown more radical behavior, and they were not on good terms… Of all the heirs, he fears your eldest brother the most.”

…So that’s how it is.

That’s why he would lure Peyelo… me out that day, to threaten Lafayette into making certain deals… No, judging by the number of soldiers in my memory, it seems they had murderous intent.

At that time, I should have sensed Edward’s sinister intentions, so I ran desperately to prevent him from succeeding, only to accidentally fall off a cliff.

A victim of the struggle for imperial power…

“……”

The Duke didn’t speak for a long while, seemingly struggling to hold back something, his expression turning quite terrifying.

Lying in the lady’s arms, feeling the comforting softness, I subconsciously hugged her waist and closed my eyes.

My mood gradually calmed down, and suddenly felt a bit drowsy.

I wonder if it was due to the strong emotions earlier, but I actually feel sleepy before lunch.

After a while, I heard the Duke’s loud laughter.

“Hahahaha—!”

The laugh was hoarse, sounding like that of an injured beast.

“Ed—! Ward—! Brother, what a fine son you’ve raised! Hahaha!”

“I am Scalliger! I’ve worked hard all my life to ensure the prosperity of the Valen Empire! How much have I sacrificed, how much has Shanter Castle sacrificed!”

“I never intended to compete with anyone. When the workshop grew, you asked me for control, I gave it to you! Apart from the matters of the Holy Church, I can stay out of everything! You planted your people in the Shanter army, I turned a blind eye and let you do as you pleased…”

“You’re still unsatisfied, wanting to kill my daughter… kill my daughter… You know this is my bottom line…”

Bang—

The sound of something shattering.

“Do you fear me! Hahahaha! Do you fear me!… Good, then I’ll make you fear me to the bone.”

“…Edward has been suppressed by Lafayette for years. He’s too impatient. The Emperor Kainse should not have known about this matter…”

“Doesn’t know? Doesn’t know that Edward dared to mobilize the city guards! Intercepting my daughter, planning to use her to threaten my son. If Lafayette had gone to the meeting back then, what do you think would have happened? Humph, I might have lost both my son and daughter!”

“…For a bit of power, did it have to come to this? Pepe is his sister… What a fool…”

“The heart is indeed fickle… Seems like my elder brother is getting old and senile. It’s time to hand over the throne.”

“!! You want…”

“They fear me, don’t they? Fear that I hold too much power, fear that Lafayette’s achievements overshadow Edward, taking away his position as the first heir? Using my daughter to threaten my son, well done, very well done. I had no intention, but now, let me help Lafayette.”

“Scalliger, what do you intend to do… calm down first.”

“I’m very calm. In all these years, there hasn’t been a moment as calm as now.”

In a daze, a rough, powerful hand stroked my head.

“Pepe, my dear princess. Your father let you suffer… Don’t worry, I won’t spare anyone who dares to hurt you, whoever they may be. I will make you the princess of the Winter Moon, so no one will dare to bully you again… sleep.”