Baron Blanc family.
From the start, I had no particular interest in the Baron Blanc family. It was merely the predetermined political marriage partner who was the heir of the Blanc family. Even when he ascended to the position of Baron and I became the Baroness, I felt absolutely no sensation.
My life resembled that of livestock. I entered a loveless marriage. Having set aside my long-held dream of becoming a perfumer, I was destined to fulfill duties as a hostess.
When I heard the rumors of the Baron’s affairs or learned of his association with questionable nobles, I felt no emotion at all.
I knew from the beginning what kind of person he was, so I took no interest whatsoever. If one day he vanished without a trace, I doubt I would feel the slightest sorrow.
Baron Blanc family.
This place was merely a barn I had to endure living in; nothing more, nothing less.
Yes, I certainly thought so.
Until I met Tina.
[Waaah!!]
[Aah…]
It was magical.
Her tiny palm barely wrapped around my finger, and her little frame seemed so fragile it could break with the slightest touch. Tears streamed down her wrinkled little face, but I couldn’t quite grasp what was so sad.
She was fragile.
But at the same time, she was beautiful.
Her slightly lighter blue eyes sparkled more brilliantly than any gem in the world.
As the tiny life stretched out her delicate arms, I found myself instinctively reaching out to embrace her. As I cradled her in my arms, a rich emotion I had never felt before painted my world in vibrant colors.
My heart raced violently, as if it could burst any moment. My hands trembled like a quaking aspen.
[Tina… Your name is Tina.]
Tina.
My beloved daughter.
I vowed to make this child happy no matter what happened.
After that, my life completely turned upside down. Light seeped into a life I had thought was no different from a livestock’s. Each passing day felt abundantly happy.
To my relief, even the Baron, who wasted his life like a rogue outside the family, refrained from drinking and smoking in front of his daughter. Even a rogue would probably want to show a good side before his daughter.
As time passed, five-year-old Tina blossomed beautifully like a flower. Her pure white hair seemed to represent her angelic heart. Her eyes and nose were so adorable they made it hard not to want to hug her and pinch her cheeks.
[Mom!]
[Tina.]
The tiny fairy radiated cuteness as she came running to me. Though her body still felt light and fluffy like cotton, the happiness contained within her was heavier than anything else.
I was happy.
So happy that I wondered if I was allowed to feel this way; Tina had completely transformed my life. I was convinced that from that moment on, I would always live happily with her.
But that certainty didn’t last long.
With the news of Bonnie Blanc’s death after drinking himself into a stupor, the Blanc family collapsed.
*
A gloomy day with a dull sky pouring rain, it was within the carriage returning from Bonnie Blanc’s funeral.
[I hold you accountable to the point of wishing you dead.]
Tina’s resentful gaze aimed directly at me. Just looking into her eyes tore my heart apart with pain.
[T-Tina… Mom is…]
[You could have stopped Father. You let him die knowing full well!]
I couldn’t deny it.
As Tina said, I knew everything. I had heard countless rumors in high society about the Baron still consorting with bad nobles. Recently, I’d even heard he had gotten into gambling.
Perhaps due to filling his stomach with alcohol, his declining health had become all too clear.
Even knowing it, I did nothing to stop him. Rather, I preferred to devote that time to giving Tina more love.
Honestly, I didn’t want to nag someone with whom I felt nothing but disgust. Deep down, I had been somewhat pleased with the thought that if he left, I could live alone with Tina.
[Why didn’t you stop him? Did you think of taking Father’s position for yourself?]
[That could never happen!]
The head of the Blanc family? In my previous self, I would have refused even if it was offered. But contrary to my desires, I found myself bound to inherit the role of head of the Blanc family.
Several people appeared from distant lands to claim the position. However, they were all nothing more than beasts with dark hearts. How could I remain passive? I had to step up for Tina’s sake.
[So… Father’s position…]
From that moment, Tina’s gaze toward me shifted from resentment to contempt. I still couldn’t forget the hatred captured in her clear eyes.
[…I truly hate you.]
There was no warmth in her voice.
The story between Tina and me ended there.
Tina no longer called me mother, nor did she ever show me that sunlit smile again. I tried persistently to reach out to her, but all I received in return were harsh curses and unfiltered disdain.
Eventually, we sunk into a relationship devoid of any love or affection—worse than that of strangers. My life, stripped of the color Tina once brought, had once again become indistinguishable from that of livestock.
No, I should correct that. At least unlike livestock, I had a goal.
The only remaining driving force in my bleak life was to bequeath enough wealth for Tina to carve out her own future. To give everything to Tina before meeting my end—that became my serene rest.
But it wasn’t easy.
Everywhere were traces of gambling left behind by the previous head. I hadn’t heard he had even sunk into loan shark debts, but he had truly been a continuous hindrance.
Merely dealing with the growing debts was overwhelming. There was no place to seek help. The reputation of our family was shattered thanks to the previous head, and all the connections I had built in high society severed ties with the Baron Blanc family.
‘…Should I re-enter high society actively?’
Surely, people would criticize and insult me. Those insults I could endure. But what I truly couldn’t bear was the idea of Tina receiving the same insults.
Day and night, I gathered our family’s wealth. Without hesitation, I collected even the tiniest bits that could help. I ran tirelessly, putting my health on the line to wipe away the accursed debts.
Time diligently passed. Fortunately, thanks to my many skills, the debts gradually diminished, but there still remained a mountain of loans to repay.
[Baron! Your nose is bleeding!!]
[…Ah.]
It was hard to find a day without exhaustion, and I bled from my nose almost daily. My appetite was waning, and gradually, my weary body began to reflect on my mental state.
Because of this, I frequently found myself being harsh to Tina. At one point, I lost my composure and struck her in anger.
Tina spent her days embedded like a ghost in the imperial library. If the library was closed, she wouldn’t think of coming out of her room.
I urged her to at least attend etiquette classes, but each time I was met with nothing but a cold face.
‘…This is exhausting.’
Days turned into a meaningless struggle. Though the financial situation was improving, I wasn’t sure how long I could endure until all the debts were finally settled.
I didn’t want to admit it, but after five years, even my once unshakeable resolve began to tremble. I no longer understood why I had to sacrifice so much.
‘…But I still need to do it.’
Yet every time such thoughts arose, I straightened my pen. I drew the curtains back, letting sunlight into the dark room. Surely one day. If I didn’t give up, there would come a time when I could see the light again.
One day.
Surely, I would touch the light someday.
And that light.
Finally, it came to me.
Chirp—
Tina’s lips were softer than a plum and sweeter than a peach when they brushed against my cheek. It might be an exaggeration, but it felt as if life was returning to my dead body. With the blush radiating to the cheek she kissed, vitality flowed into my withering physique.
I would wager there is no sweeter pleasure in this world than Tina’s lips. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that merely holding back tears in front of Tina felt like a Herculean task.
[I’ll always be cheering you on. Please hang in there, Mother.]
Those kind words became the reward for years of suffering. For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming, but giving my own cheek a pinch only brought a delightful sting.
“Head Lady.”
Just a little more.
Just a little more I wanted to be greedy.
“Dinner is served.”
“…Renihel.”
“Yes, Head Lady.”
I looked outside the window. As I gazed at the bright sunlight reflecting Tina’s eyes, a smile involuntarily blossomed on my face.
“Call Tina for dinner. I want to eat with my daughter.”
I was utterly sick of dining alone in solitude.
