Empathy
“You have to become the family head.”
At her mother’s single remark, Lianna could no longer hold back and opened her eyes. Her fists clenched with a crunch. As Galeniya took a step back to give her space, Lianna rose from the bed with a sigh, glaring at her accusingly.
“Please moderate yourself, Mother.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’re inciting me and Roengreen.”
“……”
Galeniya’s expression changed abruptly. The faint smile at the corner of her rigidly set mouth was strangely threatening.
“That’s my role, dear.”
“Mother.”
“To make the Helmonts act like Helmonts. How can you, of all people, try to block what I must do as the lady of the house?”
“……”
She had known long ago that conversation wouldn’t get through to her. But now, Lianna’s situation had changed.
“You heard that Isaac is leaving, right?”
“……”
“You can no longer manipulate me using him.”
It felt like her chest was being torn apart. Having to say such words with her own mouth made her stomach churn as if she would vomit.
Even so, Lianna needed to make it clear.
“Stop it now.”
“What a relief. For a talentless commoner to dare become the family head’s son-in-law.”
“Mother!”
Lianna shouted, but Galeniya smiled brightly and continued with what she wanted to say.
“What you showed today was truly impressive. As expected, you’re more suited to be the family head than Roengreen—!”
“Mother, please!”
“Get a grip, Lianna!”
Galeniya placed both hands on Lianna’s shoulders and shook her roughly. Lianna, who looked even smaller than usual, was shaken more easily than expected.
“You are a Helmont. The eldest daughter of the Helmonts, no one else! Those in glorious and great positions must bear their responsibilities!”
“This mansion… what about it is so great?”
Slap!
Lianna’s cheek turned. Even for her daughter, there were words she must never utter—such was her obsessive reaction.
“As the eldest daughter of the Helmonts, maintain your dignity. Don’t entertain strange thoughts.”
“……”
Galeniya approached slowly and gently embraced her. Lianna couldn’t even react to her mother’s touch.
“Lianna, you take after me.”
Her low whisper in her ear was affectionate.
“The way you’re obsessed with love. Even knowing it leads to your ruin, you can’t let go.”
“……”
“Do you think divorcing that lowly commoner changes anything? Do you think it erases your weakness?”
“I—”
“Lianna.”
Her body trembled with a flinch. The tension that had stiffened her began to melt away.
“With eyes dripping with love, what’s changed?”
“……!”
“Become the family head. That’s the only way you can protect him.”
Galeniya gently kissed her daughter’s cheek. Contrary to her words, what emanated from her voice and expression was affection.
A parent’s love.
That was why.
After Galeniya left the room, Lianna covered her face with both hands and let out a pained breath.
If only.
She wished there had been some other motive. Some malice behind it.
Then she might have found the courage to push back.
From her very young days.
Back when she didn’t care about the family.
Just growing up freely—
[Oh my, our Lianna. So pretty.]
[Huh? You brought this for Mommy? Aigoo, what a good girl.]
[Isn’t this vase pretty? It reminded me of you, so I bought it.]
“Why……!”
Was it the same as back then? Stroking her hair, hugging her softly, kissing her cheek.
All those actions from moments ago were identical to the innocent warmth of her childhood.
Her mother hadn’t changed in the slightest.
Knowing that, Lianna couldn’t let go of anything.
“Hic.”
In the room still sat the vase her mother had given her as a gift.
Perhaps neglected while she was away. One rose in the vase was slowly wilting.
“Cookie cookie.”
Sharen’s legs swung freely back and forth as she sat in the chair. Humming while drumming the table with both hands, she looked utterly cheerful.
“Here you are.”
As chef Milli Marso set down freshly baked star cookies, still piping hot, Sharen beamed.
“Yaaay! This is it! To think it was right here, and I was searching so hard!”
With Kelsey’s special orange whiskey (juice) placed beside it, she was fully prepared. She was praising her own efforts from the hard work at the Mallidan Wall.
“I didn’t know you liked my cookies this much, miss.”
“I searched everywhere for these. I didn’t even know where Isaac bought them.”
Crunch crunch.
Sharen stuffed her cheeks full of cookies, grinning ear to ear. The chef and maid smiled in unison at the sight.
Just moments ago, there had been such chaos that the Helmont mansion might have collapsed.
Seeing the girl’s innocent smile eased their tense hearts.
While Sharen munched on her cookies, her exclusive maid Kelsey chatted briefly with Milli.
“At least the interior is intact despite the commotion. That’s a relief.”
“They must have considered the Sword Festival. With guests inside the mansion and all.”
Despite the uproar, the mansion’s interior was relatively unscathed. Clutching her tray tightly, Milli cautiously asked Kelsey,
“You went to the Mallidan Wall, right?”
“Yes, it was really cold there.”
“……How was Master Isaac?”
Milli tried to ask casually, but her voice carried unexpected weight. Still, Kelsey didn’t find it out of place. After all, baking special cookies meant she was one of the few servants close to him.
“He got injured and went through a lot, but he’s safe now.”
“Injured?”
“He was on the front lines. He’s just late because the mage is treating him, so don’t worry.”
“Phew.”
Milli finally sighed in relief. The faint smile on her lips held pure reassurance.
“When he returns, I should make him some nourishing food.”
“Northern food is limited anyway. He’ll love it.”
With the north’s monotonous menu, Milli began pondering dishes for Isaac’s return to Helmont. She wanted him to enjoy the good food here until he left after the divorce.
He’d said he’d miss it even before heading north.
“Kelsey! Come try some too! It’s so good!”
At Sharen’s call, Kelsey smiled and approached. She’d never have imagined sharing snacks like this before.
“Now you get why I searched so hard?”
The miss has changed a lot.
It had been grueling and dangerous at times, but the northern experience had clearly been good nourishment for Sharen.
Thud!
“Sharreennn!”
A man burst in, shattering the peaceful mood. Alois, whose leg had been crushed by Lianna’s Rag Nabell, strode into the kitchen.
“Mmph!? Whmmph?!”
“What’re you saying? Swallow first!”
Gulp.
“What? You can walk already?!”
Sharen, having swallowed her star cookie, asked in amazement. That reaction only further provoked Alois.
“Don’t spout nonsense and answer me.”
“……Why’s he talking like that?”
“Shut up and listen!”
Alois was clearly unhinged. A kind of madness and obsession churned in his red eyes.
His disheveled hair and drooling mouth signaled something gravely wrong. The disinfectant smell suggested he’d rushed here right after treatment.
“Sister…… What the hell did you hear at the Mallidan Wall?”
“Huh?”
“What did you hear! Fuck! Do you know I was trying to cripple that commoner bastard?!”
“Commoner? Isaac?”
Sharen blinked blankly. Suddenly, she recalled the wedding anniversary when the chandelier fell. And the cake had contained something that caused stomach pain. She remembered because she’d tried to eat the leftovers, only to get scolded by Kelsey.
“Isaac? That bastard couldn’t possibly know. But Sister swung her sword without hearing my excuses—she knows! Why! Whyyy—! Who the fuck told her?!”
Alois screamed violently, veins bulging in his eyes. His heart pounded so fiercely it felt like it might burst.
He was anxious. The moment Lianna confirmed he’d tried to harm Isaac, anything could happen.
But that didn’t matter to Alois. A crippled leg or lost arm was fine.
Being hated by Lianna—that tore at his heart.
“Uh……”
Sharen took a bite of cookie with a dazed look. Realizing the gravity from his demeanor, she pondered.
“Hmm.”
Crunch crunch.
“So.”
Crunch crunch.
“These are really good.”
“You fucking bitch! Is your brother a joke to you?! You little shit, how dare you forget your place after not seeing me for a bit—!”
“Crimson Flame Wave!”
Red Aura burst from Sharen’s palm, shoving Alois back. Not a sword, so it lacked lethal force—just a push.
Normally, he’d block or endure Sharen’s Crimson Flame Wave easily. But she’d grown in the north.
And his leg was injured.
“Gahk!”
Alois slid back, crashing into the kitchen door. Amid his boiling rage blurring his reason, Sharen’s clear, bright voice rang out.
“Helmonts don’t listen to weaklings’ begging!”
With a star cookie in her mouth, she flexed her cute little bicep.
“Don’t get cocky with a busted leg! Challenge me after you heal, rookie!”
Sharen stuffed the rest of the cookies in her mouth and left the kitchen with Kelsey.
“Milli, thanks for the treat! Make more next time.”
“Ah, yes…… miss.”
“You insolent brat—!”
Alois shot up to chase her, but his leg buckled, and he collapsed again.
“Damn it! You fucking—!”
He pounded the floor in frustration. The mage had treated him, but it was too soon to walk properly.
If.
Isaac had been here.
He would have laughed, sneering.
[I get how you feel.]