Chapter 21
“Hoho. Of course. Now that you’ve finished your meal… Marquis Spencer, please step out of the room for a moment.”
Susanna asked Teyshar to leave the room so she could bathe Laurencia.
“Do I really have to leave? This is my room.”
“Yes. While you’re out, you can also visit His Highness Adrian’s office.”
At the command to leave, Teyshar pouted. Just the thought of being separated from the young tree made his heart ache.
“Do I really have to go out? Susanna?”
He hated the idea of leaving her.
“Yes.” Susanna let out a small sigh. Then she approached Teyshar and whispered softly:
“Miss, your hair is covered in blood. I must wash it for you.”
“Then, when should I come back?”
“In about two hours.”
“That’s too long. I’ll give you thirty minutes.”
“Marquis Spencer, thirty minutes is not enough.”
“Then I’ll give you an hour.”
“An hour is still too short.”
“I suppose there’s no choice. Then, Susanna, I’ll leave it to you.”
Teyshar approached Laurencia.
“Miss Laurencia, I will return shortly.”
“Yes, Marquis Spencer.”
Once Teyshar was successfully sent out, Susanna took Laurencia to the bathroom.
“Miss, I’ll wash your body for you.”
“Me? No, it’s okay. I can bathe by myself.”
Watching Laurencia repeatedly insist she was fine while bowing her head made Susanna feel a pang of sympathy.
Seeing Laurencia clutching the front of her gown anxiously, Susanna thought it was the girl’s modesty. Playfully, she coaxed the girl and skillfully removed the gown like a sly trick.
Once the gown was off, Laurencia sank to the floor. She tried to cover herself with her thin arms and hands, but it wasn’t enough.
Though she had only heard rumors, they were merely the tip of the iceberg. Laurencia’s body was in far worse condition than expected.
Susanna felt anger at the Heredian household for starving and abusing Laurencia to such an extent.
Carefully inspecting Laurencia’s frail body, Susanna gently placed her in the bathtub.
“Is the water temperature okay?”
“Yes…”
“But will you not remove the amethyst necklace around your neck?”
“No. I don’t want to take it off.”
“Understood.”
Susanna enveloped Laurencia warmly and began washing her with tender, massaging motions.
“Does it hurt anywhere?”
“No.”
After finishing the wash, Susanna carefully dried Laurencia. The girl, having never received such meticulous care before, felt both embarrassed and flustered.
“You will need to get used to being treated like this from now on,” Susanna said, brushing Laurencia’s red hair. The vivid crimson strands shone beautifully, but the damage to the hair made Susanna sad.
“Would you like to wait here for a moment? I’ll bring your dress.”
Laurencia’s body was even thinner than expected, so Susanna had to return with a dress smaller than the one she had originally brought.
When Susanna returned, she carried a pale pink dress. Laurencia blinked her eyes in surprise. Susanna dressed her in the gown. Though parts were loose, she skillfully tightened the dress and added fabric as needed.
“Now, look in the mirror. Do you like it? You look very cute.”
Seeing her reflection in the mirror, Laurencia’s cheeks flushed red.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s good to say thank you to your subordinates, but you should refrain from overdoing it, Miss Laurencia.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, miss.”
“But I’m an illegitimate child, worse than a dog or a pig.”
Seeing Laurencia openly call herself illegitimate, Susanna could easily imagine how the Heredian household treated her, even the servants.
“No, Miss Laurencia, you are the daughter of a noble family.”
“But…”
“From now on, instead of saying ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘thank you,’ say ‘I did my best.’ That’s the praise subordinates like to hear most.”
“I’ll try.”
Blushing, Laurencia nodded.
“I’ll trim your hair a little.”
“Yes.”
“You’re truly adorable, Miss Laurencia.”
After finishing, Laurencia stared at herself in the mirror, so unfamiliar that she lowered her gaze. Susanna’s continued compliments didn’t register in her ears. Laurencia gripped the amethyst necklace with unease. She felt frustrated and anxious.
She was changing the future. She had crushed countless lives for the man she loved. Now, she could save those lives. Even if the necklace no longer showed the future, she had to steel herself. She had already made the decision.
She had sworn to become the monster they mocked and pointed at.
Laurencia pressed her dry lips together, staring at her reflection. From now on, it really begins.
She would twist your future, Luance, as meticulously as she twisted her own.
“I’ll twist it.” She would no longer live being scorned as a villainess.
“Are you all right, Miss Laurencia?”
“Yes. It’s my first time being escorted.”
Laurencia, having never received a proper escort, shrank slightly in embarrassment. Teyshar, however, smiled gently and extended his hand.
After hesitating, Laurencia carefully placed her hand on his. Teyshar’s face lit up with a bright smile.
“Well done, Miss Laurencia.”
“What did I do well?”
“You placed your hand elegantly on mine.”
Though it seemed trivial, his praise made Laurencia extremely shy. Her face, ears, and neck flushed red. It was her first time feeling so embarrassed by such a small compliment.
“Miss Laurencia, your face is red. If you’re overexerting yourself, please tell me.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You don’t need to strain yourself to see Princess Charlotte. You can see her later.”
Suddenly, Teyshar lowered himself to her level, placing his face close and asking. Laurencia shook her red face back and forth.
“I’m fine.”
“You seem a little warm. Even a little discomfort, tell me at once.”
Laurencia looked up at the unrealistically handsome Teyshar.
“I’ll match my pace to yours, Miss.”
“Thank you, Marquis Spencer.”
“And…”
Teyshar’s voice was low and gentle. Listening to him eased her tension slightly.
“Thank you for your care, Marquis Spencer.”
“I will continue to look after you, Miss Laurencia.”
Teyshar had recognized her as the child of the goddess Ella at first sight and approached her. Laurencia wondered if it was still the reason for his kindness. Perhaps he was gentle because he knew she had power as the child of Ella. Yet she couldn’t understand why she felt so warm and protected under his gaze.
“You don’t need to be nervous. I will stay by your side.”
“Thank you.”
Teyshar smiled calmly and looked at the trees behind Laurencia. New branches sprouted from broken limbs, buds emerging. The thought of letting this young tree grow unharmed beside her filled him with a sense of accomplishment. Protecting it wasn’t a duty but instinct.
“Marquis Spencer, really, I don’t have to return to the Heredian household?”
“As I said before, I have no intention of sending you back, Miss Laurencia.”
Laurencia tilted her head curiously. Teyshar only smiled. In his mind, he wanted to take Laurencia to the Polaroid Empire just like this.
Walking down the long corridor together, they chatted until they reached Adrian’s private office and reception room.
“Hello. I’m Laurencia of the Heredian household. I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and the princess of the Polaroid Empire.”
Laurencia greeted as Susanna had instructed, though she was nervous and unsure if she had done it correctly. Observing others’ expressions, she felt relieved that she had made no mistakes.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Laurencia.”
Seeing Charlotte approach so warmly, Laurencia flinched. In the future she had seen, Charlotte had been someone she had killed alongside Adrian. At that time, Charlotte had interfered with Luance, naturally leading to her death.
Not just Charlotte—Adrian, Lancelon, and others had also died by her hand. Luance had been pleased. Laurencia had been happy to fulfill the wishes of the man she loved.
“Miss Laurencia, you don’t look well,” Charlotte said.
Hearing this, Teyshar quickly approached Laurencia, placing his hands on her cheeks and examining her face.
“This won’t do, Princess. I’ll take Miss Laurencia back to her room.”
“I’m fine, Marquis Spencer. Could you remove your hands from my face?”
“I’ll remove them shortly after checking your condition.”
“Am I really that unwell?”
“You’re not well. You need to eat more and sleep more. Are you cold? If so, I’ll give you my cloak.”
Charlotte and Adrian were slightly surprised at how much he spoke. It was unlike him, as he normally neither spoke nor listened much.
“Miss Laurencia, please sit here.”
At this moment, Teyshar’s presence was not intimidating, but filled with gentleness toward her.
