Chapter 38
Being Called a Monster
“The Imperial Palace is really nice. I get to eat food I’ve never tasted before, and even the maids treat me kindly. Most of all, since Prince Luance is here too, he doesn’t have to bother coming all the way to the count’s manor just to see me.”
Laurencia watched Brant’s expression carefully. His face was full of irritation and exhaustion.
“So, I see no reason at all to return to the count’s manor.”
“Do you even know what nonsense is coming out of your mouth right now?”
“Of course. Did I say something wrong?”
“You damned monster who doesn’t even understand human speech—”
Brant stopped himself just as his voice began to rise. If Teishar outside heard him yelling, he might come in and take Laurencia away. Instead of shouting, Brant bit his lower lip hard, suppressing his anger.
“You really are like a monster.”
“I thought you’d yell and slap me like usual. I guess it really is better being in the palace.”
Seeing Brant’s face redden with fury, Laurencia openly smirked. Even with the Empress’s decree ordering her back, if she herself said she wanted to stay, she could remain here regardless of the order.
And Laurencia had absolutely no intention of returning to the count’s manor.
While staying in the Imperial Palace, she had decided to learn to read and write, to gain knowledge, and to strengthen her body. But more than anything, if she wanted to stop Luance’s ambitions, she had to protect Adrian and Charlotte.
“You came at the perfect time, actually. I was waiting for you,” she said pleasantly.
Brant’s eyebrow twitched upward.
“I was worried you might come too late. I wanted to send you a letter, but as you know, I can’t read or write.”
“What kind of trick are you playing?”
Brant eyed her suspiciously. In the count’s manor, Laurencia would tremble and avoid his gaze, sometimes even cry when their eyes met. But now, she met his eyes calmly—with a soft, confident smile. Something about it deeply unsettled him.
Brant had come to the palace determined to drag her back. Daniel had made it clear: if he failed to retrieve Laurencia, he’d pull all his investments from Brant’s businesses. That would mean financial ruin.
“Whether now or later, the only place you belong is the count’s manor. I suggest you come back while I’m still being kind about it. If you follow me now, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and… I won’t hit you for a while.”
Laurencia let out a laugh of disbelief. She stared at him as he spoke as though offering some generous gift. Was he serious? Did he really think she’d agree to go back just because he promised food and no beatings?
“In that case, please give a message to Prince Luance for me. You can do that, can’t you?”
“What? A message?”
“Yes. Because if you don’t, the prince will be very angry later.”
“Laurencia Pol Heredian!”
In her previous life, the puppet-like version of herself might have obediently followed him back. But this time was different. She had chosen another path. No matter what they said now, she wouldn’t be swayed. This time, she would be the one to make them yield.
“Please tell the Marquis of Spencer that he cares for me very deeply.”
“I’m not delivering your nonsense.”
“Then just tell him this: if I return to the count’s manor, the Marquis will go back to the Polloyd Empire—and then everything Prince Luance planned for the upcoming hunting festival will fall apart. Once you say that, he’ll understand everything.”
“You dare—!”
Brant’s neck bulged with veins as his fury erupted.
“You’re using me as your errand boy? You filthy monster!”
“You don’t have to call me filthy. I know perfectly well that I’m a monster.”
“I should’ve buried you with your disgusting monster of a mother!”
Laurencia’s violet eyes deepened in color. Around her, black smoke began to rise.
“W–what? What’s that black smoke…?”
Brant swallowed hard.
“What kind of act are you putting on now, monster?!”
The dark smoke slithered around her body like flames. It was impossible—something beyond belief.
“After being called a monster for so long,” Laurencia said quietly, “I guess I really became one. So let me show you what kind of monster I am.”
She tilted her head slowly, a mocking smile twisting her lips. Fear filled Brant’s eyes.
As she extended her arm toward him, the black smoke moved like fire, writhing violently.
“M–monster…”
Laurencia looked at his terrified face.
“How fascinating. The man who cursed and hit me every day looks so terrified now.”
“Don’t come near me, you monster! I should’ve killed you when your mother died!”
<Disgusting monsters!>
<Not our Roa! Hit me instead!>
<Father—no, my lord—please don’t hit Mother!>
Her memories came flooding back—her mother’s screams, her own tears. The pain she had buried deep boiled over in hatred and rage.
Then, faintly, she heard her mother’s lullaby.
<We’re not monsters, my love. You’re safe. Come into Mother’s arms. I’ll sing you to sleep.>
Laurencia lowered her head. Her mother used to hold her close, singing softly. In those moments, she could endure the hellish beatings—but her mother always suffered terribly afterward.
<Anger always comes back to hurt you if you let it explode. Don’t release it blindly—learn to be wise in your anger.>
<What does it mean to be wise in anger, Mother?>
Tears rolled down Laurencia’s cheeks. The black smoke surrounding her began to fade.
<It means making sure your enemy never dares to hurt you again.>
Her mother’s words finally made sense.
“She really is a monster! A real one! Don’t look at me!”
The moment the black smoke vanished, Brant, pale as a ghost, ran for the door. For a noble, fleeing was the height of disgrace—but he couldn’t even think about that now.
He had heard Daniel call her a monster, but had never actually seen anything like this. He’d only followed orders back then—to abuse her, to humiliate her—so he could become the head of House Heredian.
But now, seeing Laurencia’s terrifying power for the first time, Brant was consumed with fear.
“To think they left that thing in my care! Goddess Ella, she’s a real monster!”
He screamed as he bolted out of the room.
As Brant fled without even greeting Adrian or Teishar, the latter dashed into the parlor at once.
“Lady Laurencia, what—”
He stopped when he saw the tree behind her. Its trunk and leaves were being devoured by lingering traces of black smoke, leaving only the pale roots untouched.
“No…”
Teishar hurried forward, kneeling before the bowed Laurencia. Seeing her tears fall in heavy drops, his chest tightened painfully with anger and grief.
“What did the Count say to you?”
He sat beside her and gently pulled her into his arms, softly patting her back.
“It’s all right. No one will ever harm you again.”
After some time, Laurencia began to calm down. She buried her face against his broad shoulder and wept quietly. His body was cool to the touch—like the freshness of washing one’s face in a forest spring.
“It’s all right, Lady Laurencia.”
Every time his careful hand brushed her back, her heart pounded loudly. He kept whispering reassurance.
“I’m sorry… for showing you this side of me.”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m sorry… for crying.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. What did Count Heredian say to you?”
“He called me a monster. Like he always does.”
Laurencia pulled back from his arms.
“He told me to return to the manor as soon as possible, but honestly, I never want to go back.”
“You don’t have to. I won’t let you.”
“It’s comforting to hear that from you, Marquis.”
“If you wish, I can help you settle in the Polloyd Empire permanently.”
Laurencia blinked, but then politely refused.
“If you ever change your mind, tell me. I want to help you.”
She knew Teishar meant well. Sometimes she wondered what might happen if she let herself trust him completely. But what if he was another man like Luance?
Once the matter with Luance was over, she planned to disappear—to live quietly with Leo, far away, tending a potato field where no one could find them.
She didn’t want anyone’s help.
Sometimes, when she saw Teishar’s red eyes, she wanted to believe in him. But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t. And so, every time he showed her kindness, guilt welled up inside her.
Because trusting someone… was terrifying.
“I mean it, Lady Laurencia,” Teishar said softly.
Laurencia’s violet eyes dimmed like twilight.
“The Count ran away as if he’d seen a ghost. Did something happen?”
“I don’t know… He called me a monster, and I got angry, but… I didn’t mean to—”
Teishar recalled Brant’s pale face as he ran out. Laurencia must have unconsciously used the power of the Goddess Ella’s child. Brant had seen it—and fled in fear.
“Did he run because… I really am a monster?”
“No, Lady Laurencia,” Teishar said firmly. “You are nothing like a monster.”
