SPMB - Chapter 22

 

Suddenly, memories from childhood come to Kanna's mind.

Was it when she was ten years old? After experimenting a few times as described in the alchemy book, she was surprised when she produced the correct result.

"Wow. I did it!"

It was a drug that could revive withered flowers at once.

It was amazing. She wanted to brag. She thought that if others knew about this, they might be pleased.

So with a throbbing heart, she ran to her father with teh result. What did father say when he saw it?

"Get it out of my sight."

"And don't show it to others. If you talk recklessly, I will close the lab."

He warned her and left. That was all.

'Okay. Not only did he ignored my talent, but he also tried to hide it. If father want my happiness, he wouldn't have done that.'

Yes, it was a talent. Alchemy was a study that could not be done without an innate ability to extract magic from a magic stone. But Alessandro ignored it. No, he tried to crush her. To a dark place where no one else can see.

'I don't want it anymore.'

But Kanna didn't want to live like that any longer. She want to live like she did when she lived as Lee Joo-hwa.

A socially successful life where she can achieve all kinds of achievements and live with many people. Kanna realized how rich such a life is. That's why she could never go back.

'Maybe I'll go back as Joo-hwa again. That's why I can't leave this life in the gutter.'

Returning Joo-hwa life is the best case scenario.

'Because I'm here right now.'

So, she have to raise this life up. Kanna have to lead it in the direction she want to go. Kanna clearly reflected on what she wanted.

'To move out after a divorce, and doing a doctor's job. To set up my own hospital.'

Opening a hospital in her name. It was also the goal she have when she lived as Joo-hwa in Korea. Although the place and shell have changed, the substance is the same. No matter what anyone said, she wanted to open a hospital in her name.

But right now, she can't do anything. Until her father gave her permission for a divorce, she could only be the 'Duchess Valentino. A Duchess who it not treated properly. The Duchess who treated as filth even by the maids.

'I want to get rid of such a Duchess right now.'

But will she just live waiting for the divorce? Like now? As a Duchess who is looked down upon by everyone?

'Damn it. I'm not going to live like that!'

Kanna lifted up the invitation card that had been smashed to the floor. The birthday banquet for the 2nd Princess, Liliennee Isabelle. Perhaps all the nobles of high power will gather here.

"Am I not going to participate?"

Kanna laughed when the words came to mind.

In any case, Kanna is a noble. She is an aristocratic woman, and when she is ignored in social circles, she lives a seedy life. That's Kanna's life so far. 

"I don't live like that."

Those damn things.

"I will never, ever live like that."

At this point, the heart distorted by anger calmed down and cold reason returned. She can't get divorce or leave the house right now. She can't even open a hospital' She didn't want to give it all up either.

'There is only one conclusion.'

She will overcome this beggarly environment without turning away. To do that...

Kanna turned her face slightly. The woman in the mirror on the wall caught her eye. Booty, and sullen. Long untidy hair, especially the shaggy bangs, looked messy. It is an ugly appearance for anyone to see. 

This is a country, the appearance is very important than Korea. If she go around like this, everyone will stare at her with contemp. In order to live properly, she had to stop walking around like a ghost.

'First of all, I'll have to cut my bangs first.'

Thanks to the bangs which grew to cover her dark eyes, all she could she was her jawline and lips.

'It's better to show off than hide something you can't change.'

She walked close to the mirror and puller her bangs up. Staring into her own face, she burst into laughter.

'I'm a little excited.'

Everyone knows that she is very ugly woman. It's to the point where Osrini openly call her ugly. It's not unreasonable since she always hangs her head down like a ghost and whimpers. Perhaps because she had a goal, her energy began to return little by little.

First of all, until the day before the party, she unconditionally take care of her beauty. Recently, oriental medicine has been widely used for cosmetic purposes as well, and Kanna was an expert in it.

'Now that it's like this, I should make a perfume. With an amazing scent that people can never smell here.'

After transforming like that, let's participate in the 2nd Princess Lilienne's birthday banquet, And meeting her.

'Let's make an alliance.'

A Princess who wants to marry Sylvienn, and Kanna who wants a divorce from Sylvienne. Their interest are perfectly aligned. Then, of course, shouldn't they hold hands?

Faced with her father's opposition, she desperately needed someone to help her.

'Yes. I should go and talk to the Princess.'

It was then,

"May I come in?"

Along with the knocking sound, she heard Kalen's voice. Kanna, who couldn't even hear his footsteps, was startled. She hurriedly let her bangs down before she answered.

"Come in."

For some reason, Kalen seemed a little hesitant. But soon the door opened and Kalen entered.

"I heard that father did not allow a divorce."

Did Kalen come here to protest against her staying? Kanna added quickly before he got angry.

"If you want to let me go, tell father. Because father told me to stay here."

His expression hardened. Is he still angry?

"I have no intention to staying here. I'm going to get father's permission somehow. Until then, just think of me as a nobody."

At those words, Kalen's lips hardened. He seemed quite annoyed that she was here, but there was no way. After a while, Kalen sighed as he dried his face.

"Then are you going to stay here forever? Move the lab upstairs. Don't stay in the basement like this."

"...?"

What are Kalen talking about? Kanna couldn't fathom Kalen's intentions. After staring at Kalen for a while, an old memory suddenly came to mind.

"Coma to think of it, it reminds me of the old days."

"Yes?"

"You locked me here before."

Kalen's complexion darkened. Kanna smiled and recalled the memories of that time.

"I ran into you four days in a row. Maybe that's why, I told you not to come up because you didn't want to look at me. You don't know how embarrassed when I locked in the lab."

Was it around thirteen or fourteen?

Young Kanna was locked up in the lab for days. She cried and cried for her to be taken out, but her scream did not reach anyone on the surface.

"Help me!"

"The lab door is locked, help me1"

"Please... Help me..."

But no one came to the rescue. Nobody.

She thought that no one in her family would come looking for her, and that she would be forgotten forever and locked up in the lab, starving to death. It was a plausible hypothesis.

Fortunately, after three days, Kanna was found in the hands of a servant who was visiting the basement storage. Even her tears dried up and her face was twisted.

"You remember, Kalen?"

Kanna smiled. 

At that time, the boy who had locked her in the basement now came and allowed the surface. She couldn't even guess what the ulterior motive was.

Kalen lowered her gaze. The green eyes that were lowered down were stained with shame and guilt, but Kanna didn't recognize it. Even if she had seen it, she wouldn't have believed it. After a while, he opened his tight lips.

"...Then."

Is he trying to make excuses? Or is he trying to swear at her for what it is? Kanna don't want to hear either way.

"I'm not here to blame you. It's not worth it."

Kanna shrugged and cut Kalen's words.

"I just wanted to tell you not to come down to this basement unless you have something important to do. Isn't it better to get along without running into each other?"

"Sister."

"Sister?"

Ha, the field spat out a laugh and raised her head.

Sister? Who are you?

"Isn't that over? Just call me by name."

The meaning of the words was clear. Kalen don't deserve to call her sister. She won't allow it.

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