DYBAR - Chapter 17 What Was Best For The Family Was Ruined

DYBAR - Chapter 17 What Was Best For The Family Was Ruined

Do Your Best And Regret

Ethella found out? How? No, to what extent? 

My mind went blank. I thought that someday Ethella would find out. Still, I thought I would be somewhat prepared. She did this so I suddenly became defenseless. 

"Ethella. Tell me something."

Not knowing what to say, I desperately called Ethella. The pain felt as if the inside of my dry, dry throat was being scratched. Ethella, who always smiled with her affection, glared at me. She had cried so much that her eyes were red and watery.

“Ethella.”

"Don't touch me! You're dirty!"

There was a sharp scream and a strong friction sound. I looked down at the back of my hand blankly. The back of my hand quickly turned red. But the reason my hands were shaking slowly wasn't because I was in pain. Ethella's contemptuous words struck me to the core. My legs became weak, and I unconsciously took a couple of steps backward. I sucked in my breath sharply, as if I was startled. 

I pursed my lips. I said it was okay and I wanted to smile, but it wasn't easy because my mouth was shaking.

"Doesn't your hand hurt?"

"Don't act worried. How could you do that!"

Resentment pierced me in the bright blue scream. She should say no. She couldn't do it. Ethella didn't even know she was taken away because of me. Her sweet and kind mother.

"It was because of my sister, My mother suddenly disappeared. It was all because of sister!"

Ethella's face was soaked as she screamed.

Her tears dripped down her jawline. I pursed my lips and bit hard into the flesh inside my mouth. I couldn't cry, at least not in front of Ethella. Unable to comfort her or hold her hand, I hung my head like a criminal. I strained my eyes to see if tears would fall, but it seemed as if my bottom would continue to smear.

"Get out! You're not even my sister! I don't like it! Get out! I don't even want to see you!"

In the end, Ethella cried bitterly. Ethella's cries, lying on her bed, pressed heavily on my shoulders. My outstretched hand fell helplessly toward Ethella. 

I picked up my pace so I  didn't fall. My legs seemed to have lost their strength and I stumbled that short distance. As soon as the door opened, the maids standing outside pushed me in.

"Miss!"

"Everyone get out! All!"

The maids froze at Ethella's scream-like words. It was the first time they saw Ethella, who was like sunshine. This is all because of the first Princess. The maids who left her room, as if they were chasing her out, glared at me. What is the point of walking upright until something like this happens?

It's all because of that woman.

I didn't notice the maids who were so excited. My upright shoulders were trembling, and my steps were somewhat unsteady. Even the red rims of my eyes that helplessly hold back tears. 

***

 I don't know how I got to the room. After closing the door, I collapsed into the seat. I was clearly happy until just now. I get flowers, necklaces, compliments. I received a gift from Ethella. I should have known that unfamiliar happiness was a harbinger of unhappiness. I had already been through it once and I  was just dumbfounded to be happy. 

Jade and Ethelde, who had been calling me Princess, broke like I  was a splinter and stabbed me. I  curled my body into a ball as a searing pain rushed over my open wounds. My oppressively hot breath stifled me. I knew they would come back someday.

 Jade and Ethella.

I thought the day would come when Conrad, who had never joined me, and even my father would be together. It was painful that even Ethella came to hate me. 

As I was having trouble breathing, I touched my neck and felt something hard. What I traced with my fingers was the pink diamond necklace I  had received as a gift from the Grand Duke. What I had agreed to do with Ethella.

 I let out my breath. I  swallowed my own tears and closed my tear-filled eyes. I couldn't just sit there and pretend it was all over when I hadn't even told Ethella properly yet. 

I stood up from my seat, putting my broken heart back together. My legs were shaking, but I didn't care. I had to go and talk to Ethella again. That's not me. Maybe if Ethella listens. A faint hope arose. But when I came out into the hallway, I somehow felt strange about the mood. The maid's seemed busy and in a hurry. All these directions were to Ethella's room.

"Where is the doctor?"

"I heard the little lady fainted?"

"She cried like that. She has a weak body."

Someone said in a sad voice. A sudden fear enveloped me. Ethella fainted. I walked to Ethella's room, my legs giving out and pressing against the wall. In the distance, beyond the maids standing in front of the room, I could see the Duke. 

His hair, which was always slicked back, was a little disheveled as if he had been running in a hurry. The Duke spotted me and frowned at me. 

While I was shivering slightly from the chill, the Duke approached me in stride.

"Father,"

"You really don't know how to do anything right."

The suppressed anger weighed down me. He glared at me as if his sparkling eyes were burning. She quietly retreated as the busy people coming and going became quiet, but even that didn't bother him.

"You can't even keep the command to keep Ethella from knowing?" 

Sharp words that come out through clenched teeth. Amethyst-colored eyes staring with cold determination. As soon as he realized that it was the same day when his wife died and Ethella was sick, the Duke spoke softly.

"Did you eventually spread that disgusting misfortune to Ethella?" 

thud.

 A loud sound rang out. It seemed like somewhere along the axis supporting me had collapsed. I hastily clenched my fists.

"I wasn't bringing you here."

The Duke covered his eyes with his hands and let out a deep sigh. The Grand Duke, not even caring that those sincere words would break me down again and again, said as he passed by me.

"If only I could, I want to erase you from my life."

My heart was pounding like it was going to explode. I heard a ringing sound in my ears and reality became strangely distant. This must be a dream. The fact that Ethella fainted and what my father told me were all lies. Still, we are family. Because hating for a little while will end up lasting a long time.

Beyond my blank vision, I saw Conradbrunning in a hurry. I  stretched out my hand towards Conrad as if hoping for his salvation. Conrad's face contorted before my anticipation rose as I  noticed a hint of worry on his usually expressionless face.

"Is it you again?"

"..."

"Now that you're not enough for taking Mother, are you trying to get Ethella too?"

Maybe he takes after his father like that. I blinked my eyes. If it's a nightmare, I hope she wakes up. Conrad's harsh criticism continued to destroy my insides.

"I told you to write down if you don't know. Please memorize it and don't Come near Ethella."

After giving a chilling warning, Conrad entered Ethella's room. I found that even my second axis had collapsed. When the expectations that had been so sloppily held together even though they were cracked were horribly ruined.

"Olivia!"

Jade's voice, as excited as fire, shouted. Jade jumped up from the bottom stairs and violently grabbed my shoulder. I swayed to Jade's gestures like a paper doll.

"I told you. Don't let Ethella find out! How can you not keep one of those things?"

Jade's voice broke out as he growled like an animal. The impatient anger was directed only at me. I met Jade's eyes blankly as I swayed. At that moment, I  realized. The day I had longed for so much. A day when my family smiles at me. That it will never come. That my best is so insignificant. 

My breath caught. I blinked my eyes slowly. Not noticing that Jade's hand was losing strength, I cast my gaze behind Jade.

"You. After seeing Ethella, I will come back and we will talk again."

Jade, who had been speaking in a low threatening manner, hurriedly went to Ethella's room. I unconsciously groped around my neck. I ripped the necklace, but the strong clasp wouldn't loosen. Wanting to catch my breath, I walked blindly. In my blurry vision, I caught a glimpse of the employees looking at me with pity, a frozen Sally holding a flower, and a doctor running in hastily. And the last one was a portrait hanging on the first floor. 

"Haha."

A hollow laugh burst out. As if the tears had dried, I could see the portrait clearly. My younger self, alone and awkwardly nervous, is in the portrait of Madeleine's family. 

Poor, foolish Olivia. It was clearly visible that it didn't suit me. Why didn't I know until now?

I laughed vainly.

Unlike the crowded stairs, there was no one on the first floor. I opened the door and left the mansion. 

A pitch-black night spread over the garden. Where should I go?

My mind moved slowly. A nearby hotel would have been nice. Anywhere seemed better than this mansion. 

The knights standing at her gate looked at me with curious eyes, as if they had sensed my presence. I remained silent and as soon as I  started walking, one of her knights opened the door.

When the high gate opened I took a step outside the mansion. I looked up at the sky and caught my breath. It was a moment when the strings that were constricting my chest seemed to have been loosened and my slender breathing was difficult.

"Miss?"

A rush of emotions rushed through me as I heard the voice calling languidly. When I turned my head, I saw the Grand Duke there. With his back to the large carriage, the Grand Duke waved his hand.

While the jewel pin in his hand sparkled in the moonlight, the Grand Duke spoke cheerfully.

"I came to meet you because of this jewel pin."

The Grand Duke's words stopped. The portrait definitely looked good. Strangely, the Grand Duke's face could not be seen clearly.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Good evening. Your Highness the Grand Duke."

The calm voice broke here and there. I coughed a little every time I spoke in a hushed voice. My throat tingled. The Grand Duke rushed over at once and stood in front of me.

"What happened? It seems like something happened."

I spoke intermittently and then laughed a little. I found the Grand Duke's worry and her young face funny, I don't know why that guy always looks at me like that. 

Why does he make a sad expression all by himself? A face that not even my family can show. 

This was an impulse. An impulse that suddenly arises just by looking at the Grand Duke. I raised the corner of my mouth with a grin.

"How nice can you be to me?"

"...... You can probably count on one finger that there are things I can't do for you."

"Then please help me."

Because I have nowhere to go. I swallowed my words into my mouth and laughed. The Grand Duke, facing the green eyes with dried tears in the red eyes that looked like they were about to burst, clenched my fist tightly without me noticing.

 ***

This is the Grand Duke's residence. Gorgeous and elegant room.

I looked around the room with blank eyes. There are widespread rumors that there is a gloomy lair inside the gate of the palace-like mansion. 

The place I entered was a well-decorated mansion that rivaled any other mansion.

"Get some rest. I want this place to be a place where you can feel comfortable."

I thought about the Grand Duke's words and laughed lightly. The Grand Duke was quick to notice. He omitted the words,

"Think of it as your home and live comfortably", 

the courtier said.

Maybe I felt a little caught. Why did I leave the mansion at this hour? 

A heavy sigh escaped my lips. My shoulders and the backs of my hands throbbed as I relaxed. I tried to ignore the red, swollen back of my hand. Instead, I drew up various plans in my mind, which were much clearer than before. 

A knocking sound was heard from outside. I answered and one of the maids came in. She had a similar image to Sally, except that her hair was a light straw color. 

"Nice to meet you, Lady. My name is Hannah, the Grand Duke's maid. I came to ask if you had any inconveniences or needed anything"

The very nervous face was young. Hannah's face lit up as I laughed.

"Very comfortable and nice. Thank you."

It was true. I didn't bring a dress, but my closet was filled with dresses, slips for pajamas, shoes for going out, and even jewelry. The Grand Duke had everything ready. And those that fit exactly my size.

"Speak comfortably. You are an honored guest of the Grand Duke's residence. If you need anything, please pull this string at any time. I'll be ready for anything right away." 

"Anything?"

"Yes! His Highness told me to do whatever the Young Lady wants!"

Hannah's face was a little excited. I made a small request to that face. Hannah blinked her eyes after hearing her request.

"...... Are you really leaving tomorrow morning? And that too with a carriage without any emblems? Are you okay with that?" 

"It's full and overflowing."

I grinned. And when Hannah left, I curled up around her in my unlit room. No matter how much I curled up, I felt a broken stomach. It was a night when I couldn't fall asleep.

 I gritted my teeth at the faces that appeared every time I closed my eyes. Let's not cry. But when the pitch-black darkness is pushed aside and it is darkest before the sunlight comes on, without anyone noticing, my eyes become slightly wet.

 *** 

A dim morning came through the floor-to-ceiling glass. The Grand Duke stared out the window. A carriage was crossing the garden and leaving the gate.

"The Young Lady is headed to the imperial palace."

Howard reported politely. The Grand Duke looked outside until the carriage was out of sight. When the carriage disappeared, the Grand Duke looked down at the note he was holding in his hand. 

Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I am still the fiancée of His Highness the Crown Prince and have decided to live in the Crown Prince's palace for the time being. We will invite you as soon as possible. 

To the person who is always kind. 

Olivia Madeleine.

"Anyway. You're a smart girl. Be it before or now." 

A sigh was mixed at the end of the seductive muttering. The Grand Duke scanned his desk with longing eyes. There was a pile of beautifully colored letters. The sender, written in elegant handwriting, was Liv Green.

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