A few days later, Adeline and I were comfortably settled at a modest inn in a neighboring country.
I had informed my superiors about my leave and shared the details with Freddie, so I could learn about the inevitable chaos at the Count’s household through letters instead of experiencing it firsthand.
Yes, Adeline and I had run away.
Since childhood, I had been neglected and exploited by our parents, while Adeline, with her extraordinary beauty, was praised and cherished.
At first, I was angry—“Why me? Why her?”—but I eventually realized that Adeline struggled with her own burdens.
Her striking features, so unlike those of our parents, had haunted her. Unable to confront our mother or even confide in our father, she had been suffocating under the weight of her suspicions.
It was during this time that we confided in each other.
Determined to help my only ally in the household, I immersed myself in books, searching for answers. Meanwhile, Adeline tried to soften our mother’s harsh treatment of me. Thanks to her, I avoided punishments like withheld meals or physical discipline.
But despite my efforts, my research brought no solutions—only growing suspicions.
* * *
One day, our mother had declared, “Our family will be continued through Adeline, who will marry and take over.”
At the time, I agreed outwardly, but when I mentioned it to Adeline, her reaction was one of panic.
“What if… what if I’m not Father’s child?! If I’m not of legitimate blood, I can’t inherit! Sister, you should take it instead—what should I do?!”
Our father’s title, passed down through his family line, would indeed fall to me if lineage was a priority. But our mother gave no thought to this, and our father remained entirely uninvolved. Any semblance of familial affection had long since disappeared.
“Well, that’s troubling. I don’t want it, and neither do you,” I said, feigning exasperation. Resting my cheek on my hand, I tilted my head slightly. Adeline, her face filled with despair moments ago, now stared at me in astonishment.
“We don’t know for sure yet, so let’s keep investigating. If we reach a dead end, then… let’s leave together.”
“L-leave?”
“Run away,” I said plainly.
“Run away?!”
Her voice was too loud, so I gently placed a finger on her lips to quiet her. She immediately looked apologetic.
“Listen carefully. Even if you’re not Father’s child, you’re still my sister, and I’ll always love you. That will never change.”
“Do you understand?” I repeated, and she nodded, her cheeks flushed, her large eyes shimmering with emotion.
“I feel no affection for our parents. I see them more as strangers than family. After all they’ve done, even if they told me to inherit the title, I wouldn’t accept. Let’s work hard together, and if it’s impossible to stay, we’ll leave when we come of age.”
“Sister…”
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