chapter 2

Rihannan’s mother was of noble lineage from the neighboring country of Crichton. Both Arundell and Crichton were two countries that shared the same language, writing system, and the long-standing marriage alliance between nobles and royals. And as of recent, there exists a track record of Arundell and Crichton joining hands and fighting the same enemy together.

When her mother was young, she came to Arundell, the neighboring country, at the invitation of her cousin and fell in love with a young man at first sight. Only problem was his lowly status, and in addition, he already had a lover. For these reasons alone, her parents actively tried to stop the marriage, but she was adamant and fiery and stubborn. She was resilient and had a warrior’s heart.

Many men had fallen for her because of her carefree attitude, but she only had eyes on that young man — she wanted to be with that young man.

And that was it.

So her parents made a suggestion. If the young man were to end his relationship with his old lover and accept the marriage, the Arundell’s would grant him the title of Count and the Crichton’s would purchase him a huge estate and a grand mansion.

After a long back and forth struggle, the young man accepted the offer. It was the only way and the only path. It was difficult for a low-class aristocrat to refuse the title of “Count” and the huge fortune he’d get, much less rise to fame and reputation through his own means. It was like a dream, a mirage, an illusion. He would receive it if he were to accept the marriage.

But even then, even then… there was no love in their marriage. It was a one-sided love. The man never loved his wife. His heart had already been occupied and his wife gradually lost her hope and vigour.

And so when she died of a broken heart, he quickly, without restraint, brought in his illegitimate child that he’d been hiding to his mansion.

And her name?

Leticia Alessin.

Her mother, a commoner, continued her secret love affair even after knowing he was married to another woman. When she died during childbirth, the man grew compassionate towards her, and was ridden with guilt, guilt that he was not able to raise his own child.

But now that his wife was now dead and buried six-feet-under, he was no longer chained from his cage.

“Hello, Leticia, this is your sister, Rihannan.”

Young Leticia was distracted by the sight of the grand and splendid mansion, a view she had never seen before. With lovely rosy hair and red eyes, Leticia greeted Rihannan with a bright smile.

“Hello, sister. It’s nice to meet you. My name is Leticia.”

All this happened the day after the funeral of Rihannan’s mother. Her face immediately turned white as Leticia greeted her newfound half-sister.

“Rihannan, what are you doing? You should say hello.”

At her father’s quiet urging, Rihannan clenched her small fist. She was usually a quiet, well-behaved child. She’d never once disobeyed her parents, and she’d always choose to follow the opinions of others rather than remain stubborn and adamant like her mother…

But…

But the current and sudden situation seemed so strange to Rihannan. Why was she suddenly entering Rihannan’s house and where had her mother lived all this time? And if that was true, then her father had been seeing other women while he was with Rihannan’s mother.

And here he was standing before her not making any excuses.

Leticia bowed her head as Rihannan failed to give a warm greeting.

“You don’t seem to like me… or that I don’t belong here…”

“No, that’s not true… Leticia, no…”

The father’s countenance softened seeing the child’s tearful face. His face was full of love and gentleness, and the look on her father’s face which Rihannan had never seen before broke her heart to pieces.

He gave Rihannan a good scolding.

“Rihannan, are you belittling Leticia because of her lowly status? It seems that you’re just as arrogant as your mother! Good. If you can’t accept her, then so be it…!”

Rihannan wanted to protest and say that it wasn’t true, but… before she could, he warmly embraced Leticia in his arms.

That, too, was the love Rihannan never had.

Her father led Leticia to his room with her chin resting on his large, broad shoulders. She stared blankly at Rihannan, and slowly a smile crept on Leticia’s face. It was the sort of clever smile that said to rethink her position in the mansion.