Chapter 50: Empathy

 

“Because you are meant to be the head of this family.”

 

At her mother’s single remark, Rihanna couldn’t hold back any longer and opened her eyes.

 

Her fist clenched so tightly it trembled.

 

When Galenia took a step back to give her some space, Rihanna rose from the bed and fixed her with an accusatory glare, letting out a sigh as she did.

 

“Enough, Mother.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Stop pushing me and Lohengrin together.”

 

“…….”

 

Galenia’s expression suddenly changed. The subtle smile forming on her stiff lips was strangely threatening.

 

“That’s my role.”

 

“Mother.”

 

“To keep Helmut as Helmut. As the lady of this house, it’s my duty—why are you trying to stand in my way?”

 

“…….”

 

She knew all along that reasoning with her mother was impossible. But now, Rihanna’s situation has changed.

 

“You heard that Isaac is leaving, right?”

 

“…….”

 

“You can’t use Isaac to manipulate me anymore.”

 

It felt like her heart was tearing apart. The fact that she had to say these words herself made her feel so sick she wanted to vomit. Even so, Rihanna knew she had to make it clear.

 

“Please, just stop.”

 

“How fortunate. I can’t believe a talentless commoner was ever allowed to be the live-in son-in-law of the Helmut family.”

 

“Mother!”

 

Though Rihanna shouted, Galenia responded with a bright smile and continued with what she wanted to say.

 

“What you showed me today was very impressive. Indeed, you’re far more suited to be the head of the family than Lohengrin—!”

 

“Mother, please!”

 

“Get a grip, Rihanna!”

 

Galenia seized Rihanna by both shoulders and shook her roughly. Because Rihanna looked even smaller than usual, she was easily rattled by her mother’s force.

 

“You are Helmut. The eldest daughter of Helmut, no one else! People who stand at that glorious and grand position must bear its responsibilities!”

 

“What on earth… is so grand about this mansion?”

 

Slap!

 

Rihanna’s cheek was struck. No matter that she was her daughter—there were some words a mother simply wouldn’t allow, and this reaction comes from that obsessive sense of propriety.

 

“As the eldest daughter of Helmut, show some dignity. Don’t get any strange ideas.”

 

“…….”

 

Slowly approaching, Galenia pulled Rihanna into a gentle embrace. Held tight in her mother’s arms, she couldn’t even manage a reaction.

 

“Rihanna, you take after me.”

 

In a low voice, Galenia whispered softly into Rihanna’s ear, her tone somehow tender.

 

“The way you cling to love. Even though you know it’s leading you to ruin, you still can’t let go.”

 

“…….”

 

“Do you really think anything will change once you divorce that lowly commoner? Do you think your weakness will vanish just like that?”

 

“I—”

 

“Rihanna.”

 

Her body trembled. All the tension that had stiffened her frame began to ebb away.

 

“You still look at me with eyes brimming with love—so tell me, what has changed?”

 

“……!”

 

“Become the family head. That’s the only way you can truly protect him.”

 

Galenia placed a soft kiss on her daughter’s cheek. Despite the harshness of her words, the voice and expression she wore convey something else entirely—

 

It was affection. A parent’s love.

 

And because of that—

 

After Galenia left the room, Rihanna buried her face in her hands and let out a pained breath.

 

If only—

 

She wished there was some other motive behind all this. She wished these actions carried malice. If that were the case, she might have found the courage to cut ties.

 

Back when she was very young— When she didn’t care about the family or anything like that— When she was simply growing up without a care in the world—.

 

[Oh my, our Rihanna. You’re so pretty!]

 

Those beautiful memories.

 

[Huh? You brought that for me? Oh my, you’re such a sweetheart.]

 

Those warm recollections.

 

[Isn’t this vase lovely? I saw it and it reminded me of you, so I bought it.]

 

That tender embrace filled with love.

 

“Why…!”

 

Why was it exactly the same as back then? She stroked her head, drew her near, pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. Everything that just happened was the same gentle warmth she felt in childhood. Her mother hasn’t changed in the slightest.

 

Knowing this, Rihanna finds herself incapable of letting go of anything.

 

“Huh…”

 

The vase that Rihanna’s mother once gave her was still in her room.

 

While she was away, it must not have been cared for properly—

 

Because inside that vase, a single rose was slowly withering away.

 

* * *

 

“Cookie~Cookie~”

 

Sitting in a chair, Sharen swings her legs back and forth. Humming lightly as she taps both hands on the table, she looks carefree.

 

“Here you go.”

 

When Milli the cook sets down freshly baked star-shaped cookies, still warm, on the table, Sharen beams.

 

“Haah! This is it! I went through so much trouble looking for these when they were right here all along!”

 

With Kelsey’s special orange whiskey (juice) by her side, Sharen is fully prepared to celebrate. She’s rewarding herself for all her hard work at the Malidan Barrier.

 

“I never knew my cookies would be such a hit with you, Miss.”

 

“I was searching everywhere for these. I never knew where Isaac was getting them from.”

 

Crunch, crunch.

 

Sharen munches on the cookies with both cheeks full, wearing a huge smile. Seeing her so happy, the cook and the maid also smile in unison.

 

Just moments ago, an uproar big enough to bring down the Helmut estate wouldn’t have been surprising. But watching this bright, cheerful girl, their tense hearts feel a bit lighter.

 

While Sharen enjoys her cookies, her personal maid, Kelsey, chats briefly with Milli.

 

“It’s a relief that the inside of the mansion is still intact, despite all the commotion.”

 

“Perhaps they were mindful of the Sword Festival situation? We have guests inside the mansion, after all.”

 

Despite the magnitude of the disturbance, the interior of the mansion remained relatively unscathed. Holding the tray tightly, Milli cautiously asks Kelsey:

 

“You visited the Malidan Barrier, didn’t you?”

 

“Yes, it was terribly cold there.”

 

“...How was Isaac?”

 

Though Milli tries to sound casual, her voice is noticeably tense. Kelsey doesn’t find it strange—Milli is one of the few staff members close to Isaac, especially since she bakes him special cookies.

 

“He was injured, and he went through a lot, but he’s safe now.”

 

“He was hurt?”

 

“He was on the front lines. He’s running late because he’s receiving healing from a mage, so please don’t worry.”

 

“Haah…”

 

Only then does Milli exhale a sigh of relief. A faint smile plays on her lips, revealing her relief.

 

“When he returns, I’ll have to make him something nourishing.”

 

“The north doesn’t have many food options. I’m sure he’ll love that.”

 

With menus in the north all more or less the same, Milli starts thinking about what dishes she can serve Isaac once he’s back in Helmut.

 

At least until he leaves—after the divorce—she wants to prepare the best meals Helmut can offer.

 

After all, he’d said he’d miss them once he left for the north.

 

“Kelsey! Come over and try this! It’s seriously delicious!”

 

Called over by Sharen, Kelsey approaches with a smile. In the past, Sharen would never have dreamed of offering anyone her snacks.

 

“Once you taste it, you’ll understand why I went to such lengths looking for them.”

 

‘My lady has changed so much.’

 

There were definitely hardships and dangerous moments, but it’s clear that her experiences in the north have helped Sharen grow.

 

Clatter!

 

“Sharen!!”

 

A man breaks the peaceful atmosphere as he strides in. It’s Alois, whose leg was once shattered by Rihanna’s Ragnabel, marching straight into the kitchen.

 

“Umph!? Muh…muhuhbbub?!”

 

“What are you even saying?! Swallow first!”

 

Gulp.

 

“What the—? You can already walk again?!”

 

“....”

 

“Gulp.”

 

After swallowing the star-shaped cookie in her mouth, Sharen looks at Alois in wonder and asks. Ironically, her reaction only seems to irritate Alois further.

 

“Quit babbling nonsense and just answer me.”

 

“…Why are you talking like that?”

 

“Shut up and listen!”

 

Anyone could see that Alois wasn’t in his right mind. A mix of madness and obsession flickered in his red eyes. His disheveled hair, the drool dribbling from his mouth—everything pointed to something being very wrong. The smell of disinfectant wafting off him suggested he ran straight here after receiving medical treatment.

 

“What… exactly did my big sister Rihanna hear at the Malidan Barrier?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“What did she hear?! Damn it! Does she know I was trying to ruin that commoner bastard?!”

 

“Commoner? You mean Isaac?”

 

Sharen looks blankly at him. Suddenly, she recalls hearing about the chandelier falling on their wedding anniversary.

 

She also remembers there was some kind of medicine in the cake meant to cause stomach pains. She remembers it because she almost ate the leftovers herself and got scolded by Kelsey.

 

“Isaac? There’s no way that bastard could’ve told her. But my big sister didn’t even listen to my excuses before swinging her sword—she must be certain! Why?! Who?! Who told her anything?!”

 

Veins bulge on Alois’ neck as he yells violently. His heart is pounding so hard it might burst. He’s anxious.

 

If Rihanna becomes certain he tried to harm Isaac, who knows what could happen. But that’s not what truly scares Alois.

 

He doesn’t care if he ends up crippled or loses an arm. The idea of being hated by Rihanna— That tears his heart apart.

 

“Umm…”

 

Wearing a dazed expression, Sharen takes another bite of her cookie. Realizing the situation is serious, she mulls it over.

 

“Mmm.”

 

Crunch, crunch.

 

“So basically…”

 

Crunch, crunch.

 

“These cookies are really good.”

 

“You… fucking bitch! Are you mocking your own brother?! It’s been a while since I—damn bastard—!”

 

“Red Wave!”

 

A burst of red aura surges from Sharen’s palm, shoving Alois backward. It’s not strong enough to truly harm someone—it merely pushes him away.

 

Normally, Alois would easily block or endure Sharen’s Red Wave.

 

However, Sharen has grown stronger in the north, and besides, his leg is still injured.

 

“Gah!”

 

He topples over, sliding until his back slams into the kitchen door. Even as his fury threatens to obliterate his reason, Sharen’s sharp voice rings out clearly:

 

“Helmut doesn’t listen to the weak!”

 

With the star-shaped cookie still in her mouth, Sharen flexes her small biceps in a mock show of strength.

 

“Where do you think you’re swaggering with that busted leg?! Come challenge me again once you’re fully healed, rookie!”

 

Stuffing the rest of the star cookie into her mouth, Sharen strides out of the kitchen with Kelsey by her side.

 

“Thanks for the cookies, Milli! I’ll count on you next time!”

 

“Y-Yes… Miss.”

 

“You brat…!”

 

Alois leaps up, attempting to chase after her, but his injured leg gives out and he collapses back to the floor.

 

“Damn it… damn it all!”

 

He slams his fist against the ground in frustration. Though he did receive magical treatment, it hasn’t been enough time for a full recovery.

 

If— If Isaac were here at this moment—

 

He would laugh, smirking in contempt.

 

[I know that feeling all too well.]

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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