* * *

In the world, there’s always one person who shines like a protagonist in any situation. Someone who captures attention in whatever they do, always outshining others.

In that context, Aileen Everett was born far from being a protagonist.

An adopted child who didn’t even have a middle name.

A child from a noble family yet tainted with a lineage considered lowly.

She could have been the only ducal lady, or even the duchy’s heir, but the girl faced constant criticism solely because of her mother’s bloodline. Even those who sought to impress her talked behind her back about her origins.

Aileen loathed this reality, whether it was out of sympathy or advocacy.

“That pink hair…”

“Hair color on the red spectrum is seen as a mark of low birth, right? Though it’s a paler shade, her mother was a wanderer of pixie lineage, wasn’t she?”

“If only some unknown woman hadn’t charmed the eldest ducal son, he wouldn’t have died.”

“Tainted bloodline.”

“Cursed lineage.”

“Filthy child.”

People tend to feel their minor illnesses more acutely than serious injuries. Thus, Aileen always felt more pitiful than Violet.

Even after usurping Violet S. Everett’s position and being adored by the entire ducal manor, the emptiness within her never faded. She couldn’t even comprehend what was missing.

“Why must it be so!”

“What exactly are you asking.”

“Why must I go to Liran!”

On the day her departure to Liran was decided, she confronted Duke Everett, shedding her usual façade and shouting.

The duke, without even a glance at Aileen, indifferently turned the pages of his documents.

“You will learn things there that you can’t in our country. It’s also known as the land of spring. It won’t be unpleasant.”

“Is it because…”

“……”

“Is it because I’m not your true daughter?”

The duke’s hand paused at her quivering question. He looked at the girl who had become his second daughter long ago.

“So, it’s because of my ignoble birth…”

No one in the ducal family had ever broached the subject in her presence. How could they, right in front of her?

The eldest son Mikhail, the second child Roen, and even the youngest son Cairn never discriminated against Aileen because of her blood.

The only exception was Violet, who was envious.

Thus, Aileen’s sense of deficiency was akin to an inferiority complex.

“I can’t grasp why the conversation has come to this.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“……”

“Please, I really don’t want to go. Please, Father…”

“The decision has already been made.”

Even with her entreaties, the duke was unwavering.

The duke’s emotions towards Aileen were not familial love, but rather, sentiments stemmed from guilt.

Duke Everett was always haunted by guilt.

The guilt for having driven his elder brother and his wife to their demise.

The guilt for leaving a young child all alone.

This guilt lingered constantly in a corner of his heart.

In the end, Aileen’s overseas education was an initiative pushed by Roen. It was a place far from the ducal house, yet renowned as a resort and tourist destination. A place where she could live freely, almost like a queen.

It was a remote place, but not a bad one to live in. Hence, the duke accepted the proposal without much fuss.

“I will do better. Please, Father?”

“……”

Aileen’s voice wavered again as she spoke, yet the duke remained silent. He could no longer allow himself to be swayed by such superficial guilt.

Realizing that the duke was not going to respond, Aileen gritted her teeth in frustration.

“Why, only me?”

Tears started to drop from the girl’s eyes. She couldn’t hold back her tears anymore.

The duke of a few years past might have succumbed to those tears.

“Your date of departure is next week. I will prepare everything, you just have to go.”

“Why, only me. Why is it always only me…”

The girl, who continued to sob for a while, left the duke’s office, murmuring to herself, ‘One day, I will reclaim what is mine.’

With that resolve, Aileen left for Liran. And after a few months passed.

“Hello, everyone!”

She had finally returned.

* * *

Violet thought the distant voice she heard was a hallucination. But the moment she saw that distinctive pink hair, reminiscent of flower petals fluttering in the spring breeze, she realized it was not a figment of her imagination.

If only it were a dream.

She couldn’t contain the rush of emotions and opened her eyes wide.

Aileen, having spotted Violet, approached her with a light, breezy walk. A walk so light that Violet would have critiqued it for its lack of propriety in the past.

“Sister! It’s been a while.”

The bright-faced girl greeted her.

“Huh? That girl is…”

“Has such a child ever been invited before? What kind of walk is that?”

“Such a greeting for a ducal lady.”

“Pink hair, could it be…?”

Whispers followed Aileen’s appearance. It had been three years, and not many recognized her immediately.

Violet frowned.

“Why are you here?”

“Not even a warm greeting for the younger sister you haven’t seen in so long?”

“I’m asking you. Why are you here?”

The atmosphere grew tense. The murmuring stopped. The noble ladies who were gathered in small groups began to watch Violet’s reactions.

Violet usually carried a mild atmosphere, but whenever she pressed someone, her presence was intimidating.

And now was no exception.

Despite being of a martial lineage, she had not formally trained in swordsmanship. Yet, the aura Violet emitted now was almost murderous.

While everyone was wary of her, only one girl continued to speak nonchalantly.

“Hiic, but I’ve missed you so much, Sister. I rushed here to see you, and yet you’re treating me so coldly.”