Once we made the decision to head to the capital, my mother’s determination shone brightly.

She packed without hesitation, not even sparing a glance back at the house where we had lived as she disposed of some important belongings and discarded her potions.

And then, the day before we were to depart for the capital.

Mom held out a small glass bottle.

“Remember to apply this before you go to bed tonight. Do you know where to apply it?”

“But It’s not the time to dye my hair yet.”

“That’s right. This isn’t a  hair dye, but a dye removal potion.”

I looked up at her, puzzled.

“You’re a smart girl, so you know what Mom is talking about, don’t you? You’re the daughter of Duke Chelsiers, Astariol, and heir to the title.”

Did she make this decision from the moment we decided to head to the capital?

Her eyes sparkled with resolution, filled with love and certainty towards me.

“When we return there, your silver hair, purple eyes, and abilities won’t be seen as odd at all. Everyone will recognize you immediately as Astariol and the next Duke Chelsiers.”

“What will change from now then?”

“Everyone will want to socialize with you.”

I frowned slightly. My mother smiled as she caressed my cheek.

“The ‘socializing’ I’m talking about now isn’t like playing with the kids next door as you used to.”

I hadn’t experienced such a thing.

I wanted to correct the facts, but for now, it’s better to continue asking.

“What do you mean?”

“Alliances, interests… anything. Once you’re there, you can do anything and have anything.”

I stared at my mother intently. Her smile had disappeared.

“And those who want to befriend you know very well that you’re the heir to House Chelsiers, who can do anything and have anything.”

Could I tell her? I hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“…I don’t think I can befriend people who approach me for such reasons.”

Mom chuckled lightly.

“Of course, unless they just want to take what you have.”

“Don’t they?”

“Mostly, they’re people who think they can offer you something similar.”

“…Something similar, to me?”

My mother nodded.

“Claire, you may not have personal desires. But House Chelsiers is a very influential family, and as much as they have a lot, they also want a lot.”

“…”

“In that place, ‘socializing’ isn’t about personal friendships, but about exchanges between families.”

Mom gently stroked my hair.

“And it’s better that your hair is silver.”

So, what my mother really meant was that here and there were different.

My hair was black here. Black was a discreet, unremarkable color that I liked, but I didn’t need to blend in with the unnoticed in the new world I was about to enter.

And perhaps, I would never return to having black hair again.

* * *

When the maids were handed the potion that night, they gasped in awe as they delicately combed my hair.

They carefully applied the potion and, after a moment, sprayed water, causing the dye to trickle down. The black liquid stained the pretty, shimmering bathroom floor.

The maids who should have cleaned the floor seemed indifferent.

“You resemble His Excellency so much now with your silver hair, Miss.”

Even the people involved were unable to get used to the idea that the commoner girl who had lived in the small village until just before would become the successor to Duke Chelsiers.

‘It feels strange.’

I’d be lying if I said I’d never imagined who my father would be.

There were times when I even added a few words to Eciel’s hopes and fantasies.

But ultimately, reality was the most remarkable. In Eciel’s imagination, there was never an ending where I would become the heir of a noble family.

‘That’s why it’s even more confusing.’

Logically, it was undoubtedly a good thing, and I knew I should like it … but I couldn’t understand why it was confusing.

That was why my mind was so restless.

I glanced around unconsciously. When I got lost in deep and useless thoughts, it was usually Eciel Mom who pulled me out.

But today, as I was late due to removing the dye, neither of them was by my side.

“They both have gone upstairs much earlier; so, they should be asleep by now.’

I left the bathroom. Feeling lost, overwhelmed by too many thoughts.

However…

“Claire.”

When I came out, my father was standing in front of me.

He usually ended each day by bidding us good night, so he must have come today for the same reason.

The man who looked at my hair and expression tilted his head slightly in confusion.

I hesitantly called out to him.

“…Dad.”

Dad didn’t hesitate at that awkward call.

He lifted me up in his arms as if I weighed nothing, gently tucking my overflowing hair behind my ears with a scrutinizing hand that  felt as light as a feather.

After briefly caressing me, Dad issued a brief command to the maid beside him.

“I’ll take her, you can go.”

The maid, accustomed to such stern commands, respectfully disappeared.

‘What should I say if he asks?’

I heard today that I would be your successor and I  felt strange.

‘…It’s weird.’

Clumsy and awkward emotions tangled like vines in my mind.

But instead of asking me what was wrong, the man brushed my back gently as he slowly walked.

After a while, he whispered softly.

“I wish I could have held you when you were younger.”

His voice was gentle, affectionate, and tinged with regret.

After hesitating for a moment, I confessed.

“I used to make Mom sad a lot before. Maybe if we had met earlier, you would have hated me.”

At my words, Dad burst into laughter. … but I was serious.

After laughing for a while, he looked at me with a slightly less amused face.

“If we had met earlier, maybe you would have called me ‘Dad’ a little more. That would have been enough.”

Why did the most illogical statement resonate the most in my heart? Was it because humans were inherently contradictory beings?

My mind was in turmoil.

I  felt too pathetic to return such a tender confession… so I lowered my gaze, not knowing what to do.

It took a long time before I finally spoke.

“Mom made a potion to remove the dye.”

It was a very sudden start. I should have started with something else.

But the man gently hugged me and responded.

“You look absolutely beautiful, Claire.”

I thought Dad was the same as me. But apparently, he was closer to Mom and Eciel, not me.

I still  felt awkward with Dad, and every time I called him Dad, I silently held my breath. He hugged me very naturally and warmly, stroking my shoulder rhythmically.

Tentatively, I began to speak.

“Mom said that I… would become the successor. So, she said silver hair would be better.”

Dad didn’t seem surprised or confused at all.

“And?”

His calm voice gently urged me on. And with that, I finally blurted out the most irrational last sentence.

“I feel strange.”

It was a self-deprecating confession that I couldn’t help but laugh at.

Dad didn’t smile at all.

He just continued to ask while sweeping my back gently.

“Do you not want to become the successor?”

I  felt like a daughter who could be as mischievous as she wanted.

Even though I knew it was something I couldn’t avoid, I seriously pondered it like an ignorant child and shook my head.

Dad had a cool and calm scent, different from what I used during my bath.

As I quietly leaned my head against him and sniffed, the tumultuous feelings slowly subsided.

“I just… feel burdened. Because almost all the rules and common sense I’ve learned so far seem almost meaningless. It’s daunting to think that I have to learn something completely new.”

My voice, which started off blurry, was becoming clearer.

Feeling relieved to have finally sorted out my jumbled thoughts, I raised my head with a sparkle in my eyes.

Dad was looking at me.

As if a tiny, young star, afraid of being alone in the world, was nestled in his arms.

Something so beautiful, lovely, affectionate, and dazzling, a desire arose to protect and nurture it no matter what the trials and hardships were.

As if that precious being was miraculously here with him.

He said softly and gently.

“It’s okay.”

I just stared at him without saying anything.

Dad lowered his voice again, gently whispering.

“It’s okay. Whatever you do, whatever happens, I’ll make it okay.”

It was similar to what Mom said earlier.

You can do anything, have anything. Whatever you do, whatever happens, it’s okay.

It was the same story.

The reason was the same. Because I was the daughter of Duke Chelsiers and his successor.

But before that… because I was his beloved daughter. Because Duke Chelsiers cherished me enough to willingly use all his capabilities to do anything for me.

Dad hugged me tightly like a very ordinary and good father.

I barely managed to speak.

“But… If I mess up… I…”

I didn’t even know exactly what I wanted to say.

I didn’t want to disappoint the person who loved me. Why did I end up saying weak things?

Dad listened carefully to my halting words until the end.

And then, as if he understood even the unsaid words, he responded.

“I may not have watched over you since you were born, but at least I know one thing about you.”

“…What is it?”