Rihannan’s mother hailed from the noble lineage of the neighboring kingdom of Crichton. Arundell and Crichton, two countries intertwined by shared language, writing systems, and a long-standing alliance through noble and royal marriages. Recently, both nations had even joined forces against a common adversary.
In her youth, Rihannan’s mother had journeyed to Arundell at the invitation of her cousin. There, she fell instantly in love with a young man. However, their union posed a challenge due to his lowly status and existing relationship with another. Despite her parents’ vigorous attempts to halt the marriage, she remained resolute, fiery, and unyielding. She possessed a warrior’s heart and a resilience that bewitched many suitors, but her focus was solely fixed upon that young man—she yearned to be with him.
And so, her parents proposed a solution. If the young man severed ties with his previous lover and accepted the marriage, Arundell would grant him the title of Count, while Crichton would provide him with an expansive estate and a grand mansion.
After much back-and-forth, the young man acquiesced to the offer. It was the only path available, the only way forward. It proved arduous for a low-born aristocrat to resist the allure of the “Count” title, along with the vast fortune that would accompany it. Rising to prominence and establishing a name for himself through his own endeavors was like a fleeting dream, an elusive mirage. He would receive it only if he embraced the marriage.
Yet, even then, their union lacked love. It was an unrequited affection, for the man’s heart had already been claimed, leaving his wife to gradually lose hope and vitality. Upon her death from a broken heart, he swiftly and without reservation brought his hidden illegitimate child into their opulent mansion.
And her name was Leticia Alessin.
Her mother, a commoner, had carried on a clandestine affair even after learning of his marriage. Upon her demise during childbirth, the man’s compassion toward her grew. He was plagued by guilt, knowing he had failed to raise his own child.
Now that his wife lay six feet under, distractions no longer plagued him.
“Hello, Leticia. I am your sister, Rihannan.”
Young Leticia found herself captivated by the sight of the grand, resplendent mansion—a spectacle she had never before beheld. With her lovely rosy hair and crimson eyes, Leticia greeted Rihannan with a radiant smile.
“Hello, sister. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Leticia.”
All of this occurred on the day following Rihannan’s mother’s funeral. As she caught sight of her newfound half-sister, her face turned ashen, a stark contrast to the warm welcome she should have extended.
“Rihannan, why are you behaving this way? You should greet her,” her father had quietly urged.
Rihannan clenched her small fist, a rare act of defiance. She had always been a well-behaved and compliant child, never once defying her parents or exhibiting the stubbornness of her mother. However…
However, the sudden and inexplicable circumstances felt peculiar to Rihannan. Why had Leticia suddenly entered her life, and where had her mother been all this time? Moreover, he had been involved with other women while he was with Rihannan’s mother, and now he stood before her without offering any explanation.
Leticia bowed her head, observing Rihannan’s lack of warm reception, her expression firm and cold.
“It seems you do not favor me… or believe I belong here…”
“No, that is not true, Leticia, no…”
Her father’s countenance softened as he witnessed the tears welling up in his daughter’s eyes. His face radiated love and tenderness, a look Rihannan had never seen before, shattering her heart into pieces.
He had scolded Rihannan firmly. “Rihannan, are you belittling Leticia due to her humble status? It appears you possess the same arrogance as your mother. Very well. If you cannot accept her, so be it.”
Rihannan yearned to protest and insist that it wasn’t true, but before she could utter a word, her father enveloped Leticia warmly in his embrace.
That, too, was a form of love Rihannan had never experienced.
Her father led Leticia away, her chin resting upon his broad shoulders. Leticia gazed blankly at Rihannan, her lips curving into a cunning smile. It was a smile that silently conveyed a need for Rihannan to reassess her position within the mansion.
From that moment onward, everything changed.
“Miss, Lawyer Ned has arrived,” Mary’s voice interrupted Rihannan’s reminiscence of the past. As Rihannan lifted her gaze, Mary gestured towards the door. “Miss, should I allow him entry?”
Rihannan offered a gentle smile. “Yes, we have much to discuss.”
***
As a middle-aged man with round-rimmed glasses entered, Rihannan swiftly dismissed Mary, feigning the need for her to fetch the carriage.
The man’s gaze lingered on the petite figure seated upon the grand chair, before bowing hastily.
“Lady Rihannan, I heard you called for me. What is the matter?”
“Please have a seat first.”
Obediently, the man nodded and settled onto the nearest chair, his face etched with curiosity. He couldn’t fathom the reasons behind the young lady’s summoning.
Though he had encountered her on several occasions, their interactions had been mere perfunctory exchanges, lacking any significant conversation. In his eyes, she had always been the young girl, her unique hair and eye color representing the northern regions of the country. She possessed an air of quietness, perpetually close to her mother.
Today marked the first time he had truly heard her voice.
In that moment, he realized he had failed to offer his personal condolences to the girl, and regret washed over him.
“I offer my deepest condolences for your loss. May she find eternal rest under the protection of Elheim.”
“Thank you.”
Her composed response caught him off guard. Merely a day had passed since the funeral, and it was only natural for a child of her age to shed tears.
“…May I inquire as to why you summoned me? However, before that, I have brought the requested documents, but…”
“I would like to review my mother’s marriage contract, as well as the details of my inheritance.”
Ne’d’s jaw nearly hit the floor, momentarily questioning whether the young lady before him was truly twenty-two or merely twelve. Even if she were indeed twenty-two, most nobles would remain ignorant or indifferent to such matters.
“How is this…”
“Must I seek permission to view them?”
“No, but the presence and agreement of a guardian are required. Currently, Count Alessin serves as your guardian.”
Rihannan’s soft smile took Ned by surprise.
“That means you will not show me the documents without my father’s permission.”
“It’s not precisely…”
“Ned Gowan, ensure that I do not send a letter to the palace today unless you present the requested documents immediately.” Rihannan lifted her chin, her silver lashes fluttering as a cold, impassive expression settled upon her face. “The letter is addressed to the Queen, accusing Count Alessin and his lawyer, Ned Gowan, of embezzling taxes. It requests a thorough investigation into their activities.”
Ned hesitated, his lips trembling momentarily, before regaining composure and adopting the demeanor of a seasoned lawyer.
“What are you suggesting? Tax embezzlement? Miss, are you merely caught in a bad dream? I understand the shock and sorrow you have experienced of late, but this is too extreme…”
“Naturally, the Queen will be intrigued by the contents of the letter, astonished that a twelve-year-old child is accusing her own father. Wouldn’t you be surprised? And once the Queen receives the letter, she will undoubtedly dispatch individuals to verify the truth of its claims, considering her relationship with me. It is not difficult to anticipate, given my connection to the Queen. So, Ned Gowan, what will you do?”
Ned’s face turned ashen in an instant. She was right. The girl shared a close bond with the Queen. Her recently deceased mother had been a dear friend of the Queen, and Rihannan herself was both a relative and goddaughter to the monarch. Should Rihannan theoretically inscribe her words onto paper, the Queen would undoubtedly send her agents to investigate, driven by their special bond.
Furthermore, the Queen held immense power within the kingdom. Though her son ascended to the throne a few years prior, he remained youthful, leaving the affairs of state in his mother’s capable hands.
The Queen, a unique figure, had married into the royal family, becoming the queen consort. Her son now sat on the throne, and her family retained their royal status—her father had been a king. She, in fact, was originally destined to ascend to the throne, as a princess and the designated heir before her father’s passing.
Rihannan’s mother hailed from the noble lineage of the neighboring kingdom of Crichton. Arundell and Crichton, two countries intertwined by shared language, writing systems, and a long-standing alliance through noble and royal marriages. Recently, both nations had even joined forces against a common adversary.
In her youth, Rihannan’s mother had journeyed to Arundell at the invitation of her cousin. There, she fell instantly in love with a young man. However, their union posed a challenge due to his lowly status and existing relationship with another. Despite her parents’ vigorous attempts to halt the marriage, she remained resolute, fiery, and unyielding. She possessed a warrior’s heart and a resilience that bewitched many suitors, but her focus was solely fixed upon that young man—she yearned to be with him.
And so, her parents proposed a solution. If the young man severed ties with his previous lover and accepted the marriage, Arundell would grant him the title of Count, while Crichton would provide him with an expansive estate and a grand mansion.
After much back-and-forth, the young man acquiesced to the offer. It was the only path available, the only way forward. It proved arduous for a low-born aristocrat to resist the allure of the “Count” title, along with the vast fortune that would accompany it. Rising to prominence and establishing a name for himself through his own endeavors was like a fleeting dream, an elusive mirage. He would receive it only if he embraced the marriage.
Yet, even then, their union lacked love. It was an unrequited affection, for the man’s heart had already been claimed, leaving his wife to gradually lose hope and vitality. Upon her death from a broken heart, he swiftly and without reservation brought his hidden illegitimate child into their opulent mansion.
And her name was Leticia Alessin.
Her mother, a commoner, had carried on a clandestine affair even after learning of his marriage. Upon her demise during childbirth, the man’s compassion toward her grew. He was plagued by guilt, knowing he had failed to raise his own child.
Now that his wife lay six feet under, distractions no longer plagued him.
“Hello, Leticia. I am your sister, Rihannan.”
Young Leticia found herself captivated by the sight of the grand, resplendent mansion—a spectacle she had never before beheld. With her lovely rosy hair and crimson eyes, Leticia greeted Rihannan with a radiant smile.
“Hello, sister. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Leticia.”
All of this occurred on the day following Rihannan’s mother’s funeral. As she caught sight of her newfound half-sister, her face turned ashen, a stark contrast to the warm welcome she should have extended.
“Rihannan, why are you behaving this way? You should greet her,” her father had quietly urged.
Rihannan clenched her small fist, a rare act of defiance. She had always been a well-behaved and compliant child, never once defying her parents or exhibiting the stubbornness of her mother. However…
However, the sudden and inexplicable circumstances felt peculiar to Rihannan. Why had Leticia suddenly entered her life, and where had her mother been all this time? Moreover, he had been involved with other women while he was with Rihannan’s mother, and now he stood before her without offering any explanation.
Leticia bowed her head, observing Rihannan’s lack of warm reception, her expression firm and cold.
“It seems you do not favor me… or believe I belong here…”
“No, that is not true, Leticia, no…”
Her father’s countenance softened as he witnessed the tears welling up in his daughter’s eyes. His face radiated love and tenderness, a look Rihannan had never seen before, shattering her heart into pieces.
He had scolded Rihannan firmly. “Rihannan, are you belittling Leticia due to her humble status? It appears you possess the same arrogance as your mother. Very well. If you cannot accept her, so be it.”
Rihannan yearned to protest and insist that it wasn’t true, but before she could utter a word, her father enveloped Leticia warmly in his embrace.
That, too, was a form of love Rihannan had never experienced.
Her father led Leticia away, her chin resting upon his broad shoulders. Leticia gazed blankly at Rihannan, her lips curving into a cunning smile. It was a smile that silently conveyed a need for Rihannan to reassess her position within the mansion.
From that moment onward, everything changed.
“Miss, Lawyer Ned has arrived,” Mary’s voice interrupted Rihannan’s reminiscence of the past. As Rihannan lifted her gaze, Mary gestured towards the door. “Miss, should I allow him entry?”
Rihannan offered a gentle smile. “Yes, we have much to discuss.”
***
As a middle-aged man with round-rimmed glasses entered, Rihannan swiftly dismissed Mary, feigning the need for her to fetch the carriage.
The man’s gaze lingered on the petite figure seated upon the grand chair, before bowing hastily.
“Lady Rihannan, I heard you called for me. What is the matter?”
“Please have a seat first.”
Obediently, the man nodded and settled onto the nearest chair, his face etched with curiosity. He couldn’t fathom the reasons behind the young lady’s summoning.
Though he had encountered her on several occasions, their interactions had been mere perfunctory exchanges, lacking any significant conversation. In his eyes, she had always been the young girl, her unique hair and eye color representing the northern regions of the country. She possessed an air of quietness, perpetually close to her mother.
Today marked the first time he had truly heard her voice.
In that moment, he realized he had failed to offer his personal condolences to the girl, and regret washed over him.
“I offer my deepest condolences for your loss. May she find eternal rest under the protection of Elheim.”
“Thank you.”
Her composed response caught him off guard. Merely a day had passed since the funeral, and it was only natural for a child of her age to shed tears.
“…May I inquire as to why you summoned me? However, before that, I have brought the requested documents, but…”
“I would like to review my mother’s marriage contract, as well as the details of my inheritance.”
Ne’d’s jaw nearly hit the floor, momentarily questioning whether the young lady before him was truly twenty-two or merely twelve. Even if she were indeed twenty-two, most nobles would remain ignorant or indifferent to such matters.
“How is this…”
“Must I seek permission to view them?”
“No, but the presence and agreement of a guardian are required. Currently, Count Alessin serves as your guardian.”
Rihannan’s soft smile took Ned by surprise.
“That means you will not show me the documents without my father’s permission.”
“It’s not precisely…”
“Ned Gowan, ensure that I do not send a letter to the palace today unless you present the requested documents immediately.” Rihannan lifted her chin, her silver lashes fluttering as a cold, impassive expression settled upon her face. “The letter is addressed to the Queen, accusing Count Alessin and his lawyer, Ned Gowan, of embezzling taxes. It requests a thorough investigation into their activities.”
Ned hesitated, his lips trembling momentarily, before regaining composure and adopting the demeanor of a seasoned lawyer.
“What are you suggesting? Tax embezzlement? Miss, are you merely caught in a bad dream? I understand the shock and sorrow you have experienced of late, but this is too extreme…”
“Naturally, the Queen will be intrigued by the contents of the letter, astonished that a twelve-year-old child is accusing her own father. Wouldn’t you be surprised? And once the Queen receives the letter, she will undoubtedly dispatch individuals to verify the truth of its claims, considering her relationship with me. It is not difficult to anticipate, given my connection to the Queen. So, Ned Gowan, what will you do?”
Ned’s face turned ashen in an instant. She was right. The girl shared a close bond with the Queen. Her recently deceased mother had been a dear friend of the Queen, and Rihannan herself was both a relative and goddaughter to the monarch. Should Rihannan theoretically inscribe her words onto paper, the Queen would undoubtedly send her agents to investigate, driven by their special bond.
Furthermore, the Queen held immense power within the kingdom. Though her son ascended to the throne a few years prior, he remained youthful, leaving the affairs of state in his mother’s capable hands.
The Queen, a unique figure, had married into the royal family, becoming the queen consort. Her son now sat on the throne, and her family retained their royal status—her father had been a king. She, in fact, was originally destined to ascend to the throne, as a princess and the designated heir before her father’s passing.
