Chapter 14
Finally, the snow began to melt.
The signs of thaw felt like the arrival of spring itself. The white frost that had clung to the spire as if it had frozen in place began to crack day by day, crumbling away. It seemed only a matter of a week before it would retreat entirely, unable to withstand the harsh noon sun pouring down without mercy.
Sunlight filled the ducal estate in every direction—north, south, east, and west—illuminating the buildings, the gardens between them, and even the outer edges of the Altair Forest wrapped in a gentle embrace.
Except for one place.
Lilet stared down at her plate, still half full, then took a sip of water. She set down the silver cutlery and leaned back against the sofa. At her feet, dazzling sunlight poured in like a flowing tide.
Of course, light did enter this place.
But from Lilet’s perspective, it was never quite bright or clear enough.
This really is the only option.
When her heavy gaze drifted toward the window, as if confirming her thoughts, they appeared—as if to remind her that her conclusion was correct.
The maids were bustling about as always, moving quickly through the halls.
Lilet rose from the sofa and walked toward the window. It wasn’t their presence that caught her attention, but the sight of them freely moving in and out of the estate. That freedom settled deep in her chest.
One year.
The decisive factor in the promised year was whether the “name” would manifest one-sidedly—or mutually.
She couldn’t be certain of either outcome. Like her, he might manifest a name as well, but the opposite was just as possible.
If it became mutual as he said, there would be many things to consider. But if it remained one-sided, the conclusion was painfully simple.
She would just have to leave his side—leave House Valderion.
Given her situation, she couldn’t afford to sit still while the future approached.
Until now, she had lived in misery beside Dylann, barely surviving.
She had only just escaped his grasp, yet even within Valderion’s palm, freedom was not guaranteed.
But one year from now—if everything passed without issue—
If Valderion truly released her safely, then even if it was only partial, she would regain her freedom.
Not in Dylann’s hands, where she had wanted to strangle him to death.
Not in Valderion’s presence, where his arrogance made her sick.
Somewhere else entirely.
Of course, it would not be an easy path.
The “name”—a brand and a curse—had already been etched onto her.
That curse would follow her to the very end of her life, choking her, tormenting her, slowly eroding her mind and body.
And even if she died because of it…
At least in that final moment, shouldn’t she be free?
In the last instant as life faded into dusk, shouldn’t a human be granted even that small dignity of will?
And so Lilet spent days thinking relentlessly until she reached a simple conclusion.
She needed money, an escape route, and information about the name.
If Valderion kept his promise and released her, she intended to leave the empire without looking back.
It was not an easy decision, having been born and raised in this homeland. But she no longer had any family left here. With nowhere to rely on, it made little difference whether it was her homeland or not—loneliness remained the same everywhere.
But something else worried her more.
Dylann…
What if he comes looking for me again?
She knew him well after watching him for so long. He was capricious, like boiling water constantly on the verge of spilling over. Even though he had once sent her away to Valderion without hesitation, if he discovered later that the name had remained one-sided, his curiosity might flare up again—and he could take her back as if nothing had ever happened.
Her teeth ground together without her noticing.
I barely escaped from him.
She could never return to that vile, disgusting man.
To prepare for that possibility, she needed a way out of the Valderion estate.
Even if she spent her life being chased, it would still be better than returning to Dylann.
That was why money and an escape route were essential.
And finally—investigation into the name.
Once manifested, a name could never be removed. Not even by tearing off the skin. It was a true mark, a brand. Thus, she could never discard his name.
Something she never wanted, yet could never abandon.
As she mulled over it, she felt like spitting at whatever god had created such a cruel joke.
But blaming and cursing it wasn’t the priority.
To survive even slightly more peacefully for the next five years, there was much to learn. Whether the name truly required only the presence of its owner. Whether absence would lead only to pain and deterioration.
Lilet watched the maids again.
This seems like the best option right now.
A maid.
A servant employed by the estate, receiving wages.
Someone who could earn money, move around the ducal estate, map routes to the outside, and perhaps even access the library if she was lucky.
They’ll never allow it…
Even if she found a method, nothing would go smoothly.
Since arriving here, every action required overcoming a wall first.
Her head already ached as if she had argued for hours.
And yet, she couldn’t afford to delay any longer. Ever since she learned she might have only five years left to live, every passing day felt unbearably precious.
That evening.
“I intend to quietly focus on recovering my health for the promised year,” Lilet said as soon as he entered the bedroom.
Her tone was firm, as if she had steeled her resolve. Valderion’s expression shifted—not to approval, but suspicion.
“That’s a refreshing change of mindset.”
“But I have a condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes. I want to work as a servant in this estate.”
So that’s it.
Valderion’s face seemed to say exactly that.
He pressed his temple lightly as he sat down on the sofa.
“I told you not to think like that.”
Lilet had already come to recognize this habit of his—whenever his head ached.
“You want to work?”
“……”
“I’m beginning to doubt whether you even heard a word I said. Are your ears malfunctioning along with your arms and legs?”
His sarcasm was merciless.
Lilet barely suppressed a retort that instinctively rose.
But—
“Rejected.”
Before she could even argue properly, he cut her off.
“Why are you deciding without even discussing it properly?” she snapped.
“Do you really not realize why?” he replied coldly.
“……”
“Your face stands out too much.”
That confirmed the remaining doubt she had.
He intended to hide her completely.
“I understand your intention to keep me hidden for one year, Lord Valderion. Of course you would.”
Names were rare and dangerous phenomena. Especially mutual ones, which caused emotional resonance between bearers. That made them targets—kidnapping, coercion, harm.
There were already documented cases in other nations.
It could easily become a matter of political scandal, even personal danger.
Valderion was likely trying to minimize all risk.
Lilet took a steady breath.
Then exhaled, lifting her gaze.
“But what does that have to do with me?”
Valderion’s expression stiffened slightly.
“I understand your concerns,” she continued calmly, “but that is your problem, not mine.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Does it sound like a threat?”
“Unfortunately, not at all.”
He leaned back slightly, looking up at her.
His gaze felt sharper than usual. Like a beast watching prey.
“You’re picking the wrong fight.”
“……”
“Otherwise it just looks like pathetic stubbornness.”
“Even pathetic stubbornness is fine,” she said. “If it means I can work and leave this place.”
“……”
“Please reconsider with generosity.”
Generosity.
A dry laugh escaped him.
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll do it my way.”
“Your way?”
“One year.”
“……”
“For one year—do you really think you can keep my existence completely hidden?”
His hand, reaching for a cigar, stopped mid-motion.
“Even if you put shackles on my feet again, I’ll struggle. I’ll keep resisting until someone finds out I’m here.”
This was a declaration.
“As someone said, the only thing I have left is pathetic stubbornness.”
“……”
“I wonder if anyone will respond to that stubbornness.”
Lilet smiled faintly.
It was an awkward smile—her lips trembling slightly.
And only then did she realize this was the first time she had smiled in front of him that day.
Not that it meant anything good.
Only that it would likely serve to unsettle him further.
