Chapter 6

Reveln’s rise to kingdom status was marked by a series of conquests against its neighboring kingdoms, culminating in the absorption and unification of their territories. Following these conflicts, the once-independent lands surrounding Reveln were integrated into the kingdom, with Revelhorn established as the royal capital.

The conquered territories were reorganized into four distinct districts, each centered around Revelhorn and governed by an emperor alongside their subordinate vassals. These districts were delineated as the Duchy of Zerkan to the east, the Duchy of Schaller to the west, the Duchy of Callius to the south, and the expansive Duchy of Grüsewald to the north.

Notably, while the eastern, western, and southern duchies were assimilated through defeat and absorption, the situation in Grüsewald differed. Rather than being conquered outright, the ruling family of Grüsewald chose to relinquish their royal status, voluntarily integrating themselves into the Kingdom of Reveln. Consequently, the Dukes of Grüsewald emerged as one of the foremost influential families within Reveln, representing the legacy of their former realm.

The Duchy of Grüsewald was not merely another noble lineage within Reveln, but rather a prestigious and esteemed family with a significant heritage. Their decision to align with Reveln elevated their status, ensuring that the Grüsewald name retained its esteemed reputation and honor within the kingdom.

The arrival of the carriage belonging to such a prestigious family marked its presence before a secluded mansion nestled in the mountains. Stepping out from the carriage was a young man of striking appearance, possessing the same fair complexion, silver locks, and captivating eyes as Odette.

Blair von Grüsewald, the second son of the Duke of Grüsewald. He was indeed a blood relative of the renowned Lady Odette, known for her breathtaking beauty.

As he alighted from the carriage and entered the manor, my gaze momentarily diverted, catching sight of my own pale fingertips. A shiver ran down my spine as the realization dawned upon me that the blood relative of the woman who had orchestrated my death was coming to this very place. Though I understood that the body once belonging to the ill-fated queen already lay lifeless, the approaching footsteps seemed to echo the approach of an executioner, sent at Jocelyn’s behest to claim my life.

“My dear, dear Odeliana!” exclaimed a man, breaking through the tension, anxiety, and fear with his warm embrace.

At close proximity, his features appeared even more refined and pronounced than they had seemed from afar. The careful grooming of his appearance was evident, with eyes neither too large nor too small, a prominent nose, and teeth that aligned flawlessly. Like Jocelyn, his demeanor exuded warmth and hospitality, radiating a joviality that put others at ease.

“I missed you so much I didn’t even bother going home, I came straight here. How are you?” he inquired, his tone filled with genuine concern.

I remained silent, my thoughts swirling amidst the tumult of emotions.

“Were you surprised by the suddenness of my visit?” he continued.

Nothing about the visit was truly sudden, as unexpected arrivals had become somewhat commonplace. What truly caught me off guard was the revelation of my connection to the Duchy of Grüsewald.

“Why are you so sullen?” queried Blair.

Because I couldn’t eat, I replied in my head. Anyone would turn into a skeleton within a month if they only relied on hard bread and thin soup for meals.

“It’s because of the worsening illness, milord,” interjected Adella.

“Ah, Adella. It’s been a while,” acknowledged Blair.

The middle-aged woman, identified as Adella, nodded in agreement. “It’s been a while indeed, Lord Blair. You seem to have become more refined since we last met. You seem to have been doing well during your studies abroad. You look much better than before.”

Blair looked at me, noting my supposed changed appearance. “And Odelliana seems thinner than before… You must have gone through a lot.”

“I’m worried about the young lady. She seems to be getting weaker day by day, and I’m afraid it might become a serious problem soon.”

Disgusted by Adella’s pretense, I couldn’t help but laugh. The conditions this body endured in confinement left little room for anything but survival. If only “I” had been provided proper nourishment and care, the circumstances might have been different.

“I hope to take Odelliana on a trip as soon as possible,” announced Blair. My confusion mirrored Adella’s surprise at Blair’s sudden plans.

“Odelliana, I’ve finished my studies abroad and returned completely. I’ll visit more often from now on,” Blair elaborated, his tone filled with sincerity.

Studies abroad? My mind raced with disbelief as I processed Blair’s words. He had been studying abroad since his teenage years and had only returned home in his mid-twenties, long before Jocelyn ascended to the throne. Lelusha’s death had transpired years later, after Blair had established himself as a successful businessman in Reveln.

“How old is oppa this year?” I ventured cautiously.

Blair’s smile softened as he answered, “Twenty-five.”

My shock was almost palpable as I pieced together the timeline. If Blair was presently twenty-five, then Odette was merely twenty-two. Yet, at the time of Lelusha’s death, Odette had been twenty-nine.

The realization struck me with profound disbelief. The current moment was seven years before my untimely demise, a period predating Jocelyn’s ascent to the throne. 

You’re telling that I was born into the body of the sister of the woman who ultimately caused my death… and then somehow traveled back in time seven years? My incredulity bordered on disbelief.

The notion of time travel was astonishing in itself, but what perplexed me even more was the existence of someone named “Odelliana.” As far as Lelusha knew, the Duke of Grüsewald had only three children: Hermann, the eldest; Blair, the second son; and Odette, whose presence was like a forbidden jade leaf in their family’s history.

“Odelliana von Grüsewald” did not exist in my world.

***

Disability was often perceived as a divine curse, a mark of disfavor from the gods. Imperfection, any hint of defect, was deemed a sign of being forsaken, not blessed.

This belief led to a tragic fate for many infants born with disabilities. Often, they were abandoned shortly after birth. Families faced the daunting prospect of providing lifelong care, or worse, enduring the societal scorn that came with raising a disabled child.

However, among noble families, there was another grim reality behind the abandonment or even the deliberate killing of disabled children: the preservation of the bloodline.

Nobility and royalty saw themselves as divine emissaries, chosen by the gods. They viewed their lineage as sacrosanct, bearing the divine mandate to rule. For such esteemed families, the presence of a disabled child was an intolerable stain upon their divine pedigree.

While some compassionate souls couldn’t bring themselves to carry out such drastic measures, they often resorted to secrecy. Concealing the birth and raising the child in seclusion became the only means of safeguarding both the family’s reputation and the child’s life.

Odelliana von Grüsewald, unseen in Lelusha’s previous life, had been a product of such clandestine upbringing. Hidden away from society’s eyes, she was raised in obscurity by her family, shielded from the harsh judgment of a world that deemed her existence a curse.

Desperate for answers, Lelusha directed her curiosity towards Blair, recognizing him as the sole source of potential clues in her bewildering situation.

Through their conversation, Blair provided valuable information about their current whereabouts: they were in the Hirschberg Forest, situated at the western border of a region known as Blainscock within the Duchy of Grüsewald. He also disclosed the existence of a nearby village and shed light on Odelliana’s identity as Odette’s twin sister, raised separately due to a leg disability.

“The doctor once mentioned that delusions and memory lapses can occur,” Blair remarked, addressing her relentless questioning. “It seems you might be experiencing memory problems.”

“Is that so…?” 

Their dialogue, coupled with Adella’s discomfort at the barrage of inquiries, hinted at a deeper truth: Odelliana’s current state was afflicted by mania. It became apparent that Adella and Blair perceived her as someone suffering from mental instability, attributing her memory impairment to this condition. A subsequent consultation with her doctor confirmed this diagnosis of memory impairment associated with mania.

Though uncertain of her true mental state, they considered Odelliana von Grüsewald not only physically but also mentally unwell.

Under these circumstances, it’s no wonder she might have struggled with her sanity, Lelusha mused inwardly. Living in such an environment, subjected to such treatment, would test the resilience of even the strongest mind.

This new life she found herself thrust into, following the betrayal by her once-beloved husband, offered little solace. She couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the grim reality she now faced.

With nothing but a healthy body to show for it, she had embarked on a journey as a mercenary, caught the attention of Jocelyn, rose through the ranks to become the prince’s knight, played a pivotal role in his bid for the throne, and eventually ascended to the position of queen. 

This frail body felt like a curse, a burden heavier than the trials of her previous existence.

It was as if she were trapped in a coffin once more, grappling with a second life she never asked for, one that proved to be even more arduous than the first. Tears welled in her eyes as the overwhelming weight of reality threatened to crush her spirit.

What was she meant to do with this life?

Longing to escape the suffocating grasp of reality, she yearned to relinquish her burdens and find solace in death.