Chapter 15: Julian through Aliseteen
ーー
“Aliseteen. Today, we’ve been invited to the royal villa. Why don’t you come with us?”
One afternoon, while playing with dolls with Noa-niisama in the children’s room on the fourth floor, Otoo-sama called out to me.
The royal villa is one of the country houses located in a climate-friendly area not far from the capital city, where you can enjoy horseback riding, hunting, and a beautiful rose garden. I have enjoyed afternoon tea there many times.
Although the Quatra family also owns several country houses, the royal villa is undoubtedly exceptional.
“That’s such a nice place.”
“What? You’ve never been there before.”
“Well!”
I hate it when I can’t behave like a five-year-old and my sixteen-year-old self shows up.
But it can’t be helped. After all, people can’t change that easily.
“That’s not true! I can change!”
I shout at myself in my head. I never want to feel that way again. Even now, I have nightmares and wake up crying several times a week.
Every time that happens, Lili comes to me and gently embraces me. Thanks to her, I am somehow able to live a peaceful life.
If she weren’t here, I would probably spend my days curled up in a corner of my room, covered in a blanket, scared of the future that is yet to come. I need to thank Lili again.
“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been talking nonsense for a while now. Are you feeling unwell?”
Otoo-sama lifted me up as I made various facial expressions and frowned in concern.
“Should I take you to see a doctor right now, or should you rest in a place with clean air?”
“I’m fine, Otoo-sama! There’s nothing wrong with me!”
Even I think I look creepy right now. But it can’t be helped. The five-year-old and sixteen-year-old versions of myself are living in the same body.
I can’t tell anyone about it because if I say something like that, they might think I have a mental illness.
“Are you sure? Are you just trying to endure it?”
“I’m not enduring anything. I’m perfectly fine.”
“However…”
Since Otoo-sama doesn’t seem to be convinced, I resort to my final option.
“I love you, Otoo-sama.”
I hug his neck and kiss his cheek while being lifted up. His faint mustache tickles me, but I have to endure it.
“Oh Aliseteen, you’re such a cute child. You’re like an angel.”
“Don’t call a doctor or anything, Otoo-sama.”
“Of course not, I won’t do anything you dislike.”
As he rubs against me, it tickles even more. I pretend to smile happily and gently move away from Otoo-sama’s face.
Now, let’s get back on topic. I have to go to the royal villa now.
As I switch my focus, memories from the past come flooding back. Come to think of it, I first met Julian-sama at that townhouse.
Even as a child, I was captivated by his beauty. And I was shocked that he wasn’t kind to me.
So I became even more obsessed. I was determined to make him fall for me and become his wife.
Julian-sama’s appearance was surreal. If I stood next to him, I would surely be envied by those around us.
To be honest, the previous me only thought of Julian-sama as a kind of accessory.
After all, he’s not at all kind. Even if he pretends to be meek and submissive, his expression doesn’t change a bit.
I can’t judge others, but aside from his looks, Julian-sama wasn’t particularly charming.
It’s what they call a mutual exchange.
Chapter 15: Julian through Aliseteen
ーー
“Aliseteen. Today, we’ve been invited to the royal villa. Why don’t you come with us?”
One afternoon, while playing with dolls with Noa-niisama in the children’s room on the fourth floor, Otoo-sama called out to me.
The royal villa is one of the country houses located in a climate-friendly area not far from the capital city, where you can enjoy horseback riding, hunting, and a beautiful rose garden. I have enjoyed afternoon tea there many times.
Although the Quatra family also owns several country houses, the royal villa is undoubtedly exceptional.
“That’s such a nice place.”
“What? You’ve never been there before.”
“Well!”
I hate it when I can’t behave like a five-year-old and my sixteen-year-old self shows up.
But it can’t be helped. After all, people can’t change that easily.
“That’s not true! I can change!”
I shout at myself in my head. I never want to feel that way again. Even now, I have nightmares and wake up crying several times a week.
Every time that happens, Lili comes to me and gently embraces me. Thanks to her, I am somehow able to live a peaceful life.
If she weren’t here, I would probably spend my days curled up in a corner of my room, covered in a blanket, scared of the future that is yet to come. I need to thank Lili again.
“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been talking nonsense for a while now. Are you feeling unwell?”
Otoo-sama lifted me up as I made various facial expressions and frowned in concern.
“Should I take you to see a doctor right now, or should you rest in a place with clean air?”
“I’m fine, Otoo-sama! There’s nothing wrong with me!”
Even I think I look creepy right now. But it can’t be helped. The five-year-old and sixteen-year-old versions of myself are living in the same body.
I can’t tell anyone about it because if I say something like that, they might think I have a mental illness.
“Are you sure? Are you just trying to endure it?”
“I’m not enduring anything. I’m perfectly fine.”
“However…”
Since Otoo-sama doesn’t seem to be convinced, I resort to my final option.
“I love you, Otoo-sama.”
I hug his neck and kiss his cheek while being lifted up. His faint mustache tickles me, but I have to endure it.
“Oh Aliseteen, you’re such a cute child. You’re like an angel.”
“Don’t call a doctor or anything, Otoo-sama.”
“Of course not, I won’t do anything you dislike.”
As he rubs against me, it tickles even more. I pretend to smile happily and gently move away from Otoo-sama’s face.
Now, let’s get back on topic. I have to go to the royal villa now.
As I switch my focus, memories from the past come flooding back. Come to think of it, I first met Julian-sama at that townhouse.
Even as a child, I was captivated by his beauty. And I was shocked that he wasn’t kind to me.
So I became even more obsessed. I was determined to make him fall for me and become his wife.
Julian-sama’s appearance was surreal. If I stood next to him, I would surely be envied by those around us.
To be honest, the previous me only thought of Julian-sama as a kind of accessory.
After all, he’s not at all kind. Even if he pretends to be meek and submissive, his expression doesn’t change a bit.
I can’t judge others, but aside from his looks, Julian-sama wasn’t particularly charming.
It’s what they call a mutual exchange.
