~Chapter 35~
That evening—
After feeling restless all day, Milena finally went to Cecilia’s room.
‘I can’t keep feeling like this.’
Until now, she avoided the topic because her identity wasn’t confirmed yet.
But now—
it was certain.
She couldn’t keep walking on eggshells around Cecilia forever.
It was time to face her directly.
‘Let’s talk to Cecilia first.’
Maybe…
it won’t be as bad as she thinks.
Milena closed her eyes tightly and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
“Who is it?”
Cecilia’s calm voice came from inside.
Milena swallowed nervously and answered clearly,
“It’s me, Milena.”
“….”
A heavy silence followed.
Milena stared at the closed door, tense.
After a moment—
the door opened quietly.
Cecilia stepped out and looked at her expressionlessly.
“What do you want?”
At that indifferent question—
Milena bit the inside of her cheek.
Get yourself together, Milena!
She couldn’t stay like this forever.
“Do you have time this weekend?”
“What for?”
“I made plans for tea with Brother Elias… I was hoping you could join us.”
Milena spoke as gently as possible.
This part was true.
She had already arranged it with Elias—
to bring Cecilia and him closer.
‘Maybe this will help us start talking more naturally…’
But as she watched Cecilia’s reaction—
her shoulders suddenly stiffened.
Cecilia’s lips curled slightly.
“Ha.”
A dry laugh escaped her.
Why is she laughing?
Milena couldn’t hide her confusion.
“Are you pitying me right now?”
Her beautiful teal eyes flashed sharply.
Startled, Milena hesitated.
“What? Pity? What do you mean…?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You’re acting like you’re doing charity—inviting me to tea with Brother.”
Cecilia mocked her openly—
but inside, she felt empty.
‘…I’m being unreasonable.’
She knew it herself.
Milena’s offer came from consideration.
Cecilia had always wanted to grow closer to her family.
And Milena—
was trying to help her.
Since Milena arrived—
their relationship had already improved.
…and yet—
‘I keep getting angry.’
A strange anger and sense of betrayal burned inside her.
Maybe the reason was—
‘I’m… jealous of her.’
With the appearance of the real daughter—
Cecilia’s position had become fragile.
Like a candle in the wind.
She knew Milena treated her sincerely now.
But—
how long would that last?
What if Milena becomes like the others?
What if even she starts calling me a “fake daughter”?
“….”
Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
She couldn’t control her emotions.
Cecilia closed her eyes tightly and snapped,
“You followed me on purpose, didn’t you? Because you wanted to return to this family!”
“….”
Hearing that—
something inside Milena snapped.
‘What nonsense is she saying?!’
As if she came here because she wanted to!
She didn’t even know what Milena had to give up because of this cursed story.
“That’s not true, Sister.”
“What?”
“I was already happy… even without coming back to this family.”
She didn’t want to cry—
but her nose stung.
Milena looked at Cecilia with teary eyes.
“The mother who raised me… is a truly good person.”
She may look rough—
but she was kind.
Milena had to send her away for treatment—
but—
‘Honestly… I didn’t want to leave her.’
She wanted to run to her—
to the southern region where she was resting.
Holding back her emotions, Milena spoke again,
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but… I made a contract with the Duke.”
“…A contract?”
“Yes. That I will stay here for only three years.”
Cecilia’s eyes shook in shock.
“One of the conditions is that the Ducal family will pay for my mother’s treatment.”
“She needs at least three years of care in a warm place.”
Milena continued quietly,
“So I agreed to stay here for three years… and after that, I asked for my freedom.”
“Then…”
“I’m not here to take your place.”
Her voice became firm.
“So please just endure it for three years. After that, I’ll leave on my own.”
Then she added, sounding a little wronged,
“And there’s one thing you misunderstand. If I really wanted to return here, wouldn’t I just come directly?”
“….”
“I wouldn’t need to save you first, right?”
Cecilia had no answer.
Milena blinked away her tears—
then spoke clearly,
“So, please take care of me for these three years, Sister Cecilia.”
Sister Cecilia.
That word hit her deeply.
Cecilia stiffened and replied defensively,
“W-who said I’m your sister?”
Milena scoffed lightly.
“Then what are you? You didn’t complain when I called you that before.”
“….”
Cecilia was left speechless.
She stared at Milena, then muttered,
“I’ve never seen someone like you before.”
“You’ll get used to it. We’re going to live together from now on.”
“No, that’s not what I meant—!”
Cecilia raised her voice—
then suddenly felt exhausted.
What am I even doing?
She had already been pulled into Milena’s pace.
She shook her head.
“Enough. Let’s stop talking.”
“Does that mean… you’ll accept me as your younger sister?”
Milena asked, her eyes shining.
Cecilia frowned deeply.
“Do I even have the choice to refuse?”
She spoke sharply again,
“Everyone else already accepts you as the ‘real daughter.’ Someone like me, a fake—”
She stopped mid-sentence.
Milena was staring at her.
Those clear green eyes—
usually bright—
were now dark, like a forest after heavy rain.
After a long silence—
Milena spoke softly,
“No matter what you say… I still want to be close to you.”
She gave an awkward smile.
At that moment—
Cecilia felt her heart drop.
“I… I…”
“Good night, Sister.”
With that gentle farewell—
Milena turned around without hesitation.
Cecilia bit her lower lip—
and silently watched her walk away.
