Chapter 1
“Yulaina! Hurry up and come down. We’re going to be late!”
Benjamin raised his voice as he looked up at the stairs to the second floor. He was starting to get irritated because his daughter hadn’t come down yet, despite how long he’d been waiting.
“I’m really almost done! I’m coming down now!”
It was the day he and his daughter had planned to go to the village festival. According to the schedule, Benjamin, as the village chief, should have been raising his glass to declare the start of the festivities. But the time had long since passed.
‘Damn… so much for the toast!’
In truth, the villagers probably wouldn’t mind much. Still, Benjamin couldn’t help feeling disappointed at missing out on that splendid moment.
He was the sole intellectual leading this humble rural village, a self-made man who had risen to become a local leader—that was the pride that defined him.
Growing bored while waiting for his daughter, Benjamin glanced at the mirror above the fireplace.
“I’ve aged so much raising this child.”
Gray strands had settled into his hair, and fine wrinkles creased his skin. Upon closer inspection, his complexion seemed a bit mottled too…
His fingertips trembled slightly as he straightened his crooked tie. It was formal attire he hadn’t worn in ages.
He’d sold off his pocket watch and jewelry long ago when money was tight, but this custom-tailored suit, which had sat in the wardrobe for years, remained impeccably crisp—he could never part with it.
The starched shirt, the tie that looked brand new, the top hat, and the frock coat that fit him perfectly.
It was far from the latest urban fashion, but this last remaining fine suit was more precious to Benjamin than any treasure.
“Yulaina! Let’s go already!”
“Ah, just a second!”
His patience was wearing thin, but Benjamin decided to give in just one more time for his daughter’s sake.
“You’ve got five more minutes!”
From above, hurried footsteps echoed back and forth, as if the floorboards might splinter at any moment.
…Well, she’s at that age where she wants to look her best.
Even as he sighed, Benjamin felt a secret satisfaction.
He’d thought she had no interest in dressing up, but it seemed the time had come—lately, his daughter had been paying much more attention to her appearance.
If only she’d tone down that stubborn streak, my daughter could be the belle of high society!
Her striking looks that turned heads instantly, her sharp intellect, her innate liveliness, and her sparkling wit. Without a doubt, she’d capture the attention of elite noblemen.
“Haa…”
Benjamin gazed deeply at his reflection in the mirror. The chance to return, the opportunity to make amends—it would come soon.
This time, for sure…
“Dad! I’m coming down!”
A thunderous clatter rang out, as if she might shatter the old wooden stairs.
“Hey, Yulaina! You need to come down gracefully!”
Of course, she paid no heed. Bounding down the steep, worn stairs like she was flying, his daughter finally leaped over the last two steps in one go.
“Can’t you walk more modestly, for once! No matter how prettily you dress…”
“Act like a noble lady! Think of your father’s reputation! That’s it, right?”
Yulaina grumbled as she spun around. Benjamin had been about to snap back sharply, but the sight of his daughter’s lovely appearance melted his heart in an instant.
“My daughter…”
If his finest suit was a gentleman’s pride, then his daughter Yulaina was his ‘masterpiece.’ If only she’d be a bit more obedient while looking this beautiful.
“You’re so pretty.”
Her eyebrows were neatly arched like a painting, her green eyes sparkled with intelligence, her nose rose elegantly, and her lips were perfectly shaped.
Her abundant golden hair was tied up with a deep navy ribbon, and her ears were adorned with simple pearl earrings.
If only they were real, Benjamin thought with a click of his tongue, voicing his regret.
“I should have bought you some proper earrings.”
“Why? These are fine as long as they’re pretty.”
“They’re cheap, that’s why. Anything my daughter wears should be luxurious.”
“Dad, please.”
Yulaina sighed as if exasperated. Undeterred, Benjamin kept scanning her up and down, unable to hide his proud smile.
“You wouldn’t look out of place as an imperial princess. So aristocratic.”
“Ugh, that noble nonsense again! Normally, I look like a maid or something?”
Yulaina let out a scoff and, as if to change the subject, lifted the hem of her skirt slightly.
“Does this dress suit me?”
As she twirled once, the deep green skirt flared softly below the cinched belt, swishing gracefully.
“Yes, that was your mother’s dress.”
Benjamin replied somewhat flatly, but Yulaina stroked the soft fabric over and over. She couldn’t even remember how long she’d waited for the day this dress would fit her.
***
A serene forest devoid of people. Their home was a small cabin nestled in its deepest part.
The distant chirping of birds, the rustle of branches in the wind blowing up from the gorge below the hill.
Today, a welcome scent joined them. As the ground thawed after being frozen solid all winter, a fresh earthy aroma wafted in strongly.
“It really seems like spring is coming.”
“Of course. The people here have an uncanny nose for the smell of spring, don’t they?”
Yulaina burst into giggles. Benjamin poked her side playfully.
“The peddler should be coming through soon. Should I put in an order for a parasol for you?”
“A parasol? Why?”
“You’re nineteen now, aren’t you? A young lady your age without even a proper piece of jewelry or a parasol…”
“Ahh. It’s fine, Dad.”
Yulaina shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“I wouldn’t use it anyway. I’m not some noble heiress.”
Benjamin’s hand tightened around his cane.
“Who do you think your father is? I was the royal physician. That’s practically nobility. So you should have some pride!”
“Yeees…”
Yulaina almost retorted with ‘But not anymore, right?’ but held her tongue.
Her father’s obsession with wealth, honor, and power sometimes made him seem pathetic, but saying it out loud would cause an uproar.
“I wish you’d dress like this every day, though.”
“Ugh, it’s uncomfortable. One day of feeling fancy is enough.”
Yulaina laughed dismissively, brushing it off. Tomorrow, she’d be back to her usual country girl attire anyway.
“Still. What about a hat or shoes? If there’s something you want, just tell me. Your father has money.”
He looked immensely pleased.
“Come on, say it.”
“Well, there is one thing…”
“You had something in mind? You should have said so earlier. Let’s hear it.”
His daughter rarely asked for anything, so Benjamin brightened, eagerly awaiting her words.
“I…”
Yulaina glanced at her father cautiously before speaking.
“Could I go out to the neighboring village?”
Crack.
With the sound of a twig snapping, her father stopped dead in his tracks.
Sensing the ominous shift, Yulaina hurriedly added,
“Of course, I don’t mean far away—it’s just ten minutes by mail coach to the town, right? Just once…”
“No.”
At the cold refusal, Yulaina’s head drooped.
“That’s a foolish question not even worth answering.”
Her father’s sharp gaze raked over her thoroughly. It was an oppressive stance that brooked no rebellion.
‘No leaving the village.’
It had been that way since she was little, after her mother died in a carriage accident. Yulaina couldn’t step a foot outside the village. Sometimes, she even had to check with her father before going into their own yard.
‘The world is dangerous.’
That was her father’s creed. Because he loved her, because she was precious, he had to keep her safe.
But didn’t that contradict everything?
He went on about high society in the city and being a noble lady, yet he kept her trapped in this backwater…
“The Luar Kingdom is at war right now, Yulaina!”
“Dad, the Norden forces are still in the south. We’re at the northern edge.”
Feeling her chest tighten, Yulaina struggled to continue.
“Even the people in this area don’t know where our village is. Sure, some have gone off to the front, but everyone else is living normally. The women go to the market every day…”
Thud! Her father slammed his cane down roughly and growled fiercely.
“Are you the same as those worthless country wenches, my daughter?”
“Dad! How can you say that…”
“When the time comes, I’ll take you out of this backwater myself. Until then, no!”
The pent-up resentment in her heart exploded with a bang. Yulaina shouted, her face flushed red.
“When is that time, exactly! You wouldn’t even let me go to school!”
“…”
Benjamin was momentarily speechless, his eyebrows twitching.
“What’s the problem? You have a father who’s far better than any country teacher, and the peddler comes by to sell things when needed. What’s there to complain about!”
His voice grew rougher with rising anger.
“I’ve given you everything I can. There’s just one rule—is it so hard to follow?”
“Yes, it is! I can’t take this suffocation anymore…”
Her sobs grew louder with overwhelming sorrow.
“I’ve been trapped in this village for fifteen years since I was four. How long do I have to live like this? Huh?”
“Be quiet! Your father will handle everything.”
“Ha, really…”
Unable to contain her surging anger, Yulaina ruffled her hair wildly and muttered to herself.
“I’m going crazy.”
That was the final blow. Uncontrollable flames ignited in Benjamin’s eyes.
Yulaina was supposed to be demure and perfect—a lady. How could such coarse words come from a lady’s mouth, which should only utter pretty things!
“You, you wretch, shut your mouth!”
Benjamin’s face burned red as he bellowed like a scream.
“If I, your father, say no, then it’s no!”
Crack! His ebony cane struck the ground harshly. Muddy splatters flew everywhere, leaving dark stains on the green dress.
“…”
Only ragged breathing and birdsong filled the air as heavy silence descended on the forest path.
Yulaina stared down at her dress in silence, rubbing the hem firmly. The damp stain only spread uglier, refusing to come out.
“…Cheers!”
Boisterous noise drifted up from below the hill. The cheerful accordion, scattered laughter, even the clear clinking of glasses and singing voices.
“Now, Yulaina,”
Benjamin sighed and slowly lifted his head.
“My good, pretty daughter…”
Yulaina shrank her shoulders instinctively. Her father’s face had switched to kindness in an instant, like a mask—it unnerved her.
“We have to show everyone how beautiful you look. Let’s go. Okay?”
His hand on her shoulder gently pushed her back forward.
