An Unkind Stepmother

The duchess Belladona, the cuckoo bird of the duchy.

After regression, the woman who had sacrificed everything to repay the duke for saving her was no longer kind as before.

ㅡㅡㅡ

She had wanted to be acknowledged by everything that bore the duke’s traces, and wanted to be embraced as part of the family.

After devoting one lifetime and doing her utmost for the duchy, Bella died.

So she has already done enough.

“Fine.”

Remove what must be removed and leave what must be left.

Following only the duke’s last will, I will protect the ducal house until Caelan becomes an adult.

And three years later, I will leave here without lingering attachment.

So, children.

This will be good news for you.

My attention, which you had refused so fiercely, will be gone now.

---

“...Why aren’t you scolding me?”

With a soft smile, she said to the wicked child whose trembling voice asked her that:

“I mean, Reyna.”

“...”

“I have no intention of scolding you.”

“...Why?”

Not because I want to relieve the burden in your heart,

“Just because.”

I no longer want to do anything that helps you.

---

“I want to be happy.”

“...Is that all?”

“I don’t know. What is happiness?”

“Family, delicious food, people you love, and... things you want? Even if it’s not something grand, you can still be happy with small things.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I... um. Just... I want a pretty hairpin.”

Drawn in by the bright smile that did not suit the situation, the child soon looked at her with determination and said,

“A hairpin. I’ll give you one.”

And a long-lost connection from the forgotten past slowly approached like flowing water.