Chapter 66

“Ahh…”

As soon as I opened my eyes, a sigh escaped me.

All at once, the events rushed back: having dashed into the snowy field in my maid outfit, making snowballs, and especially the moment when I threw one directly at Tia’s face. It all came flooding back, and I soon felt an overwhelming urge to hide away in some mousehole.

It wasn’t just a little embarrassing; it was a lot.

“Why did I do that…?”

Why had I gotten so elated over the first snowfall? Snow had never been anything particularly special in my life. Having spent my childhood in Busan, a place where snow was scarce, and later moving to Seoul for high school where I was buried in studies, I’d always missed the chance to properly experience the first snow.

Whenever I sat by the academy’s window and watched the snowflakes falling, by the time I ventured outside after sunset, the snow had already stopped.

I have no special memories of snow.

Hence, I didn’t think I had ever yearned for snow in particular.

But why?

Today, when I saw the snowflakes falling outside the window, an unexpected thrill coursed through me.

I wanted to go out. To feel the snow. To see Tia.

Because of these thoughts, I fidgeted constantly during the reception held at the duke’s side.

I worried that if the guests were to leave, the snow might stop. Perhaps this time, I’d miss the first snow again. This time, I’d end up walking alone on the snow-covered street.

But the snow only grew heavier, showing no signs of waning. It was as if it were waiting specifically for me.

Finally, after bidding farewell to all the guests, I asked the duke for a break. To think of it now, it was more like throwing a tantrum than asking nicely.

The duke must have been quite taken aback by my childish behavior. Thankfully, it seemed his annoyance didn’t last long as he readily gave me permission to leave.

I will never forget seeing Tia lying alone in the snow that moment.

The sudden redness in my eyes and the lump in my chest still linger in my memory.

I’m not sure why, but tears threatened to well up before I could even process them.

I have no clear recollection of what happened after.

I lost all sense of rationality, rolling around with Tia until my hands and cheeks were bright red.

There are no special memories tied to snow.

Perhaps that’s why I unconsciously sought to make some.

Today, for the first time, I realized how joyous the first snow could be when shared with someone precious.

“Mom! Are you okay?!”

“How long were you out?”

“About three seconds?”

As Tia’s worried face entered my field of vision, I couldn’t help but smile.

How adorable. How endearing.

Thanks to the surge of endorphins released after fainting, I momentarily forgot all the frustrations Tia had stirred within me and now only saw how beautiful she truly was.

“Mom, sorry? Did you get hurt a lot?”

“No, I’m okay.”

I tightly hugged Tia, who crouched with a worried look on her face. Even though my body was completely covered in snow, I felt warm—only in my illusion, of course.

Initially surprised, Tia struggled for a moment, but then resigned and reciprocated the embrace.

“Are you not cold, Mom?”

“Must’ve hit my head and forgotten something… or maybe…”

Recognizing the voice, I saw servants from the main house laughing at us, their expressions filled with amused disbelief.

Suddenly, the warmth disappeared, replaced by a chill that made my body shiver. My embarrassment doubled.

“Should we play with you guys too?”

“No, no, we’re sorry. We’re a bit busy.”

“Are you two having fun?”

“…”

The servants awkwardly bid their greetings and stealthily retreated.

Who in their right mind would be tumbling around in the snow in such thin clothes on such a cold day?

That would be me.

“…”

The matter wasn’t over with just the maids either.

The butler, wondering about the commotion, stepped outside, glanced sideways at Tia and me, and then shook his head, turning away.

At least, I thought, he could lecture me about slacking off during work hours.

But his mere silent disapproval with a disdainful gaze was enough to make my embarrassment soar.

My face must have turned bright red by now.

“Umm, let’s go inside?”

“Mm. I’d like to play more, but… Mom, you’re cold.”

“Right! Let’s go inside!”

I somehow persuaded Tia successfully.

Standing up, I realized I was completely soaked with snow. My underwear must be soaked too.

Holding Tia’s hand tightly, I wobbled my way back to the accommodation.

It had been a while since I’d felt this exhausted yet still so content.

“Now, let’s take a bath.”

“Whaaat? I already bathed yesterday!”

“But you played in the snow, so you need to bathe again. Hurry up, come here.”

“Noooooo!”

“If you don’t come by the time I count to three, I’m adding green peppers to the fried rice.”

“Muuu…”

Only then, with a teary look, did Tia shuffle toward the bathroom. Every stomp she took on the ground conveyed her displeasure.

Fortunately for me, we didn’t have any green peppers in the fridge, but Tia didn’t know that.

“Phew… Look at that messy hair. Did you not wash it this morning?”

“B-but I did?”

“Don’t lie. Your dandruff is piling up so much I thought it was snow. If you keep this up, lice will start living in your hair.”

“W-whaaaat?!”

“Yes. They latch onto your head and suck your blood.”

“Hiiiiiiik?!”

“Tsk. Guess we need to wash your hair, huh?”

Tia’s face turned ghostly white, and she nodded furiously.

Such a cute one.

Once Tia became obedient, I undressed her and led her to the bathroom. Thanks to this rare break, we could enjoy the wide and luxurious bathroom all to ourselves for a time.

Still, we needed to return within 30 minutes to avoid the butler’s scolding, so we decided to hurry a bit.

“Wow, you have so much dandruff. I guess you don’t have to worry about losing your hair in the future.”

“Huh? Why would my hair fall out?”

“Stress can sometimes cause hair loss. Like Aunt Irina.”

“Poor Aunt Irina…”

“Yeah.”

It’s truly amazing how much Tia doesn’t resemble me at all when it comes to hair.

She must have inherited 100% from her father’s side. Having short hair, it wasn’t noticeable earlier, but now that it’s grown a bit longer, it’s impossible not to notice.

I’ll have to make sure she washes her hair every day going forward.

“Hehehe, that tickles!”

“…”

As I washed Tia’s body, my mind wandered.

When I first noticed her chest growing, I was filled with all sorts of worries, but fortunately, her growth rate doesn’t seem that rapid.

She doesn’t look like she’ll grow as much as I did.

Once chubby and round arms and legs have now become longer and leaner.

She might turn out with a nicer figure than me when she grows up.

My bust and hips make it hard to find clothes that fit well.

A little jealousy rose in me.

“Muuh? What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… the texture feels nice…”

I almost lost myself playing with Tia’s tail.

It wasn’t just “quite big.” It had grown so much that if I were to cut it off and fry it, it could likely feed three people.

And those dark and hard horns…

It seems like she’s saying loudly: “I’m a dragon’s daughter, and proud of it.”

The leopard was right.

There’s no way to hide this forever.

If I keep hiding it, one day Tia will find out on her own and lose faith in me.

It’s late, but it’s better to tell her now.

Tia has the right to know.

I can’t be a coward anymore.

“Tia, do you remember? This morning, I said I had something to tell you?”

“What was that? I totally forgot because I had so much fun playing with you.”

“Is that so? I almost forgot too, but this is something I must tell you.”

With Tia sitting in front of me, I slowly washed her back, whispering my words.

I wasn’t ready to face her directly yet.

“Tia… Do you know how you’re different from other people?”

“Muuh. Probably… a demon… right? That’s why I have horns and a tail and am so strong?”

“…”

My throat tightened.

She’s uncertain too.

And it’s unsurprising; I’ve never explicitly told her she’s a demon.

I couldn’t even lie properly.

I felt pitiful, and deeply sorry for Tia.

“Yes, well. The truth is, there was something Mom didn’t explain properly before. I thought you weren’t old enough to understand then…”

It’s an excuse.

The moment I realized it was merely self-serving justification, my throat constricted.

I don’t need these excuses to repent.

“Tia, you are… actually the child of a Dragon…”

I just blurted it out.

To avoid further confusion.

I told her outright what she had a right to know.

Tia turned around to face me, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

“Dragon…?”

“Yeah. Dragons, or drakes, are a species that have incredibly large wings to fly, big claws, and tails.”

“Can they breathe fire?”

“Erm… how did you know that?”

“I saw it in a fairytale book the duke lent me! The huge and scary one, remember?”

“Y-yes, it’s correct.”

“Wow! Mom was a dragon, huh?”

“…”

I froze in place.

“Tia’s mom.”

Her use of “Tia’s mom,” not just “mom,” wasn’t in reference to me. It was about the mother Tia imagines.

Tia still believes I’m not her biological mother.

She thinks I found her, a dragon’s daughter.

It’s understandable, isn’t it?

After all, besides our matching blue eyes, we don’t resemble each other in any way.

It’s a logical train of thought.

“Mom… are you crying?”

“No, it’s the water.”

So why does my chest ache so much?

When I’m the one deceiving an innocent child who knows nothing, why am I the one feeling such pain?

I wanted to tell her.

I wanted to tell her everything.

But I couldn’t stop myself from crying.

If Tia knew the truth—that she was an unwanted child, born from a rape—what guilt and pain would this kind-hearted child carry?

The foundling.

Let’s leave it at that for now.

As I couldn’t face her, I tightly embraced her instead.

“I’m sorry, Tia. Sorry for lying. I’m really, truly sorry…”

“Muuu. It’s okay. Dragons are an incredibly amazing race, right? That’s why you hid it. You were protecting me. It was out of love for me. That’s why, Tia understands, Mom. Thank you, Mom.”

“No, noo…”

Unable to hold it in, I burst into tears.

Tia tightly hugged me, pounding my back.

Even after doling out this tiny truth, so mired in lies, I feel a revulsion toward myself for feeling a brief sense of relief.

It’s unbearably painful and regretful, and my tears wouldn’t stop.

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