Chapter 22

Cecenia stroked her chin as she tried to recall the past when she first met Rohan.

“Yes. My mother used to say that. She said that you resemble the late Marchioness a lot. Outwardly, Lady Elzer might seem to resemble her more, but in terms of your strong will and firm personality, you take after her.”

“Mother…”

Cecenia suddenly thought of her mother.

“She passed away when I was five.”

At that moment, Rohan’s expression changed slightly.

“Is that not right?”

“No, it is. There was even a funeral.”

Cecenia clearly remembered it—the sight of her father crying out in agony and her mother gently stroking her cheek, telling her she loved her and that she should always live as herself.

‘But how did she die?’

Since she was only five, was that why she couldn’t remember? Cecenia couldn’t recall her mother’s final moments. She only knew what others had told her—that her mother had passed away due to poor health.

“It feels a little sad.”

“What…?”

“It’s been so long that I can’t even remember my mother’s face or her scent. She loved me so much… but all I remember is hearing from my father and Elzer that she looked exactly like my sister. I have no other way to remember her.”

Was she really like her mother? That thought suddenly crossed her mind.

The Marchioness had passed away without leaving even a single portrait behind. The mother Cecenia remembered was blurry at best. While she could recall things her mother had said, everything else was a blank.

Especially her appearance. Even though she had been young, was it possible to remember so little? The thought darkened Cecenia’s expression.

“Rohan, do you remember my mother?”

“No. Neither I nor my mother remember her well. We only know that she was very kind… Strangely enough, no one remembers her appearance. It’s as if we were conditioned to believe that she resembled Lady Elzer and nothing else.”

“I see.”

“But, my lady, my mother always said that the Marchioness loved you more than Lady Elzer. So, please don’t be too sad. Someday…”

“Someday?”

Rohan hesitated as if he wanted to say something, then shook his head.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, I have sold the cotton and firewood as you instructed. I made sure to set up special contracts so that for one week, no one will disclose that they purchased Hepria cotton.”

Rohan handed over the organized documents, looking rather proud of himself. Cecenia watched him, sensing that he was deliberately changing the subject, but she didn’t press further.

After all, digging up old memories would only deepen her longing. Instead, she focused on reviewing the documents Rohan had prepared.

“You did well.”

There was no response.

“I also increased the security.”

“I thought you’d be curious about why I increased security on an empty warehouse, but you’re not asking?”

“If my lady does something, there must be a reason.”

“You trust me too much. It makes me a little worried… If you have any opinions, feel free to share them.”

As if he had been waiting for those words, Rohan immediately pulled out more documents.

“Then, please look at this, and this, and this.”

“There’s a lot to go through.”

“By the way, what do you plan to do for the next business venture? Given the profits from this one…”

For once, Rohan seemed excited. He was usually so serious, but the success of this deal had brought a rare spark to his eyes as he eagerly spread out proposals for future ventures.

“This matter will soon be settled. Then we will wait for spring to bloom. The next steps will unfold after that.”

“I see.”

“Now, I must head to the temple. Teddy, you stay here.”

“I will accompany you.”

“No.”

“But I must protect you, my lady…”

Teddy instinctively moved closer to Cecenia’s side.

“No. The reason I came here was for you, Teddy.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Teddy, you are the most precious thing I own.”

“Precious… me? Someone like me?”

“Yes. That’s why I won’t show you to just anyone. Especially not to the temple. Not until the right time comes. So, Teddy, learn as much as you can and grow. Don’t make me regret buying you.”

Cecenia drew a firm line, keeping their relationship strictly as master and servant. No other emotions would be involved.

The most precious thing—until the day it could be placed where it truly belonged, it would be locked away safely in a treasure chest, protected and cherished.

To Cecenia, Teddy was the most valuable gemstone hidden inside that treasure chest.

“Ah…”

“You understand, right? Stay here and do as I say.”

“If that is what you wish… Yes, my lady.”

Perhaps he interpreted her words differently, for Teddy looked at her with a rather joyful expression.

“I will make sure you never regret it. I will prove that you made the right choice in buying me.”

A single phrase—perhaps spoken offhandedly, or maybe as a strategy to manipulate the situation in his favor—had the power to change someone’s life.

And just like that, Teddy’s eyes shone brightly, filled with hope, as if reflecting sunlight. Since meeting Cecenia, he had only lived each day diligently. But now, for the first time, he looked forward to the future. A future where Cecenia existed.

“Rohan, finish up here.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Cecenia climbed into the carriage once more, accompanied by Lisbet.

“To the temple.”

Having already heard the destination, Lisbet relayed the order to the coachman, and the carriage door closed. With the sound of hooves clattering, the carriage moved forward.

Unlike her expectation that Silian would appear again to chatter away, he remained completely silent, not even showing any sign of movement.

“Could he have run away, my lady?”

Finding it odd, Lisbet scanned the surroundings before voicing her concern.

“If he ran away, there’s nothing we can do.”

“Are you really okay with that?”

“Yes. Even if he runs, Silian will eventually come back to me. I am the only one in this world who can protect him.”

At Cecenia’s confident words, Lisbet simply nodded in understanding.

That kind of behavior only solidified Cecenia’s belief—Lisbet, too, had returned from the future.

‘Wasn’t turning back time supposed to be a secret art of my family?’

Or was there another method to travel through time? If not, then perhaps this Lisbet merely had memories of the future.

Countless questions filled Cecenia’s mind.

One question led to another, which in turn gave birth to more, tormenting her until they finally arrived at the temple.