"...And so, the prince and the girl became husband and wife, living happily ever after. The end."
With those words, Mother finished the story. When I begged to hear more, she simply smiled, her hand stroking my hair with a gentle touch. "It's late now, little one," she whispered. "Time for sleep."
Those days were poor, yet they were filled with a quiet sort of magic. I loved her smile more than anything, and I loved the tales she spun in the flickering candlelight.
* * *
Mother had been a maid in the house of a certain Viscount¹. Just once, the master had taken a fancy to her, and the result of that fleeting moment was me.
When the Viscountess discovered the truth, her fury was like a summer storm. She didn't take Mother's life, but she threw her out of the manor with nothing but the clothes on her back. Somehow, Mother found a roof and a way to work, raising me all by herself.
I only learned the truth after she passed away. Before the grief could even settle, a man arrived from the Viscount's estate to collect me.
"Hmph. I see. She has a fine face, much like that maid. And her Mana Capacity² is quite high, they say. She might fetch a decent price as a concubine for a high noble."
A carriage whisked me away to a grand mansion. A stout, middle-aged man met me there, his eyes as cold as chips of ice. This was the man Mother had served. This was my father.
"You'll have tutors starting today," the Viscount said. "We have no daughters here. You'd best work hard so a good marriage prospect can be found for you."
He decided everything without a single thought for my feelings. Was this what a father was supposed to be? It felt so hollow. The Viscount turned on his heel, ready to vanish back into his stone walls. I had to speak. I had to!
"Um...!"
"What is it?" the Viscount asked. "I am busy."
His gaze remained frosty. I fought back the urge to sob, pulling every ounce of courage from my chest. I shouted louder than I ever had in my life.
"I will do as you say! So, please... at least let me build a proper grave for my mother!"
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. Tears blurred my vision, spilling down my cheeks. But I wouldn't budge. Not about her.
"...Hmph. Fine. I suppose that much is acceptable. But remember your place."
He disappeared inside. The strength left my legs all at once, and I crumpled to the dirt. I didn't care about my clothes. I just sat there, my tears soaking into the dry, thirsty earth.
Then began the long, bitter years.
My tutors worked me from dawn until dusk. The servants treated me like a plague-bearer, and the Viscountess and her sons never missed a chance to torment me. I spent my hours in a cramped attic room, eating cold meals in silence. Every bite reminded me of the warm food Mother used to make, and the tears would start all over again.
Years of that life will crack any heart. Eventually, even thinking became a chore. I figured I would just become another doll in this house. Then, the world shifted.
"Rejoice! Duke Weltheim³ himself has agreed to take you in!"
The Viscount, whom I hadn't seen in ages, was suddenly beaming. It turned out he'd been peddling my magical potential to other noble houses. I was to be adopted into a Duke's family.
The Viscountess, the concubines, the sons—they all wore the same horrific smiles.
"Because of this adoption, our house will receive a fortune. And if you catch a royal's eye, we'll have a foot in the palace door. I'm truly glad I took you in."
I felt nothing. A different house just meant a different cage.
Or so I thought.
* * *
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kraut von Weltheim. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. We're siblings now, after all."
He smiled so kindly. He looked exactly like the prince from Mother's stories. His manners were calm, his smile refreshing. Though he was slender, there was a hidden strength in the way he stood.
Honestly, he looked nothing like the Duke who had brought him—save for the color of his hair.
I was used to the cruel smirks of the Viscount's sons. Comparing them to Kraut-sama felt like an insult to him. When he took my hand, I couldn't even look him in the eye from sheer embarrassment!
The shocks kept coming. He was only twelve, yet he served as a Deputy Governor⁴. I saw him get teased by a beautiful maid and look genuinely flustered. He even insisted on showing me around the estate himself.
My only idea of nobles came from books and that wretched Viscount, but I knew Kraut-sama was different. My cracked heart felt as though something warm was finally seeping into the gaps.
After parting ways with Kraut-sama, a different maid led me toward my new quarters. I was excited, yet I felt a heavy sink in my chest. I must have looked miserable, because the maid stopped and turned around.
"Primeria-sama, is something the matter?"
"Oh, well..."
I hesitated. The maid gave a small, charming smile. She was different from Heliotrope-san, but just as lovely.
"Your room is just ahead. I'll prepare some tea, and we can talk then."
She stopped before a sturdy door and swung it open. "This will be your room, Primeria-sama."
"Oh...!"
A gasp escaped me. The room was spacious, decorated in soft whites with elegant, understated furniture. There were cute little trinkets everywhere, making it feel cozy and welcoming.
"It's wonderful! I can't believe such a place was ready on such short notice!"
"Kraut-sama provided the instructions himself," the maid said, her face lighting up with a sort of dreamy devotion. "The rest of the staff worked together to get it ready. To think he has such a keen sense for a lady's taste... ah, he is truly marvelous."
She clearly adored him, just like Heliotrope-san. It made me feel small. Kraut-sama had been so kind, and all I'd managed were awkward, blunt answers. I hadn't even said 'thank you.'
I hope... I hope I can talk to him a bit more at dinner.
Summary:
Primeria reflects on her difficult past as the illegitimate daughter of a cold Viscount who only saw her as a tool. After years of abuse following her mother's death, she is suddenly adopted by the prestigious House Weltheim. Upon arriving, she meets her new older brother, Kraut, whose kindness and princely demeanor catch her off guard. She begins to settle into a surprisingly beautiful new room, feeling a spark of hope for the first time.
Character Insight:
This chapter highlights Primeria's deep-seated trauma and her subsequent 'thawing.' Her background as an outcast has made her expect cruelty from the nobility, making Kraut's genuine kindness feel revolutionary. Kraut's actions—preparing her room and greeting her personally—show he is intentionally breaking the noble mold to provide her with the security she never had.
Behind the Scene:
The contrast between the Viscount's 'transactional' view of family and the Weltheim's hospitality serves to establish the moral compass of the series.
T/L:
1 ↩ Viscount: A noble rank below an Earl/Count but above a Baron.
2 ↩ Mana Capacity: A measure of an individual's total magical energy reserves.
3 ↩ Duke Weltheim: One of the highest-ranking noble houses, often second only to royalty.
4 ↩ Deputy Governor: An official acting on behalf of the lord to manage regional administration and politics.
Notes:
• Kraut - The eldest son of a Duke's family (9 years old). He has blue eyes, a straight nose, and short silver hair. Handsome and now he is slender.
• Primeria - A main heroine of 'Sword, Magic, and the Cadenas'. Currently the illegitimate child of a Viscount family with high magical power and beauty. Tprotagonist's new stepsister, an eleven-year-old girl described as incredibly beautiful and fragile. She has shoulder-length, soft pink hair and porcelain-white skin.
• Heliotrope - Kraut's exclusive maid, fifteen years old (six years older than Kraut). She has long black hair reaching her waist and a cool, beautiful face. She is a 'slave battle maid' who was formerly a noble lady from a fallen northern country. She wears a Victorian-style long-dress maid outfit.