The morning after the late-night conversation, Riley awoke with a storm of emotions.
She felt... different. Not heavier, but not lighter either. Knowing the truth didn't set her free, but it settled something inside her. A root had finally found its soil. For the first time since she opened her eyes in this world, she truly felt like she belonged here.
Yet the warmth was not without its shadows.
Ramona's face from the night before lingered in her mind. Those violet eyes, usually so graceful and composed, had shimmered with grief. And although Ramona still invited her for afternoon tea like always, her voice had grown quieter, her presence more distant.
Riley didn't want things to stay that way.
So, at that day's afternoon tea, she mustered the courage to speak.
"I wish to really be part of this family," she said abruptly.
Ramona looked up from her teacup, startled.
"You have always been part of this family, dear." She tried to remain composed, but her voice wavered at the end. "Even more so than me."
Riley looked into her soft purple eyes.
"You are part of this family too."
Ramona's expression darkened. "Yes... as Cana's substitute."
Riley shook her head firmly. "No. You are Viscount Sven's partner. You manage this estate, support Viscount Sven, and even raised me-someone who isn't your daughter-as your own."
She reached forward and placed her small hand gently over Ramona's.
"You've done things my mother couldn't. You both have roles. And you've both performed them beautifully."
Ramona's eyes shimmered again. "But I... I'm not your mother. Nor Sven's lover."
"And I don't even remember my birth mother," Riley said quietly.
That, somehow, made Ramona let out a small, bittersweet chuckle. "You don't remember anyone, sweetie."
"Exactly." Riley grinned. "But I can get to know you. And Viscount Sven. I'll never be able to relearn my birth mother... but I can learn to love the ones who are here."
Ramona gazed at her for a long moment, then let out a trembling sigh. A faded smile formed on her lips.
"I never thought that kind of dark joke could make me feel better." She smiled more fully, her posture loosening. "Riley, I do love you-even though you're not my own. I loved Cana too. So much that I let myself become her shadow."
She reached for her handkerchief and gently dabbed her eyes. "This might be a long story, but... do you mind hearing the full truth?"
Riley's face lit up. "Of course. We have all the time in the world."
Ramona leaned back, her eyes drifting toward the trees swaying in the afternoon breeze.
"Cana and I were daughters of a Baron-Khan Sollaz. We weren't wealthy. Our father spent more on his people than on himself or us. His barony was small, tucked between merchant routes to the west and the northern borders."
She paused, sipping her tea slowly before continuing.
"For a while, we lived well. The Sollaz territory thrived as a logistics hub. But that didn't last. A new house rose-wealthier, more connected. They stole our contracts. Our caravans went quiet. Our land was too barren for farming and too far from the dark forest to profit off trade."
Ramona's voice softened. "The people whispered that the Sollaz line was dying. But we never imagined how quickly it would fall."
Riley leaned in, listening intently.
"Sventius Vreisz came west that winter, accompanying his father on a formal trip. He was twenty. Already expected to choose a wife. But he loathed the politics around it."
Ramona smiled faintly. "They were meant to meet with a merchant named Glass, but extreme weather trapped them. They sought shelter in our home. That was the first time we met-Sven, Cana, and me."
She sipped her tea again, continuing. "Even though it was a short encounter, Sven fell for Cana-hard. They stayed in touch through letters. Not long after, Sven inherited the Viscounty, and he was ready to propose to her. But by then, the barony had already collapsed."
She paused.
"It wasn't just our poor finances," she said darkly. "Something far more sinister happened. Somehow, Cana's macht reached the ears of the Imperials. And they issued a hunt-not just for her, but for all of Sollaz."
Her grip on the teacup tightened.
"That night was terrifying. The Baron and Baroness... they died protecting us. They managed to slip Cana and me out just in time. We lived in hiding from then on."
Riley sat completely still, her eyes wide.
"Sven, upon hearing the news, hurried to search the western region. He eventually found us. But by then, Cana had already exhausted herself using Memoria to protect us. Two girls wandering alone-it was a miracle we survived. But it took a toll on her."
Ramona's gaze lowered.
"After that incident, Cana changed. She began speaking in languages I didn't recognize. She felt emotions that weren't hers. But despite that, Sven still loved her. And he took the both of us here-to Reverie, his territory."
A faint smile ghosted across her lips.
"It took a great deal of time, but Sven eventually brought the real Cana back. And I couldn't have been happier. They loved each other so deeply. But Cana knew she could never marry Sven. It was too risky. The Imperial agents had already confirmed she was the one who carried Memoria."
Ramona gave a soft sigh.
"So, we began to live as one. Thankfully, our physical traits were similar. With a veil over her face, or the excuse of a lingering illness, no one could tell us apart."
She glanced at Riley.
"Sven proposed to me-legally. But I knew... I was just the shield. What he wanted was to bring Cana here, into his home. I didn't mind. I had no place in his heart, and frankly, no place left in Fillemina. Living here in the Vreisz mansion, under his protection, was the safest option."
Riley's brows furrowed. "So you pretended to be her?"
Ramona nodded. "Sven faked Cana's death. He created the illusion and brought both of us in. The plan worked-for a while."
Her tone grew grim.
"But it only lasted a few years. One night, they found out. Someone-later we discovered it was a maid-reported that Cana was alive. The pursuers barged in."
Her voice trembled. "You were just two years old. They weren't suspicious of you since I was Sven's legal wife. Everyone believed you were my child, not Cana's."
She paused to collect herself.
"After that night, Sven fired many maids and employees, keeping only the most trusted. Collins was one of them. She'd been babysitting you since the day you were born."
Ramona gave a faint, wistful smile.
"Over time, more people figured out I wasn't your real mother. But they stayed silent. Sven has always been careful. He built loyalty not just with coins, but kindness."
She looked at Riley, a flicker of warmth behind her eyes.
"That's how we protected you."
Riley's throat felt tight.
"You did all that... for me?"
Ramona nodded. "For Cana. For Sven. And yes-for you."
The wind stirred the petals around them. Somewhere in the distance, bells chimed from the tower clock.
And for the first time, neither of them looked away.
Later that day, just before sunset, Riley wandered alone on the third floor of the mansion, where her chamber was. The upper floor of the estate was always quieter than the rest of the house.
The walls were lined with rich, dark wood and oil paintings that watched with distant eyes. Riley often passed the corridor on her way to her room, but one particular door-just beside her father's chambers-was always locked. No one ever mentioned it. No one ever went near.
It was the only room she was forbidden from entering.
Which, of course, made her all the more curious.
It wasn't the kind of locked door that screamed secrets. It was simply there. Silent. Unassuming. But always too perfect. Too untouched.
And then one dusk, as golden autumn light stretched long across the halls, she saw it- The door was ajar.
Just barely. Just enough.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She looked around.
No footsteps. No voices. Just the creak of the windowpanes as wind curled against the glass.
And then, unable to help herself, Riley pushed the door open.
The room smelled faintly of lavender and old paper.
It was beautiful.
Not grand or gilded, like the drawing room or guest chambers, but warm. Personal. A soft cream rug covered the wooden floor, and sheer drapes let in the honeyed light of late afternoon. There was a worn armchair by the fireplace, a bookshelf filled with well-loved novels, a dressing screen in the corner. Everything was dustless. Maintained. Like someone still cared deeply for it.
But no one lived here. Of that, Riley was sure.
And then she saw it.
Above the fireplace, framed in elegant gold, hung a portrait.
It stole the breath from her lungs.
A woman. Violet hair, loosely curled. Eyes like gentle storm clouds. A quiet strength in the line of her jaw, a melancholy kindness in her faint smile. She looked a little like the Viscountess-but softer. Warmer.
And yet... Riley's heart ached.
She stepped closer, the pull in her chest undeniable. Her hand rose slowly, fingertips hovering over the canvas. She had never seen this woman before.
But she knew her.
Knew her the way you know a song you've only ever heard in a dream. A thread pulled tight in her chest, longing and sorrow all at once.
"...Riley."
The voice behind her made her flinch.
She turned.
Viscount Sventius stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable in the dim light. For a long moment, he said nothing-just stared at her, then at the portrait above the hearth.
Then, slowly, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
Riley lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to come in, it was just-"
"You saw her," he said softly. "Of course you did."
Riley looked back at the portrait. Her throat tightened. "Is she-"
Sventius walked past her, standing before the fire like a man who'd done it a thousand times before. He didn't answer at first. Then, gently:
"Yes. She was Cana. Your birth mother."
"She was my real mother...?"
He nodded.
"I loved her, Riri," he said, sinking into the armchair like the weight of it all had finally caught up with him. "With every breath I had. Even when I knew loving her meant placing a target on both our backs."
His voice dropped.
"Memoria is a curse in the eyes of the Empire. A threat. Her family was once noble, but that didn't matter. When the power awakened in her bloodline, they were hunted. Erased. I took her in under the guise of marrying her sister. Gave her a new identity, a quiet life. But even then... it wasn't enough."
He reached into the drawer of the side table and pulled out a small ribbon-faded red silk, worn with time.
"She tied this in her hair every day. Said it reminded her of freedom." He placed it gently on the arm of the chair. "She died trying to protect you. We faked her death once, to give her a chance. But the second time... we weren't fast enough."
Riley stepped closer, tears sliding freely down her cheeks.
"I remember nothing," she whispered. "But when I look at her... it hurts."
He looked up at her, eyes bright with sorrow.
"Because she lives in you, Riley. You may not carry her memories-but your soul does. Her strength. Her heart."
There was a long pause before Sventius continued, his voice heavy with grief. "-Even her power."
She fell to her knees beside the armchair, and Sventius pulled her into his arms.
For the first time since waking in this strange, beautiful home, Riley didn't feel like she was pretending. Didn't feel like she was lost.
This warmth-the arms around her, the quiet tears shared between them, the scent of lavender and firewood-it felt real.
Her home finally felt real.
That night, she stood alone in the forbidden room once more.
The fire had died down. Shadows danced across the portrait above the hearth.
Riley looked up at the face of her mother.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For giving me this life."
And in that moment, for the first time in weeks...
She didn't feel afraid of her power.
She felt proud.
Believing that maybe-just maybe-there was a reason she was born with it.
And a reason she was still alive.