She couldve easily killed him if she wanted but her hands wouldnt budge from their post. Clette wished that killing him wouldnt weigh so much on her conscience. She wished she could have been eager to rid herself of this inconvenience, but she couldnt turn away the little boy who resembled an abandoned puppy on a rainy day. Even if this puppy was destined to be a beast that ended her life in the future.

MaybeMaybe if I just raised him well, the future could change.

Clette might not have a praiseworthy personality but she could make herself useful, couldnt she? Her only problem, now, came in the form of telling this child that his worry was unnecessary.

Nonsense. Do I look like someone who could be inconvenienced by a little boy like you?

Clette didnt know if there was something wrong with what she said, but her words only seemed to make the little boy tear up. Droplets gathered in the lashes surrounding his purple eyes causing her to become baffled. What is one supposed to do in situations like this?

Lets comfort him for now!

And what do you mean by youll be fine when you dont have a place to go back to anyway? huh?

Her attempt at comforting him only served to make matters worse. Round, fat tears ran down the childs cheeks as his slender shoulders trembled.

Was that not it?

Whats with th- the tears? Dont do that! Stop crying.

I dont know what it was, but something I said mustve made him sad. Please stop crying kid!

As if he could hear her inner voice, Edmund returned shortly. He looked at Clette with a frustrated expression.

Your Grace, I left for a short while and youve already made the child cry.

Its really not because of me, hes crying by himself I didnt do anything that would make him cry.

Edmund eyed Clette, who tried to make an excuse after feeling wronged, with suspicion.

Im sure thats the case, your grace. However, youre the kind of person who would look terrifying to the little boy even when standing still.

Whats that supposed to mean?

Are you really asking because you dont know? If so then taking a look in the mirror should suffice.

Clette looked at her reflection in the mirror to see what exactly Edmund meant. The woman looking back at her had chilly long white hair accompanied with sharp blue eyes and a slender figure; her exquisite features resembled an ice sculpture.

Clette had the appearance of a snow queen, the likes of which could be found in Narnia and such. She could remain youthful despite being over 200 years due to the ability only witches had; to appear as young as 20 years old regardless of age.

Whats wrong with my face, its beautiful.

In the early days of the empire, when the original Clette was still active in society, the name Clette was used as an adjective implying beauty. Even she fell in love with this face back when she had first transmigrated into this body. She would spend her time admiring the chilling beauty of her new face every day in the mirror.

Even in modern society, the name Clette has become a legend, her fatal beauty still being painted by artists. The now pleased Duchess turned to Edmund, sure that nothing was wrong with her appearance.

Only

I am aware of the fact that youve been getting there in age, but you havent turned senile or gotten presbyopia right?

I havent.

Have you already forgotten the memory of you yelling that you love me and hanging onto me in tears?

Despite bringing up such a memory to tease him, the once shy and young man only snorted at Clette. He, who couldnt even look her in the eyes properly, was already old and gray. Edmund had become a person who didnt react much to her words anymore.

I was just young back then; Also, Im not commenting on looks by the standards of ugliness or beauty. What child wouldnt burst into tears after seeing your cold face.

Edmund held the crying child in his arms and began soothing him.

Please dont cry, your highness. A smile suits your beautiful face much better than tears.