Resetting Lady - Chapter 251

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Special Side Story 7

“I actually thought you would understand me a little more because of that….”

“I’m trying to understand.”

“You’re the daughter of the Evans Family.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re going to become a merchant guild leader.”

“That’s right. It’s just that my younger brother is a problem.”

“What, you have a younger brother?”

“Didn’t you know? Oh, he’s still young so we left him in the countryside. But when he grows up, he’ll compete with me for the guild leader position, so I’m worried.”

After all, it’s best to have no competitors. When Isabella spoke in a somewhat bleak voice, Rebecca felt an itch to tattle to her mother who thought this girl was a gentle lady. Then she gave up, thinking, ‘Oh right, I’m still fighting with Mother.’

“Anyway, since you’re going to be a merchant… I thought you wouldn’t have much interest in marriage. I thought you’d focus more on establishing yourself first, you know?”

“Ahem, that’s one thing and this is another.”

“I feel the same way – that’s one thing and this is another. But somehow our conclusions are completely opposite?”

A maid approached and began pouring tea. Isabella looked at the teacup and pondered for a moment. She wasn’t used to talking about her family’s intimate matters. But she felt she needed to tell Rebecca about it. Isabella picked up a teaspoon and slowly began to speak while adding sugar.

“In our house, Father honestly doesn’t come from that good a family background.”

It would be terrible to agree here, right? Rebecca remained silent without making eye contact.

“But Father is helpful. Especially when making contracts. When Mother is doing business, there are often dangerous situations, and Father is the most reliable person protecting her right beside her. And Father would never betray Mother. Everything Father has belongs to Mother, and everything Mother has belongs to Father. I exist as a result of their union… this is starting to sound strange. But the mutual contractual relationship bound by the name of marriage seems quite appealing. Of course, marrying just anyone would be most dangerous, but if I find a good partner, I think getting married as quickly as possible would be advantageous for creating a stable succession structure.”

“Hmm….”

“Of course, I acknowledge that my situation is different from yours since I’m inheriting the family business.”

And Isabella slowly sipped her tea.

Rebecca answered thoughtfully.

“Yeah, marriage wouldn’t be that bad. If done well.”

She’s coming around nicely.

Isabella smiled victoriously.

“But my interest isn’t in marriage!”

Damn.

“I think I might have children someday too, and I don’t think about it negatively. But 17 years old is ridiculous, and I primarily want to be active as a soldier.”

“Why on earth?”

“For the same reason you want to become a merchant.”

Rebecca rolled her neck around as if her body was stiff.

There was a cracking sound.

“I’m interested in it, it’s fun, and I’m good at it. I want to achieve merit and get promoted like Father. …I want to do it myself, not through a husband. I don’t understand why I should spend time on something I’m not good at… Life only happens once. Ah, is that why Mother is like that.”

“The Countess is what?”

“Um, never mind.”

Rebecca stood up from her seat.

“Tomorrow is my birthday, can I look forward to a gift?”

“Of course. Look forward to it.”

Isabella nodded. A telegram came saying her parents would come for Rebecca’s birthday. Bringing various things as bribes. They’re all luxury items, so she’ll surely like them. Rebecca looked at Isabella and grinned.

* * *

—Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“Mother, it’s me.”

“…Are you finally ready to listen? Tomorrow when your birthday comes, it’ll be exactly one year. You know that, right?”

“Oh my.”

“What’s with the sigh? Starting tomorrow, prepare to meet people right away. Considering pregnancy and childbirth, there’s not much time left.”

“Mother, I’m not meeting any men for 10 years.”

“…What?”

“If I die from not meeting them, then I’ll die. Rather than frantically looking for men for two months just to give birth, it’s better to just die.”

“Rebecca!”

“If I die on my next birthday! If I return because of that!”

Rebecca shouted loudly.

“I’ll have endless opportunities. That’s not bad.”

Sparks flew from Karen’s eyes. Karen wanted to tie up and lock away her daughter right now. Ah Mother, this is how I come to understand you. Only after having a daughter myself. Lamenting, Karen gripped Rebecca’s shoulders firmly.

“Endless opportunities mean nothing. There’s no need to take endless tests for no reason. People should always strive not to be tested, wondering what the test will be like is what fools do!”

“Or even just once would be fine. Mother, I really don’t want to do that. If I’m going to die because of it in a year, I’d rather die – I’m serious about that.”

“….”

“I love you, Mother, but this is my life. I can’t live like that. Especially if it’s a gamble with my life at stake.”

Karen closed her mouth.

On her daughter’s face, which she had felt didn’t resemble her, the face of her younger self overlapped exactly.

[I’m not livestock.]

[That can’t be called my life.]

Karen knelt down.

She was confused.

Like her mother, she had tried not to make wrong choices. She acted and advised thinking of her child’s life. It’s for you. You must love. To survive in this world, you must meet men and have children. To infer even a little of the future from the shackles of your fate. To become even a little safer.

Get pregnant and give birth, my daughter.

For you.

I can’t lose you.

“Mother?”

“…Rebecca.”

Karen’s voice cracked roughly. Karen contorted her face and bowed her head. I’m doing this for you. She resented her daughter who couldn’t understand her. But Karen understood her daughter more deeply than anyone. The terrible disillusionment with the world that bound her. But still, I’m doing this because I love you.

“Mother, are you crying?”

“…You’re really too much.”

Rebecca panicked and embraced Karen. But she didn’t take back her words.

“I’m sorry. But I don’t want to get married right now.”

“…Alright.”

Tears flowed down her cheeks and dropped to the floor with soft thuds. She realized that she too had ended up forcing her daughter just like her mother had. And that to change, she now had to make a choice.

“Do as you wish.”

“….”

“I will respect your choice.”

Even if that choice brings you closer to death.

I will respect your death.

And perhaps, she thought this was the beginning.

What her mother, her mother’s mother, and all those countless mothers had to do, what perhaps existed even before the curse began… since humanity started, since women existed. Because every mother was once someone’s daughter. The fact that Karen and Rebecca exist in this place.

They had to give birth to gain a future, and to give birth they had to desperately seek mates. Within that enormous and tiresome chain of fate, Rebecca finally gained the freedom of choice.

It was the freedom of severance.

“Live as you want.”

Now our daughter will become the first woman who no longer needs daughters.

Karen embraced Rebecca. Our last daughter.

The story can end now.

* * *

Cold winter snow fell.

Rebecca sipped warm milk while nodding off, struggling against drowsiness. It had been a fun birthday party. Lots of friends came, and at the end, even His Majesty made a surprise visit that startled everyone. And King Louis gave her a letter of recommendation from the king as a gift. ‘Use this to do whatever you want. If the king is your friend, there should be perks like this.’ She wasn’t sure when they became friends, but from that moment Rebecca placed Louis in the position of her best friend.

“Mother.”

“Yes.”

“His Majesty seems handsome. Maybe it’s because his actions are pretty too.”

“Well, that’s true… but isn’t he too old?”

“Not really that old.”

And her vision gradually darkened. She could hear her parents whispering in the distance and the crackling sound of burning firewood. She felt extremely happy and sad at the same time.

“I guess I’ll know when tomorrow comes.”

Rebecca could see tension and anxiety underlying her parents’ laughter. They pretended to be fine, but she couldn’t help feeling nervous too. However, she had made her decision long ago. Rebecca stretched her body and closed the military academy recruitment guidelines she had been reading. I’ll finish reading it tomorrow.

From afar, the bell tolling midnight could be heard. When the bell finished ringing, Rebecca felt her father lifting her up. Go to bed now, Rebecca. You’re a grown young lady.

Mother was smiling brightly while crying at the same time. They say if you cry and laugh at the same time, you become a fool. Rebecca tried to tease Karen, but she was too sleepy to want to say anything more. Rebecca fell into a deep sleep feeling her mother’s hand stroking her head and her father’s touch as he covered her with the blanket.

Sleep well. Dear Rebecca. Sweet dreams.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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