I Became the Black Swan Mother of the White Swan Princess

Fortunately, he wasnt holding a sword, though he was holding onto something else that seemed to have come from off my shoulders.

This

Ah

When did these get on me.

He looked at me strangely as he held the small bits of what appeared to be wood shavings the beavers had gnawed off, in his palm.

Hah! Unlike Lania, who smirked at me with a knowing smile, the emperors expression slightly shifted.

The Duchess must really have a lot to show me.

Your Majesty.

Are you being sarcastic or what.

His blood red eyes were unfathomable, but honestly, I didnt want to know what he was thinking, at all.

All I needed to do was to hold onto him for a moment and hand Haniel over.

In other words, I just needed to close my eyes tightly and be shameless for a day.

Of course. After spending time in the vast world of nature, youd discover phenomena that are both mysterious and mind-blowing. I am certain that Your Majesty will not regret visiting the lake.

And if I dont end up feeling that way?

.

Well. I hadnt thought about that, so.

Since Id kept my mouth shut and smiled a beat late, I must have looked stupid.

But I couldnt help feeling it was ironic with the emperor looking extremely satisfied with himself, a smug expression on his face.

Alright then. Lets do it based on what I decide.

You! What exactly are you up to?

Bam.

As soon as the door of the study closed, Lania wildly pointed her finger at me, pushing me towards the fireplace in the room.

Right after the emperor and his brothers went into the smoking salon, shed grabbed me, trembling with fury, and dragged me away.

How dare you, where do you think this place is! Tell me immediately!

Ahh, youre going to wrinkle my dress. I dont have many of these.

Catherine!

Lanias voice rose to a higher pitch as I straightened my dress with a sigh.

Hopefully her voice would be covered by the loud music in the banquet hall downstairs.

Dont you think itll be better to lower your voice a little? Though, of course, it doesnt matter to me either way.

I told you to tell me what youre planning. Dont you know who he is, how dare you speak to him!

What do you mean? Hes the emperor.

And also our little cygnets older brother.

The me whod suffered to the point of getting my veil pushed aside smiled with my eyes. Lanias face obviously got darker at that.

Catherine, theres nothing good that can come from doing this.

Its the same for you as well, though?

What?

Theres no need to worry that Ill say something I shouldnt. Im not planning on saying anything about the curse anyway.

Curse? Hah, so you were using that to do all this?

In contrast to her wry smile, the incredulous expression in her glistening eyes showed that she thought what I said was ridiculous.

Ive told you since the beginning, theres no point in you telling anyone. Whatever you say, youre already the Witch of the North. Who would believe the likes of you?

You stupid thing. You should know that other than you, no one else can return to being a human. You think that counts as evidence? No matter how much you hold onto the cursed ones and deny the rumors, youll still be a witch. No, youll become a witch whos lost her mind!

Seeming to be satisfied at the thought, Lanias lip twisted upwards even more.

Approaching me step by step, her blackish red shadow fluttered up to the fireplace.

Think about it. Youd be blabbering without a shred of evidence

Why do I need evidence? My body is proof.

What?

As you said, who would believe me? Im a nobody who came from a fallen noble family that sold off their own daughter.

Before Lania could walk up to me face to face, I extended a foot forward.

Though I couldnt see a mirror, I knew that my mocking face didnt lose to Lanias.

Thanks to a certain someone, it seems Ive become an evil witch who devoured her own husband, so who would believe me.

You know that, so then why.

Cant you tell?

Because I have nothing to lose.

Our shadows mingled for an instant as we stood across from each other.

Turns out, I was even taller than her.

Lania closed her eyes as she lowered her head.

Trying wouldnt hurt. All the evil in the North is going to be blamed on me anyway, so why would I care about the repercussions? Itll just be like throwing a mere match into the fireball of hell.

Catherine, I dont know what youve put your faith in to act like this but theres a limit to calling your antics cute and letting things slide. No matter what you do, youll still be in the palm of my hand. Dont overestimate yourself. No matter what lengths you go to, I can deal with whatever you have planned. And nothing will change for me if a witch dies.

What do you mean nothing will change? At the least, you wont be able to become the empress.

What?

Lanias expression, which hadnt lost its haughty demeanor this whole time, now sharply shook.

She wasnt able to control herself as her grip on my arm tightened.

Speak clearly! What did you hear from others!

It isnt something you have to hear from other people to know.

The reason for a lady like yourself, who could get married tomorrow if she so much as extended her finger, to postpone her marriage for so long by using a widow like meis what I wondered about.

To be honest, I thought something was weird from the start. For a person like Lania, who had money, power, and a noble title, to still be single, there were only two possible reasons.

Either she hated men in general, or there was a bridegroom she already had in mind and needed time to marry.

Why didnt I know this sooner.

Up till now, I hated even thinking about Lania, and there were very few occasions for us to meet.

But after the female protagonist Haniel was thrust into my life, this all became a different story.

To be precise, I got a hint of this the day when I saw her brightened face as she stared across the lit Winter Palace.

Eyes that seemed to be dreaming of something, cheeks flushed red.

Well, isnt that the very facial expression of a fan when their favorite idols show is broadcasted.

To think I could see such an expression on a person like Lania, I certainly lived a long life.

But a rival was still a rival, so, just to be sure, I went to Lady Melloe.

What does Your Ladyship wish to ask me about?

Im curious as to why His Majesty the Emperor has yet to be married. And I wonder if there are other rules or steps involved.

We are still honoring the national mourning period for the late Emperor and Empress. It is customary for royal weddings and all such national occasions to be prohibited for 3 years, especially for the emperor. Thats why the Emperors younger siblings married first instead. Of course, the mourning period is almost over nowbut why is Your Ladyship smiling like that?

What do you mean why.

I just realized that luck exists for me, too.

I thought this life was doomed from the start, but it seems that it wasnt really the case.

Of course, Lania still held my lifeline in her hands, but at least one thing had changed.

You dont know what that means? If Im a witch, that means youre a witchs daughter, Lania.

Now I knew this bitch had a weakness.

Sure, known for being a witch from planted rumors is different from actually being a witch. But would it be proper for the daughter of a witch, who suddenly died a tragic death, to join the royal family?

Catherine!

Lower your voice.

*Shhh.* She loosened her tight grip and I pulled my arm away.

I gently pushed on her shoulder with a slightly trembling finger.

We know enough about each other, so we should consider each others perspectives at this point.

What do you want to say.

I surprisingly have no qualms with the way Im living right now, so you just need to fulfill your ambitions as best as you can. I have no interest in ruining your plans like you fear, so stop pushing and picking fights with people. I can understand that youre afraid of being backstabbed, as long as you dont bother me, we can live peacefully together. Our eldest daughter only needs to continue sticking to her bridal lessons, and nothing else, is all Im saying.

Deal?

Beaming, I fixed a ribbon where my finger had been on Lanias shoulder.

So would the eldest daughter please get out of my way? Before my feathers fly out in front of the Emperor.

As I took a step outside, the air was fresher than I could ever imagine.

I didnt particularly approve of people exploiting their opponents weakness, using it to threaten them, but doing it myself made me feel as sweet as honey.

Thats why you should have been a little more lenient with me.

Thinking about Lania, who couldnt even say a word as her eyes quivered with raging flames, made my originally stuffy heart thump with excitement.

But I couldnt stay drunk on these feelings.

Though I felt victorious for that one moment, I couldnt forget the fact that I hadnt decisively won the whole war.

In other words, if I didnt want to get strangled acting like a know-it-all, I had to tread carefully.

Lania wasnt your average villainess.

She wasnt the type of woman to stay trembling for long.

Well, who cares. Anyway, I just have to return Haniel and my duties for today are done.

As soon as I saw the sunsets glow start to reflect off the lake, my mind jolted awake and rippled like the surface of water.

Its really time to say goodbye.

Seeing that was my first thought instead of fear of facing the tyrant Emperor alone, it seemed that my mind was set.