A Stepmother's Marchen

Chapter 5

I tried to open my eyes as I was feeling like I was falling down a cliff. What came to mind was the strange laughter of the bandits who were wielding knives.

I tried to wake up by shaking my head. My vision that used to be weak gradually got better.

As I settled down, I started to see the surrounding landscape, and finally knew where I was.

….It was where I lived. A fancy room that was once used by the former Marquis wife who died, and has become mine since I stepped into this place. How did I come back here? I remember being attacked by bandits on the way to Heidelberg.

Was I rescued and brought here? But if I remember correctly, my escorts are dead, who saved my life?

It was then that something strange caught my eyes when I was pressing down on my temples with a half-dazed sense.

To be exact, an elegant golden dressing table near the window with strawberry-colored curtains caught my eye.

How the hell is that supposed to be here?

If you ask what’s wrong with the dressing table, there’s no problem. The problem is that the dressing table itself isn’t supposed to be here.

Originally, it used to occupy that spot quietly, but about five years ago, Elias had been arguing with me and smashed the mirror, saying something about his mother’s belongings. Heh…

No, but how the hell is it here? Is it just a similar object? But if so, who took the rosewood dressing table in place instead? But then who took away the rosewood dressing table they had put in instead?

Feeling uneasy and at a loss, I got off the bed and approached the dressing table.

Then my face was reflected on the round and smooth surface of the mirror, and I was once again captivated by the vague feeling.

It’s me in the mirror, the bright pink hair that flows down to the waist and the light green pupil. But something is strange. What has changed?

Half unconsciously, I raised my hand and slowly touched my face with my fingers.

Something is definitely different from usual, but I can’t pick what it is. It feels like my face has gotten softer, my cheeks are a little chubby and my eyes are more round…

In conclusion, I look strangely younger than usual. What’s going on here? Did I suddenly turn younger?

It was then that I heard a knock.

“Madam?”

“Oh, Gwen! Come in… “

Before I finished speaking, I was stunned again.

It’s obviously Gwen who opened the door and entered quietly, but…

“Gwen, did you lose weight?”

“What?”

Gwen, who has a strange look on her face, is also very different from usual.

Gwen got fat because she had eaten a lot of sweet food, but now she quickly became thinner like she used to be in her old days.

She looks younger too which was weird. Did we all get younger?

“I don’t know what you mean, but we don’t have time for this, madam.”

I blinked my eyes. Gwen’s attitude was more unfamiliar to me than her youthful appearance. To be exact, Gwen, the maid of honor, was one of the few people who understood me in this magnificent Neuwanstein castle and knew how hard I had worked for my children.

But why did Gwen suddenly treat me with such a businesslike look and dry voice?

Maybe she was hurt when I left and got hurt on the way to Heidelberg.

“Gwen, what happened to me…”

“There are two hours left until the funeral. You need to prepare quickly.”

…What?

“What the hell… a funeral? Wait, is there anything wrong with any of the kids?!”

My God, I almost died after meeting a group of bandits, and now something wrong has happened at the wedding hall?

When I cried out in panic, Gwen finchined. She stared at me with a strange look, then, she spoke in a softer tone, “Madam… I understand your shock, but you have to accept the reality and move on. The Marquis will want that.”

“What?”

I was about to ask what the hell was she talking about, but a strange feeling blocked my throat.

Wait, I think I’ve seen this scene before somewhere.

Where did I see it?

The dressing table is back to its place. The scenery in the room seems familiar but strangely unfamiliar. Like myself, who looks oddly younger than usual, Gwen looks unexpectedly young, and the black mourning clothes she’s wearing….

After a short and long hesitation, I finally caught my breath the next moment when I realized the identity of this incredibly sinister feeling.

Oh, I see. There is no reason not to understand. Now the scene is very similar to my husband’s funeral seven years ago.

When I was just 14 years old, the majestic Marquis of Neuwanstein, my husband’s funeral was held on a sunny autumn day.

I’m probably the only woman whose husband had two funerals.

…. God, what’s this phenomenon?

“The Marquis…”

“She’s the one…”

“I feel sorry for the children. Hoo, those pretty kids….”

“She’s the Marquis wife? That little girl?”

“It is clear that the Marquis wasn’t in a normal state of mind before his death. How can there be such a ridiculous will?”

“I don’t know. It’s not common for people to lure the Marquis to that extent…”

“It’s impossible! The Marquis must have been a fool.”

“How can you not be so enthralled by a woman like that…”

The sound of the condolences gathering like black waves was also very familiar.

The huge chapel where the funeral is being held, the people in mourning clothes, the sad ringing of the bell, and above all…..

“That child is the oldest son. How could he not shed a tear?”

My legal children.

The 10-year-old twins, Ryan and Rachel, burst into tears. Elias, who is only 13 year-old, is trying to be mature but unable to control his tears, and Jeremy, a 14-year-old boy, stood silently beside the coffin with an empty face.

I didn’t think I’d see them again.