The news that the cursed youngest daughter of the Carter family had rejected the professor's offer spread quickly through the mansion.

  Instead, she preferred to go to the northern edge. A place from which it was almost impossible to return alive. Cold, hunger, endless battles. In addition, Remesis was also to become the wife of the monstrous princess born under the star of death.

  No sane person would agree to that. So everyone simply assumed the girl must have lost her mind because of her curse.

  "I suppose that fucking nobody has gone completely crazy."

  When Michel heard this news, it first seemed implausible to him. After all, despite the "inferiority" of his younger sister, she didn't seem that much of an idiot to him. At least, the girl certainly knew how to hold her tongue and not rise to Michel's provocations, which had allowed her to keep her miserable life intact all this time. But now…

  Michel couldn't believe Remesis was really that stupid. So, were all those rumors about her genius just a fabrication? The young man had known it from the start.

  "Brother dear, that scum got herself into trouble. How could her life have turned out differently?"

  Katrina smiled sarcastically, baring her straight white teeth. Contrary to her beautiful smile, she herself promised nothing good.

  "Yes, you're right… Trash belongs in the dump. But I'm still curious what she's even counting on?"

  The Duke's older children were sitting at the table during the evening meal. And while brother and sister discussed their younger sister's madness, Livius silently poked at his turkey with his fork.

  Michel Carter could not understand: what considerations guided this leper when she refused such a beneficial offer? The only chance for salvation, which her father, in the kindness of his heart, had provided her. And what did she hope to gain now?

  "Of course, it's all about status," Katrina spooned up some nut soup. "She thinks that if she becomes Princess of the North, she'll become much more powerful than she is now."

  This assumption of his sister made the family heir laugh.

  "Is she really that brainless? Oh, stars… I can't believe anyone actually called her a genius."

  Everyone in the empire, not excluding even small children, knew that the title of ruler of the North and wife of the princess was actually worthless. It was just a pompous and flashy title. While in reality, she would only get barren, impoverished land and a wife without power.

  In fact, becoming the wife of Asil Nara Ashelot was like marrying a commoner. No, even worse. A yard dog. No one in the palace, not even the servants, showed her respect as the Emperor's daughter.

  Remesis probably hoped to become a member of the imperial family through this marriage. What she didn't understand was that instead of the expected privileges, her status would only sink even lower. Well, it's not for nothing they say that no one can escape the fate destined by the stars.

  While Michel and Katrina gloated, their younger brother remained silent all this time. Finally, the precious ducal successor turned to him:

  "Liv, what do you think?"

  The boy with topaz eyes stared at him expressionlessly. The hand holding the spoon trembled slightly.

  "I think sister really is foolish…" Livius muttered quietly.

  "That's right," Michel nodded satisfactorily, pleased that the three of them were unanimous. "Then how about a bet?"

  "What bet, brother?" Katrina asked curiously.

  "How long will it take for this wretch to die? I'm willing to bet it'll take a week at most." "I give her three days."

  "Three days? Ha-ha. Okay. What about you, Liv?"

  The boy hesitated.

  "A month," he finally answered, lowering his black eyelashes.

  "A month? You seem to believe in her quite a bit," the young man sneered. "Alright. Then let's see who wins."

  Cheerful buzzing in the dining room was heard throughout the first floor. The reason was that the child hated by everyone without exception would soon leave this place. It was akin to having a weight lifted from one's soul.

  "That cursed one will finally stop defiling our house with her presence!"

  Remesis accidentally overheard this conversation while standing on the stairs. A casual smirk touched her lips. Family members rejoiced at her departure and inevitable death. But at the same time, no one suspected what was going on in her heart. Remesis had no intention of dying.

  Besides her, no one on the estate, of course, thought so. Duke Carter was also sure she would soon come to her senses. Since the time before leaving for the North was getting shorter and shorter, he expected every day that this child would come to him with tearful pleas. But that never happened.

  Remesis didn't come on the first, nor the second, nor the third day.

  In the end, Michael Carter resigned himself to the thought that his daughter really would go North. But, like the others, he couldn't understand the reason for such a strange decision.

  Remesis was a child who knew nothing about the North. She had no idea what awaited her there.

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  Michael could only assume one explanation for what was happening. Remesis feared the Emperor's wrath and that relations between their families would worsen if she refused to marry. However, this was far from the case.

  It wasn't even about the engagement of Crown Princess Evelyn. The marriage of two cursed children could not cause enmity between the Emperor and a pillar of the state.

  His youngest daughter was simply pointlessly going to risk herself.

  Nevertheless, it couldn't be said that the man felt any pangs of conscience or regret. He honestly admitted that everyone in the house would be better off without this child. Morally, the Duke was prepared to receive news of his daughter's death within a couple of days after her arrival in the North.

  "If only she hadn't been born at all…" Michael Carter often thought in the past, and still did to this day.

  But then why… the smile he saw that day still haunted him?

  Thinking about this, Duke Carter sighed heavily. He was just going to let the situation go. Let the stars decide what would happen.

  Especially since he had already kindly responded to the Emperor's proposal, and the response from the other side came immediately. Apparently, the Emperor couldn't wait to get rid of his daughter. So all preparations proceeded extremely quickly.

  Unlike traditional imperial family weddings, when the celebration lasted for several weeks, no festivities were prepared for Asil's wedding. Even a modest festive table the Emperor considered superfluous.

  Commoners didn't have such a miserable "wedding" as the princess and the Duke's daughter. They were officially bound by a marriage contract, and with that, the ceremony ended. They didn't even have engagement rings. As a result, the newlyweds only had to meet just before leaving for the North.

  The situation really looked pitiful. But, despite everything, Remesis was not in the least discouraged. She had already been through all this in her past life, and so even the shameful wedding was now perceived by her as less painful.

  Especially when she had no time at all to think about it. After all, ahead of her lay the most difficult period of her life.

  The days flew by unnoticed.

  Finally, the day came when it was time to leave. Remesis packed her things herself, together with her maid. Despite the entire mansion mocking her unfortunate fate, Seila couldn't hold back tears for her little mistress.

  During the eight years they spent together, the maid began to see something more in this little girl than just a "walking curse." This contrasted sharply with their parting in the previous life.

  If Remesis had just left things as they were, Seila would have rejoiced at her departure more than anyone else. The girl knew that secretly, Seila had always wanted to be Katrina's maid, not hers.

  "M-my lady, please be careful…"

  The maid could only mutter as she packed her personal belongings into a large travel bag.

  Remesis smiled, looking at the tears in the corners of her eyes, which was completely unexpected.

  "I don't need that much. Just pack only the essentials."

  "B-but how… It's so cold there! I need to put in more warm clothes," the maid protested.

  "One set of clothes will be enough. Oh yes… Also put in a roll of bandages, alcohol, and food. More food."

  Seila looked at her with moist, surprised eyes. From Remesis's behavior, one might think the girl was heading not to her residence in the North at all, but to war.

  The maid had long been accustomed to her little mistress behaving like a complete adult. But today it was too much. After all, she could at least sometimes show emotions befitting a child. Especially finding herself in such a difficult situation.

  But, meeting Remesis's firm gaze, the maid understood that she would not tolerate objections. She sighed.

  "Alright… I'll pack everything."

  The preparation process took about half an hour. The carriage was leaving early in the morning.

  Remesis carefully hid under her clothes a knife she had managed to steal from the kitchen. In a place like the North, you couldn't do without a weapon. Especially since she assumed she would need it very soon.

  Seila helped carry her small luggage downstairs. Suddenly, almost the entire family came out to see Remesis off. In the corridor stood Michel, Katrina, and Livius. The first two barely concealed their triumph, hiding it behind feigned friendliness.

  "Little sister, it seems you've already packed all your things," Michel remarked innocently. "I was thinking, maybe you need help."

  "I am grateful for your concern, elder brother. But I can manage myself."

  "Ah, still. As your elder brother, I feel guilty for doing almost nothing for you. I should at least carry your things to the carriage."

  "…"

  "As you wish, brother."

  Remesis was silent as Michel approached and took the bag from her maid's hands. A mocking light danced in his eyes as he actually carried her things and loaded them into the carriage's luggage compartment. Katrina and Livius followed.

  "Thank you for your help, brother."

  "No problem. We're family, after all."

  Michel and Katrina were clearly mocking her at that moment, and Remesis only mentally sighed that they continued to do so even at the very last minute.

  Arrogance was so ingrained in their bones that even common sense couldn't influence them. Why couldn't anyone besides Remesis notice this?

  "Sister," Katrina took her hand, "Be sure to visit us when you have time, okay? Although, being Princess of the North, you'll surely be very busy…"

  Her older sister hid her gloating behind a sweet smile. This girl, called the angel of the Carter family. While Remesis herself was always just a shameful stain.

  For many years, she endured rudeness and insults from those around her. In the end, she even died trying to win their favor in her past life. But now this would not happen again. This was the last time Remesis allowed them to treat her like this.

  "Elder sister," Remesis also took her hand, "I will definitely find an opportunity to come. I hope you will receive me with the same warmth then."

  Her voice sounded gentle and friendly, but it was cold as metal. Katrina's face paled.

  She giggled nervously and pulled her hand away.

  "Of course. What's there to discuss?"

  "I'm glad to hear it."

  Remesis got into the carriage that was to take her to the Imperial Palace. There, she and Asil were to transfer to one carriage and travel North together. In other words, their "first" meeting was supposed to happen very soon.

  At this thought, a slight chill ran through her body.

  Remesis smiled, waving from the window to her family and maid. Livius barely moved his lips: "Be careful." Remesis nodded almost imperceptibly in response.

  The black-haired boy blushed, but had to restrain himself because of the presence of relatives.

  They had no relationship, but at the same time they seemed to understand each other without words. Her second brother was probably the only one who worried about her at all before this dangerous journey.

  Even her father showed not the slightest concern. Remesis, however, had not expected anything from the start.

  "Thank you, Livius. You're the only one I consider my family."

  The carriage started moving, and Remesis cast a last glance at the family mansion. A place she was seeing for the last time in her life. At least, that's the impression it might have given.

  Then the girl turned away and began to look only at the passing landscape.

  Remesis didn't know that all this time someone else was watching her. Not only her sister and brothers saw her off. Duke Carter was also attentively observing his daughter's departure from his window.

  His gaze, unconsciously, was filled with anxiety.

  Michael, without knowing it himself, suddenly wanted to know what his youngest daughter had been interested in recent years. For this, he even bothered the secretary of their home library to check which books Remesis had been taking to read.

  And what was his surprise when it turned out that most of them were about the North…

  But that was impossible. Why would a little child suddenly be interested in a distant land where she was never destined to go? After all, until recently, there was no talk of an engagement between Remesis and the cursed princess.

  Unless…

  "It can't be…" The Duke muttered hoarsely, "Could this child have known about everything from the very beginning?"