Chapter 9 ISW Vol. 1 Chapter 7

Chapter 7 – Changeling

The reason for Sigmund’s strange behavior became clear at dinner.

“This child is a changeling.”

Sigmund’s mother, the former duchess, said this with what looked like a troubled expression.

“Changeling?”

It was an unfamiliar word, so I repeated it, wondering what it meant.

In response, the former duchess gave me a mocking smile, as if to say, “You don’t even know that?”

“It means a child swapped by fairies. Everyone in our clan is born with gray hair, but as you can see, Sigmund’s hair color is different, isn’t it? That’s because he isn’t truly one of us; he’s a child the fairies left in our son’s place.”

The former duke picked up where she left off, his lips twisting into a sneer.

“This kind of prank happens from time to time. Our real child was taken away, but there was nothing we could do, so we just raised Sigmund as one of the family.”

“…”

I instinctively looked at Sigmund’s hair. It was true; his hair wasn’t gray, but a blue-silver.

But still… fairies swapping children? Does that really happen?

I probably shouldn’t compare them to wild animals, but in my homeland, black panthers were sometimes born to brown panthers, and silver foxes born to red foxes.

Sigmund’s father said, “This kind of prank happens from time to time,” but I wondered if he didn’t really mean, “A superior individual is born by mutation from time to time.”

The former duke was still young and hale, yet he had passed the ducal title to his son early. That must have been because Sigmund was so exceptional.

It wasn’t just that his appearance was different; he was also so outstandingly, uniquely talented. Weren’t they just conveniently mistaking that for him being a ‘changeling’?

His hair color, eye color… As I watched them proudly list all the ways Sigmund differed from the Wolf clan, I wondered what their goal was in this enthusiastic ‘discussion.’

I couldn’t tell if the Wolf clan genuinely believed their own words or if they were just ‘joking,’ but either way, they all looked like they were having a wonderful time. And, from Sigmund’s downcast gaze, I could tell this was a story the clan had repeated many times since he was a child, and that it always made him miserable. And yet, he didn’t talk back. He didn’t even leave the table. He just sat there, silently listening to it all.

This was the dark side of their ‘clan-cherishing’ nature.

Where was the Sigmund who always spoke his mind and hurled insults at me?

Sigmund was the head of the family, so he wasn’t weak, but from where I was sitting, it looked exactly like he was being bullied.

The Wolf clan loves their kin. They always want to be together and would never speak ill of their own. And that was precisely why Sigmund was silently enduring it. But this clan—whether they were jealous of his talent or something else—was doing everything they could to ostracize him.

For Sigmund, who was a member of the Wolf clan, that had to be the thing that hurt the most.

I stopped eating and slammed my glass down on the table with a loud clack.

Sigmund was always prickly with me, yes, but he had shown me around the palace garden, and he had worried about my small appetite.

That Sigmund was a hundred times more likable than this family, who was mocking their own leader in front of a guest.

“Is our future Empress a mean drunk?”

The former duke pointed out my poor manners with a scowl. He was admonishing me for slamming the glass down.

Sigmund, on the other hand, had never seen me drunk and stared at me with wide, surprised eyes.

I had been drinking, so I let a dismissive “Hmph” escape and fixed the former duke with a challenging stare.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m drunk!”

Just as everyone was starting to nod, thinking, “Ah, so her bad manners are just because she’s drunk,” I kept going.

“And that’s why I’ll be honest: if he is a changeling, it’s a blessing to the Wolf clan! Because there is no way someone as exceptional as Sigmund could have been born into this family otherwise!”

Just when they thought I was going to use the alcohol as an excuse, I had instead used it as a reason to be ‘honest’ and openly insulted them. The former duke began to tremble with rage.

“Wh-What did you say!”

Sigmund was staring, completely dumbfounded.

I stood up from my chair, still glaring at the former duke. I pulled the ribbon from my hair and, with a defiant gesture, shook my hair out with both hands. In an instant, my pink hair fanned out around me.

It’s a strange thing, but the beastmen are incredibly weak to my pink hair.

The effect was instantaneous. The furious former duke deflated, his momentum gone, and he swallowed whatever he was about to say.

I gave the former duke a single cold glance and announced, “I will be taking my leave for the evening.”

Sigmund, who had just watched this completely unexpected exchange unfold, was visibly flustered. He was so agitated he seemed to have forgotten what to do, but the moment I spoke, he shot to his feet.

He was, at his core, too well-bred. He must have instinctively felt he couldn’t let a lady leave unaccompanied.

Sigmund silently approached me and offered his arm. I placed my hand on his arm, gave my skirt a sharp flourish, and together we swept out of the dining hall.

“I finally understand why Emperor Eckardt wanted me to visit the Wolf Duke’s territory!”

I muttered to myself in my guest room after the dinner. I felt I had finally grasped the true reason for Emperor Eckardt’s suggestion.

My suspicion that there was some ulterior motive behind his invitation seemed to be correct. Only, it wasn’t a scheme directed at me. It was all for Sigmund.

The Emperor must have been aware of the Wolf clan’s situation and intended to come here himself to resolve Sigmund’s problems. My ‘gem gathering’ was just a convenient excuse for the visit.

“It makes sense, when I think about it. A bride taken as compensation is just someone to hate. A busy emperor has no time to waste worrying about me. Sigmund, on the other hand, is one of his most important vassals. Of course he’d want to help him if he was in trouble.”

Emperor Eckardt probably realized there was a problem with the Wolf clan because of Sigmund’s extended stay at the palace.

“Maybe he’s been at the palace for much longer than just the last three weeks. It makes sense, he must not want to face that family.”

Anyone would grow to hate it, being ostracized like that day in and day out. Especially since his own parents are the ones leading it. It must be soul-crushing.

“I wonder when Emperor Eckardt will arrive. I suppose I’ll have to wait here for him until he does.”

I had no idea how long ‘gem gathering’ was supposed to take, but it seemed best to take my time.

I lay down on the bed, and as I thought about what to do the next day, I fell asleep.

The next day, I once again faced the Wolf clan at breakfast.

No one was talking much, but considering last night’s argument, that was to be expected. As far as they were concerned, I was just a rude outsider. They probably didn’t even want to speak to me. Thinking this, I ate my food in silence.

I was hoping breakfast would end peacefully, but unfortunately, it seemed that wish wouldn’t be granted. The former duchess took the napkin from her lap, placed it on the table with a rough gesture, and spoke in a mocking tone.

“When you think about it, this ‘gem gathering’ tradition might be rather cruel for some races. I hear the human race doesn’t have very good eyesight. I wonder if you’ll be able to discern the deeper shades, or if you’ll just pick up a mismatched set? The overall harmony is what matters, after all.”

I was the only human in the room, so I looked at the former duchess, assuming this was directed at me.

They already disliked me for being a human princess, and now I had angered them by insulting the Wolf clan to their faces. But their treatment of Sigmund had been atrocious, so I didn’t regret what I’d said.

“Is the former duchess offering me advice? Heh. You really don’t need to worry yourself.”

I affected the calmest tone I could, replying carefully to avoid starting another fight.

Their treatment of Sigmund was intolerable, which is why I’d retorted so sharply last night, but I had no intention of antagonizing them over anything else.

Despite that, the former duchess didn’t soften her prickly attitude and continued in a challenging voice.

“Oh, I can’t help but worry. The role of the great Emperor’s consort is clearly too much for a little human princess to bear.”

“Now, now,” the former duke chimed in, “Even if the human race is weak and frail, you mustn’t blame her. She can’t help the way she was born.”

The former duke, pretending to be kind, chimed in with words to demean me further.

It was too much trouble to argue, so I just looked down, feigning humility, and tried to play along.

“You’re all quite right. I’m just a powerless, insignificant human. I’m completely unsuitable to be the great Emperor’s consort, aren’t I?”

Sigmund, noticing I was being far more reserved than usual, seemed to fear I was about to explode like I did last night. He shot to his feet in a panic.

“P-Princess! There’s a delicious restaurant on the way to the mine! Since we’ll be out, why don’t we stop there on the way back? Let’s just… call it a morning for breakfast!”

He clearly wanted to get me away from his family as quickly as possible.

I had no desire to share a meal with them any longer, so I nodded and stood up. I then informed the Wolf clan I was leaving and left the dining hall with Sigmund.

I had assumed the gem mine would be far from Wolff Castle, but I was told it was simply the mountain right behind the castle. It was much closer than I’d expected; we arrived after only a fifteen-minute carriage ride.

When I stepped out of the carriage, a vast, white landscape stretched out before me.

The horses neighed, so they must have known we’d arrived, but there was no sign of anyone coming from the mine.

It seems the Wolf clan has no intention of guiding or guarding me, I thought. Just then, Sigmund thumped his chest.

“Princess, believe it or not, I’m the strongest one in my clan! If anything happens, I can handle it myself, so don’t you worry.”

He must have thought I was worried about my own safety.

He might be strong, but would he actually be willing to protect me in a pinch?

“If I were in danger, and you abandoned me and ran, no one would ever know.”

I said it lightly, but Sigmund reacted as if he’d been deeply insulted.

“I don’t care who it is, I would never do something so low as abandoning a woman!”

He had no proof, but for some reason, I believed him.

“How reassuring. Though, if you were trying to be gallant, you probably could have left out the ‘no matter who it is’ part.”

I replied with a smile, and Sigmund bit his lip. Then, he did something I never expected: he bowed his head deeply.

“I apologize for that. I was wrong.”

Wait, Sigmund just bowed to me.

I was still shocked, wondering what had happened, when he spoke, clearly finding the words difficult.

“…Thank you for last night. You were… defending me, weren’t you?”

I never expected him to bring up last night, so I stared, wide-eyed.

He was so prideful, I’d assumed he wouldn’t want me to know he was an outcast in his own family—and he certainly wouldn’t want to admit I knew. I’d expected him to just pretend it never happened.

I chose my words carefully, trying not to wound his pride.

“I just don’t like people who speak ill of others. I’d heard the Wolf clan had strong family bonds, so I was just angry that they were bad-mouthing their own kin to a stranger.”

Sigmund’s brow furrowed, and he looked troubled.

“…Please don’t say that. They’re… still my parents, and my relatives. They’re my clan.”

Goodness. Even after being treated like that, he still cares about them?

“Do you… like your family, Sigmund?”

“There’s no member of the Wolf clan who hates their kin! …Though, since I’m apparently a changeling, maybe it’s strange for me to call them that.”

He looked so pained, defending his clan while simultaneously hunching over as if he had no right to call them his own. I couldn’t help but raise my voice.

“It’s not strange at all! Besides, what proof is there that you’re a changeling? Do you have fairy wings growing from your back?”

I made a show of peering at his back, and he looked embarrassed, wrapping his arms around himself.

“N-No, I don’t! I have a totally normal body.”

“Right. In that case, you are the son of the former duke and duchess. I had fairy friends in my homeland, and not a single one of them would ever pull a cruel prank like stealing a child.”

“Wait, really?”

He asked in surprise, and I realized he probably didn’t know anything about fairies, so I added more information.

“Fairies are only about the size of my hand. If you were a fairy’s child, you wouldn’t have grown so big.”

I said this, looking up at Sigmund, who was a full head taller than me. He looked shaken and put a hand to his forehead.

“I-Is that right… We don’t have fairies in the Empire, so I’ve never seen one. I never even thought about their size.”

Unbelievable. Had they all been calling him a changeling based on that little information?

The ever-perceptive Sigmund must have felt my critical gaze, because he offered an excuse.

“I mean, I could have researched fairies… but I was afraid that if I found any similarities, it would be definitive, so I… I’ve been avoiding it.”

Then, Sigmund looked off into the distance.

“My parents always said that fairies live in some faraway land, so they couldn’t go looking for their real son. And that’s why, they said they were raising me instead.”

Sigmund, who loved his clan so much… what must it have been like, being ostracized since he was a child, being told over and over that he wasn’t one of them?

To say it was ‘painful’ would be an understatement.

“Were there any others? Anyone else called a changeling?”

“Changelings are considered incredibly special. They only appear, like, once every hundred years… or every two hundred years.”

In other words, that’s how often an exceptional individual is born.

I thought for a moment, then prefaced, “I’m about to say something that might sound rude.”

“Um, please don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying beastmen and wild animals are the same thing. It’s just… I don’t know any other examples, so please forgive me for using one. Actually, no, if you get angry, that’s fine. It’s my fault for being rude.”

Sigmund looked bewildered, but I ignored it and just started saying what was on my mind.

“There were a lot of wild animals in my homeland. And sometimes, a black panther would be born to brown panthers, or a silver fox to red foxes. It was like, by a whim of the gods, a superior individual with a completely different appearance would be born. And that special individual was always stronger and smarter than the others.”

Sigmund listened with a difficult expression, and when I finished, he just looked at me, bewildered.

I looked him right in the eye and said, firmly, “Sigmund, I think you’re one of those superior individuals, chosen by the gods. And your parents are, without a doubt, the former duke and duchess.”

Sigmund’s eyes flew wide, as if he’d been struck. His cheeks slowly began to turn red, and then he suddenly crouched down, covering his face. He buried his face in his hands and let out a small, weak voice that was so unlike him.

“…Princess, you’re too much. Coming here and just… crushing my heart like this.”

“C-Crushing your heart?”

To crush the heart of Sigmund, who I assumed had one made of steel, would take tremendous power.

I haven’t used my magic even once since coming to the Zaldein Empire; I’ve been on my best behavior. So why was I suddenly being accused of trying to ‘crush’ him?

“It was the wild animal comparison, wasn’t it? That’s why he’s angry, and he’s trying to frame me for something.”

As I said my thoughts aloud, Sigmund stood up, waving a hand to interrupt me.

“No! That’s not it! I was… I was trying to say… thank you, Princess.”

“What!”

That was not at all what I got from what he just said.

As I stared in disbelief, Sigmund looked up at me, his face bright red.

“…Y-Your words… they just changed my world, Princess. In a really good way.”

I was floored, watching him mutter this shyly. Was he seriously thanking me? And all that hostility he had for me… it’s gone. Just from this one conversation?

“S-Sigmund… are you…?”

…a little too easy?

But no, that was right. Sigmund acts like a delinquent, but at his core, he’s just a sincere, good-hearted person. That’s why he takes people’s words to heart and is so easily moved.

Before, I’d thought his sincerity was a result of being raised lovingly by his family. But after meeting that family, I couldn’t believe that anymore. His sincerity must just be part of his innate nature.

Just as I was analyzing Sigmund, he seemed to be analyzing me, and he spoke in a heartfelt tone.

“I get it now… why you were so popular with the knights in your homeland. I can see why so many men sought you out.”

Hmm? What was he suddenly talking about?

“I have no right to comment on your past. But… you’re going to be the Empress. From now on, I want you to dedicate your heart to Emperor Eckardt alone. So, if any more insolent types show up, I will personally get rid of them all for you.”

Um… that was a very roundabout way of saying it, but was he trying to talk about me being adored by my knights as Commander General? And was he telling me that since I’m marrying the Emperor, I shouldn’t be so ‘friendly’ with my knights back home anymore?

Military power is the heart of a nation. I already knew I couldn’t remain close with my knights after my marriage.

I’m going to be the Empress, in a position to learn the Empire’s most important secrets. If I stayed ‘friendly’ with my homeland’s knights, I’d be suspected of leaking information.

So, he was saying that if he sees me with anyone ‘suspicious’—whether they’re my knights or someone else—he’ll ‘get rid of them.’ Right?

“How… kind of you.”

He said he was grateful. Was this his way of repaying the favor?

As I tilted my head, wondering, Sigmund spoke again, his voice firm.

“I’ve always believed I was a changeling! For so many years, everyone has told me that, so I believed them.”

So typical of the earnest Sigmund.

“But at the same time, I’ve always thought… even if we weren’t blood-related, the Wolf clan was my family! But you told me I was chosen by the gods, and that I am blood-related to my parents. So from now on, I’m going to believe they are my family, with more confidence!”

I looked up at Sigmund, and his expression was radiant.

The biggest hurdle in this whole problem was the fact that Sigmund loved his family. Whether it was just his wolf-like nature, or something else, he adored his clan unconditionally, even as they oppressed and ostracized him.

I had been wondering what the best solution for him would be, but he already had his own answer.

To Sigmund, the Wolf clan was family, and being with his family was his happiness.

If that was the case, then insulting his family any more would only hurt him. I decided I wouldn’t say another bad word about them.

I’d thought Sigmund was too easily swayed, but I was probably just as bad. Seeing this vulnerable side of him, so different from his usual self, made me worry and want to help him.

The best way for Sigmund to get along with his family would be for his parents to accept him as their blood kin. It would be ideal if we could prove he was their real, biological son, but we had no way of proving it.

After thinking for a moment, I gave up on trying to solve it myself.

“This is just a guess, but Emperor Eckardt is visiting this territory intending to solve this problem himself, isn’t he? He might be disappointed if I solve everything before he gets here. Right, let’s just leave the ‘Wolf Clan Problem’ to His Majesty.”

It felt a bit like passing the buck, but it seemed like an excellent idea.

It’s not that I’m just dumping this on Emperor Eckardt because I can’t think of a solution, I told myself. Just then, Sigmund’s ear twitched.

“His Majesty? What about him?”

Oh, dear. I’d only muttered in a tiny voice, but he’d heard me.

He adores Emperor Eckardt. If he found out I was planning to let the Emperor solve his family problems, he’d probably be mortified and refuse. Right. I’ll keep my mouth shut.

“It’s nothing. I just said I want to find some lovely gems to make my wedding to His Majesty perfect.”

I said this with a bright smile, and then, “Anyway,” I changed the subject back to the gem hunt.