I Belong to House Castielo

Chapter 1

I clenched my hands as if wringing them and stole glances at the man. His cold eyes were looking down at me. How could red eyes be so cold?

“She’s my daughter?” he asked.

“That’s right.”

“And?”

“I need money to raise her.”

I lowered my head at my mother’s smug voice. I didn’t know much about the man they called my father, but I could tell he was a wealthy man of high social class. After all, everything in this room was unfamiliar to me. My toes ached in my too-small shoes.

“I refuse,” the man said.

“Wh-what?!” my mother cried.

As I suddenly felt hands grasp my waist and lift me into the air, my eyes widened.

“Instead, I’ll buy her for ten thousand gold.”

“What are you saying?!” my mother asked.

“You don’t need her anyway, do you? From what I hear, you’re trying to go to Luad.”

My mother’s beautiful face crumpled at his mocking words. She bit her red lip and said, “Then at least give me twenty thousand gold.”

I wanted to cover my ears.

“I don’t even know if she’s really my daughter. You said she’s eleven? She looks more like seven or eight.”

“She is eleven, and she’s your daughter. I only had relations with you during that time.”

“I’m not so gullible as to believe the words of a prostitute. But fine. In exchange, you cut ties with me and her. And don’t you go around spreading any nonsense either.” Without looking back, he yelled, “Kelson!”

At his call, the door opened and a neatly dressed man with brown hair and a gentle demeanor stepped inside. My father tossed me to him.

“Eek!” I shrieked.

Thankfully, Kelson caught me before I hit the ground.

“Oof. My lord!”

“That’s a twenty thousand gold purchase.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Get me a pen and paper. I’ll finish this contract.”

And so, I was sold to the Castielo family for twenty thousand gold.

❖ ❖ ❖

I used to be a twenty-three-year-old college student with a bright future ahead of me. Or at least, I thought I was. The reason I couldn’t say for sure was that, once I developed a sense of self, I gradually started recalling memories of my past life.

I wasn’t sure if they were actually from a past life or if they were dreams, but either way, they started coming back to me when I was about three or four years old.

The people around me thought I was an idiot or that there was something wrong with my head, but now that I was eleven, I had become clever enough that they no longer said such things. So I could guess what was happening to me.

My mother was a hard woman to like. She made her living by entertaining men while dressed in glamorous clothes, and she showed little interest in me.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. She had just enough interest to use me as a release for the stress her clients caused her. My mother kicked me many times, like someone taking their anger out on a dog that happened to be nearby.

I should be grateful I haven’t died yet.

I once tried to escape using my small hands, but the back alleys were an unforgiving place for an abandoned child.

Even if orphanages did exist, I’d probably have ended up as a prostitute.

When my mother had clients, she’d lock me in a small box. I had to curl up in that small, dark place and hear my mother conduct her business with the client. That was why I still had a hatred of small, dark places.

I’d have turned into a strange kid if it weren’t for the memories of my past, I grumbled inwardly, swinging my legs as they dangled above the carriage floor.

It was through those memories that I’d discovered laughter, blue skies, sweet treats, beautiful landscapes, and a loving family.

I thought she had some affection for me, enough to feed me willingly, at least, like she would a dog.

But today proved that she had fed and raised me just to squeeze money from my father. I had wondered why she waited until I was eleven, but…

“I added interest to the money you should have paid me for raising her.”

Her own words were enough to explain that.

Interest on child support.

It made me feel depressed. Still, I tried to love her because she was my mother and I wanted to be loved.

“Miss.”

I turned my head at the gentle voice and looked at the man who had spoken.

His name was “Kelson.” I wasn’t sure if he was now responsible for me, what was going to happen to me, or anything, really. My knowledge about this world was very, very limited.

“What is your kazan?”

When I merely stared at him with my mouth agape, unable to understand what he was saying, he rephrased his question.

“What is your kazan? I mean, your name? What did your mother call you?”

Oh, so that was the word for “name.” Kelson used too many words I didn’t know.

The language here was not one that could be found in any knowledge Seoyoung had. Language wasn’t something you learned automatically. People said a mother needed to repeat a word ten thousand times before a child learned it.

But of course, I could never have expected that kind of care from my mother. The only reason I’d managed to pick up as much of the language as I had was thanks to the memories from my past. Because of them, I had an adult’s reasoning instead of a child’s.

Even so, trying to learn a language on my own was hard. It went without saying, but the language my mother, her colleagues, and the people around her used was all lower-class. The upper-class speech Kelson used was full of unfamiliar expressions that made it difficult for me to understand him, even though he was trying to adjust it to my level.

“Pink Eyes.”

At my reply, Kelson’s expression stiffened for a moment before softening again.

“You should get a new name from His Lordship.”

“Um...”

“Yes?”

“What happens to me now?”

“You will go to His Lordship’s estate. We’ll be arriving soon. His Lordship will then decide what to do with you.”

“I see,” I replied with a nod.

I didn’t know exactly how much twenty thousand gold was, but I could guess it was a large sum. Or maybe it was nothing at all to people who were rich or noble.

He might want me as a maid. Being a maid for nobles might be better than my life now.

At least I’d have some freedom to leave the house, and they’d probably feed me three meals a day.

I’m sick of gruel.

Gruel was a coarse and awful-tasting dish that was like dog food. It was filled with rocks and husks, so I had to eat cautiously. I’d taken to eating scraps of the food my mother and her clients left behind while she slept. Even fresh water was hard to come by, so I drank whatever drinks they hadn’t finished. One time, I threw up after drinking alcohol that was too strong. After that, I avoided alcohol as much as possible.

The more I think about it, the more I realize just how admirable it is that I’ve survived this long.

I felt proud of myself as I imagined what life would be like as the maid in a duke’s household.

Whatever that life is like, it has to be better than the one I have now.

Working and earning a fair wage sounded much better.

Assuming he actually pays a fair wage.

A short while later, the carriage came to a stop. Kelson stepped out first.

As he helped me down, he said, “I’ve thought about it before, but you’re like a straw doll.”

My cheeks flushed red. I knew I didn’t look good. My mother had never brushed my hair or anything like that. I’d tried brushing my own hair with my fingers before, but it was dry and brittle from malnutrition and easily tangled into clumps. I’d probably have smelled awful too if I hadn’t washed a few days before leaving to meet the duke.

“I meant you’re very light. A child should be heavier than they look,” Kelson added, as if noticing my embarrassment.

I took a subtle look at my fingers.

They’re like thin skewers.

“Welcome to the Castielo Estate,” he said, his hand resting gently on my shoulder.

I pulled my gaze away from my hand and lifted my head.

“Wow!” I blurted out.

A massive building made of pearl-white stone stood before me, revealing its beauty. Its surface gleamed under the sunlight, smooth and white, and there was a corridor with endless arching domes, a high ceiling, and a marble floor.

Kelson gave my shoulder a gentle push as I stood there in a daze.

“This way,” he said, starting to walk. I scurried after him.

Just looking at the beautiful paintings and wallpaper decorating the walls made me feel happy. As we climbed a tall staircase, Kelson explained the layout of the building, and I did my best to remember what he said.

“This is your room, miss.”

“This is my room?”

I was astonished. A plush green rug covered the floor. There was a bed with beautifully embroidered curtains, and the room was filled with gleaming furniture and sparkling accessories.

“Do you not like it?”

“It’s rikkal nice.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“It’s really f*cking nice.”

My mother had always used the word sasere (nice) for jewelry, but when she saw something truly pretty, she would say it was rikkal sasere (f*cking nice).

Kelson cleared his throat when I used that word for emphasis and said, “I would avoid the word ‘f*cking.’”

“Is it a bad word?”

“Dillan would be more appropriate.”

Dillan, dillan.

I mouthed the new word, which meant “very,” over and over.

Kelson continued, “This isn’t even one of the better rooms in the estate. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll arrange for someone to assist you.”

I nodded.

“I shall take my leave.”

“Wait,” I called out.

“Yes?”

“Thank you,” I said with a bow.

Then he smiled and left the room.

Now that I was alone, I walked around slowly, taking everything in. After a moment, I crouched down and touched the carpet. It was incredibly soft and plush.

“Wow...”

The furniture shone with such a luster that my hands felt rough in comparison. I was busy touching the furniture when someone came in. Startled, I yanked my hands away and found a middle-aged woman with a kind smile looking down at me. She seemed like a generous person, and her round figure and face made her look even friendlier.

“Hello, I’m Annie. I’ll be taking care of you from now on.”

“Hello, I’m Pink Eyes,” I greeted back.

Annie’s brow furrowed slightly, but her smile soon returned.

“I’m sure His Lordship will give you a better name. Now, shall I help you wash first?”

When I nodded, Annie led me to the bathroom. As she helped me undress, some maids brought in hot water. Once I was out of my clothes, Annie let out a small sigh.

“You ought to eat more tasty food, miss.”

Embarrassed by my jutting ribs, I covered myself, but my knobby knees looked even worse, as did the dry patches on the back of my hands and face.

Annie helped me wash. I was really happy. It was my first time bathing in hot water. After my bath, during which they changed the water a few times, I rubbed a nice-smelling oil all over my body, from head to toe. Then I slipped into clothes that felt light and soft against my skin. I was certain they were the finest garments I’d ever worn. Annie brushed my long hair with a thick brush over and over to dry it.

Annie carefully brushed it before asking, “Miss, may I cut some of your hair? The ends are very damaged.”

“All right.”

I nodded calmly, and Annie instructed a maid to bring her a pair of scissors.

She cut my hair, trimming it from below my buttocks to waist length. I looked at the pile of faded blonde hair. After it was cut, even my head felt like a weight had been taken off it.

“Um...” I hesitated, unsure of what to call her.

She smiled and said, “Call me Annie.”

“Annie, what will become of me now?”

She stroked my cheek and replied, “I’m not sure, but His Lordship will take care of everything. You just focus on having fun and eating well.” She added firmly, “You could stand to gain more weight, miss.”

I could only nod in response.

❖ ❖ ❖

I couldn’t believe it was possible to become Cinderella overnight.

I looked up at the ceiling, surrounded by soft down and silk bedding. When my mother locked me in the box when I was younger, I used to tremble and tap into my imagination. I’d retrieve fragments of memory and tried many times to vividly recall bright streetlamps, cool air conditioning, the clear blue sky, towering skyscrapers, and sparkling windows.

But more than anything, I tried to remember “me.” Things like kind parents, a lovely younger sister, a cute puppy that loved to stay close...

I was Seoyoung, but at the same time, I was Pink Eyes. And now, I was Estelle.