《Looking for the Villainess Who Spent the First Night》


 CH 1

    When I opened my eyes again, I felt a soft touch and my body relaxed¡­ ¡­ .


    for a moment.


    I''m sure I remember sitting down at the ballroom.


    When I came to my senses and opened my eyes, the scenery of the cozy bedroom came into view at a glance.


    ''What, where is this place?''


    But there was something more important and surprising than where I was or why I was lying in bed.


    ¡°Dude, are you out of your mind?¡±


    I hoped, and hoped, that the right side of the bed tilted slightly, and that I felt a sense of weight somehow because of my mood.


    At the same time, the voice of a familiar and unfamiliar man came over playfully.


    Because he was wearing a mask, his face couldn''t be seen properly, but his smile was as clear as his lips.


    It was clear that he was the man he had met before he passed out.


    ¡°All, you. What is it now?¡±


    I slowly raised myself up and hummed like a mosquito.


    However, he immediately gave out a garbled voice.


    ¡°Huh, what is it?¡±


    Me, why are you undressing?


    You must have been wearing a green dress with a plentiful skirt at the ballroom, but you''re wearing a super thin slip right now, right?


    I was about to scream.


    Maybe he was already screaming with both eyes!


    The moment when the alcohol energy that was filled to the top of my head was about to fly away in an instant.


    Embarrassed, I pulled the blanket over myself and the man said dryly.


    "It''s a face I don''t remember at all."


    ¡°What, what? Maybe you.¡±


    I couldn''t bear to say ''Did you take off my dress?''


    What if you approach me saying that?


    Ah, I said I was going to live my life at random, but it''s a bit scary to do this all of a sudden!


    I''d rather have a cat... ¡­ Oh no.


    ¡°I threw away my clothes.¡±


    "yes?"


    ¡°You said you were hot and walked into the fountain.¡±


    The man brushed his hair that was flowing forward and replied dryly.


    ¡°?¡±


    ¡°It got completely wet and I couldn¡¯t leave it alone.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "Don''t look at me like that. Because I didn¡¯t do it myself.¡±


    And sadly, the moment he said it, I started to think of actions that I must have done, although not completely.


    It was the first time I drank so much and danced while drinking.


    I just started with the idea of ??enjoying it casually, but as I ate it, my rationality was pickled in alcohol and my body didn''t feel like my own.


    If I had lost my mind, it would have been better for me to fall asleep.


    I''m not on the sensitive side, but it seemed that I came to my senses when someone held me to support me.


    <Ah, let go of this. who are you?>


    <¡­ ¡­ you?>


    <Yes, you. He''s tall like a crooked leg. put me down!>


    The last man I met took me in the arms of the princess.


    I collapsed in the middle of the ballroom and you hugged me, so it wouldn''t be enough to say thank you with your nose touching the ground... ¡­ .


    <What, why are you looking at me like that? If you don''t like that, can I call you a tall leg?>


    <You''re terribly drunk.>


    <Ah, why is the ground shaking like this? uh? Who did the construction here? This is poor construction, poor construction.>


    <You seem very drunk, but where is the wagon... ¡­ .>


    <It''s a poor construction!>


    <¡­ ¡­ .>


    <This is such a big deal, everyone. Everyone, evacuate quickly! The ground keeps shaking!>


    <I think you better stop struggling.>


    <The ground shakes, shakes. I have to get out! It''s a poor construction!>


    So he took me in his arms and gave me away... ¡­ .


    ¡°When I went outside, he said it was hot and strode into the fountain.¡±


    I thought about it until there.


    I couldn''t bear the shame that rose to the top of my head.


    I wanted to pull the blanket a little longer and put it over my head, but all I could do was hold onto it tightly so that it would tear.


    Even in the midst of this, the man sitting on the bed to the right was staring at me with an expressionless face.


    "sorry."


    ¡°There was no bird to dry. I thought you were too drunk to walk properly.¡±


    "really sorry. I''m really sorry."


    Of course, this one word won''t solve all of his feelings.


    ''This life is the worst from the beginning.''


    Even if I tried to live properly, the end was always a mess, and I promised to live a normal life, but it was a mess from the beginning.


    What are you going to do with me!


    How can I get out of this damn novel!


    Besides, this must have been somewhere in the duke''s residence where the ball was being held.


    The castle of Gerlach Cygnus, Grand Duke of the Muten Empire.


    What the hell have I done in the castle of a man with power comparable to that of an emperor?


    Besides, if you were dragged up after causing a commotion at the ballroom, this would be a big deal.


    ''Awesome, I really am. Is this lifetime going to be hanged for drinking and making this mistake? Are you locked up in a dungeon for 15 days?''


    I always died at the hands of Archduke Cygnus.


    He was the male protagonist of ¡ºParanjangjang Leoni¡», and he is a pure-blooded person who loves Leoni more than anyone else.


    The man who met Leonie Almaz for the first time today at the ballroom, fell in love with him, and put me on the gallows to protect the woman he loves.


    Knowing that he wants to kill me, I have desperately avoided him for 20 relapses.


    I tried my best not to run into it.


    At first, it was thought that doing so would delay death.


    More precisely, it was because he was afraid of the male lead.


    The scene of him coldly looking down at me from afar before he died was so vivid.


    I''ve never seen him up close, but the last one always dies as his hand drops down.


    I swallowed a dry saliva and asked the man carefully.


    ¡°Maybe I am.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    The man responded with a silent nod.


    ¡°Am I going to be hanged for this?¡±


    "What?"


    ¡°So, I wanted to ask if I was going to die because I made a big mistake.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    He didn''t say anything, as if he didn''t immediately understand what I said.


    He stared at me with a puzzled expression for a moment.


    "ha ha ha!"


    Smile?


    Wow, I''m dying now, are you laughing?


    ¡°What is your name?¡±


    I feel bad, but is there a way?


    Yes, if you''re curious about the name, let me know.


    ¡°This is Liberata Bernadette.¡±


    ¡°Are you the daughter of the Marquis Bernadette?¡±


    "yes."


    The moment the name of Marquis Bernadette came up, I reflexively shook my shoulders.


    ¡°Why do you think you will be hanged?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I was drinking and made a mistake.¡±


    ¡°Is that the story that messed up not only your dress, but mine too?¡±


    "I''m sorry. I was really wrong.¡±


    This time I couldn''t stand it and lowered my head.


    Should I get down on my knees instead of doing this?


    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the Marquis Bernadette¡­ ¡­ Looking at you, you seem to have a very free atmosphere.¡±


    Is this a compliment or an insult?


    I smiled vaguely and nodded my head a couple of times.


    In any case, if he was a member of the grand duke''s family, it would be good to match his mood.


    "I''m sorry. I will take the clothes that you made a mistake on, wash them clean, iron them, and return them. Where can I send you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all right. I threw it away.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Recovery was impossible.


    I was really wrong.


    Maybe the barracks should find another way.


    Alcohol is not the answer.


    If I die this time and come back to life in this world, I will die in a different way.


    how to live


    Do you eat a lot of what you want to eat?


    "So, you''re saying I haven''t sinned enough to die?"


    "yes."


    ¡°Ha, that¡¯s good.¡±


    He stared at me for a while, then smiled again.


    ¡°Are you afraid of dying?¡±


    I didn''t know how to respond to that.


    Of course, the moment you die doesn''t feel good.


    Fortunately, all of them died without severe pain, except when they were shot in the chest.


    No, the gun was kind of like that. I could feel my blood gushing out and my pulse beating all over my body at once.


    But other deaths were like falling asleep.


    I was very sleepy, and when the lights went out, as if I had turned off the power, I woke up again in the carriage to the ballroom as the daughter of Marquis Bernadette.


    ¡°Yes, I am afraid.¡±


    Death is not a very pleasant experience, even if you come back to life.


    A feeling you never get used to, no matter how many times you try.


    Besides, getting up on the gallows and being watched by people was more horrifying than I thought.


    I have a little bit of a desire to get attention from people, but I don''t like that blatant stare.


    Even more so if she ends her life after being pointed at as a rare evil woman.


    That was the moment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you are so afraid.¡±


    Then, revealing her white, even teeth, she gave me an irresistible smile.


    He removed the mask covering his eyes and nose.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t let you die."

 CH 2

    It was the moment when he took off his mask and revealed his face.


    "uh?"


    Dark black hair like Goyo, a straight nose with vivid lines, and fair skin as white as the first snow.


    ''I knew it originally.''


    As I brushed the bangs that spilled over my forehead roughly, the auburn eyes shone sharply.


    ''He''s breathtakingly handsome.''


    No, wait.


    why do you know this face


    At the same time, a chill was reflexively felt.


    ''Oh, my God.''


    I knew these eyes all too well.


    Why haven''t you noticed until now!


    This man is Gerlac Cygnus!


    Leonie''s lover, a man who would give his all for her.


    The very bloodless, tearless cruel man who put me on the gallows for her peace.


    The same man who avoided and avoided again to survive.


    The male protagonist of ¡ºLeonie the Blue Sky¡»!


    ''Wow, aren''t you working on my hair?''


    Yes, it''s been a long time since you stopped at the pour-drinking barrel.


    In fact, drinking too much was too much, but it was also because I had never met him up close.


    In the past nineteen lives, the only time I''ve seen the Grand Duke was on the scaffold, when he was giving up on everything.


    In the middle of it, I was distracted by the white and beautiful face, and I thought I was really pitiful.


    ''No, wait. Why is Archduke Cygnus here? Did you meet Leonie?''


    Contrary to my confused mind, I couldn''t utter a word.


    It''s like someone pouring wax over your head.


    ¡°Why did you suddenly become quiet after talking so well like a parrot?¡±


    Zerlac Cygnus tilted his head to one side and asked me.


    But now is not the time to answer him.


    ¡°Ji, please forgive the excessive rudeness I have committed so far, Your Highness the Grand Duke.¡±


    It''s not that I''m suddenly trying to cosplay Yojo Lady.


    However, I know that his temper is very eccentric, and I have already regressed several times, so I am saying to be careful.


    Then, Jerlac tilted his head.


    "I''m seeing you for the first time, how do you know me?"


    ¡°Ah, so.¡±


    Oh right.


    The Archduke and I never met properly.


    No wonder he doesn''t know me.


    What do we do? What should I answer?


    ¡°There is no one in Muten who does not know His Highness the Archduke.¡±


    It was moderately invasive, but it was a strange answer even when I thought about it.


    In fact, for some reason, Gerlac lived with his cousin and returned to M¨¹tten to receive a title after his father''s death.


    ¡°Hey, think of it as a parrot¡¯s intelligence.¡±


    I laughed and added, and Zerlac chuckled.


    he laughed.


    Wow, thank you so much for not asking further and just smiling.


    Taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere, I quietly raised my hand as if asking a teacher.


    The posture is a student who has already been brought to the office.


    ¡°Can I ask you just one question?¡±


    "However much."


    I swallowed a dry spit and evened out my breath.


    When I opened my mouth again, Xerlac leaned forward slightly.


    It''s like they''re expecting something interesting to come out.


    This is the expression of watching monkeys at the zoo.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    Hello, Archduke. It''s not the time for you to be here.


    You should have been walking in the garden when Leonie went out of the ballroom.


    And why are you here when you have to meet and fall in love with Leonie Almaz!


    "What?"


    ¡°No, I was curious about why you were here.¡±


    Jerlac slowly closed and opened his large, deep eyes once.


    ¡°Is it strange that I am in my house?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange that you are at my house?¡±


    This man seems to be kind, but subtly hits the bone.


    Of course, I''m really sorry about that.


    But I have to see Leonie right now, and I''m worried that things will go wrong.


    If I can''t meet Leonie today, what will the story be like?


    At that moment, another person passed by.


    ''Wait, then where''s my fianc¨¦?


    While Leonie falls in love with the male lead outside the ballroom, I also meet my fianc¨¦, Nathan, at the ballroom.


    Lady Liberata is a celestial beauty, an angel, where are her wings! Oh my, I see a feather here, the man who made a good noise in his mouth and eventually proposed to Leonie.


    I slightly raised my head and looked at Zerlac, but I decided to keep my mouth shut for now because I thought that if I asked him where Nathan was, nothing good would come back.


    Yeah, he''s done it once.


    There are more important things than that.


    "I''m sorry. I think I made a really big mistake. That''s why.¡±


    I don''t care if I live a random life, but I don''t want Leonie''s life to be disrupted.


    The good, pitiful woman must meet the male protagonist.


    because she did nothing wrong


    I would have met someone I love if I hadn''t been acting useless today.


    When I thought of Leonie''s always friendly smile, I became unbearably depressed.


    ¡°What time is it now? Is it still night?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because the Archduke must meet someone right now.¡±


    "What?"


    ¡°I know I sound strange. But there is someone the Grand Duke must meet today.¡±


    Ah, how can I explain it to make it sound a little more plausible?


    I will only enjoy my life in moderation, so I hope you two have a pretty love.


    And I don''t want to destroy the original.


    They say a blonde beauty suits a black-haired grand duke.


    ¡°You really are.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know.¡±


    "yes?"


    "You seem so timid that you''re afraid to die from a drunken mistake, but now that you''re talking about it, you don''t seem to have any fear at all."


    Archduke Cygnus spat out vague words.


    ¡°What if I say no?¡±


    He covered my mouth.


    But I am not going to give up here.


    Why is this? I am a woman who has died nineteen times.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious who I am talking about?¡±


    Since ancient times, there is a modern theory that humans are curious creatures.


    I will stimulate his curiosity and make him run out of the room.


    "no."


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not curious.¡±


    Modern theories don''t work for this medieval handsome man.


    ''If you see that they are resolutely cutting it, let''s retreat today.''


    I don''t think he''ll move even if I say this, and it''s funny how he suddenly sets out to find Leonie Almaz.


    Go back in a hurry!


    It was time to breathe a deep sigh, hoping that this modern theory would work to some extent.


    Jerlac, who had been staring at my face for a while, smiled and said,


    ¡°I just want to play with you here. Liberata Bernadette.¡±


    Reflexively, I gripped the blanket tightly.


    Like he said, he had been talking like a parrot until now, but his throat was blocked and he couldn''t say a word.


    Because his gaze was so tenacious, because his gaze was so coy, I felt the booze that had dripped down to my toes slowly rise.


    ¡°I want to hear more of your story.¡±


    He smelled very sensual.


    The face seen up close was also so perfect that it was difficult to describe.


    ¡°My story?¡±


    Xerlac still couldn''t take his eyes off me with his eyes full of curiosity.


    Unfortunately, I didn''t have much to say to Verlac.


    Because I was just a character created to make Yeoju stand out.


    The stomach was full of envy and jealousy, and it was a woman who was tightly united with a discordant inferiority complex.


    No, it had to be that kind of woman.


    The only memories of my past life that I can tell him are running away to avoid death and dying in various ways.


    What more can I say here?


    ¡°I am only close with the daughter of the Countess of Almaz¡­ ¡­ Just because she is the daughter of an ordinary marquis.¡±


    It was when I said there.


    Zerlac wrinkled his straight, beautiful face as if he didn''t like my answer.


    ¡°That is a strange answer.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Usually, when I bring up a story about myself, I don¡¯t start by saying that I am a friend of the people around me.¡±


    Of course it is, but isn''t Leonie a special case?


    Strangely enough, however, those words of Gerlac touched a deep place in my heart.


    It''s not like I wasn''t very dissatisfied with living a life that wasn''t the main character.


    I just wanted to live a normal and quiet life.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really know who I am.¡±


    It was an impulsive word.


    But somehow I couldn''t stop.


    ¡°What kind of person are you and why do you live like this? Is there a reason to live? Why are you here? This is not where I live.¡±


    I should have stopped right now.


    ¡°Everything is confusing and scary right now.¡±


    In the end, I even made this emotional confession.


    Maybe it was because of the atmosphere where I felt like I had to say something.


    Could drinking too much be the problem?


    Or was it because of his eyes that never took his eyes off me.


    The frame of being a villainess always choked me.


    Even if you don''t do anything bad, the same result that comes back every time makes you behave like today.


    However, the moment I spit out the word scary, I faced my anxiety that I had been trying to ignore so far.


    At that time, Jerlac slowly opened his mouth.


    ¡°What makes you so hard?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know. I''m just afraid of everything.¡±


    The reason I couldn''t speak after that was purely because of Jerlac.


    He reached out his big, warm hand and wrapped it around my shoulder.


    As soon as it collapses into the arms, both body and mind melt away at the human body temperature that it has not seen in a long time.


    I know it shouldn''t be like this, but I didn''t want to leave.


    He didn''t say anything, but I could feel that he was comforting me.


    It didn''t matter how long I had been with him or what he knew about me.


    Just in this dark and comfortable bedroom, there is a woman who is engulfed in inexpressible fear and a man she feels sorry for.


    ¡°I don''t think it''s normal. This is me, so.¡±


    Because everything that surrounds me right now is full of unreal things.


    It seems like I''m the only one here who isn''t normal.


    I''m someone who shouldn''t be here anyway.


    I looked up at Zerrac, speechless to the end.


    As if it belonged to an animal, what was contained in her mysterious reddish-brown eyes was a very intimidated girl.


    I wished he would keep looking at me like this for a moment.


    No, you can''t get involved with this guy.


    It was when I tried to sneak out of his arms, ignoring the impulsive words.


    Jerlac, who wrapped his arms around my shoulders, whispered with his hand tightened to keep me from escaping.


    ¡°I feel like kissing the lips that say I¡¯m afraid.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Am I normal now?¡±

 CH 3

    I didn''t even have time to answer.


    I think I just nodded at the question a couple of times.


    The bright red lips did not wait for my answer.


    Zerlac cupped my cheek with both hands and pressed his lips to my desolate lips.


    very carefully and slowly.


    Something soft and smooth touches the most sensitive skin.


    Exciting but unfamiliar pleasure.


    It was so stimulating and so addictive that I thought no way in my head, but I couldn''t stop.


    I slowly raised my eyelids and looked up at him.


    The elegantly curled eyelashes are very alluring.


    ''What should I do?''


    I could not foresee the consequences of today''s impulsive actions.


    As always, I''m just going to leave it to fate.


    ? ? ?


    The next morning, I returned home in a carriage with Sir Milen Aurier, Gerlac''s aide-de-camp.


    By the time we got home, it started to rain like a hole in the sky.


    Because I always looked at the clear sky, the pouring rain felt very awkward.


    ¡°I will take you to the entrance of the mansion.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. If you have an umbrella, please lend me one.¡±


    The aide had a puzzled expression, but there was a reason.


    Staying out all night wasn''t enough, so I couldn''t imagine what kind of scolding I would get if I showed up in a carriage.


    ¡°But His Highness, the Grand Duke, will escort you safely to the door.¡±


    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry. I will climb up very carefully without falling.¡±


    "All right."


    ¡°Please drop me off at the front door over there. Yes, thank you.¡±


    I took my umbrella and got out of the carriage.


    ¡°Thank you, Sir Orie.¡±


    ¡°Then I will go away.¡±


    It was the moment when the carriage disappeared, and I was about to walk inside, clutching my umbrella.


    I noticed someone crouching to the right of the front door.


    what?


    It''s too big to be a cat or dog, but is it really a human?


    Upon closer inspection, it was clear that the figure was none other than a man wearing a robe covering his head.


    A glimpse of her red hair brushed through her black robe, but her face was not clearly visible.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡±


    I hurriedly gave her an umbrella.


    "Are you okay?"


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Oh my God, this is a big deal. Where are you?¡±


    Then he lowered his head and spoke in an audible voice.


    ¡°You are a kind lady.¡±


    A cracked, damp voice, like an elderly old woman.


    Being kind made me feel strange.


    This novel is a place where I was frantic to make me into a villain, but kindness?


    Anyway, I can''t pretend I don''t know the old woman who is getting wet in the rain on the street.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call someone, so please wait here.¡±


    It was when I turned around after holding an umbrella.


    ¡°My lady, do you want to leave alive?¡±


    I slowly turned around at the strange voice I heard from behind.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°This is your last chance.¡±


    "yes?"


    ¡°Stop going back to your place.¡±


    Then he slowly got up.


    ¡°You want to go back to your seat?¡±


    ¡°This is your last chance. If you don''t put the messed up puzzle together within 20 times, misfortune will annihilate the lady and the people around you.¡±


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the umbrella.¡±


    Then, holding my umbrella, I started walking slowly.


    She said nothing but strange things, but I knew intuitively what she was trying to say.


    I''m talking about how to get out of the novel.


    "Wait!"


    You need to listen a little more closely. It was when I urgently called her. Suddenly the front door burst open and her mother came out.


    ¡°My God, liberata!¡±


    Oh my god.


    ¡°Mother, wait a minute. I still have important things to do!¡±


    "It''s important. Are you doing this because you don''t know what''s important right now?"


    "sorry. I''m sorry! So that''s it!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in. Go in and talk!¡±


    While she was arguing with her mother, the old woman had already disappeared and was nowhere to be seen.


    Ha, I should have listened more closely!


    ¡°Rive?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mother. Go in.¡±


    I was prepared to be hit on the back, but it was still scary.


    It wasn''t enough that the young lady of the marquess drunkenly did bizarre things at the ballroom, and even stayed out all night and came back at dawn!


    Since he had done this in a place where rumors mattered, it was clear that there would be an uproar over the road to marriage.


    ''Even if I get hit on the back, I have to say something.''


    I had prepared how to respond to my parents on the carriage ride back.


    Mother, hold on!


    My mother''s worries are too advanced.


    No one has ever seen me come out of the Grand Duke''s mansion.


    It''s true that I played a little too much at the ballroom, but everyone was equally drunk!


    Any action that might jump out... ¡­ , did not.


    At least in my memory.


    I mean, walking into the fountain was definitely wrong!


    No, someone made the fountain so low, that''s the Archduke''s fountain fault!


    "I''m sorry. I was so wrong, mother, father!¡±


    ¡°Rive, what do you mean?¡±


    But my mother asked me back with a somewhat puzzled look.


    ¡°I was wrong. What the hell did you do wrong?¡±


    "yes?"


    ¡°I heard Archduke Cygnus brought you in. I heard that he carried you up in front of everyone¡¯s eyes.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°When I received the call last night, I couldn''t believe it, but seeing that Lord Milen personally saw you in the morning, now my mother is relieved. Heaven must have helped!¡±


    "mother?"


    I called out to my mother in a twisted voice, but my mother didn''t seem to hear my voice at all.


    ¡°Isn''t His Highness the Grand Duke choosing you? Our Libe becomes the Duchess!¡±


    ¡°Mother, what are you saying? that is. You mean the duchess.¡±


    I slowly became afraid of my mother and took a step back.


    ¡°What kind of person is the Grand Duke? You haven''t been to Mytten for a while, but everyone agrees that you have a dignified and noble appearance. Come on, talk to me, Libe!¡±


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know. who you are.¡±


    While trying to avoid her mother''s gaze, I suddenly remembered the face he had seen the night before.


    <I feel like kissing you. Am I normal now?>


    A watery voice, a full mouth.


    The languid gaze, the heat and thrill felt when the two eyes met.


    Feelings that are difficult to express continued, and they pursued pleasure in each other''s warmth.


    The moment when the precarious soul and body become one.


    The face of the man who poured into me and became heated.


    And even his smile, dazzlingly beautiful under the newly rising sun this morning.


    ¡°Libe, aren¡¯t you sick?¡±


    "yes?"


    ¡°You seem to have a fever. Come and see.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. mother."


    I took a few steps back and erased the afterimages of the previous night that filled my head.


    This feeling right now is so harmful and dangerous to my body... ¡­ !


    I didn''t even have time to refuse, I lay down next to him and greeted the morning, but I was still confused.


    He is the main character in this novel.


    He''s supposed to be with the beautiful blonde Leonie.


    Even I''m a villain


    Maybe my childish behavior ruined everything.


    It''s true that I wanted to escape from my destiny, but I didn''t want it to flow this way.


    I just wanted to change my destiny.


    I just didn''t want to live and die as this damn wicked woman again and again.


    ¡°Libbe, are you really okay?¡±


    "yes I''m okay."


    My mother, who had been glancing at me with narrow eyes, quickly changed her face and asked a question.


    ¡°Then, did you promise to meet the Grand Duke again next time?¡±


    "yes? A promise?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t the two of you talk intimately?¡±


    ¡°No, no. Are you brother-in-law? haha! There was no such thing, Mother.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    My mother looked at me with a very disappointed face.


    Of course, half lies and half truths.


    When I woke up in the morning, I tried to sneak out of the mansion as best I could. (even though I know it''s impossible)


    <A parrot last night, and a stray cat in the morning?>


    ¡­ ¡­ He gave me new clothes and gave me a hangover cure juice.


    After being caught like that, he was treated generously to breakfast, and then he rode back in the Cygnus family''s carriage.


    During the meal, Zerlac talked about this and that, but he had a hangover and kept thinking that today was the last time with the Cygnus family.


    ¡°Yes, I just enjoyed the prom too much yesterday. That¡¯s why he helped me.¡±


    ¡°Is that really all there is?¡±


    ¡°Sure, all you did was help me when I almost collapsed at the banquet hall.¡±


    When I turned my head with an awkward haha ??smile, my mother smacked her lips with a sad expression on her face.


    "okay?"


    ¡°Yes, ha ha ha¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    My mother''s eyes were full of anticipation, but I had no intention of saying anything about what had happened the night before.


    ''Looking at my mother''s reaction, I can never, never say that.''


    I moved away from my mother and became attached to my father.


    However, the father''s expression was also not very different from that of the mother.


    He didn''t make a fuss like a decent man, but somehow his face was flushed.


    ''Why are my father''s nostrils so big? What the hell is everyone expecting!''


    I''m going crazy with the burden!


    ¡°Oh, my lady.¡±


    At that time, Eclat came over from the kitchen with a timid face as she wiped her hands on her apron. Then, like a robot, she began to recite prepared remarks.


    ¡°My lady, I¡¯ll prepare warm water and new clothes right away.¡±


    I said it quickly, thinking that she was right.


    ¡°Mom, I am so tired. I''ll go up and rest.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, if you think of anything after a good rest, please let me know?¡±

 CH 4

    Carsian Raumdisel, a boy who had just turned 10, was in a warehouse with clear signs of rats. No, to be precise, since it had been a week or two since he lived, it was now his room.


    Carcian sat down on a rusty chair and pulled out something hidden under a musty cloth.


    It was nothing but stationery.


    Karsian muttered as he touched the damp stationery.


    "Strange. I was sure that I could contact you at any time by using this letter... ¡­ .¡±


    The letter he was holding was stained with a special liquid. It was a magic potion that could be used as a transfer tool for sirens who used to lure sailors with their beautiful songs. Thanks to that, as long as there was a letter from the Sirens, they could communicate with the inland wherever they were.


    However, the price was astronomical, so it was not something anyone could easily use. Count Raum Disel bought this stationery with a fortune to announce his existence and to reassure his only son.


    Knowing that, Carcian''s treasure No. 1 was this stationery. Carcian glanced over the reply sent by Count Raum Disel.


    ¡°Three months ago was the last time¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    His face, which had been shining by relying on a light inferior to that of a lantern, turned gray in an instant. After three months of Count Raum Disel''s voyage, no reply came back.


    ¡°Is this because the letter is not being sent from my side, or is it really from my father¡¯s side¡­ ¡­ Did something happen... ¡­ .¡±


    Karsian wiped his dark expression with his impatient hand.


    "I''d rather be the former... ¡­ .¡±


    For the past six months, the Count''s close friend and now in charge of him, the Marquis, was blunt but quite kind. But when people''s interest faded, he changed his attitude like flipping the palm of his hand.


    ''Even if people''s interest has decreased, I can''t suddenly dispose of it.''


    ''There''s no such thing as a trouble pot!''


    ''Earl Youngsik is frozen to death! Let them do the stable work! Shouldn''t I pay for the meal?''


    At first, I was shocked enough to get sick, but people say that humans are adaptable animals, and now I''m used to it. But no matter how much time passed, there was something I couldn''t get used to.


    ''You idiot! You still don''t know that your father is dead!''


    It was a curse that his father would have died.


    Karsian wiped his moist eyes.


    "no. My father did not die. You will definitely come back.¡±


    Karsian scratched his teeth as if to soothe his frightened heart. He wanted to meet his father as soon as possible and express his sadness.


    Then, suddenly, I heard someone''s voice in my head.


    ''To quit.''


    It was Latia. At the same time, a pretty face with wheat-colored hair and calm purple eyes clearly came to mind. In Karsian''s head, Latia spoke with tight lips.


    ''The truth is, you probably won''t even notice. That I''m not accepted as a real member of this family.''


    She was right. Carcian already knew the situation Latia was in.


    ¡°You bastard¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    The servants seemed to have no intention of hiding the fact that Latia was the child of a dead maid, and that she was a family idiot.


    ''Because he often looked at Latia''s disgrace in front of me.''


    When was it? I remember it being recent.


    Carcian was on his way to cleaning the stables when he heard the Marquis whispering to Ratia.


    ''Did the employee ignore you? I can''t stand her as a mother.''


    ''Yeah, and I didn''t even pull the tack pin out of my dress.''


    ''Oh my God, are you hurt? I''m worried.''


    ''really? Do you really care about me?''


    ''Then I am your mother.''


    Carcian overheard a strange conversation somewhere and was suspicious.


    ''It''s strange. I heard that the person who told the servant to ignore Ratia even more and the person who ordered her to put on a dress with the pins still on was the Marquis.''


    Since Carcian''s room was next to the food storage warehouse, he could easily hear the trivial conversations of the workers.


    Laceyna told Latia that she would give her a partner to vent her anger at the servant. And he was Karsian. Also, whenever Laceyna bullied Carcian, he said he would give him a cookie to congratulate him on becoming an adult.


    It was nonsense even for a young Carcian to hear, but Latia, who was younger than him, did not notice anything strange.


    ''I was just delighted with my mother''s praise.''


    Even in the eyes of Carcian, who did not know much about her, Latia was thirsty for parental affection.


    ''That''s why Latia couldn''t make up her mind and harassed me without hesitation when she said that the Marquis''s wife was fond of her. She didn''t seem to have the slightest hint of guilt there... ¡­ .''


    Then, she suddenly stopped harassing Karcian.


    ''Susan said it, but it''s not love.''


    And he said that with a guilty laugh.


    ¡°The look on his face at that time was so dignified that it was impossible to say that they were the same person¡­ ¡­ Oh no.¡±


    Karsian muttered involuntarily, shook his head quickly, and grabbed his stomach, which had been making a growling sound a while ago.


    ¡°Look, it ended up like this.¡±


    He smiled and recalled what the maid had said.


    ''Miss Latia. They say you''re going to starve today.''


    Since when did he listen to Latia, his illegitimate son, so well? She said that the maid had nothing to do with it, and then left as if to run away.


    ¡°Look at how I went right back after I didn¡¯t follow my whim.¡±


    Even if he knew that he was being bullied because of the marquise''s wife, those words were just an excuse from the point of view of being bullied. Karcian slumped over at his desk, clutching his hungry stomach in many ways.


    ¡°Father, I miss you.¡±


    A damp voice came out like a sigh. In the meantime, someone knocked. Surprised, Karsian jumped up without even realizing it.


    ''Who the hell are you at this hour? No one is coming to find me?''


    As Carcian waited patiently with vigilance, the opponent revealed his identity.


    ¡°Here, it¡¯s me. Latia.¡±


    Even though it was clearly a quiet voice, Karsian was more surprised than before.


    ''Latia? Why at this time... ¡­ .''


    For a moment, I was curious about what he was up to, but he had only one thing to say.


    "go away."


    Carcian thought she would either turn around or run amok, or one of the two. However, the answer that came back was unexpected.


    ¡°Open the door for a moment.¡±


    "Why me?"


    "food¡­ ¡­ I brought some.¡±


    Carsian turned around to the door at the words that he said while looking at his eyes. The round red eyes wanted to shake for a moment, but soon he turned his head again as if he had settled his heart.


    ¡°You were the one who told me not to feed me in the first place, so what kind of person are you now?¡±


    Karsian said that he knew everything, so he wouldn''t let it go, but the opponent jumped up.


    "no! I didn''t! It''s all lies. I¡­ ¡­ Mother punished you because I didn¡¯t bother you.¡±


    "punishment?"


    "okay. Both for me and for you.¡±


    Karsian''s face was filled with wonder at what he said while hesitating.


    "me too¡­ ¡­ I''ve been starving all day. So hey, Susan sneaked me some food for the night. But Susan said you starved too.¡±


    That''s why I brought it to share, Latia muttered.


    Karsian couldn''t believe it.


    ''What kind of plan is this?''


    What was he thinking with that pretty face that made him change like this overnight?


    Just a week ago, Latia had been harassing Karcian for her mother''s love. But now, despite her mother''s punishment, she came to share her food.


    ''Ha, is it characteristic of people in this family that their attitude changes easily like flipping a palm?''


    Carcian deliberately thought hard, but he got up and headed for the door.


    ''It''s definitely not because of Latia''s sullen voice.''


    Karsian thought again that it was because of the bitterness of not being able to growl all the time.


    ''What¡­ ¡­ At least it won''t contain poison.''


    No matter how much the public''s interest cooled, the marquis family could not abandon Carcian out of concern for people''s eyes. Also, the Marquis was acting as a polite and cultured aristocrat outside.


    ''That''s why I don''t want to have a negative look at my sudden death.''


    With that thought in mind, Karsian slowly opened the door.


    * * *


    I was honestly a little surprised on the inside. I didn''t know that a Karsian could open the door so easily.


    He''s already been swearing at me, "I''m sure he didn''t poison him?" I finished my resolution to receive even the suspicion of doing it. But Karsian opened the door and looked at the food I was holding with a brusque expression. He sighed as if he was asking if this was all he had brought, but said nothing else.


    It was the time when he handed bread and soup to Carcian, relieved by that.


    ¡°Haam, I¡¯m going to die of sleep. It''s so quiet, what kind of patrol... ¡­ .¡±


    He heard the voice of a patrolling servant from around the corner.


    "Ugh."


    I involuntarily sighed and looked back at the hallway where the servant''s steps were approaching. I was being punished by starvation for not bothering Carcian. It was clear that if I was caught holding food, I would be punished even more tomorrow.


    Besides, I''m giving out food to Carcian right now!


    ¡°My lady, we have to hide!¡±


    Just as Susan whispered in an impatient voice, Karsian opened the door and stepped aside.


    "Come in."


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ uh?"


    I opened my eyes wide in surprise.


    I was going to give you food and go back, but you want me to come in?


    ¡°You said you were being punished? Wouldn''t it be difficult to get caught?"


    Or was it a lie? Carcian''s face instantly turned ferocious.


    "no! Really!"


    I quickly shook my head and hid with Susan in a barn-like room. Carcian quickly shut the door before the servant turned the corner.

 CH 5

    Carcian''s room, which he entered hesitantly, could not be called pleasant even with empty words. It looks like Carcian cleaned up in his own way, but it was true that it was dirty. In the first place, this is not a room used by people, but a warehouse.


    To put a child in a place like this... ¡­ . It''s really my family, but it''s a bad family.


    Of course, the marquis will pay off all the wrongdoings he did to Carcian later through death. It was a scene giving cider to the readers, but absolutely not to me.


    Because then I die too.


    I gulped and looked back at him. Karsian took the food Susan gave her and went to the dining table-cum-desk and saw me.


    "What."


    I tried to be as harmless as possible at the voice that was still full of caution.


    "No, just¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    But I couldn''t think of anything to say.


    Aren''t you uncomfortable living in this room?


    ¡­ ¡­ This is natural.


    Shall I ask you to move rooms?


    ¡­ ¡­ Right now, I''m an illegitimate child, so by what power?


    I quietly sighed.


    I was definitely the daughter of a Marquis, but I felt helpless at the fact that not even one Carcian could take responsibility. In the end, I couldn''t find anything to say, so I just laughed awkwardly. Karsian looked at me like that, and then moved on.


    I glanced at the desk where he sits and found an unexpected object.


    "uh? Isn¡¯t this siren stationery?¡±


    "Do not touch!"


    I asked without much thought, but Karsian suddenly raised his voice and hugged the letter.


    ¡°Uh, huh?¡±


    Since I hadn''t even stretched out my hand yet, I was a little bewildered, but at that moment the contents of the original came to mind.


    That stationery was a gift Carcian''s father bought for him before he left.


    ''If you have this letter, you can contact me from anywhere. Although we may be apart for a while, our hearts will never be as far apart.''


    In fact, Karsian used to say that I would follow my father in the trade. However, the Count stubbornly refused, as the sea, infested with pirates and unknown creatures, was very dangerous for a child.


    Instead, he mortgaged his bereaved wife''s brooch and bought that stationery for his son, who would be afraid of being left alone. Carcian knew this, so in his childhood, that stationery was a very precious treasure.


    But that... ¡­ .


    I cautiously said to Karsian, who was very nervous about losing the letter.


    ¡°Have you tried that?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ What?"


    ¡°Did you send me a letter recently? You, you are contacting your father with that.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ ¡­ How do you know?¡±


    Karsian sent a puzzled, yet suspicious look.


    Oops.


    I hurriedly shook my head.


    ¡°I read the catalog the group carries. If you have stationery, you can keep in touch with anyone in the middle of the sea at any time.¡±


    He also said that it was very expensive because it was used by envoys crossing the sea or when the imperial family traveled. Carcian nodded slowly, moved by his father, who had bought me such a valuable item.


    "However¡­ ¡­ No reply is coming.¡±


    He looked at me with a very sharp expression. It''s like, ''Isn''t your family getting caught in the middle?'' It looked like it was.


    Hmm, looking at it, it reminds me of a stray baby cat. In particular, the fact that the thoughts are revealed as it is in the facial expression.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ Aren¡¯t you stealing it from the middle?¡±


    I quickly returned to reality after falling into other thoughts for a moment at Karcian''s words. He shook his head at him and said.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t stolen from the middle, it just didn¡¯t arrive.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t arrive?¡±


    "yes. I read it in the catalog, but in fact, this stationery is coated with a magic potion that controls the sirens.¡±


    ¡°I know that.¡±


    ¡°Then did you know that there is a magic trick to find that person in the address line?¡±


    "know. That''s why trained sirens fly as the magic guides them. Are you treating me like a fool?¡±


    Karsian growled.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    As I muttered lowly and lowered my eyes, Karsian flinched. He paused for a moment before asking.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ But why do you think the letter never arrived?¡±


    I walked up to him and pointed my finger at the letter.


    ¡°They say that the smell of the potion disappears in a humid place. That¡¯s why I always told you to keep it in a dry place.¡±


    Karsian''s breath stopped for a moment. Then, with a blank face, he looked down at the remaining stationery.


    ¡°A damp place¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Karsian let out a murky sigh with a pathetically devastated expression. Due to the improvement of the food storage, this room was damp and even damp. It was natural that the stationery would be discolored.


    At that moment, a pretty good idea passed through my head. I''m in a situation where I have to score points with him now.


    Should I let go of my guard first and make him trust me a little to get points?


    And in fact, it was our marquis family who made me keep that stationery in a damp place. I said it quickly before he realized this and got mad at himself.


    "I will help you."


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ What?"


    ¡°That letter, it¡¯s not that I can¡¯t write very well. You just need to dry the damp stationery and apply new medicine.¡±


    ¡°But that¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Karsian looked around the room where the stale air had settled. It was definitely impossible in a room like this. I said as if I had been waiting.


    ¡°Will you give me some of that?¡±


    "what?"


    ¡°Well, as you can see from earlier, there is sunlight in my room. I don''t mean to make fun of you.¡±


    I was afraid he would object, so I quickly continued.


    ¡°What if I dry the stationery in my room? And that potion, I saw it in my father''s study.¡±


    ¡°Is it really?¡±


    "yes."


    I know this because I was helping my father organize the books in the past. I wondered why there was such a thing in my father''s study, who hated the sea, but it turned out that the count had bought it for him.


    In the original work, there was a scene where the Count asked Carcian why he hadn''t contacted him, and why he didn''t buy him a magic potion. However, since it is a magical drug, it is dangerous to be exposed to children for a long time, along with the statement that an adult was keeping it.


    I cautiously proposed to Carcian.


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll dry the stationery in my room, apply magic potion, and give it to you. What do you think?"


    Hearing my words, Carcian hesitated for a moment. Then, he shook his head.


    ¡°How can I trust you?¡±


    The sharp voice was nervous. I opened my mouth for a moment and then closed it.


    Well, even if it was me, I think I would have reacted like that. How can I trust her right away when the girl who has been bullying me suddenly says she is good to me?


    I spoke to Karsian cautiously with a face of full understanding.


    ¡°But I won¡¯t be able to use that stationery otherwise.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t trust me, why don¡¯t you trust Susan?¡±


    Susan is kind of friendly though.


    I was expecting a little bit here.


    "no."


    Karsian flatly refused.


    ''She''s also your limb after all.''


    It was such a look. He seemed to have no intention of reversing the decision he had already made.


    In fact, if it were me before returning, I would have rushed to my mother with the letter. Carcian must have been stubbornly enduring like this because he expected me to be like that too. Knowing all this, I was compelled to step back to find out.


    If I push further here, ¡°There must be some ulterior motive!¡± And you can buy more antipathy. I''d rather not know before committing a mistake, but since it''s already been done, it''s tricky to rectify.


    I looked at Karsian and said.


    ¡°Then I''ll go and see. The servant seems to have passed by, and it''s also difficult if Betty comes to watch over you unexpectedly.¡±


    Karsian didn''t answer. Susan and I left his room after making sure the hallway was clear.


    Susan asked cautiously.


    ¡°Is it okay if I leave it as it is?¡±


    ¡°You mean stationery?¡±


    "That''s true, too, Master Karsian."


    Susan pursed her brows in concern. I glanced back at Susan.


    Through the crack in the door, I met Carcian''s red eyes. He flinched in surprise and immediately closed the door.


    It really seems like the kitty is clumsy and vigilant.


    I replied to Susan with a slight smile.


    ¡°When I saw it, I thought it would be fine. And sooner or later he will come to me.¡±


    "yes? really?"


    "yes. Because even when I got down on my knees, you didn¡¯t give me back the ointment you said you wouldn¡¯t apply.¡±


    "Oh! really!"


    Susan laughed, saying she hadn''t thought of it.


    "If the wound heals thanks to the ointment, the lady''s sincerity will come through."


    "yes. right."


    Then, it was clear that Carcian''s closed heart would open even a little bit.


    * * *


    A week has passed since then.


    ¡°Are you not coming today?¡±


    I put a bookmark in the book I was reading at Susan''s words. Susan was looking back toward the door with a worried look on her face.


    A week ago, I confidently said that Carcian would come to me eventually.


    Even after a long week, Karsian didn''t even show his nose. However, this was expected enough.


    "It''s okay. Karsian is very cautious from the beginning.¡±


    Such a child saw his father''s friend, the Marquis, change his attitude like flipping the palm of his hand. And the people of the marquis, and I, all took the lead in harassing him.


    ¡°Carcian¡¯s heart will be more tightly closed than usual.¡±


    So I''m sure you''ll spend a week, no, more than that, slowly trying to measure me.


    ¡°Wait longer. The time it takes to trust a person is different for everyone, Susan said the other day.¡±


    When it was, I think I was about 6 years old.


    I was walking in the garden with Susan when I found a bird with a broken wing. We treated the bird wholeheartedly, but the baby bird seldom opened its heart.


    ''If I treat you so well, why doesn''t that bird trust me?''


    When I said it as if I was complaining in my upset heart, Susan spoke as if she was reading.


    ''It''s because the time required is different.''


    ''necessary time?''


    ''yes. The young lady is so gentle that it takes a short time for her to trust someone, but those who are wary of them trust someone after looking at them for a very long time.''


    After hearing Susan''s words, I gave the baby bird enough time to trust me. Then the baby bird started to follow us very well, as if it were vigilant when it pecked its fingers.


    ¡°Carcian must be the same as that baby bird.¡±


    When I said it in a laughing voice, Susan smiled warmly as if she remembered the baby bird.


    "Right. I was impatient this time.¡±


    Susan said embarrassingly, placing the back of her hand on my cheek.


    ¡°By the way, you haven¡¯t seen that bird lately, have you?¡±


    "Well¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    After hearing from Susan that she would be happier living free than being locked up in a cage, she set her free.


    "I know. I think I used to come here to play sometimes.¡±


    Even before the regression, it seems that he had not been seen since the time he started harassing Karcian.


    ¡°Shall we go find it?¡±


    "Well¡­ ¡­ great. It''s been a while since I haven''t been to the garden.¡±


    I put the bookmarked book down and jumped off the chair.

 CH 6

    Said Susan, bringing her walking shoes to head out into the garden.


    ¡°Huh, the lady is really amazing.¡±


    "Yes?"


    ¡°There are times when he suddenly acts like an adult, but now he¡¯s infinitely cute.¡±


    "You''re grown-up... ¡­ .¡±


    Could it be because I realized the memories of my previous life and returned?


    Before reincarnation, he was an adult, and before returning, he was 10 years old. Leaving all that aside, I wonder if everyone would grow up early if they found out that I was actually an illegitimate child.


    "I grew up early to help ease Susan''s work."


    I smiled and changed the topic. Susan looked at me with a slightly subtle expression, but she said nothing more after that.


    I put on my street shoes and walked around the garden with Susan. Unfortunately, the bird we were looking for was nowhere to be seen.


    "Well¡­ ¡­ I can''t see it.¡±


    It had a silvery white body and only the long tail feathers were bright red like burning flames. It was so impressive that it was impossible not to recognize it. I plowed through the bushes where I had placed the baskets for the baby birds.


    "there is?"


    "No, there is not."


    Even after the bird was completely healed, it sat down here and called us with a purr bleep. It was like a meeting place of some sort. but it''s not even here


    ¡°Have you gone far?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay though, so I hope you don¡¯t get hurt again.¡±


    I tried to hide my regret and brushed off the hem of my skirt. It was time to go back to the room with Susan.


    ¡°Ouch, ow! Gosh! I''m dying!¡±


    A scream was heard from the back of the mansion. However, the sound was so contrived that everyone who heard it was bewildered.


    ¡°I¡¯m dying because of Master Karsian! Oh my, oh my!"


    I asked Susan shyly.


    ¡°That voice¡­ ¡­ Isn''t that Bill?"


    ¡°Yes, do you think so?¡±


    Bill was the man with the strongest breath among the servants, to the extent that it was said that he was the next butler. Besides, Bill was a villain who had been harassing Carcian even before his return.


    I hurried to the corner of the mansion to stop Susan.


    ¡°Ah, lady!¡±


    Susan belatedly called me, but I turned to the road leading to the stable. Somehow, I feel like I''m there. Sure enough, Bill and one other man, Ron, were there.


    "Oh my, oh my¡­ ¡­ I''m dying... ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Yeopsi, you are the son of a count who went out to trade on the sea teeming with pirates. that mood! I respect you. So, even hurting people like this can be shameless, right?¡±


    Blood was dripping from Bill''s leg as he stood leaning on Ron''s shoulder. I looked at Carcian, who was blocked in front of Bill and Ron. The pitchfork Carcian was holding was probably a weapon, and the hem of Bill''s trousers was caught at the end of it.


    I didn''t know what was going on, so I was looking around for a while, but Karsian clenched the pitchfork tightly and said.


    ¡°That''s what you did. Come on your own and take the pitchfork... ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Yes? What do you mean by that? Could it be that we took the rake while the young master was passing by, injured himself, and then returned the rake?¡±


    Ron raised his voice loudly and sarcastically, as if trying to get people together.


    Karsian clenched his fists tighter and said.


    "actually, ¡­ ¡­ That''s it.¡±


    "Oh my, oh my! people! here! Look at how the son of Count Raumdisel, who went out to sea to trade, lies without blinking an eye!¡±


    Carcian''s voice trembled as if he was really unfair, but Bill pretended to be sick and shouted loudly as if he had waited. The sound made Karsian shrink even more.


    Aww, that damn Bill, Ron!


    ¡°What to do with this? Tomorrow, the Marquis has something to ask of her, so I have to go out of the Marquis''s place, but I think she hurt her feet... ¡­ . And that, too, in the hands of Master Karsian.¡±


    ¡°If I tell the Marquis this story, what do you think the Marquis will do?¡±


    Bill and Ron were a great match. In front of him, Karsian''s face went white. If this ever gets to his father''s ears, Karcian will surely be terribly scolded. Just like she did before returning.


    It was. Even before the return, Bill and Ron bullied Carcian by threatening to harm themselves. As expected, there was a magic tool that could record on Bill''s chest. Judging by the red flashing, it seems that it is already being recorded.


    Then I''ll be able to bring out ''that word'' soon... ¡­ .


    "miss."


    At this point, Susan came over, and I listened to Bill, feeling Susan''s hand on my shoulder.


    ¡°Please apologize. Kneel down on us and beg us that we did something wrong, and we''ll take care of it.¡±


    After all, it is the same as before the return. Bill and Ron clearly intended to flirt with each other by filming Carcian bowing his head. However, Carcian is the male protagonist of this world, and has the personality to say that it is not.


    ¡°I didn''t do anything wrong. You are wrong.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is it? then what Go to the Marquis like this.¡±


    Bill seemed intent on seeing just how far Carcian could show his pride. ''Let''s just do what you did.'' It was her eyes that did. Karcian flinched when the story of his father came out.


    It was at this time.


    ¡°Or, let¡¯s do this. Yes. No matter how poor he is, he is from the count''s family, and he probably doesn''t want to apologize to lowly servants like us.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to apologize, but for something I didn¡¯t do¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s done. Then drink this. waters of reconciliation.¡±


    After cutting off Carcian''s back, Ron headed for a nearby well as if he had waited. There, he picked up a bowl that was rolling around and filled it with water from a bucket and handed it to Karcian.


    "Oh¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    Susan covered her mouth in shock. I didn''t ask what that was. because you already know


    It must be the same as before the return.


    That well is where the maids used to wash their rags. So the bucket that Ron scooped up would contain stale water. Save water by putting water in a bucket and washing the mop several times.


    ¡°Drink. It''s just water. Or do you not drink anything that servants give you, even water?¡±


    As the mop-soaked water rushed in front of his face, Carcian hesitated and stepped back.


    ¡°Oh, please. Or hit her head.¡±


    Seeing this, Bill quickly closed the distance, grabbed Carcian by the shoulder, and threatened him.


    ¡°What to do with this? Shall I call the butler?¡±


    ¡°No, the butler doesn¡¯t like Carcian very much anyway. Even if things get better right now, those Bill and Rons will try to bully Carcian again. We have to work this out on our own.¡±


    I said coolly to the trembling Susan.


    But how do I solve it?


    There was no clear way for me either. At that moment, a magic tool that was shining a red light caught my eye on Bill''s chest.


    Oh yeah. That''s it!


    ¡°Susan, stay here.¡±


    "yes?"


    I jumped right out without answering Susan.


    ¡°What are you doing right now!¡±


    Then he clenched his fists tightly and spoke loudly. In an instant, the gazes of Bill, Ron, and Karsian were fixed on me. I said as I approached Karsian.


    ¡°I heard everything. What are you doing?"


    ¡°Ha~ I, really.¡±


    At my words, Bill, who was holding Karcian''s shoulder, slowly stood up.


    In the eyes of the two, ''What is this again?'' I read the disrespectful heart.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if you have heard the story. Master Karsian hurt me? Me, who has to leave tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even apologize, the drink of reconciliation¡­ ¡­ no. Why don''t you try to drink a glass of water? So no matter how much we are servants, we are adults, so we are trying to fix our quirks.¡±


    ¡°So, our sasaengs¡­ ¡­ no Lady, go on your own way. You know?¡±


    How many times have you called me an ''illegitimate child'' behind my back?


    Bill giggled and waved his hand, but I didn''t blink.


    ¡°But Karcian said he didn¡¯t do it.¡±


    "her?"


    ¡°As Carcian said, you guys did it. To torment Carcian like this.¡±


    I alternated my fingers between Bill''s injured leg and Ron''s sludge. Then Ron burst into laughter.


    ¡°Hahahaha! no, miss. Do you believe Master Karsian''s words, like an idiot? That son of a bitch''s father is a braggart who promises to succeed in trade through the sea infested with pirates. What''s different about that son... ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Yes, I believe.¡±


    I cut off Ron''s back and said. Karsian looked back at me with a surprised expression.


    Instead of looking at Carcian, I looked at Bill and Ron''s eyes clearly and said,


    "I believe, Carcian''s words."


    When I said this without blinking, Bill and Ron hesitated.


    They are weak and weak. Weak to the strong, strong to the weak. Therefore, I must tell people that I am not a weak person, but a strong person.


    ¡°What''s strange? My father, the owner of this mansion, ''believed'' Count Raum Disel''s words and took care of Carcian. Count Raum Disel will return alive. But with such stupid hair, are you really treating my father as an ''idiot''?¡±


    "I-I don''t mean that... ¡­ !¡±


    ¡°If not, what?¡±


    When I went out with my father, sure enough, the two of them just giggled like idiots. But her pride, Bill, seemed unwilling to back down.


    ¡°That, yes. Assume that the young lady believes in Master Karsian''s words. But really, do other people believe it?¡±


    "Look. The hem of Bill''s clothes is caught on the pitchfork that Master Karsian is holding right now! Where can you find more evidence than this?¡±


    Ron also quickly defended Bill.


    "So that''s why you forced me to lift the pitchfork!"


    ¡°If not, I should have. Why are you still holding it?¡±


    Carcian protested, but Ron answered sarcastically. Suddenly, the sound of grinding teeth came from Karsian''s mouth.

 CH 7

    I''m angry about the same thing, so I glared at Bill and Ron. But the truth is, I wanted Bill and Ron to come out this way.


    I let out a big sigh and said.


    "okay. I''m sure people won''t believe Carcian''s words.¡±


    Karsian shook his body as if indignant. I stepped in front of Carcian and sent him behind me to protect him.


    ¡°Is that all?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ Yes?"


    ¡°Water of reconciliation, is that all? Then I''ll drink that instead. Then you will be reconciled.¡±


    ¡°What, what, what¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    ¡°Then, this is covered.¡±


    Carcian gasped in surprise at my words, and Bill and Ron widened their eyes.


    "miss!"


    Susan, who was watching the situation from behind, jumped out quickly, but I stretched out my arm to stop her.


    "Answer me. This thing is covered.¡±


    Bill and Ron hesitated in embarrassment at my words, but soon they laughed and held out the bowl to me.


    "yes. That''s right, what.¡±


    ¡°However, if you can drink all of that water.¡±


    They must have thought that I was bluffing when I couldn''t eat this dish.


    But what to do with this, to me who stood on the death row, this kind of water is like holy water.


    I even drank the rainwater that ran down the dirty walls in prison. I don''t know if I''ve been able to survive for several days in a poor environment enough to be grateful for that.


    Karsian and Susan screamed as I grabbed the bowl Ron handed me.


    ¡°Don''t drink!¡±


    ¡°My lady, no. I''ll call someone!¡±


    But I just turned my head and smiled at the two of them, then drank the whole bowl in front of everyone. The horse was in dirty water, and it was close to the water that I just dipped a rag in and drained, as if I didn''t use soap. Since it was morning, it was quite clean.


    I turned over the empty bowl and confirmed it. Instead of water droplets, only a single leaf fell from the bowl.


    ¡°Is that okay?¡±


    Bill and Ron were looking at me with their mouths wide open. Carcian and Susan were stunned and said nothing.


    I took advantage of the moment Bill was frozen and took the magic tool that was being recorded from his chest.


    ¡°Oh, that¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    Bill stretched out his hand in surprise, but I quickly stepped back, turned off the power, and threw the magic tool at Susan. Susan, who was stiff, hurriedly accepted the magic tool.


    ¡°As you said, where did you, who are only servants, get such expensive magic tools?¡±


    "that¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Looks like it''s obvious, it''s your father''s office, isn''t it? Did you steal it from there?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, no!¡±


    "okay? Then I''ll ask my father as I hand this over directly to him. ''Didn''t the recording magic tool disappear recently?'' do."


    At my words, Bill''s face became contemplative.


    "Let''s see¡­ ¡­ wow! Was it being recorded? Then, after this, it must also be recorded that he tormented Carcian, who was entrusted with the writer, and fed me, her eldest daughter, with mop-washed water? If I give this magic tool to my father and say, ''These servants have caused a scandal, I will inform the world so that they will not be hired elsewhere''... ¡­ How will your father react?¡±


    Our Marquis family values ??a gentlemanly image externally. However, to do something that could damage that image, there is no way I would leave the servants Bill and Ron alone.


    Realizing this, Bill and Ron knelt in front of me in an instant, wondering where their arrogance had gone.


    ¡°Ha, please forgive me just once. miss!"


    ¡°My lady, we made a mistake!¡±


    Then, before I could say anything, he knelt on the floor on his own.


    I looked down at it and said,


    ¡°I don¡¯t think an apology is only for me, right?¡±


    ¡°Sin, sorry! Master Karsian!¡±


    ¡°We made a mistake!¡±


    ¡°Is Carcian right?¡±


    "yes! I took the rake from Master Karsian passing by and injured myself!¡±


    ¡°And again, he gave Master Carsian a pitchfork and said he would break it if he let go!¡±


    That''s why Carcian couldn''t even let go of the pitchfork. If the rake is broken, you can''t work at the stable, and you''ll get scolded.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Master Karsian!¡±


    ¡°I have committed a mortal sin. Forgive me just once!¡±


    Bill, Ron banged his head and begged. I said it was up to Karcian to decide what to do with them.


    Carcian thought for a moment, then took a bowl from me and scooped out the dirty water.


    "drink."


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ Yes, yes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you for sharing a drink between the two of you.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ Yes?!"


    Bill and Ron were stunned by Carcian''s calm words. Of course I was surprised too. I didn''t know Karsian would say something like that.


    "why. Latia, the lady of this mansion, also drank. As servants, you share the drink in half.¡±


    ¡°Ha, but¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Do, young master¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Bill and Ron looked at the sloppy water with tears in their eyes. Seeing that, Carcian tilted his head crookedly.


    "no? can''t you? Latia, speaking of that magic tool, if I go to the Marquis right now and say, ''I can''t bear to be treated like this anymore''... ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°M, M, M, I will drink!¡±


    ¡°All, I¡¯ll drink it sweet!¡±


    Bill took the bowl of sputum water and gulped it down before Carcian could say anything.


    ¡°Hey, hey! I have to leave mine too!¡±


    Ron said urgently, fearing he would get himself into trouble, and slapped Bill on the back. The two also showed an empty bowl in front of us.


    Karsian confirmed that and said in a calm voice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that in the future. Tell the other servants too. Please don''t bother me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes! All right!"


    ¡°I will definitely tell you!¡±


    Bill and Ron disappeared as if they were running away after bowing their heads to Carcian several times.


    I was looking at the backs of the two running towards each other, at that time. Wow!


    "miss!"


    Susan ran over and hugged me.


    ¡°What, what, why¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    Susan couldn''t speak properly because she was crying. I wanted to ache inside. It''s me, since I have memories before returning, so it''s okay to drink stale water, but from Susan''s point of view, it''s probably not.


    ¡°Are you very surprised? No, I was watching and the water looked cleaner than I thought, so I thought it would be okay. And since it''s morning, there won''t be much cleaning.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, lady. such water... ¡­ !¡±


    Tears welled up in Susan''s eyes as she looked at me busily.


    ¡°I can¡¯t, go ahead and get some medicine. What should I do if I get sick after doing this, come on!¡±


    ¡°Ah, ah! Wait, Susan!¡±


    I wanted to have a quick chat with Carcian, but Susan dragged me straight into the room.


    Under Susan''s supervision (?), I drank five glasses of clean water and took medicine in case something went wrong with my body.


    The human body is not as weak as you think. It''s to the point where you can drink that dirty rainwater and still be fine. So I didn''t think much of it, but I just sat on the bed with a smile on my face because I liked Susan''s concern for me.


    I forgot to reveal that the leaves that fell from the bowl I drank the water from were ''herbs that purify dirty water''.


    Earlier, while looking for a bird, a leaf with a cleansing effect attached to my body. I happened to see it, and I thought it was right, so I decided to drink the stale water. Of course, the leaves didn''t go into the water that Carcian fed Bill and Ron.


    That evening, I asked Susan to return the magic tool to my father.


    ''I heard from Susan that recently there have been people outside the mansion talking badly about our family. I think I know why they say things like that. I tried to induce it once, but I can say it right away.'' along with a letter.


    Of course, this is a lie, but my father will be crushed. My father is madly obsessed with the gentlemanly image of the Marquis family. My father gave me an amethyst necklace after saying that I believed in Carcian, saying, ''You guided me well.''


    It was ''mine'' for the first time in my life.


    And the next day, I could no longer see Bill and Ron in the mansion.


    * * *


    A few days later, I went out to the garden with Susan today to find the baby bird in my memory. The barrel of the baby bird''s favorite food was empty.


    ¡°Maybe another bird ate it?¡±


    ¡°Maybe they just came and ate food and left. This food is made by drying the roots of grass, so ordinary birds do not eat it well.¡±


    In case I was heartbroken, Susan tried hard to comfort me.


    "Then I''ll just have to leave it alone. I see you are living well.¡±


    I turned around, leaving my regretful heart behind. But it was at this time.


    ¡°Look at me just once, just once! No, even catalogs are fine! We only select really high-quality herbs!¡±


    ¡°Ugh! Make a fuss about this place! Can''t you just go away?"


    ¡°Tsk! No matter how compassionate our Marquis is, that''s right, even these kinds of merchants are trying to get in!¡±


    There was a great commotion near the main gate of the mansion. A man was hugging the saplings and shouting, and the knights were dragging him out.


    ¡°I am not a merchant, I am a member of the Gruan Merchants who have been trading for generations¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    "Sometime after the Gruan Merchant''s bankruptcy, then you''re a merchant!"


    ¡°Please let me see the Marquis, the Marquis just once! I have something very important to tell you!¡±


    ¡°Oh, even if it doesn¡¯t work! Do you think our Marquis is free enough to deal with every single merchant like you?¡±


    The man cried and said, but the knights were merciless.


    Wait a minute, Gruan top?


    In an instant, a scene from the original flashed past.

 CH 8

    The quality of the herbs at the top of Groan was very good. However, the price was as high as it was excellent, but as soon as my father became the head of household, he presented an outrageous delivery amount. It was cut by half of the original value.


    The Marquis of Gladellis is very aristocratic on the outside, and is respected by many people. To the extent that rumors spread that there was a problem with the Merchant, which had lost business with our family. In the end, the Gruan upper house had no choice but to deliver at an outrageous price.?


    It was only natural that the wages of the employees would decrease as they received less money. His father penetrated this gap and bribed the people of the Gruan Merchants and stole the seedlings and cultivation methods. So, in the patronage of the Marquis, there are herbs grown with the cultivation method stole from the Grouan Merchants.


    Since we have been trading for generations, it became natural for our family to know the secrets of the Gruan Merchant.


    ''It must have been because they were close to each other.''


    ''What a wonderful family the Marquis of Gladellis is, so they couldn''t have had a bad heart?''


    ''It''s a family that is a model of noblesse oblige, so I can trust it!''


    Is that kind of public opinion formed?


    In addition, our family sold the herbs grown in large quantities at a much lower price than the Gruan Merchant. Although the quality was low, they competed in quantity instead.?


    As a result, the Grouan Merchants gradually lost their place, and in the end, they were treated like merchants.


    Looking back, our family is really evil... ¡­ .?


    With the good image that my grandfather had built up, I fell asleep after doing all the bad things in the world.


    As I was thinking about that, Susan said as if she felt sorry for her.


    "It''s really pitiful to work as the top lord''s sister."


    ¡°Ah, yes. It is said that it is a disease that can be cured by taking medicine.¡±


    Fortunately, the medicine wasn''t that expensive. However, because of our family''s power-hungry, the corps went bankrupt and became a beggar. They don''t even have the money to cover the cost of those cheap drugs.


    It was said that her illness was difficult to treat with only raw herbs. She was the daughter of the Herbalist Merchant, and she was dying because there was no medicine.


    Well¡­ ¡­ Honestly, I want to help, but that doesn''t mean I can''t support my younger sister until she gets better... ¡­ .


    Besides, I don''t have the personal resources to provide continuous support.?


    ¡°It would be nice to be able to stand tall as the first runner at the top of herbal medicine again. The stuff was really good.¡±


    "I know. Even if they were raised in the same way, they said they couldn¡¯t compare to those of our family.¡±


    I wanted to help him, but now my nose is three. Because I am an illegitimate child, I have a narrow position, and I will die in the future.


    you have to live with me


    Thinking so, I tried to turn around, but I stopped involuntarily.


    wait, i... ¡­ You know how the Gruan Merchants can get back on their feet!


    Besides, thinking about it, my final goal was from Carcian''s mouth, ''He''s not a bad person.'' not hearing the sound By the time Carcian''s father returned, I was only ten years old.


    How can a 10-year-old daughter of an extinct family guarantee her safety?


    I had to find a place to trust myself until I became an adult. And just as I did, I knew how to rebuild the Gruan Merchant. The brain spun rapidly and then shone.


    ¡°Susan, follow me!¡±


    I quickly headed towards the front door where the scuffle was taking place.


    The knights who spotted me quickly hid their weapons. I passed them and went to the front of the upper caution.


    "hello?"


    Gruane Sangsanju looked down at me with a puzzled face. Then, perhaps realizing that I was the young lady of the Marquis, I quickly greeted her politely.


    ¡°Hello, Lady Gladellis.¡±


    It was a complex face, but it was polite and sincere.


    I said with a smile.


    ¡°I need some medicinal herbs that are very effective. Could you show me your catalog, please?¡±


    ¡°A catalog? Mm, of course!¡±


    ¡°My lady, if it''s medicinal herbs, aren''t they also in the backyard of the mansion? There''s no need to bring in such peddlers.¡±


    The knight intercepted the words of the top lord. The expression of Sang Sangju became gloomy again at the word ''miscellaneous merchant''.


    I went to the side of the upper section and said to the driver.


    ¡°Have you not heard of the need for ''highly effective herbs''? And I don''t think I ever gave you permission to speak.¡±


    The cool knight hesitated for a moment. ''Why is this illegitimate child doing this all of a sudden?'' It was an expression that seemed to be estimating.


    Why are you doing this, I, an illegitimate child, am trying to clear up one of our family''s mistakes. I''m surviving a bit too.


    I looked around the top bar again without answering the article.


    ¡°Shall we go inside and talk slowly?¡±


    About how the Gruan Merchant can rise again and how to entrust me.


    I smiled as harmlessly as possible.


    * * *


    Susan served hot tea.


    "Oh, thank you."


    Gruan''s young top lord, Celltron, entered my room and sat across from me with a bewildered face. Susan smiled at him and went to stand behind me. Celltron took a sip of the tea with a bewildered expression, probably unfamiliar with such kindness.


    I sighed and said to him


    ¡°Please get me a job at the Grouan Merchant.¡±


    ¡°Poo!¡±


    At my words, Celltron spewed out the tea he drank.


    ¡°Heh, heh! Sin, sorry!¡±


    Celltron panicked, not knowing what to do, but fortunately it didn''t jump out at me because it was far away.


    I said it with the mildest expression possible.


    ¡°I will be of help to the Grouan Merchant.¡±


    Celltron wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked at me with a bewildered face. ''What is this young lady saying?'' A look of puzzlement was evident. However, ''Yes, then.'' With a smile on her face, she bowed her head. To hear that he had brought me to show me the catalog was a job, and I felt very discouraged.


    he said in a disappointed voice.


    ¡°I''m sorry, but our guild cannot increase staff right now. because¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Because the top is very difficult? The Merchant of the Marquis of Gladellis sells a lot of herbs that are handled by the Gurouan Merchant at a low price.¡±


    At my words, Celltron''s body froze. As if I didn''t know I could talk like this in an adult way. Is that why? In an instant, Celltron''s expression said, ''Knowing everything.'' Resentment, not resentment, was young.?


    I leaned towards him and said.


    ¡°So you have to get me a job all the more.¡±


    "miss¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°My father, the Marquis of Gladellis, bribed the people of the Grouan Merchants and stole information.¡±


    In an instant, Celltron''s eyes widened.


    ''How do you even know that?'' It was a look. At the same time, anger toward Gladellis rose up. Because of that anger, it didn''t matter anymore that I was only 7 years old.


    It''s fortunate that our family has a very gentlemanly image on the outside. Generation after generation has a great passion for learning, so it is said that all children are grown-ups.


    That''s why Celtron knows the Gladellis family well, ''what the hell is this lady?'' I didn''t have the same question. After his regression, the family that only laughed at is so helpful.


    I spoke in a whispering voice as if to stir up his heart.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just be suffering, can you? Please get me a job.¡±


    ¡°My lady, so now you have betrayed the family of the Marquis of Gladellis¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Celltron noticed me. I said as I lifted the teacup.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s too early to talk about it in depth. However."


    I glanced at Susan, who was standing behind me.


    Susan is my only friend who is despised in this life as well as in the past. So she can be trusted as much as she is.


    I took a sip of tea and talked quietly.


    ¡°I am actually an illegitimate child.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    As Celltron''s eyes widened, I could feel Susan''s gaze on me. I only looked at Celltron and said.


    ¡°I think I would have understood enough.¡±


    His eyes were quivering mercilessly. It''s hard to believe.


    Of course, I am known to the world as ''the eldest daughter of the Marquis de Gladellis''. There are no rumors of an illegitimate child. It''s because my father is tightly clamping down on the servants. So Celltron is the first to hear this story.


    I said to the thoughtful Celltron.


    ¡°Please get me a job at the Gurouan Merchant. I can help you directly or indirectly.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "Because I''m going to help my father with the business he runs soon."


    For an instant, Celltron''s eyes shone.


    I said, ignoring the fact that Celtron''s pupils were shining because of the calculation.


    ¡°So, I can instantly know which trades my father is dealing with with which guild.¡±


    The sound of me setting down the teacup spread quietly.


    I have been in my father''s business since about this time in my last life. The operation of the fighting arena, which was the decisive factor in receiving the death penalty.


    I was exceptionally good at arithmetic and had overall talent for upper management. Later, he took me on a deal, and there were quite a few big deals made thanks to me.?


    But no matter how much, my parents didn''t love me.


    The tip of my tongue was bitter at the bitter memory, but I opened my mouth quickly so as not to tremble.


    ¡°And I know how the Grouan Caravan can rise again.¡±


    ¡°Is that really true?¡±


    "yes."


    I nodded my head and thought of the original.


    In the original work, the Gruan Merchant later prospers as a caravan that supplies medicinal herbs to the Hwangseong. To be precise, the male lead Karsian made it that way.


    A few years after taking revenge on our family, Carcian returns after rescuing a fallen princess from the trade she left with her father. And she is the heroine of this book, Iris.

 CH 9

    Zerlac asked politely, but I could never calmly answer.


    What the hell am I supposed to answer here!


    However, it was not the mood to move on just by keeping one''s mouth shut.


    I managed to get over the feeling of being on the judgment table.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to say that expressing affection is rude.¡±


    When I said that, Zerlac''s face went cold.


    A more familiar expression to me.


    That is to say, it was the face of a violent and eccentric grand duke that the world knew well.


    The spine gets chilly.


    So he slowly turned his head and added.


    "It didn''t sound very affectionate, though."


    This time, Adrian''s smile was erased in an instant.


    Then he changed his handsome face and asked coolly.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t that sound affectionate?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Rive?¡±


    "Oh, that''s what I''m really sorry about, but I can''t remember who you really are."


    ¡°Oh my God.¡±


    ¡°If the words of someone you don¡¯t remember sound affectionate, that would also be strange. ha ha ha¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    After breaking out in a cold sweat, I thought I had managed to clear things up, but Adrian looked at me with a face that looked like he was about to cry.


    Wow, why are you two doing this to me?


    When he turned away from Adrian''s gaze, Zerlac picked up a cup to drink.


    But that was an act to deceive people''s eyes.


    He held it up gracefully as if he were drinking tea, covered his face slightly, and winked at me with one eye.


    ''Oh My God.''


    My heart raced, my throat burned, and I couldn''t stay still.


    However, it is a situation where you can''t turn your gaze to this side or that side.


    Father, yes, there was a father! I look back with the thought, but isn''t my father just looking at me with a pleased expression without saying anything!


    Father, say something!


    What are you so happy about!


    I couldn''t look in either direction, and I was sweating profusely when I heard someone''s hasty footsteps.


    It was Mylen Aurier, Gerlach''s aide.


    ''You came in at the perfect time, aide. You saved me!''


    He entered with a stout gait and cautiously spoke to Zerlac.


    ¡°Your Highness, I apologize.¡±


    Then, he carefully conveyed the words to Gerlac.


    ''What''s going on?''


    Come to think of it, when my mother asked me to have tea with her, she said we had to go.


    As the aide stepped back, he set down the teacup he was holding.


    ¡°Thanks for the great tea.¡±


    Then, when he stood up quietly, we all got up to see him off.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for leaving you in the middle.¡±


    Tea time with him was uncomfortable throughout. That''s why the soft Madeleine felt like chewing on a stone.


    When I saw the back view, many emotions overlapped.


    ¡°What do you mean, Grand Duke? You are a busy person, but thank you for coming to the mansion.¡±


    Father''s greeting, mother also came out as if she couldn''t lose.


    ¡°Please visit us anytime next time. Anything.¡±


    To her mother''s words, Zerlac responded with a light smile.


    then look back at me


    ¡°Dude, don¡¯t forget the promise you made with me.¡±


    - He left without saying anything.


    ''A promise you made with me?''


    Even after Xerlac passed away, his words were still on the table.


    I''m thinking about what kind of promise I''m talking about.


    <The ball will be held in three days. On that day, I hope to face you with a more comfortable face than today.>


    I guess that''s the story.


    No, then why are you saying so vaguely that you can just ask to see you at the ball?


    It''s just that people''s minds are strange.


    Zerlac was going to give it back to Leonie, but his heart was still uncomfortable.


    I was scared and afraid of him.


    Even when I died under the false accusation of trying to assassinate Leonie, and when I accidentally poisoned myself after inviting all my friends to create an alibi, it was none other than Gerlac who sentenced me to death.


    Of course, at the time, I had never even thought of being entangled with him in any way, so I was just terrified.


    I couldn''t even raise my head properly when the cold white skin and eyes like those of a beast were looking at me.


    But being kind to me like now was a scary thing in its own way.


    ''I have to find a way out of this prom somehow.''


    I thought the ball to welcome him was my last chance.


    Just like in the original, you have to face Leonie.


    ''Because Leonie is a lovely and beautiful woman. She will surely fall in love with her at first sight.''


    While I drank tea with a blank face for a while, my mother praised Archduke Cygnus for what he was like and his outstanding features.


    ¡°How can a person look so straight and upright? I don''t know if it''s because I''ve never seen him as a child, but he seems like someone created in heaven.¡±


    My father cleared his throat a couple of times at the mother''s fuss, but he couldn''t stop her.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    ¡°It would have been nice if we had eaten together.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, yes Adrian. So, are you completely back in M¨¹nten now?¡±


    My father showed a strong will to change the topic.


    At his father''s words, Adrian made a serious face as if he was lost in thought for a moment.


    It was the first look I saw when I entered the mansion.


    "No, I''m not sure yet, but I think I''ll stay for a couple of months."


    ¡°Good. I hope to see you often, at least during your stay.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Marquis.¡±


    Around that time, I wanted to ask what kind of person Adrian was and what kind of relationship he had with my family.


    But after that, the conversation was interrupted when the maid brought out new cookies and the mother spilled a teacup once.


    After some time, when the tea time was somewhat organized, Adrian-


    "Then I''ll go for a walk with Libe."


    He said and took me outside.


    He said he would take a walk in the garden with his sister whom he hadn''t seen in a while and talk about what he couldn''t finish.


    When the mansion door closed and I came out into the modestly decorated garden, I bowed my head to Adrian once more.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, really.¡±


    Around the time he said sorry for the 11th time, Adrian, who was walking well, stopped walking.


    ¡°Stop it, Lady. You don''t have to be so sorry."


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°It was a joke. It doesn¡¯t make sense for a five-year-old to remember everything.¡±


    Then, with a sudden rustle, he took something out of his pocket.


    A very small and dainty thing was placed in the palm of his hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you liked it, and I apologize for being mean.¡±


    "What''s this?"


    When I asked, Adrian replied with a grin.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be offended by this now. I brought it even though I knew it.¡±


    Upon closer inspection, it was candy that gave off a sweet scent.


    "candy?"


    ¡°Was it too much for a five-year-old?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    I picked up the candy from Adrian''s palm and popped one into my mouth.


    As the sweetness lingered on my tongue, to my surprise, I felt a little better.


    After all, sweets are the truth.


    "delicious. thanks."


    ¡°That sounds much better than saying sorry.¡±


    At his words, I couldn''t help but laugh.


    ¡°Okay, then I¡¯ll stop teasing you, so if you want to ask me anything, just ask.¡±


    Adrian was as tall as Zerlac, but he was two heads taller than me, so I had to look up.


    ¡°Were we close before?¡±


    "What? Ahaha!¡±


    No, I told you to ask, but why are you laughing when I ask?


    ¡°They say we were close when we were young, but I can¡¯t remember.¡±


    I decided to be as honest as possible.


    Then Adrian smiled softly and nodded.


    ¡°It is rare for people to have completely clear childhood memories. If you remember even one person, that''s it.¡±


    On a reflexive note, I almost said sorry again.


    I brought out Mi, but when I closed my mouth, he spoke again.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll bring up a story from my memory.¡±


    I nodded quietly and matched his steps.


    He seemed to be deep in thought, with a solemn expression on his face.


    What kind of relationship did this man and Liberata have?


    It''s not something I''ve experienced myself, but somehow I''m in a hazy mood and I''m waiting for what he''s going to say.


    ¡°Liberata Bernadette is so unbelievably five years old.¡±


    I waited for the words to follow quietly.


    Was it that he was so grown-up that he couldn''t believe he was five years old?


    Why was she so tightly united with envy and jealousy in her heart over such a warm family?


    The mother was a bit sensitive and clumsy, but kind, and the father was not a person of ability, but he was a family man and loved his daughter more than anyone else.


    Liberata, why did you live such a pitiful life?


    ¡°She was a total gangster girl with a voice that was unbelievably loud for a five-year-old, and she was arrogant and fearless.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Hey, aren''t you saying too much that I don''t remember?


    "Really?"


    ¡°Yeah, was it like a wolf cub that lived in the mountains without a hint of cuteness?¡±


    Adrian nodded vigorously once, and then burst out laughing wahaha.


    I really want this naughty child.


    "I don''t know, but Lord Watford seems to really like teasing people."


    The words that come out are good only when the words that go are good, really.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m really sorry. So it''s been a long time since I met Libe. To the joy of seeing my old sister again. It was like being a child again.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, can you forgive me? I''m really sorry."


    Adrian begged me, lowering his eyebrows as if he were about to kneel.


    ¡°Are you so sorry?¡±


    ¡°Do you speak? I''m really sorry."


    I followed him and smiled softly.


    ¡°Then kneel.¡±

 CH 10

    "What?"


    ¡°I was kidding too. Do you want to go in now?¡±


    I walked out of the garden, leaving Adrian standing there with a dazed look on his face.


    The tingling in the back of my head is probably because he''s standing behind me and glaring at me, but who knows!


    I don''t want to talk any longer with a man I don''t even remember anyway.


    ¡°Wait a minute, Libe!¡±


    I twitched my mouth for a long time, but at Adrian''s call, I straightened my expression and looked back.


    ¡°Sorry, I was kidding too much.¡±


    I just needed to know.


    Somehow, the more I talked to him, the more I felt like I was losing my temper, so I wanted to go up and rest.


    Even if it''s not, I''m in trouble because of my twisted fate.


    I was too lazy to say I was fine, so I just stood there with the elegant smile I had learned from this world.


    ¡°Rive.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I think I got a little grumpy without even realizing it.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ?¡±


    ¡°So, no.¡±


    What is it, why don''t you talk while wondering.


    ¡°Grumpy?¡±


    Adrian''s face clearly had something to say, but his face repeated blushing and then sinking as if the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.


    It had been smiling since the first time it appeared at the mansion.


    It was the first time I had ever seen this expression, and it made Adrian look like a different person.


    Well, it was when I was standing with the eyes that if I don''t want to say it now, I was just about to turn around.


    ¡°His Highness Archduke Cygnus.¡±


    The name he brought out gripped my ankle.


    Why are you bringing up Gerlac here?


    ¡°Somehow, it seems to have been stuck in my mind. It''s not worth it.¡±


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    "It''s like the two of you talking secretly."


    what? When was the last time I had a private talk with Zerlac?


    ¡°A secret story?¡±


    When I asked again, he turned his head slightly and blushed.


    He seemed to think that I was not a gentleman even after I said it.


    Son, you look cute again when you look like this.


    ¡°Because His Highness the Archduke and Libe look pretty close.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I know that the Archduke has not been here for a while, so how does Libe know the Archduke so well?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Embarrassed by the sudden rise of the topic of Zerlac, I answered quickly, but Adrian seemed surprised at the rather urgent voice. Embarrassed that he opened his eyes wide, I added a word without even realizing it.


    "That''s why I don''t know, but somehow I found out."


    ¡°How did you find out about His Highness the Grand Duke?¡±


    ¡°At a ball not too long ago, oh, so we became close by chance.¡±


    "by chance?"


    Haha, the more I talk, the more messed up it gets.


    But you can''t say that you''re going to die anyway, so you''re going to die anyway, so you can''t say that you''ve had a lot of alcohol and had an accident!


    Even if I tried to wrap it up and wrap it well, in the end, the work of that night was something that could not be wrapped.


    Of course, Adrian''s face was getting darker and darker.


    ¡°Yeah, I just found out about it. It''s not that close.¡±


    As I was talking gibberish, I realized that Adrian''s expression was getting more and more grim.


    No, there''s no need to talk about this anyway!


    ¡°It just happened that way.¡±


    As I hurriedly finished my words, Adrian shrugged once and put on a bitter expression.


    ¡°It sounds pretty close after all.¡±


    I am a person who should not be and cannot be close, but as a result, I am now.


    It was true that I was quite involved with him.


    ¡°Rive.¡±


    He called me once in a languid voice.


    "Even though we''ve been apart for quite some time, I''ve always thought of you as family."


    Adrian continued with a voice that was quite different from when he joked with me.


    ¡°So we met after a very long time, and even though Libe didn¡¯t even remember me, he wasn¡¯t sad at all. Maybe it''s because she feels connected to something.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Adrian''s sentimental words made me want to share a similar feeling.


    Unfortunately, I have no memory of him left.


    I was very sorry, but at the same time I couldn''t even say what to say.


    ¡°You have been curious and sensitive ever since you were little.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡±


    He said he had a big voice, and he was a sleazy, fearless gangster?


    He said he looked like a wolf cub that came down from the mountain?


    ¡°No wonder that sentimental side of you is liked by everyone.¡±


    Adrian said something incomprehensible, then took a look at my expression and smiled shyly.


    ¡°Then should I just go in?¡±


    "yes."


    Adrian again showed the fresh smile he had seen at first.


    Although I suffered for a long time because his face, which I had forgotten for a while, came back to life.


    ? ? ?


    The next day, I headed to Count Almaz''s house at Leonie''s urgent call.


    I''ve been thinking about something since early in the morning, but after hearing her story, it wasn''t usually serious.


    ¡°Ribe, just before you came.¡±


    Leonie bit her lip with a white face.


    ¡°I almost fell down the stairs trying to go out to see you off.¡±


    "What?"


    ¡°As you know, I am slow, so I rarely fall. This is the first time I almost slipped on the stairs.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°What? This bad luck keeps repeating itself. I wonder what will happen to me in the end.¡±


    "What are you talking about? No, that will never be the case.¡±


    However, unlike the words, my heart started beating unpleasantly.


    I sipped the cooled tea to moisten my parched lips, but Leonie started talking again.


    ¡°So, Libe.¡±


    "yes."


    ¡°Louisa said she would like to go see a solitaire.¡±


    ¡°Solitaire?¡±


    ¡°Louisa heard from Elome. There must be an astrologer who fits like perfect tweezers. The past and the future.¡±


    I knew about card divination.


    Solitaires were popular in Muten to tell the past or predict the future with constellations and cards.


    I was also quite interested at first.


    I also had the experience of visiting astrologers to avoid repeated deaths.


    He gave away all the money and expensive jewelry he had saved for his emergency fund.


    But no one could prevent my death.


    Even if they brought me a lot of precious accessories and gold coins, in the end I somehow lost my life.


    Since then, I have thought that constellations and dots were all lies.


    ''Ah, that solitaire doesn''t really match at all. If I tell Leonie now, he won''t believe me.''


    ¡°Live, will you go with me?¡±


    "Yes. Yes, of course.¡±


    I will go with you, but I have to say something.


    It''s actually quite dangerous to go to an astrologer when you''re weak-minded like now.


    ¡°Leonie.¡±


    "yes."


    "I didn''t tell you, but I actually came from a solitaire a while ago."


    "What? really?"


    Leonie''s eyes widened in surprise.


    Then he asked with worried eyes.


    ¡°What is it? Did something bad happen?¡±


    "uh?"


    ¡°Why didn''t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°No, it wasn''t that serious. ha ha ha!"


    I can''t say that no matter what I do, I will die under the misunderstanding of trying to harm you.


    I try to ignore Leonie''s bright gaze.


    ¡°But, of course, after hearing this and that and telling my story, I felt relieved.¡±


    "yes."


    ¡°Not everything they said was right. On the contrary, there were things that were completely wrong.¡±


    "ah."


    "It''s famous, so it''s good to go and see it, but you don''t have to believe it."


    ''Cause I''ve been through too much


    People say that if you do this, you will avoid fate, or if you do that, the devil will run away.


    ¡°Live, you are such a reliable friend.¡±


    Leonie stared at me again with a face that looked like she was about to cry.


    Uh, I didn''t want this.


    ¡°D, what¡¯s good about it?¡±


    ¡°To be honest, lately, like my father¡¯s work, I¡¯ve been secretly a loner. If it''s not you, there''s no one to deal with me.¡±


    ¡°Leonie.¡±


    ¡°At the same time, it was very difficult for me to keep having things like this happen.¡±


    Leonie''s father has been involved in some not-so-good things lately.


    The Count of Almaz had several quite famous hotels. But not too long ago, in one of the hotels in Almaz Street, those who were plotting treason were caught.


    The gang had been hiding in the hotel for quite some time, which put Count Almaz in a very embarrassing situation.


    Although it turned out that he and the weightlifters had nothing to do with it, people stopped visiting the hotel run by the Almaz family.


    As a result, Leonie also strangely began to be ostracized in the social world.


    In the original version, Liberata did not miss this opportunity.


    It was a good opportunity to play tricks on Leonie, who had become a loner.


    ''But in the original story, Leonie said that she keeps getting into accidents, so she didn''t say that she went to the card store.''


    "Ribe, I''m glad you''re here. Thank you so much."


    ¡°Thank you. do not say that."


    As I held Leonie''s hand, tears eventually ran down my cheeks.


    ¡°Leonie.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, lately I keep thinking about bad things. So is my father''s work. It''s like the fact that big and small accidents keep happening to me. So I guess I should listen to anything. Will you go with me?¡±


    "Of course!"


    Shortly thereafter, we sat in front of the Astrologer on Jennington Street, looking very tense.


    ''This is the first person I''ve seen.''


    It seemed like I had met all the famous astrologers in the neighborhood, repeatedly dying and coming back to life nineteen times.


    Her hair was gray, but it appeared to be red in nature.


    Her hair was hanging down to cover more than half of her face, so her expression and eyes could not be seen properly.


    ''If you''re going to extort Leonie''s money by saying unnecessarily anxious things, you''ll have to stop them unconditionally.''


    I was familiar with their tricks.


    In fact, the first few times I almost sold my house because I was fooled by their words.


    ''Everything these people say is obvious. I will never be fooled.''


    It was when he was glancing at the old woman with a face burning with a sense of duty.


    The old woman, who had been checking Leonie and me once, raised her finger.


    ¡°The lady is the problem.¡±

 CH 11

    Then he turned and looked at Leonie.


    At the old woman''s words, Leonie''s face stiffened as if she had stopped breathing.


    ¡°Right, it feels like something is happening to me, but I don¡¯t know what it is.¡±


    Tears seemed to fall from her big eyes any second.


    I felt sorry for her and I was sorry again, so I held her hand tightly.


    ¡°No, actually, something was happening from the beginning. Like someone controlling my life. It''s like waiting for me to die.¡±


    I was startled and put my hand on it.


    ¡°Leonie, what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I heard that you see the past and the future very well. And they give you clear answers.¡±


    However, Leonie did not take her eyes off the old woman.


    Shivering, she pressed every word and asked the old woman.


    "Can you tell me what situation I''m in?"


    When Leonie asked in a trembling voice, the old woman grinned.


    It seems to be to lighten the mood, but somehow it just looked bizarre in my eyes.


    ¡°Of course. I will solve your troubles.¡±


    Then the old woman pointed to the card on the table.


    ¡°Pick out two of these.¡±


    There were quite a few cards stacked neatly on top of each other on the table.


    I looked at the card carefully while holding Leonie''s hand.


    ''Isn''t it too new for something grandma uses?''


    The paper had no choice but to be worn at the corners after using it several times, but it was as clean as new.


    ¡°The first card will tell you the problem you are facing, and the second card will give you a solution.¡±


    At the old woman''s words, Leonie pulled out a card with a nervous face.


    Then the old woman sluggishly laid out the two cards Leonie had drawn.


    After a moment of silence,


    "Oh my."


    What broke the heavy silence was the old woman''s low sigh.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that nice?¡±


    Leonie, who was also nervous, put her hands together and waited for her lips to drop.


    But the old woman did not open her mouth easily.


    Ha, where do astrologers get training as a group?


    Very similar pattern, same.


    ''But I don''t think I''ve heard this voice before.''


    I was tilting my head with a strange sense of deja vu, but the old woman continued.


    ¡°Your fate is changing.¡±


    ¡°My destiny?¡±


    ¡°Gee, but that¡¯s not good.¡±


    Your first words are similar to what you said to me.


    Only the people have changed, but they are the same.


    Now it''s obvious he''ll make you anxious like this and then ask for money.


    The first card Leonie took out was a card painted black without any drawing.


    Even if I didn''t know exactly what it meant, I knew right away that it meant something bad.


    ''What, if you turn over all these cards, aren''t they all just ominous cards? Are you trying to do business with human psychology in this way?¡±


    - I thought and kept grumbling.


    Until the old woman said the next thing.


    ¡°Someone has stolen your destiny. There will be no peace until it returns.¡±


    ¡°What, what?¡±


    I was even more surprised than Leonie and jumped up from my seat.


    My heart beat uncomfortably and terribly fast.


    Stealing Leonie''s fate.


    It was clear that maybe, or not exactly, it was talking about me.


    At that moment, the old woman raised her head and looked straight at me.


    From the moment I first saw it, I felt an inexplicable sense of deja vu, but the moment I met her red eyes like blood hidden in my hair, everything became clear.


    ''It''s that grandmother.''


    On the morning of returning from Archduke Cygnus''s castle, the old woman he had seen at the front gate seemed obvious.


    I stare at the old woman in bewilderment, but Leonie sneakily grabs my hand.


    ¡°Ribe, are you okay?¡±


    "yes I''m fine."


    Leonie examined my face and then asked the old woman with a calm face.


    ¡°Do you even know who stole my fate?¡±


    Oh my God.


    My heart, which had been beating terribly fast, stopped.


    I guess this life is going to die like this.


    hello everyone


    ¡°No, lady. Unfortunately, we don¡¯t know that far.¡±


    The stopped heart slowly starts beating again.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ But he is a very close person.¡±


    Wow, it''s no joke to get your hands on it!


    "okay."


    In the meantime, Leonie''s face turned to something thoughtful.


    ¡°So you mean bad things keep happening to me because someone hijacked my destiny?¡±


    "Right."


    ¡°Then what should I do now?¡±


    I felt like I was about to pass out and fall.


    What if I bring out my story here?


    No, wait.


    I hate this situation too, and I don''t know what to do!


    Zerlac is scared to death, so I''m going to wrap it up and give it back to Leonie!


    ¡°Something is wrong with your father, too. I see a very dangerous shadow.¡±


    When the old woman said that, Leonie gasped for breath.


    "Right. God, how do you do that?¡±


    ¡°It won''t be easy. I got caught up in what everyone fears, so the aftermath will linger.¡±


    I slowly took Leonie''s hand.


    It was because his cold, dry hands were trembling.


    "It''s not that there''s no way, but it''s not that easy."


    "Tell me please. I will do anything.¡±


    ¡°Then I need something.¡±


    As the old woman blurted out her words, Leonie, quick-witted, untied the necklace from around her neck and held it out to the old woman.


    ¡°If you check it, you will see that it is quite valuable. I don''t know about fate, and I''ll pay any amount as long as you don''t let bad things happen anymore.¡±


    The old woman glanced at the jeweled necklace lying on the table, slowly put it in her hand and carried it under the table.


    But it was a strange thing.


    Her hands were too fine and white to be an old woman.


    But before you even focus on that fact-


    ¡°Okay, then let¡¯s open the next card.¡±


    Turning over the second card next to it, this time a bird painted blue.


    "Five¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°What does this mean?¡±


    "I do not know."


    The old woman tilted her head as if she couldn''t understand easily.


    ¡°There is nothing you can do. But it will be freer than now.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I will give you a bracelet that prevents misfortune. Keep this. Then, slowly and one by one, the things twisted by the escaped fate will return.¡±


    Then he took a knotted bracelet from a jar on the table.


    Leonie accepted the bracelet with both hands as if receiving a piece of gold.


    In the meantime, the old woman gave me a restless look.


    ¡°Is there anything you want to ask, too?¡±


    For a very brief moment, I wondered if I should ask the old woman about my fate.


    But right now doesn''t seem like a good time, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.


    I can''t ask right now with Leonie.


    ¡°Oh, no.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    "yes?"


    The old woman giggled a couple of times, as if my reaction was funny, then said:


    ¡°It is a strange thing. A new fate is approaching the young lady.¡±


    ¡°For me?¡±


    The old woman''s finger was pointing at none other than me.


    It overshadowed my efforts to never listen to what astrologers say.


    ¡°But the fate that has come to you is too great for you to bear.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    At that moment, I thought of him.


    The man with dark black hair and auburn eyes.


    ¡°Oh, you are afraid of him.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "I''m pretending to be calm, but I think he might kill her someday."


    I wanted to tell you not to mislead me with nonsense, nonsense, but I couldn''t say a word.


    It may have been a voice that came from deep inside my heart the whole time I was facing him.


    How the hell do you know that?


    Instead, as if possessed by something, he questioned the old woman.


    ¡°How can I put the messed up puzzle back to normal?¡±


    When I asked, the old woman stretched her lips and smiled.


    I remember everything you said


    I''ve tried, but it just doesn''t work out the way I want.


    When I asked a question, the old woman smiled with her lips parting strangely, but said nothing.


    "Please tell us."


    When I asked in a more earnest voice, the old woman lazily stretched the corners of her mouth.


    "I do not know. It all depends on your choice.¡±


    ¡°It depends on my choice?¡±

 CH 12

    ¡°Yes, your choice.¡±


    It was a very scary word.


    It all depends on my choice.


    I unknowingly swallowed my dry saliva and looked up, but the old woman was staring at me as if she were going to pierce me.


    ¡°Your decision will change a lot.¡±


    But I''ve already made my decision.


    It just doesn''t go the way I want it to.


    I was just a villain who harassed Yeo-ju and disappeared in the dew of the executioner. So she didn''t really want to be loved by a male lead, and she never dreamed of it.


    ¡°I have already made up my mind. But what if things don''t go your way?¡±


    ¡°Then it has no choice but to perish.¡±


    The old woman said the frightening words with a calm laugh.


    ¡°My lady needs to move harder than now. If he is left to pass, terrible things will happen.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    At that time, Leonie, who had been quietly listening to our conversation from the side, opened her mouth.


    ¡°Um, could you give this friend a knot bracelet too? I will pay.¡±


    After coming out of the astrologer''s tent, Leonie''s face was much lighter.


    ¡°I think it was a good idea to come and have a look.¡±


    Leonie fiddled with the knotted bracelet the old woman had given her.


    The bracelet was the one that the old woman had touted (?) to her, saying that it warded off bad luck.


    Even though I knew it was a strong sale, the excitement of entering the tent for the first time disappeared and I didn''t say anything.


    <Someone has stolen your destiny. There will be no peace until it returns.>


    I couldn''t stop him from unpacking and handing over all of Leonie''s accessories.


    It was because the words the old woman left turned into sharp eyes and glared at me.


    ¡°Libe, now this bracelet will prevent all bad things from happening, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, then.¡±


    I hoped that would happen, but I just couldn''t wait for that.


    ''Yes, you can''t let it flow. Let''s move more actively. I have to return the heroine''s fate to Leonie and live on.''


    While answering in a firm voice, I promised myself again and again.


    ? ? ?


    ¡°Libbe, are you really okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes, brother.¡±


    After giving a short answer, I again stuffed the cake on the table into my mouth.


    ¡°Can I really not call the doctor?¡±


    My father came to visit me all morning and asked about my well-being, and in the afternoon I was suffering from my older brother.


    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±


    In fact, this friendly older brother was also new to me.


    Is it because the story changed as my fate changed?


    He, who was always abroad and never met, returned to the Bernadette mansion this morning after a long schedule.


    ¡°Then shall I get some medicine from the pharmacist?¡±


    There is one reason why my father and older brother are worried.


    This is because my food intake has increased tremendously.


    ¡°But Libe. Everyone is worried about you, including Eclat.¡±


    Due to anxiety and stress, I craved sweets, and since it was an environment where I could eat, I just ate as much as I wanted.


    Oliver Bernadette, my beautiful and kind brother, always looked at me with worried eyes.


    "It''s okay. It''s because the cake is so delicious.¡±


    I carefully put down the silver fork and smiled.


    ¡°Brother, stop nagging the sister you met after 10 days.¡±


    Oliver was a diplomat. He is a fairly well-recognized young talent in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ten days ago he returned this morning from attending a security conference in Bochum.


    But before you even unpack the gift package, you start worrying and nagging!


    I mixed complaints with a friendly voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since we met (actually, it¡¯s the first time we¡¯ve seen each other), but I don¡¯t like stories like this.¡±


    ¡°Oops, I¡¯m sorry. But to hear that you keep looking for something you don''t normally eat... ¡­ .¡±


    Yes, now I''m happy... ¡­ No, I need to stop using stupid ways to relieve stress.


    ¡°Oh, Libe. I heard that His Highness the Grand Duke visited recently.¡±


    I just thought I''d stop eating sweets, but as soon as I heard the mention of Zerlac, I wanted to pick up my fork again.


    "yes."


    Oliver gave out a puzzled voice when he answered bluntly.


    ¡°Why is your expression like that?¡±


    ¡°No, I just feel uncomfortable talking about His Highness.¡±


    He only blinked his big eyes as if my answer was very unexpected.


    ¡°Oops.¡±


    Whether it was the grand duke, the man, or the socialite, I hurriedly turned away because I didn''t want to talk about it.


    ¡°Brother, what else did you buy like that in Bochum?¡±


    When I pointed my finger at the large box behind my back, my brother smiled brightly.


    Nothing was more effective than my brother''s lovely smile in calming my sharp mind.


    Oh, except for the cake I just ate.


    ¡°This is not what I bought in Bochum.¡±


    "sure?"


    My brother touched his chin a couple of times and made an awkward expression.


    ¡°I went to greet the Grand Duke this morning after finishing my schedule.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°He said to give this to you.¡±


    My brother stood up and approached with a huge box on the floor.


    Every time the box got bigger, I couldn''t help but cringe as if Xerlac was approaching.


    ¡°This, this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know what it is.¡±


    After putting the box down on the table, my brother took a step back.


    I looked up at my brother with an expression that could neither laugh nor cry.


    ¡°Uh, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°His Highness requested that you be considerate of presents so that you can open them by yourself.¡±


    What kind of nonsense is this again?


    After saying that, my brother leisurely left my room.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    I didn''t even touch the gift box sent by Zerlac, nor did I open it.


    What''s in it that makes the box so big?


    I carefully began to open the paper packaging. The splendid rose flower pattern was somehow creepy the more I looked at it, and it made my heart beat faster.


    Oh, troubled and embarrassing.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    I opened the package in a cold sweat to reveal something finely covered in purple velvet.


    The moment of hesitation was when the cloth was immediately lifted.


    "What''s this?"


    Inside the box was a dress as thin and fluttering as the wings of a dragonfly.


    I grabbed the hem of the dress with two fingers and lifted it up as if I was catching garbage.


    It was a satin dress decorated with detailed lace, and it was full of light pink as if it contained the extreme of loveliness.


    ¡°What the hell is this¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    It was a beautiful dress.


    It is full of precious pearl decorations, and I heard the desire to appreciate it under the sunlight for a very short time, really briefly.


    But it wasn''t what the man wanted.


    No, you can''t take it!


    ¡°Eclat, Eclat!¡±


    As if I had seen something I hadn''t seen, I threw the dress on the table at random and called for the maid.


    ¡°Did you call me?¡±


    It was close to tea time, so Eclat came in right away at my call.


    She looked at me with surprised eyes as I held onto the dress with a slightly flushed face.


    ¡°What are you doing, lady?¡±


    ¡°Ekla.¡±


    The hand holding the hem of the dress went into strength.


    ¡°What should I do?¡±


    ¡°What are you doing, lady? Oh my gosh! It is such a pretty dress!¡±


    ¡°Uh, of course it is.¡±


    ¡°It is so beautiful. Lady, it would be perfect if you wear it to the upcoming ball.¡±


    ¡°Ah, that can¡¯t be!¡±


    As I jumped up, Eclat looked very embarrassed.


    ¡°No?¡±


    I can''t explain in detail, I''m going crazy.


    ''It''s a big deal.''


    It seems like things are more complicated than I thought.


    The two are linked by a string of fate.


    Wait a minute, I accidentally caused an accident, but I thought I could get it back.


    Why is Xerlac so obsessed with me!


    How to do this.


    ¡°Ekla.¡±


    ¡°Yes, lady.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, what should I do when things keep going differently than I thought?¡±


    ¡°When things go wrong?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, very messy.¡±


    "Well."


    Eclat seemed to be thinking hard about something, then began to speak cautiously.


    ¡°If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t do anything.¡±


    ¡°?¡±


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t do anything. There were times like that.¡±


    Maybe she''s right.


    There are things you can''t do. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t escape death.


    ¡°What if I can¡¯t do anything?¡±


    "then¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Eclat tilted her head to one side again.


    ¡°Then you have to fight hard! Ask for help from those around you and do your best as much as you can!¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°But what are you really doing?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. Whatever happens.¡±


    ¡°The lady seems a bit uneasy these days¡­ ¡­ . I won¡¯t be of much help, but if you feel frustrated, please tell me at least.¡±


    Eclat put her hands together and told me.


    be nice and kind


    ''Ah, anyway, you should never wear this.''


    Then, a very good idea popped into my head.


    Maybe this could be a good opportunity?

 CH 13

    A few days later, the long-awaited ball was held by all the people of Muten.


    But no one waited as long as I did.


    ''Okay, it''s today.''


    The banquet was as gorgeous as expected and everything was perfectly prepared.


    Leonie wore the blue satin dress I had picked out with her, and it was jaw-droppingly beautiful even for a fellow woman.


    ¡°Leonie, oh my God.¡±


    Flying like dragonfly wings suited Leonie very well.


    I also wanted to wear a pretty dress, but I didn''t forget my duty.


    Of course, I shivered holding on to the dress that Zerlac had sent me until the very end.


    Well done, me!


    ''Leonie is really pretty. Very satisfied. This is enough!''


    When I picked up champagne to quench my thirst with a happy heart, the voices of the ladies gathered together came over.


    ¡°Oh my God, Lady Leonie Almaz really decided to come today.¡±


    ¡°Your beauty is unique.¡±


    ¡°But can I please the Grand Duke with such a calm face?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll know when you see it.¡±


    I don''t care what others say


    How much effort have I put in for today?


    I prepared for Leonie''s ball with the heart of a mother bird taking care of her baby.


    Considering all the effort she put into picking out a dress that went well with her hair color, helping her maintain her fine hair, and finding matching bows and accessories!


    ¡°Oh, look at Lady Bernadette next to Lady Almaz.¡±


    ¡°No, what about Lady Bernadette?¡±


    ¡°Why are you wearing that gray dress? How can you wear such an ordinary dress?¡±


    It''s normal, I like the word, but in fact, it was a dress made of a material that was not even used as a blanket.


    It was the first time I knew there was such a dull colored dress.


    Thanks to that, I became a laughing stock for the ladies gathered around, but who knows?


    It doesn''t matter because they don''t help my destiny.


    ¡°This is really strange. Wearing a gray dress makes her face look dull.¡±


    ¡°That elusive brunette looks even more elusive.¡±


    ¡°Your face is acceptable, but you won¡¯t be noticed by anyone in a dress like that.¡±


    ¡°Shh, be quiet. If you get caught by Lady Bernadette by mistake.¡±


    "Right. Lower your voice.¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t have a normal temperament.¡±


    In fact, the powder on her face was roughly applied, and her hair was loosely united as usual, without any decorations.


    Maybe it was a lot messier than usual.


    ¡°Ribe, are you okay?¡±


    I don''t care, but Leonie''s face was very angry at the voices coming from all directions.


    ¡°Like bad people. Why are you so interested in others?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Leonie.¡±


    I drowned all the nonsense in the glass and poured it into my mouth.


    It doesn''t matter how beautifully I decorate it.


    My only concern is to make Leonie stand out.


    No matter what happens today, we have to make Leonie and Zerlac fall for each other.


    Of course, my operation will be very successful.


    Because Leonie is really dazzlingly beautiful!


    Just then, the huge banquet hall door opened, and the chaotic sound of musical instruments stopped all at once.


    The one who walked inside with a straight and lofty appearance was today''s protagonist, Jerlac Cygnus.


    ''It''s a worldly face.''


    I kept trying to look back.


    A gracefully stretched nose and eyes as deep as an abyss. Reddish-brown eyes with pale skin.


    It was when I unknowingly gave strength to my dry hands.


    Subtle but familiar, so the moment I instinctively raised my head.


    I could feel his tenacious gaze, even from a distance.


    I was quite far away, but his eyes seemed to fly through the crowd and snatch my wrist.


    I tried to lose my composure, but it wasn''t easy.


    ¡°Ribe, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, of course. very good."


    I messed up my hair once more and gave Leonie a thumbs up.


    ''No matter what happens today, Zerlac and Leonie will tie up.''


    It was a time when I made up my mind and clenched my fists.


    Someone approached me with a familiar scent.


    ¡°Oh, I see you here. Lady Bernadette.¡±


    It was none other than Paley who approached with haughty steps.


    It was the first time since we met while matching dresses not long ago.


    Since then, Paley has been calling me several times, asking me to have tea with her or to see a play.


    Every time I had a job, I had a prior contract, and I tried hard to avoid it with the excuse that I was not feeling well.


    In the original version of ¡ºLeonie in Disaster¡», Paley was the one who took the lead in harassing Leonie with me.


    I hadn''t noticed it before, but didn''t I just find out that Paley had a crush on Zerlac?


    ''He''s someone who doesn''t have anything nice to be close to.''


    Usually, she liked to dress up very fancy, but today she was so amazing that she looked like a crazy peacock.


    ''Oh my God, what is that all about? I''m sure it will stand out in some way.''


    I try to hide those thoughts and laugh hohoho.


    ¡°Oh my God, Lady Bernadette. Where are you sick?¡±


    "yes? It hurts.¡±


    ¡°The dress the young lady was wearing¡­ ¡­ It''s just like the clothes that patients wear.¡±


    When Paley finished speaking, the women standing behind her covered their mouths with fans and giggled.


    Seriously, what can''t you see if you cover up and smile like that?


    I was annoyed, but I didn''t mean to fight here.


    Suddenly, Leonie stepped forward and raised a firm voice.


    ¡°Lady Isley, it''s rude to talk about someone else''s clothes like that.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡±


    ¡°Sure, hurry up and apologize to Lady Bernadette¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Leonie, it¡¯s okay.¡±


    I grabbed Leonie''s arm and hurried to another place.


    ¡°It¡¯s not okay, Libe. You talk too much.¡±


    Leonie was so angry that even her forehead was stained red.


    Thank you so much for being so angry with me, but there''s nothing good about getting involved with Paley.


    It''s hard when Leonie becomes her target.


    Paley really doesn''t know what she''s going to do.


    Since she can''t hold hands with me like in the original story, I can''t even figure out her ulterior motives.


    I can''t stop it because I don''t know what''s going to happen.


    So I tried to avoid it as much as possible, but Paley''s face turned grim.


    ¡°What did you say just now, Lady Almaz?¡±


    ¡°If you didn¡¯t hear me, can I say it again?¡±


    Hey, Leonie, what are you doing!


    I can''t. Yeah, I''d rather be a crazy bitch.


    I snatched the champagne from Leonie''s hand and poured it into my mouth.


    ¡°So, the more I think about it, the more I get angry?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ what? What are you hitting?¡±


    "I''m pissed off."


    Hey, have you ever heard of this?


    I don''t know what that means, but just feel bad?


    That''s what I wrote!


    ¡°Hey, Lady Isley. What does it matter to you whether I wear a rag, a prison uniform, or a patient uniform?¡±


    Easley''s eyes widened as I fired back.


    But I had no intention of giving her time to fight back.


    I''ll show you how to fight an argument.


    ¡°Do you think you look pretty when you take out all the good things and put them on? There is a saying, ``Does drawing a line on a pumpkin make it a watermelon!¡±


    How about a modern attack!


    ¡°Huh, be, Lady Bernadette now.¡±


    "Ah, it''s noisy and it looks like you made a lot of decorations because you wanted to look good to the Grand Duke, but don''t quarrel with me and go find one."


    Did you see this time lag attack!


    Then, it was the moment when he grabbed Leonie''s wrist and turned around.


    ¡°Who is looking for me?¡±


    The one who utters a languid voice right in front of his nose.


    It was none other than Gerlac Cygnus.

 CH 14

    The sudden appearance of Zerlac chilled the air in the banquet hall.


    Paley Easley, who had a wildcat-like face just a moment ago, changed her color in an instant.


    ¡°His Highness the Grand Duke.¡±


    Paley was polite, like a docile sheep.


    Standing next to him, I politely bent my knees.


    Zerlac stared at me and gave out a low voice.


    ¡°There is no time to be quiet where you are.¡±


    Well, it''s not entirely wrong.


    Since there are many eyes to see, he said quietly without trying to pout his lower lip.


    "sorry."


    No, it wasn''t because I wanted to get angry, he said he started a fight.


    I almost snitched like a student who was called in front of the teacher, but I managed to hold it in.


    Saying a lot in front of Zerlac won''t help the situation very much.


    Plus one more thing.


    ''Maybe here... ¡­ , wouldn''t you say that I didn''t wear the dress she sent me?''


    As I thought about it, my hands started to sweat.


    But my quiet silence seemed rather interesting to him.


    While I was silently putting on a shy face, Paley stepped forward and spoke to Zerlac.


    ¡°Your Highness, thank you so much for hosting such a beautiful ball. And welcome again to M¨¹tten.¡±


    Paley elegantly added a greeting, and Zerlac replied with a gentlemanly smile.


    Paley''s face was eager to say something more.


    ¡°What are you planning to do today?¡±


    Zerlac turned to me and spoke.


    ¡°Oh, what¡­ ¡­ , do you?¡±


    After a short question, I kept my mouth shut, and Zerlach quietly approached me and whispered.


    ¡°Wine in moderation.¡±


    A voice barely audible.


    ¡°Today I have a lot of guests, so I don¡¯t think I can take care of you.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    He took a step back and smiled faintly.


    Uh, what have you done to me now?


    ¡°Your Highness, the family of Duke Bertrand of Lorec has arrived.¡±


    At the aide''s words, Zerlac left immediately without a brief greeting.


    When he disappeared, Paley turned cold again.


    Ha, Paley.


    It seems that being an actor is a vocation, but it is a waste of talent to rot like this.


    ¡°What did you do a moment ago?¡±


    "What?"


    But his face turned red and he couldn''t say anything.


    That''s right, because I really just stood there without saying anything.


    In the meantime, the party standing next to Paley all put their hands on their chests and groaned.


    "under¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "Soooooooo AWESOME. What should I do ? I think I''m completely in love."


    ¡°I will never give up on this.¡±


    ¡°What if I can¡¯t concede?¡±


    ¡°Actually, it doesn''t matter if the Archduke has an extra eye on his forehead. How could he be as handsome as a chiseled statue like that?¡±


    ¡°So that is it. Where has His Highness the Grand Duke gone?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and stand near us.¡±


    Paley folded her fan noisily, as if trying to calm the tumult. As Paley folded her fan, her servants quickly shut up.


    ¡°Lady Bernadette.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Didn''t I make it clear that it would be better to act upright in front of His Highness?¡±


    I feel like I''ve heard something like that before.


    Having decided to become a target in place of Leonie a moment ago, I did not back down.


    ¡°So what?¡±


    Paley''s eyes widened as if she was unable to speak.


    ¡°I guess you haven¡¯t seen it before. I was still, and the person who spoke to me first must have been the Grand Duke.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that was all I said.¡±


    Every word was correct, so Paley couldn''t say anything and just put her strength into the hand holding the fan.


    ¡°Then, young lady, have a good time.¡±


    After saying that, I grabbed Leonie''s wrist and moved to another place.


    "phew."


    After getting away from Paley, I somehow felt very drained.


    ''Anyway, Mr. Pe is of no help in my life.''


    I touched my face once and turned to Leonie.


    ¡°Libe, how do you know the Grand Duke?¡±


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s what you mean.¡±


    I told Leonie the short story of meeting Zerlac the evening after I was alone at the ball.


    "I see. Anyway, Lady Isley''s expression wasn''t good. You better be really careful.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I understand.¡±


    As Leonie spoke, she fidgeted with the knotted bracelet wrapped around her wrist. It seemed that something was unsettling.


    Besides, Leonie''s expression is somewhat unusual.


    ¡°Leonie.¡±


    "Yes."


    It seems that both cheeks are flushed somewhere, and staring at somewhere with blank eyes is like... ¡­ .


    ¡°Leonie?¡±


    ¡°Ribe, wait a minute. I met a face. I know I''ll come and say hello."


    ¡°Uh, yes.¡±


    Then, holding on to the fluttering hem of her skirt, she disappeared into the crowd.


    ''what.''


    I was worried that Leonie would follow me, but I''m not a child.


    I just sat around and sipped champagne.


    Ha, I have to connect Leonie and Gerlac at the prom today.


    When Leonie comes back later, I''ll take her to see the Grand Duke again.


    By the way, didn''t the two of them feel something destined when they met earlier?


    As I was thinking about that, I saw a very familiar face in the distance.


    Oh my God, it''s my mother.


    It would be the end if my mother found out that I didn''t even dress properly in such a shabby dress.


    Even if it wasn''t so, she insisted on going with Leonie to avoid her mother''s eyes.


    My hand holding the champagne trembled and I quickly ran out of the banquet hall.


    Leaving the banquet hall did not calm her heart.


    My mother was still trying to connect with me somehow, asking if anything had happened that night with Her Highness Cygnus.


    But if you found out that you came to the prom like this.


    Ooh, just thinking about it makes me dizzy.


    After walking for a long time in the huge and long hallway, a balcony overlooking the garden came into view.


    My heart calms down quite a bit as I caress the handrail painted with jade white paint.


    "phew."


    The garden overlooking the balustrade was very peaceful.


    Then, the wind blew the hem of her skirt, and she grabbed it with one hand, and the crisp feel and faded color made her feel bitter.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    The wind, which I don''t know where it came from, whipped my long, curly hair.


    My already messy hair was getting more messy, but I just let it go.


    ¡°Whew, what do you know?¡±


    Ever since I came to this world, I haven''t had a day where I feel comfortable.


    No matter how hard I tried, things didn''t go my way, and if left alone, I ran into a difficult situation.


    The moment she was about to give up everything, she was unexpectedly involved with the Grand Duke. It wasn''t enough, and he ended up making the heroine in the novel unlucky.


    In addition, I heard that if you do not live this life properly, you will perish.


    What is this all about, really.


    ¡°Can I say this? It might be stupid.¡±


    It was a time when the thoughts that filled my head were scattered in the wind.


    "What''s stupid?"


    The moment I turned my head to the sudden voice, I almost stopped breathing.


    "ah."


    Standing in front of him was Archduke Cygnus.


    "You''re quiet when you''re with people, so why are you muttering to yourself?"


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "You look like you''re not happy at the prom."


    You said you''re going to be busy with guests from far away today, so why are you here?


    "It''s a pleasure, Your Highness the Grand Duke."


    "I''ve felt it before, but you''re bad at lying."


    "It''s a lie, it''s true."


    It was clear I wouldn''t believe it.


    ¡°Why are you out alone?¡±


    ¡°What about the Grand Duke?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t Bernadette ever answer at once?¡±


    His voice was neither cool nor blunt, and I reflexively shrank.


    Is it because the memories of long ago remain in the body?


    ¡°To be honest, it¡¯s not that much fun, nor is it terribly boring.¡±


    Zerlac raised one eyebrow ironically as if my answer was interesting.


    Then, after glancing at my gray dress, he continued:


    ¡°Looking at how hard we prepared, it seems like there was definitely something to look forward to.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡±


    I almost glared at him, but I managed to hold it in.


    Oh no, who is this all for now!


    Phew, dying and reviving several times only increases my patience.


    ¡°No, I was thinking about what you were thinking in choosing this dress.¡±

 CH 15

    So, you want to ask why I came here all alone, acting like a beggar?


    I could have answered anything.


    Because I don''t want to catch your eye


    It meant going to your destined partner, not me.


    Of course, I can never say that in front of those cold eyes.


    ¡°So interesting.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "Because I don''t know what he''s thinking."


    Zerlac said something he couldn''t quite tell whether it was a compliment or a curse.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be funny.¡±


    I said it without feeling as much as possible.


    Then, without saying anything for a while, I stood on the balcony and looked down at the garden.


    I couldn''t find anything to say either, and it seemed that Jerlac was no different.


    ¡°Bernadette.¡±


    It was his low voice that cut through the suffocating silence.


    ¡°I wanted to see you with a more comfortable face today.¡±


    At Zerlac''s words, I took my eyes off him.


    He seemed dissatisfied with the look on my face, but for now it was for the best.


    Besides, how complicated my head is right now, how can I make a relaxed and comfortable expression!


    ¡°I-I¡­ ¡­ . I have a personal problem.¡±


    ¡°Not good?¡±


    ¡°Yes, so what is personal?¡±


    I thought it would be okay to just talk about it as a personal matter.


    "Tell me. I''ll take care of it.¡±


    It is difficult for the male lead here because he is a person who has a very strong problem solver instinct.


    ¡°Oh, no.¡±


    ¡°Then can I find out?¡±


    "yes? What, what do you know?¡±


    ¡°What happened to you?¡±


    ¡°No, never. Don''t do that!¡±


    I was shaking my hands, but wasn''t Zerlac laughing brightly, unaware of my frustrating speed!


    Ha, I should have worn a knotted bracelet.


    I should have done something, whether it was to stave off bad luck or evade fate!


    In this case, it is best to leave.


    ¡°Oh, come to think of it, I have been away for too long. Because Lady Almaz is waiting for me.¡±


    I looked at Jerlac''s eyes and threw a word, but his expression wasn''t bad.


    Oh, why don''t you sneak up on it at a time like this?


    At this point, I decided to bring up Leonie''s story.


    ¡°Lady Almaz is the kind of person who doesn''t say anything unpleasant even if she waits for me this long.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°You really have a kind heart like silk.¡±


    I secretly looked into Jerlac''s eyes and continued.


    ¡°But you don¡¯t know how pretty your face is as much as your beautiful heart.¡±


    How kind, kind, and angelic our Leonie is.


    He was born and raised in a good family, received a lot of love, and is a child who shines like sunlight.


    Did my efforts, that is, my efforts to appeal to Leonie, worked at least a little?


    ¡°Is Lady Almaz blonde?¡±


    I quickly responded to Zerlac''s question with joy in my heart.


    ''Also! I must have fallen in love with Leonie at the banquet hall a while ago!''


    I clenched and opened my fist once, barely visible, and continued.


    "Yes, that''s right. It''s blonde hair that''s as bright as light in the dark.¡±


    ¡°A blue dress?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, yes.¡±


    ¡°With a red ribbon?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that''s right. You are correct!¡±


    What is it, when did you look so closely?


    After all, men are all the same in front of a pretty woman.


    Well, our Leonie is pretty. chuckle!


    At this rate, the two of us can connect without much effort, right?


    Thinking about that, I''m laughing inwardly.


    ¡°Is that young lady you see over there?


    ¡°Yes, right¡­ ¡­ . yes?"


    Let''s turn our heads in the direction Zerlac pointed.


    Oh my God, are you really Leonie?


    "uh? Why is Leonie over there?¡±


    I looked down at Leonie as she hung from the balcony.


    She was taking a walk in the garden, keeping pace with someone with a very happy face.


    God, what''s going on?


    Zerlac said as I turned my head in confusion as she moved.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t your friend look like he¡¯s waiting for you?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Oh, what is it?


    Yes, since I came to the prom, it was only natural for me to hang out with people.


    ¡°By the way, those who are with Lady Almaz.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "It''s the man I saw at your house."


    It was none other than Adrian.


    I was really taken aback and left speechless.


    The one in the distance was obviously blonde Leonie, and it was Adrian who was enjoying a walk side by side with her.


    ''Why is Leonie with that person?''


    I hoped my eyes were wrong, or I was looking at the wrong person.


    That hair, gorgeous and beautiful enough to shine even in the dark, was definitely Leonie.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Even at a distance, he could feel Leonie''s feelings.


    It''s all about her swaying movements, her slightly breezy-looking steps, and her soft fingertips hiding a smile.


    Leonie looks happy now.


    ¡°Is it okay if I don¡¯t have to go to my friends anymore?¡±


    I was left speechless.


    No, Leonie. Isn''t this the time to have fun with Adrian?


    Somehow, the hole to get out of here is gone, and because of Leonie''s happy appearance (?), I don''t know what to do.


    ¡°I want to ask you something.¡±


    Xerlac leaned back on the balcony and stared at me.


    What are you asking me all of a sudden?


    I swallowed a dry saliva and looked at the distant mountains-


    "Didn''t you like the dress?"


    ha ha ha.


    What is to come has come.


    It was something I had vaguely guessed from the moment I came wearing this dress.


    If she doesn''t show up wearing the dress she gave her, they might ask why.


    Certainly, a moment like now may come.


    So you just have to speak calmly as you prepare.


    But like I said before, I have a really flat personality, so I can''t hide my true feelings.


    He''s the type of person who lies nine times out of ten!


    Besides, what I had in mind was so rude that it took me quite a bit of courage to say it.


    It''s really hard to be rude to someone, to be a bad person.


    much more than you think.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a bit far from my taste.¡±


    Say it as bluntly as you can and turn your head away.


    I pretended to be fine, but in fact, my legs were shaking under the dress.


    Gerlac is not a generous person.


    It was up to me how to handle the gift after receiving it, but to be rude like this... ¡­ !


    His brow, which had been flattened by my words, began to twitch.


    "okay?"


    ¡°Yeah, what. It looked expensive, but it''s not the type that''s popular these days.¡±


    But now that I''ve drawn my knife, I need to cut the radish as well.


    It''s showing a strange obsession, so the best thing to do is to let go of it!


    But if you''re so upset that you''re going to slit my throat, it''s difficult.


    Sure enough, when I glanced up at him from the side of my eye, Zerlac''s face had changed, as if he had chewed on pebbles.


    I was frightened for a second and almost said it was a joke, but I held it in.


    Wake. Did you forget to be hated?


    "Then I''ll have to look for another aide."


    Talking about a dress, suddenly an aide?


    ¡°Why is the aide suddenly?¡±


    ¡°That dress. I chose it myself.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I had never bought a woman''s dress before, so I asked Lord Aurier for his opinion.¡±


    It was when the gentle-faced Sir Milen Aurier passed by in my mind.


    ¡°When I asked if it was the prettiest dress, I said yes without question.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Because I need someone to do the job right.¡±


    ¡°Hey there, Your Highness the Archduke.¡±


    But, as if he couldn''t hear my calling, Zerlac spoke again.


    ¡°I know you got married last year. A child will be born soon.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°This time, I hope you find a job that suits your aptitude.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, the Grand Duke.¡±


    Zerlac slowly raised his body from the balcony and cut off my words.


    ¡°I almost forgot.¡±


    I''m holding my breath wondering what I''m going to say this time...


    ¡°I have to punish you.¡±


    "yes? Punishment?¡±


    ¡°To the one who lied to me that the design was the most fashionable.¡±


    Wow, you say that you cut and punish someone so casually?


    Are you really crazy?


    ¡°Your Highness, Grand Duke. Don''t do that.¡±


    ¡°My gift has not been your joy. Someone has to take responsibility.¡±


    ¡°No, no, Your Highness the Grand Duke. So that''s... ¡­ .¡±


    Should I say that everything I''ve said so far is actually a lie?


    I mustered up the courage to spit out harsh words (?), but now I can''t say I''m sorry that it was all lies.


    Oh really!


    You, you, hey. Why are you doing this to me!

 CH 16

    ¡°Wait a minute, Your Highness the Archduke!¡±


    Yes, fate and everything are important, though.


    I couldn''t wait to see the aide become unemployed right now.


    Just because I didn''t come in a dress, I couldn''t have imagined that sparks would fly like this.


    How the hell did the story go like this?


    ¡°The dress you sent me. It was actually pretty.¡±


    He even got married last year and has a child.


    Wow, just thinking about it makes me sweat cold.


    When I thought that the peaceful and happy family would be shattered because of me and that the head of the household would lose his job, I had no choice but to put everything aside.


    First of all, I have to protect the aide''s job!


    "really. It was pretty. By the way."


    I said I was pretty, but what excuse do I have now?


    It''s pretty, but I just didn''t wear it.


    No, I can''t even say that!


    The Jerlac I''ve experienced so far is by no means a meek person.


    Just because she said she was pretty but didn''t wear it doesn''t mean she''s not a great person to be taken lightly.


    Surely, until I find a reason I can understand, he will pursue me and drive me into a corner, and when I am exhausted to the point where I can''t breathe - he will laugh leisurely and reach out his hand.


    I hate myself for knowing this pattern so well.


    "By the way?"


    I was really embarrassed and was sweating profusely, but suddenly the cake and sweet things I ate leisurely came to mind.


    Wow, the stress is extreme, so I just think of sweets.


    The very things my father and brother recommended to reduce out of concern for my health.


    At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind.


    This is it.


    ¡°Joe, it was a little small.¡±


    Zerlac asked as he raised one eyebrow as if he hadn''t expected it at all.


    ¡°You said it was small?¡±


    ¡°Yes, so. It was a little small for me.¡±


    After saying that, I glanced up at him, but Zerlac was making an expression he had never shown before.


    Yes.


    He is very embarrassed now.


    I was embarrassed and embarrassed again, and I am blaming myself.


    I sent you a dress to give as a gift, but it didn''t fit. It even sent a small one.


    Wow, when she tried it on and realized the dress was too small, in a fit of embarrassment, she put it aside and came to the prom in any dress!


    ¡­ ¡­ What would you have thought of like this?


    Of course, that''s not what I said.


    ''You''re right, let''s push a little more when we''re flustered.''


    You can''t miss this great opportunity.


    ¡°I tried to wear it after losing some weight.¡±


    The reason I was able to say this without knowing anything else was because my old memories came to mind.


    Being unable to be free from the war against Sal is so helpful.


    "Your Highness, the reason I didn''t wear a dress wasn''t out of fashion or because I didn''t like the dress."


    Then he lowered his head slightly.


    ¡°The aide''s eyesight was accurate, and the dress shop manager''s choice was excellent. The problem is me. It is my body.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ What fat?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. my body.¡±


    When he said that, he quietly lowered his head.


    Would it be okay if I talked about this much?


    However, a rather unexpected reaction came back.


    For a moment, Gerlac seemed lost in thought, but said nothing-


    "Sorry."


    A short but powerful word fell in front of me.


    I never expected him to say sorry.


    I just thought it was enough to understand what I was saying and move on.


    Actually, Gerlac was not a person with expressive expressions. Because he was the one who looked down on everyone with his unique lofty and dry eyes.


    But what I was facing now was a face I had never seen before.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the dress you sent me to be small. apologize.¡±


    What was hidden in the big eyes was definitely self-reproach.


    ¡°I made it because I thought I knew you well, but I guess I was the one with poor eyesight. Sorry."


    No, if you blame yourself that much, I''m really trashy and bad, and I don''t know what to do.


    So, without realizing it, I opened my mouth.


    ¡°No, it''s not something the Grand Duke would be sorry for. Even if it''s not, the amount of food has increased these days. Hehe, I¡¯ll adjust it properly so you can wear a pretty dress.¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "no. Don''t dry it!¡±


    ¡°You are still enough¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°No, I fully knew what the Grand Duke thought of me, but I really want to die and feel ashamed because I couldn¡¯t live up to his expectations.¡±


    ¡°But in that dress, I had a special¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    If you give him a chance to speak here, he dries up.


    You have to push while you can.


    ¡°Perhaps you didn¡¯t know how much meat I had on my side because I hid it under this rich dress. Actually, I folded the two and hid them.¡±


    ¡°What are you folding?¡±


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll take it out. Okay, I''ll take it off.¡±


    I pretended to close my eyes tightly and block the front with both hands.


    I started to defend my excuse, but once my mouth exploded, I couldn''t get out of control.


    ¡°So I will definitely wear it next time we see each other.¡±


    I clenched my fists and announced my will.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go that far¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Because it is not! I will. I must have a body that fits the most beautiful dress in the world!¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°So please don¡¯t fire the aide. You know?¡±


    When I said that, Zerlac finally looked at me and smiled.


    It looks like my acting got through a bit, haha!


    ¡°Do that.¡±


    I really didn''t know until then.


    How hard did I hit my instep?


    ? ? ?


    ¡°Leonie!¡±


    After coming down from the balcony, I hurried to find Leonie.


    Adrian, whom she thought would be there, was nowhere to be seen, and she was standing alone holding a cocktail glass with a rather uneasy look on her face.


    ¡°Rive, here you are.¡±


    It was a pretty happy face until I looked down from the balcony, but what happened?


    As I got closer, Leonie didn''t look anxious, but rather depressed.


    ¡°Leonie, did you say hello to the person you went to see earlier?¡±


    When I ask-


    ¡°Yeah, we just met and said hello.¡±


    He answered briefly and immediately drank a cocktail.


    May I ask who you are?


    Wouldn''t it be better to say that I was just on the balcony and saw you by chance.


    I was thinking about this and that, but Leonie spoke first.


    ¡°Rive, you know.¡±


    "yes."


    ¡°I want to be with you, and I want to talk with you¡­ ¡­ Is it the feeling you like?¡±


    what?


    I didn''t know how to answer the sudden question.


    No, so why are you asking that all of a sudden?


    ¡°Eh, it¡¯s nice, so I want to be with you¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Are you talking about Adrian?


    Couldn''t Leonie have feelings for Adrian?


    Alas, no. If that''s the case, it''s really troublesome.


    ¡°No, it may not be the feeling you really like.¡±


    I rolled my eyes and turned around.


    "okay?"


    ¡°Yeah, if you¡¯re bored, don¡¯t you want to grab hold of someone and talk?¡±


    "Is it?"


    Leonie looked at me with a confused face.


    ¡°Oh, yes everyone. I don''t think I want to talk for a long time or be together just because I like you.¡±


    "really?"


    ¡°There are many kinds of people in the world.¡±


    Leonie nodded slowly.


    ¡°Yeah, right.¡±


    ¡°And if I like you, I don¡¯t want to be with you. I want to see you from a little distance because I¡¯m shy.¡±


    Oh, I shouldn''t have said that.


    "really?"


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it could be.¡±


    "Leonie, what''s the matter?"


    ¡°Libe, talking to you makes me feel like something is unraveling. Until then, I was just at a loss.¡±


    I felt a little relieved when Leonie put on a relaxed expression.


    ¡°Are you worried? Did something bad happen today?¡±


    ¡°No, something like that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried because you don¡¯t look good.¡±


    Leonie just laughed without saying anything this time. Then he dropped his shoulders and let out a deep sigh.


    ¡°Sometimes a flower pot falls over your head and you end up getting your feet in a pit, but that¡¯s okay.¡±


    "What? Not okay at all!¡±


    ¡°No, but I won¡¯t die at this level.¡±


    ¡°Leonie.¡±


    Leonie showed only a faint smile again.


    ¡°I had a hard time sleeping last night and I am a little tired. I just have to go back.¡±


    "What? really?"


    ¡°Yeah, Love will still be there, right?¡±


    ¡°Is it very bad?¡±


    ¡°No, I think it will be okay if I go home and get some rest. I''ll go first.¡±


    Then, before I had time to say anything, I walked through the crowd and disappeared.

 CH 17

    "Ruined."


    After returning home, I immediately took out the dress that I had tucked into the box.


    It was a dress lavishly decorated with detailed lace made of satin. Looking back, it was a very lovely and beautiful outfit.


    After a rough appreciation, I threw off what I was wearing and put my body in a new dress... ¡­ .


    ¡°Wow, this is really unexpected.¡±


    I was standing with a devastated face without even putting on the dress, but Eclat cautiously approached me.


    "My lady, if you''re going to try on the dress, don''t tell me."


    ¡°Ekla.¡±


    "yes."


    ¡°What do you think I am?¡±


    I opened my arms wide at Eclat, hoping my eyes were wrong, that I was wearing something wrong with the dress.


    ¡°Wow, my God. Looking at it again, it really is a very beautiful dress.¡±


    Yes, of course it was a very beautiful dress.


    When I nodded with a sad face, Eclat scratched the back of her head and added a comment.


    "miss. I have never seen such perfect clothes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°But why are you looking so bad? Don''t you like my reaction?"


    ¡°What are you talking about, no, it¡¯s because of that!¡±


    ¡°Ah, got it.¡±


    Eclat clashed her hands and narrowed her eyes.


    "I know why you''re not in a good mood."


    what? How do you know?


    ¡°For the young lady to wear it.¡±


    Eclat rubbed her chin lightly and tilted her head.


    ¡°The dress is too big. Is that why you''re upset?"


    It was.


    The dress Zerlac sent me was too big for me to wear.


    Why are the forearms left so much?


    Even the waist is so loose that the fabric remains.


    What do we do? You said the complete opposite!


    ¡°Is it very big? Does it look ridiculous?¡±


    I should have worn it once.


    I picked it up and put it down without even looking at it properly, which caused me to suffer like this.


    Wow, how could I have said the dress was too small.


    Thinking of an excuse I couldn''t wear, I just thought that ''it''s too small to fit in'' was appropriate.


    <I didn''t know that the dress I sent you would be too small for you. apologize.>


    When Zerlac''s face, sincerely apologetic and blaming himself, passed, he reflexively closed his eyes tightly.


    How many people are you cheating on right now?


    Wow I''m really bad


    What the hell is this?


    While Sulluk was lowering his head, Eclat said as if it was nothing special.


    "My lady, the sleeves and overall length are just right, but there''s quite a bit left over at the forearm and waist."


    ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°You can look at your hands here.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. You just need to mend it!¡±


    This is what it feels like when you are drowning in mud and a rope comes down from the sky.


    ¡°Ekla, you are a genius.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter of course.¡±


    Eclat smiled awkwardly with a face that wanted to do that.


    ¡°Okay, then shorten the waist a bit.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute, miss.¡±


    Eclat, who was examining the waist, looked up at me with a rather embarrassed expression.


    ¡°My lady, this cannot be mended.¡±


    "What? why?"


    ¡°This is a material that cannot be mended with a normal needle at home. If you touch it carelessly, everything will break.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°And something etched on the waistline?¡±


    "What? at the waist?¡±


    I bowed my head at Eclat''s words and looked around. An ancient word was embroidered around the waist, just like her horse.


    "What is this?"


    "I do not know. But if I shorten it like this, this letter will be ruined like this.¡±


    "this."


    I thought about just ignoring it and reducing it for a moment.


    Somehow, it seemed that Gerlac would notice if that happened.


    He couldn''t have sent the dress without checking these things.


    What if your clothes were said to be too small and you noticed that you shrunk them even more?


    ''Ooh, if you find out you lied... ¡­ . It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.¡±


    Now that I think about it, I think the acting was really good too.


    If I did it moderately clumsily, I think I would be able to look at it cutely.


    Ha, I don''t know the real ''moderate''.


    How are you now?


    At that time, Eclat spoke cautiously.


    ¡°My lady, this dress. Are you worried because you received it as a gift?¡±


    "yes."


    ¡°Did His Highness feel very sad because she didn¡¯t wear the dress you sent to this ball?¡±


    I nodded slowly.


    ¡°Ego. You should have tried it on before the prom.¡±


    I can''t say I didn''t wear it on purpose.


    I just hung my head with a depressed face.


    ¡°Even if the waist part is left a little, it suits the lady well. Can''t you just wear it?"


    That''s it. I¡­ ¡­ I lied that this dress was too small to fit in.


    After hesitating for a while, I briefly explained to Eclat what had happened.


    Eclat did not understand why I was so afraid of Xerlac, but listened intently and nodded.


    she was a good listener


    So I almost confessed how much I had suffered since I was possessed by Liberata, and even how I died doing things I didn''t even do.


    Perhaps if I had told you in detail, you would have understood why I was trembling so much.


    After talking for a while, Eclat covered her face and shouted.


    ¡°My God, why did you lie like that!¡±


    The reaction made it clear that I was very, very wrong.


    ¡°That was all I could think of. There was no hole through which to escape.¡±


    ¡°Still, you did a good job preventing the aide from being cut.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it, what¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    We looked down at the dress in silence for a while.


    ¡°Ekla, what are you doing? Embroidery or something, should I just cut it down?¡±


    ¡°But such a thin material will quickly tear if a needle touches it.¡±


    ¡°Should I say it was accidentally torn and thrown away?¡±


    "Wouldn''t you say you''re going to punish the shopkeeper for leaving such a weak dress even?"


    Hey Ecla.


    You have already figured out Xerlac''s personality.


    ¡°Right, I think so.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, or should I put a piece of cloth around my waist to make it fit?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. Is that a good idea?¡±


    However, when wearing a dress wrapped around the belly like a belly band, not only did it not fit well, but anyone could see that it looked like something was tucked under the clothes.


    ¡°This won¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it looks like a cotton doll.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then how about this method?¡±


    I mean, I''ve got a pretty good head.


    ¡°What if I gain enough weight to fit the dress?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°How about it, isn¡¯t it a good way?¡±


    But this time, Eclat gave me a really strange look.


    ¡°Are you gaining weight?¡±


    ¡°Okay, wouldn¡¯t it be right if you ate a lot and got a little hungry?¡±


    ¡°Are you meeting the Grand Duke next year?¡±


    "no."


    ¡°Is that possible in such a short time?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, because the weight won¡¯t suddenly stick to your waist.¡±


    ¡°Hey, let¡¯s put it away for now.¡±


    ¡°Clean up?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s pretend we don¡¯t know for now. And for the time being, I will remain unnoticed.¡±


    I put the dress back in the box and closed the lid tightly.


    Then Eclat spoke cautiously.


    ¡°My lady, I think it¡¯s best to just be honest.¡±


    Then she opened the lid and took out the dress again.


    ¡°If you lie to escape the moment, you have no choice but to keep lying. A lie begets a lie.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "I''m not going to be able to handle that kind of lie."


    Eclat was right.


    Yeah, I should have said that I didn''t like the dress you gave me, rather than flirting with it by saying it''s small from the start.


    But how can I speak honestly in front of that face?


    If that had happened, my head might have been cut instead of the aide.


    When he stares at me, it feels like a cool breeze is blowing from somewhere!


    ¡°Thank you, Ecla. You''re right."


    I laughed awkwardly as I tucked my dress on.


    "I''ll tell you when the Archduke is a little less scared."


    "yes?"


    ¡°Until then, it is sealed. completely sealed. Understand?"


    Unable to understand everything I said, Eclat just blinked and looked at me.

 CH 18

    The next day, I tried to see Leonie, but I couldn''t find him.


    He still contacted me saying he was not feeling well.


    Even if it wasn''t so, Leonie was afraid that bad luck was coming to me.


    What''s really going on?


    What conversation did you have with Adrian that night?


    Her anxious, depressed expression lingered in my mind the whole time.


    I can''t. I''ll have to visit


    ¡°Eclat, is there any neat and modest dress?¡±


    ¡°A modest dress?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to visit the hospital, but I think this looks too flashy.¡±


    It''s like the culture of the country of courtesy in the East.


    ¡°A dress like the one you wore to the ballroom last time?¡±


    Haha, I don''t think it''s necessary to be so dull.


    "Yeah well, I think it''s fine if it''s not flashy."


    What Eclat brought was a navy blue dress in a calm tone. He was about to go to visit her after changing her clothes.


    ¡°Eclair, Leonie is not feeling well. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to buy some medicine or some fruit?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it must have been the Lady of Almaz who was visiting. Are you very sick?¡±


    "I do not know. I want to go and give you some medicine.¡±


    Then, as if thinking of something, Eclat clashed their hands.


    ¡°Lady, there¡¯s a new bakery called Vice, and they say it¡¯s delicious.¡±


    "okay?"


    ¡°Yes, how about buying some medicine and something sweet for Lady Almaz?¡±


    ¡°Good idea. thank you."


    It was when I was going downstairs thinking that Eclat is trustworthy.


    Oliver''s brother''s voice came through the stairs.


    ¡°The Grand Duke must be busy without blinking his eyes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, there¡¯s only one week left.¡±


    ¡°The first event organized after coming to M¨¹ten is St. Obenley¡¯s Day.¡±


    I walked slowly and heard a voice follow.


    "You''re such a tight-fisted person, so you''ll do well. Rather, when are you planning to return to Ostrin?¡±


    "Well, I''m not sure yet."


    "Will it be until St. Aubenly''s Day?"


    "I''m not sure about that either."


    ¡°Let me know when anything is decided.¡±


    The voice of my older brother, who was talking to someone, suddenly stopped at the sound of my footsteps.


    ¡°Hello, little girl.¡±


    Standing side by side with my brother was none other than Adrian.


    He had a relaxed and friendly smile, just like the first time I saw him.


    "hello."


    Facing him immediately reminded me of Leonie.


    Shall I ask what happened at the prom?


    I saw you with Lady Almaz. Did something happen?


    But on reflection, I''m not even Leonie''s mother.


    I think it''s funny to ask what they were talking about after seeing grown-up young men and women hanging out at the ballroom.


    Some people seem a bit sinister.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The atmosphere was fine until I witnessed it.


    Then, after talking with Gerlac for a while about the dress scandal, he just turned around and said he had to go see Leonie.


    It was Adrian''s cheerful voice that broke the thoughts that were spreading endlessly.


    ¡°Oh, now that I see it, I remembered it.¡±


    He suddenly punched me in the palm of my hand and-


    ¡°Live, you said you were amazing at the ball yesterday?¡±


    me?


    I made a bewildered expression at the sudden words.


    But no matter how much I thought about it, nothing special happened yesterday.


    ¡°The friend I went with yesterday came back early because he wasn¡¯t feeling well. She didn''t do anything special."


    As I said that, Paley''s blunt face flashed through my mind, but it soon disappeared.


    ''I had a bit of a fight with Paley, but fights like that are common. In addition, the Grand Duke came at the right time and it was finished.''


    ¡°What kind of dress did you wear to become such a hot topic?¡±


    oh my god


    ¡°Has it become a hot topic?¡±


    "Yeah, I heard you''re wearing very funny clothes."


    "What? Did our Love do that?¡±


    My brother looked back at me with surprised eyes.


    ¡°Ribe, are you serious?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°He insisted on going with Leonie unconditionally. Was that really the reason you said you wanted to ride the Almaz family''s carriage? To wear a funny dress to avoid her mother¡¯s eyes?¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡±


    Then he opened his eyes wide and looked straight at Adrian.


    If you''re smart enough, you''ll be able to hear my heart telling me to stop and shut up!


    "It''s a joke. Word went around that she was beautiful no matter what she wore.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "Really. Could Libe be wearing a strange dress on purpose? Uh, of course you look a bit dull today.¡±


    My brother tilted his head and looked back at me.


    ¡°Live, have your tastes changed a bit?¡±


    No, why are you all so interested in me!


    ¡°Yes, what¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Live, by the way, is Adrian right?¡±


    ¡°Sure, of course.¡±


    Phew, I''m not blind at all.


    That mouth is a bit of a problem though.


    ¡°Ah, Oliver. Could you bring me the book we talked about before? Because I need it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    While his brother was away for a while, Adrian spoke again to see if the question was still unanswered.


    ¡°By the way, lady, can I really ask why you are wearing a color dress that no one else wears?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    I replied with a grin and stepped back.


    He must have annoyed Leonie by joking around like that!


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I hurt you. But hearing what people are saying makes me really curious. She is the Libe I know is a bright and lovely person, but she hates being weirdly misunderstood.¡±


    ¡°What a strange misunderstanding.¡±


    A name popped into my mind at that moment.


    It must have been Paley Easley who spilled the strange things about me.


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t think there is any reason for a dress to be just pink, yellow, or purple.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ?¡±


    ¡°Dyeing the fabric is actually quite laborious. It takes a lot of work.¡±


    I said whatever came to mind.


    ¡°Yeah right. Yellow, in particular, uses precious dyes, which are quite expensive, and are all dependent on imports. Even purple comes from seashells, and 10,000 can only extract 1.5 grams of dye.¡±


    Oh, did you?


    I nodded awkwardly, but Adrian said again with a thoughtful face.


    ¡°Ribe, did you know? The yellow dye comes from the Cobain flower, which only grows in the high mountains. But recently, due to diplomatic issues, supply and demand have been unstable. Besides, the production of clams that produce purple has plummeted these days, so there is a lot of talk.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Well, the dye is a part of the problem, and I was quite troubled with various things. Did you know by any chance you heard from Oliver?¡±


    No, it wasn''t anything like that.


    ¡°Because of that, dye prices are skyrocketing. I thought there was no way not to wear it at all, but to see you, the daughter of a marquess, taking the lead in wearing an achromatic dress like this.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. I didn''t take the lead."


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know how to find a breakthrough. Rivera really... ¡­ .¡±


    Whoa, what is this all about?


    Why did I suddenly become a projected image?


    So it was just because I didn''t want to look pretty to Zerlac.


    I just wanted to go messy and show off the beautiful Leonie!


    Not for such a grand reason!


    ¡°No, like that. It''s not like that, I''m just the way I am... ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°As it is?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I guess there was also an intention to get out of revealing myself with external things like jewelry or a dress. Oh my gosh. How did you come up with that idea?¡±


    Yeah?


    No, I didn''t mean to do anything like that.


    "Ribe, it''s really amazing."


    What is this atmosphere?


    But regardless of my embarrassment, Adrian''s face was very moved.


    ¡°I think I have a lot to learn from you.¡±

 CH 19

    Adrian''s face was somewhat moved.


    No, I didn''t mean that?


    ¡°I feel a bit stabbed in the back of the head. Ah, should I say it feels like I touched a very high-level problem?¡±


    What the hell did I do, even a high-level problem comes up.


    ¡°It¡¯s something philosophers always talk about. People should value the inside rather than the outside. But it¡¯s easy to say, so no one has ever tried to put it into practice.¡±


    Suddenly a philosopher appears?


    I thought there would be no end to the story here, so I waved my hand and blocked Adrian''s words.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t mean to practice it.¡±


    "But to go to a place where everyone in society is paying attention, wearing a colorless dress that wouldn''t even be covered with a cat cushion."


    ¡°Go, a cat cushion?¡±


    Then Adrian looked at me with a rather serious face.


    ¡°You are a warrior, Libe.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°She is an enterprising and passionate woman.¡±


    me?


    It''s not. I''m just a person who wants to live a normal life.


    I just want to live a thin and long life, not the dew of the executioner.


    I''m just a modern person who wants to return to reality sooner than that.


    Since ancient times, there have been seven different ways to step forward and take the lead.


    "A woman who can be so free from people''s eyes."


    No, I am a person who wants attention and hates attention at the same time.


    ¡°Libe, I was really touched by you. When she was little, she just thought she was a naughty girl. That''s why you''re so full of yourself."


    ¡°Oh, no. You must have misunderstood something.¡±


    I was standing there dumbfounded, not knowing what to say, when my brother Oliver, who had gone to the study, approached me with a thick book.


    ¡°What are you two talking about so seriously?¡±


    ¡°Oliver, Libe is a wonderful woman.¡±


    If I stay here any longer, I hurriedly covered Adrian''s mouth.


    ¡°I saw you came to the prom!¡±


    "really?"


    ¡°Yes, he was with a friend of mine.¡±


    I didn''t want to ask, but as I kept trying to stop the story from going astray, I couldn''t help but bring up Leonie.


    "friend? Well who is it? Meeting so many people at the ball.¡±


    ¡°Ah, then I might have misunderstood the person.¡±


    It was fortunate that Adrian didn''t ask persistently.


    The topic has changed, and the conversation has been somewhat finished, so I guess I should get out of here in moderation.


    ¡°Then I''ll just go. My friend is not feeling well, so I am going to buy him some medicine.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to the apothecary?¡±


    ¡°Before that, I¡¯m going to buy my friend¡¯s favorite dessert too.¡±


    ¡°Then go with me. I only came to get the book anyway.¡±


    Adrian shook the book he was holding in his hand and smiled.


    "It''s okay. just me alone... ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I also have something to offer dessert. It would be nice if Libe would pick one for me.¡±


    ¡°A gift?¡±


    ¡°It''s kind of awkward for a man to go in alone and choose dessert. Can you help me?¡±


    When I hesitated, Adrian lowered his fine, straight eyebrows and spoke again.


    "Help me. I''ve just been to M¨¹tten, so the only people I know are Oliver and Libe.¡±


    Oliver was disgusted by Adrian''s words.


    ¡°As I said beforehand, I will decline.¡±


    As Oliver shook his head and stepped back, Adrian spoke to me in a timely manner.


    ¡°Please, Libe.¡±


    ? ? ?


    In the carriage heading to the apothecary, Adrian was moderately pleasant and quite gentlemanly.


    He spoke softly enough to not make the atmosphere awkward.


    ¡°Wow, really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s how kids play in Ostrin.¡±


    ¡°I think it would be fun just to hear it.¡±


    Now that I think about it, your voice sounds pretty good.


    In fact, even when I first met him, I was uncomfortable with the fact that he showed me mischievous words and told me stories that I couldn''t remember.


    ''Since he''s close to my family, it''s better than being uncomfortable. Also, he said he was close with his older brother.''


    By the time that friendship had built up to some extent, the carriage stopped in front of an apothecary on Jennington Street.


    Upon entering, the smell of well-dried grass wafted in like mist.


    "welcome."


    The pharmacist, who was cutting medicines with a cutter in a corner, said a blunt greeting.


    ¡°What can I get you?¡±


    He brushed his hands off and stood up and asked me.


    I was speechless for a moment at the blunt and blunt voice somewhere.


    Oh, did Leonie say it hurts?


    Come to think of it, I''ve never been in pain anywhere.


    I just said that I was not feeling well and had no energy.


    Adrian looked at me as I hesitated to speak immediately.


    ¡°Libe, what kind of medicine did you come to buy?¡±


    ¡°Uh, so¡­ ¡­ . I wasn''t particularly sick, but I said I wasn''t feeling well."


    ¡°So what medicine do you need?¡±


    When the pharmacist asked again in annoyance, Adrian stepped out.


    ¡°When your hands and feet are cold and you have no energy, give me something to help. Oh, and the one that manages anxiety and has a calming effect.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    While the pharmacist turned around and took out the herbs, I quietly whispered to Adrian.


    "thanks."


    "It was nothing."


    Somehow, if I had come alone, it seemed that I would have just said anything and brought a strange herb.


    It''s good that you came along.


    The pharmacist turned around and opened and closed the wooden drawer, laying down the dry grass he had pulled out on a sheet of white paper.


    ¡°Boil it and eat it as you divide it like this.¡±


    "Yes, Thank you."


    It was when I nodded my head and tried to take out the money.


    "Wait a minute."


    Adrian spread the herbs on the white paper a couple of times with his fingers and frowned.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this Moini grass?¡±


    "Yes?"


    ¡°It is an herb that prevents infection and prevents decay. You want me to boil this and eat it?¡±


    At Adrian''s words, the pharmacist put on a puzzled expression.


    uh what Aren''t you supposed to eat this?


    ¡°Oh, there are so many medicinal herbs in our house¡­ ¡­ , ha ha ha! Wait a minute, wait a moment, sir.¡±


    Then, after searching for a while, he came up with another herb.


    But this time, Adrian had a disapproving face.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the Pavel mushroom a medicinal material used to lower fever? Did I ask for antipyretics?¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry. Bring it back, bring it back.¡±


    ¡°Okay, bring the dried Azeldino and Poleo flowers.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, I understand.¡±


    The pharmacist brought out the herbs a couple more times following Adrian''s instructions while sweating profusely.


    ¡°Hey, here you go.¡±


    The pharmacist held out the medicine with a respectful face.


    Adrian inspected the herbs carefully this time with a very sharp eye. While he was examining the herbs, the pharmacist put his hands together and kept an eye on Adrian.


    ¡°It would be good to change the drying method. The roots are less dry.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. sorry."


    ¡°I have nothing to apologize for, and I have to apologize to the people who use this store.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t just sort things out just because it¡¯s annoying, and classify them accurately according to their efficacy. Do you understand?¡±


    "Yes, I understand."


    When I came out of the apothecary after a while, I gave a thumbs up and nodded slowly.


    ¡°How do you know more about herbs than the pharmacist? It''s amazing. Thanks to that, I was able to live properly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just a little bit interested. Libe said that, so it''s worth paying attention to.¡±


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t they give me the right medicine?¡±


    ¡°At first, I thought I was just giving it roughly, but later on, it seems like I didn¡¯t know exactly.¡±


    Adrian''s face was deliberately serious.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can leave it like that. It is also a question of how they have been selling drugs until now.¡±


    I expressed agreement with a silent nod.


    "I''m going to tell the Grand Duke and suggest that the pharmacist on Jeniton Street be disqualified."


    I nodded my head endlessly, but I hesitated when the Grand Duke came to his mouth, but I clenched my fist without showing any sign.


    "Right. It''s terrible that someone you don''t even know has been selling drugs.¡±


    Didn''t I almost feed him the dressing for his wounds!


    As I flushed my anger with a flushed face, Adrian glanced down at me and laughed, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.


    ¡°Do you know what to do when you are so angry?¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    He smiled, showing sharp teeth.


    Then-


    ¡°Eat something sweet.¡±

 CH 20

    If there is a heaven -


    If there is a heaven on earth, it would be right here.


    I was mesmerized by the splendid and sweet sight that made my body melt just by looking at it.


    This is the hottest dessert shop in Muten these days, so it''s the hottest.


    The patissier here was said to be a disciple of the head chef of the imperial family, and regardless of whether or not that was true, the dessert was as beautiful as a painting.


    ¡°Rive.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Rive?¡±


    "Ah yes."


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Adrian was taken aback when I looked like I was in ecstasy and about to cry.


    ¡°It¡¯s so cool.¡±


    "Ribe, you''re here to pick out desserts for your friend, right?"


    ¡°I almost forgot my duty.¡±


    "But it''s also important to let go of our anger."


    I smiled and started shopping for dessert in earnest.


    Ah, before that, Adrian said that he picks out dessert too.


    "Didn''t Lord Watford say he''d give you a gift too?"


    ¡°Yeah, but I really don¡¯t know what it is. To my eyes, they all look the same.¡±


    It''s similar, where the hell did you see it?


    As I rolled my eyes and looked up, he started laughing awkwardly.


    Then he leaned towards me and murmured softly.


    "Help me."


    In fact, I wasn''t too keen on accompanying Adrian when we set off together to pick out dessert.


    It was because Adrian somehow made me uncomfortable every time I met him, and I thought his mischievous words and actions didn''t suit me.


    But if it wasn''t for Adrian at the apothecary a moment ago, I would have given Leonie the body ointment.


    I made up my mind to choose his gift diligently.


    Whether it''s good or bad, you have to give back what you''ve received because it''s your personality.


    ¡°Okay, you said you were going to give it as a gift, right?¡±


    If you''ve decided to help, then you should help properly.


    I rubbed my temple once with my finger as if I was lifting up my glasses, then asked a question.


    ¡°Do you know the taste of the gift recipient?¡±


    "for example?"


    ¡°Which fruits do you like, which colors do you prefer, do you tend to eat sweets, or don¡¯t like them too much. Do you always eat dessert after a meal or not? I don''t really care if I''m controlling my weight or not. Or whether you plan on going on a diet in the future or not!¡±


    "Wow."


    Adrian didn''t answer my question, just spat out a short exclamation.


    "what? Where did you read it?¡±


    ¡°No, this level of understanding is basic for gifting.¡±


    I shrugged and put on a proud expression.


    But Adrian was the complete opposite of me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t answer a single question from Libe.¡±


    "Oh, you don''t know anything?"


    ¡°Unfortunately.¡±


    "Hmm."


    Although the plan to accurately identify the needs of the presenter and help them choose the perfect gift was slightly cracked.


    I''m not the one to give up though.


    ¡°Then it is pretty difficult. But don''t worry. Just because you don''t know what you like doesn''t mean you can''t give it as a gift.¡±


    This time, he rubbed his chin gently and continued.


    ¡°At that time, you just have to choose a steady seller that everyone likes.¡±


    ¡°Steady¡­ ¡­ What?"


    ¡°The best seller here!¡±


    As I clenched my fists and put on an excited expression, Adrian shook his head and smiled.


    ¡°Ah, Libe you really are.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ?¡±


    ¡°No, then, as Libe said, let¡¯s present a steady seller.¡±


    ¡°It''s an excellent choice. It will make a great gift.¡±


    After choosing Adrian''s first, I also started putting desserts for Leonie one by one.


    Since Leonie likes something sour rather than sweet, she chose a tart topped with fresh fruit and a piece of lemon cake.


    ¡°Adrian?¡±


    It was a time when I was intoxicated by the sweet scent and excited.


    The dapper man summoned Adrian and stopped him.


    ¡°Ah, Harriers.¡±


    ¡°Hey, how long has this been? how have you been doing?"


    ¡°Yeah, long time no see.¡±


    When I took a couple of steps back with a calm face, Adrian grinned and said,


    ¡°This is Lady Bernadette. You came to work hard because of my poor eyesight.¡±


    "Nice to meet you. This is Harrier¡¯s Cleanzen.¡±


    He was a tall, sharp-eyed gentleman. He gave me a passing hello, then he lowered his voice towards Adrian.


    ¡°Can we talk for a minute? It''s urgent.¡±


    I waved my hands before Adrian could turn around.


    ¡°I have something I want to eat right now. I¡¯ll be eating, so let¡¯s talk slowly.¡±


    What am I willing to concede to?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. The story may be long.¡±


    Harriers looked at me and made an apologetic face.


    "ah."


    Only then did I realize that there was a discrepancy between the time I said and the time Harriers wanted.


    "Adrian, I''ve picked out the present, so let''s go."


    "However."


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, let¡¯s go. I hope you do well.¡±


    As I smiled, Harriers grabbed Adrian by the shoulder and turned him away.


    ¡°Thank you, young lady. Then I''ll borrow this guy for today.¡±


    While Adrian left, I rubbed my hands together and headed for the display.


    When I accompanied him, I thought it was quite annoying, but when I was alone, I felt a little lonely.


    ''I just want to eat with Leonie.''


    It was the tea that I was packing another thing to eat along with the dessert to present to her.


    ¡°Oh my, who is this?¡±


    I froze at the sound of a snarling sound coming from behind me.


    Even without looking back, I could tell who the voice was.


    ¡°It''s been a while, Lady Bernadette.¡±


    Damn it, it was Paley.


    It was the first time he had met Paley after a war of nerves at the ballroom.


    ¡°Ah, yes. I have urgent business, so stop.¡±


    It''s best not to bump into Paley. I fought on behalf of Leonie at the ballroom, but I didn''t have to do that today.


    It was then.


    ¡°Lady Bernadette, this is really strange.¡±


    Paley muttered lowly as she grabbed my wrist.


    "yes?"


    ¡°Young lady, even after insulting me like that at the ball, there was no word or apology.¡±


    I slowly closed and opened my eyes at the voice that came from behind me.


    Ha, why do you and I overlap so much?


    He was also close friends with Paley in the original work. Her likes, tastes, and places she went to were similar, so it was only natural that they overlapped.


    In the future, if something comes to my mind, I will do the opposite.


    ¡°It''s not enough to embarrass you in front of people with words you can''t understand, and you''re wagging your tail at the Grand Duke.¡±


    Be patient, be patient one more time.


    Let''s not scrape and scratch.


    I forcefully stretched my lips softly and smiled.


    ¡°Oh, did I?¡±


    The moment I opened my mouth, I felt the air around me change in an instant.


    Everyone was paying attention to us.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to send an apology letter yet because I¡¯m busy with personal matters. Sorry?"


    Still, my pride wouldn''t allow me to just say I''m sorry, so I raised my tongue strangely.


    ¡°You said you were busy, so you must have had time to go out to buy dessert.¡±


    Contrary to my mind, Paley didn''t seem to want to just let it go.


    ¡°Even though I¡¯m busy, I have to eat¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Looking at the pretty packaging, I guess it¡¯s for a present?¡±


    Paley looked down at what I was holding and lifted her chin.


    "What, you''re not trying to buy something for Lady Almaz, are you?"


    At her words, the women standing behind Paley booed like an audience.


    "That''s right, Leonie said she wasn''t feeling well, so I was about to buy her something pretty and delicious."


    I should have been patient


    I should have just turned around and opened the door.


    ¡°Lady Bernadette, why have you changed so much?¡±


    Paley suddenly lowered her eyebrows and looked me up and down.


    ¡°Why are you like this again today? Why are people so servile? Is your family in trouble?¡±


    "yes?"


    ¡°Ah, is that why you¡¯re desperately trying to stay under Leonie? But what about The situation in the Almaz family is also not very good.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Young lady, take good care of people and stick to them.¡±


    The giggling laughter was getting louder and louder. Eventually, the number of women who could not hold back and burst into laughter began to increase.


    ¡°Oh my god, you¡¯re wearing such a strange outfit today.¡±


    ¡°The Marquis Bernadette must be in trouble.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of such rumors. That''s right.¡±


    Ha, I really wanted to live a quiet life.


    I blew my bangs with the wind and looked up.


    Hey, I''m the kind of person who has to give back whatever I''ve received, whether it''s good or bad.


    ¡°Oh, it seems the young lady didn¡¯t know yet.¡±


    When I lazily opened my mouth, Paley stared at me with strange eyes.


    ¡°Do you know how much effort and sweat it took to make the yellow dress you are wearing now?¡±


    ¡°Why should I know that?¡±


    I held the hem of Paley''s skirt a little and shook it.


    ¡°Did you know that yellow dye is extracted from Cobain flowers? What is a flower that only grows in alpine areas? But do you know that the supply and demand is unstable due to diplomatic problems and is spreading to a national problem? How much trouble is this issue in the imperial family right now?¡±


    ¡°What, what?¡±


    ¡°Oh, maybe you don¡¯t know. I don''t know if you''re a pathetic person who thinks about what to eat today and what to wear.¡±


    ¡°Lady Bernadette!¡±


    Paley screamed, but I knew very well that I was getting angry because I had nothing to say.


    ¡°I am not such a mindless idiot. Hey young lady. If you''re a young lady from an aristocratic family, think about what''s going on in the world. Don¡¯t carry it around with flowers on your head.¡±

 CH 21

    ¡°Nobles should set an example first. Living thoughtlessly like now is an act of disgracing the family name.¡±


    ¡°Lady Bernadette, you dare to leave our family now¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    I just cut off Paley''s words.


    Originally, what really upsets me is that I don''t listen to what others have to say and only talk about what I have to say, right?


    "I''m saying this because I''m really worried about the Easley family."


    Paley''s lips turned red with a bluish face, but I quickly continued.


    ¡°Know that the Archduke is always keeping an eye on this matter.¡±


    Oh, I thought this was going a little too far.


    ¡°What, what?¡±


    Paley''s face turned white was so funny I couldn''t stop.


    Oh, I want to take a picture and keep it!


    ¡°I told you this because I thought of old friendships. Do you understand?¡±


    When I said that, I realized that all the mocking laughter and pitiful eyes that were directed at me had disappeared.


    Everyone in the store was embarrassed.


    No, to be precise, they were examining the dresses they were wearing with troubled faces.


    ¡°Now that you know, go home and think about how to behave as a noble lady. Don''t waste your time wandering around and arguing. Then I''m busy and I''m leaving.¡±


    bang.


    Whoa... ¡­ .


    It was when I closed the door and took a couple of steps.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    I could hear Paley screaming through the closed door, but I continued at my brisk pace.


    ¡°Ayu, I feel refreshed inside!¡±


    I feel relieved to spit it out as I please.


    Still, it wasn''t that I wasn''t worried about the future.


    Eclat was even paler than Paley and was angry with me.


    ¡°My lady, what did you say!¡±


    ¡°What am I?¡±


    I answered bluntly, but in fact, my heart was beating very fast.


    ¡°Then, are you saying that you are being servile or that you are being rude and that you should just stay quiet after hearing those words?¡±


    That was also what I was saying to myself.


    You crossed the line first!


    ¡°He stayed close to Lady Easley for a while. No, of course she didn''t like it.¡±


    ¡°Not now.¡±


    "Well, I''m cool too, but Lady Isley won''t stay still."


    When Eclat said that, I closed my eyes tightly and then opened them.


    Yes, since I, the villain in the original work, was reformed, isn''t Paley the world''s strongest villain now?


    ¡°Ekla, don¡¯t worry. I won''t stand still."


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t move first. But don''t worry too much, you won''t be hurt."


    I pounded my chest with my clenched fist and lifted my chin.


    But inside.


    ''Yeah, like Eclat said, Paley wouldn''t stay still. What is it?''


    I was so anxious that my teeth trembled.


    ''No, but I''m better than Leonie being the target.''


    I die this way and that way, but I don''t know if I''ll die from Paley in this life.


    I patted my cold arms.


    ? ? ?


    ¡°Then please wait a moment.¡±


    Arriving at Leonie''s mansion, I waited for her in the drawing room as guided by the butler.


    ''A guest came?''


    It was fortunate that someone had come to see her.


    It was because, ever since Leonie''s father got involved in an unsavory affair, Leonie has been secretly ostracized in the social world.


    ''Anyway, who came?''


    There was no one that came to mind.


    At times like this, I thought that I should have read ¡ºLeonie in the Blues¡» a little more diligently.


    ''Even if I had read it, I wouldn''t have remembered such trivial things.''


    It was while I was passing the time biting into the hazelnuts the butler had brought me.


    ¡°Oh, Libe.¡±


    Leonie smiled kindly and walked into the drawing room.


    Your face looks good for contacting me saying you''re not feeling well.


    Still, I''m glad he looked good.


    I smiled inwardly and handed out dessert and medicine.


    ¡°Leonie, I was going to tell the butler and go.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    Leonie smiled brightly and handed over the box.


    "Let''s eat together. I''ve come this far, but I can''t just let you go.¡±


    ¡°Ah, no. I really wanted to give it to you, but the butler made sure to look at my face and told me to go.¡±


    While I was shaking hands, Leonie called the maid.


    ¡°Louisa, please give me this.¡±


    Louisa gave a puzzled look as she accepted the dessert box.


    ¡°Vice is very popular. How come all the customers who come buy dessert from Weiss?¡±


    I couldn''t miss what she said.


    All the customers bought dessert from Weiss?


    ¡°Leonie, I heard that a guest visited a while ago.¡±


    At my words, Leonie showed an awkward smile.


    ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t promise, just.¡±


    It was a face reluctant to speak, an expression similar to the one he had shown when he ran home from a ballroom.


    Maybe it''s because I''m curious about the uncomfortable eyes?


    I couldn''t stand it and asked a question out of the blue.


    ¡°Are you Sir Adrian Watford?¡±


    At my question, Leonie looked puzzled.


    "how did you know?"


    My head started spinning very fast.


    At the ball not long ago, Leonie and Adrian were apparently enjoying a walk in the garden.


    Her shoulder seemed shy somehow, her movements swayed, and although she was quite far away, she definitely looked happy.


    But Leonie''s fate is Gerlac.


    All the bad luck that happens to her now is because it doesn''t go back to destiny.


    ''But no matter how much I think about Adrian, I can''t remember when he came out.''


    Could it be that I skimmed through the fingerprints and read only the dialogues and missed them?


    In other words, Adrian''s weight in the original work was not high.


    ''What do we do? Everything must have been twisted because I was entangled with Zellac.''


    Anyway, I needed to know what Leonie and Adrian were like.


    I decided to be honest about what I saw and what I knew.


    ¡°Ah, that''s what I mean. actually¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Libe, I have something to tell you.¡±


    "uh?"


    No, can''t you start with my words first?


    ¡°What to say?¡±


    Leonie tossed the words with a firm expression and hesitated.


    Then they started talking about what they had decided on.


    "We''ve been friends for a very long time, haven''t we?"


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡±


    It''s a memory I don''t remember, but Leonie and I have been close since we were very young.


    Of course, I was endlessly jealous of Leonie, and I think she gets in the way of my luck and ends up monopolizing the person I love.


    Ah, it''s not that I''m like that now, but that''s what the villain Liberata in the novel was like.


    ¡°Live, when I was little, I liked going to your house to play.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it was.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps it was so much fun sneaking a look around my brother¡¯s study and room.¡±


    I didn''t remember it, but it was an interesting situation just thinking about it.


    "You remember messing up Oliver''s homework or messing with his garden?"


    ¡°Oh, yes! ha ha ha!"


    I tried everything I could to avoid looking like a fake laugh.


    ¡°I can only laugh now, but how scared my brother was at that young age.¡±


    "right."


    ¡°Hiding in our closets, getting under the bed and doing that.¡±


    ¡°It was, it was.¡±


    ¡°So when Oliver gets scolded.¡±


    Leonie slightly lowered her head and continued with a grin.


    ¡°Brother Adrian has always been on our side.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes, yes!¡±


    It was when I was laughing hysterically while thinking about whether there was such a scene.


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember.¡±


    The corners of his lips trembled at Leonie''s words.


    I scratched the bridge of my nose a couple of times with an awkward face.


    ¡°Because it was so long ago. Maybe I remember, and maybe not.¡±


    "really? I feel as fresh as yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what. Leonie, you are so smart.¡±


    I wanted to bring up a story that happened more than ten years ago.


    I''ve known you for a long time, did you want to say something like this?


    It was the moment when Leonie took a sip of the tea in front of her, leaving the cake, which had not yet been touched by Leonie, still in its pretty shape.


    ¡°He is my first love.¡±


    ¡°Cool, cool!¡±


    ¡°Ribe, are you okay?¡±


    Leonie''s sudden remark caught in her throat.


    I pounded my chest and tried to swallow her words inside.


    ¡°Oh, how are you doing? It''s okay?"


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s okay. it''s okay¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    No wait, Sir Adrian Watford is Leonie''s first love?

 CH 22

    <¡­ ¡­ The girl''s fate is changing. Gee, but that''s not good. Someone has stolen your destiny. There will be no peace until it returns.>


    Right after that, was it natural that the astrologer''s words came to mind?


    ''Leonie''s fate is changing. What do we do?''


    But regardless of the complexity in my head, Leonie''s face was flushed red.


    "Libe, I''m so ashamed that you''re surprised."


    She held her white, transparent cheeks with both hands.


    No, Leonie. Because now is not the time!


    First of all, we need to listen a little more accurately.


    First love is just first love, maybe it''s not ongoing.


    In addition, let''s not be intimidated by the things we liked when we were young!


    ¡°Ah, yes what¡­ ¡­ Leonie, I also have a lot of first loves. Originally, when I was young, I liked everything even if I did a little good. isn''t it?"


    ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±


    When he''s like this, he''s infinitely determined again.


    ¡°I actually missed him quite a bit for years after he moved away.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Even in my young mind, I think he was so cool. The heart is broad, caring and kind. Libe, come to think of it, you did too.¡±


    "yes? me?"


    ¡°I heard that you also scolded your father for marrying Lord Watford.¡±


    At that moment, I remembered what Adrian had said when he barged into my house.


    Everyone around the table was intent on making fun of me.


    ¡°I think it might have been something like that.¡±


    ¡°Look at that, he was our idol.¡±


    It was when Leonie put on her ecstatic expression again and smiled lovingly.


    Suddenly, a good idea popped into my head.


    Look at that Leonie, that''s not a special memory.


    I did too.


    Adrian is kind to everyone, he didn''t think of you in particular.


    Let''s live this atmosphere well!


    ¡°Yes, everyone¡¯s memories of first love are like that. And you know that memories are originally the most beautiful when they remain as memories, right? They say the past shines only when it is buried in the past.¡±


    "What? Do you have something like that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if you reunite with your first love and then meet again, the ending is always bad. How to say, even the good memories of the past are fading?¡±


    When I said that, Leonie''s eyes widened.


    It was a somewhat surprised face.


    ¡°Live, but he will be different.¡±


    After that, he calmed down his expression.


    ¡°I met him again by chance not too long ago, and the feelings from that time came back.¡±


    Oh, no, no... ¡­ That''s an illusion.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say a few words to him, but my heart felt so warm.¡±


    ¡°The weather is warm these days.¡±


    ¡°What should I do? I think I''m in love.¡±


    In the end, the word that puts a period came out.


    No, Leonie. The opponent of your destiny is not Adrian!


    What the hell could be good for this job?


    Now, let''s think calmly.


    But no matter how calmly I tried to think about it, I couldn''t forget what the astrologer had said with his eyes wide open.


    <Someone has stolen your destiny. There will be no peace until it returns.>


    No, I didn''t mean to intercept Leonie''s fate.


    It happened by accident.


    It was just that I couldn''t help it, and I was driven into a corner. There was no other way for me!


    ¡°Rive?¡±


    ¡°Uh, Leonie.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m nervous because you don¡¯t say anything. This is the first time I''ve brought up this story. Anything is fine, so say something.¡±


    Leonie was looking at me with a face that looked like she was about to cry.


    ¡°Wow, ha ha ha, God, Leonie. you really... ¡­ Wow, congratulations. Really."


    Picking up whatever words were in her head and spitting them out, Leonie scratched the back of her head.


    ¡°Congratulations, it¡¯s just my heart. I couldn''t even express my feelings to Lord Watford.¡±


    Then he said with slightly blurry eyes.


    "Actually, I met Lord Watford not too long ago at the ball that welcomed His Highness."


    I nodded my head thinking about that night.


    ¡°I guess I showed off what I love so much. Should I not have done that? I wanted to stay with Lord Watford a little longer, but he just left.¡±


    Oh, that''s why Leonie wasn''t in a good mood that day.


    ¡°No, it couldn¡¯t have been.¡±


    "I''m not a quick-witted person, but I''m not so dull that I don''t know that."


    It was strangely self-objective, yet not.


    In fact, Leonie was a really, really stupid person.


    Of course, that was her charm.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t seem to be very happy. Maybe it''s because I expected too much?"


    ¡°But you brought some dessert for you just a little while ago.¡±


    "Oh, that''s right."


    Leonie continued with a more melancholy voice.


    ¡°These days, the liberal arts books I read are difficult, so I asked if you could help me when I had time. However, he politely refused and brought it to me. To convey the meaning of the specifications.¡±


    "ah."


    ¡°I know he is busy too. And that sooner or later he will return to Ostrin.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "So while you''re here, I want to be with you somehow to win your heart."


    Having said that, Leonie started to cry again.


    I couldn''t quite figure out whether I should comfort Leonie here or whether it was right to let her down.


    Seeing Leonie''s lonely expression, I thought I should support and cheer for her love. But when she thought of something else, she felt like she couldn''t.


    OK, let''s check how we''re going to do the route.


    ¡°Yes, Leonie. I suddenly remembered, but you said that something unfortunate happened a while ago.¡±


    When I changed the subject, Leonie''s expression changed.


    ¡°What about after going to the astrologer? Do you think the bracelet has some effect?¡±


    Please, I hoped that what the astrologer said was complete nonsense.


    I hope that the bad luck that repeatedly happened to Leonie was just a coincidence.


    ¡°The greatest misfortune that has happened to me now is that Lord Watford has no interest in me.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    I closed my eyes tightly.


    You got this very tight.


    ¡°That, yes. Then, like before, there will be no such thing as almost falling down the stairs or suddenly breaking a window, right?¡±


    Please, I hopped and hoped that it wasn''t.


    ¡°No, it happens sometimes.¡±


    In this world, my wishes were always crushed mercilessly.


    "What? Really?"


    ¡°Yeah, I almost got in trouble yesterday when I was changing my clothes and the ribbon got wrapped around my neck.¡±


    I couldn''t close my mouth wide open in shock.


    ¡°Oh my God.¡±


    ¡°Louisa said, if she was a little late, it would have been a big deal.¡±


    ¡°Why do you say such scary things so casually!¡±


    ¡°I believe in this bracelet. Misfortune happens, but you''re not dead.¡±


    Then, isn''t that an innocent laugh?


    I was the only one who was blown away by this!


    "Leonie, you''re not laughing. Then, when something really big happens.¡±


    However, these words were in fact not to be said to Leonie.


    Leonie''s bad luck is all because of me.


    This wouldn''t have happened if I hadn''t drunk my nose crookedly and made mistakes at the ballroom.


    "It will be fine. I will definitely wear a bracelet. Libe, do you have a good one too?¡±


    There was nothing I could do but nod my head helplessly.


    ? ? ?


    ¡°Ekla.¡±


    ¡°Yes, lady.¡±


    In the carriage back home, I stared out the window blankly.


    ¡°What is love?¡±


    "Yes?"


    My body swayed back and forth along with the swaying carriage, but it didn''t bother me in the slightest.


    All I could think of was what to do with Leonie, the innocent and kind girl.


    ¡°What is love? If you don¡¯t have it, you miss it and think of it.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this all of a sudden, lady? Do you remember His Highness the Grand Duke?¡±


    "What?"


    I jumped up at Eclat''s words and let out a twisted voice.


    ¡°What is that now?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s been a few days since we haven¡¯t seen each other. Ay, whenever she said she didn¡¯t like the lady either, and now she¡¯s very anxious to see her.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? Are you completely not?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I understand.¡±


    ¡°I really am not!¡±

 CH 23

    Anyway, what do you really do now?


    Aww, that''s going crazy!


    So Leonie, who should be in love with the original male lead, Jellac, is obsessed with Adrian... ¡­


    Is this the kind of situation where Xerlac is strangely obsessed with me?


    Of course, if that was all, it wouldn''t be such a big deal.


    If I don''t live this life properly, I will disappear and Leonie will also become unhappy.


    I hate being trapped in a novel and disappearing, and I hate that good child being unhappy because of me.


    There is only one answer, no choice but to return it to its original state.


    You have to change Leonie''s mind and direct Xerlac''s gaze to her.


    Aren''t Adrian and Gerlac easy opponents?


    Of course, but what can be sorted out should be sorted out quickly.


    As I got out of the wagon, I decided I had to push Xerlac away.


    First of all, I have to sever this delicate relationship with him before I can decide whether or not to tie it up with Leonie.


    But how?


    ¡°My lady, are you worried about something?¡±


    Eclat asked anxiously, probably because I was sitting there with a sullen face.


    I wanted to tell you all about this stuffy feeling, but there was no way I could understand it by explaining it!


    ¡°Ekla, so.¡±


    "yes."


    Still, I decided to turn it around and explain it well.


    Wouldn''t it be better than worrying alone?


    ¡°This is not what I heard.¡±


    "yes."


    ¡°There are men and women who must love each other.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but why do I have to love you?¡±


    Oh, how else can I explain this?


    ¡°Ooh, fate, destiny. It was decided that way from birth.¡±


    "Ah yes. What about it?¡±


    ¡°But she has been a close friend since childhood. By chance... ¡­ That friend and the man of destiny got entangled.¡±


    ¡°Are you getting entangled?¡±


    Oh, how can I explain this?


    ¡°So, I guess I was kind of curious?¡±


    ¡°Aha, yes.¡±


    "That''s why the two men and women, bound by fate, separated."


    "Oh my goodness."


    ¡°That''s not the problem, maybe it''s because she can''t meet her destined mate, and unfortunate things keep happening to her. The intensity is getting stronger.¡±


    ¡°Oh my, is that a big deal?¡±


    "right? Is it a big deal?¡±


    ¡°Yes, so what?¡±


    Eclat looked at me with interest and added:


    ¡°No, my friend was really wrong. That''s very nasty. How could that be?¡±


    Eclat, don''t make that face.


    I mean, that bad thing is me.


    ¡°Did that friend deliberately approach the man of destiny? He must have been a perfectly handsome and flawless man, right?¡±


    Of course it is, but I never approached it on purpose!


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t intentional, I think it was an accident.¡±


    ¡°Are you buying?¡±


    Eclat has an obsessive side.


    ¡°Yeah, it was just a coincidence that my friend met me first.¡±


    "Oh yeah? But coincidences like that aren¡¯t actually easy.¡±


    Eclat pondered, then spoke again.


    ¡°A coincidence can also be fate.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Coincidence may also be fate.


    I know the words were thrown inadvertently, but somehow I felt strange.


    ¡°No, the two of them were really coincidental. Anyway, if the situation so far is so... ¡­ What should I do now?¡±


    ¡°What can I do? Unfortunate things happen, and of course the two of you have to break up.¡±


    Eclat''s voice grew louder as if he had a lot of empathy.


    "It''s fate. Fate is something you can''t defy. The two of them must meet no matter what.¡±


    "right?"


    ¡°Yes, of course!¡±


    ¡°Right, yes. That''s right.¡±


    "You''re holding on because your friend can''t back down?"


    ¡°Oh, no. Not like that. The one who endures is rather the man¡¯s side.¡±


    "Oh my goodness."


    ¡°What should I do in a situation like this?¡±


    Eclat seemed to be thinking for a moment, then spoke decisively.


    ¡°Still, the two of them are friends. No matter what, you have to push the man away. He must give it back to his doomed opponent! That''s what fate means. Nothing can separate them.¡±


    I had already made up my mind, but I nodded slowly.


    Eclat is right.


    Let''s be a little more specific from now on.


    At that time, Eclat lowered herself towards me and asked.


    ¡°By the way, lady, who are you talking about? It is so exciting.¡±


    ¡°No, just¡­ ¡­ It is a novel.¡±


    ¡°What kind of novel is this? I am very curious about the ending.¡±


    ¡°I, I don¡¯t know the title.¡±


    Yeah, I''m dying to know how this story ends.


    It was around the time we passed the fountain through the plaza. Eclat bumped her hands together, as if thinking of something.


    ¡°Yes, lady!¡±


    "yes?"


    ¡°I forgot, I remembered it when I came here.¡±


    "What''s this?"


    ¡°It was given to me by Elome, and it seems to be so famous these days that no one has not seen this play.¡±


    I handed over the ticket that Eclat gave me.


    ¡°The actor here is said to have been close friends with Elome for a long time.¡±


    ¡°There really is no one who doesn¡¯t know Elome.¡±


    ¡°How about going to see a play to change your mood? It''s right in front of you anyway.¡±


    I was a little tired from walking around this morning. I wanted to go home, but I thought it would be fun to play.


    And more than anything, it was the look that Eclat missed very much.


    ¡°Is it so?¡±


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go see it together.¡±


    "Ok, fine."


    Eclat''s fists were clenched and his face was always excited.


    After getting off the carriage, we headed straight for the amphitheater.


    ''There was a place like this.''


    Looking up at the arched upper part, I could see the clear blue sky and bricks alternating. The sun was good and the wind was just right.


    It was a sky that I had never seen properly before because I was anxious and nervous.


    ¡°Ekla.¡±


    ¡°Yes, lady.¡±


    ¡°I think you did well to come. It''s so cool.¡±


    The amphitheater was surrounded by a small garden yard and private trees. It was magnificent and huge, as seen in any history book, and the busts carved here and there added to the fun of seeing it.


    "Yes? I''m glad you like it.¡±


    We walked for a while and entered the theater. The theater was very noisy with the people who came to see the play and the vendors, but I enjoyed even that.


    ¡°Ekla, do you know what it means?¡±


    ¡°I heard it in detail from Elome, but I forgot. They said it was a love story between a grand duke and a marquess.¡±


    A love story between a grand duke and a marquise''s daughter?


    I was so thirsty that I cleared my throat once.


    ¡°Oh, my lady. what."


    Eclat narrowed her eyes and pushed me with her elbow once.


    "what?"


    ¡°Your Highness, did you think of it a moment ago?¡±


    ¡°What are you saying or not?¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°No, absolutely not. Why am I thinking of His Highness?¡±


    But Eclat only laughed round and round.


    ¡°Let¡¯s sit over there, how about there?¡±


    I avoided the crowd and roughly pointed my finger at an empty seat.


    "Yes, I like it."


    As we sat down, Eclat said.


    ¡°My lady, I¡¯ll get the pamphlet for you.¡±


    "okay."


    It came suddenly, but I need to know what it is.


    I was a little excited because it was my first cultural life to enjoy after coming to this world.


    On the other hand, I also wanted to be able to relax like this.


    Anyway, it was time to watch the excited Eclat walk away.


    ¡°Can I sit here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    When I turned my head at the sudden voice, a familiar man caught my eye.


    It was Xerlac Cygnus.

 CH 24

    ¡°His Highness the Grand Duke.¡±


    Zerlac sat down next to me and said, staring at the stage in the distance.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were interested in theater.¡±


    "No, I''m not particularly interested in that."


    I should have gone home quietly.


    I should have just got in the carriage and gone home!


    "I''m not interested, but I''m at the theater, but I met you."


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Even that sounds pretty dramatic.¡±


    ¡°No, I am actually a theater buff. I can¡¯t live without theater.¡±


    It was when I completely changed the color of my face and nodded my head. Jerlac shook his head and began to laugh.


    What are you laughing at? am i funny


    ¡°You really are.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "Fun. You always make me laugh.¡±


    This atmosphere is dangerous.


    I had to change my mood in a hurry.


    "Your Highness, I heard you''re very busy preparing for St. Obenly''s Day."


    Why do people who are busy come to watch the show leisurely?


    ¡°Right, busy.¡±


    I didn''t say anything behind my back, just rolled my eyes. Then Zerlac looked at me with a languid face and said,


    ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t intend to see a performance, but I came to look around the theater. During the festival, we are going to put on an opera about the life of St. Obenley.¡±


    ¡°Opera?¡±


    ¡°Do you like opera?¡±


    In fact, I had never seen an opera before. It''s all I''ve seen on TV from time to time.


    Think carefully and answer. If you say you like opera here, I''m sure you''ll ask to see it together.


    can''t be


    "no."


    ¡°Then I shouldn¡¯t.¡±


    Zerlac''s words took me by surprise.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°If you hate opera, I will cut all the actors and ban the opera.¡±


    "Yes? I beg your pardon?"


    ¡°You said you were a theater buff instead, so let¡¯s turn it into a play.¡±


    ¡°Stop talking nonsense! I like it, I absolutely love it. Wow, why are people so extreme?¡±


    When I jumped up, Zerlac finally relaxed his expression.


    ¡°You know what?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°You are cute and funny.¡±


    The sudden words made my ears turn red.


    wow that''s really crazy


    Eclat, did he go to print pamphlets? Why isn''t he here?


    Yes, let''s avoid the seat with the excuse of Eclat.


    As I snooped around nervously, Zerlach languidly spoke to me.


    ¡°Are you looking for someone?¡±


    "Ah yes. I came with Eclat. I brought a pamphlet, but it didn''t come. No, it''s so wide here that you might get lost. Eclat is so long. oh wow, that''s a big deal I can''t. I have to go find it.¡±


    It was a good operation.


    The moment I slipped up, Zerlac stretched out his long, straight index finger and pointed somewhere.


    ¡°There he is.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    At the place he pointed to, Eclat, the young man, and the duckling were sitting side by side.


    ¡°Ahaha, when did Eclat go down there? I need to bring them back.¡±


    "why?"


    ¡°Ekla is very shy. I really wanted to see this play, Eclat, but she wouldn¡¯t even be able to concentrate on the play because she would be uncomfortable sitting side by side with strangers.¡±


    He spoke again, unable to hide his embarrassment.


    ¡°Covering your face?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I might cry if I leave it like that.¡±


    ¡°Your maid looks quite amused.¡±


    Upon closer inspection, the man sitting next to Eclat was definitely a face he had seen before.


    I think I saw it when you walked me home. You are a mabu


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    Wow, I can hear the laughter from here.


    It''s gone, it''s gone!


    ¡°Don¡¯t disturb someone who looks happy. If it''s someone you care about.¡±


    I had no choice but to drop my shoulders.


    In the end, I had no choice but to sit side by side with Garlic and watch the play.


    ? ? ?


    ¡°Dad, can I come in for a minute?¡±


    That evening, I made up my mind and went down to my father''s study.


    We must not delay any longer. Saint Obenly''s Day was fast approaching, and far from returning Zerlac to Leonie, it seemed closer than before.


    It might really disappear if I spend time like this.


    ¡°What were you doing?¡±


    ¡°Rive.¡±


    I don''t know how long I''ve been preparing and preparing my mind before coming down to my father''s study.


    But when I stood in front of him, I couldn''t speak well.


    ¡°As you can see.¡±


    My father smiled helplessly as he looked at the papers on the desk.


    ¡°You are busy. Then next time.¡±


    ¡°No, Libe. Have a seat.¡±


    When I turned around, my father got up and took off his glasses.


    ¡°Do you have anything to say?¡±


    ¡°No, just¡­ ¡­ . Didn''t you say you were going to the imperial family in a few days?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you called a meeting for an annual event.¡±


    ¡°If you want to go to the capital, you must be away from home for quite some time.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Rexton that close?¡±


    After answering that far, my father smiled slowly at me.


    ¡°Looks like you have something you want.¡±


    "yes? Oh no.¡±


    I waved my hand, but my father didn''t stop talking.


    ¡°Either way, Oliver said. Go to Recton and buy some shoes for Libe.¡±


    ¡°Shoes?¡±


    ¡°It was said to be very famous among the ladies. A shoemaker who settled in Rexton a while ago said he was good at it.¡±


    "ah."


    My father continued the conversation affectionately, but in fact, I didn''t hear anything in my ears.


    I thought of shoes as something that only needed to fit my feet, and there were already too many shoes.


    It was when I was fiddling with my fingertips with such thoughts.


    ¡°Libe, so what do you want to say?¡±


    ¡°May I invite Sir Nathan Palamedes to dinner tomorrow?¡±


    have said


    ¡°Sir Palamedes?¡±


    My father raised his head with a rather puzzled expression.


    "yes."


    Nathan Palamedes was my fianc¨¦ in the original story.


    He fell in love with Leoni, abandoned the villainess Liberata, and proposed to Leoni, so he is also a character that makes me very angry.


    Why are you inviting Nathan to dinner?


    Somehow, in this lifetime, Nathan didn''t even appear to poke his nose.


    I need him to get off Zerlac''s radar, but doesn''t Adrian show up unexpectedly? The man who was supposed to be engaged to me didn''t even appear.


    Of course, Nathan wasn''t to my liking. He was overly talkative and emotional.


    But now is not the time for that to matter!


    ¡°Rive.¡±


    My father called me quietly and gently.


    It seemed that he was going to say something more serious.


    ¡°May I ask why you want to invite Sir Palamedes?¡±


    "that."


    Where should I start explaining?


    Because that man is supposed to be engaged to me.


    Of course, if I said this, I would only get strange looks.


    Remember, what was the connection between Nathan and Liberata?


    First of all, the Palamedes family was a family that loved art very much.


    They built an opera house, sponsored musicians, and introduced outstanding musicians to the imperial court.


    yes, this is it


    ¡°I am interested in music these days.¡±


    "music?"


    My father looked at me with more puzzled eyes than the first time.


    ¡°Our Libe is doing something strange these days.¡±


    At those words, my heart sank unbeknownst to me.


    Strange, of course.


    Because I''m not the liberata you know.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ha ha ha."


    ¡°Yeah, before, I was only interested in pretty dresses, jewelry, and shoes. I didn''t believe you when you said you were interested in philosophical issues.¡±


    "Yes?"


    ¡°Oliver said so. It is said that when Rivenet deliberately wore a colorless dress, she pinched and criticized women for their extravagance. I didn''t know you were so thoughtful.¡±


    That it went so wrong that it even reached your father''s ears?


    Did you wear a weird dress once to look like a beggar and become a thoughtful person?


    ¡°No, not criticism.¡±


    ¡°In addition, you are interested in music. Oh my god. What the hell happened to my daughter?¡±


    My father stared at me with a somewhat thrilled face.


    ¡°Hahaha, from now on, pay attention a little¡­ ¡­ I want to take it So I want to invite Lord Palamedes and have a serious talk.¡±


    I put my hands together and blinked my eyes.


    ¡°Before my father went to the imperial family. Are you okay?¡±


    Okay, he likes that I''m interested in music and the excuse was good.


    He and I were destined to be engaged, so all we have to do is make sure we don''t run into Leonie until we''re married.


    ¡­ ¡­ It was the moment I thought.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Libe. It seems difficult to invite Sir Palamedes to dinner.¡±

 CH 25

    "Yes?"


    I looked at my father with a bewildered face.


    No, what is difficult?


    Is it difficult to invite?


    ¡°Father, what do you mean?¡±


    My father tilted his eyebrows down, similar to mine, and replied with a somewhat excited look.


    "Libe, actually, the Grand Duke has contacted you."


    ¡°Who is the Grand Duke¡­ ¡­ Yes? I beg your pardon?"


    His name suddenly came from an unexpected place.


    I was standing there with a dazed face, but my father continued talking leisurely.


    ¡°The Grand Duke.¡±


    The moment you forget to breathe


    ¡°He told me that he had a special interest in you.¡±


    ¡­ ¡­ .


    Ah, since I forgot to breathe, I''d rather just keep stopping.


    I twitched the corners of my mouth and bowed my head.


    ¡°Rive?¡±


    My father was taken aback by my reaction.


    ¡°Oh, Libe. Are you okay?¡±


    "Yes No. No, yes, it''s okay.¡±


    ¡°There must be a reason why the Grand Duke told me that. On the day when you openly invited a man who was in the mood for marriage to a meal, and that fact reached the ears of His Highness the Grand Duke.¡±


    A shadow fell over his father''s gentle face.


    Yes, I think I know what will happen next.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°So that would be a little difficult. I''m sorry, Libe."


    It''s a plan I came up with on my own. I tried my best to hide my bitterness.


    ¡°No, Father.¡±


    ¡°By the way, Libe, I want to ask you something, can you answer me honestly?¡±


    When I raised my lowered head, my father was looking at me with worried eyes.


    "yes."


    In fact, I was a little moved by the words that followed right after that.


    ¡°No matter what anyone says, I think Libe¡¯s heart is important.¡±


    "father."


    ¡°Of course, the fact that the man interested in you is Archduke Cygnus made this father a little excited.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I can''t sleep well at night just thinking that a duchess might be born into our family.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°How happy your mother will be with her nervous breakdown, and besides, the future of your brother, Oliver, will be very bright.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    "I''ve been dreaming all my life to have the gaze and enormous influence that I will gain by becoming a family with the Grand Duke."


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I still think our Libe¡¯s heart is important.¡±


    My father looked at me with benevolent eyes, but his cheeks were slightly flushed and his nose was twitching.


    It''s a real nostril.


    ¡°I know, Father.¡±


    In fact, it was natural for my father to not understand my actions.


    I know very well what it means to be loved by Xerlac.


    To become the woman of someone with power comparable to that of an emperor.


    A life where you can put everything under your feet and have everything you want in your hands.


    If there were no restrictions on me, I might have welcomed the current situation with open arms.


    Well, is that really the case?


    He was sure to be a great and wonderful figure, but he was still a little scared.


    The bridge of his nose, which seemed to have been carefully crafted, seemed to be cut, and his whole body felt chills from the coolness felt from his flawless white skin, and he seemed to die of drowning in the snow of unknown depth.


    ¡­ ¡­ After listing them, is it true that I am afraid of him?


    Oh come to your senses!


    ¡°Libe, it seems that His Highness Archduke Cygnus is too¡­ ¡­ Is it because it''s difficult?"


    I hardly let go of my expression, but when I sat down, my father asked me indirectly.


    ¡°Yes, it is a little burdensome.¡±


    Not a little, but a lot.


    Anyway, he shouldn''t be mine.


    I don''t want to die here. I mean, I want to come back alive.


    ¡°To be honest, I was worried until I sent you the dress. That''s a favor you can do for anyone. But if you can tell me this.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Live, just like your mother said, men are very simple. Except for my father, of course.¡±


    haha.


    ¡°I think the Grand Duke might be a really pure person, unlike what is known. That''s why you show your feelings honestly."


    Is it pure?


    No, father really. No matter how good the power is!


    ¡°So why don¡¯t you try to understand a little bit, a little bit of his heart?¡±


    ¡°Okay, Father.¡±


    For once, I knew for sure that my father was not on my side.


    It means that it is impossible to use Nathan to clean up Xerlac.


    OK, what else to write?


    I smiled sweetly at my father again.


    ¡°Yes, Father. I see what you mean.¡±


    For now, today is a retreat.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll go upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Rive.¡±


    When I turned back, my father opened his mouth with an embarrassed face.


    "If you don''t mind, I''d like to invite the Grand Duke to a meal. How about that?"


    I briefly thought of him drinking tea with a lofty face.


    My feelings for him were very complicated.


    A man who once wanted to run away and felt numb just by looking at him from afar.


    But nonetheless, a man so wonderful that it would be lethal.


    I gripped the hem of my skirt tightly, not wanting to admit my complicated feelings.


    However, there is something more important than that feeling.


    I have to put the puzzle back together that I messed up.


    ¡°When your father¡¯s busy work is over. Will that be okay?¡±


    ¡°Ah, of course. then¡­ ¡­ What are you thinking about learning about music? Shall I introduce you to another musician your father knows?¡±


    ¡°No, I will take care of it. Thank you."


    My father smiled broadly as if he was satisfied with my answer.


    After a moderate smile, I turned around and smiled.


    Father, I''m sorry.


    I don''t think I will be able to realize that grand and grand dream.


    what''s for dinner


    We''ll get it done before that horrible spot opens!


    ? ? ?


    The rain that had been falling since morning was intensifying.


    Whether it was because of the conversation with his father the night before, or because the future was uncertain, his head was heavy and he was not very energetic even after eating sweets.


    Ah, if you feel depressed even if you eat something sweet, then this is really serious.


    It was a time when I was just staring at the scene where water droplets landed and then slipped.


    "miss."


    Eclat, who went out after breakfast, must have returned.


    ¡°Yeah, did you meet Elome well?¡±


    I glanced in the direction where Eclat was standing, then looked helplessly out the window.


    ¡°Yes, lady. That''s not what''s important.¡±


    "Yes."


    The only thing that matters in my life right now is running, Eclat.


    ¡°I have two pieces of news that will absolutely surprise you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, there are two.¡±


    I still responded nonchalantly, but Eclat didn''t seem to care about my attitude.


    ¡°Which one would you like to hear first?¡±


    "anything."


    ¡°Okay, then first! You know the novel the young lady talked about last time.¡±


    "novel?"


    ¡°Yes, don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ What novel was I talking about?¡±


    ¡°Oh, oh, there are two people who are destined to fall in love, but the female protagonist¡¯s friend interrupts them.¡±


    what?


    Eclat''s words opened my ears and quickly turned around.


    ¡°Uh, yes. We talked about that. But why?¡±


    ¡°I was curious about the ending of the novel, so I asked for the title.¡±


    I don''t know how this story will turn out, but how can I know the ending!


    ¡°Oh, yes, yes, yes.¡±


    ¡°But you said you couldn¡¯t remember.¡±


    Eclat spoke quickly with a very excited face.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know, so I asked Elome.¡±


    Elome.


    She was a maid of Viscount Shurein''s family, and she was a quick-footed, quick-witted child.


    It is not an exaggeration to say that he knows all the social issues.


    ¡°I did?¡±


    ¡°Elome gave me the title of the book.¡±


    "What?"


    I was so startled that I jumped out of my seat.


    No, I don''t know how this story will go... ¡­


    Does anyone know the title?


    Did I mention the current situation?


    ¡°Is it really? Do you know the title?¡±


    ¡°Yes, there is nothing Elome does not know. If she doesn''t know, she will come until she finds out.¡±


    Eclat shrugged with a proud face.


    But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn''t understand it.


    Elome was a child who took great pride in the fact that her mouth was influential.


    I didn''t think it would damage trust just because there was something missing.


    then¡­ ¡­ Are you saying it''s real?


    "So, what''s the title?"


    My heart was pounding.


    "Also! I thought the lady would like it too. I said I came here because I wanted to let you know.¡±


    "So what''s the title?"


    ¡°It¡¯s called Renata¡¯s Disappointment.¡±


    "What?"


    It''s a name I''ve heard a lot.


    Wait, isn''t it oddly similar to the title of this novel, "Leonie in full swing"?


    While I was looking at her with a stupid face, Eclat didn''t care.


    ¡°So I did some more research, and they said it was only available in Mr. Clem¡¯s bookstore, not anywhere else. She thought the lady would be curious, so I was going to buy one on the way, but it was raining too much.¡±


    If it was Mr. Clem''s bookstore, he knew where it was.


    It was where Oliver''s brother always went when he didn''t have a book he needed.


    I''ve never been there, of course.


    "Let''s go."


    "Yes?"


    ¡°I need to go right now.¡±


    "Oh, it''s raining a lot. Will you be okay?"


    "Sure. let''s go!"


    Maybe you will find the answer in it.


    For the first time today, I felt like my mind was clear.