Episode 80
‘I’ve really changed the original story.’
I hoped it was a change for the better, but why was everyone around me becoming… different? Even the soft-hearted Sylvia was glaring at Cesar suspiciously.
“Aren’t you close to Duke Clovis, Sylvia? So there’s no reason to be so wary…”
“Of course, Cesar is a good person. A precious friend.”
‘Uh, I don’t think he’s a good person.’
“He was kind to Lily, too.”
‘If that’s considered kind, everyone in the world is kind, Sylvia.’
I wondered why Sylvia was so wary of him, even though she didn’t know his true nature. And here I was, in love with him despite knowing his cruel and violent side.
Was I the type to be attracted to bad boys?
As I pondered that, Sylvia poked my cheek.
“Mmph? (Sylvia?)”
“Still, it’s not okay. They say love makes you blind. Even the kind Cesar might be scheming to keep Lily by his side.”
‘Oh. That’s true.’
Deep down, Sylvia must have seen through Cesar’s facade.
“Anyway, don’t go near anyone else besides me. Be careful, very careful.”
The hand poking my cheek retreated. I rubbed my slightly sore cheek and spoke to Sylvia,
“But Sylvia.”
“Yes?”
“Then, does love make you blind, too? Do you want to kidnap and confine His Highness and keep him by your side…?”
“W-why are you bringing up His Highness…?”
Sylvia blushed like a ripe strawberry. As expected, their love line seemed to be intact.
‘The Crown Prince hasn’t officially announced his engagement yet, but it’s practically a given now.’
I had heard last night that Cesar’s feelings weren’t the same as before. It meant he wouldn’t be obsessed with Sylvia anymore.
If his obsession and interest in Sylvia waned, she would naturally spend more time with the Crown Prince, and rumors of her becoming his fiancée would spread earlier than planned.
‘But I haven’t heard from the Crown Prince about what he’s going to do with Prea. Is it because it’s difficult to cut off a core supporting faction?’
He couldn’t have both love and a strong political foundation. If he chose Sylvia, he would have to cut off the Seirthe Marquisate, who posed a threat to her.
The Crown Prince in the novel did choose love. So I wasn’t too worried about this part.
But the longer the Crown Prince, busy observing the Second Prince’s movements, delayed his response, the more I worried about Prea’s actions.
Her chilling warning came to mind.
‘—I’ll be angry.’
Cesar had taken the note she gave me, so I hadn’t even been able to check its contents.
He had said he could easily handle a mere Marquess’ daughter, but I had a bad feeling.
She was meticulous. She wouldn’t tolerate any flaws in her plans. She would be even more thoroughly prepared this time, knowing she had been too hasty before.
It was impossible for me to be under Cesar’s constant protection while staying at Sylvia’s mansion. And I couldn’t rely on the Crown Prince, who was busy with the Second Prince and hadn’t contacted me.
The only option left was to ask Heron for help, but I had already asked for his help several times. I couldn’t burden him any further.
“My feelings for His Highness deepen every time I see him, and I want to be with him always. Is this love, Lily?”
How could I tell Sylvia, happily dreaming of love, about what happened with Prea?
“It is love. Thinking about that person even when you’re apart, feeling your heart flutter, losing sleep, wanting to be by their side… if that’s not love, what is it?”
So this ominous premonition had to be just my imagination.
My daily life was monotonous. Contrary to my worries, the past few days had been peaceful.
Sylvia learned Spirit Arts from Heron, and I would mediate between them when they bickered, serving them tea.
I was relieved that Cesar would also be visiting, saying he was checking for any monsters lurking near the Veronica County.
‘I’m a little worried that I haven’t heard from the Crown Prince in a while.’
I sighed, hoping the cat mail carrier would visit tonight, when a large drop of water fell on my face. Water trickled down my chin, as if I had just washed my face.
“Pfft!”
Startled, I blinked and saw Heron waving at me.
‘Why is he playing pranks again…?’
“What are you doing, Spirit Summoner?”
“Heron.”
I looked around, and we were alone. I sighed and called his name.
“Hmph. Yes, Heron.”
“You looked tired.”
‘You splashed a giant drop of water on my face because I looked tired?’
He chuckled, seeing my raised eyebrows. I frowned, annoyed, and he stepped closer and rubbed my forehead.
“You’ll get wrinkles if you make that face.”
“What do you care if I get wrinkles?”
“Hmm. You really do have a bad temper…?”
He was saying I had a bad temper right to my face. I wanted to argue, but his languid smile made my fighting spirit disappear.
It would be like punching a marshmallow; a waste of my energy.
“Think whatever you want. I’m going to wipe my face with a handkerchief.”
“Wait.”
He grabbed my arm. I stopped, wondering what he was doing, and his face came close.
“Heron?”
Is he playing another prank? I don’t want to get wet.
As I parted my lips, a soft handkerchief gently wiped the water off my chin.
Realizing what he was doing, I tried to step back. But his hand had already moved past my chin, wiping my cheek and my slightly damp hair.
“What are you…”
“It’s only natural for me to wipe it since it was my prank. Don’t dislike it, Valerie.”
His voice, telling me not to dislike it, sounded strangely bitter. It must be my imagination.
“…I don’t dislike it. I was just saying it’s okay, I can wipe it myself.”
“Yes, you’re not a bird now, and you’re not helpless. So why were you making that serious face?”
His tone, asking about my day, was casual. I almost told him about my worries.
I owed Heron a lot. And I hadn’t even repaid him for his previous help; I couldn’t burden him any further.
“It’s nothing. It’s just… the weather is so hot these days. Summer heat fatigue…”
“Summer heat… what?”
Oops. They don’t have a word for that here.
“I just meant I’m feeling a bit listless. So don’t worry.”
He didn’t ask any further after my vague explanation.
That’s why I was comfortable with Heron. He didn’t try to cross the lines I drew. I didn’t have to push him away.
“More importantly, please try to get along with Sylvia today. It’s exhausting mediating between you two every day.”
“That would be resolved if Valerie just spent time with me, so tell Lady Veronica to give you up.”
I sighed at his nonchalant words, spoken with a smile.
“You’re saying that even though you know it won’t happen.”
“Am I?”
“Whatever. Let’s go in.”
I grumbled and pulled him inside.
Since it was just an ordinary day, I didn’t realize that it was the day Prea had summoned me.
It was a day I didn’t know my complacency would lead to trouble.
Prea sat silently, waiting.
She usually didn’t tolerate tardiness and would cancel appointments immediately, but this time, she had been waiting for an hour.
‘She wouldn’t dare not come after that warning. Or… did she sense something and back out? That girl smiled even after ruining my plans.’
Prea couldn’t shake off the thought of the brazen maid who had defied her and tried to slip away.
She had even reserved an entire dessert shop frequented only by nobles, intending to offer the maid delicacies she wouldn’t be able to enjoy as a servant. It was all for nothing.
“Clear everything away. I’m leaving.”
Saying that, Prea stood up. The servants around her nervously observed her, worried they might have offended her.
But her expression wasn’t angry at all. On the contrary, a deep, intrigued smile played on her lips.
“I hate waiting. What makes that maid think she can be so arrogant?”
She despised those who disguised ignorance as innocence.
‘…I’m already happy just spending time with you, Lady Seirthe.’
But she liked that foolish innocence.
Once she set her mind on something, she had to have it. That was her way of life.
“It’s not fair that she has everything to herself. So I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to steal one thing and keep it by my side.”
And the maid had said it herself.
‘…If your heart is already set on something, I believe that’s what you truly want!’
“How foolish of you to say that, knowing what it is. You seem clever, yet you’re so stupid, little maid.”
Prea smiled brightly as she got into the carriage, thinking of the trap she would set to ensnare the maid.