HSTLB Chapter 60+Notice

Selvia urgently covered the book with her body.

“Selvia, you again!”

I strode over and snatched the book from her arms. My heart pounded. Could it be that book again this time? But as I saw the cover, I was disappointed.

[Desire, That Glorious Name]

It was a similar title but a different book. The typeface used to print this book was the same as before. The same letters, marked with tiny heart-like dots.

“Mi-Milady, this one! Doesn’t have the names of the noble families!” Selvia hurriedly gave me what she thought was an excuse.

“Sure, because that’s the only way you’ll keep your head,” I muttered carelessly, flipping through the book, leaving Selvia on the verge of tears.

A sigh of exasperation escaped me immediately. There were no current noble names, for sure. Just a shallow cover-up.

“Kasiopea isn’t the female version of Kasion, right?”

It somehow seemed even more dreadful than the last time.

Cute and sunny? Even if Kasion became a woman, that description would never fit.

“No, it’s not!”

“And you said you had no involvement in this book’s creation. What’s this, then?” I pointed to the last page with my finger. There was a barely legible signature scrawled hastily, with a personal note attached. “To Selvia, my muse and inspiration?”

As I read it aloud, Selvia immediately fell to her knees. But it was already too late to calm my now icy gaze.

“She wrote that on her own! Please, don’t misunderstand!”

“Selvia, I gave you many chances.”

“It’s not like that, Milady.”

“And yet, you still betray my trust in the end?”

“I was wrong, Milady. Please forgive me.”

“Did you forget what my brother and I despised in our servants?”

Selvia bowed her head to the ground and began sobbing. “I’ve never spoken about Duke Mellin’s story outside. I don’t even know why he wrote such things.”

“Then?”

“I really don’t know. I made it clear that I wouldn’t buy any more books, but she suddenly showed up with a new one and shoved it into my apron pocket at the front door.”

How convenient. I couldn’t trust Selvia’s words at face value. After all, she had hidden a book in her apron just yesterday.

“So, who gave you this book?”

It must be the same person who authored the book that disappeared. I had to meet her. Didn’t the priest say that no book written by humans is prophetic? Humans cannot dictate our fate. Confirming that had become my top priority.

“Just a regular… astrologer.”

“An astrologer?”

“Yes, though not exactly ordinary. She’s a gypsy with a reputation for accurate fortune-telling.”

See? The priest was right. My heart began to race with excitement at the thought that I could finally let my guard down.

“I must go immediately.”

“You won’t be able to meet her today.”

“Why?”

“She only comes out for readings during the full moon or new moon, and that’s still five days away.”

How unfortunate. There were still five days left until the new moon.

* * *

With Selvia moving my luggage, my preparations for independence were complete. Even though it was a fresh start, it didn’t feel like one. The argument with Serhen had left me staying in this house for a few extra days.

“Huh?”

Wait, something has changed.

“The bed is different?”

Still downtrodden, Selvia approached cautiously. She seemed worried that she had made another mistake and was shrinking back in fear. She hadn’t completely disobeyed orders or been fully exposed, so I hadn’t dismissed her. But I had warned her that a pay cut might be coming.

“Yes, Milady. You instructed me when the new bed arrived, remember? You told me to swap it with the guest room bed.”

Oh, right. That’s what I’d said.

“It’s finished already? I thought it wouldn’t be done until after my brother’s wedding.”

“Yes, it seems the butler put in extra effort. When he told the marquis, he was instructed to have it ready by the time of your independence.”

“…”

I frowned slightly. Would Kasion be upset if he found out?

“After lying on it for a few days… it’s comfortable. I think I’ll change it back.”

“Pardon? Right now?”

“Why? Is that a problem?”

“There aren’t any servants here strong enough to move it right now.”

Ah, that’s right. The staff capable of managing the household were all back at the main estate. After all, that’s where I planned to spend most of my time. There wasn’t even a cook here.

“This… isn’t true independence at all.”

Regret hit me belatedly. I had been too naïve, and that’s why everyone treated me like a child.

“It can’t be helped. Move it tomorrow, and we’ll also need to hire servants and a cook.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’ll need to figure out how many I can afford.”

How long could I last with my saved-up allowance? Part of the house expenses was covered, and I had some inherited wealth. I still had some breathing room, but I couldn’t live off that forever.

“Maybe I should start a business, too?”

If I’d known it would come to this, I would have done something back when I was fighting Serhen over being overprotected. I’m truly just a greenhouse flower, carefully raised by Serhen, the gardener.

“Sigh…”

I let out a deep sigh, and at that moment, a knight entered the house. He was in charge of security and also served as the doorman.

“Milady, the duke is here.”

“Oh, really?”

“Where should I escort him?”

“Of course to the parlor.”

“Yes, I will also move his luggage to the guest room.”

Was he really planning to stay here tonight? If I had known, I would have prepared better.

“Alright, Selvia. Take out clean bedding for the guest ro—” I stopped mid-sentence. “No! Tell the Duke to go back! Not today! Tell him to come tomorrow!”

I didn’t want Kasion to see the bed he had gifted me in the guest room. What if he misunderstood and felt disappointed?

* * *

“Ariel.”

I really don’t know what the knights are doing. How could they just let Kasion through so easily? Would they act the same if Viscount Kainum came?

“You’re here, Kasion. But why are you alone? Where’s the priest?” Caught off guard by Kasion’s gaze, I blurted out a meaningless question.

Kasion frowned as he looked at me. “You told me to go back?”

His expression was similar to when I first met him. Straight eyebrows, sharp eyes extending sideways.

I knew what that meant. He is angry, just like back then. Back when he didn’t want to come but was dragged by the former duke and duchess, grumbling the whole time. He later claimed it was because he thought I was cute, but that was nonsense.

“Yes, well, it’s just that I’m not ready yet…”

“Didn’t Serhen tell you what’s happening right now?”

“Oh, you mean Viscount Kainum?”

Kasion nodded. His eyebrows relaxed a little, looking somewhat pitiful. “Yes. He couldn’t have escaped alone. He must have had help. That means someone could easily sneak into this house as well.”

“Do you think the person helping him is a servant from the Mellin family?”

Was my hunch right?

Kasion smiled and patted my head, his touch tickling. “Your judgment has become quite sharp.”

At some point, he raised his hand, slipping his fingers through my hair. Last time, he had stroked it just as secretly and sensually.

At times like this, that novel feels too accurate.

I squeezed my eyes shut despite deciding not to doubt him anymore.

“Gasp!”

But closing my eyes was a mistake. The sensation of his fingers on my scalp felt even more intense, making my hands and feet curl up involuntarily.

“That tickles, Kasion.”

When I hunched my shoulders, he withdrew his hand. As I cautiously opened my eyes, Kasion smiled; his lips curved into a beautiful smile that would have made confessing my feelings right then and there seem natural.

“Sorry, I don’t get many chances to stroke your hair, so I got carried away.”

“I’m not a puppy,” I grumbled without thinking.

It’s still too early to confess to him. After I meet that gypsy and everything is certain, I’ll confess in a grand way. Of course, after persuading Serhen too.

“Right. That’s why Serhen always teased me, saying, ‘You can’t do that with Ariel, can you?’”

How childish. I chuckled at this side of Serhen I hadn’t known before.

Still, I had to send Kasion back quickly. We didn’t have time to joke around.

“Anyway, you should go home today. I haven’t finished preparing the guest room yet. The knights will be on guard, so don’t worry.”

Selvia, who had been standing by, glanced at me briefly but kept her mouth shut.

“I don’t need the guest room.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t plan on sleeping there anyway.”

Then where was he planning to sleep?

NOTICE

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