Episode 61. D-day 60(1)

The surprising news came on the morning of the day when I had exactly 60 days left until the ending.

Despite not having a late breakfast at this hour, Percy, who always insisted on watching me eat, was sitting across from me today as well.

‘Today’s soft-boiled egg turned out well.’

I had also gotten used to Percy’s gaze, so I didn’t mind it at all as I munched away at my meal. Then, in a light tone, as if commenting on the clear weather, Percy said,

“Count Bohan has died.”

“What?”

He dropped such unexpected news like a bombshell, leaving me frozen in place. Soon after, a notification sounded, not missing my hesitation.

▶ What does that have to do with me?
▶ He lived longer than I expected.

‘Ah, I let my guard down!’

I should have said something, anything, before the system could interfere.

‘It’s all Percy’s fault. Who delivers news of someone’s death in such a nonchalant tone?’

Anyway, the choices appeared, and I had to pick one. The second one seemed too cruel, so I naturally chose the first one.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“If you ask it that way, I have nothing to say.”

Percy shrugged his shoulders. Then, resting his chin elegantly on the back of his hand, he said,

“I have to attend the funeral, but it’s lonely to go alone.”

Even then, the gloves he wore remained the same.

‘Does he have some kind of scar?’

I tilted my head and chuckled as I stared at the white gloves that looked like a sign of obsessive cleanliness.

“Why has someone who always said they preferred being alone suddenly become lonely?”

Usually, when I said something like this, Percy would respond with a step-back answer. Something like, “I’m worried you’ll be lonely,” or “I’m speaking on behalf of your true feelings,” and so on.

But today, Percy smiled softly, his red eyes narrowing.

“Because you are by my side.”

Facing him as he answered so honestly gave me goosebumps all over. Shivering like someone who suddenly felt a chill, I narrowed my eyes and asked,

“Hey, what happened that night?”

“That night?”

“The night we attended Marchioness Verita’s party.”

Though I couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, I felt he had changed since that night. He seemed more honest and softened.

However, when I asked that, his smile disappeared. Returning to his usual formal expression, he replied in a stiff tone,

“I’ve told you everything. I don’t know what more you expect me to say.”

“……”

Does this man not realize how much more suspicious it is to be so blatantly serious like this?

‘Something definitely happened. Something significant enough to change this man’s mind.’

I waited for him to speak, but his shameless expression made it clear he wouldn’t say anything first. Eventually, feeling weary, I started poking at my fried eggs with a fork, and Percy raised an eyebrow and asked,

“Why are you acting like that?”

“I feel uneasy. It’s frustrating not to have things resolved.”

So just tell me the truth.

Percy was sharp enough to understand what I meant, yet he responded shamelessly.

“Maybe it’s because the weather is changing? I need to buy clothes suitable for the season.”

“That’s definitely not it. I don’t feel like shopping at all.”

The weather was getting hotter, so what was he talking about? We recently rummaged through the wardrobe to prepare a lot of summer clothes.

‘I’ve bought enough to feel there couldn’t be anything cooler.’

I was absolutely against any more shopping. As I stared at him with a determined expression, Percy teased me.

“For a villainess, isn’t luxury a basic trait?”

‘Look at this guy?’

It wasn’t intentional, but it was an unexpected provocation. And not a good one for me.

‘The system is probably watching to see how villainous my response will be.’

If I clumsily said something about thriftiness, it would surely give me another warning.

After briefly rolling my eyes, I dropped the fork onto the plate with a clang. Then, fanning myself, I replied.

“It’s too hot. I feel like wearing nothing at all.”

I’d rather walk around naked than go shopping.

Percy’s face stiffened at my words. He frowned and said,

“That wouldn’t be proper.”

“What’s not proper about it?”

I tapped my collarbone with my fingers and said,

“Don’t you think just wearing a necklace on bare skin would be quite alluring?”

“……”

Percy fell silent. I smirked inwardly.

‘You’re a hundred years too early to lecture me.’

He probably wouldn’t suggest shopping again. Feeling a sense of triumph for having won an argument with Percy for the first time, I continued with a grin.

“In that sense, men are really pitiable. No matter how hot it gets, they have to wear long pants. They can’t even wear shorts, right?”

“People generally consider it undignified.”

“How unfortunate. It would be better if they could wear skirts. They’re so much cooler.”

You enjoyed dressing me up like a doll, didn’t you? How about you try wearing a skirt this time?

It was meant to be a teasing remark, but unexpectedly, Percy answered in a calm tone.

“In the North, men do wear skirts. It was a custom from when tailoring skills weren’t advanced, but now it’s a symbol of bravery.”

“What?”

There were really men wearing skirts in this country?

‘Is it like a Scottish kilt?’

I had heard that in Scotland, plaid skirts symbolized clans, and they still wore them during festivals.

Recalling some reference photos I had seen, I squinted and asked,

“You’re not saying they don’t wear anything under the skirt, are you?”

“Correct. Well, those not from the North might wear underwear.”

“You mean you wore a skirt when commanding in the North?”

“What do you think?”

Percy’s answer was cheerful, almost inexplicably so. Without realizing it, I started imagining Percy in a skirt and shook my head vigorously.

‘That’s a terrifying thought.’

I didn’t mean to disparage traditional culture, but to me, it felt unfamiliar. If I kept pushing the topic, Percy would likely tease me until I felt uncomfortable, so I lifted my head haughtily and changed the subject in a prim tone.

“But I do enjoy watching funerals. It’s fun to witness other people’s misfortunes.”

Percy narrowed his eyes at my words.

“You certainly come up with some wicked remarks.”

‘Does he know I deliberately choose such words?’

When his lukewarm comment made me freeze, Percy smiled gently and added,

“You could simply say you want to go with me.”

“No way!”

Why was he being so serious about such a trivial thing?

‘I won’t be surprised anymore. Who do you think will act as you tease?’

I picked up my fork again and resumed my breakfast. It was a silent protest, signaling that I didn’t want to talk, but Percy naturally continued the conversation with something that piqued my interest.

“And it seems the imperial palace is quite noisy these days.”

I couldn’t ignore it when the topic turned to the imperial palace. I tilted my head in curiosity.

“Why? Did Julius get hurt again?”

“Were you hoping for that?”

“He deserves to get hurt. He has wronged me so much.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

What a shame. When I frowned, Percy dropped another bombshell casually.

“It seems a body was found in the garden of your residence.”

“What?!”

Startled, I couldn’t manage my expression again. A warning message dinged and popped up.

※ Warning: Your behavior was not in line with that of a villainess. (1/3)

‘Ugh, do I have to act like a villainess even in such situations? This is really tough.’

There’s a body found in my front yard, and no matter how villainous I’m supposed to be, who could remain calm about that?

‘It wasn’t me!’

I really wanted to say that. But I hesitated before speaking. I didn’t want to receive another warning.

‘Is it okay to say this or not?’

I was unsure of the boundaries of villainous behavior. As I hesitated, Percy chuckled and responded.

“I know it wasn’t you. How could you possibly have the strength to dig that deep into the ground?”

He hadn’t said a word, yet he seemed to read my mind like a ghost.

I shrugged and muttered.

“…Do you know that you act like a total fox sometimes?”

“I am quite perceptive. Though I don’t usually pay much attention.”

“I should be honored, then.”

He was saying he didn’t care about anyone else’s feelings but mine. I was genuinely grateful, but somehow it felt like mockery because of Sienna’s character.

Percy continued the conversation in a calm tone.

“Even if it’s in your residence, no one would suspect you. The body found was the emperor’s chamberlain.”

“Why would the emperor’s chamberlain be buried there?”

I pursed my lips after asking. The reason would depend on when the body was buried, but there was only one possible cause.

The emperor.

He had disposed of his mess in my residence. Out of all the places in the palace, he chose mine.

What could that mean?

“…I just had a chilling thought. Tell me it’s not true.”

I murmured with a pale face. Percy, seeing my reaction, nodded lightly.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’re probably right.”

“Tell me it’s not true!”

Ugh, this is giving me chills. It was a different kind of chill than when I heard Percy’s flirting.