16.
Victor called out to the two maids in a dry voice.
“You two.”
“Ah, Manager Victor.”
The maids quickly lowered their heads in response to Victor.
Victor’s gaze swept up and down the maids before he suddenly asked with a sneer in his voice.
“Where have you been?”
The maids looked at each other briefly before cautiously answering.
“W-well, we were running errands for Lady Elze…”
“Elze?”
In an instant, sparks seemed to ignite in Victor’s eyes.
“Ha, Elze. That damned woman!”
It seemed Victor was completely unaware of my presence here. His relentless stream of profanity, delivered with a grumbling voice, made it evident.
“If it weren’t for the Marquis, she’d be nothing. And yet she dares to embarrass me in front of the students? Without any sense of propriety!”
“Manager, your voice is too loud.”
“What do I care if someone overhears?”
The maids seemed rather flustered.
Victor scolded the maids again.
“So, what kind of errand did that Elze girl send you on?”
“What? It wasn’t anything special. We just delivered tea and pastries to Lady Martin, the Countess.”
“…Countess Martin?”
Suddenly, Victor’s face took on a strange expression as he stared at the maids.
“You mean Brigitte Martin?”
“Yes. Lady Elze personally instructed us to do so.”
“Hmph.”
Victor snorted.
“They seem to be quite chummy. Two inadequate beings suit each other well.”
After that, Victor extended his hand towards the maids.
“Here, take it.”
“Yes?”
“This, this is…”
The maids’ eyes widened in surprise.
And no wonder, each of their hands held gleaming silver coins.
“It’s for you.”
Victor lowered his voice discreetly.
“From now on, keep me informed about what that Elze woman is up to. Report back to me promptly.”
“But…”
“Just gather whatever information you can.”
Whispering like that, Victor’s lips curved into a sly smile.
“How about it? If you do a good job, I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of, so to speak.”
In an instant, the maids’ eyes glinted with greed.
* * *
After the maids and Victor scattered in different directions, I emerged from the hidden room.
‘So… Victor is finally becoming cautious of me.’
I tilted the corner of my lips slightly.
Until now, he had been disregarding me as an empty-headed villain, but lately, it seemed that a sense of crisis had set in.
‘If that’s the case, I should find a way to ease his suspicions.’
Coincidentally, I now had two sparrows that would bring me news of Victor.
Furthermore, I had carried one notorious reputation like a label for a long time.
‘The foolish and extravagant villain.’
Now was the time to use that prejudice to my advantage.
* * *
A few days later, Victor unexpectedly received some news.
“So, that woman, Elze, is going out tomorrow?”
“Yes. I heard that she’s going to the wardrobe to have a new dress fitted.”
The maids who had received the silver coins previously came rushing in, eager to report Elze’s movements.
“Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard.”
After handing a silver coin to each maid and sending them away, Victor rubbed his chin with satisfaction.
Lately, Elze had been interfering in Victor’s affairs, and it had been quite annoying.
Finally, it seemed she had returned to her usual extravagant and empty-headed self.
“If that Elze hadn’t stolen the letter…”
Although Elze claimed she hadn’t taken the letter, who else could have taken it?
‘If only I had that letter, I could have made a big profit and used it against her.’
Of course, as long as he continued to work as the caretaker of the boarding school, he would have more opportunities. However, the bitterness couldn’t be helped.
Victor, who was savoring his snacks again, narrowed his eyes.
‘But speaking of that, Elze… She seemed quite unpleasant during the tea time the other day.’
At that time, Elze behaved as if she could completely see through Victor’s thoughts.
Victor harbored deep-seated inferiority complexes towards the nobility he had as a steward. Because of these feelings of inferiority, he had tried to exert control over the students in this boarding school, even in his role as a steward.
He had blabbered as if he knew everything.
To be honest… it was eerie.
But…
‘Well, it’s just Elze after all.’
With just a pretty face, she managed to become the lover of the Marquis of Offenheir, using her power recklessly even though it wasn’t hers.
If it weren’t for the Marquis, she would have been sold to a nobleman long ago and probably would have never been seen in the Institute.
“Tsk.”
Victor clicked his tongue briefly and leaned back in his soft chair.
‘That girl isn’t worth worrying about; she’s in the palm of my hand.’
Victor twisted the corner of his lips into a sly smile.
* * *
At that moment, in Lucian’s solitary cell…
I was reviewing the events of the morning.
‘By now, the maids have probably reported my outing schedule to Victor.’
To subtly leak my destination to Victor’s sparrows, I had moved quite carefully.
First, I had called the sparrows Victor had his hands on early in the morning and let them overhear my breakfast plans.
As an excuse for the morning meal, I had placed them in my room.
Then I rummaged through the wardrobe, becoming increasingly annoyed.
‘What in the world is this dress supposed to be…?’
I threw one of the dresses in my hand onto the floor and stepped on it mercilessly.
Then I sighed deeply while rubbing my forehead.
‘Ugh, how can I meet the Marquis in such a shabby dress?’
…Well, to be honest, all the dresses in the wardrobe were packed with similar ones.
They were indeed sophisticated enough to be worn at royal gatherings, but still, it was frustrating.
I decided to overlook them with blurry eyes.
‘Really, I should contact Madame Tilda right away.’
By the way, Madame Tilda was the owner of one of the most prestigious clothing shops in the city.
As I muttered impatiently, I felt the maids behind me exchanging secret glances.
Well, I had been speaking so blatantly to the point that if they couldn’t even guess my whereabouts after hearing my soliloquy, it would be a failure on their part.
However, even if the maids found out their owner’s whereabouts, it was a virtue for them to keep their lips sealed.
Especially since I was ostensibly Dante’s lover, and monitoring my movements was tantamount to challenging Dante’s authority.
While it was a principle that my whereabouts should not leak to anyone, “sparrows” couldn’t be trusted to keep a secret.
Victor’s bribes were quite tempting, after all.
“Hey, you.”
Just as I was being called, I snapped back to my senses.
“Why are you so lost in thought?”
Lucian was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
Oh, that’s right. I came to bring dinner for Lucian.
“Come to think of it, I forgot to mention it to the Duke.”
I gave Lucian a cheeky smile.
“Well, it seems I won’t be able to visit the Duke tomorrow.”
“…”
Then, Lucian stiffened his plump shoulders.
Huh?
I was momentarily bewildered.
But since Lucian’s expression was as vacant as usual, I thought maybe I had seen wrong.
So, I just explained in a mumbled manner.
“Others will bring your meal. Don’t refuse and make sure to eat.”
Honestly, leaving Lucian behind was a bit bothersome, but when looking back at the original content, there was really no one within the boarding school who posed a threat to Lucian.
Until the female protagonist of the original story appeared, Dante had only thought of Lucian as a source of consistent income.
Since Dante, the owner of the boarding school, held Lucian in high regard, no one else would dare lay a finger on him.
Then why did Lucian’s peaceful life at the boarding school turn into a living nightmare?
It was all because of the ‘original Elise,’ who equally subjected everyone except Dante to her wickedness…
But at that moment…
Clank.
The sound of utensils clashing against a plate rang sharply.
Lucian, who had set down his cutlery, pushed the food tray aside as if he had lost his appetite.
And then…
“Why won’t you be able to come tomorrow?”
… Somehow, Lucian’s voice sounded somewhat edgy.
Was this just my imagination?
17.
Hmm, I’m not sure why the evaluation suddenly went awry.
Since I didn’t want to provoke the feelings of the male protagonist, who is destined to tear me apart in the future, I replied calmly.
“I’m planning to go out tomorrow.”
“Go out? Where are you going?”
“Well, um…”
In truth, I had a lot to do tomorrow. To utilize the sparrows at a crucial moment, I intentionally leaked some information about my destination. I also intended to relax in my role as a luxurious villainess after a long time and, for the sake of my survival, plan to meet the male protagonist 2.
“Just thinking of taking a break for a change.”
Since I couldn’t spill all of that, I just said it like that.
Lucian pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.
“…”
Huh, why is he acting like that? When I first saw his face today, Lucian didn’t seem to be in a bad mood. But now, he somehow seemed… a bit sulky.
‘Could it be that he’s upset because I’m going out alone?’
After all, Lucian is confined to this cell. If I keep going on about going out for a change by myself, it’s natural for him to feel left out. Moreover, I’m the one who contributed to locking Lucian up in this boarding school.
My conscience pricked me, so I glanced at Lucian discreetly.
“Is there something you’d like to eat, need, or want?”
“No.”
He responded curtly. Did he really get upset about this…?
I felt a cold sweat running down my spine.
“Then I’ll go buy some snacks.”
Trying to sound as affectionate as possible, I pouted as if Lucian could hear me.
“Do I look like a kid begging for snacks in your eyes?”
“No, it’s not like that…”
As I carefully chose my words, I eventually lowered my gaze.
“I just want to buy something delicious for the Duke.”
“…”
Lucian furrowed his brow slightly.
“…Do as you wish.”
Since he seemed somewhat less moody than before, I finally felt a bit relieved.
Lucian awkwardly averted his gaze towards the wall.
Ahem, well.
After clearing his throat a couple of times, he finally asked me.
“Speaking of going out, does it take a long time? I mean…”
However, Lucian hesitated for a moment and swallowed his words.
What did he want to say exactly?
I cocked my head in confusion but quickly adjusted my mindset.
Well, there’s a saying, ‘Don’t scratch where it doesn’t itch.’ Especially in a situation where Lucian is already upset with me…
‘Good words probably won’t come out anyway.’
So, I decided it might be best to just be honest with Lucian’s question.
“It depends on the circumstances, but it might take a while.”
“…”
Huh, Lucian’s gaze at the wall seemed to become even more intense for some reason.
But considering the distance, there was nothing I could do about it.
Rose cross Boarding School was located on Dante’s estate near the capital, and it took about 30 minutes by carriage to reach the center of the capital.
They say it takes almost an hour round trip.
But because I could see Lucian’s mood deteriorating in real-time, I hastily added, “I’ll still try to come back as early as possible.”
“Whether you do or don’t, do as you wish,” Lucian finally replied flatly.
Lucian looked like a young man of my age for the first time, and I wondered if he would have been more emotionally open as an adult if he had grown up without worries under his parents’ care.
‘It’s quite amusing,’ I couldn’t help but curl my lips.
I, a disposable villainess who should be worried about her survival right now, worrying about someone else, of all people.
However…
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Lucian.
* * *
Waiting for Lucian to finish his meal, I said, “Well, see you later,” as Elze left with just a gentle farewell.
Lucian leaned against the wall.
‘Why did I question her actions so intensely?’ He was confused.
The question he had suddenly thrown at Elze was still swirling in his mind.
[Speaking of going out, does it take a long time? I mean…]
And, the question that I couldn’t bring myself to ask Elze.
‘Has she never come looking for me even once?’
Could it be that I…
Was disappointed that she never came to find me?
‘No, that can’t be.’
Lucian shook his head to dismiss Elze’s lingering thoughts.
After all, in this dreadful boarding school, she was the only person who shared the same goal as Lucian.
Both of them dreamed of “escape.”
So… that’s the reason.
Lucian resolved himself in that way.
However, the traces of her whispering pink hair…
…just wouldn’t fade away.
* * *
The next day.
I finally managed to sneak out of the boarding school after a long time.
I rode in a carriage for a while, then entered Antive Street, where only the finest shops gathered, even in the capital.
Naturally, the first place I visited was Tilda’s clothing store.
It was one of the top luxury clothing stores in the capital, and it was always crowded with noble ladies shedding tears because they couldn’t even afford a handkerchief from there.
Of course, in the original work, Elze frequented the shop with Dante as her benefactor.
However…
‘No one’s here?’
I squinted my eyes and looked around.
At the entrance of the clothing store, elegantly adorned following the latest trends in Jido, there were only attendants lined up, ready to greet customers.
There was no sign of any customers’ shadows.
“Welcome.”
Starting with this greeting, the attendants politely bowed to me.
Moreover…
“We’ve been waiting for you, Lady Lepherian!”
It wasn’t anyone else but Madam Tilda, the owner of the dressing room, who quickly came running out.
“It’s truly an honor to meet you like this.”
Madam Tilda seemed warm and friendly, but I noticed something.
The corners of her lips, tinged with a smile, were trembling slightly.
It seemed like she was quite nervous…
“Today, we’ve canceled all the reservations we had.”
Huh?
I doubted my ears.
I only asked for a reservation for the dressing room; I didn’t say anything about clearing out the entire dressing room.
In that moment, a sharp memory passed through my mind…
<Aren’t you telling me to get fitted for a dress with other women right now?!>
…were the angry words of the original Elze.
Faced with the original Elze’s arrogance, I was rendered speechless.
“You can choose your dress without being disturbed by anyone.”
“…”
It seemed that Madam Tilda interpreted my silence in another way.
“I will make sure you have no reason to be angry. So please…”
‘Let’s just take a look around first.’
Seeing Madam Tilda nervously sweating and scrutinizing my reaction, I decided to stop there.
It was only then that Madam Tilda’s face turned pale.
“Yes! I’ll be your guide!”
Well, since things had come to this point anyway…
It seemed that it would raise fewer suspicions if I followed the same actions as the original Elze.
So, what I had to do from now on was…
‘Money.’
I needed to extravagantly spend Dante’s money, the male protagonist 3 who would eventually try to kill me.
* * *
And so, about an hour later…
I made a grand gesture of spending approximately 100,000 derks from Dante’s overflowing wealth in one go.
For reference, 100,000 derks could buy not only the finest townhouses in Jido but also carriages with servants in tow.
The method of spending money recklessly was quite simple.
After confidently walking into the center of the clothing store and taking a quick look around, you can simply say, ‘Give me everything from here to here.’
Meanwhile, on Madame Tilda’s face, behind her composed demeanor, there was a mixture of happiness and fear. She was probably delighted by the enormous revenue I had brought in, but also worried that I might call for an unreasonable delivery schedule.
I glanced back at Madame Tilda for a moment.
“When will the dresses be ready?”
“Oh, that… It might take a little time…”
I didn’t intend to scold her, but Madame Tilda’s voice trembled in an instant.
I nodded my head to reassure her.
“It’s not something I need urgently, so you can take your time.”
“…Really?”
For a moment, Madame Tilda seemed to doubt her ears.
Ah, right.
Considering the original Elze’s personality, she wouldn’t have shown consideration for others, saying “You can take your time.”
So, I quickly added the phrase that the original Elze used to live by.
“Don’t deliver the dresses directly to the boarding school, okay?”
“Yes, of course. We’ll keep them safe here, so please come and pick them up when you need them.”
The “original Elze” was an arrogant and luxurious villainess, yet surprisingly sensitive to being criticized by others. So, while spending money recklessly, she wanted to hide her indulgences in any way possible.
The method Elze came up with was to pay storage fees to keep the items I purchased in the clothing store’s warehouse. But wouldn’t it be better not to buy them in the first place? After all, with the dresses I had bought so far, I could wear them for a lifetime.
“Well, if I have the items delivered to the boarding school, Elze’s dressing room will probably burst at the seams.”
Having convinced myself, I bid farewell to the people in the clothing store and slipped outside.
Now, it’s time to meet the male protagonist 2, Benedict Lunebourg.
18.
I strolled leisurely along Antive Street, as if taking a walk.
Before long, my destination came into view.
It was a pie specialty shop.
In front of the fresh mint-colored building with a chocolate-colored roof, there was a charming promotional sign that read:
<Try our tangy and sweet lemon pie! It’s delicious!>
Next to the text was a mischievously smiling face.
I entered the pie shop.
Ding-ling…
The golden paper chime hanging on the wall announced the arrival of a customer.
“Welcome!”
A cheerful greeting reached my ears.
I had heard some whispers about this place being a hidden gem, and it seemed that those rumors were indeed true.
The small pie shop was filled with customers, occupying every available seat.
I confidently walked towards the counter.
“Are you ready to order?”
A male cashier greeted me warmly.
He had a rather unremarkable appearance, to be honest.
Untidy, sandy-brown hair and plain facial features.
If he passed by you on the street, you’d probably never remember his ordinary appearance.
Smiling at him, I calmly placed my order.
“I’d like a slice of cherry pie, please.”
The cashier’s eyes widened for a moment.
“Cherry pie?”
“Yes. And please serve it with some whipped cream.”
Upon hearing that, the cashier lowered his head apologetically.
“I’m sorry, but we’ve sold out of cherry pie, ma’am.”
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
I shrugged my shoulders with a face that showed no disappointment at all and spoke again.
“In that case, would peach pie be available? I’d also like to order a lime juice.”
“We currently have only one slice of peach pie left. How would you like to proceed?”
“In that case, please pack the remaining slice. And…”
As I extended my sentence, as if I had just remembered something, I added, “One egg tart and a coffee. I’ll have those here in the shop.”
In reality, this conversation didn’t hold any special significance.
Cherry pie, whipped cream, peach pie, lime juice, egg tart, and coffee.
It’s the sequence of these words being mentioned in the conversation that mattered.
The cashier, who nodded in agreement, smiled warmly and opened his mouth.
“Alright, please wait a moment.”
After entrusting the counter to another cashier, the original cashier approached me with brisk steps.
“Will you follow me?”
And then, I understood.
Despite hiding his emotions behind a kind smile, it was clear that this cashier was standing up straight right now.
* * *
The cashier guided me to the back of the shop.
“Here you are, ma’am.”
Afterward, I arrived at my destination.
“Oh.”
I opened my mouth in surprise.
I had expected this to be a discreet and secretive space for confidential conversations, so it was quite unexpected to find a normal study here.
However, the study consisted of a spacious walnut wood desk, piles of books, a small table, and a couple of random, hardback chairs.
It gave off a somewhat cluttered vibe.
“I apologize. Since this is my personal study, it’s not suitable for receiving guests.”
The waiter greeted me in a tone that didn’t sound apologetic at all and brought over two chairs to place in front of the table.
Then, he gestured for me to sit.
In any case, I was the one feeling disappointed, so I obediently took a seat.
The waiter stared at me with an expressionless face.
“So, what can I assist you with?”
Magic in this world had a very utilitarian aspect to it.
In essence, magic was an ancient relic, and it had almost disappeared in the modern era, making it extremely rare and difficult to come by. Magic items themselves were scarce and expensive, with prices that reached the sky. Furthermore, they wouldn’t work without a nearly impossible-to-attain power source known as mana.
Therefore, for ordinary people, it was like having a cake from a picture book.
In other words, you needed to become a male protagonist to be able to use it.
For example…
‘It’s like the kind of person who works as a waiter right in front of me.’
As described in the original work, all three male protagonists could freely use magic.
‘It seems like the author took shortcuts with the magic system, probably because it was too lazy to establish various plausibilities, right?’
I thought sarcastically and leaned back in the chair.
“First, before I tell you what I want, don’t you think we should at least have some level of trust in each other for a smooth conversation to take place?”
“Trust?”
“Having a minimum level of trust is essential when having an honest conversation with someone hiding their true identity, don’t you think?”
Benedict’s expression showed a hint of discomfort. I casually continued, “Isn’t that right, Count Luneburg?”
The waiter’s gaze took on a somewhat surprised look. Then, he let out a short laugh and subtly turned his ring on his finger. Like mixing water with water, the nondescript waiter’s appearance completely disappeared, and an intellectually handsome young man sat across from me.
“We meet.”
I felt a bit tense inwardly. This world’s male protagonist No. 2, Benedict Luneburg, was quite an outstanding character in many ways. For starters, he held the highest position in the Empire, known as the Summit of Schmaikel. The nearly fallen Luneburg Count became a central noble of the Empire, rising to power after Benedict founded the Summit of Schmaikel and gained control over the Empire’s distribution.
But that wasn’t all. Benedict operated an information network alongside running the Summit of Schmaikel, using the information he obtained through his operations.
No, he was a figure equivalent to the Summit of Schmaikel, and he still found time to work as a waiter and play as an informant at a pastry shop. That was impressive in its own right, but in any case…
Benedict’s actions in the original work could be summarized roughly like this: Lucian and Dante wanted to monopolize the original female lead, and Benedict dug into their monopolistic desires. He benefited greatly by shifting between the two male leads.
Well, later on, he was influenced by the original female lead’s kindness and affection and ended up falling in love with her.
Benedict stared at me with a slightly uneasy expression. “How did you figure out my identity?”
Well, that was something from the original work, but… I just chuckled casually. “It wouldn’t be fun if I told you already, right?”
Well, I couldn’t tell him the truth, but if I said something like, ‘This world is the setting of a reverse harem decadent romance fantasy novel I read in my past life, and you’re one of the male leads who is passionately devoted to the female lead,’ I’d probably be treated as a crazy person.
I decided to get straight to the point. “I want to buy information.”
“Well, that depends on the lady’s circumstances. We don’t just sell information to anyone.”
“That’s right. That’s why I’d like to make a wager.”
I paused for a moment. In truth, I had some valuable information, but it felt a bit wasteful to use it right now. I decided to save it for later when I needed funds for my escape.
“So, you’re planning to invest in the Romdio Territory in the west?”
At my question, the violet-colored eyes widened. Well, it was understandable. At this point, I suppose he was only considering the idea, and he hadn’t told anyone yet.
I shrugged and continued, “If it were me, I wouldn’t make that investment.”
“Why not?”
The Romdio Territory was currently embroiled in a dispute over succession. Lady Romdio, the eldest daughter and acting lord, had been governing the Romdio Territory for a long time. Then there was the ten-year-old Lord Romdio, the younger brother. These two sturdy siblings were fiercely competing for the position of successor.
Well, Lady Romdio had some integrity. She didn’t abandon her younger brother and sent him to the Rose Cross Academy, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Of course, it was more accurate to say that the deceased protected her younger brother like a fortress.
But anyway, “The situation in Romdio is chaotic, so I assume you plan to invest and profit as soon as possible, right? But in my opinion, that chaotic situation will likely be resolved very quickly. Maybe within a month?”
This was information from the original work. It was one of the rare cases where Benedict, known as the “Golden Hand,” experienced a bitter failure. In particular, this case was considered by Benedict to be his “most painful failure.”
As soon as he made the investment, Lady Romdio achieved a perfect victory, and to make matters worse, the mine Benedict had invested in was owned by the younger half-brother. Benedict ended up losing all the money he had invested.
In the original work, it was described as a loss that hurt his pride even more than the money he lost. He used that painful memory as a stepping stone and continued to grow the Summit of Schmaikel.
Benedict narrowed his eyes sharply. “On what basis?”
“Well, let’s just say it’s a woman’s intuition.”
My shameless answer left Benedict momentarily speechless, and he gave me a look of disbelief.
19.
But as expected of the male protagonist in this world, he quickly composed his expression.
“So, in your opinion, who is likely to win?”
“Well, I think Lady Romdio will.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to invest in Lady Romdio from now on?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Even though Lord Romdio may have lost, the Romdio family’s external supporters are quite powerful, aren’t they?”
“And the Summit of Schmaikel dominates the entire empire’s distribution network.”
In the first place, the reason Summit of Schmaikel had accumulated immense wealth was due to recognizing the importance of the distribution network and proactively investing in it.
I grinned with a mischievous smile.
“To operate the distribution network smoothly, it’s essential to get support from the nobles in each territory.”
“Are you saying…”
“It might be better if you don’t get involved in the succession dispute at all.”
Perhaps Benedict’s mind was busy with various calculations.
I subtly baited Benedict.
“How about it? If my words turn out to be accurate, will you agree to give me the information I want?”
Even so, Benedict seemed hesitant, so I pressed on.
“It won’t be a big loss for the Viscount, will it?”
Benedict defensively asked me, “What if Lady’s prediction is wrong? What will you do then?”
“I will ask for the estimated amount that you calculated to be gained from investing in Romdio.”
Benedict’s eyes narrowed when I mentioned the exact amount.
“…Are you aware of the exact amount before you say this?”
“Isn’t it roughly around 1 million derks?”
I accurately pinpointed the amount, and it seemed to surprise Benedict as his face stiffened.
Still, he asked, “I don’t think you have that much money.”
“Of course, I don’t, but my lover does.”
I chuckled nonchalantly.
“Of course, if my lover could squeeze that much money out of his pockets, he’d definitely hang my head from the top of the Clock Tower in Rose Cross.”
I placed my thumb and bent over.
I locked eyes with Benedict.
“That’s how seriously I’m taking this bet.”
Staring straight into his amethyst-like eyes, I declared, “I’m staking my life on it.”
“…”
After a long silence, Benedict asked me, “Then what information do you want, Lady?”
Good.
I gleamed with anticipation.
“There’s a steward named Victor at Rose Cross School.”
“Victor?”
“Yes. I want to know as much as possible about this person’s actions, as well as how any suspicious meetings are conducted if they occur.”
The information about Victor in the original work was roughly like this.
Victor was once a member of an organization that dominated the underworld.
Of course, since Dante took control of the underworld and ruled it, that organization had thoroughly collapsed.
However, some of them who had survived the organization’s downfall had decided to seek revenge for their organization and a wealthy life.
So, they planned to sell information about the students admitted to Rose Cross School.
There were quite a few students who were secretly brought in from the outside world at the school.
If their information leaked out, it would not only be troublesome for Dante but also for the guardians who had sent the students to the boarding school.
Especially, information about Lucian was top-secret, and Victor intended to use that information.
He would blackmail Viscount Craig, saying.
‘I know you put Lucian in the boarding school,’and extort a large sum of money from him.
‘However, the problem is that Dante already knows everything about Victor.’
If only Victor had succeeded in stealing the information.
I might have chosen to take Victor’s side and quickly get Lucian out of there.
“The legitimate and only heir of the Duchy Kaleid is, in fact, illegally admitted to Rose Cross School.”
That fact alone is the only way to bring down this terrible boarding school.
But Victor had already failed.
Though he might not know it yet, he was in a situation where he was only given a little more time to live because Dante was exposing him.
In this situation, maybe…
‘I should just catch Victor and use him to gain Dante’s favor.’
However, the problem was that I didn’t know exactly how Victor was connected to the organization.
At this point, if we were to compare it, it was the time when there was an accumulation of the past between the male protagonists and the villainess Elze.
Naturally, Elze didn’t even appear in detail in the past, or more precisely, there would be no detailed description of the past that didn’t even include the female protagonist.
“Victor… Victor, right?”
Meanwhile, Benedict, who had been pondering the name, nodded.
“I understand for now.”
“Does that mean you accept the bet I proposed?”
“Yes.”
Well, this was quite a satisfying result.
I nodded contentedly.
Objectively, Benedict was treating me quite favorably.
He must be curious about how I knew his true identity.
But he didn’t ask about that part at all.
Perhaps, due to Benedict’s perfectionist personality, he would investigate it himself…
“Anyway, the more I continue to face Benedict and lock eyes with him, the more I am at a disadvantage.”
I could accidentally make a slip of the tongue.
Above all, Benedict was well-practiced in observing people as part of his role as an information broker.
Being careful not to step on his tail was something that made me nervous on this side too.
‘It’s better to withdraw for today’
Anyway, all the tasks were done.
I got up.
“Today was a very informative conversation. I hope we can meet again next time.”
Mumbling a few words like that, I calculated the timing to say goodbye to Benedict.
But…
“Please wait a moment.”
Surprisingly, Benedict grabbed me.
“You ordered cherry pie, didn’t you?”
“Yes?”
Suddenly, what’s with this nonsense?
I raised an eyebrow, but Benedict produced a pie box from somewhere and handed it to me.
The sweet aroma of the pie wafted through the paper box.
I muttered in confusion.
“They said all the cherry pies were sold out, right?”
“That’s for regular customers.”
Benedict replied without batting an eyelid.
“Everyone says our shop’s specialty is lemon pie, but in reality, the cherry pie is the best.”
“But why don’t you focus on selling cherry pies?”
“Here, I’m not a merchant but an information broker.”
Benedict shrugged his shoulders.
“Merchants and information brokers need different selling strategies.”
“Diversification of strategies, is that it?”
“More or less. Merchants typically sell good quality products to as many people as possible to maximize profits. But information brokers…”
Benedict’s voice lowered discreetly.
“Primarily use a method of providing information exclusively to a small number of customers who have the highest investment value to profit.”
I glanced at Benedict with curiosity.
He was just smiling like a picture.
Hmm, I can’t quite grasp what he’s thinking.
“Then, Count, have you considered me as a customer with investment value… Can I interpret it that way?”
“For now, yes.”
Benedict nodded and then added indifferently.
“Of course, before that, Lady, you must win the bet with me.”
Well, in that case…
“Do you know, Count Luneburg?”
I moved my steps silently and leaned toward Benedict.
As if whispering a very important secret, I murmured quietly.
“I never engage in bets where there’s a chance of losing. Because…”
Then, I looked up at Benedict and playfully narrowed my eyes.
“The world I live in is so harsh that once you lose, there’s no next.”
“…No next? What do you mean?”
“Why are you asking the obvious?”
I made a gesture as if drawing a line across my throat, looking at Benedict with a somewhat perplexed expression.
“Because it means death.”
20.
‘That’s what I’m going to do.’
Leaving behind just that cold statement, Elze departed.
[…Lady Lepherian.]
Benedict revisited what he knew about Elze.
A woman obsessively fixated on the Marquis Offenheir.
And a daughter who was almost abandoned in the Lepherian Viscounty.
The Lepherian Viscounty was a highly esteemed noble family even in aristocratic society, known for their wealth and influence.
In truth, the title of Viscount Lepherian was not inherited from Elze’s father but from her mother, who was the sole heiress of the Viscounty. However, after Elze’s father married into the Lepherian Viscounty, he assumed the title on behalf of his wife.
The seemingly blissful life of the Viscount couple was shattered when a long-concealed secret about Elze’s father came to light. It was revealed that he had a son with his concubine before his marriage.
Elze’s mother, shocked and distressed, fell ill and eventually passed away, while Elze’s father remarried, as if he had been waiting for this revelation.
During all this, Elze rebelled against her father’s actions. Her father, annoyed by his daughter from a previous marriage, tried to marry her off for a good dowry.
Given Elze’s outstanding beauty, it seemed like a perfect plan, but…
[I’d rather die than marry like that!]
After swallowing pills several times, jumping into the river, and rebelling to extremes, Elze finally managed to secure the position of the Marquis Offenheir’s lover.
Subsequently, she became the manager of the Rose Cross Residential School, shedding her reputation as a luxurious, arrogant, and foolish villain…
‘Actually meeting Lady Lepherian, she didn’t seem like that kind of person.’
Communication flowed smoothly, her intellect was exceptional, and her judgment was sound. The notoriety surrounding Elze seemed to be only skin-deep and had not reached her true essence.
‘Furthermore… How did she find out?’
Benedict’s true identity.
He had kept his role as an information operative separate from his role as a merchant, not even disclosing it to his family.
Those who knew that Benedict was operating as an information agent could be counted on one hand within the entire Empire.
All of them were working undercover as clerks in this pastry shop…
As Benedict pondered these thoughts deeply,
“Excuse me, my lord.”
A clerk cautiously called Benedict.
“What should we do about the investigation requested by Lady Lepherian?”
“For now, proceed with it.”
“Understood.”
The clerk nodded and then left.
Benedict leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
‘Lady Lepherian.’
The street that had casually drawn near.
A sweet fragrance that tickled the tip of the nose.
Honey-colored eyes gazing up at him.
The sight, reminiscent of a perfectly blooming deep pink rosebud.
Strangely, it flickered within his blurred vision.
* * *
Before I knew it, the sun was setting gently, and it seemed like I had lingered at the Pie Shop for quite some time.
As I walked toward the carriage waiting area with quick steps, I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
A small square had come into view.
A charming fountain sprayed a refreshing stream of water.
Around it, small street vendors selling ice cream and snacks were scattered here and there.
“Mom!”
I watched as children ran into their mother’s embrace.
Families holding hands, strolling together.
Friends engaged in chattering conversations.
Even lovers exchanging sweet glances.
… Everyone seemed happy.
However, amidst this scene, a child running joyfully with an ice cream cone suddenly stumbled on something, and I instinctively caught the child’s shoulder.
“You should be careful.”
But the problem was that just as the child was about to fall, the ice cream the child was clutching spilled onto an expensive dress.
The ice cream left a messy stain on the dress.
“Oh!”
The startled child looked at me with wide eyes.
“I-I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay.”
I smiled and shook my head.
Well, it really was okay.
Elze had a closet full of dresses, and I had ordered a new one at the clothing store today.
“…”
At that moment, the child gazed at me with a somewhat entranced look.
‘Why are you staring like that?’
I was tilting my head when, all of a sudden, the child’s mother rushed in, flustered.
Then, she noticed the stained dress and her expression seemed like she was about to faint.
“Ma’am, I’m so sorry!”
The child’s mother stammered, as she couldn’t even properly form words.
I waved my hand dismissively.
“It’s fine.”
“But, ma’am… the dress…”
She couldn’t seem to articulate her thoughts due to shock.
I clapped my hands roughly.
“It’s done.”
“I… I should at least pay for the cleaning, or…”
The child’s mother, with a pale face, bit her lip.
I gazed at her with mixed feelings.
I knew, I really did. That dress I had casually grabbed from my closet was probably more expensive than that family’s half-year living expenses.
So, was I in a happier position than that family?
Even though they lived in challenging circumstances, they still cherished and loved each other as a harmonious family. On the other hand, I was an aristocrat’s lover, relying on the wealth and power of my lover to act arrogantly and extravagantly. I honestly didn’t know which life was happier.
However, what I desired in life was clear.
That was…
“I’m truly sorry, ma’am. I’ll compensate you in any way, please forgive us…”
The child’s mother now looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.
I finally spoke firmly.
“I said it’s okay.”
“Yes, yes?”
The child’s mother was taken aback for a moment.
I took out my purse.
Under the twilight’s dim light, the gold coins shone coldly.
I clenched a handful of gold coins in a haphazard manner and placed them in the child’s mother’s hand.
“This is for the ice cream.”
“What? Um… hmm.”
In an instant, the child’s mother swallowed a gasp as she gazed down at the gold coins I had given her.
I think someone once said that five gold coins were equivalent to a commoner’s monthly living expenses.
I continued speaking gently.
“Little one, it looks like you like ice cream.”
I gestured to the ground with my chin.
On the ground, there was a mound of ice cream the child had dropped.
“You can use this to buy a new ice cream.”
“Ma’am…”
“Don’t say any more. It’s bothersome.”
With those words, I swiftly turned around.
From behind, I could hear the child’s mumbling in a playful manner.
“Mom, isn’t that lady so pretty?”
“La-lady?!”
The mother panicked, attempting to hold the child back.
“I saw her smile earlier; she was really, really beautiful! Like an angel!”
…An angel.
There couldn’t be a word less fitting for me.
If I were to compare, I was more like the guardian of Rose Cross Residential School, rather than being likened to the gatekeeper of Hell.
Still, the reason I couldn’t stop stroking the corners of my lips unconsciously was that…
‘I smiled in front of that child…’
Most of the time, I smiled deliberately and calculatedly, trying to appear as charming as possible, doing whatever it took to gain someone’s favor. I practiced every detail, from softening my gaze to raising the corners of my lips. But just now, I didn’t do any of that. Without any calculations, I just naturally smiled because of the child’s innocence.
It was the first time.
‘It’s strange, I feel like I’m the odd one out here.’
Watching the peaceful daily lives of ordinary people makes me feel like I’m forcibly placed in an incompatible setting.
Yet, I still yearn to fit into this warm scene, even if just a little, and eagerly crave even a small piece of that warmth.
‘Someday.’
The thought popped into my head unexpectedly.
‘Someday, if I ever escape from this dreadful romantic fantasy world, I should open a shop.’
It could be a coffee house, an ice cream shop, a bookstore, or a general store. As long as it’s a place where I can have periodic conversations with people.
So…
“Oh.”
In that moment, I suddenly realized.
‘I’m lonely’
I bit my lip.
‘This could be problematic.’
It would have been better if I had remained oblivious to it.
Loneliness, once acknowledged, inflates itself at will. When you snap back to your senses, you find yourself constantly seeking reliance from anyone, and you discover a vulnerable side of yourself.
…Even though I knew I didn’t have the luxury to do that.
But then…
“Madam Elze!”
In that moment, my mind cleared as if I had just been splashed with cold water.
It was the coachman from the carriage I had ridden.
He had meticulously dressed as a coachman for Rose Cross Residential School, and when I faced him, the illusion of floating in the air vanished completely.
In its place, a chilling sense of reality swept over me.
‘Yeah, let’s set aside self-pity and brooding for later.’
Right now, the place I had to return to was the most glamorous hell in this empire…
The Rose Shadow Mansion.
