DSMBL Chapter 32

Chapter 032

The banquet ended late. The fact that the Duke and Duchess attended the Irtesia banquet together for the first time in a while was enough to cause a stir.

I was exhausted from dealing with people who desperately wanted to speak to me and Cassius.

“Ahh…”

On top of that, thanks to the performance Cassius and I put on, even the noblewomen trying to impress me were relentless.

In the original novel, Charlotte was described as always leaving early. She couldn’t adapt to the northern social circles, and being fragile, she couldn’t withstand the ostracism. Even when Cassius occasionally attended with her, the relationship between them was described as cold.

But now, within just a month, it seemed like everything had turned around. It must’ve been shocking to people. Not that anyone would know the blood, sweat, and tears I poured into making it happen.

“Luna, what’s Theo doing now?”

“He’s already asleep. He fussed about not wanting to sleep alone, but the head maid calmed him down and tucked him in.”

“That’s a relief. It’s way too late. How’s his studying going?”

“The head maid said it’s still too early to tell and that we should watch for a bit longer.”

Hmm. That means not great.

“How did Theo react to the lessons?”

“He seemed very excited, my lady.”

Of course, he would be. I had promised him that if he worked hard enough to read on his own, I’d take him to see the vast ocean.

If we traveled south to the small harbor in the northern estate, we could see the sea. It wasn’t a major port, but it was enough to enjoy the view. It’d be nice if we could go before winter—before I leave.

“By the way, what’s the tutor’s name? I don’t think I caught it before.”

I hadn’t paid much attention since Cassius had approved the choice.

“Her name is Lorencia Redfield.”

“What?”

“Lorencia… Redfield. Is something wrong, my lady?”

Had my voice been too loud? Luna looked startled.

Lorencia?!

I bit my lip hard.

It wasn’t time for Lorencia to appear yet. Besides, Lorencia wasn’t supposed to show up as Theo’s tutor. She was supposed to appear in the north after meeting with a friend but getting attacked by snow beasts. Cassius was supposed to save her.

In her first scene, her carriage was completely destroyed.

But now, she was suddenly introduced out of nowhere? Could there really be another Lorencia?

“What does she look like?”

“Well… I only saw her briefly, but she had light brown hair and blue eyes. Her hair was wavy, and she wore a neat dress. Did you know her from when you were in the capital?”

I shook my head.

“No, I must’ve mistaken her for someone else.”

Mistaken her? Not likely. The original heroine, Lorencia, had arrived. Quietly, without warning.

“I need some rest, Luna. I’m very tired.”

“Oh, of course. Let me help you change. I’ve prepared the bath, but—”

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Once Luna left, I quickly sank into the bath, curling up in the water to gather my thoughts.

There had to be a reason why the original plot changed this much. Lorencia was supposed to have been recommended by the nanny, wasn’t she?

“Could it be because the nanny is now in charge of the household?”

In the original story, Lorencia and the nanny were introduced as strangers. But if that was a lie, and they were secretly connected, then the original story couldn’t be trusted anymore.

“But the main events are still happening as they did before.”

I had overheard that the snow beasts’ strange behavior continued, keeping Cassius busy.

So, the main events were the same, but Lorencia’s appearance had been moved forward?

“Is it because of me?”

I murmured quietly.

My heart pounded.

I had changed the original story. I saved a child who was supposed to die.

Theo was supposed to lose his life at Charlotte’s hands in the original. And Charlotte was supposed to be kicked out and eventually die too.

I saved both of them because I didn’t want that to happen.

“It shouldn’t have affected the plot this much…”

I chewed on my fingernail.

I tried to be as quiet as possible to avoid altering the original flow of events. I avoided interfering in the heroine’s actions.

In the original, the heroine cleaned up the corrupt villains while Cassius was busy. They had been embezzling money for years…

“Wait!”

Could the nanny have been involved in the embezzlement?

No way!

That wasn’t in the original!

My mind spun as if it had been struck by lightning.

If the nanny had been connected to them all along and told Lorencia about it—then quietly backed out, leaving Lorencia to take the credit—everything made sense.

The nanny had always been especially kind to Lorencia. Although she was portrayed as a helper, she seemed unusually competent.

Come to think of it…

“In the original, the nanny advised her to go to the harbor!”

The very first meeting between Cassius and Lorencia had been changed. It all smelled incredibly suspicious now.

Once I started thinking, a chain of suspicious circumstances came to mind.

In the original, I had read about Lorencia and taken her side, so I hadn’t noticed anything odd.

“Wow, so that’s what it was!”

I felt like my eyes had been opened.

The nanny was a villain. She was ruining Isteria and damaging Theo in the process.

Then what about Lorencia?

If she knew everything the nanny had done but pretended not to and used it to her advantage…

“Is Lorencia a villain too?”

But she’s the heroine!

And how did the nanny know Lorencia would be attacked by snow beasts?

“…Was that a setup too?”

A chill ran down my spine.

If that were true, the nanny had crossed a line that should never be crossed.

I didn’t know the details, but I had the feeling of a massive up.

I sank my head fully into the water.

I just wanted to live quietly.

This is chaos. The original story seemed to flow fine, didn’t it? It ended in a happy ending, right?

What if I messed everything up by getting involved?

The original plot required Lorencia’s help to defeat the monsters. What if that failed now?

Could I take responsibility for that?

It was too risky. Lives were at stake, and once they’re lost, they’re gone forever.

The monster gate was supposed to open next spring.

“Phew!”

I came up for air.

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t come up with a solution.

I knew Lorencia helped to close the gate, but I didn’t know the details.

That part hadn’t been revealed in the story. I had just thought her heroine’s luck was amazing.

“…Maybe I shouldn’t be here at all.”

I swallowed hard.

The Nanny might be a villain to me, but in the grand scheme of the original story, was she really a villain?
And what about Lorencia—was she a villain?

I didn’t think so. They played crucial roles in saving countless lives, and that contribution deserved recognition.

If the monster gate opening was real, Lorencia’s help was essential.

“…This isn’t the time to act emotionally, Charlotte.”

The fate of the North, and perhaps the entire empire, was at stake. It was clear that stepping aside was the right choice for me.

Throb.

Huh?

A sudden, sharp pain pricked my chest, and I placed a hand over it instinctively.

“What is this…?”

I said I wouldn’t get attached. And yet, I already had.

A deep sigh escaped my lips.

How could I not be? Theo, who was so endearing, the people around me who, knowingly or unknowingly, cared for me…
Cassius, who had grown gentler toward me over time.

And my warm bed, this house that had become my home.

Having a place to return to, a safe and stable home—how could that not be a blessing?

Isteria was a good home for me. Warm, comforting, and safe.

“It’s a bit sad,” I admitted to myself.

Of course, the new house would be fine. Theo’s condition had improved significantly, and Cassius would surely arrange a decent place for me.

But that house wouldn’t have Theo, or Luna, or…

What are you thinking, Charlotte? When did you become so close to these people?

Do you plan to ruin everything with your selfish desires? No, of course not. You’re in no position to carry such burdens or chase such absurd dreams.

Forget it. Just forget it.