Calling Kyle out of the blue and speaking in such a grave tone seemed to fluster him completely. He blinked, his face blank with confusion.
“You need my help?”
Suddenly?
His eyes seemed to ask that very question.
“Yes.”
I nodded firmly.
This was something I’d been agonizing over for the past few days—and especially since waking up this morning. Once I’d made up my mind, bringing it up wasn’t as difficult as I had feared.
I clasped my hands together on the desk, my lips moving silently for a moment before I finally asked,
“…Kyle, how much do you know about ‘sorcery’?”
“Sorcery?”
It was clearly another unexpected question for him, judging by the confusion on his face. He tilted his head, his expression growing more puzzled by the second—until, suddenly, his face lit up in shock.
“W-wait. Your Grace, don’t tell me this is about…!”
“If you’re asking whether this is a continuation of what happened a year ago, it’s not. It’s quite the opposite, actually.”
Kyle’s mouth snapped shut, leaving him speechless.
I narrowed my eyes.
“So, you do know what I was running around for a year ago, don’t you?”
“Hic.”
Kyle hiccuped in surprise, while I simply watched him calmly, without any particular reaction.
‘Of course he knows. If rumors were making the rounds among noblewomen, Kyle, of all people, must know the finer details.’
Kyle, who had a knack for uncovering hidden truths and turning them into riveting columns for the Aria Gazette, couldn’t possibly be unaware of Eloise’s intentions.
That said, with his sharp intellect, he likely knew better than to admit it outright or interfere unnecessarily. He was, after all, a wizard who had an uncanny ability to discern what he should and shouldn’t get involved in.
The real question was: how much of Eloise’s actions had Kyle uncovered?
‘Either way, I’ve realized there’s no solving this alone, not with the limited information I have from before my transmigration.’
Although I could make educated guesses based on the letters exchanged between Duke Roger and Eloise, I had reached my limit.
Roger, who seemed deeply entangled in the matter, clearly had no intention of sharing the full story with me.
Even the old woman in the alley, whom I had trusted somewhat, seemed more interested in riddles and games than offering real help.
Out of habit, I touched the bracelet she had once placed on my left wrist, though it now felt like nothing more than an ordinary piece of jewelry. Then, lowering my hand, I asked,
“So, Kyle, how much do you know about what I was up to a year ago?”
Unfortunately, there was no time or energy left to test the waters or beat around the bush.
My direct approach seemed to signal to Kyle just how serious this conversation was, and his expression turned grim.
“…Well. I know that Your Grace…”
“Go on.”
Glancing at me nervously, he hesitated before continuing.
“…That you wished to let go of your title as Duchess and other burdens, to find a place where no one could reach you.”
He phrased it delicately, but the implications were clear.
‘This guy. He knows everything, from beginning to end.’
I was certain he knew everything about Eloise’s actions—everything except the true identity of her so-called “friend,” Duke Roger.
“Well then, no point hiding it now.”
Kyle nervously chewed on his thumbnail at my resolute muttering.
“Your Grace, I really think I shouldn’t hear this. I should pretend I didn’t hear any of this…”
Yeah, fat chance.
“You already know I was investigating ways to disappear from this world, don’t you? And that I even tried to use some sorcery of dubious origin?”
Kyle’s mouth opened and closed silently, confirming my suspicion.
He knew. He had always known.
At this point, I couldn’t help but think: Was Kyle really just a writer for the Aria Gazette? Or was he closer to an industrial spy?
But that wasn’t the point right now.
“Well, Your Grace, you see, I’m a wizard, not a sorcerer…”
Kyle began to stomp his feet in desperation, clearly trying to wriggle out of the situation.
Ignoring his antics, I spoke calmly, laying out my prepared argument.
“I know magic and sorcery are fundamentally different. But I also know that no matter how difficult the task, you’re capable of finding the information I need.”
Kyle’s face crumpled with defeat.
To put it nicely, he looked distressed. To put it bluntly, his expression screamed, I’m screwed.
“Your Grace. Duchess. Haven’t you and His Grace been on unusually good terms lately? Why are you suddenly asking me about this? And before that—no, hold on…”
Kyle’s face turned pale as he sat before me, his expression making it clear he wanted nothing more than to erase this entire conversation from his memory.
‘It would be nice if I could explain everything, but I can’t tell Kyle everything, either.’
No matter how sharp Kyle was, this wasn’t something he could easily comprehend. After all, who would readily believe me if I said I wasn’t the real “Eloise Cloud” and that I had transmigrated into her body from another dimension?
I’d be lucky if I weren’t locked up in a mental hospital.
While I sat silently lost in thought, Kyle, who had been fidgeting nervously all along, finally asked,
“Um, Duchess. Does His Grace know about this?”
“Of course not.”
His face fell into utter despair. Judging by his expression, he probably wanted to knock himself unconscious to forget this whole conversation.
“…I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I am His Grace’s confidant.”
“I know.”
I cut him off with a nod.
No matter how much I had the Arya Gazette as leverage against him, Kyle was Ian’s man, not mine. If I ever acted in a way that went against Ian’s will, Kyle would report it without hesitation.
‘But what’s even worse than that is…’
Ian learning the full truth about this matter, and beyond that, gaining awareness of the nature of this world.
If it were just the fact that I was an “outsider,” that might be manageable, but…
‘What if he realizes this world is a novel?’
The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
Even when I was merely a reader, I had despised Ian Cloud for how coldly he treated Diana. Yet, I’d never denied the tragedy of his childhood.
And now, having seen him up close, I knew he bore even greater responsibilities and guilt than the written words ever conveyed.
But the moment he discovered that all his misfortunes were the result of one author’s whim…
‘Absolutely not.’
I shook my head vehemently, almost compulsively.
It was strange. The person who once hated Ian Cloud more than anyone was now fretting over his potential hurt.
Brushing aside my shallow musings, I turned to Kyle again.
His expression was one of utter misery, as though he might burst into tears at any moment.
“I promise you, I won’t betray the Duke.”
“But, Duchess…”
“Because I love him.”
“Cough—pardon?”
Kyle, who had been desperately trying to dissuade me moments earlier, choked in shock.
“…Pardon me?!”
His jaw dropped so dramatically, it might as well have hit the floor. His eyes practically bulged out of their sockets.
What was so surprising? As I raised an eyebrow to emphasize my point, he hurriedly scooped his jaw back up and clapped his hands over his mouth.
“…Oh my god.”
Now he looked like he wanted to block out his ears instead.
‘You’d think I’d just revealed some earth-shattering secret about the universe.’
Watching his over-the-top reaction, I finally understood why Ian kept Kyle around, despite all his grumbling and nagging.
“Um… Are you really the Duchess? Am I dreaming right now?”
Kyle removed his hands from his mouth and cautiously asked.
“What’s so shocking? It’s not like you didn’t already know.”
“Knowing it and hearing you say it are entirely different things! You’re not the Duchess I know.”
He’s not wrong.
Suppressing a smirk, I clasped my hands together on the desk and spoke firmly.
“I’m not joking. So I want you to trust me and follow my lead. I’m not asking you to understand my intentions.”
“…Huh…”
“I don’t want to hurt Ian. I want to stay by his side as long as possible. That’s why I’m asking for your help.”
Kyle’s expression, which had been filled with shock and bewilderment moments ago, gradually turned serious again.
“So, you’re not planning to leave His Grace, then?”
“I have no interest in some melodramatic nonsense about leaving someone because I love them.”
That trope is so outdated.
“So I hope you’ll help me. I need to learn more about sorcery and any records of it being used.”
“……”
“This isn’t an official order as the Duchess. It’s a personal request. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
Kyle’s ruby-red eyes fixed on me, full of doubt and confusion. Yet, as they say, sincerity can break through anything. After a moment of contemplation, Kyle nodded.
“…If you’re asking so earnestly, I’ll give it a shot.”
Only then did the tension in my clenched hands ease.
“Thank you.”
I smiled, feeling a bit of relief.
‘I’m sure we’ll find a way.’
And no matter what it takes, I’ll stay by his side for as long as I can.
Just wait, Ian Cloud. This noona is about to make something happen.
❖ ❖ ❖
At long last, Diana Lawrence returned.
With an early graduation diploma from the Biblos Academy in hand.
• • •
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