Episode 2

 

 

“Ugh, gross.”

Anette spat out the blood that had pooled in her mouth. The metallic taste lingered.

Even after spitting it out, her mouth still felt dry and unpleasant.

No matter what, they had raised her like a daughter until she became an adult. Wasn’t this too much?

Sure, Anette had committed countless misdeeds, but… how could they just slap her across the face with that large hand?

“Ow, that hurts.”

And on top of that, they threw her out of the house.

Anette had lived her entire life inside that mansion. Where was she supposed to go now?

She had cursed Anette endlessly while reading the novel, but now that she was Anette, she couldn’t help but sympathize.

It was only natural.

Unless she somehow returned to her old body, she had no choice but to live as Anette now.

“How am I supposed to survive?”

Muttering to herself, she trudged along. She needed a plan.

Of course, it was unfair. But what could she do? She still had to live.

The Anette in the novel had no skills except for committing evil.

No, it wasn’t that she couldn’t do anything—it was that she never tried.

But thankfully, she had plenty of skills. And she had no choice but to use them now.

After all, she had no family in her past life either. The only thing she ever cared about was money.

Her bank account was her family, her friend, and her lover.

Thinking about money again, she felt the grief welling up. She stopped for a moment and wiped her tears.

“This is so unfair.”

Rustle—

“Huh?”

Startled, she turned around.

She was sure she had heard something just now… but under the streetlamp’s bright glow, there was no one else in sight.

That was creepy.

She quickly wiped her eyes and hurried away from the duke’s estate.

She needed to find an inn in the town center.

She had no money, but she would figure something out. It was far too dangerous for a woman to stay outside alone at night.

Meanwhile, a shadowy figure emerged under the streetlamp.

It was Edwin Carte, a knight assigned to protect Heine Royce.

The Duke had ordered him to follow Anette.

Although Duke Royce had mercilessly kicked Anette out, he didn’t intend to abandon her completely.

Still, his anger had gotten the best of him, and he had struck her across the face. Even he had been surprised by his actions.

He had expected Anette to scream and throw a fit.

But she didn’t.

She simply stared at him, her eyes empty.

That vacant look unsettled him, but he couldn’t forgive her so easily.

He had thought she would hover around the mansion all night, eventually reflecting on her actions.

Even so, the night could be dangerous, even near the estate. So he had sent Edwin to watch over her.

But Edwin had his plans.

He was considering killing Anette.

Edwin had been a mercenary before becoming an official knight, a position he earned thanks to Heine.

The other knights of the ducal household had looked down on him because of his origins. But the Duke recognized his talent, and eventually, he became Heine’s guard.

For Edwin, knighthood was all about honor, and he owed everything to Heine.

By tomorrow morning, Heine would leave to become the crown princess of Bilen, taking only a single maid with her.

That meant Edwin would no longer be her knight.

But it didn’t matter anymore. He had already achieved his dream of becoming a knight.

Heine had forgiven all of Anette’s crimes, but Edwin had no intention of doing the same.

She had tried to take Heine’s life. The price for that should be her own.

To him, Anette was nothing but a heartless monster.

Yet, a moment ago, he had seen her crying.

That can’t be right.

Anette Etheled had always been vicious, constantly screaming and cursing at everyone.

But now, she looked different.

He had been so taken aback that he nearly revealed his presence.

Edwin quickly regained his composure and resumed silently trailing behind her.

Contrary to her worries, the town was still bustling even in the middle of the night.

Taverns and inns were brightly lit and filled with customers, and the streets were lively with people.

It was no different from the streets she used to pass through after late-night part-time jobs in her previous life.

She walked toward the largest inn in town.

Pulling her hood further down, she covered her head.

Her hair color was too unique.

It was a rare trait found only among the royal family of the fallen Etheled Kingdom. 

Though few knew the exact color, it was still safer to keep it hidden.

At the roots, her hair was a creamy blonde, but as it cascaded down, it turned into a deep pink.

The novel had described it as the color of a ripe peach.

Given how distinct it was, it was best to keep it covered.

Much later, after Anette had entered the inn, Edwin finally followed.

She had been kicked out with nothing, yet she was checking into an inn.

Had she smuggled out some hidden jewels?

This place was far beneath the standards of a noblewoman. The Duke had expected her to stay near the mansion, but she had done the opposite.

Suppressing a smirk, Edwin scanned the room for her.

But he couldn’t find her anywhere.

“Excuse me, sir.”

Someone timidly tapped his shoulder. He turned, annoyed—

And froze in shock.

“Would you like a room? Or just a meal?”

“……”

Anette was standing there, holding a broom.

Her hood was pulled down low, hiding her hair.

But it was Anette.

Edwin was speechless.

Why…?

Why is she pretending not to know me? More importantly, what the hell is she doing?

She looked at him like he was a stranger.

Had she truly never noticed him before?

Well, that wouldn’t be surprising. After all, a noble like her wouldn’t bother remembering a mere knight.

Suppressing his irritation, Edwin spoke coldly.

“A meal.”

Anette casually gestured toward a seat.

“Oh, a meal? Sure. Pick something from the menu and let me know. You can sit over there.”

“……”

What was going on?

Why was she acting like this?

Edwin took a seat, pretending to study the menu while secretly watching her.

“Just for today, miss. We’re not hiring staff.”

“Oh, of course! I just need a place for one night. Thank you so much.”

“If you need a job, go to the temple tomorrow. 

I heard they’re hiring maids, and they provide room and board.”

“Really? The temple? Where is it? Thank you so much, ma’am!”

Anette eagerly held the innkeeper’s hands, nodding gratefully.

Though he couldn’t hear every word, her attitude was completely unfamiliar.

Edwin’s face twisted in shock.

Anette had never bowed to anyone in her life.

Even after her kingdom had fallen, she acted like a princess.

No matter how much the Duke scolded her, she had never once lowered her head.

And now, here she was, bowing and scraping for a job?

Edwin hesitated.

He had planned to kill her tonight, but now it seemed wiser to return and report this first.

It felt like she was up to something.

“……”

And when he saw her swollen cheek, something about it made him uneasy.