Edited

Episode 6

I stiffly moved my frozen neck, bowing my head first.

Eunice’s azure eyes widened in surprise.

Muttering something, she greeted me after slightly bowing her head, and the thick blonde hair she had handed over cascaded smoothly forward.

I recalled a fairy tale about golden hair I had read somewhere, as her golden hair was poured over her like that.

She brushed her hair away with a slight smile, and there was no flaw in her graceful figure.

After giving me a charming short smile, she turned her head first.

She was an elegant and cheerful beauty.

Even I, who had become accustomed to Igon’s beauty, had to admit she was beautiful enough to be called a beauty.

Her aura was different from Igon’s.

Surely, because of that difference, the two of them would harmonize well together.

Smiling with a bitter smile while imagining a pair like a painting in my mind, I brought the teacup to my lips.

That’s what the female lead does.

And if I’m like this, I’ll die before the novel even starts.

Thinking such thoughts made my stomach churn.

After apologizing and moving to the break room, I tried to sort out my thoughts after resting for a while, and my mind seemed to calm down a bit.

As I walked through the hallway to go back, I heard voices from the other side.

I stopped my steps, not wanting to encounter them and exchange meaningless greetings.

“It’s amazing.”

“Where did such an unusual person come from…?”

It was gossip about someone.

It was rare to hear such words from the mouths of the ladies.

That was their style of swearing.

“…Isn’t she a bold woman? She really told the Duke’s wife to go away.”

I had a feeling, and I could hear words that I could immediately recognize as referring to me.

My body stiffened.

It would be familiar at this level, but it seemed that I wasn’t quite used to it yet.

“But still, for the first time, didn’t you handle it quite well? I was really surprised. I’m only two years younger than our Sylviane…(dead duchess)”

“That’s because I got an introduction to the Duke’s house. I received all kinds of requests from the world… ”

It was a familiar voice.

So, the lady Mirene, who had just been kind to me, was speaking.

“How wickedly could a young girl have behaved to seduce the Duke and his wife?”

“That little thing must be filled with several snakes.”

“Anyway, it gives me the creeps. Seeing that young and mischievous girl acting like a noble…”

Ignoring the words I heard, I turned around to look at the two palace maids standing behind me.

They just lowered their heads and stood still.

They hadn’t said or done anything, but since they also had ears, they must have heard everything.

Surprisingly, the first emotion I felt was embarrassment.

Still, seeing that I had the capacity to pay attention to the eyes that looked at me like this, I felt that I could endure until the end of today’s gathering.

I closed my eyes deeply and opened them again.

They were different from me.

Even though it was a well-known fact, it felt strangely painful as if I were facing it for the first time.

During this time, perhaps because of Igon’s considerate behavior, I had forgotten about my situation.

Or maybe I didn’t know the pain of the shattered hope that a lady from somewhere would become deeply close and prevent my death.

Anyway, I heard a sound inside me, something properly breaking.

‘You are nothing and can never be anything.’

What did I do so wrong?

If only I didn’t have memories, I might have enjoyed the current situation.

If I can’t do anything and can’t change anything, why do I have memories at all? Should I really die like this? Shouldn’t there be something I can avoid?

What can I avoid, then?

I couldn’t even utter a word in response to the answer that came to my mind like I turned into a fool.

I just imagined freezing and becoming a statue, hoping to solidify like that.

I don’t know what I rambled about sitting back down with what kind of mind.

My head turned white.

I wanted to go home right now and lock myself in my room.

What meaning could there be in interacting with these people anymore?

While thinking that, sitting quietly, Lady Mirene sent a concerned look my way.

“Are you still uncomfortable?”

I knew her sincerity, but I couldn’t pretend to be uncomfortable here, so I raised the corners of my mouth slightly and nodded my head.

“I think I unintentionally tensed up because it’s my first time in the palace. I’m sorry for making you feel uneasy.”

“No, milady. We all felt that way. It’s natural for a young lady at your age.”

Really?

Did they all really think that way?

I wanted to ask.

There was an urge to ask if their lenient standards applied to me too.

I almost really asked.

If her hand hadn’t touched my shoulder then.

I lifted my head in surprise.

When I met his soft blue eyes, my body stiffened.

I felt like I was facing an illusion, so I blinked my eyes and looked around.

Everyone was looking at this direction.

The ladies covered their faces lightly with their fans.

How deeply had I immersed myself in my thoughts not to notice the atmosphere around me?

I was surprised at the fact that I didn’t realize the mood.

“Eve.”

His low voice echoed like scratching the tender flesh of my mind.

When our eyes met, his mouth slightly curved upwards.

My body froze.

I forgot to even breathe, staring at the man in front of me as if checking if he was really Igon.

“Even while the lady is resting, the Duke sent a message. I didn’t expect him to come with such a gift. The sibling bond is indeed strong.”

The Empress smiled, stepping aside.

I could see small boxes piled up behind her.

“What is that…”

Before I could ask, Igon interrupted.

“I guess my sister’s complexion is not as good as I thought.”

“We were also worried about that. It seems she’s tense in an unfamiliar place.”

In response to the Countess’s words, Igon smiled as if understanding and nodded.

“Perhaps my younger sister still finds everything unfamiliar. She’ll get used to it gradually. However, I’d like to leave the palace with her before she gets more tired. Will you permit it?”

In situations like this, where he should be very accustomed, there was no trace of awkwardness in his smooth words. The concern in his voice for his younger sister and his gentle request were undoubtedly sincere.

“Of course. I appreciate the valuable gifts, Duke.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Igon politely offered his greetings by placing his hand on his chest and then turned away. Until he extended his hand to me, I simply observed the entire conversation.

“Let’s go home.”

I placed my hand on his extended hand.

Actions took precedence over thoughts, before any thoughts or words.

After exchanging greetings with the Empress and a few others approaching, I walked with Igon. There were distinct murmurs directed towards us.

I couldn’t tell if they were good or bad rumors. Unconsciously, I turned my head and glanced back.

“Nervous…”

A low voice came from above my head. Before I could ask what was said, Igon opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. The heavy door closed behind me, and before I could question him, he whispered clearly in my ear.

“Don’t pay attention to the bugs.”

“Why call them bugs…”

“We are the Lords.”

Lords.

Igon, with a natural expression, spoke of a castle that had never considered itself mine before, mine and his, except for him. The words felt metaphorical rather than literal.

“Except for you and me, the others are bugs that can be crushed without a care.”

The expression “crush them” didn’t sound metaphorical. I understood that Igon had the power to do just that.

His casually cheerful words made it even more eerie. My pupils shook, and sensing what I was thinking, Igon raised his hand and gently stroked my cheek.

I wasn’t sure if it was my misunderstanding, but there was a strange aversion in his tone, filled with certainty.

“Why rely on others.”

When I was about to say, “When you have me,” Igon pressed his forehead against mine.

“Let’s go home.”

Igon was dangerous, and I was afraid of him. But he was the only thing I had.

“What happened at the party?”

“Not much…”

I turned my head, blurring my words. I didn’t want to talk about every trivial thing that happened. What good would it do? If Igon tried to seek revenge for me, there would only be more people avoiding us.

Before I could ask, Igon opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. The heavy door closed behind me, and before I could question him, he whispered clearly in my ear.

“Don’t pay attention to the bugs.”

“Why call them bugs…”

“We are the Lords.”

Lords.

Igon, with a natural expression, spoke of a castle that had never considered itself mine before, mine and his, except for him. The words felt metaphorical rather than literal.

“Except for you and me, the others are bugs that can be crushed without a care.”

The expression “crush them” didn’t sound metaphorical. I understood that Igon had the power to do just that.

His casually cheerful words made it even more eerie. My pupils shook, and sensing what I was thinking, Igon raised his hand and gently stroked my cheek.

I wasn’t sure if it was my misunderstanding, but there was a strange aversion in his tone, filled with certainty.

“Why rely on others.”

When I was about to say, “When you have me,” Igon pressed his forehead against mine.

“Let’s go home.”

Igon was dangerous, and I was afraid of him. But he was the only thing I had.

“What happened at the party?”

“Not much…”

I turned my head, blurring my words. I didn’t want to talk about every trivial thing that happened. What good would it do? If Igon tried to seek revenge for me, there would only be more people avoiding us.

Igon was the one who gave up in the end.

“Do you want to rest a bit, Eve?”

He was the one who gave up first. I nodded my head to his questioning. Then, I leaned my head against Igon’s knee.

A sudden wave of sleep engulfed me as my eyes were filled with more exhaustion than I thought.