Chapter 2

A week later, the day of the promised picnic with Josephine finally arrived.

 

I stood before the full-length mirror, dressed to the nines. I was decked out in the latest trends: a wide-brimmed hat adorned with a massive ribbon, a buttoned jacket, a muslin fichu scarf, and a lace parasol in my hand. It was an uncharacteristic look for Ariana, who usually didn’t bother much with her appearance (mostly because she was pretty enough even with minimal effort).

 

“Since it’s a picnic with Marchioness Pommern,” Emma remarked as she pinned a ribbon into my side curls for the finishing touch. “She’s to be your chaperone, so you must make the best possible impression.”

 

“Right.”

 

I ran a hand through my curled hair, feeling somewhat awkward. Until last week, my only thought had been surviving by avoiding the Grand Duke and Rosette. But now that I was a proper noble lady, I couldn’t neglect making my debut and securing a place in high society.

 

My etiquette and manner of speaking were so ingrained they had become reflexive, so I wasn’t too worried about that. I also had a decent grasp of the “people who are a headache if you cross them” thanks to the only functional benefit of the <South-North War Chronicles>.

 

However, human relationships always involve unpredictable variables, so I couldn’t let my guard down. A character who played a minor role in the novel might end up playing an unexpected part here. At least this picnic was with people I knew, which took some of the pressure off. Marchioness Pommern was a bit of a difficult person to handle, but… as long as I didn’t make a major blunder, I shouldn’t end up on her bad side.

 

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, stroking my chest to calm my nerves.

 

‘No complicated thoughts today! I’m just going to lounge around and have a good time!’

 

Once ready, I marched downstairs. My father, who happened to be in the parlor, greeted me with a beaming smile.

 

“You look dazzling today, Ariana.”

 

“Father.”

 

“The carriage from the Pommern estate should be here any moment. I ought to pay my respects to the Marchioness myself.”

 

He looked immensely pleased. “After all, she is the one who will be our Rina’s chaperone.”

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

After a short wait, the sound of rhythmic hoofbeats and a horse’s whinny echoed from outside. A servant guarding the entrance hurried into the parlor and approached the sofa where my father and I were sitting.

 

“My Lord, the carriage from the Marquisette of Pommern has arrived.”

 

“I see.”

 

I followed my father out to the front entrance where the carriage was parked. From the ornately decorated carriage, Josephine—dressed just as trendily as I was—hopped out.

 

“You’re here, Phin!”

 

“I’ve kept you waiting, Rina!”

 

Josephine beamed and took my hands firmly in hers. While we were busy expressing our joy at seeing each other, my father offered a polite greeting to Josephine’s mother and Marchioness Pommern, who were seated inside.

 

“It has been quite some time, Marchioness Pommern, Countess Dresden.”

 

“Indeed it has, Countess.”

 

“I cannot thank you enough for the many ways you look after my daughter.”

 

The Marchioness offered a faint smile as she looked at my father and me. I quickly let go of Josephine’s hands and stood by my father’s side, bowing politely.

 

“Thank you for inviting me to such a lovely occasion, My Lady.”

 

“The Young Lady is Josephine’s dearest friend. If anything, it is our Phin who is always indebted to the House of Württemberg.”

 

“Auntie!”

 

When Josephine raised her voice in mock protest from behind, the two noblewomen in the carriage laughed, covering their mouths with their fans.

 

“We should get going. Come, get in.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

With my father’s assistance, Josephine and I boarded the carriage. I pretended not to notice Josephine’s flushed face as I sat down next to her, facing the two ladies.

 

“Have a wonderful time.”

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

The Pommern carriage immediately set off toward the banks of the Mundt River, our picnic spot. Keeping a cautious eye on the two noblewomen across from me, I peeked out the window at the white apple blossoms in full bloom.

 

“Wow…”

 

Beside me, Josephine was also leaning toward the window, letting out a soft exclamation of awe. As the wind blew, apple petals fluttered into the carriage like snowflakes.

 

“It’s beautiful,” Countess Dresden remarked, and the Marchioness nodded in agreement.

 

“It truly feels like spring has arrived.”

 

As we passed through a long, tree-lined path, the sparkling blue panorama of the Mundt River came into view. Along the banks, other groups of picnickers were already scattered about, staking out their spots.

 

The carriage finally came to a halt near a large, blossoming apple tree. When we stepped out, the people who had been occupying the spot under the tree stood up as if they had been waiting.

 

“We have been waiting, My Lady.”

 

“Good work getting here early.”

 

The Marchioness smiled and pulled silver coins from her purse, handing one to each person. It turned out they were errand-runners hired to secure a good spot in advance.

 

‘I didn’t know you could make money that way… Isn’t this the definition of a creative economy?’

 

I marveled inwardly while watching the men move along after receiving their silver. Once the spot was cleared, the accompanying servants spread a picnic mat on the grass and set down large baskets filled with food.

 

“Now, Young Lady Württemberg, come and sit.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Snapping out of my daze, I sat down between the Marchioness and Josephine and opened the basket our family chef had prepared. When I lifted the red checkered cover, strawberry sandwiches, canapés, non-alcoholic champagne, and blueberry tarts were revealed in all their delicious glory.

 

“That looks so good…”

 

Josephine, holding an avocado sandwich of her own, was eyeing my strawberry canapés with the intensity of a hawk. Honestly, for someone who looks like she only lives on dew, she has quite the hidden appetite.

 

I was planning on sharing everything anyway… but I gave her a playful, mock-glare before handing her the strawberry canapé she was coveting.

 

“Here.”

 

“Thanks, Rina! You should try some of ours too.”

 

Josephine grinned and pushed an avocado sandwich, caviar crepes, and smoked salmon salad toward me.

 

‘I really can’t hate her…’ I thought with complicated feelings as I carefully picked up a crepe filled with caviar.

 

* * *

 

Clink!

 

Allendorf let out a sigh as he looked down at the plate shattered into pieces beneath the table. He wasn’t one to believe in luck or superstition, but having a dish break first thing in the morning wasn’t exactly pleasant.

 

“I-I’m so sorry, Your Grace!”

 

The young maid, her face pale with fright, bowed her head deeply toward him. Feeling his mood sink rapidly so early in the day, Allendorf rubbed his forehead.

 

“I’ll clean it up right away!”

 

“Take your time. You might hurt yourself if you hurry too much.”

 

“……Yes.”

 

The maid who broke the plate nodded, her face flushing. Since such things happened to him often, Allendorf stood up from the dining table with an indifferent expression.

 

“I’ll be heading out now. I have an appointment with Marquis Stuttgart.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“There’s no need to prepare dinner.”

 

Leaving the mansion, Allendorf took a carriage straight to the coffee house, the meeting place with Marquis Stuttgart. Recently, he had become quite enamored with coffee—which possessed a charm entirely different from tea—and naturally, he had grown close to the men he frequently encountered at the coffee house.

 

“The coffee at this establishment is excellent, as always.”

 

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

 

“Would you consider handing this shop over to me even now? I shall pay a price that will not leave you wanting.”

 

At Allendorf’s proposal, Marquis Stuttgart wore a troubled expression.

 

“I apologize. This coffee house is one of my greatest sources of income.”

 

In truth, Allendorf hadn’t expected much. He already knew the Marquis’s circumstances.

 

Of course, selling coffee itself didn’t bring in much money. However, since drinking coffee at coffee houses had recently become a trend among high-society men, the real profit lay in building networks and gathering information there.

 

Allendorf nodded with a look of regret.

 

“It can’t be helped, then.”

 

“I am truly sorry. Instead, please feel free to stop by whenever you think of our shop’s coffee. If the Grand Duke desires, I shall serve you coffee even on holidays.”

 

“Hm.”

 

Noticing Allendorf’s mood, Marquis Stuttgart quickly brought up a rumor about him to change the subject.

 

“By the way, I’ve heard the rumors. I heard the House of Martinez formally sent a marriage proposal recently.”

 

“That is correct. It is because of my grandfather’s will.”

 

“Everyone is buzzing with envy. Is Lady Martinez not the beauty known as the Rose of the Empire?”

 

People often said there were two flowers in the Alpensia Empire. One was the daughter of Count Württemberg, known as the Daffodil of the Empire, and the other was the eldest daughter of Duke Martinez, known as the Rose of the Empire.

 

Allendorf had been betrothed to Rosette Martinez—the Rose of the Empire—since before he was even born. Though it wasn’t a decision made of his own will.

 

He spoke to the Marquis in a bored voice.

 

“It’s a dull story. To have one’s marriage partner decided before birth.”

 

“Everyone around me only says how much they envy Your Highness.”

 

“…….”

 

“I suppose it might be different if a beauty like the daughter of Count Württemberg were to appear.”

 

Ariana, the daughter of Count Württemberg, had not yet made her formal social debut, but she was already a girl causing a stir based on her beauty alone. The House of Württemberg was originally a family famous for their handsome features, but because daughters were rare in their lineage, they hadn’t secured marriage alliances as prestigious as their reputation suggested.

 

Ariana was a daughter born to the House of Württemberg after a long time. Furthermore, since the family’s power was more approachable than that of the House of Martinez, many men were already eyeing her.

 

Allendorf was also aware of the daughter of Count Württemberg. He remembered encountering her at a gathering two or three times.

 

Her appearance was certainly not inferior to other beauties of noble families. But that was all. Simply being beautiful could not evoke any emotion in Allendorf.

 

That was because he saw a face no less beautiful than hers every day in the mirror.

 

Allendorf drained his coffee one cup after another without responding. In fact, he had little interest in women, so there was no topic as tedious to him as talk about them.

 

The only woman he felt an attachment to in this world was the one who gave birth to him, Maria, the Duchess of Ascania. Even though they had become practically strangers after her divorce from his father…….

 

Marquis Stuttgart, who was watching Allendorf’s reactions, noticed his coffee cup was nearly empty and hurriedly called over an employee.

 

“The Grand Duke’s cup is almost empty, so fill it up.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The coffee house employee, visibly nervous, brought a Moka pot and began to fill Allendorf’s cup. However, perhaps due to the nerves, he continued pouring even after the cup was full, causing it to overflow onto the table.

 

“Oh no……!”

 

“I-I’m sorry!”

 

“…….”

 

Instead of getting angry, Allendorf quietly furrowed his brows and looked down at the table drenched in coffee.

 

Something was definitely strange today. First a plate breaks in the morning, and now coffee is spilled…….

 

Just what is about to happen? At that moment,

 

“Your Highness! Are you here?!”

 

The door of the coffee house suddenly burst open, and his secretary, Franz, appeared in a hurry.

 

Feeling a sudden, ominous premonition wash over him, Allendorf stood up. Franz, who had been scanning the coffee house as if looking for his lord, spotted him and rushed over.

 

“Franz, what is the matter?”

 

“That is……”

 

Franz spoke in a panting voice, wiping sweat from his forehead.

 

“I have heard that Duchess Ascania has met with an accident at the Mundt River!”

 

“What?!”

 

Allendorf felt his vision go dark and stumbled in his seat.

 

“No, what do you mean by that!”

 

Marquis Stuttgart also looked at Franz with significant alarm. He, too, knew of the relationship between Allendorf and Duchess Ascania, so he could not take Franz’s words lightly.

 

“How could the Duchess of Ascania end up like that!”

 

“She was on a boat during an outing with her maid when……”

 

“……!”

 

Gritting his teeth, Allendorf rushed out of the coffee house without a second thought. He heard Franz and Marquis Stuttgart calling after him from behind, but there wasn’t a moment to hesitate.

 

Catching a hired carriage passing by, Allendorf thrust several gold coins into the driver’s hand and shouted.

 

“To the Mundt River right now! As fast as possible!”

 

“Y-Yes, sir!”

 

Inside the carriage racing at full speed, he nervously rubbed his face with his hands.

 

The image of his mother coldly turning her head away from him at the Emperor’s birthday banquet flickered in his mind. He didn’t even want to imagine that being his last memory of her.

 

‘If, if Mother passes away like this, I… I……. Lord, please.’

 

Allendorf lowered his head weakly, as if praying desperately.

 

 

***

 

 

After our meal, we were leisurely enjoying the view of the flowers and the river while digesting.

 

Josephine’s mother, Countess Dresden, was reading a book of poetry said to be trending in the salons, and Marchioness Pommern was looking at the boats floating on the river, telling us stories from her youth.

 

“When I first debuted in society, the concept of a chaperone didn’t exist yet. Because of that, I unintentionally made several mistakes.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Compared to back then, things are much better now. Perhaps because of that, young people these days are far too lax.”

 

“I will be careful.”

 

I listened to the Marchioness’ words with a bit of tension. Josephine, perhaps because the Marchioness was her aunt, grumbled toward her in a much more informal manner.

 

“Auntie, you always say that.”

 

“Josephine.”

 

“We can talk about old stories later, so let’s go boating! Boating! I even brought a wide-brimmed hat specifically because you said we’d be going out on the water.”

 

Marchioness Pommern gave a troubled smile at Josephine’s whining. Countess Dresden closed the poetry book she was reading and sent a stern look toward Josephine.

 

“Phin, what kind of tone is that to use with your aunt!”

 

“The sun is going to set before we even get on a boat!”

 

“Oh dear, what’s wrong with her…… I’m sorry, sister. Phin must have been very excited about the boating.”

 

Marchioness Pommern nodded slowly toward the apologetic Countess Dresden.

 

“It’s alright. When I was that age, there was nothing more agonizing than sitting still.”

 

“…….”

 

“Well then, now that we’ve digested, shall we go get on a boat?”

 

“Yay! Auntie, I love you!”

 

As if she had never been whining, Josephine smiled brightly and began to shower the Marchioness’ cheeks with kisses. Marchioness Pommern seemed a bit flustered, but she didn’t seem to mind Josephine’s affection.

 

“Now, now, that’s enough of the kisses of joy.”

 

“Yes!”

 

The Marchioness went down to the ferry landing at the riverbank and rented a boat. I carefully stepped onto the boat behind Josephine, making sure my hat wouldn’t fly away in the wind.

 

“Then, we’re off.”

 

Once everyone was on board, the boatman began to row slowly, moving the boat. Josephine, with a look of pure excitement, waved her hand broadly at the people sitting on the banks.

 

“Yahoo!”

 

“Phin, that’s a sound you make at the top of a mountain.”

 

Feeling my face flush, I tugged at the hem of Josephine’s clothes. Truly, I feel this every time—why is the embarrassment always mine to bear?

 

Josephine was so excited that even after sitting down, she couldn’t stay still for a second. Countess Dresden, still wearing a troubled expression, was glancing back and forth between the faces of Josephine and Marchioness Pommern.

 

“Can I try splashing the water?”

 

“No!”

 

“Hmph.”

 

Josephine pouted and adjusted her hat. I felt an indescribable sympathy for the Countess, who looked like she had aged ten years in just five minutes.

 

She already looks tired, so I shouldn’t bother her too much. To lighten the Countess’ burden as much as possible, I grabbed the hand of Josephine, who was sitting next to me, and pulled her toward me.

 

“Phin, stay still. The boat keeps shaking.”

 

“Is it bad if it shakes?”

 

“Of course it is! What if the boat capsizes?”

 

“The boat capsizes?”

 

Josephine looked at my face with a startled expression, then turned her head toward the boatman rowing at the bow.

 

“Is that true?”

 

The boatman shrugged and nodded.

 

“Such accidents do happen on occasion.”

 

“Ugh…….”

 

Josephine’s face, which had been excited the whole time, froze pale in an instant at those words. She pressed her body close to mine and began to whisper in a low voice.

 

“Rina, if I fall into the river, you have to save me.”

 

“If you stay still, you won’t fall in.”

 

“Still. If the boat sinks or something like that……”

 

“…….”

 

“Are you going to let me die?”

 

Josephine pressed me for an answer with quite a persistent attitude. It looked like she would keep interrogating me until she heard the answer she wanted.

 

I let out a sigh inwardly and nodded.

 

“Yes. I will definitely save you.”

 

“I knew I only had you.”

 

Josephine immediately giggled and locked her arm with mine.

 

Sigh, she’s annoying, but she’s also cute at times like this…… I wonder if Ariana hung out with Josephine with this kind of feeling.

 

The wind blew quite strongly on the river. Perhaps because of that, the surrounding air felt rather chilly despite the sunlight pouring down from above.

 

White petals fluttered in the wind from afar and landed on the boat. When Josephine shivered slightly, I quickly took the blanket I had over my knees and draped it over her shoulders.

 

“The wind is blowing so much…….”

 

“It is.”

 

The sound of the wind whistling was loud in my ears. Suddenly, hearing a faint cry mixed in with the wind, I reflexively looked around.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Didn’t you hear something like a scream?”

 

“No? I didn’t hear anything.”

 

Josephine shook her head, asking if I had misheard. I looked at the two noblewomen sitting across from us in confusion, but they both had the same reaction as Josephine.

 

“I didn’t hear anything either.”

 

‘Did I mishear it? That shouldn’t be possible…….’

 

The boatman, who had been silent until then, stopped rowing for a moment and chuckled.

 

“It might be a water ghost. Such things happen quite often in places like the sea or rivers.”

 

“You-you’re joking, right……?”

 

“If you think it’s a joke, try asking other boatmen. Ten out of ten will probably tell you the same thing.”

 

“Kyaa!”

 

Terrified by the mention of a water ghost, Josephine threw her arms around my waist. I hugged Josephine’s shoulders to comfort her, but I still focused all my attention on my ears with a suspicious mind.

 

It was then. A sound like a human scream was heard again, a little louder than before.

 

I reflexively gripped Josephine’s hand and muttered.

 

“I heard it again just now.”

 

“Ri-Rina…… why are you being so scary…….”

 

“It’s not a hallucination.”

 

And it’s certainly not a ghost. After getting a deathly pale Josephine to sit down, I quickly scanned the other boats nearby.

 

“Ah……!”

 

As I thought, I was right. Spotting a boat sinking in the distance and three people who had fallen into the water, I pointed toward the people in distress with a trembling hand.

 

“Over there!”

 

“……!”

 

Everyone’s eyes moved toward the direction I was pointing. Before long, they too discovered the people in distress, just as I had.

 

“Hurry, steer the boat that way!”

 

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

 

Snapped back to his senses by the Marchioness’ urgent command, the boatman began to row frantically.

 

“Fast! Faster!”

 

As the boat got closer, the urgency of the scene became increasingly vivid. I felt my fingertips tingle and found myself stomping my feet.

 

It was so strange. This is a world inside a novel anyway, and those people are just characters in a story, yet knowing that, I still couldn’t just let them die.

 

Perhaps I had become more strongly synchronized with the Ariana of this world than I had thought.

 

The problem boat was gradually sinking beneath the surface, filled with water. The boatman quickly reached out and pulled in a young woman and a man who were flailing nearby, one after the other.

 

“Are you all right?”

 

“I’m fine! More importantly, over there, my Lady is still!”

 

As she said, I turned my head and saw a noblewoman flailing alone at a slight distance. Without a moment to catch his breath, the boatman began to row toward the lady in the water.

 

“My Lady!”

 

At the young woman’s desperate cry, I snapped to attention. The noblewoman was struggling to keep from sinking, but even from a distance, I could see her strength was fading.

 

“No…….”

 

I hurried to look around the boat for something she could grab. Just then, I noticed a spare oar lying in the stern.

 

“Quick! Grab this!”

 

The elderly noblewoman splashed around and missed a few times before finally grabbing the end of the oar. She gripped it so tightly her knuckles turned white.

 

“Pull her up!”

 

The boatman hurriedly set down the oars he was using and pulled the oar the noblewoman was holding instead. I clung to the side of the boat, watching the noblewoman being slowly pulled toward us.

 

“My Lady! Are you okay?”

 

“I’m…… okay…….”

 

The noblewoman holding the oar was finally pulled right in front of the boat. Gasping, she reached out one hand to grab the hull.

 

It was then.

 

“Ah!”

 

I instinctively reached out and gripped the arm of the noblewoman who had lost her hold on the oar. In an instant, the boat rocked violently, and the river water splashed onto my face and shoulders.

 

“Ugh……!”

 

I gritted my teeth and pulled the noblewoman who was holding my hand with all my might. The nameless noblewoman had a slender frame, but since she was wearing a soaked dress, she was incredibly heavy.

 

My arms felt like they were going to fall off. Clinging precariously to the boat while holding onto the noblewoman, I asked for help from those who were half-frozen behind me.

 

“Help me!”

 

“Y-Yes!”

 

The boatman belatedly scrambled to help me and grabbed the noblewoman’s arm. Not just the boatman, but the others also added their strength. With the combined strength of a grown man and the others, I was able to pull the noblewoman up more easily than before.

 

“Huff!”

 

Soon, with a thud, the soaked noblewoman collapsed onto the boat. She looked exhausted, but fortunately, she hadn’t lost consciousness.

 

“Ha, ha…….”

 

“My Lady!”

 

Once the noblewoman was safely rescued, the young woman who was her companion burst into tears. Only then did the noblewoman seem to come to her senses, blinking and turning toward the young woman.

 

“Natalie…….”

 

“Ugh, my Lady…….”

 

The woman called Natalie hugged the noblewoman’s neck, weeping. While the two women shared the relief of barely surviving, I exchanged awkward glances with Josephine, who was beside me.

 

After the emotional reunion, the nameless noblewoman managed to sit up with Natalie’s help. When the noblewoman’s red eyes looked straight at me, I felt a tickle in my chest and lowered my head.

 

“The Lady……. You were the one who saved me.”

 

“That’s right. We wouldn’t have been able to save you if it weren’t for Rina!”

 

When I couldn’t readily answer the noblewoman, Josephine quickly spoke up on my behalf. She could have stayed quiet for once…….

 

Hearing Josephine’s answer, the noblewoman looked at me with eyes even more full of curiosity.

 

She spoke to me in a small but clear voice.

 

“Without the Lady’s help, I would no longer be in this world.”

 

“…….”

 

“No words would be enough to express my gratitude to the Lady.”

 

“D-don’t praise me too much. It wasn’t something I did to receive thanks.”

 

“The Lady is humble as well.”

 

At the continued praise, I kept my mouth shut, not knowing what to do. But I really didn’t do it expecting praise or reward, so I just don’t know how to react in these situations.

 

Our boat arrived at the ferry landing a short while later. As the noblewoman, looking like a drowned rat, stepped onto the pier with the help of the young woman, people who appeared to be her companions rushed toward them.

 

“Oh, my goodness!”

 

“My Lady! How are you feeling?!”

 

“How did this happen……”

 

The people seemed quite panicked at the sight of the two women appearing suddenly soaked. Some of them even began to attack the young woman, who seemed to be the noblewoman’s maid, with sharp words.

 

“Natalie, what on earth happened?!”

 

“If you were to serve the Lady, you should have taken responsibility and served her safely!”

 

The young woman named Natalie looked at the companions surrounding her with a look of obvious exhaustion. She seemed like she was about to say something, but after opening and closing her mouth a few times, she finally let out a deep sigh.

 

“……Could you first bring some dry clothes or blankets? As you can see, the Lady is in this state.”

 

“……!”

 

“If we stay like this, the Lady might catch a cold.”

 

At Natalie’s response, the faces of the people attacking her began to turn red. Noticing the tense atmosphere, one woman cautiously spoke up first.

 

“I-I will go and get them.”

 

It was then that the noblewoman, who had been silent until then, finally spoke.

 

“Paula.”

 

“Yes, my Lady.”

 

“While you’re at it, bring some not just for me and Natalie, but for this young lady here as well.”

 

The noblewoman said this while casting her gaze toward me, as I was standing a little distance away.

 

“Since she is the young lady who saved my life, we must treat her without any lack of care.”

 

“Y-Yes!”

 

At that moment, everyone’s eyes turned toward me at once. I felt my face suddenly heat up and lowered my head.

 

“…….”

 

Ugh. It’s better than them fighting like before, but it’s still embarrassing.

 

When I didn’t lift my head for a long time, the noblewoman spoke again.

 

“……The Lady.”

 

“…….”

 

“Do you know who I am?”

 

“A-Ah, no.”

 

I reflexively lifted my head and sent a look for help to Marchioness Pommern standing beside me. Fortunately, the Marchioness, who caught my look quickly, stepped in for me.

 

“The person here is……”

 

“Marchioness Pommern.”

 

When the noblewoman shook her head slowly as if telling her not to say it, the Marchioness shut her mouth as if she had become a mute.

 

Why?

 

As I was left speechless and bewildered, the noblewoman asked in a much softer voice.

 

“Is this young lady an acquaintance of the Marchioness?”

 

“She is.”

 

“Then the conversation will be much faster.”

 

The noblewoman muttered something of unknown meaning, then turned her head back to me.

 

“Lady.”

 

“Yes…… Yes!”

 

“My name is Maria von Ascania.”

 

I quickly searched my memory for the names of the characters I knew from <How to Captivate the Male Lead.> But this noblewoman named Maria had never once been mentioned in the work.

 

Maybe she’s not a major character, or maybe she’s someone who already passed away in the story?

 

While I was hesitating, recalling the contents of the novel, she spoke to me with a look that seemed quite benevolent.

 

“Would you grant me the honor of knowing the Lady’s name?”

 

“Ah, I am……”

 

Uaaah. So that’s why this lady named Maria gave her name first.

 

Feeling awkward, I adjusted my hair, which was dripping water.

 

“I am Ariana von Württemberg.”

 

“A lovely name. Miss Ariana.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Maria gripped her wet skirts and slightly bent her knees toward me, as if treating a superior.

 

“Thank you very much for saving my life.”

 

“Ah, no. I just did what anyone would have……”

 

I can’t bear it because it’s embarrassing to receive such treatment from a noblewoman around my mother’s age. Couldn’t at least one person even pretend to stop her?

 

Lifting her head again, she continued, her ruby-red eyes staring straight at me.

 

“I will surely repay this debt of gratitude in the name of Duchess Ascania.”

 

* * *

 

The news of the accident involving Duchess Ascania—the empire’s sole Duchess—spread throughout the capital in less than a day.

 

The Duchess was a high-ranking noble with power rivaling that of Grand Duke Bayern. Her influence was such that even the Emperor could not easily ignore her words, and her assets, including movable and immovable property, reached into the hundreds of billions.

 

That very Duchess Ascania nearly lost her life in an unfortunate accident during a picnic. As if that weren’t shocking enough, it was Ariana von Württemberg—praised as the “Daffodil of the Empire”—who had played the decisive role in saving her.

 

People couldn’t contain their excitement over this incredible coincidence. Since Duchess Ascania had no heir yet, countless individuals had been struggling desperately to catch her eye. Who would have thought a third party would suddenly appear out of nowhere and leave such a strong impression on the Duchess?

 

People huddled together, whispering that the daughter of the Württemberg family had seized an enormous stroke of luck. The Württembergs were an average family, neither exceptionally brilliant nor notably lacking, except for their looks; they rarely showed any significant presence in the central power structure.

 

However, if this incident led to her becoming the Duchess’s favorite—and if she went a step further to eye the position of successor in the future—the story would change entirely.

 

Maria, Duchess Ascania, sent a secret letter to Marchioness Pommern, who was originally scheduled to be Ariana’s chaperone. Although the contents of the letter were kept strictly confidential, anyone who was anyone knew the Duchess had expressed her desire to become Ariana’s chaperone herself.

 

Maria, who had been enjoying the breeze through an open window, shivered as the air began to turn chilly. Her maid, Natalie, quickly closed the window and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.

 

“Would you like to return to bed now?”

 

“No, I want to stay here a bit longer. The sunlight is particularly lovely today.”

 

“Yes, my Lady.”

 

As an aftermath of the incident at the Mundt River, Maria had suffered from a severe cold and had been bedridden for three full days. She had improved enough to finally leave her bed, but her heart felt heavy when she thought of Natalie, who likely faced hostility from others during that time.

 

Natalie was originally a commoner maid, but she was a capable woman who had risen to the position of lady’s maid after catching Maria’s eye. Because of this, many nobles who coveted that position—as well as other servants—envied and hated her.

 

The fact that it was Maria who had wanted to board the boat, and that Natalie had actually tried to dissuade her, didn’t matter to them. The Duchess had nearly died because the boat they both boarded sank. To them, that fact alone was the absolute truth and the way of the world. The fact that Maria, who fell into the water with her, caught a cold while Natalie did not only added to their sense of “indignation” toward the maid.

 

“Is the guest from the Württemberg family not here yet?”

 

“Yes… it seems she is still considering it.”

 

“Have I put that young lady in a difficult position?”

 

Maria had already heard that the only daughter of the Württemberg family was best friends with Marchioness Pommern’s niece. Although the Pommern family was not as powerful as the Ascania family, it was entirely possible that she would refuse for fear of straining her friendship.

 

Natalie shook her head at Maria with an awkward smile.

 

“Don’t worry too much. I’m sure the young lady of Württemberg will accept.”

 

“I certainly hope so…”

 

Maria looked at Natalie’s face with a gentle gaze as the maid held her hand tightly. Maria was famous for being cynical and distrustful of others, but toward those she had already opened her heart to, she showed boundless trust and affection.

 

Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door, and the voice of the elderly butler was heard from outside.

 

“My Lady. You have a visitor.”

 

“Could it be… the young lady of Württemberg?!”

 

The Duchess’s face lit up with a bright smile as she looked up. Natalie, who was by her side, quickly stood up and opened the door for the butler.

 

“Is it the guest from Württemberg?”

 

“Well, about that…”

 

The butler looked at the Duchess’s expectant face with a troubled expression. He hesitated for a moment before lowering his head, avoiding his master’s gaze.

 

“Grand Duke Bayern has come to see you, my Lady.”

 

“…!”

 

In an instant, the expression vanished from Maria’s face. Natalie, caught in the middle, didn’t know what to do and looked back and forth between her master and the butler.

 

“M-my Lady…”

 

“…”

 

“What shall we do?”

 

The servants, well aware of the relationship between the two, were anxious for fear of upsetting the Duchess. As her silence stretched on, their anxiety only grew.

 

“…Shall I tell the Grand Duke to return?”

 

The butler, unable to bear the prolonged silence, finally spoke again. Only then did Maria look up at him.

 

“No.”

 

“…”

 

“Show him to my room.”

 

“…!”

 

The two servants gasped in surprise for a moment but quickly regained their composure. The old butler returned to his professional demeanor as if he had never been flustered and bowed to Maria.

 

“Understood.”

 

When the door closed, an unwelcome silence filled the room once more. Natalie bit her lip slightly, stealing glances at her master, whose inner thoughts were impossible to read.

 

Before long, a knock was heard again. Maria leaned back comfortably in her armchair and turned her head toward the door.

 

“Come in.”

 

“…”

 

When the door opened, a tall young man with bluish-silver hair and red eyes appeared. Maria’s eyes twitched for a moment, but she soon let out a low sigh. It wasn’t the first time she had faced him, yet her heart fluttered in a way she couldn’t control.

 

As soon as the young man faced Maria, he pressed his lips together as if trying to suppress welling emotions. Since Maria also hesitated to speak due to her complex inner thoughts, the silence between them lasted for quite a while.

 

The one who finally broke the long silence was Maria, the elder and the owner of the house.

 

“It’s been a long time.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“The last time we saw each other was at the Emperor’s birthday banquet, so it has been exactly 79 days.”

 

Maria recalled the memory with unexpected precision. The Grand Duke seemed quite surprised by her words but soon returned to his usual expressionless face and nodded.

 

“I didn’t know you would remember.”

 

“How could I not?”

 

“…”

 

“You must have known as well, Grand Duke.”

 

“That is…”

 

“Am I wrong?”

 

Short silence descended between them again. Fortunately, it didn’t last long this time.

 

“You are correct.”

 

At his straightforward affirmation, a soft light momentarily flickered in Maria’s eyes before vanishing. The Grand Duke examined Maria’s complexion with somewhat anxious eyes.

 

“I heard you went through a great ordeal recently.”

 

“I did. I managed to survive thanks to a very thoughtful young lady.”

 

Maria smiled gently as if recalling the event. They said it was Ariana who first recognized the cry for help. If she had dismissed it as the sound of the wind and hadn’t found them, Maria would no longer be of this world.

 

“I thought I had no regrets left in life… but that was the first time I realized how many lingering attachments I actually have.”

 

“…Duchess Ascania.”

 

The Grand Duke reflexively clenched his fists.

 

“No, Mother.”

 

“…”

 

“I will say it once more. Please, even now, let me take care of you.”

 

“Grand Duke.”

 

“I am the Grand Duke now, am I not? The man who caused you so much heartache died long ago.”

 

The ‘man’ the Grand Duke referred to was his father, the previous Grand Duke Bayern and Maria’s ex-husband.

 

Maria, the daughter of the Duke of Ascania, had married Allendorf’s father—the Grand Duke Bayern at the time—in her youth according to the interests of their families. Although it wasn’t a marriage of love, Maria was an incredibly devoted wife. She breastfed and cared for her son, Allendorf, herself instead of using a wet nurse, and she never socialized with other men except at events attended with her husband.

 

However, her husband returned Maria’s devotion in the form of a betrayal: an affair. Furious, Maria immediately left the Grand Duchy of Bayern and returned to her family home. After a three-year legal battle with her husband, she finally succeeded in getting a divorce.

 

Since there was no other heir to the Ascania family, her second child was originally intended to become the next Duke. However, as Maria steadfastly refused to remarry after returning home, the title of Duke was eventually passed to her.

 

After her divorce, Maria harbored a deep resentment toward the Bayern Grand Ducal family and refused to even look in their direction. Since the previous Grand Duke Bayern mentioning Maria would only be like “spitting at the ceiling,” the two families naturally grew cold and distant.

 

At the time, seven-year-old Allendorf couldn’t truly process the reality of becoming a stranger to his kind mother overnight. As he grew older, he learned the truth of what had happened between his parents, but by then, the emotional rift between the two families was already too deep to fix.

 

After his father’s death, upon inheriting the title of Grand Duke, Allendorf immediately went to his mother’s family home, only to be promptly turned away at the door.

 

“When I heard that you almost died, Mother, I felt as if the world was collapsing,” Allendorf continued slowly, his voice thick with emotion. “If you had passed away like that, it would have been a lifelong regret for me.”

 

“…”

 

“I won’t ask you to forgive my father or the Bayern family. I only wish to protect you from a place where I can see you. I have no other intentions beyond that.”

 

Maria looked at her son with a calm gaze. She looked at the child who, except for the red eyes he inherited from her, bore a striking resemblance to that resentful man…

 

Finally, she spoke slowly.

 

“Until the day I close my eyes, the day I return to Bayern will never come.”

 

“…”

 

“…Or so I would have certainly said until just a while ago.”

 

“…!”

 

Instantly, looks of surprise spread across the faces of everyone in the room. Not only the two servants but even the Grand Duke himself, who had been trying to persuade her, looked as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

 

“My Lady!”

 

Natalie’s eyes welled with tears as she gripped Maria’s hand tightly. The butler standing at the entrance also looked at the mother and son with a whirlwind of emotions.

 

Allendorf, momentarily lost for words, muttered with a face that still couldn’t quite believe it.

 

“Mother, those words…”

 

“Only when facing death did I finally realize. That day, inside the sinking boat, the person I wanted to see most was the child I bore from my own body.”

 

Maria looked at Allendorf with eyes that had become moist.

 

“I love you, my son, Allen.”

 

“Mother…!”

 

Allendorf knelt before his mother, tears streaming down his face. The servants, watching the dramatic reconciliation, turned their heads and dabbed their eyes with handkerchiefs.

 

After the atmosphere had settled a bit, Allendorf wiped his tears and stood up. Unlike before, his face was full of energy as he held his mother’s hand tightly.

 

“I’ll have to renovate the Grand Ducal palace soon. If you don’t feel comfortable returning there, I’ll stay here. Or perhaps purchasing an entirely new mansion would be better.”

 

“Don’t be so hasty. For now, visiting each other often is enough.”

 

Maria spoke affectionately, stroking the back of Allendorf’s hand.

 

“We’ve been apart for a long time, so we should take the time to adjust to each other slowly.”

 

“I will adjust everything to suit you.”

 

Allendorf answered firmly, but Maria slowly shook her head.

 

“I thought the same when I married your father. But I was wrong.”

 

“…”

 

“A relationship where one side unilaterally endures and tolerates cannot last long. One begins to take the other’s kindness for granted. Still, seeing you like this, you really are my son.”

 

“Mother.”

 

“The best thing is a partner you fit well with without having to force it. You should meet a spouse like that…”

 

At Maria’s remark, a dark shadow momentarily fell over Allendorf’s face. He looked down at his mother’s hand in silence for a moment, then flashed a bitter smile.

 

“Yes.”

 

 

***

 

 

I stared blankly at the scenery passing by the carriage window.

 

Three days had already passed since the problematic picnic, but I still couldn’t quite feel the changes that had happened to me. Even seeing reporters flocking to the Württemberg mansion and noblemen I’d never seen before suddenly acting friendly toward my father felt surreal.

 

“I was so surprised! To think the person you saved was Duchess Ascania, Rina!”

 

Josephine, sitting opposite me, was beaming without a care in the world, looking at me with sparkling eyes. Well… she’s always been like this, so it’s less burdensome than other people clinging to me.

 

If I was going to be isekai’d, Josephine’s position would have been perfect. You know, isn’t it usually the villainess or extra possession stories that are popular on web novel sites? I had such silly thoughts while giving Josephine an appropriate response.

 

“I know. I still can’t believe it either.”

 

“It was so cool! Do you know everyone is talking about you everywhere I go? I’ve even scrapped all the articles you’re in.”

 

“What?!”

 

“I’m going to pass them down to my children as family heirlooms! To tell them my friend was such a cool person!”

 

‘No, why would you turn something so embarrassing into an heirloom…’

 

I felt a sudden cold sweat running down my back.

 

“Stop flattering me. I’m just an ordinary Count’s daughter.”

 

“No. Definitely not ordinary.”

 

Josephine shook her head firmly at my words.

 

“Now Duchess Ascania is going to be your chaperone.”

 

“…Phin.”

 

I looked at Josephine with a serious expression.

 

“Is it really okay? Your aunt…”

 

“I told you it’s fine. My aunt is actually happy she can gain some favor with the Duchess thanks to you.”

 

Josephine smiled brightly at me.

 

“Aunt said it would be better for me, too. In any case, it’s a good thing to have a connection with the Ascania family, even indirectly. Thanks to you, I even get to visit the Ascania mansion like this.”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t feel too sorry. Just make sure to remember me and my aunt when you become successful later.”

 

“Successful?”

 

When I instinctively asked back, Josephine suddenly leaned in and lowered her voice meaningfully.

 

“What else could it be? Duchess Ascania doesn’t have an heir yet.”

 

“Phin, you…”

 

“If things go well, you could even become the Duchess’s successor!”

 

I was momentarily speechless as I looked at Josephine. She usually acts like a bit of a klutz, but how can she be so sly at times like this?

 

“That’s impossible. There’s no blood relation between the Duchess and me.”

 

“What does blood matter? You know very well the Duchess has no family.”

 

“…”

 

“And Rina, didn’t you accept the Duchess’s offer because you were expecting something to some extent?”

 

Ugh.

 

Left with nothing to say, I began to fan my face, pretending to be distracted. Josephine nodded at me with a triumphant smile.

 

“There’s no need to be so fastidious. I wouldn’t turn down such an opportunity either if it came to me.”

 

“Umm, well.”

 

“Isn’t it amazing just imagining it? Ariana von Ascania!”

 

“Please stop…”

 

Ugh, if I knew it would be like this, I wouldn’t have brought her. I felt my face heating up and yanked Josephine’s sleeve. She’s great, but her tendency to jump ahead of herself is her flaw.

 

Of course, it was true that I accepted the offer because I expected something from Duchess Ascania. But it wasn’t because I coveted the successor position as Josephine thought.

 

Right after hearing that the Duchess wanted to be my chaperone, I started researching the Ascania family quite thoroughly. More than their wealth, I was most interested in how strong of a political position the Ascania family held.

 

The Württemberg family is a minor noble house, with nothing particularly special except their looks. Therefore, there was nothing they could do even if a love-blinded Crown Prince committed the crazy act of killing their daughter over an affair.

 

I was thinking of various ways to avoid death flags myself… but no matter how much I thought about it, it was difficult to ensure my own safety with just my own efforts.

 

In that sense, Duchess Ascania was someone who could provide me with a sturdy fence. Her standing and influence that even the Emperor couldn’t treat lightly, her connections, and even her favor toward me—all of it.

 

And besides…

 

“Anyway, if Duchess Ascania becomes your chaperone, the possibility of things working out with the Grand Duke will become slim…”

 

I laughed inwardly at Josephine’s dejected remark while acting coy on the outside.

 

“It can’t be helped. I gave up on him early on anyway.”

 

“Still, it’s such a shame.”

 

Josephine let out a deep sigh.

 

“Now you’ll be hanging out with high-ranking people often.”

 

“Phin…”

 

Josephine wouldn’t know. The fact that this was the very reason I decided to accept the Duchess’s offer!

 

While picking up bits of information about the Ascania family, I accidentally came across an unexpected fact. It was that the Ascania family and the Bayern Grand Ducal family were practically mortal enemies!

 

Good heavens, how could there be a prestigious family so perfectly tailored for me? I lowered my head to hide the laughter that was about to leak out.

 

Truly, one must live a virtuous life. Thanks to that, I’ve gained such a reliable connection, haven’t I?

 

Ariana von Württemberg. Am I finally escaping the death flags and walking on a flowery path?

 

I imagined it for a moment. Growing closer to Duchess Ascania like this, and while not being a main character of <How to Captivate the Male Lead,> hanging out with reasonably important supporting characters and watching the love triangle between Rosette, the Grand Duke, and the Crown Prince from the sidelines.

 

Ha. Just imagining it makes me smirk. My taste was originally the villainess possession type, but so this is why people read extra possession stories. I don’t care about the female lead position; Rosette can have it. It’s enough for her alone to move fiercely to survive in this world.

 

Of course, the best ending for me would be returning to my original world… but since that’s out of my control, I’ve given up on it to some extent. Hanging out comfortably and reaping the benefits in the position of a supporting character—that is the ultimate “best ending” I’m aiming for.

 

While I was dreaming of my rosy future, Josephine, who was looking out the window, smiled broadly and poked her head out.

 

“We’re almost there, Rina! That’s the Ascania mansion!”

 

“What, really?”

 

I reflexively turned my head and looked at the mansion Josephine was pointing to. Just as she said, a mansion built of white marble boasted its magnificent stature, standing tall on a vast estate.

 

“Wow…”

 

“It’s huge, isn’t it?”

 

Josephine puffed out her chest with a proud expression as if she were showing off her own family’s mansion.

 

“Look closely. It could be your mansion one day, Rina.”

 

“Phin, please…”

 

I scolded Josephine, but I felt my heart racing a bit. Oh boy, should I have contacted them beforehand saying I’d visit? Since the letter said I could come anytime, I just showed up unannounced. Should I say I’ll come back later… then Josephine will make a fuss again.

 

After a while, our carriage passed through the grand gates of the Ascania mansion and entered the grounds. As if they had been notified in advance, the gatekeeper let us through easily.

 

I slowly calmed my racing heart as the mansion grew closer. I hadn’t done the good deed expecting a reward, but seeing it in person, I realized once again how great of a person the Duchess was.

 

It sounds like a construction company advertisement, but not all mansions are created equal. I was already surprised when I first looked around the Württemberg mansion, but compared to the Ascania mansion, it was really just a plain family house.

 

The carriage eventually stopped in front of the mansion’s entrance. I got out with the help of a servant guarding the front door, and my eyes widened when I saw another carriage parked nearby.

 

“Is there another guest here before us?”

 

“Yes.”

 

At those words, Josephine and I looked at each other awkwardly.

 

“Maybe today isn’t a good day. Should we just go back?”

 

“But isn’t it a shame to leave after coming all this way?”

 

“But we don’t know how long we’ll have to wait.”

 

The servant, who had been listening to our conversation, chimed in with a smile.

 

“You don’t have to worry too much. The guest who came first will be leaving shortly.”

 

“Really?”

 

When I asked back uncertainly, Josephine quickly pulled my sleeve.

 

“What did I tell you? Let’s just go in.”

 

“O-okay…”

 

Why is she always more motivated than I am?

 

We followed the servant into the Ascania mansion. As we passed the foyer and entered the entrance hall, the magnificent chandelier hanging from the high ceiling was the first thing to catch my eye. I sat down on the sofa with Josephine, my eyes fixed on the chandelier.

 

“Please wait a moment. I will inform the Lady that you are here.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I smiled nervously and leaned toward Josephine. Ugh. Just a moment ago, I thought I shouldn’t have brought her, but now that I’m in such an unfamiliar place, she’s the only one I can rely on.

 

To ease my tension, I started rambling about anything that came to mind. Josephine was surprisingly earnest and answered everything I said.

 

“Who do you think the guest is?”

 

“I wonder. I heard the Duchess is turning away most people…”

 

“What? How did you know that?”

 

“I saw it in the newspaper, of course! Rina, it’s proof that the Duchess considers you that special.”

 

Josephine looked at me with eyes that were almost burdensome in their sparkle.

 

“I’m so proud that you’re my friend.”

 

“U-huh.”

 

I nodded, sweating inwardly.

 

After waiting for a bit, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, as if the servant had returned. I instinctively leaned on Josephine and just turned my head to look toward the stairs.

 

But the person leaning against the railing was not a servant.

 

“Have you been waiting long?”

 

Gasp, I thought it was a servant, but the Duchess came down herself!

 

“N-no.”

 

Josephine and I quickly stood up and bowed toward the Duchess at the railing. Ugh, I thought she would have us wait in the drawing-room and come down later!

 

I could feel the Duchess chuckling above us. I felt my face burning and gripped my dress even tighter.

 

“It wouldn’t do to keep talking here, so let’s move to another room.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

When I looked up again, the Duchess was already on the first floor, smiling.

 

However, “You don’t need to mind me.”

 

That man standing next to the Duchess with his arm linked…

 

“My goodness!”

 

I felt Josephine quickly pulling my sleeve. I stared blankly at the man standing side-by-side with the Duchess, my eyes wide.

 

Why on earth, was Grand Duke Bayern, here, linking arms with Duchess Ascania so familiarly…?

 

My mind went blank for a moment. I should either act like I didn’t see him or shamelessly offer an appropriate greeting, but in this moment, I couldn’t think of anything due to the overwhelming confusion.

 

They said they were mortal enemies.

 

They said they were on bad terms.

 

So why was this man… here, and why was he linking arms with the Duchess…?

 

* * *

 

“Where am I? Who am I?”

 

Just as my consciousness began to drift away into a daze, the Grand Duke was the first to speak.

 

“My apologies. I insisted on meeting the Lady of Württemberg since I was already here visiting my mother.”

 

At his words, my mind snapped back to sharp focus.

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

“I have heard much. I was told you were the first to find and assist the Duchess that day.”

 

I stared at the Grand Duke, who was addressing me with such a calm demeanor, feeling utterly bewildered.

 

‘This man… he really doesn’t remember Ariana at all.’

 

Honestly, I had been a bit worried. What if, by some chance, he had taken notice of Ariana during those three past encounters? What if he suddenly acted familiar and crowded my space the moment we met?

 

But the Grand Duke was looking at me with a gaze that, while containing a hint of goodwill, was remarkably detached. It meant those three meetings with Ariana hadn’t left any particular impression on him.

 

“…”

 

Suddenly, I felt my heart grow heavy. It was undoubtedly a good thing for me that this man showed no interest in Ariana—something I should be relieved about—so why did my mood suddenly sink?

 

‘I feel so sorry for Ariana, who harbored such a one-sided love for a man like this…’

 

“My, we shouldn’t just be standing here.”

 

The Duchess spoke up, skillfully refreshing the atmosphere at just the right timing.

 

“It’s not proper to keep guests standing, so we should move to the drawing room.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting all day for you to arrive.”

 

At the Duchess’s gentle gaze, I felt my face suddenly flush.

 

“I’m sorry for dropping by so suddenly without notice…”

 

“I was the one who told you to visit anytime. Don’t be modest and come on in.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Josephine and I quietly followed the Duchess into the drawing room. Seeing the plush sofas and the table set by the window where sunlight poured in, the tension in my shoulders finally began to melt away.

 

“Natalie, please prepare tea for the young ladies.”

 

“Yes, my Lady.”

 

“Now, both of you, please sit.”

 

As I sat in the seat offered by the Duchess, I awkwardly caught a glimpse of the Grand Duke standing nearby.

 

‘If you’re done with your business, just leave, or sit down comfortably somewhere. Why are you standing there like that? It’s making me uncomfortable.’

 

As if reading my mind, the Duchess, sitting across from me, asked for our understanding in a cautious voice.

 

“If it wouldn’t be an intrusion to the two ladies, would it be alright if Grand Duke Bayern joined us?”

 

‘No. Please just send him home…’ that was my honest feeling, but saying so would be a breach of etiquette. I forced a polite smile and nodded toward Duchess Ascania.

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

“No, I am fine,” the Grand Duke interjected.

 

“Don’t be like that, sit with us. We haven’t even served the tea yet.”

 

While the Grand Duke and the Duchess engaged in a polite back-and-forth, Josephine, sitting next to me, added with a beam:

 

“That’s right! I’m sure Ariana would be delighted too!”

 

‘Josephine, why are you jumping in right now…?’

 

Regardless of my inner turmoil, both the Duchess and the Grand Duke looked visibly brightened by Josephine’s words.

 

“In that case, I shall take the liberty of joining you for a moment.”

 

‘This is driving me crazy.’

 

The Grand Duke naturally took the seat next to the Duchess, directly across from me. For someone who supposedly had no interest in Ariana, he was staring at me with a gaze that was oddly… soft.

 

“…”

 

‘What is with him? It’s overwhelming.’

 

It certainly wasn’t that he had fallen for me at first sight. If that were the case, he would have fallen for Ariana during those previous three meetings. But then, how was I supposed to explain the way he was looking at me now, with eyes practically dripping with honey?

 

While I was desperately trying to avoid the Grand Duke’s gaze, the maid named Natalie appeared, wheeling a tray with a tea set. It wasn’t just a teapot and cups; it included a three-tier dessert stand filled with dainty treats, just like a full afternoon tea service.

 

Once a teacup was placed in front of each of us, the Duchess picked up the teapot herself and poured tea for me first.

 

‘Hmm, this means the Duchess is definitely giving me special treatment, right?’

 

“I happened to acquire some excellent tea recently. I hope it suits your palate.”

 

“Thank you…”

 

After everyone was served, I carefully lifted the cup and took a sip. The tea, which had a hint of earthiness along with faint floral and fruity notes, suited my taste—or rather, Ariana’s body’s taste—perfectly.

 

“It’s delicious!”

 

I beamed brightly without realizing it, looking at the Duchess. She smiled back at me with an expression one might use when looking at a precious niece.

 

“I’m glad to hear it.”

 

From then on, the Duchess and I exchanged useless yet pleasant small talk about the latest trends in hats and flowers. Contrary to my fears, Josephine joined in with appropriate reactions, helping to keep the atmosphere cheerful.

 

Fortunately, the Grand Duke remained silent throughout our conversation, merely sipping his tea.

 

‘I guess he’s a total novice when it comes to women’s talk.’

 

I actually knew this already from reading <How to Captivate the Male Lead.>

 

‘Yes, good. Just keep acting like a pretty statue.’

 

I intentionally showed an exaggeratedly joyful face as I agreed with the Duchess.

 

“You’re right! Shrub roses have been so lovely lately!”

 

“They are beautiful in a vase, but they also look wonderful pinned to a hat or a dress.”

 

“My father has been investing in rose breeding lately, and he says the profitability is quite good. He’s planning to increase the investment by next year depending on the trend.”

 

“That is very interesting. By the way…”

 

As the atmosphere lightened, the Duchess suddenly took on a serious expression and cleared her throat.

 

“Lady Württemberg.”

 

“Yes, Duchess.”

 

I looked at her with a slightly tense face.

 

“Have you given serious thought to the proposal I made?”

 

‘As expected, it’s about the chaperone proposal!’

 

I felt my heart thumping and let my eyes wander slightly. I had already made up my mind to accept, but the fact that the Grand Duke seemed to be on such good terms with the Duchess—contrary to the rumors—was strangely bothersome.

 

But… if I looked at it positively, it meant Duchess Ascania’s status was so high that even Grand Duke Bayern had to mind his manners. If a figure as big as the Grand Duke came to visit her, she could hardly turn him away at the door.

 

And more than anything, I was currently in a position where the Duchess’s protection was desperate. If Duchess Ascania acted as my chaperone, even the most reckless Crown Prince would find it difficult to kill me.

 

‘I can’t let this opportunity slip away…’

 

“I am truly grateful for the proposal you gave me, Duchess.”

 

“…”

 

“And thank you once again for thinking so highly of someone as lacking as me.”

 

I could feel the tension in the Duchess’s face as she watched me. I could have just said, “Yes, I accept!” in one go, but I had already become too accustomed to the roundabout way nobles spoke.

 

“If you are alright with someone like me… I would love to continue this wonderful bond with you, Duchess.”

 

At those final words, a smile of pure joy spread across her face. My goodness, I hadn’t even done anything that great, yet I felt strangely awkward.

 

“Lady Württemberg…”

 

“I look forward to being in your care.”

 

“As do I.”

 

The Duchess and I held each other’s hands warmly. Josephine watched us with an envious gaze, moved by the heartwarming atmosphere between us.

 

It was at that moment.

 

“A ‘wonderful bond’? What are you two talking about?”

 

Grand Duke Bayern, who had been silent all this time, looked at us with a face full of genuine interest.

 

‘Ugh, the mood was so good, why do you have to butt in and ruin it? This has nothing to do with you, so could you please just stay still?’

 

Unlike me, whose mood was soured by his intrusion, the Duchess looked at him with an incredibly affectionate gaze. Something about the atmosphere felt off…

 

‘Weren’t they supposed to be mortal enemies? Was that just a false rumor?’

 

The Duchess answered his question with an excessively kind attitude.

 

“I have decided to become Lady Württemberg’s chaperone.”

 

“That is unexpected.”

 

The Grand Duke looked back and forth between the Duchess and me.

 

“Is this not the first time you have taken on the role of a chaperone, Mother?”

 

“It is.”

 

Wait, no. Who did you just call ‘Mother’…? I think I just heard something very wrong.

 

“Mother…?”

 

My voice trembled from the sheer shock. A bizarre chill ran down my spine, seeping into the very marrow of my bones.

 

“What on earth does that mean?”

 

At my question, the Grand Duke and the Duchess quickly exchanged meaningful glances.

 

‘No, acting like that makes it seem even more real! What? What is going on? Are you saying… that ridiculous nonsense I can’t even wrap my head around is true?!’

 

In contrast to my despairing state of mind, the Duchess spoke with an expression that was slightly shy, yet somewhat proud.

 

“I suppose since there has been no exchange with Bayern for a while, the young people of today might not know.”

 

“You mean…”

 

The Duchess’s next words completely shattered my hopes.

 

“Allendorf is, in fact, my biological son.”

 

“…!”

 

In an instant, my head spun, and the world before my eyes flickered to black. If it weren’t for Josephine quickly grabbing my hand, I might have fainted right then and there.

 

“I… see.”

 

Having barely regained my senses, I forced a smile with every ounce of strength I had left.

 

“I heard that the Duchess had no family… I had no idea you had such a grown son.”

 

“We have lived as if we were estranged due to some unfortunate business. But we happened to reconcile just today.”

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

“Perhaps my heart has softened after facing death… Allendorf asked if we could live together again, and I agreed. It will take some time to actually merge our households, but…”

 

“I… see.”

 

‘So it wasn’t a joke…’

 

I clenched my fists, crying tears of blood internally. The Duchess looked at me with an expression that was now much more cautious.

 

“This is all thanks to Lady Württemberg saving my life. I feel as though no words of thanks would ever be enough.”

 

‘Oh, how “honored” I am. Sob.’

 

Whether he knew my true feelings or not, Allendorf, who had been quiet, spoke up as if to back the Duchess.

 

“Come to think of it, I have yet to properly thank the Lady myself.”

 

“…”

 

“Thank you for saving my mother, Lady Württemberg. I, too, shall not forget this debt and will see to it that I repay you.”

 

“No, I…”

 

I started to say I didn’t do it for a reward, but I shut my mouth. Speaking such words right after accepting a chaperone proposal wouldn’t be persuasive—and more than anything, I found it extremely uncomfortable to interact with Allendorf any further.

 

I don’t clearly remember how time passed after that. It was only at dusk that Josephine and I boarded our carriage, following a heartfelt send-off from the mother and son. Duchess Ascania gave me a warm smile, telling me to get home safely.

 

“Please feel free to visit whenever you like in the future.”

 

“Th-thank you.”

 

I nodded to the Duchess, unable to either laugh or cry.

 

‘…This must be a terrible nightmare.’

 

As soon as the carriage started moving, I slumped over and stared blankly at the ceiling. There was only one cause: that thunderbolt of a sentence that had come out of the Duchess’s mouth.

 

‘Allendorf is, in fact, my biological son.’

 

I had thought too simply. I had only focused on the fact that the Grand Ducal family of Bayern and the Ascania family were on bad terms; I didn’t bother to look into why they were on bad terms. There were plenty of noble families who hated each other for the most trivial reasons.

 

The reasons for bad blood between families are usually varied—from petty romantic dramas to large-scale inheritance disputes. There were even a few families who still hated the Württembergs just because Ariana’s great-grandfather had stolen someone’s first love.

 

My mistake was assuming that Bayern and Ascania were at odds for some similar trivial reason and not looking into them further. But even if I had known, I would have been careless. After all, they said that until the Duchess fell into the water, she and the Grand Duke really did have a cold relationship, practically cutting each other off.

 

But how could this happen? Why, of all days, did they have to reconcile today—the very day I came to see her!

 

“It’s a lie…”

 

Josephine, who caught my mutterings like a hawk, began to chatter at me with a bright smile.

 

“I was so surprised! To think Grand Duke Bayern and Duchess Ascania were mother and son!”

 

‘Sob. I already know that, so could you please not confirm it like that?’

 

“This is great, Rina! You’ve become the benefactor who saved the Grand Duke’s mother. It’s no longer a dream to get closer to him!”

 

“No…”

 

“To be honest, I was a little worried. It’s not easy to truly give up on someone you liked, right? Of course, having someone like Duchess Ascania as a chaperone is a huge opportunity… but it would still be a shame. But now that things have turned out like this, it’s for the best!”

 

‘Please stop…’

 

I dropped my head, having no energy left to even respond to Josephine.

 

“But Rina, why do you look so miserable…?”

 

‘Did you only just notice? Sob.’

 

“I hate this…”

 

“You hate it? Why?! Isn’t this better for you?”

 

“I just wanted to give up cleanly…”

 

“Rina…”

 

“The Grand Duke… has someone he’s supposed to be engaged to…”

 

Yes, that girl, Rosette. Of course, it’s not like I’m being mindful of Rosette out of some grand sense of conscience or morality. If we’re talking about that, she’s the one who stole the Grand Duke from Ariana—the original female lead—so we’re even.

 

I’m doing this because I know she has a desperate reason for wanting Grand Duke Bayern. In the original <How to Captivate the Male Lead>—the book that Rosette knows—Rosette is sold off in marriage to a foreign king in his seventies. This happens because Rosette’s grandfather, furious after the marriage talks with the Grand Duke fell through, forced the marriage to the king instead.

 

Think about it. Who in that situation would just peacefully give up the Grand Duke? If she doesn’t get that man, a miserable ending of being sold off to an old pervert awaits her.

 

Of course, the idea of intentionally snatching a man destined for someone else is something readers could have very mixed feelings about. In fact, because of that, readers in the comment section of <How to Captivate the Male Lead> fought bitterly every single day.

 

But I actually liked the protagonist Rosette for that reason. Whether you steal him intentionally or unintentionally, isn’t the treatment of the original female lead the same? To the original female leads who lose their men, it’s all the same…

 

Suddenly, Ariana’s diary, where she had written her feelings for the Grand Duke in excruciating detail, flashed through my mind. I felt a sharp pang in a corner of my chest and cast my eyes downward.

 

‘I can’t. If I synchronize with the real Ariana’s feelings any more than this… I won’t know how to handle these emotions.’

 

If I continue to have opportunities to get closer to the Grand Duke like this, I really will end up falling for him. Even now, my mind was subconsciously synchronizing with the original Ariana.

 

For example, the me from the original world didn’t like bitter tastes. But Ariana liked them, and after constantly eating bitter foods in her body, I’ve come to genuinely like them too. If I keep going like this, I might turn into the real Ariana before I even realize it.

 

I want to remain a third party forever. Just as I enjoyed reading <How to Captivate the Male Lead> as entertainment in my safe original world, it’s enough for the fierce living to be someone else’s story in another world.

 

‘It’s not like I wanted to become Ariana…’

 

Josephine, sitting across from me, grabbed my hand tightly, looking flustered. I didn’t have the energy to pull away, so I just let her.

 

“I’m sorry, Rina.”

 

“…”

 

“I didn’t think you were being serious. I thought you were just trying to give up on the Grand Duke because the circumstances didn’t allow it.”

 

“Phin…”

 

“You really did intend to give him up.”

 

At Josephine’s words, I looked up without realizing it.

 

“Yes.”

 

“If—just if—the Grand Duke said he liked you, would you still hate it?”

 

I should have said “Of course I would,” but strangely, I hesitated. However, that hesitation didn’t last long.

 

“Yes, I would.”

 

“I see.”

 

Josephine nodded with a surprisingly calm expression.

 

“Then I won’t say anything more to encourage you about the Grand Duke.”

 

‘What’s with you? You’re usually so flighty, it’s a bit strange to see you like this. Has our Josephine finally matured?’

 

I looked at Josephine with a bit of a touched heart. Thanks to her thoughtfulness, I felt like my shattered mental state was recovering a little.

 

‘Right. I can’t just stay like this forever! I need to pull myself together and come up with a plan’

 

I blinked and slapped both my cheeks with my hands. The stinging sensation cleared my foggy mind. I smiled brightly at Josephine.

 

“Thanks, Phin.”

 

“Don’t mention it.”

 

Josephine smiled back at me shyly.