ICTV - Chapter 13

ICTV - Chapter 13

I Changed The Villain

Instead of answering, Rose pointed to the top of the dresser. A wilting yellow rose was placed in a vase. Belial sighed.

“Oh my, you haven’t thrown it away yet. I just…”

Before Belial could finish speaking, Rose suddenly sat down on the floor. The hem of the rich dress spread out like a dream. 

'Why are you suddenly sitting on the floor?'

The moment Belial became suspicious, Rose held out one hand.

“Come here.”

"...Yes?"

Rose pursed her lips with an expressionless face.

“Our baby wolf.”

Belial's expression hardened. 

"Miss, again... !"

Mera's face turned pale. The temperature in the room, which had felt reasonable just moments ago, dropped sharply. It's not enough to tell that damn baby wolf, 'Come here'.

What! How on earth should we resolve this situation? It was when Mera was flustered.

"Rose."

Belial opened his mouth.

“I am not an animal.”

Mera didn't think his words were very convincing. Even as he said so, Belial steadily approached Rose. Belial and Rose sat face to face and made eye level.

“But I can’t refuse your request.”

Belial's hand was placed on Rose's hand. Rose looked down at that hand, then stretched out her other hand.

“Oh, you’re good.”

Rose's hand stroked Belial's head.

"Good job."

Belial smiled, clasping Rose's hand. Mera thought as she watched the scene. There's something strange about it, but he looks happy, so let's leave it at that.

***

“Your mother is busy with a social gathering today, and Beryl also went to the blacksmith shop, right?”

Rose's father, Charles Pale, said with a kind smile.

“It’s lonely without the two of them, but for the first time in a while, we can talk together like this.”

“It’s done.”

Rika bent down and poured some tea. Charles's favorite light pink teacup was filled with fragrant tea. Charles took a sip of tea.

“It seems like your relationship with Duke Serenity has improved these days. I heard the smile never disappears from Duke Serenity’s face.”

Rose, who was sitting across from his father and slaughtering a cake with a fork, answered calmly.

“We’re going to get engaged soon.”

“When I look at you, I automatically think of my younger days. Have I ever told you what a beautiful woman your mother, Primrose, was?”

“You said it about 403 times this year alone, Father."

She remembered that... ?! 

Rika, who was serving next to me, had a look of shock on her face. Charles, on the other hand, just smiled again.

“I can’t believe you only said that. We should talk about it more often.” 

"Yes. I’ll listen to you as much as I want.”

Slurp.

Charles took another sip of tea.

“But these days, you’ve been buying a lot of books. What books do you “buy” so many?"

“It’s nothing special.”

Rose put another piece of cake on a plate.

“This is a book that will bring me and Belial closer.”

“Ah, I want you to become closer to Duke Serenity… … .”

Clink. The teacup fell from Charles' hand.

“Ho, does this mean you’re reading a relationship book?”

Instead of answering, I pointed out.

“Father, that is your favorite teacup..”

“What’s the use of all these tea cups? I heard you're reading a relationship book... !"

Tears welled up in Charles' eyes. Charles got up and rose. He hugged me. He hugged me so tightly that it took my breath away.

“After all, love is great! I can’t believe our blunt daughter has changed like this!” 

“…Father.”

“This father has no regrets even if he dies right now! You will definitely become the best couple in the Empire!”

Rika looked at Mera standing in front of the door in silence. Mera was desperately hiding the pet book that Rose had left for her before she sat down. 

***

'The most important thing is to find out what the current intimacy level is between the pet and the owner.

"... Miss."

After tea time, I lay down on the bed and read aloud a pet book.

“If the ‘hand’ and ‘come here’ is successful, it can be said that a level of intimacy has been formed.”

"Miss."

“The next step is ‘get down, but before going into this step, you must have enough praise and treats.”

"Miss!"

Only then did I take my eyes off the book. Mera looked 10 years older.

“No way, Duke Serenity, it’s not really true. You’re not going to tell him to ‘get down’, are you?”

I shook my head.

“Of course not. Belial also has human dignity.”

Becky and Rika next to Mera also looked 10 years older.

“… … Did anyone who knew that try ‘Come Here’ and ‘Hands’?”

“No, Ma’am. If you had known that in the first place, you shouldn’t have tried at all.”

“But I was curious.”

If I treat him like a real dog, will he stay still? There were two reactions that I predicted. He can listen obediently, or he can explode and say, ‘I can’t take it anymore!’

Either way, there was no harm to him. The former is fun and the latter is a wish-fulfillment. 

“Still, I hoped it would be the latter.”

I slammed my fist on the bed. I didn't know he would even like being treated like a dog. Thanks to this, I was able to completely give up on the strategy of messing with his temper. 

"Also.."

All I have to do is play the original Rose and wait for Belial's true nature to come out. In order to do that, I have to approach it in an ordinary way and build love step by step. How do ordinary people behave when they fall in love? When I was thinking deeply, Mera suggested.

“Miss, can you just read an ordinary romance book instead of this one?”

“Mera, rather than something like that, let me just read a romance novel.”

“Where did you learn about ‘Baby Wolf’?

“Have you already forgotten?”

"Rika and Becky also recommended it right away."

"I’ll buy one with my own money too.This."

“I also used my own money… … !"

“Wait, a relationship book?”

Yeah, normal people aren't lazy like me. When you fall in love, you probably refer to dozens of relationship books. I will do it. My eyes opened brightly.

 “It’s okay, just buy one with my own money."

“What are you buying?”

"Miss?"

“Speaking of which, let’s go buy it right away. Get ready to go out right away.”

Whoops. Tears welled in the maids' eyes.

“Well, then, Lady. Aren’t you going to read any more pet books?!”

“You won’t even say ‘come here’ or ‘hand’ to Duke Serenity?!”

“Aaaahhh, My Lady. You’re the best!!!”

So the three ran at once and hugged me. The point of rejoicing was quite strange, but no one questioned it.

I left the mansion with my three maids. The three maids were talking in the carriage about which love book was best. In particular, Mera is a romance novel. It's been a long time since she memorized the contents of a relationship book for two months.

“That new book that just came out is the best. Are the price and content both reasonable? Other books either focus on the nobility or the common people, but in this new book, the chapters are categorized by social status. That love book would be best for you, too.”

“So you got a boyfriend after reading that?” 

“Why did you cross the line?”

The carriage quickly left Viscount Pale's estate and arrived at a downtown area. 

In the city, there were young ladies dressed similarly to me, leisurely shopping or sitting in a cafe. I got out of the carriage with the help of the maids.

“Which bookstore are you going to?”

“Let’s go to the bookstore I often go to, Lady. The owner’s grandmother gives a lot of discounts.”

"Good. Then, give me directions right away... … ."

At that time, Mera's apron caught Rika's eyes. There was a white note sticking out of Mera's apron pocket.

“Mera, what is that note?”

“A note? Oh my, I forgot.” 

Mera took a note out of her pocket.

“The chef told me to pick up some spices on the way. I heard they ran out of spices for tonight’s dinner.”

“Where is the spice shop?”

“The alley inside the bookstore we go to."

It was an inner alley. I nodded.

“Then stop by the spice shop first. It would be better.”

“Huh, are you okay, Lady?”

"Yes, I'm fine."

Once I gave her permission, Mera had no reason to hesitate any longer. The three headed to the spice shop under the guidance of Mera, who was most familiar with downtown locations. As soon as I got closer to the spice shop, a unique scent passed my nose. Mera turned on her heel and looked inside the store. The clerks were busy moving sacks of spices.

“Gee, I guess someone placed a large order. It’s going to be hectic inside the store, so Becky and I will go there together.”

Mera instructed Rika.

“You’re with the Lady.”

“Yeah, don’t worry.”

Rika smiled faintly and waved at the two. The two went into the store.

“Miss, we are finally together."

Her platinum-blond hair was neatly divided into two parts. Rika, who had braids, cupped her cheeks and smiled. As can be guessed from her appearance, Rika was the most docile maid in the mansion. I also heard a rumor that Rika was popular among the knights because she was quiet.

"Miss, I can't buy you only a book."

Rika took out a coin purse from her pocket.

“I’d like to buy you some cookies. You always treat us well..."

Swish. 

Before Rika finished speaking, someone snatched the coin purse. Rika quickly turned her head. A boy in green robes ran to the other side of the alley.

“So, it’s a pickpocket! What should I do…!”

As mentioned earlier, Rika was the quietest maid in the Pale family mansion.

“Hey!!”

Instead of running to catch it, Rika takes off her shoes and throws it away. The shoe flew away in an instant and hit the boy directly in the back of the head. The boy who had been hit with her shoe fell to the floor. Rika stands on one foot.

He jumped up and down and approached the boy. Rika's eyes were filled with tears.

“You bad pickpocket! Give me my wallet right now!”

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