ICTV - Chapter 27

ICTV - Chapter 27

I Changed The Villain

'Hello, Lady Pale.'

It was flawless, very clean, and neat handwriting. Rose read the letter quickly.

‘I’m sorry for sending you a letter so suddenly. Did you arrive safely that day? Thanks to My Lady, I feel good for the first time in a long time.

I was able to return home.'

So what is the conclusion? I close my eyes.

I blushed.

‘I don’t know how you will hear me. I want to have fun with my Lady one more time. If you would like to meet me again, please send me a reply.’

Rose's lips drew an arc. Mera, who was holding her breath next to me, asked.

“What is it about?”

"Cartel."

"Really?!"

"No."

“Miss, my heart almost stopped!”

I immediately sat down at my desk and wrote a piece of parchment. Mera, who was quick-witted, took out a bottle of ink.

“Is that letter from Duke Serenity?”

"That's right."

Mera looked restless.

“Why did he really send the letter to you? Tell me please."

“Ask me on a date.”

Slurp. 

My hand, which was writing a reply, stopped. Mera was sitting on the carpet. Her face was so pale that it wouldn't be surprising if she collapsed right away. Mera pleaded bitterly.

“Please call it a duel, Miss...!”

Even if I joked about it, it was a problem, and even if I was being honest, it was a problem. What do I do with Mera?

I wondered if it would calm me down.

 “Duke Serenity is very beautiful. He may be a lucky person, but he is just as scary! He is notorious for treating people as worse than insects!”

Mera clung to Rose's leg and begged.

“You must never meet him, Miss! If you make him feel uncomfortable, you will die with a single blow...!"

“Mera.”

I placed my finger on Mera's lips. Mera reflexively closed her mouth.

“I even went for a walk alone with him, and I wasn’t scared at all.”

I withdrew my finger and put the letter in the envelope.

“...But Lady.”

“And if I refuse, my family may be at a disadvantage. Do you know how great his influence is in the social world?”

Mera had nothing more to say because the reason was very plausible, even though it was made hastily. I handed Mera a letter

“Who else saw this letter besides you?”

“A few of the servants who took care of the mail saw it, but I quickly stopped them from joining in.”

“Great job, Mera.”

I watched it for ten years. If my parents or Beryl had seen this letter, they would have flipped out right away. I don't want to be bothered by my family even though we're not in a relationship yet. It's best to put off troublesome matters until later. I handed Mera a letter.

“It may be difficult, but you can go to Serenity yourself. Go to the mansion and tell him.”

“... When are you going to meet him?”

"Two days later."

Rose lazily got into her sleeping bag.

“And I’m going out alone.”

"Miss!!"

I can't hear anything. I covered my ears with my palms.

***

“It’s strange, where did my sleeping bag really go?"

“Are you sure you really laid it out in the garden?”

“That’s right. Ah, I liked that it was so cozy.”

It was when Beryl was just scratching his head.

"Brother."

Rose called Beryl. Beryl turned his head. Rose, with her hair neatly styled, was coming down the stairs.

“I’m so crazy, why are you calling me?”

Rose gestured with her chin instead of answering. 

“I'ts here.”

On the stairs was the sleeping bag Beryl had been looking for. Beryl's eyes popped out.

“You were the culprit?!”

"Bother was stolen my eucheet my father gave me as a gift."

Berryl did not win the minute and garrotted. Rose is a mansion in the gap he left. There was a carriage that was waiting in advance.

"I really think I'll go alone."

"Huh? At least take one or two maids with you.”

“I said it’s okay. Let’s leave quickly.”

Rose got into the carriage and closed the door. The driver, unable to break Rose's stubbornness, eventually let the carriage start. Rose looked at the seat across from her. The wide-brimmed hat Mera had prepared was lying there.

“This will cover up my noticeable hair.”

I immediately picked up the hat. But as soon as I picked up the hat, something fell to the floor. What is this? 

Rose lowered her head. It was a book and a crumpled note.

'I prepared a book in case you get bored while traveling. I will pray that you return safely.'

As expected, Mera has good sense. I folded the note again. As soon as I opened the book, black letters greeted me as if they had been waiting for me. I read the text frantically as if possessed by something. 

This book is for nobles. It was a mystery novel that was also very popular here.

When I found a book I liked, I read it dozens of times. People said things while looking at me like that. How much do you love a book and read it over and over again? But I have never been happy to hear that.

"..."

I did not purely like books. After reading the last chapter and closing the book, I immediately felt a sense of respect and inferiority. This writer is a genius, but at the same time, why is he writing this?

I end up thinking, 

“I can’t use it.” 

That doesn't mean I didn't try.

Since I was in middle school, I have been writing in a notebook, avoiding my parents' eyes, until an entire bookshelf was filled with it. After I became a high school student, I submitted my work to websites and contests without telling anyone. But no matter how much effort I put into it, there were still articles that people liked.

Just like this novel.

I looked at the black book cover and put on my hat. The speed of the carriage was gradually slowing down. It means that I have arrived at the destination. 

I got out of the carriage. 

“Miss, are you sure you’re okay?"

The meeting place was in front of a statue located in a downtown area. It is said that this statue, made of real pure gold, was donated by a merchant when this downtown was built. It is said that it was carved to depict Scudo, the God symbolizing wealth and abundance, scattering gold coins. 

I gestured for the coachman to leave.

“I said it’s okay.”

“But I don’t feel reassured. Lady, consider me just a servant today... Hehe!"

The coachman was so surprised that he couldn't even speak. This was because Belial was walking along with his guard knights. When a person who looked more like a statue than a statue appeared, the coachman was completely entranced. At that moment, I fell from the coachman.

“You came early, Young lady.”

I bowed.

"Duke Belial Serenity ..."

“Good to say hello. By the way, you covered your hair today.”

I tilted back the brim of my hat slightly.

"Yes. Is it strange?"

“Look at that bright red hair, It’s a little disappointing that this isn’t the case.”

Belial, who was trailing off his words, smiled ecstatically.

“It’s still beautiful enough.”

"Thank you."

When you receive a compliment, give it back in return. It's polite. I spoke shyly.

“Duke Serenity is also so beautiful. The sight of you standing there is like the moon itself.”

“Haha, that’s right…”

“Astronomers will be surprised when they see it. The moon, which should be in the sky, is not enough on the ground and is floating during the day.”

"..."

“The day when the history of astronomy is rewritten.”

“That’s it, today.”

For some reason, the surroundings suddenly became quiet. Isn't this it? The moment I tilted my head, Belial smiled slightly.

“You have a unique and unpredictable charm.”

“Duke Serenity is as unpredictable as the deep sea...”

"Stop."

Belial pointed to a nearby cafe.

“Would you like some tea first?”

"Great."

The two headed to the cafe. As soon as the waiter saw Belial, he almost dropped the tray he was holding but managed to hold on. As someone who worked at a store frequented by nobles, he received a harsh education that was incomparable to that of an ordinary store.

“It would be best to be as quiet and inconspicuous as possible.”

“Yes, ah, I will guide you.”

In particular, people who work in shops frequented by nobles are considered employers.

"Great."

From now on, he is asked to be careful with his mouth. Although I have seen people who have suffered misfortune because they speak lightly, there is absolutely no one who loses money because they speak loudly. In particular, this cafe was a popular place for secret relationships because the employees were very talkative. The employee guided the two to a partitioned area.

“What would you like to order?”

I looked at the menu. If Beryl and I had come together, we would have ordered a piece of cake and eaten it, but we couldn't do that in front of someone we were meeting for the first time. I guess I should just order a piece of cake. I said.

“I’ll take Mont Blanc.”

“I see you like Mont Blanc?”

"Yes. I like other cakes, but this one is especially delicious.”

“Mont Blanc is one of the cakes that the chef at our mansion is good at making. I would like to invite you to my mansion sometime.”

My eyes immediately lit up.

“You can even have dinner tonight.”

 “...I am unavailable for dinner tonight."

Belial passed the menu to the waiter.

“Then, two Mont Blancs and two cups of black tea.”

“Oh, sorry. customer. Because other customers just ordered, there was only one piece of Mont Blanc left. Would you like to order at least one piece?”

Belial glanced at me. My eyes were still sparkling. Belial told the waiter to do so. Because he doesn't like sweets that much anyway.

“Let’s share in half.”

“It’s okay, My Lady.”

Rose took off her hat as soon as Montblanc came out. She was beautiful when her red hair hung down like a waterfall, but it was also beautiful when it was tied up high. At the party, he thought the red hair was the most beautiful, but now he sees that the slim jawline and soft neckline are just as beautiful. Belial opened his mouth.

“Young Lady.”

Rose was a woman of marriageable age.

As for him, his interpersonal relationships were as good as 100 years old. It was unfortunate for the Pale family, but fortunate for Belial. If he becomes deeply involved with a woman who already has a lover, his reputation will be damaged. Belial wanted to keep Rose by his side before another man came along.

“I have a favor to ask.”

Belial hated procrastination. And he had to get what he wanted to be satisfied. There was no need for the other party's doctor. Belial's blue eyes shone coolly.

Then, Rose pulled Montblanc close to him.

“This is already mine.”

"That’s not a request.”

Ah, thank goodness. Rose split the Mont Blanc with a fork. Belial calmed his voice again, saying that she was indeed a very interesting Lady.

“Would you like to meet me?”

Previous            Next

Support Novellate!