“It’s what you said earlier. Related to that ‘novel book.’”
“Ah, uhm...”
“I have something to tell you about that matter.”
A look of nervousness was evident on Adrian's face.
“I kept hearing that question, so I investigated it separately. Regarding the previous case. However...”
He paused for a moment and bit his lower lip.
“...I thought this was something that Rebecca needed to know, so I hurriedly finished work and returned.”
Adrian's face darkened as he brushed his hair again.
'What on earth is happening that makes you do that?'
I was curious about his uncharacteristically urgent attitude, but Bianca was in the living room.
I felt very uncomfortable having Bianca face Adrian, who had selfish interests towards me.
“Adrian, I’m sorry, but there are guests inside right now...”
Unfortunately, those words did not last until the end.
“I’m sorry, Rebecca.”
Adrian hurriedly passed me and entered the living room.
Surprised by his unusual behavior, I followed him with wide eyes.
However, Adrian's urgent steps toward the living room soon stopped.
"Uh? Adrian is here for some reason...”
An unexpected encounter with Bianca.
Adrian blinked his eyes slowly as if he was embarrassed.
"Ah...The Princess was there.”
Adrian, who was chanting like that, lowered his eyes and lightly bit his lower lip.
He seemed very impatient.
It took a while for Adrian to barely control his expression and smiled softly at Bianca.
“It’s been a while, Princess Bianca.”
“That’s right, Adrian. Oh! Now...”
Bianca rolled her round eyes and then smiled.
“Should I call you Count Monter?”
Adrian responded with a smile and nodded his head.
I looked at him and pointed to the table.
“Sit over there. I was just chatting with Princess Bianca.”
“...Sorry. It looks like I unintentionally interrupted the two of you.”
"It's okay. The employees will prepare the tea soon, so come on.”
If it had been him, he would have left immediately, saying that he had caused a nuisance and that he would come back later.
But Adrian was different now.
He went straight to the table and sat down.
Then, looking at Bianca sitting next to him, he again showed signs of nervousness.
It's like someone who can't say something they want to say because of Bianca.
Looking at him like that, I tilted my head.
‘What on earth is happening that makes you do that? It's not like Adrian to be so impatient.'
A book, and bait... What on earth could he say so urgently about them?
The moment I was thinking that.
I suddenly remembered Adrian from the day I revealed the truth.
'That feeling will end someday.'
'So I just... All I have to do is wait for the time when my heart runs out.'
It was a confession so desperate that I felt sorry for not being able to return it to him.
My mood sank little by little due to my overwhelming guilt.
'If he finds out I'm having Cedric's child... He'll probably be very hurt.'
But then Adrian will have no choice but to give up.
I was lost in thought while carelessly touching my not-yet-swollen belly.
Just then, Mina came into the reception room carrying the tea.
It seemed like she heard the news that Adrian had arrived late.
“Butler! Oh, no, Count Monter...!”
Joy bloomed in her eyes as she had secretly admired Adrian.
“I was so sad that you went away when I was away from the mansion. How have you been?”
Mina said as she placed the teacup in front of Adrian.
"Sure. Thank you for welcoming me. It seems like you’ve been doing well, Miss Mina.”
Adrian nodded his head and responded politely.
Bianca, who was watching the scene next to her, spoke with a more flushed face.
“What kind of day is today that I can meet all the people I wanted to see on a long-awaited day off from class!”
Adrian raised the corner of his mouth affectionately towards the happy child.
However, it seemed like he did not understand everything the child said.
“The Princess’s tutor suddenly took leave today, so she’s spending time with me.”
Adrian then shook his head as I continued to elaborate.
Is it because of Bianca and Mina’s bright energy?
The awkward feeling I felt due to Adrian's sudden visit seemed to have eased somewhat.
I didn't miss the opportunity and gave Bianca a mischievous look.
“My Bianca, now that I see you, I really like you, don’t you? Isn’t it because you don’t usually study hard?”
"Yes? Ah, no, it's not really...?”
Bianca pursed her lips.
I exchanged a smile with Adrian at that cute appearance and then looked at the child again.
“So what have you been learning lately? Bianca, since you’ve studied so hard, you can show it off in front of Count Monter, right?”
"Of course!"
Bianca answered bravely.
She then placed her finger on her lips and thought for a moment.
“What have I learned recently, um... Ah! I’m currently learning about the history of the Western Continent!”
“History of the Empire?”
"Yes! From the history before the founding of the current Western Empire. Before the Western Empire, a kingdom called Katsis ruled this continent for a long time!”
“Oh my, is that so?”
I asked, pretending to hear something I didn't know for the first time.
Then the child became even more excited and started chattering.
"Yes! Like our Western Empire, that Kingdom was very powerful, but in the end, there was an internal division over who would inherit the throne.”
“Well...”
“And the nobles exploit the commoners and treat them poorly, and... Ah! Even if you do something wrong, it has become natural to avoid sin with money. That’s why the country has become increasingly unstable!”
Bianca, who confidently finished her presentation, smiled brightly and came into my arms.
“But our Empire will never end up like the Katsis Kingdom. Because my brother is here! Is that right, Your Highness?”
I nodded as I looked at Bianca asking cheerfully.
"Sure. Sure."
It was only for a moment that I touched the child's bulging cheeks.
I slowly blinked, feeling a sudden sense of déjà vu.
“... Bianca, what Kingdom did you just say?”
"Yes?"
Bianca tilted her head and answered slowly.
“Katsis Kingdom?”
The smile on the face that was looking at the child gradually faded.
I removed and reattached my lips several times.
Then, I finally managed to open my mouth.
“Bianca, that accent is not northern... How did you find out?”
The child rolled his round eyes with a puzzled expression.
"Yes? Of course...”
***
“N-No way, you...”
For a brief moment, a thought occurred to her as if it were instinct, but Camilla shook her head.
What was standing before her eyes was clearly the Lobelia she knew.
But why...
'Does Rebecca's old tone and behavior keep overlapping?'
At the moment when she was wondering something absurd, the corners of Lobelia's lips curved thinly.
"Also, as Camilla was my maid, she recognized me right away.”
“... !”
"But. I guess it’s only natural that you would have had to observe me closely to use me.”
“Well, then you really... ?”
The moment when Camilla's eyes opened wide as if they were torn apart she finally realized the truth.
Lobelia plunged the long sword she was holding deep into her solar plexus.
“Ugh...”
Camilla spat out red blood again.
Fresh blood dripped down Lobelia's pure white face, and Camilla immediately fell helplessly.
Ugh... Ugh...
“I have something to tell you about that matter.”
A look of nervousness was evident on Adrian's face.
“I kept hearing that question, so I investigated it separately. Regarding the previous case. However...”
He paused for a moment and bit his lower lip.
“...I thought this was something that Rebecca needed to know, so I hurriedly finished work and returned.”
Adrian's face darkened as he brushed his hair again.
'What on earth is happening that makes you do that?'
I was curious about his uncharacteristically urgent attitude, but Bianca was in the living room.
I felt very uncomfortable having Bianca face Adrian, who had selfish interests towards me.
“Adrian, I’m sorry, but there are guests inside right now...”
Unfortunately, those words did not last until the end.
“I’m sorry, Rebecca.”
Adrian hurriedly passed me and entered the living room.
Surprised by his unusual behavior, I followed him with wide eyes.
However, Adrian's urgent steps toward the living room soon stopped.
"Uh? Adrian is here for some reason...”
An unexpected encounter with Bianca.
Adrian blinked his eyes slowly as if he was embarrassed.
"Ah...The Princess was there.”
Adrian, who was chanting like that, lowered his eyes and lightly bit his lower lip.
He seemed very impatient.
It took a while for Adrian to barely control his expression and smiled softly at Bianca.
“It’s been a while, Princess Bianca.”
“That’s right, Adrian. Oh! Now...”
Bianca rolled her round eyes and then smiled.
“Should I call you Count Monter?”
Adrian responded with a smile and nodded his head.
I looked at him and pointed to the table.
“Sit over there. I was just chatting with Princess Bianca.”
“...Sorry. It looks like I unintentionally interrupted the two of you.”
"It's okay. The employees will prepare the tea soon, so come on.”
If it had been him, he would have left immediately, saying that he had caused a nuisance and that he would come back later.
But Adrian was different now.
He went straight to the table and sat down.
Then, looking at Bianca sitting next to him, he again showed signs of nervousness.
It's like someone who can't say something they want to say because of Bianca.
Looking at him like that, I tilted my head.
‘What on earth is happening that makes you do that? It's not like Adrian to be so impatient.'
A book, and bait... What on earth could he say so urgently about them?
The moment I was thinking that.
I suddenly remembered Adrian from the day I revealed the truth.
'That feeling will end someday.'
'So I just... All I have to do is wait for the time when my heart runs out.'
It was a confession so desperate that I felt sorry for not being able to return it to him.
My mood sank little by little due to my overwhelming guilt.
'If he finds out I'm having Cedric's child... He'll probably be very hurt.'
But then Adrian will have no choice but to give up.
I was lost in thought while carelessly touching my not-yet-swollen belly.
Just then, Mina came into the reception room carrying the tea.
It seemed like she heard the news that Adrian had arrived late.
“Butler! Oh, no, Count Monter...!”
Joy bloomed in her eyes as she had secretly admired Adrian.
“I was so sad that you went away when I was away from the mansion. How have you been?”
Mina said as she placed the teacup in front of Adrian.
"Sure. Thank you for welcoming me. It seems like you’ve been doing well, Miss Mina.”
Adrian nodded his head and responded politely.
Bianca, who was watching the scene next to her, spoke with a more flushed face.
“What kind of day is today that I can meet all the people I wanted to see on a long-awaited day off from class!”
Adrian raised the corner of his mouth affectionately towards the happy child.
However, it seemed like he did not understand everything the child said.
“The Princess’s tutor suddenly took leave today, so she’s spending time with me.”
Adrian then shook his head as I continued to elaborate.
Is it because of Bianca and Mina’s bright energy?
The awkward feeling I felt due to Adrian's sudden visit seemed to have eased somewhat.
I didn't miss the opportunity and gave Bianca a mischievous look.
“My Bianca, now that I see you, I really like you, don’t you? Isn’t it because you don’t usually study hard?”
"Yes? Ah, no, it's not really...?”
Bianca pursed her lips.
I exchanged a smile with Adrian at that cute appearance and then looked at the child again.
“So what have you been learning lately? Bianca, since you’ve studied so hard, you can show it off in front of Count Monter, right?”
"Of course!"
Bianca answered bravely.
She then placed her finger on her lips and thought for a moment.
“What have I learned recently, um... Ah! I’m currently learning about the history of the Western Continent!”
“History of the Empire?”
"Yes! From the history before the founding of the current Western Empire. Before the Western Empire, a kingdom called Katsis ruled this continent for a long time!”
“Oh my, is that so?”
I asked, pretending to hear something I didn't know for the first time.
Then the child became even more excited and started chattering.
"Yes! Like our Western Empire, that Kingdom was very powerful, but in the end, there was an internal division over who would inherit the throne.”
“Well...”
“And the nobles exploit the commoners and treat them poorly, and... Ah! Even if you do something wrong, it has become natural to avoid sin with money. That’s why the country has become increasingly unstable!”
Bianca, who confidently finished her presentation, smiled brightly and came into my arms.
“But our Empire will never end up like the Katsis Kingdom. Because my brother is here! Is that right, Your Highness?”
I nodded as I looked at Bianca asking cheerfully.
"Sure. Sure."
It was only for a moment that I touched the child's bulging cheeks.
I slowly blinked, feeling a sudden sense of déjà vu.
“... Bianca, what Kingdom did you just say?”
"Yes?"
Bianca tilted her head and answered slowly.
“Katsis Kingdom?”
The smile on the face that was looking at the child gradually faded.
I removed and reattached my lips several times.
Then, I finally managed to open my mouth.
“Bianca, that accent is not northern... How did you find out?”
The child rolled his round eyes with a puzzled expression.
"Yes? Of course...”
***
“N-No way, you...”
For a brief moment, a thought occurred to her as if it were instinct, but Camilla shook her head.
What was standing before her eyes was clearly the Lobelia she knew.
But why...
'Does Rebecca's old tone and behavior keep overlapping?'
At the moment when she was wondering something absurd, the corners of Lobelia's lips curved thinly.
"Also, as Camilla was my maid, she recognized me right away.”
“... !”
"But. I guess it’s only natural that you would have had to observe me closely to use me.”
“Well, then you really... ?”
The moment when Camilla's eyes opened wide as if they were torn apart she finally realized the truth.
Lobelia plunged the long sword she was holding deep into her solar plexus.
“Ugh...”
Camilla spat out red blood again.
Fresh blood dripped down Lobelia's pure white face, and Camilla immediately fell helplessly.
Ugh... Ugh...
A creepy laugh escaped the lips of Camilla's puppet, who held Camilla behind her while Lobelia went about her business.
“Thank you so much, Camilla.”
A sinister smile appeared at the end of Lobelia's bloody lips.
Camilla droops.
And Lobelia, who smiles so innocently that she seems cruel.
A deep sense of confusion appeared in Duke Bold's eyes as he looked at the two women alternately.
“Ma’am, Madam, why did you come directly into a woman’s body...!”
The Duke of Bold had a look of surprise on his face.
“You don’t like it?”
But Lobelia's smile towards him only grew softer.
Duke Bold's cheeks vibrated slightly as he faced that sight.
He can't believe that he, a huge man, feels intimidated by a mere woman.
Duke Bold anxiously rubbed his face with a creeping sense of foreboding.
'This is it. I don't know if I've invited a tiger to eat me with my own hands.'
He kept shaking his legs without realizing it.
“It can’t be. What I mean is, was there any reason for you to do something like this yourself with those pretty hands...?"
“Thank you so much, Camilla.”
A sinister smile appeared at the end of Lobelia's bloody lips.
Camilla droops.
And Lobelia, who smiles so innocently that she seems cruel.
A deep sense of confusion appeared in Duke Bold's eyes as he looked at the two women alternately.
“Ma’am, Madam, why did you come directly into a woman’s body...!”
The Duke of Bold had a look of surprise on his face.
“You don’t like it?”
But Lobelia's smile towards him only grew softer.
Duke Bold's cheeks vibrated slightly as he faced that sight.
He can't believe that he, a huge man, feels intimidated by a mere woman.
Duke Bold anxiously rubbed his face with a creeping sense of foreboding.
'This is it. I don't know if I've invited a tiger to eat me with my own hands.'
He kept shaking his legs without realizing it.
“It can’t be. What I mean is, was there any reason for you to do something like this yourself with those pretty hands...?"
“...”
“Camilla is the woman who bore my grudge, so I could have handled it myself.”
At that moment, the puppet threw Camilla's body, which he had been holding on to, to the floor.
The body of a woman thrown out without notice and rolling around on the floor.
Looking at it that had already cooled down, Duke Bold swallowed his dry saliva.
“I’m just worried that this might be a problem in the future since you is such a precious person who will soon become a Grand Duchess..."
"Ha..."
Duke Bold's mouth immediately closed at the sound of his woman's short laugh.
The fear in the man's red eyes gradually deepened.
“Of course, I have to do it myself. If not me, who else would do this for you?”
Lobelia smiled softly and answered.
“And above all...”
She continued her words by lightly kicking Camilla's body as she fell to the floor with her shoe.
“It’s fun.”
Lobelia's eyes turned to Duke Bold again.
Green eyes are so fresh that they look innocent.
Duke Bold finally realized that it came from pure evil.
“Ah, fun... What fun...?”
The moment he was so scared that he was out of breath.
Lobelia began to slowly approach him.
He instinctively opened his mouth hurriedly.
“You’ve done this for me, but I swear you’ll never have anything to do with me! Yeah, well, if you need help with anything, just let me know!”
While Duke Bold was speaking urgently, the woman's toes had already arrived right in front of him.
Lobelia gently pressed down on the shoulder of the man, who was shaking with fear.
Duke Bold, overcome by the momentum, collapsed into his chair placed behind him.
Lobelia lowered her gaze and made eye contact with him.
Then, she roughly wiped away the blood that had spattered on her face and slowly opened her mouth.
"I am...Are you afraid?”
A soft question flowed from Lobelia's lips.
But she heard no word coming straight back from the horrified Duke Bold.
Lobelia gently pressed his shoulders again and brought her face closer to his.
“There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s me.”
Duke Bold's face began to tremble as he met her eyes.
It was only for a moment that his red eyes stared into each other's eyes.
"Still...”
The corners of Lobelia's lips curved upward.
“Don’t you know who I am, father?”
The fear in the man's red eyes gradually deepened.
“Of course, I have to do it myself. If not me, who else would do this for you?”
Lobelia smiled softly and answered.
“And above all...”
She continued her words by lightly kicking Camilla's body as she fell to the floor with her shoe.
“It’s fun.”
Lobelia's eyes turned to Duke Bold again.
Green eyes are so fresh that they look innocent.
Duke Bold finally realized that it came from pure evil.
“Ah, fun... What fun...?”
The moment he was so scared that he was out of breath.
Lobelia began to slowly approach him.
He instinctively opened his mouth hurriedly.
“You’ve done this for me, but I swear you’ll never have anything to do with me! Yeah, well, if you need help with anything, just let me know!”
While Duke Bold was speaking urgently, the woman's toes had already arrived right in front of him.
Lobelia gently pressed down on the shoulder of the man, who was shaking with fear.
Duke Bold, overcome by the momentum, collapsed into his chair placed behind him.
Lobelia lowered her gaze and made eye contact with him.
Then, she roughly wiped away the blood that had spattered on her face and slowly opened her mouth.
"I am...Are you afraid?”
A soft question flowed from Lobelia's lips.
But she heard no word coming straight back from the horrified Duke Bold.
Lobelia gently pressed his shoulders again and brought her face closer to his.
“There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s me.”
Duke Bold's face began to tremble as he met her eyes.
It was only for a moment that his red eyes stared into each other's eyes.
"Still...”
The corners of Lobelia's lips curved upward.
“Don’t you know who I am, father?”
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