IWLUBCD - Chapter 26

That evening.

I, who had been tormented by Caroline all day, entered the mansion, my body exhausted.

I kind of expected it, but I didn't think I'd learn to dance in this Spartan way.

Perhaps it was fortunate that they were not questioned about why I could not dance.

It was at that moment that I, who wanted to go to bed as soon as possible, was about to enter the room.

'But is Carsis okay?'

Until this morning, Carsis didn't seem to be in any pain at all.

A little while ago, I was worried because he had returned to the mansion first, saying he was sick.

Because no matter how much pain that child was in, it was clear that he would just suffer alone.

'Oh, I told you it takes a lot of work.'

He probably won't even go to the doctor unless someone finds him collapsed again.

As the thought crossed my mind, I turned around and knocked on Carsis's' door.

Knock knock.

“Carsis. It’s me.”

“...”

But all that comes back is a heavy silence.

After that, I knocked on the door several times but it was the same.

The surroundings were quiet as if the owner was not in the room.

'I hope he didn't collapse again?'

I know it's rude to enter an unoccupied room.

I, who was worried because of my previous experience, opened the door.

“Carsis?”

The door opened easily. The room, lit only by moonlight, was dark.

Perhaps he had gone to see the doctor. Contrary to my expectations, there was no one in the room.

'Where on earth have you been at this hour?'

I thought about waiting here for a while, but since it wasn't urgent, I was about to leave the room again.

Something familiar on the bed caught my eye.

A thin piece of cloth that elegantly reflects the moonlight.

I, who seemed to be drawn to something, approached the bed and picked it up.

Then, the soft feeling of it slipping through my fingers felt familiar.

“This is...”

It was my ribbon.

A few days ago, I had tied a teddy bear around his neck.

“Why is this...”

Why is this ribbon in Carsis' room?

I fiddled with the ribbon again carefully, wondering if I was mistaken.

But the soft feel of the fabric against my fingertips and the deep dark green color were clearly mine.

'Did Carsis pick it up?'

It was quite possible.

It is possible that Carsis picked up the ribbon by chance and briefly left it in the room to find its owner.

'But why do I feel so uneasy?'

The events of that day a few days ago flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.

Susan said that my doll broke while she was doing laundry, so she brought it back to my room.

"The doll did get torn while I was doing the laundry, but it wasn’t torn to that extent! Just a little bit of cotton came out..."

The image of Susan speaking in a resentful voice came to mind.

'That's right. There was no reason for Susan to do that in the first place.'

That day, I was so shocked by what had happened to the teddy bear that I didn't even think about finding out the truth.

But now that I think about it carefully, there are more than one or two strange things.

The teddy bear was in such a miserable state that it was almost impossible to say it was ruined while doing laundry.

And the boldness to display it on the bed as if it were something to show off.

I swallowed dry saliva to quench my parched throat.

Surely not Carsis...

The strength in my hands suddenly gave out, causing the ribbon I was holding to slip down.

At that moment, a thin ribbon floated in the air and gently fell to the floor.

Someone entered the room.

“What are you doing here?”

It was Carsis.

He tilted his head as if he hadn't expected me to be in the room.

I, who had been frozen for a moment, looked back with an effort to remain calm.

“...I came because I was worried when you said you were sick, but you weren’t here.”

“I was feeling stuffy, so I went for a walk.”

“Really? I was worried, but I’m glad you seem okay. It’s late at night, so I’ll be going now.”

The thief said that his feet were numb.

I didn't want Carsis to find out that I had seen the ribbon.

With that, I ran out of the room, past Carsis.

As the door closed with a 'knock' sound, Carsis slowly walked away.

Soon, he stepped on a thin ribbon at the foot of the stairs as he approached where Ellie was standing.

“...”

Carsis, who had been staring at the ribbon without saying anything, bent down and picked it up.

“You saw it.”

While mumbling softly.

***

“Miss. Happy birthday!”

May said in an excited voice.

I smiled faintly and answered.

"Thank you."

Today was my twenty-fifth birthday.

Under the pretext of not having a previous engagement ceremony, Duke Cretian planned a birthday banquet as splendid as my wedding.

Thanks to that, the servants of the mansion were running around the mansion until their feet were sweaty.

In front of the Duke of Cretien's house, a procession of carriages continued without end.

But I had a worried look on my face, unlike the main character of the party.

'Why did I run away then?'

I should have asked why he had the ribbon.

It was a few days ago when I was mumbling to myself as if reproaching myself for something that had happened.

“On a nice day like today, why is your expression so gloomy? Are you worried about something?”

May asked, smoothing my hair.

“No, I’m just nervous.”

“I guess it’s the first big party held at the mansion in a long time. But since it’s your birthday, have fun.”

I nodded in response.

Then I looked at myself in the mirror and raised the corners of my mouth.

'Yew. Let's forget about today for now. It's my birthday.'

For now, I decided to forget about the ribbon.

And later, when I had the chance, I thought it would be a good idea to talk to Carsis.

Because we couldn't convict him of the crime just because a ribbon was found in the room.

“How is it? Isn’t it really pretty? I tried my best after a long time!”

I took a good look at myself as I listened to May's confident words.

My slender neckline stood out because my wavy golden hair was tied up in a bun.

Thanks to that, I had a very delicate feel to me that made men want to protect me.

Also, the sky-blue dress matched ny pure white skin, giving me the image of a pure and innocent noble lady.

'It's pretty, but it's so dirty that it's pretty.'

Elizabeth was a true beauty, with a single face to match.

With this face, even if her personality was a bit violent, I wouldn't think it was a big flaw.

I now understand why Elizabeth is called the flower of the empire.

It was while I was looking at myself in the mirror here and there, admiring my appearance.

A knock was heard, signaling a visit.

“Miss. It looks like His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”

It was the Crown Prince who decided to escort me today.

Since it was a birthday party that replaced an engagement ceremony, the Crown Prince was also the star of the party today.

As soon as May's hands, which had been adjusting my clothes until the end, left, the door opened.

Then, there stood Ernest, wearing matching outfits as a couple.

“You’re so beautiful, Ellie.”

He kissed the back of my hand as if he was truly impressed.

“Ernest too.”

It wasn't an empty promise.

Because the Crown Prince looked really cool with his hair neatly tied up.

Just enough to make me lose myself in it for a moment.

'If you just look at his appearance, you'd think he's the male protagonist.'

If Ernest is the male protagonist, does that mean I'm the female protagonist?

No, that can't be true.

Where else can you find such a vicious female protagonist?

I let out a bitter laugh.

Now that I think about it, I realize that I've been so busy with royal education, birthday parties, and everything else that I've neglected to find out the names of the books I've been reading.

'But there's no guarantee that the book will be translated... '

Seriously, what kind of place is this?

I let out a short sigh at the stifling reality.

At that moment, Ernest, who was gently escorting me, whispered.

“Ellie. You haven’t forgotten what Baroness Caroline said, have you?”

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