She doesn't know how time passes when she is experiencing this fantasy, but it was already sunrise. The early morning sunlight was shining brightly across the water.
Elise felt pity that she couldn't enjoy this peaceful and beautiful scenery. The ring's light had already faded, as if the system upgrade had somehow failed. She worried that something might have gone wrong, but there was no way to check until she was alone.
Elise took his outstretched hand and left the lakeside with Blake.
The knights waiting at the forest entrance stood there, looking much the same as before they left. They showed no signs of fatigue.
“My lord.”
Knight Commander Claude quickly approached and bowed his head.
“You worked hard all night. Let’s go now.”
Claude looked back and forth between Elise and Blake at the sight of the Grand Duke looking pleased, then answered forcefully.
"Yes!"
Perhaps thanks to the deep sleep she had enjoyed in her fantasy, Elise wasn't that tired.
'That's amazing.'
If she were physically fit, sex with Blake alone would have left her exhausted. But now, Elise felt fine, except for a few sore thighs and calves from her first walk in a while.
Blake wrapped his arms around her waist affectionately and helped her into the carriage.
"Thank you."
At Elise's smile, his expression softened again. The difference between the solemn, cool expression he'd shown the knights and his current one was so stark that he almost seemed like a different person.
'It's cute.'
Elise sat beside him, waiting for the carriage to depart. She absentmindedly watched the knights mount their horses, and suddenly, over Blake's shoulder, her eyes met with one of them.
'...hmm.'
This time it was Bart Luos.
As soon as he met Elise's eyes, he abruptly turned his head away. But even after that, she could sense him glancing at her whenever she had the chance.
'Why on earth are you doing that?'
Whatever the reason, it was an overly immature act. It wasn't the kind of behavior expected of a skilled knight who could easily be in his twenties. Elise tore her gaze away from Bart, thinking she should take a closer look.
As they passed the outer wall, the message was delivered, and in front of the main wall, there was the head chamberlain Bernard and the head maid Kate together.
“Nothing happened?”
Bernard spoke to Blake in a cautious voice in response to his question.
“Count Luos is waiting.”
If Count Luos were a vassal of Frozem, he would be the father of Bart and Alan.
“The Count? I don’t think I heard he was coming.”
“He came yesterday afternoon to discuss something urgent and hasn’t returned since.”
Elise smiled brightly as Blake's gaze turned to her.
“Have a nice day. It must be important since you’ve been waiting all this time.”
“...Yes, you're resting. I’ll be there soon.”
"Why are you coming so quickly? You could have come slowly."
After parting ways with him on the first floor, Elise returned to her bedroom on the third floor.
Kate, who had followed Elise in, helped her undress. The poor dress, once ripped to shreds by Blake's immense power in her vision, was intact, unscathed. It was a remarkable sight, even now, to think back.
“Shall I prepare the bath water?”
“Yeah. Please.”
As Kate disappeared toward the bathroom, Elise quickly flopped down on the bed and pulled the covers over her. Now that she was finally alone, it was time to check on the upgrade.
'Surely the script didn't fly away either.'
Elise tapped her ring nervously. As usual, a notification window appeared on the panel display.
[The system version upgrade has terminated abnormally. Components may be incomplete.]
'As expected, the upgrade failed.'
Elise pressed the confirmation button on the notification window and examined the screen closely. Not only had the interface changed, but a menu bar had also appeared where it hadn't been before.
'What is this?'
As she hovered her finger over the menu bar, a list appeared. Elise's eyes widened.
[Fallen Lovers (ch21)
▶Script
▷Introduction of the work
▷View character list
▷Map ]
Before the upgrade, there was only one script, without even having to select a list. The original title, channel information, introduction, character listing, and map were all new items. Elise pressed "Introduction" with a pounding heart.
[The component is incomplete. Please complete the system upgrade.]
“...”
Elise also clicked on 'View Characters' with an uneasy heart.
[The component is incomplete. Please complete the system upgrade.]
This time, a notification window with the same content appeared.
“What, nothing works?”
Having given up on expectations, Elise pressed the 'Map' button for the last time.
[The component is incomplete. Only limited information is available. Please complete the system upgrade.]
The text in the notification window was slightly different from the previous two menus. When she closed the notification window, black lines quickly drew across the screen, forming a shape.
"Oh...?"
When it was finished, Elise quickly recognized what it showed, even though it looked like a drawing.
'It's a siege map!'
Although some areas were a bit hazy, the third floor she was on was almost completely covered. It seemed like it was only accurately showing the areas she had personally explored. But...
'What are these dots?'
Dots of various colors were scattered throughout the drawing. Each color was different. Some were blue, some yellow, some gray.
'This is my room.'
There was a yellow dot in Elise's room. And there was a blue dot in what appeared to be the bathroom.
'Is it showing the character's location?'
She doesn't know what the colors mean, but it seemed plausible. On the same third floor, in Blake's study, there was a gray spot.
Elise scrolled down the screen. A yellow dot was moving toward the second-floor stairs. A moment later, it disappeared, then reappeared on the third-floor stairs. Then it quickly moved toward Elise's bedroom.
The moment Elise finished the panel, the door flew open without a knock.
“Elise!”
Elise slowly lowered the blanket she'd been covering herself with. As she'd half expected, Mary was standing at the door.
'Really. This could be quite useful.'
Mary closed the door and crept towards the bed, then collapsed.
“You went out without me... and even stayed out overnight... How could you do that...?”
“If you follow me, who will report to me the unusual events that occur in the castle?”
Elise, tired of hearing her whining, blurted out something vague. Knowing Kate might emerge from the bathroom to prepare for her bath at any moment, Elise didn't bring up the ring for now. She was very curious, but the problem was that Mary's reaction was unpredictable.
“Are there any unusual things?”
Mary blinked.
“Yes. Tell me what happened while I was away.”
“Uh. Uh...”
Mary, who had been stuttering as if buffering had occurred, clapped her hands and said, “Ah.”
“As of yesterday, I finished packing everything to take to the capital.”
"Yes?"
“Yes. The maid took out ten large bags and...!”
“...Yes, now tell me what happened.”
“I received a letter.”
“From whom?”
In response to Elise's question, Mary put her right hand to her mouth and whispered.
“Lucas.”
“Unofficially?”
“No? It’s not. It’s on the dresser over there.”
But why are you pretending it's a secret and making a fuss? Elise nodded, thinking.
“Please bring it.”
"Yes!"
Mary brought her the letter with a cheerful expression, as if all the disappointment had subsided.
“Thank you, Mary.”
“Just order me anything, Elise!”
“Yeah, okay. Just stand there quietly.”
As Elise was opening the letter, Kate came out of the bathroom.
“Your Highness, I’m ready to take a bath.”
The subtle scent of bath salts drifted into the bedroom.
“I’ll take your bath...”
"No, it's fine. I just want to relax. I heard you had a hard time packing for the capital. Just rest until I call you back."
Kate glanced at Mary and then bowed her head to Elise.
"Yes, Your Highness. If you need anything, please call me."
“I'll do that.”
As Kate left the room, Elise opened the letter from Lucas.
'To my pigeon... What? You're comparing me to that bird's brain?'
Perhaps, because of the pressure to come up with a nickname, he just took whatever he saw outside the window and used it.
“What did you say?”
Mary tilted her head up, curious about the contents of the letter.
"Look."
Elise handed the letter to Mary and climbed out of bed. His letter, detailing his daily life in the capital, was as dry and uninspiring as a report. Still, Elise easily grasped what he was trying to say.
'Honey, I'm tired, so please come quickly.'
She was already thinking about that. Since she had something to gain from him, she needed to cooperate so that the mission could be completed smoothly. No matter how much she thought about it, his acting skills weren't something that could be taught in a day or two.
“Come to think of it, has it been ten days since the wedding?”
Mary nodded as she counted the days.
“Yes. I think today is the tenth day.”
“But is this the only letter I’ve received in the past ten days? Don’t Elise have any friends?”
She didn't really expect an answer when she asked, but Mary gave her the answer right away.
"Elise Clanton has the worst reputation. She doesn't have any friends."
“What, how did you know something that I don’t even know?”
“I heard what the maids were saying.”
Elise had no idea. During her time as Grand Duchess, her servants had never shown her even the slightest hint of it.
'Friends... well, it's probably easier without them.'
She thought it would be a headache if someone she didn't even know kept coming to visit and sending letters, even though they were her friends.
'I should have made some friends.'
Of course, there were a few colleagues who pretended to be best friends when the cameras were rolling or in public, but behind closed doors, they were all blank. Behind closed doors, they were busy keeping each other in check and belittling each other.
When she was confined after being given a terminal diagnosis, the only colleague who contacted her privately or visited her was Cain Liberto. The rest were agency officials, lawyers, and reporters looking for a story.
'That guy wasn't really a friend after all. Indeed, I didn't have a single friend.'
It was a bit funny that Elise, who was a top star and the noble Grand Duchess Elise, had no friends, but on the other hand, she thought it was fortunate.
"Come to think of it, it's not just friends who don't keep in touch. Are family relationships bad, too?"
She doesn't know if they're just unilaterally estranged or if they just don't like each other, but she's starting to get the faint feeling that this isn't the picture of a harmonious family. Otherwise, in this world of advanced magic, it wouldn't be this quiet, without any warning.
Elise felt pity that she couldn't enjoy this peaceful and beautiful scenery. The ring's light had already faded, as if the system upgrade had somehow failed. She worried that something might have gone wrong, but there was no way to check until she was alone.
Elise took his outstretched hand and left the lakeside with Blake.
The knights waiting at the forest entrance stood there, looking much the same as before they left. They showed no signs of fatigue.
“My lord.”
Knight Commander Claude quickly approached and bowed his head.
“You worked hard all night. Let’s go now.”
Claude looked back and forth between Elise and Blake at the sight of the Grand Duke looking pleased, then answered forcefully.
"Yes!"
Perhaps thanks to the deep sleep she had enjoyed in her fantasy, Elise wasn't that tired.
'That's amazing.'
If she were physically fit, sex with Blake alone would have left her exhausted. But now, Elise felt fine, except for a few sore thighs and calves from her first walk in a while.
Blake wrapped his arms around her waist affectionately and helped her into the carriage.
"Thank you."
At Elise's smile, his expression softened again. The difference between the solemn, cool expression he'd shown the knights and his current one was so stark that he almost seemed like a different person.
'It's cute.'
Elise sat beside him, waiting for the carriage to depart. She absentmindedly watched the knights mount their horses, and suddenly, over Blake's shoulder, her eyes met with one of them.
'...hmm.'
This time it was Bart Luos.
As soon as he met Elise's eyes, he abruptly turned his head away. But even after that, she could sense him glancing at her whenever she had the chance.
'Why on earth are you doing that?'
Whatever the reason, it was an overly immature act. It wasn't the kind of behavior expected of a skilled knight who could easily be in his twenties. Elise tore her gaze away from Bart, thinking she should take a closer look.
***
As they passed the outer wall, the message was delivered, and in front of the main wall, there was the head chamberlain Bernard and the head maid Kate together.
“Nothing happened?”
Bernard spoke to Blake in a cautious voice in response to his question.
“Count Luos is waiting.”
If Count Luos were a vassal of Frozem, he would be the father of Bart and Alan.
“The Count? I don’t think I heard he was coming.”
“He came yesterday afternoon to discuss something urgent and hasn’t returned since.”
Elise smiled brightly as Blake's gaze turned to her.
“Have a nice day. It must be important since you’ve been waiting all this time.”
“...Yes, you're resting. I’ll be there soon.”
"Why are you coming so quickly? You could have come slowly."
After parting ways with him on the first floor, Elise returned to her bedroom on the third floor.
Kate, who had followed Elise in, helped her undress. The poor dress, once ripped to shreds by Blake's immense power in her vision, was intact, unscathed. It was a remarkable sight, even now, to think back.
“Shall I prepare the bath water?”
“Yeah. Please.”
As Kate disappeared toward the bathroom, Elise quickly flopped down on the bed and pulled the covers over her. Now that she was finally alone, it was time to check on the upgrade.
'Surely the script didn't fly away either.'
Elise tapped her ring nervously. As usual, a notification window appeared on the panel display.
[The system version upgrade has terminated abnormally. Components may be incomplete.]
'As expected, the upgrade failed.'
Elise pressed the confirmation button on the notification window and examined the screen closely. Not only had the interface changed, but a menu bar had also appeared where it hadn't been before.
'What is this?'
As she hovered her finger over the menu bar, a list appeared. Elise's eyes widened.
[Fallen Lovers (ch21)
▶Script
▷Introduction of the work
▷View character list
▷Map ]
Before the upgrade, there was only one script, without even having to select a list. The original title, channel information, introduction, character listing, and map were all new items. Elise pressed "Introduction" with a pounding heart.
[The component is incomplete. Please complete the system upgrade.]
“...”
Elise also clicked on 'View Characters' with an uneasy heart.
[The component is incomplete. Please complete the system upgrade.]
This time, a notification window with the same content appeared.
“What, nothing works?”
Having given up on expectations, Elise pressed the 'Map' button for the last time.
[The component is incomplete. Only limited information is available. Please complete the system upgrade.]
The text in the notification window was slightly different from the previous two menus. When she closed the notification window, black lines quickly drew across the screen, forming a shape.
"Oh...?"
When it was finished, Elise quickly recognized what it showed, even though it looked like a drawing.
'It's a siege map!'
Although some areas were a bit hazy, the third floor she was on was almost completely covered. It seemed like it was only accurately showing the areas she had personally explored. But...
'What are these dots?'
Dots of various colors were scattered throughout the drawing. Each color was different. Some were blue, some yellow, some gray.
'This is my room.'
There was a yellow dot in Elise's room. And there was a blue dot in what appeared to be the bathroom.
'Is it showing the character's location?'
She doesn't know what the colors mean, but it seemed plausible. On the same third floor, in Blake's study, there was a gray spot.
Elise scrolled down the screen. A yellow dot was moving toward the second-floor stairs. A moment later, it disappeared, then reappeared on the third-floor stairs. Then it quickly moved toward Elise's bedroom.
The moment Elise finished the panel, the door flew open without a knock.
“Elise!”
Elise slowly lowered the blanket she'd been covering herself with. As she'd half expected, Mary was standing at the door.
'Really. This could be quite useful.'
Mary closed the door and crept towards the bed, then collapsed.
“You went out without me... and even stayed out overnight... How could you do that...?”
“If you follow me, who will report to me the unusual events that occur in the castle?”
Elise, tired of hearing her whining, blurted out something vague. Knowing Kate might emerge from the bathroom to prepare for her bath at any moment, Elise didn't bring up the ring for now. She was very curious, but the problem was that Mary's reaction was unpredictable.
“Are there any unusual things?”
Mary blinked.
“Yes. Tell me what happened while I was away.”
“Uh. Uh...”
Mary, who had been stuttering as if buffering had occurred, clapped her hands and said, “Ah.”
“As of yesterday, I finished packing everything to take to the capital.”
"Yes?"
“Yes. The maid took out ten large bags and...!”
“...Yes, now tell me what happened.”
“I received a letter.”
“From whom?”
In response to Elise's question, Mary put her right hand to her mouth and whispered.
“Lucas.”
“Unofficially?”
“No? It’s not. It’s on the dresser over there.”
But why are you pretending it's a secret and making a fuss? Elise nodded, thinking.
“Please bring it.”
"Yes!"
Mary brought her the letter with a cheerful expression, as if all the disappointment had subsided.
“Thank you, Mary.”
“Just order me anything, Elise!”
“Yeah, okay. Just stand there quietly.”
As Elise was opening the letter, Kate came out of the bathroom.
“Your Highness, I’m ready to take a bath.”
The subtle scent of bath salts drifted into the bedroom.
“I’ll take your bath...”
"No, it's fine. I just want to relax. I heard you had a hard time packing for the capital. Just rest until I call you back."
Kate glanced at Mary and then bowed her head to Elise.
"Yes, Your Highness. If you need anything, please call me."
“I'll do that.”
As Kate left the room, Elise opened the letter from Lucas.
'To my pigeon... What? You're comparing me to that bird's brain?'
Perhaps, because of the pressure to come up with a nickname, he just took whatever he saw outside the window and used it.
“What did you say?”
Mary tilted her head up, curious about the contents of the letter.
"Look."
Elise handed the letter to Mary and climbed out of bed. His letter, detailing his daily life in the capital, was as dry and uninspiring as a report. Still, Elise easily grasped what he was trying to say.
'Honey, I'm tired, so please come quickly.'
She was already thinking about that. Since she had something to gain from him, she needed to cooperate so that the mission could be completed smoothly. No matter how much she thought about it, his acting skills weren't something that could be taught in a day or two.
“Come to think of it, has it been ten days since the wedding?”
Mary nodded as she counted the days.
“Yes. I think today is the tenth day.”
“But is this the only letter I’ve received in the past ten days? Don’t Elise have any friends?”
She didn't really expect an answer when she asked, but Mary gave her the answer right away.
"Elise Clanton has the worst reputation. She doesn't have any friends."
“What, how did you know something that I don’t even know?”
“I heard what the maids were saying.”
Elise had no idea. During her time as Grand Duchess, her servants had never shown her even the slightest hint of it.
'Friends... well, it's probably easier without them.'
She thought it would be a headache if someone she didn't even know kept coming to visit and sending letters, even though they were her friends.
'I should have made some friends.'
Of course, there were a few colleagues who pretended to be best friends when the cameras were rolling or in public, but behind closed doors, they were all blank. Behind closed doors, they were busy keeping each other in check and belittling each other.
When she was confined after being given a terminal diagnosis, the only colleague who contacted her privately or visited her was Cain Liberto. The rest were agency officials, lawyers, and reporters looking for a story.
'That guy wasn't really a friend after all. Indeed, I didn't have a single friend.'
It was a bit funny that Elise, who was a top star and the noble Grand Duchess Elise, had no friends, but on the other hand, she thought it was fortunate.
"Come to think of it, it's not just friends who don't keep in touch. Are family relationships bad, too?"
She doesn't know if they're just unilaterally estranged or if they just don't like each other, but she's starting to get the faint feeling that this isn't the picture of a harmonious family. Otherwise, in this world of advanced magic, it wouldn't be this quiet, without any warning.
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