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Chapter 17 - Chapter 17

"What is it?"

 

 "What would happen if monsters appeared in Blue Atrium?"

 

The Queen's eyes widened.

 

 "What are you talking about all of a sudden? Surely you don't mean—"

 

 "No, of course not. I'm speaking hypothetically. Blue Atrium borders Frosthill, so it's possible for a lucky monster to wander across, isn't it?"

 

Thankfully, the Queen didn't doubt his hastily concocted excuse.

 

 "Hahaha! 'Borders' is putting it generously. Frosthill is vast. Even if a lucky monster managed to bypass the northern fortress and the castle, it wouldn't make it out of the region. You should study the map more carefully next time."

 

 "What if it traveled along the coastline or emerged directly within Blue Atrium?"

 

 "Why are you so full of worries, Tristan?"

 

The Queen answered without much thought.

 

 "It's fine. If something like that truly happened, we'd leave it to the Grand Duke of Frost Hill and find you a different estate."

 

Right on target.

 

 Of course, it wasn't particularly gratifying.

 

"Rest assured, we won't demand anything unreasonable of you. Whether it's dealing with monsters or managing a magic stone mine, those tasks will go to someone better suited for them."

 

He knew this well. His parents never expected much from him.

 

 Rather, they had only one expectation: Live quietly.

 

Don't garner more favor from the people than your eldest brother. But also, don't cause damage to the royal family.

 

"If you recklessly govern a monster-ridden land and fail, it would tarnish the royal family's reputation. The old lord might even say, 'It would've been better if my illegitimate son had ruled!'"

 

 "…"

 

 "You don't look happy. Don't worry; you'll always have a suitable position. And if you end up governing a land other than Blue Atrium, then your marriage proposal…"

 

Here it was—the main point.

 

 Tristan clenched his fists in faint anticipation.

 

"Naturally, there would no longer be any reason to proceed with the engagement to the Redfield family. You'd be free to marry a lady of your choosing."

 

It was the answer he had hoped for and expected.

 

 Yet, for some reason, it didn't make him happy.

 

 So, he blurted out a rebuttal he hadn't even wanted to make.

 

"Count Redfield would surely object, having had his youngest daughter tied to this engagement for five years. Who else would take Dory Redfield in my place?"

 

 "Is that our concern?"

 

 "That's…"

 

 "We were grateful for their cooperation five years ago, but the Redfield family itself holds no real value. They lack significant wealth or connections."

 

I was asking about Dory Redfield. Why is she only evaluated as the Count's daughter?

 

 Tristan barely swallowed that question with a sip of tea.

 

 The answer was obvious.

 

 Dory had no value beyond being a Count's daughter. She lacked social finesse and wasn't even particularly beautiful.

 

But somehow, thinking of her smile lightened his mood a little.

 

Clink!

 

 The sound of the Queen placing her teacup on its saucer more forcefully than necessary interrupted his thoughts.

 

"Let's put an end to your fantasies. You're highly likely to become the ruler of peaceful Blue Atrium, and by your side will be Dory Redfield."

 

 "Understood."

 

 "That's all I wanted to say. You must be tired—go rest."

 

The Queen stood and stretched, clearly feeling refreshed after sharing the long-held story.

 

As her silver hair receded from view, Tristan asked himself:

 

'Why didn't I tell her about the monsters in Blue Atrium?'

 

That alone would've ended the engagement with Dory Redfield. The dangerous land could've been handed to that bear of a man instead…

 

 '…No. It's not certain yet.'

 

It was a significant matter.

 

 There was still time to confirm whether monsters had truly appeared.

 

'Besides, who would marry Dory Redfield if not me? I can postpone disappointing her until later.'

 

***

 

After the royal banquet, the Count and Countess were brimming with excitement, already celebrating their good fortune.

 

"Do you think Dory can handle the role of Duchess? She's too soft, and it worries me."

 

 "Isn't she better than Natalie? People in the North are known to be stoic. If Natalie went there, she might faint from boredom."

 

 "Perhaps, but it's time Natalie directed her energy toward state affairs instead of the dance halls."

 

Arthur has never even spoken to me for more than an hour. Get a grip, you two.

 

The arrows of their conversation eventually turned toward me, sitting in the drawing room with a book.

 

"Dory, what are you reading?"

 

 "A natural history encyclopedia."

 

 "What use is that? …Oh. Are you studying the northern environment in advance? Keep at it, then."

 

As if.

 

 At least they stopped bothering me. I turned back to my book, though my mind was elsewhere.

 

Today was Saturday—the day of the Sacred Salon!

 

 I'd finally collect my winnings from our last bet.

 

'Two coins are mine.'

 

Would they give me physical coins? Considering the risk of losing them, they'd probably keep a record. Still, commemorative coins would be nice…

 

Wait.

 

 As I imagined the coins, the maids approached me.

 

"What are you doing?"

 

 "Pardon us, my lady."

 

I was so deeply slouched on the sofa that I couldn't sit up straight. While I fumbled to right myself, the maids, avoiding eye contact, slipped something heavy onto my feet.

 

"What… is this!"

 

 Startled, I leapt up. What I saw on my foot was a plaster cast.

 

A cast?

 

Bewildered, I heard my mother's voice.

 

 "I heard from your aunt. At the banquet, the young lord stepped on your foot quite forcefully, didn't he?"

 

"It did, but it doesn't hurt anymore!"

 

 "It must hurt. After all, that's the rumor we spread."

 

 "A rumor? Why— …don't tell me."

 

 "The rumor that you're still limping has reached the young viscount. He's supposed to visit you today to check on you. If you take off that cast on your own, your father will step on your foot again. So, just stay put and rest."

 

Wow. These people are worse than Mrs. Bennet, who forced her daughter into the rain for marriage prospects.

 

Before I could start my usual repertoire of "I already have a fiancé", Mother cut me off.

 

 "Think about your sister."

 

 "What?"

 

 "The viscount's visit isn't just an opportunity for you. It's also a chance for Natalie. Do you want your sister to remain unmarried and miserable this year too?"

 

Whether I want that or not, Natalie's not meant for marriage.

 

 She was a villainess. She's destined to end up in a convent after envying the heroine.

 

But now, I find myself lost in thought.

 

 Is Natalie still a villainess?

 

 I can't call her a good person, but the way she looks after me makes her seem less like a bad person too.

 

Will Natalie change when Arthur and Maria's love story fully begins?

 

And the biggest question of all:

 

 Does Natalie need to become a villainess for me to have my happy ending…?

 

It felt like a stone had dropped into my chest. I kept seeing Natalie placing that feathered headpiece on my hair.

 

I want my happy ending.

 

 And also—

 

 "I don't want my sister to be unhappy either, of course."

 

 "Then just wear the cast and stay still."

 

So that's the conclusion, huh?

 

I raised my right foot. The cast wasn't just made of plaster; it was rather heavy.

 

 "Do I have to wear it now? I could put it on when the young viscount steps into the garden."

 

 "You need to get used to it. And all you do at home is read anyway, don't you?"

 

I had no argument for that.

 

After Mother left the drawing room, the maids exchanged wry smiles.

 

 "If you need anything, just let us know. We'll bring it right away."

 

 "Something to comfort this poor soul—a madeleine. The kind with a perfectly risen navel."

 

 "The madam said no butter-based snacks. Please settle for a candy instead."

 

Ugh.

 

I reluctantly sucked on a candy as one of the maids tried to console me.

 

 "There's a new dessert shop nearby that's supposed to be amazing. If your visitor is thoughtful, they might bring some treats from there!"

 

 "I'll stick to my candy, thanks."

 

 "You don't think the young viscount would bring something like that?"

 

 "Unfortunately, no."

 

If he were a modern Korean, he'd probably bring an overly traditional fruit basket, wasting money and making the patient and their family awkward.

 

Sensing the maid's curiosity, I added, "He seems more likely to bring flowers than desserts."

 

"Who is he? The rumors say his eyes are sharp as obsidian arrows."

 

"His face was so high up I didn't get a good look. You'll just have to see for yourself later."

 

"Oh, but I have outside duties this afternoon… Thank you for telling me, though, my lady."

 

The maid left, looking disappointed.

 

Just then, there was a knock at the front door.

 

"A visitor for Lady Dory has arrived. May they come in?"

 

The maids clasped their hands and gasped silently. I answered calmly,

 

 "Yes, let them in."

 

So he came earlier than expected?

 

It's more convenient for me if appointments end sooner rather than later.

 

One maid went upstairs to fetch Natalie, while the remaining one hurriedly fixed my hair.

 

But when the door opened, everyone froze.

 

 The visitor was not the young viscount.

 

"Hello, Lady Dory."

 

 "Maria? What brings you here?"

 

 "I heard you were injured. Are you feeling better now?"

 

Maria Meyer. The angelic original heroine entered the drawing room. When her gaze fell on my right foot, she gasped.

 

 "You're seriously hurt?"

 

 "It's not as bad as it looks. I've gotten much— …uh, by the way, who's with you?"

 

 "Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce you."

 

Maria gestured to the man standing two steps behind her.

 

 "This is Rick Rey, my friend."

 

The man bowed deeply and said, "And also Lady Meyer's knight escort."

 

 "Oh, don't exaggerate! I don't even have the standing to employ two knights!"

 

 "Well, I think the title of escort knight is splendid. Don't you agree, Lady Dory?"

 

The tall man's playful voice naturally drew me in.

 

Rick Rey.

 

The second male lead of the original story, a knight who became close to Maria in her late teens.

 

And—

 

"Lady, now that I've introduced myself, may I know your name?"

 

As he knelt on one knee and met my eyes, I noticed his green eyes and brown hair.

 

And I suddenly remembered the man in the skeleton mask I'd met at the Sacred Salon.

 

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