UDBUL CH 13

CHAPTER 13
Deborah, who was sitting on the terrace, took a piece of pie from a basket.1

Riana’s sharp eyes followed her every move.

‘That one will work.’

It had to be delicious. The recipe was from a chef literally named “Baker.”

Crunch.

Deborah took a bite.

Yes! Sweet blueberries and creamy almond filling would dance like a waltz in her mouth.

Sweet things always put people in a good mood and help them relax. This could be Riana’s way of escaping her role as the villainess.

“Blegh!”

“Huh?”

Deborah suddenly turned and started vomiting into the bushes.

“Look, the maid’s bullying Lady Millicent again!”

“Was that poison?”

Deborah whispered weakly, just loud enough for Riana to hear.

“It’s the taste…”

“Sorry?”

“It tastes awful.”

It was over.

Riana made up her mind never to step foot in the west side of the Duke’s estate again.

After a long day, night finally arrived.

Normally, nighttime meant dealing with work and Killian’s ridiculous behavior, so she should’ve hated it.
But tonight, Riana was actually happy to see the dark sky.

“Even here, the stars are bright.”

She looked down from the Isolation Tower and muttered to herself.
The night view was beautiful.

Whether it was the countryside like Veloci or the capital like this place, the Milky Way always filled the sky at night. In this world, that was normal.

It was pretty…
But Riana still preferred Seoul’s sky, where not even a single star could be seen.

‘For some reason, I miss it more today.’

The longing for that glowing city back on Earth hadn’t faded, even after decades.

Just then, with perfect timing—

Ding!

The bell rang. It was time to deal with the Duke again.

Riana repeated the one rule she had to follow as someone who’d possessed a character in a romance fantasy:

“Just don’t fall in love.”
As long as she didn’t fall for him, no matter what mistakes she made, she wouldn’t be brutally killed.

“Would you like me to bring tea?”

Riana asked in a robotic tone as soon as she entered the office.

She figured she couldn’t trick him into thinking she was a man anymore, so now she was just trying to come off as totally unlikable.

“No thanks.”

Killian ignored her tone completely and started walking toward her.

Before, his flirty behavior at least made some sense—but now, he was closing the distance without warning.
Surprised, Riana instinctively stepped back.

“Wh-What is it?”

Killian casually held out his hand.

“Do you not know how to escort someone?”

He tilted his head playfully.

Then he led her through a door connected to the office—into another room.
And it really screamed “romance fantasy.”

“Dresses?”

The room was filled with them. It looked like an entire boutique had been moved there.

“There’s a banquet coming up. When I was thinking about who I’d like to taste-test desserts and choose good wine with, you came to mind.”

Of course there’s a banquet. What kind of romance fantasy doesn’t have one? Riana grumbled internally.
Then Killian added:

“If you agree, I’d like you to be my partner.”

“With me? Why?”

“Because I like you.”

What a load of crap. Yeah, right.

Killian Droche—the male lead from Please Be My Boss—took over 100 episodes just to admit he liked Deborah.

And even then, he acted cold and annoying, taking the “regretful male lead” route.

Riana wanted to call him out on his two-faced nature, but instead, she chose a gentler way to say no.

“I’ve never been to something like that. Even if I wore a nice dress, I’d just feel awkward.”

And she wasn’t lying.

After what happened with Deborah, she was terrified she’d mess something up again.
But she couldn’t go around talking about being a transmigrator in a novel, so she just played the role of a commoner uncomfortable with high society.

“Honestly, wouldn’t choosing me as your partner be embarrassing for you? I’m just a maid—and a commoner too.”

“My partner is simply my partner. From the moment I choose them, nothing else matters.”

Considering Killian Droche’s power and status in this world, Riana couldn’t argue with that.

No matter what excuse she gave, he’d have a comeback like this.
“Killian Droche” was basically a cheat code in this world.

Half giving up, Riana asked,

“So you wouldn’t even care if I were a man…?”

“I would care,”

Killian said with a low chuckle.

“But you’re not.”

His tone felt strangely unfamiliar. Riana looked up at him—he calmly smirked.

“No matter where I look or what I touch, you’re clearly a woman.”

His narrowed eyes curved softly—somehow, his gaze seemed to drop a little below her face.

“So from now on, let’s not pretend otherwise. In front of anyone. Got it?”

He waited stubbornly for an answer, so Riana reluctantly nodded.

Her plan had failed. Since he figured it out, all she could do was abandon the act.

Then Killian turned to the clothes rack and, without hesitation, picked out a dress.

“I’d love to see you wear this.”

Riana still planned to come up with an excuse to reject it—

But then she saw it.

A dress the same brilliant blue as Killian’s eyes.

Off-shoulder design that showed off delicate curves, a shimmering ribbon that looked like stardust—

‘It’s so freaking pretty.’

Riana’s eyes went wide.

A long time ago, she used to dream of walking a red carpet in a dress like that.

Killian noticed the change in her expression and smiled gently.

“Why don’t you try it on? Just to see if it suits you.”

“….”

She didn’t even have time—or willpower—to say no.

By the time she came to her senses, she was already standing in front of the mirror.
Killian was right behind her.

He gently held the dress up to her body.

‘It’s so beautiful…’

Not just the dress. The way she looked in the mirror… She couldn’t take her eyes off herself.

‘I used to get called pretty back in the day.’

She’d forgotten while living so cautiously.

“It looks great on you.”

Killian’s voice whispered close to her ear, making her shiver.

Then he added,

“We.”

Only then did Riana realize that his hands were resting on her waist to hold the dress in place.
The moment she became aware, her stomach flipped with nerves.

Just like he said—the maid with pink hair and the Duke in a black suit—they looked perfect in the mirror.

It was like a painting, the kind displayed in the Duke’s mansion.

“Looks nice.”

Riana muttered without thinking, then bit her lip.

‘Ugh, I wasn’t supposed to fall for this!’

Her cheeks flushed with irritation—and a soft chuckle brushed past her ear.

“I’m glad you like it.”

His voice was dripping with satisfaction.

Embarrassed and annoyed, Riana shoved him away and ran out of his arms.

“Don’t get the wrong idea! I only like the dress, okay?”

“Of course.”

“Seriously! You’re such a pushy boss—what else can I do but accept? You’re the worst!”

Grumbling, Riana stormed off with quick steps—

—while hugging the dress tightly in her arms.

“Ugh…”

Thanks to the unexpected gift, her quarters on the 4th floor of the mansion now had a new resident: the giant dress.

‘It’s so ridiculously pretty, though…’

She wanted to try it on. So badly.

“No! Stop!”

Actually, she hadn’t accepted the dress just because it was beautiful.

She figured she could sell it later to fund her retirement. That meant she had to keep it in mint condition—never worn.

So of course she had no intention of going to that banquet.

Plus, the magic company’s noble researchers would all be there.
There’s no way anything good would come of it.

Even if she just stood in a corner drinking quietly, she’d attract hate.
And now she was supposed to show up as the Duke’s partner?!

‘Absolutely not.’

Determined not to be seen by anyone—especially Deborah or the other nobles—she stayed locked in her room.

No way she was going to walk down the stairs arm in arm with the Duke.

But being alone in her room… was kind of boring.

As she bounced a little on the bed, she heard a familiar squeaking sound.

“Cat?”

The slim white cat slipped through the slightly open door.
He was holding a bundle of letters tied with string in his mouth.

“You came here this time? What’s that?”

“Request.”

The cat dropped the letters at Riana’s feet.

Then he pointed his yellow eyes at the huge dress proudly displayed in the corner.

“And what’s that?”

“Don’t even ask.”

Riana shivered, as if remembering something terrible.

The cat quickly lost interest and nudged the letters forward.