Episode 4

There wasn’t even time to answer.

I must’ve just nodded once or twice at the question.

But those vivid red lips didn’t wait for my reply.

Jerelach cupped my cheeks with both hands and pressed his lips to mine.

So carefully and slowly.

Something soft and warm touched the most sensitive part of my skin.

It was a strange yet thrilling pleasure.

So stimulating, so addictive, that although my mind screamed no, I couldn’t stop.

I slowly opened my eyelids and looked up at him.

His elegantly curled eyelashes were mesmerizingly seductive.

‘What should I do now?’

I had no way of predicting what consequences today’s impulsive actions would bring.

As always, I could only leave it to fate once more.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The next morning, I returned home in a carriage with Jerelach’s aide, Sir Milen Orier.

Just as we were nearing my house, the sky seemed to burst open and rain poured down.

It felt strange—unnatural—to see such heavy rain after so many clear days.

“I’ll escort you all the way to the entrance.”

“Oh, no. If you have an umbrella, just lend it to me, please.”

The aide looked puzzled, but I had my reasons.

After staying out all night, if I showed up in a carriage, I couldn’t imagine the scolding I’d get.

“But His Grace ordered us to escort you safely to the front door—”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be very careful not to slip.”

“Understood.”

“Please drop me off just in front of the main gate. Yes, thank you.”

I took the umbrella and stepped out of the carriage.

“Thank you, Sir Orier.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Just as the carriage vanished and I was about to grip the umbrella tight and walk in, I noticed something.

Someone was crouched near the right side of the front gate.

What is that?

Too big for a cat or dog—wait, was it a person?

As I approached, I saw that it was indeed a person, completely wrapped in a robe with the hood drawn over their head.

Through the black fabric, I glimpsed a flash of red hair, but the face was hidden.

“Oh my goodness.”

I quickly held the umbrella over her.

“Are you all right?”

“……”

“You’ll get sick like this. Where do you live?”

She bowed her head and spoke in a barely audible voice.

“How kind you are, young lady.”

A cracked, damp voice—she sounded like an old woman.

Being called kind made me feel strange.

This novel was hell-bent on making me a villainess—yet now I was being called kind?

Still, I couldn’t just ignore an elderly woman sitting in the rain.

“I’ll go get someone to help. Please wait here just a moment.”

I handed her the umbrella and turned to leave when—

“You want to make it out alive, don’t you?”

The eerie voice behind me made me turn slowly around.

“What do you mean by that?”

“This is your last chance.”

“What?”

“Go back to where you belong.”

Then she slowly stood up.

“Go back where I belong?”

“This is your last chance. If you don’t solve the shattered puzzle correctly within twenty tries, misfortune will destroy you and those around you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Thanks for the umbrella.”

And with that, she started walking away, umbrella in hand.

She had spoken in riddles, yet I instinctively understood.

She’s telling me how to escape this novel.

“Wait!”

I needed to hear more. Just as I called out to her, the front gate burst open and my mother appeared.

“Oh heavens, Liberata!”

Oh, no.

“Mother, wait! I have something important to do!”

“What could be more important right now?!”

“I know I was wrong! I’m sorry! But that is—!”

“Come inside. We’ll talk there!”

While I was tussling with Mother, the old woman disappeared from view.

Ugh, I should’ve listened more closely!

“Liber?”

“Yes, Mother. Let’s go inside.”

I had come prepared to be scolded, but it was still terrifying.

The daughter of a marquis getting drunk and acting scandalously at a ball, then staying out all night and returning at dawn!

In a society where reputation was everything, this was enough to ruin my chances of ever marrying well.

‘Even if I get scolded, I have to say what needs to be said.’

On the way back in the carriage, I had planned exactly how to defend myself to my parents.

Mother, please, hear me out.

No one saw me leave the Grand Duke’s residence.

At the ball, I may have overindulged a little, but everyone else was tipsy too!

I didn’t do anything too outrageous… at least not in my memory.

Yes, it was wrong to walk into the fountain, but—who makes a fountain that shallow anyway?! That was the Grand Duke’s fault!

“I’m sorry. I really am, Mother, Father!”

“Liber, what are you apologizing for?”

But Mother just looked at me with a puzzled face.

“Apologizing? What for?”

“What?”

“We heard that the Grand Duke himself took you in—carried you in front of everyone.”

“…….”

“When I got the message last night, I was worried, but seeing Sir Milen escort you home this morning—what a relief! Truly, the heavens have blessed us!”

“Mother?”

My voice came out twisted, but she didn’t seem to hear me at all.

“The Grand Duke chose you. Our Liber, becoming a duchess!”

“Mother, what are you talking about? A duchess?”

I started to back away, slowly frightened by my mother.

“What kind of man is His Grace? He hasn’t been in Muitten long, but people are already praising his noble looks and refined manners. Tell me, Liber!”

“I—I don’t really know him. What kind of person he is…”

I avoided her gaze, but suddenly, his face from the night before flashed in my mind.

<“I want to kiss you. Does that mean I’m not sane?”>

That soft, damp voice. Those loose lips.

The languid gaze, the heat and thrill in our locked eyes.

That indescribable feeling, chasing pleasure in each other’s warmth.

The moment when two unstable souls and bodies became one.

The face of the man who poured all his heat into me.

And this morning, under the rising sun, his dazzling smile—

“Liber, are you sure you’re not sick?”

“Huh?”

“You look flushed. Come here, let me feel your forehead.”

“N-No, I’m fine, Mother.”

I stepped back, trying to erase the memories of last night from my mind.

These feelings… they’re too dangerous, too harmful to my body.

Though we had woken up side by side, I still had no idea how to process it.

He’s the protagonist of this novel.

He’s supposed to end up with the beautiful blonde heroine, Léonie.

And I’m the villainess.

Did my reckless actions ruin everything?

I did want to break free from fate, but this wasn’t how I wanted it to go.

All I wanted was to change my destiny.

To escape this cursed cycle of dying as a villainess over and over again.

“Liber, are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Mother squinted at me suspiciously but quickly changed the subject.

“Then, did you make plans to see the Grand Duke again?”

“What? Plans?”

“Weren’t the two of you getting along rather well?”

“No, no! What do you mean ‘getting along’? Hahaha! Nothing like that, Mother.”

“Nothing?”

She looked thoroughly disappointed.

Of course, that was half a lie and half true.

When I woke up, I had tried to sneak out of the mansion—though I knew it was impossible.

<“You were a parrot last night, now a stray cat in the morning?”>

…he said as he handed me new clothes and a hangover drink.

Then he sat me down to a lavish breakfast and sent me home in a carriage from House Cygnus.

During the meal, Jerelach had tried to make conversation, but my head was pounding and I had already decided this was the end.

So I just nodded with my head down, muttering ‘yes, yes’ until I left.

“Yes, I just overdid it at the ball. That’s all. He was just helping me.”

“Are you sure that’s all?”

“Of course! I nearly collapsed at the party, and he caught me. That’s it!”

I awkwardly laughed and looked away. Mother clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“I see.”

“Yes, hahaha…”

Mother still looked hopeful, but I had no intention of telling her what happened last night.

‘Judging by her reaction, I absolutely cannot tell her.’

I moved a bit away from Mother and stood beside Father instead.

But his expression wasn’t much different.

Though he was composed, his face was clearly flushed.

‘What’s with those flared nostrils? What are you all expecting?!’

This is too much pressure!

“Oh my, young lady.”

Just then, Eclat came from the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron, looking nervous.

She started reciting a prepared line like a robot.

“Young lady, I’ll prepare hot water and fresh clothes for you right away.”

Grabbing the opportunity, I quickly spoke.

“Mother, I’m very tired. I’ll go rest upstairs.”

“Yes, yes, rest well. But if anything comes to mind, promise you’ll tell us, all right?”