LVSFN 38

Chapter 38

The streets were eerily quiet.

No, not just quiet—there wasn’t a single soul in sight, not even an ant.

That was a relief, in a way, but it also made me uneasy.

‘What if Mr. Clem’s bookstore is closed too?’

I was worried, but according to Ecla, the store never closed even for a day, so I decided to check it out first.

To carry out my “perfect operation,” I was intentionally walking instead of taking a carriage.

Thanks to that, I was able to observe different parts of Muten in more detail than usual.

So there’s a place like this here… and over there, such a cute hat shop—

Even after countless regressions, I had never looked at the streets this carefully before. I walked slowly, taking in the quaint charm of the neighborhood with my eyes.

“It’s not far even on foot.”

Mr. Clem’s bookstore came into view just ahead.

When I skimmed through the first part of the book last time, there were some names I recognized and others I didn’t, but the story itself was eerily similar to what was currently happening to me.

First, I’d go in and find the book. Then I’d check the later chapters.

I still didn’t know what the book had to do with me—but I was sure there was something.

Whether it gave me a hint or revealed the ending, I needed to find out quickly.

Just as I reached out to open the door with that thought in mind—

“Excuse me, miss.”

Someone called from behind me.

They didn’t use my name like last time, so maybe today’s disguise was a success?

I suppressed the smile threatening to break out and turned around.

The person who had called out was a man I didn’t recognize.

“…Aren’t you Lady Bernadette?”

He looked startled as he examined my face and asked the question.

Who is this?

I was just as flustered as he was, unsure how to respond.

A carriage stood beside him, but it too looked unfamiliar.

“No, I’m not—”

“You are Lady Bernadette, aren’t you?”

Oh, come on. I disguised myself so thoroughly—how did he recognize me?

A throbbing headache began to form. I had lied about being sick and snuck out, only to be discovered this easily?

“Yes, fine. I am. Who are you?”

I think I saw him smile briefly. I was about to ask again when another person stepped out from the carriage.

“W-what is this?”

But my question was meaningless.

The man covered my mouth with a handkerchief and dragged me into the carriage with brutal force.

That was the last thing I remembered on the street.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“Ugh…”

I was slowly regaining consciousness, but a splitting headache made it impossible to open my eyes properly.

“Ah…”

I tried to press on my throbbing temple, but my hands wouldn’t move.

What? What’s going on?

Panicked, I forced my eyes open—only to be greeted by pitch blackness.

Where am I?

I tried to sit up, but my arms were tied behind me, making it extremely difficult. My wrists were bound tightly with rope, throbbing with pain.

“Mmph! Urgh!”

To make matters worse, there was a gag in my mouth.

Wait, what? I’ve been kidnapped?

Unbelievable.

Aren’t I supposed to be the villainess of this novel? The villainess gets kidnapped?

By who?!

Thankfully, my legs weren’t tied. I managed to groan and sit up, but the headache remained intense.

It was dark and damp.

My eyes had adjusted slightly to the darkness.

The floor was covered with straw, and there were wooden crates and large barrels all around me.

I couldn’t understand what was happening.

I had nearly reached Mr. Clem’s bookstore. Someone had called out to me, and when I turned around—

Could someone have been tailing me since I left home?

That thought sent chills down my spine.

Who would do this?

No one came to mind. No suspicious circumstances.

Then I suddenly remembered the words of that old woman on the rainy day.

“Today is the 11th. Don’t tell me… you’ll be trapped here and die on the 13th without anyone finding you?”

Just the thought of it made my whole body tremble. It was terrifying.

So I couldn’t escape my fate, after all.

She said if I wanted to live, I had to return to where I came from—but I didn’t.

And now, I was going to die like this.

My strength drained out of me.

I leaned against the wall and looked up at the ceiling.

Then, I suddenly remembered Jaelach’s languid voice.

“Indeed, meeting you amidst my busy schedule is a pleasure.”

“…”

“Meeting you here feels like fate.”

If only it had been fate.

I had denied and resisted that idea all along—but now, I wished it had been true.

If I had known things would end like this, I would’ve at least lived my given time however I wanted.

At least for that time, I should’ve done what I truly wanted.

“Now that I know who you are, I’ve been thinking about you constantly.”

“Pardon?”

“You said you didn’t know who you were or why you were here, remember?”

“…”

“I want to know if you’ve found the answer to that question.”

“I’m sorry. But… I haven’t found it yet.”

“If you do, can you promise to tell me first?”

I promised Jaelach I would.

But if I disappear like this, I’ll never be able to tell him.

My chest suddenly grew hot, and tears welled up in my eyes.

I didn’t want to cry like an idiot.

With my hands tied behind me, I wouldn’t even be able to wipe them away.

I bit back the sobs trying to escape.

No—I can’t die like this.

I’m the notorious villainess Liberata, for heaven’s sake!

I’m a woman who’s died nineteen times. You think I’m scared of this?

Nineteen times dead! One more won’t scare me!

…That’s what I told myself, but of course, I was a little—no, very—scared.

Still, I took a deep breath and planted strength in my legs.

I was shaky from just regaining consciousness, but I slowly leaned against the wall and managed to stand.

Alright. First, I need to figure out where I am.

I decided to check the wooden crates and large barrels stacked around me. As I approached, I realized the barrels weren’t ordinary—they were oak casks used to store wine.

Our family’s cellar had them too, but not this many.

And these were much bigger.

‘Wait a second…’

The crates were all sealed shut, and I couldn’t open them with my hands bound. But I noticed markings all over the sides—numbers, scrawled everywhere.

Then, a chilling thought crossed my mind.

Could this be Pailey’s doing?

The Isley family was wealthy from the wine business. These massive oak barrels, the boxes marked with cryptic numbers—

I cautiously felt around with my feet, trying to find a door. Something shifted differently along one wall, and a thin sliver of light shone through.

A door.

There’s a door here.

Bang, bang, bang!

I kicked the door as hard as I could, trying to make noise.

“Mmph! Mmmph!”

It hurt to keep kicking.

I switched tactics and began slamming into the door with my shoulder.

Thunk!

That was better.

Just as I rammed my body into it—

“Whoa, whoa, miss.”

A man’s voice came from the other side.

There’s someone outside.

He’s watching me.

When I paused, the voice returned.

“Just stay put, miss. Don’t waste your strength.”

Yeah right—would you stay still in this situation?

I slammed my foot into the door again with a loud bang! to show how I felt.

“Tsk, tsk. Why is a marquess’s daughter acting like this?”

Bang!

“Guess I’ll have to tie up your legs too.”

At that, I took a few steps back.

What do I do? What do I do?

Panic rose, but I forced myself to focus.

There’s a saying in my world: Even in a tiger’s den, if you keep your wits, you’ll survive.

I’ll show you exactly what that means.

I waited for the moment the door opened.

I heard the padlock jangling.

Most likely, the man who brought me here was standing guard.

Was it one person? Two?

All I could do was hope I got lucky.

I pressed myself right against the wall beside the door and steadied my breathing.

One… two…

“Where’d she go?”

Thanking the heavens for being on my side, I kicked him in the groin with all my might.

“Ugh!”

While he collapsed, I bolted.

“That damn girl!”

Bet you didn’t expect a marquess’s daughter to be this savage, huh?

Sorry—but I’m not from here!

And I was always the anchor in relay races back in school!

Of course, I couldn’t run very fast with my arms bound. Still, with him doubled over, he couldn’t chase me right away. I had to get as far away as possible.

But where the hell was this place? All I saw were trees and bushes.

I just needed to reach somewhere with people.

Is anyone out there?

Please, please!

I clenched my teeth and ran—

Bang!

A sharp, terrifying gunshot rang out behind me.