Chapter 11
Unexpected words came out of Harriet’s mouth, but I quickly pulled myself together and tilted my head.
I lowered my eyes as if I had not understood a single thing he had just said.
‘What if I say something carelessly here and change the story?’
For a short moment, I thought about Harriet’s joke.
Could people say something like this only if they were very close?
Honestly, from my conservative point of view, the answer was absolutely no. But since I didn’t know how Harriet saw it, I couldn’t be certain.
Which meant the only thing I could do was pretend not to notice.
I quickly opened my mouth to change the subject.
“I have to become the head of the family. Even if I bring in a husband to marry into my family in the future, I can’t marry anyone before then. Even if it’s you.”
“You don’t want to marry a noble living in the capital? Even if… it’s me?”
Why was he suddenly asking in such a disappointed voice? Up until now, I knew he had no intention like that with me.
“Yeah. I wanted to become the family head. And as you know, my adopted older sister is so capable that I can’t help but feel nervous.”
Wasn’t that answer natural enough?
I almost let out a relieved sigh but closed my lips.
Harriet didn’t reply for a long time.
‘Don’t tell me he’s upset?’
If he felt hurt by what I just said, wouldn’t that be unfair?
Trying not to forget that he would eventually fall deeply in love with Celine, I replayed the original story in my head and lightly patted his back.
“I really only want to stay in the capital because I want to understand high society better. You know what conditions are needed to inherit the duchy safely.”
“…Popularity, ability, recognition.”
“Right. To fill those vague requirements, I need to show myself to the outside world. And my adopted sister happens to be very social and knows many nobles. I don’t know what they truly think, but… I want to compete with her fairly. I want it to be a respectable competition.”
That was a lie.
I was tired of competing, restraining, hating, winning, and losing.
After surviving more than twenty years in a competitive society, the one thing I became certain of was that it didn’t suit me.
But if I grabbed onto Harriet’s words—even if they were only a joke—then the one who would get hurt in the future would be me.
If I explained it reasonably, it would sound convincing.
And maybe I could accept these words like a spell and stop myself from wavering.
“Anyway, I think living in the capital is more advantageous for me than staying in the countryside with House Demierd. I guess I should’ve told you even about meeting brokers if I wanted our friendship to stay unchanged. You looked busy, so I didn’t say anything.”
The more I talked, the sharper my words became.
Every explanation made emotions rise in my chest.
But I couldn’t even be sure these emotions truly belonged to me.
This feeling climbing up from deep inside—
Maybe it belonged to the original owner of this body.
‘What exactly happened between them?’
To calm these uncontrollable emotions, I stopped talking and looked at Harriet.
Then I added an awkward excuse.
“Of course I’m not upset. We’re adults now. It’s normal to be busy.”
“We just became adults. Why are you talking like we’ve already grown up completely?”
“I just… want to become more mature.”
Even I knew how weak that excuse sounded.
My face burned with embarrassment, but Harriet casually asked,
“So there’s really nothing I can help you with? No one can protect you better than I can.”
Even when I built walls, Harriet always had words ready to tear them down.
“I don’t want to depend on you that much.”
“How is that depending on me? You trust brokers living in the capital instead?”
“Hm… maybe not. Last time they only showed ridiculous properties. But it’s okay. If there’s something I want to ask…”
A cute little voice echoed in my ear.
‘Squeak.’
Right.
Maybe it would be more healing to spend time with that cute squirrel instead.
“Write me letters sometimes. So we stay in contact.”
“Why? Were you upset because I didn’t contact you this time? So you really were upset.”
“Stop teasing me. I just want to stay in touch.”
“Okay. Still, I like the idea of you coming here. Next year too, and the year after that—we’ll be able to see each other more often than before.”
But until this world became peaceful and the right time came…
I planned to keep my distance.
There were many things I wanted to say, but this was as far as I wanted to draw the line.
I glanced through the glass window on the door toward the banquet hall.
Soon there would be an audience with the Emperor.
Then a long ball that might never seem to end.
I hadn’t even danced properly yet, but my head already hurt.
Before we went back in, I said one thing to Harriet.
“If I act in ways you don’t understand sometimes… don’t get angry.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
“And… about those rough stones. I’m sorry for making that unreasonable request—telling you to buy all of them after taking back the sales rights.”
At the end of my letter, I had clearly written that I wanted the Raymoon family to take the remaining stones.
Originally, they should have gone to his father.
Harriet nodded naturally and smiled brightly.
I had expected him to react like this.
I just wanted to hear a kind answer.
“Okay. Don’t worry.”
“Yeah. Thank you. I won’t ask unreasonable favors… again.”
At that moment—
A cold wind brushed across my cheek.
As if scolding me for what I had just said.
Before Harriet could answer, I quickly opened the door and walked back into the banquet hall.
Passing through the elegantly dressed ladies, I stood facing the wall for a moment and took a deep breath.
‘What if he thought I meant I wanted to cut ties?’
Harriet’s dreamy eyes.
His frown after hearing me say I wouldn’t ask unreasonable favors again.
Trying to keep a moderate distance was harder than I expected.
‘Now I’m nervous too.’
Harriet wasn’t the only thing I had to worry about.
Today, I had to officially enter high society.
And in a world with strict ranks, when my turn came, I had to bow before the imperial family.
And no matter how short the audience with the Emperor would be—
That cursed marriage discussion.
Whether I made a good impression or not, as long as the engagement remained, there would only be trouble.
‘What kind of person was the Empress again…?’
In the original story, the Empress was selfless and had little presence.
You could call her a typical flat character.
She had a good relationship with her husband, was kind, and loved her children.
She had no faction and no greed, so she wasn’t an important character.
When Kelient and Celine later announced they wanted to marry, she didn’t oppose it.
So she probably wasn’t the type of mother-in-law who starved herself because her son married someone she didn’t approve of…
Though if she really were that kind of person, then instead of standing here today, maybe the smartest thing would be to turn all my money into gold and run away.
‘Today I came here as the heir of House Demierd. If anyone says unnecessary things, answer vaguely. Remember that.’
After mentally preparing myself, I waited for the Emperor and Empress to appear.
Meanwhile, I answered anyone who spoke to me with polite smiles.
And if any noble tried to start a deeper conversation, I quietly stepped away as if I were waiting for someone.
Now that I knew staying at home under confinement was actually more peaceful—
‘Maybe Ever is actually one of the good guys.’
Everything kept becoming reversed.
Harriet was making me uncomfortable.
Ever, who treated me like a rival for the family head position, seemed reasonable.
Even the imperial family seemed reasonable.
By the time my eyes were slowly losing strength from exhaustion—
The audience finally began.
I waited lazily for my name to be called.
Trying as much as possible not to meet Belthanio’s eyes on the platform.
Finally—
“Lana of House Demierd.”
My name was called.
Suppressing the urge to run over quickly, I walked forward slowly.
Following the etiquette I had practiced, I bowed politely.
“I am Lana, daughter of House Demierd.”
After receiving permission, I straightened my back and lowered my gaze again.
At the same time, I listed what the Emperor and Empress would probably say.
- How is your family doing lately?
- Mention the engagement.
- Surprisingly simple conversation suited for a noble lady.
But life is never that easy.
“You seem to become more beautiful every time I see you. To the point I feel sorry for keeping you as Belthanio’s partner. Ha ha.”
