~Chapter 17~
Tok tok tok.
A dark room with only one candle burning. In the silence of night, I tapped the desk with my fingernail.
Even though it was hard to read in the dark, I had a reason for not lighting more lamps.
“Milady, if you read in the dark, your eyes will get bad.”
“Oh? I used to hear that all the time.”
“If you’ve heard it, you should follow it. I’ll light the lamp.”
Eric, who was guarding the door, gave me some friendly nagging. But I didn’t want to ruin the mood just because of that.
“No. Information gathered in illegal ways is best read in this kind of atmosphere.”
In my hand was the background check on Sophia’s childhood friend, her lover.
With my new ability, I could learn names and jobs, but not wealth, personality, or character. So I had the servants secretly investigate.
‘I always wanted to try this!’
Just giving an order and getting all kinds of secret information—it was more fun than I imagined.
“I’m sorry, but none of this was gathered illegally.”
“Tsk. Don’t ruin it. Still, it’s true we checked without telling him.”
“Do you think that maid really wanted you to go this far?”
“Better than marrying someone without knowing anything, right?”
Marriage had to be careful.
I went back to reading. It said he was kind and not bad-tempered. Next was wealth.
“Oh. He runs a pretty big apple farm.”
“As expected from the Garnet successor—you’re careful about wealth.”
“Of course. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can double the happiness you already have.”
“That even sounded like the Viscount. I didn’t know, but maybe you resemble him.”
Eric nodded, satisfied with his own idea. But no—I wasn’t even the Viscount’s real daughter. We just had similar values.
“Well, he seems like a good man.”
He had no big flaws. He could support a family, his reputation wasn’t bad, and he got along with Sophia. All that was left was to help their date.
System
Target locked!
(∩๑•ㅂ•)⊃→
Would you like to become the Cupid of ‘Sophia Nina’?
Yes / No
Of course—Yes.
I chose Yes right away.
“Now, let’s pick clothes for Sophia to wear.”
Eric opened the door, and Sophia came in with another maid, carrying a small rack of clothes.
“These are all the good ones?”
“Yes, milady.”
Sophia only had five “good” outfits. None were new, and one was the light pink dress she wore last time.
People adapt, they say. Compared to my old life, it wasn’t bad—but now, those five dresses looked shabby.
“No good ones, right?”
Sophia asked awkwardly when she saw me staring.
“No, you chose colors that suit you.”
“Really? Well, these are the newest ones I have, but this one has a design problem…”
She held up a semi-dress with a huge padded back.
I wanted to ask why she bought such a thing, but if it was a gift, it would be awkward.
“Why would you buy this?”
But Eric asked directly.
I nudged him, worried, but he stood stiffly.
“Oh… I didn’t buy it. My mother gave it to me when she visited recently.”
“I see.”
That’s it?
I jabbed him again, but he just stared at the dress.
I sighed, ready to smooth it over, but Eric spoke first.
“Your mother underestimated you.”
We all blinked.
“Even without such an exaggerated dress, you’d stand out enough.”
What did he just say?
Eric, who hardly spoke, had just… flirted?!
Sophia’s cheeks turned red.
“W-What do you mean?”
It was a nice line—but still!
“Eric, Sophia already has someone. Get it together.”
“I only spoke the truth. I meant nothing else.”
His face looked so serious I believed him.
“Good. Anyway, aside from the back, the design is nice, and the color suits you. It’s a waste not to wear it.”
I quickly changed the subject.
“…But honestly, I don’t want to be proposed to in this.”
“Right. That pink dress—you wore it last time, right?”
“Yes. I bought it after your advice.”
The best one had already been worn, and the next-prettiest had design issues.
‘Should I buy her a new one?’
I wanted to, but Sophia still thanked me for just a headband. A new dress would be too much.
“If only one part is bad, just fix that part.”
“Oh?”
Genius! Eric’s casual line was the perfect solution.
“Good idea, Eric. If it’s tailored, it’ll suit Sophia really well.”
“But how should I fix it? I’ve sewn before, but I’m not stylish…”
“Not you, Sophia. We’ll call a tailor.”
“Huh? Would a tailor bother with such a cheap dress?”
“Of course. I’ll be the one asking.”
As the Garnet family’s daughter, with money, no tailor would refuse.
“Milady, don’t. What if it turns out bad and reflects on you?”
“Don’t worry. Tell the head maid to bring our tailors tomorrow. And the jewelers too.”
“Jewelers? Why…?”
“To fix the accessories, of course.”
“…Milady.”
Sophia’s eyes filled with tears.
Her moved expression strangely made me feel pity.
Was this how my old boss felt? Back when she used to bring me clothes and food while I lived with barely anything?
“I’ll never forget this kindness!”
Yes, I had once said that too.
At first, I only helped Sophia for the achievement. But now, it felt different.
‘I’ll make sure she’s happy.’
It was my turn to pass on the kindness I once received.
