IMCUV | Chapter 002

IMCUV

Posted by Neon, Released on August 30, 2025

Chapter 2

The moment she read the first sentence, Dayna felt her heart sink with a thud.

Not here? What does that mean?

She hurriedly scanned the next sentence.

[Because I’m leaving this mansion to go on a long, long journey!]

The letter, starting with an unnecessarily cheerful tone, was veering in a completely unexpected direction.

A journey?

[You know, I kept thinking about what you always said. To find my true self, to follow my own path, to write my own story.]

Yes, she had said those things.

But that was meant to encourage Stella to stop tearing herself down and hurting others, not to literally run off somewhere!

[I’ve reflected a lot. No, I will reflect a lot from now on!

Since you want me to become a better version of myself, I’m determined to find it.

I’ll find myself in a world much bigger than this place. And beyond that, I’ll come back with happiness, too. So, Dayna, could you take care of my parents’ mansion for me in the meantime?

Yeah, thanks.]

What? She’s just making all these decisions on her own?

[I’m counting on you!

I’ll miss you a lot.

Stella]

The letter ended abruptly, leaving Dayna stunned.

Did I read that right?

Blinking in disbelief, Dayna lowered her gaze. At the bottom of the letter, in small handwriting, there was a postscript.

[P.S. I’m taking all the money you’ve been carefully saving and managing for my travel expenses. It’s the money my dad left, so it’s okay for me to use it, right?]

“…Damn it. The money, too?”

Realizing the full situation, Dayna muttered curses under her breath and squeezed her eyes shut.

Her damned precious had just betrayed her and run off.

Taking all the money with her.

* * *

After splashing cold water on her face to pull herself together, Dayna reread Stella’s letter with a dazed expression.

The Viviwood family, now completely bankrupt with only this old forest mansion and a single maid left, was a shadow of its former self. Still, Stella was the only daughter of Count Viviwood.

Born with a silver spoon, raised in luxury, how could a noble lady like her survive out in the world without even a single maid to serve her? It was beyond comprehension.

And to top it all off, taking all the savings and running away? Isn’t that just too much?

“Aaargh!”

Finally snapping out of it, Dayna clutched her hair and screamed.

Where had it all gone wrong?

Could it be that I’m the one who pushed Stella to go on this bizarre journey to find herself? Me…?

For a moment, she denied reality, then jerked her head up and scanned the room.

There’s got to be a clue in here somewhere! I need to figure out where Stella went and chase after her!

“…Nothing!”

But Stella, meticulous in the strangest ways, had left no trace behind.

Dayna searched her room all day, but found nothing of use.

Finally, she caught her breath and collapsed onto the floor.

Even waking up as a maid in the world of ICLBV hadn’t felt as surreal as this moment, with Stella Viviwood gone.

“I thought she liked me and relied on me…”

Staring blankly at the ceiling, Dayna mumbled softly.

Though their time together hadn’t been long, Stella had gradually opened up to her. She’d shared stories of her past she wanted to keep hidden and even shown a willingness to change her destructive tendencies.

And yet, she left with just a single letter? Dayna felt not just hurt but almost resentful.

“And taking all the money, too?!”

Even if she wanted to chase after her, Stella had taken every last coin, leaving not even enough for a carriage.

Confirming the empty safe with her own eyes, Dayna let out a hollow laugh and shook her head.

“That sneaky, damned precious…”

Ugh, whatever! Let it be! She’ll only suffer if she goes out in this cold!

At this point, stubbornness kicked in.

Dayna slammed the empty safe shut and stomped back to her room.

A pampered noble lady like Stella wouldn’t last long out there with just that money. She’d probably come crawling back in tears within a few days.

“And when she does, I won’t let it slide!”

She’d teach her a proper lesson then,show her what happens when you betray the maid who cares for you!

Dayna made a firm resolution.

But that day never came.

For weeks afterward, she was left alone, guarding the vast mansion.

* * *

“Mail’s here!”

A voice called from outside,the postman.

Dayna bolted out of the mansion, snatching the envelope from the postman, who was still standing there.

“Whoa!”

“Where’s this letter from?”

“Let’s see… It’s got the Appelbaum seal, so it’s from the capital.”

“Appelbaum? Has she already gone to the capital?”

Dayna tore open the envelope right there and pulled out the letter.

It might be the long-awaited word from Stella.

It’s been weeks since she left without a single word!

“Oh…”

But the scented stationery only contained formal greetings from another noble lady who had been close to the Viviwood family.

Seeing Dayna’s expression visibly sink, the postman cautiously asked, “Not the news you were hoping for?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Don’t be too disappointed, Miss Stella. I’m sure good news will come soon.”

“Thank you, but I’m not Miss Stella…”

“I’ll be off, then!”

Does the postman around here just not listen?

Dayna watched as the postman, having said his piece, started down the snowy forest path.

Though she’d been ignored, she felt grateful that he’d delivered mail to this remote mansion and resolved to clear up the misunderstanding later.

“Sigh…”

Returning to the mansion, she picked up a pen and began writing a reply.

“Just throw in some polite words to keep up appearances, right?”

What she thought would be a short stint posing as Stella Viviwood was now stretching into weeks.

The fact that Stella had left the old Wizberry Forest mansion couldn’t leak out. When Count Viviwood’s business failed and he sold off all his assets, those still owed money by him had set their sights on this seemingly intact mansion.

It was only because of the late count’s plea to preserve a home for Stella that they’d managed to hold onto it. If word got out that she was gone, creditors from across the country would swarm in, taking not just the meager belongings but the deed to the house itself.

So the fact that Stella’s not here has to stay an absolute secret!

Thankfully, impersonating Stella wasn’t too hard. All she had to do was maintain the old mansion and respond to the occasional letter with flowery, refined language.

Since she had nowhere to go if she quit being a maid, she didn’t have much else to do anyway.

“At least it’s a good thing there’s another small safe Stella didn’t know about.”

Dayna felt grateful for her past self, who had diversified their savings.

Besides the money Stella took, there was a small emergency fund left. It wouldn’t last more than a few months, but for now, it was a relief to have it.

She’d better come back before the money runs out…

“By the way, it’s snowing a lot.”

Glancing out at the snow-covered forest, Dayna mumbled to herself.

It’s so cold, how’s Stella doing out there? She hasn’t been scammed or hurt, has she? Is she eating properly…?

She was angry but couldn’t hate her. She didn’t want to miss her but did.

She also felt pity, wondering how frustrated Stella must have been to run off on this journey.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll check with the local guards to see if there’s any trace of her…

Staring out the window, Dayna slowly leaned her head back against the chair.

For some reason, she felt utterly drained.

* * *

Bang bang bang!

“…”