~Chapter 21~

Even a nation famous for building hospitals in just a week would be astonished. Lovelace couldn’t believe her eyes as she stared at the dazzling mansion in front of her.

“I shall build you a mansion.”

It had been only three days since Arwen said those words.

She had refused firmly back then, but when Arwen mentioned that construction had already begun, she should have realized his determination.

“He really went and built it!”

Still, maybe the inside would be empty… or so she thought.

“Wow.”

“Do you like it, my lady?”

Lovelace quickly shut her mouth. The man who arrived with the carriage sent by Arwen studied her expression closely.

“His Majesty gave special orders to ensure it was built with care.”

Apparently, this man was the chief in charge of the mansion’s construction.

“Yes… it’s amazing.”

Regardless of her personal taste, the mansion was extravagant.

The ceilings were high, and in the center of the hall hung a massive chandelier glittering with thousands of crystals. The walls were filled with refreshing landscape paintings.

Soft carpets spread across the floors, and at each stair landing, stained glass windows poured out colorful light.

“It’s comparable to the Valios mansion, don’t you think?”

Ah, so his standard was Larvihan’s estate. Now that she thought about it, the overall atmosphere was similar—though Larvihan’s mansion, with its long history and tradition, had a much more antique dignity.

But how was she supposed to manage a place this big?

Her expression darkened. Then the man spoke.

“All the servants are already prepared as well.”

Lovelace’s eyes widened. Could he read minds too?

Clap clap.

The man clapped his hands. From an arched doorway on the side of the hall, a flood of people rushed out.

Women in white blouses and navy pinafores, men in white shirts, navy vests, and trousers lined up neatly.

“Housemaids, maids, stable hands, coachmen, gardeners, hunting ground keepers, butlers, footmen, head chef, assistant chefs, dessert chefs…”

“Stop, that’s enough. I’ll get to know them little by little.”

There were more than fifty people. Clearly, he intended to introduce each one individually, but Lovelace declined. That could wait—there was something more important to confirm right now.

“Did His Majesty really order you to give all of this to me?”

“Yes, that is correct, Count Lovelace.”

“Why?”

“That… I’m not certain either.”

The man was capable enough to raise such a mansion in an instant, but he was no close aide of the Emperor. His role was to carry out Arwen’s orders, not to guess or interpret them.

Lovelace realized she had asked the wrong person.

“Thank you. The house tour is plenty. You may go now.”

She wanted to rest. For the past three days, she had been studying about the Harmelda County and barely slept.

“At least Larvihan made sure I ate well… but I desperately need sleep.”

“I disturbed your rest, Count. My apologies. I will remain here for the time being to ensure there are no faults in the mansion. May I stay here, my lady?”

Being addressed as “Count,” and having others ask for her permission still felt awkward. But she needed to get used to it.

I am a Count now!

After always living as the weak one, being the one in charge felt strangely good. A wide smile spread across Lovelace’s face.

“Yes, go ahead and stay.”

She waved her hand. The man bowed deeply.

As Lovelace climbed the spiral staircase, she suddenly stopped.

“Ah—wait a moment!”

“What is it, Count Lovelace?”

The man turned back in alarm. Lovelace gave him a sheepish smile.

“Where is my room?”

In a mansion this vast, there was no way she could find her room without directions.

Lovelace flopped onto the soft bed and immediately drifted into sweet sleep. She woke up late, ate the afternoon snacks Judith had prepared, and then sprawled out again.

“I must really have a talent for being a noble.”

What else was nobility?

In all the novels she had read, being noble meant waking up late, eating delicious food, taking light strolls, and enjoying leisure.

“I used to curse for being thrown into the body of a beggar, but now I should be bowing in gratitude.”

Suddenly, Larvihan came to mind. The last chapter she had read before falling asleep replayed automatically in her head.

“Larvihan, with an indifferent face, destroyed everything around him one by one. Nothing was left alive in his path, not even a blade of grass.”

She clearly remembered complaining back then—wasn’t this supposed to be a romance fantasy? Yet there was no romance, just endless scenes of Larvihan destroying everything around him.

“But why did Larvihan destroy the world?”

The Larvihan she knew had a peculiar personality, but he wasn’t someone who would resort to violence without reason.

‘Ugh, I don’t know.’

No matter how hard she tried to recall, it was a part she had skimmed before sleeping. Nothing came back to her.

“Or maybe the author just never explained it?”

Of course—it was such a strange author, always filling pages with cold, objective descriptions. No wonder the book wasn’t popular.

Grumbling to herself, Lovelace stood up.

“Who are you calling strange?”

She froze. Slowly turning her head, she saw a tall figure by the window.

“…Isn’t there a door?”

Larvihan pointed toward it with his hand.

“Was the door… locked?”

He crossed the room himself and opened it. The door swung silently, as if it had never been locked.

“Then why did you come through the window? You scared me!”

Clutching her chest, Lovelace hurried to the window. When she looked outside, she felt dizzy.

This was the fourth floor! With such high ceilings, it was basically the sixth.

“Using the door would’ve been complicated. I didn’t want to run into Arwen’s people.”

Ah… right. Larvihan hated Arwen. Honestly, she couldn’t blame him, not after what Arwen had done to him.

“I wanted to give you the mansion and servants myself, but it was Arwen’s responsibility, so I held back. Still, I can’t stand seeing Arwen’s people roaming around. That’s why I came through the window.”

His explanation was surprisingly logical. Lovelace nodded.

“Even so, don’t come through the window again. My heart almost fell out of my chest. It’s still pounding.”

“Maybe not from fear. Maybe it’s because you were happy to see me?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Lovelace snapped—but the truth was, when she realized it was him, she had felt a little relief.

Whatever his motives, Larvihan had been the kindest to her.

A bond, born from annoyance maybe, but a bond nonetheless.

He chuckled, not knowing what she was thinking.

“How does it feel to be back in your land?”

Lovelace shrugged.

“I don’t remember anything, so it doesn’t feel like much. Besides, it’s a new house.”

If there had been family photos like in Korea, or old furniture full of memories, or even scribbles on the walls from her childhood, she might have guessed what kind of life the original Lovelace had lived.

But everything was new.

“Even if I want to remember, there’s nothing here to help me. Can I really play the part of Count Harmelda’s daughter?”

Though she only pretended to have lost her memory, she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

“Don’t worry, Rey. I’ve already told everyone you lost your memory. Just forget the past.”

“Why? Did you make some mistake with me?”

“Me? With you? Impossible.”

Lovelace’s eyes sparkled.

“Did you maybe make a huge mistake right in front of me?”

“Sorry, but I don’t make mistakes. So erase that sly little thought of teasing me with one.”

Lovelace snorted. Larvihan, who had been standing casually, straightened his back.

“No one’s without mistakes. As a kid, you must’ve pooped and peed everywhere, scribbled on walls. A walking bundle of mistakes. Or are you saying you were born a 10th-class magician?”

“That’s correct.”

“…What part? That you were full of mistakes?”

She asked half-jokingly, not expecting the reply.

“The part about being born a 10th-class magician.”

Larvihan strode forward and lightly took her wrist.

Her heart jumped wildly again.

Why was his body so warm? Was he some kind of walking heater?

“Are you not going to show me around the mansion?”

“Of course I’ll show you!”

Still with her eyes shut, Lovelace turned forward. Her forehead bumped straight into his chest.

“Are you asking me to hold you? Truly, you’re bold. Always beyond my imagination. That’s why I like you.”

But I hate myself for being like this.

She shoved him away and bolted into the corridor. His laughter followed behind her.

“Judith.”

After Lovelace left, Larvihan called. Judith appeared.

“Keep a close eye on Arwen’s people. Replace them with ours when the chance comes. Arwen won’t sit still. Don’t forget why I chose you. I’ll take care of surveillance and bug checks—you start with the servants’ backgrounds.”

“Yes, understood.”

Up ahead, Lovelace stopped when she noticed Larvihan wasn’t following.

“Aren’t you coming? If you’re slow, I’ll go ahead without you!”

From the end of the hall, she urged him impatiently. Larvihan’s stiff face softened.

Judith’s eyes narrowed.