EDBO l CH 06

Episode 6 

I had already given up on everything and just watched the girls calmly through the mirror.

This time, someone came in carrying a big jewelry box full of hair accessories.

Another noisy argument broke out — “This one’s prettier!” “No, that one is!” They wouldn’t stop bickering.

“Let’s pick the amber one! It matches the lady’s eyes!”
“What are you talking about? Ruby goes best with this dress!”
“Both of you quiet down — diamonds are the best!”

Ha… what a mess.

I gave up trying to talk to them and decided to calculate my chances of survival instead.

When exactly did Bastian go from being a normal psycho to a full-blown crazy one again?

Right — after he met the heroine at the founding festival’s imperial ball.

At that time, Bastian had just started to accept his younger brother’s death and was mentally unstable. Then he met Tricia, who had the same aura as his late sister Amelia, and completely lost it.

He went so crazy that he calmly planned to kidnap and imprison Tricia right after seeing her for the first time.

For reference, it took him exactly five seconds — from making eye contact to deciding on the kidnapping.

And after his plan to kill her failed, he even teamed up with the evil western sorcerers and nearly destroyed the empire.

In the end, he was killed by the sword of his best friend, the emperor.

So, let’s see what time period this is.

It’s early spring now, and Tricia comes to Lohatin around late autumn.

That means the main story hasn’t started yet — there’s still a bit over six months to go.

And Bastian starts going truly insane about three years after Amelia disappears…

“I’m doomed.”

He’s probably already completely unhinged by now.

Maybe I should start looking for a good burial site.

“Girls.”
“Yes, miss?”
“It was nice meeting you.”

The maids blinked, then laughed brightly.

“We’re happy to see you again too!”

They really did look happy. Well, at least someone’s happy.

I guess I’m not such a bad person, considering I only exist for one short hour of story time.

“We’re going with this accessory, okay? No complaints!”
“Fine by me.”
“Agreed!”

The maids finally reached a dramatic compromise.

I gave up resisting and let them finish dressing me up.

“My lady, you look absolutely beautiful!”
“Ugh, I can die happy now.”

The maids dabbed at their tears — again.

“Come on, let’s go! The Duke is waiting!”
“Good luck with your family reunion!”

I wanted to cry — but for a very different reason.

***

Later…

“This is the drawing room, miss.”

Monica, one of the servants, politely opened the door at the end of the hall.

“If you need anything, just call.”

After she left, I looked around the room.

It was cozy and warm.

Through the big window, sunlight sparkled like jewels, and below, roses swayed gently in the breeze.

“Wow…”

If I were to die here by Bastian’s hand, that would be a real tragedy, wouldn’t it?

“Oh god, I just imagined my head getting chopped off so casually.”

I must be losing my mind — picturing such things like it’s normal.

I shook my head to clear the thought.

“No, no. He wouldn’t kill me right away, right? I’m still his little sister, after all.”

We grew up together until I was sixteen. Surely he still has some affection left? Maybe he’ll just imprison me instead.

“…But if I’m going to be locked up and tortured, maybe dying quickly would be better.”

In the novel, the heroine Tricia was imprisoned for only a week, yet she suffered horribly.

Maybe dying in one blow wouldn’t be the worst ending.

I was deep in thought when—

“My lady, the Duke has arri— Duke!”

BANG!

The door burst open.

I turned my head and froze.

“What the…?”

Was that even a human being?

The man standing there looked like he was glowing.

He was that handsome — easily the most beautiful man I had ever seen.

The same rose-colored hair as mine, deep blue eyes like the ocean, sharp features that looked sculpted from marble. His lips were a striking shade of red, and his jawline was flawless.

For a moment, I forgot I’d been thinking about how to die peacefully.

Sure, the novel said Bastian was good-looking, but in person, he was unreal.

Even in this world of beautiful people, he stood out.

How could someone that gorgeous be a villain? What a waste of a face.

While I was busy admiring him, Bastian’s gaze locked onto me.

His expression suddenly hardened — dangerously cold.

“……”

He strode toward me, each step making the sword at his side glint.

My stomach dropped.

No way — he’s really going to kill me now?

The servants and the knight behind him looked panicked.

“M-my lord!”
“Your Grace!”

I squeezed my eyes shut as he approached.

Goodbye, world.

And you, Jera — the one who sold me out — I’ll come haunt you, I swear. I’ll curse your entire bloodline to go bald for three generations.

A dark shadow fell over me.

This is it. I’m really going to die—

Then suddenly—

“Amel.”

Something soft wrapped around me.

“…?”

He hugged me.

Who? Bastian.

Hugged me.

I froze completely.

“Uh… excuse me?”

He held me tighter. I could hear his heart beating — fast and strong.

And it wasn’t mine. It was his.

“Ahem.”
“Ahem.”

The servant quietly closed the door, and the knight awkwardly looked away.

Hey — don’t look away! Someone explain what’s going on!

I looked at them desperately, but no one said a word.

After a long moment, Bastian slowly released me and looked into my eyes.

Our gazes met.

“Amelia… you’re alive.”
“……”
“You’re really alive.”

His voice trembled.

“Are you hurt anywhere? You’re so thin… what happened to you?”

He gently brushed my shoulder, eyes glistening.

Wait. Was he… tearing up? Crying?

The great Bastian — crying?

He was supposed to be the type to smile while killing people!

But now he looked heartbroken.

Then it hit me.

…Maybe I’m not going to die after all.