Chapter 8
“Would you attend the Council meeting in my place two days from now?”
“Huh?”
It felt like being splashed with cold water while half-asleep. Karin stared at the duke with her mouth slightly open, unable to close it.
Duke Tricia avoided her gaze, fidgeting with his fingers.
“It’s all for you. As someone who will eventually lead the Second Principality, you should experience these things sooner or later.”
“……”
“It’s definitely not because I don’t want to go. It’s purely for you. Right? You take after your mother, so I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
Yeah, right—you just don’t want to go. Karin could swear it on both wrists.
“What do I even know about attending a council meeting?”
“It’s called a meeting, but it’s nothing serious. Not difficult at all. You just sit there. Think of it as filling a seat. Please. Just one day. Okay?”
The duke persistently tried to persuade her. Meanwhile, Karin’s attention was fixed elsewhere.
Something had been bothering her for a while.
A single sheet of paper sticking out from a stack of documents. Her instincts told her that this absurd situation had something to do with that paper.
Karin quickly rushed forward, opened the file, and pulled it out.
“‘Dice Gambling House Opening! Special event on launch day. Date—’”
“Th-that’s!”
Duke Tricia snatched the paper from her hands in panic.
Just as she thought.
The opening day of the gambling house matched the council meeting day exactly.
So this meant he was trying to send his daughter in his place so he could go enjoy himself, didn’t it?
“I have no idea why something like this is here. Your father would never go to a place like that.”
Yeah, sure he wouldn’t.
Living in the estate had taught her one thing: Duke Tricia was seriously into leisure.
He looked like a gentle neighborhood uncle, but in reality, he was a corrupt noble through and through.
He would disappear for days to enjoy himself and spend money recklessly.
And who did the work? Despite being a duke, he did handle some duties.
But only the essential financial documents—like mines or tax revenue, the estate’s income sources. Everything else was ignored.
That was why nobles of his rank usually kept advisors—but he didn’t.
Because there was barely any real work, everyone eventually got exhausted and quit.
“What a useless meeting. I already have a headache trying to figure out how to meet Arken… ugh.”
Then, suddenly, a good idea flashed in her mind like a lightbulb.
“Do other nobles attend the meeting too?”
“Of course. All the prominent nobles in Esmeril will be there.”
“Oh really?”
Karin smiled knowingly.
“Even Duke Lucas will be there?”
“Of course!”
This was her chance. If Duke Lucas attended, his attendant would naturally come too. That meant she could meet Arken.
A perfect excuse—she was attending under her father’s request.
She had no interest in what the meeting was about, but that didn’t matter.
As the duke said, she would just sit there.
And this time, she wouldn’t embarrass herself like before.
“How about it? Want to go?”
The duke watched her cautiously.
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. I always prioritize your opinion.”
‘Jackpot.’
She had thought she wouldn’t be able to see Arken for a while—but this was a bonus.
“Actually, I was just thinking…”
“I’ll go.”
“That’s my girl!”
The duke, who had looked gloomy just moments ago, burst into a smile and opened his arms. Karin obediently stepped into his embrace, wearing a sly smile.
‘Just wait. I’ll definitely make my presence known.’
However, in the end—it was all for nothing.
Later
After the meeting.
Karin returned home feeling deflated.
Neither Duke Lucas nor Arken had shown up. Apparently, the duke had been inspecting his territory that day.
‘Ugh, what a waste of effort.’
As if reflecting her mood, heavy rain poured on the way back.
It was said to be the heaviest rainfall in years.
By the time she reached the mansion, she was completely soaked.
On days like this, staying home was best.
Karin sat in her cozy room, sipping tea brought by Marie, watching the storm outside.
The rain was so heavy it looked like the air was half water.
‘He’d get soaked doing inspections in this weather.’
For a moment, she felt a slight concern.
But only for Arken, not Duke Lucas. Let him suffer if he wanted.
“Lady Karin, your friend has arrived…”
Marie entered and spoke.
“Friend? Who?”
“Lady Iris from the House of Count Shunen.”
Iris. They had only met once—could that really be called a friend?
But Iris had probably thought so.
It wasn’t unpleasant. Karin actually liked her.
After all, Iris had shown her kindness when others only gave her fear or disdain.
‘So she’s my first friend since transmigration.’
Maybe it was good to have a friend.
But why would Iris come here on such a rainy day?
Just as she was about to go greet her—
“Her companions are here too. Duke Lucas and his attendant.”
Karin froze.
‘Duke Lucas and Arken? Why are they here?’
Then she remembered.
In the original story, Iris meets Duke Lucas for the first time on a rainy day.
He rescues her in the forest, they take shelter in a cabin, and fall in love.
So that “somewhere” must have been his territory.
And that meeting day was today.
‘Then why are they coming here instead of the cabin?’
This was supposed to be good news—Arken was here.
But not like this.
Not with Duke Lucas.
And definitely not all together.
Three people she had awkward relationships with, plus one clueless noble lady.
Just imagining the four of them together made her shiver.
“What do I do?”
Karin grabbed her hair in distress.
“Catherine! I’m here!”
A cheerful voice came from the stairs.
Iris smiled brightly as she ran up.
“Sorry for dropping by so suddenly. It’s just… I’m so glad you’re my friend, Karin.”
“Really?”
“I got lost in the forest, but Duke Lucas saved me.”
At the mention of him, Iris’s eyes sparkled.
Karin, however, felt nothing good about it.
“I was wandering around looking for shelter, and suddenly I thought—your house is right next to the forest!”
“…So you came here?”
“It only took ten minutes! I even rode a horse for the first time—it was so fast!”
Ten minutes on horseback? That was far.
Why not just wait somewhere nearby?
Like a cabin. A cabin. Or a cabin.
“Wasn’t there anywhere closer?”
“There was a cabin, actually.”
“And you didn’t stay there?”
“It was too small. And honestly, I wanted to see you… so I begged the duke to come here.”
“…I see.”
Karin forced a smile.
“Anyway, we’re going to wait here until the rain stops. Is that okay?”
Karin desperately wanted to say NO.
But Iris was soaked.
And there was nowhere else nearby.
So she had no choice.
Then a thought crossed her mind.
Would Lucas have agreed so easily?
Maybe he came because of Iris…
Or maybe he just thought the mansion was better shelter.
She was still wondering—
“Iris, I’m back!”
A familiar voice cut through her thoughts.
Karin turned her head slowly.
Standing below the stairs was Duke Lucas.
His blood-red eyes glinted as he looked up at her.
“About that friend you mentioned…”
A chilling voice echoed.
“…That friend—was she a princess?”
