Episode 9
This scene originally appeared in the story, where Carolina and Delphine talk. Just like a few days ago, we were in the Salon de Pieque. Carolina was wearing a black mourning dress.
I remembered the scene clearly.
I had asked Carolina what was wrong. She answered, “I just came back from a friend’s funeral.”
“What kind of friend?” I had asked.
Carolina replied, “An old friend. She was from a baron family, like mine.”
“You must be really heartbroken… Is it okay if I ask what happened?”
Carolina slowly started to speak. Her eyes were swollen. She must’ve cried a lot. That friend must’ve really mattered to her.
“She was around our age. Maybe a year or two younger. I’ve known her for a long time, but this time, she took the wrong trade ship and…”
I covered my mouth with both hands. Carolina frowned in pain as she struggled to continue.
“She didn’t have any family and lived alone. So I always worried about her… I should’ve done more.”
“Oh… Carolina…”
I tried to comfort her, but I knew no words could truly help her.
Tears welled up in Carolina’s eyes. I handed her a handkerchief. She wiped her eyes for a moment, then buried her face in both hands.
…
Yes, this was that scene. This one. Wait.
Goosebumps ran down my body.
I shook my head quickly. No way. That friend… it couldn’t be Frederick, right? No way.
I washed my face with warm water. The cold air hit my face sharply and woke me up.
“…Ah.”
I didn’t want to believe it. But deep down, I already knew. Carolina didn’t have many friends. And among her friends, the only one from a baron family who worked in trade… was Frederick.
…
Wait. Then what matters most is when this scene happened. I needed to know how much time I had left.
I closed my eyes tightly and focused.
This was before I married Leo. After the wedding, I barely saw Carolina.
And it was before our family went bankrupt. Before the Adbang shipwreck happened, right? So… thinking back…
My heart sank. Goosebumps again.
“There’s only a month left!”
I was spending time with someone who would die in a month. Just thinking that made all my strength leave me.
“Frederick…”
His rude face popped into my head.
He was seriously rude and had a terrible first impression—but I never wanted him to die.
One thought formed clearly in my head:
I have to save Frederick.
“Can I save this jerk within one month?”
“This morning’s breakfast is a sandwich with cheese and salmon. I’ll serve the arugula salad first,”
Ecor gently explained the menu and placed the salad on the table. I stared at the salad blankly.
‘I’m so tired…’
I hadn’t slept well last night. I spent the night thinking about how to save Frederick.
‘He’s rude, but I still don’t want him to die… Ugh, first, I should check something.’
“Ecor.”
I stopped Ecor as he was about to leave. He calmly returned to me with his hands neatly folded.
“Yes, miss. What do you need?”
“Does Young Master Frederick personally ride the trade ships?”
Ecor looked slightly puzzled. But I didn’t explain.
I couldn’t just say, “If Frederick boards a ship next month, he’ll die!” I’d sound totally crazy. People already think I’m weird—if they think I’m mad too, my life will be even harder.
Ecor slowly shook his head.
“He hasn’t boarded any trade ships in the past few years. And he has no plans to, either.”
‘Thank goodness!’
I couldn’t hide my relief. Ecor still looked confused.
“Oh, I see. Thank you.”
He gave a polite bow and left.
I took a bite of the arugula salad.
Crunch.
The arugula and lettuce were crisp and fresh. My mind felt clearer.
‘Thank goodness! Seriously, thank goodness!’
I ate easily now. I felt so much better.
Wow, I really worried for nothing. Since the story here is already different from the original, maybe that event changed too. I should relax now.
Breakfast ended on a good note.
‘Ah, that was good.’
Just as I was about to stand up, Ecor came back in.
“Miss Delphine, you’ve received a letter.”
Ecor was holding a stack of letters. He pulled one out. The wax seal showed it was from Leo.
“…!”
But what really caught my eye was another letter underneath Leo’s.
It had the seal of the Charlier family.
‘From Charlier? For who? It’s probably not for me… is it for Frederick?’
Suddenly, I remembered what Mom said before I came here. “You say you hate Charlier so much, so why go to Frederick’s place?”
‘Frederick and Charlier… what kind of relationship did they have?’
Ugh.
My head started to ache. I hadn’t even seen Charlier’s face, but just the thought of him haunted me like a ghost. Seriously?
‘Leo was my boyfriend, but I’m not dating Frederick, so it doesn’t matter, right? No matter what relationship they had.’
But I still didn’t feel good. I guess you could call it… trauma? I hated hearing anything about Charlier—but I was also curious.
What the heck. I’m a mess.
“Thanks.”
I slowly reached out and took Leo’s letter. Ecor tucked the other one back into his coat.
“So, the one-hour chat with the young master is after lunch, right?”
“Yes, miss.”
I took the letter and stood up. My head was spinning. I needed some time alone. I walked slowly, thinking to myself.
‘Don’t care. Just ignore it. Whatever relationship Frederick and Charlier had, it doesn’t involve me. What matters is that Frederick isn’t going to die. That’s what I should care about.’
The spiral staircase felt just like my brain—twisting and messy. My thoughts were tangled. Why does hearing Charlier’s name make me feel so awful?
I sat on the sofa in my room. I stared at Leo’s letter in my hand.
‘What’s in it? Is he asking me to come back to him?’
In the original story, Leo became a clingy, regretful mess, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was begging now.
I took a paper knife from the drawer. With a small push, the wax seal popped off.
To Delphine,
Leo’s neat handwriting filled the page. I read each line.
Delphine, how are you? I heard you went to the Feredy house. If things were that hard for you, you should’ve told me. I could’ve helped. If things ever get too hard, tell me anytime.
It was full of meaningless small talk. But then came the second page.
There’s been a big change, so I’m writing to you. Charlier is returning to Shairo. I’m really happy he’s coming back, but if you want, we can be together again.
‘Huh? What the heck is this?’
If Charlier’s coming back, why are you talking about us being together again? Just go hang out with him.
I crumpled the letter and tossed it on the coffee table.
“How ridiculous.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Why would I get back together with you? If Charlier’s coming, just go have fun with him.
Unbelievable.
‘Wait a sec.’
Then I remembered the wax seal from earlier—Charlier’s family.
Could it be… the letter to Frederick was Charlier telling him he’s coming back?
I mumbled out loud.
“So they were something.”
What a messed-up fate. Every guy connected to me is somehow linked to Charlier. And now Charlier’s coming back to Shairo?
“…”
Whatever. Do what you want. I just want to make some money and live in peace.
I glared at the crumpled letter on the table. Just thinking about Charlier, Leo, and Frederick annoyed me.
Forget them. Just focus on money.
Right now, that’s the only choice I had.
“I’m coming in.”
After lunch, I went to Frederick’s study. It was the same room where I first met him. The bookshelves almost touched the ceiling, and a small window let sunlight shine in.
Frederick was sitting right where the sunlight landed.
‘Wow… his skin is so pale and nice.’
And…
‘Wow… he’s still so rude.’
He knew I came in, but didn’t even look at me. He just sank into the single-seater couch and kept reading his book.
‘Fine. Whatever.’
I didn’t look at him either. I browsed the books on the shelves. There were a lot of interesting titles. I picked the thinnest one and sat on the long couch next to Frederick’s seat.
It was a history book. It talked about how the current Pignon Kingdom was founded.
‘History, huh… okay, I’ll just read it slowly. I’ve got time anyway.’
I didn’t love history, but I was too lazy to switch, so I just started reading.
“…?”
Even though I was reading, my eyes kept drifting toward Frederick.
He pretended not to look, but kept glancing sideways at me.
