chapter 10
If you ask me, I’ve only been possessed for about two weeks.
How could I possibly know the things that weren’t in the original story?
I looked at Larisa with curiosity. But instead of answering me, she turned a furious face toward the maid.
“The Reflection Room? That’s the punishment chamber for servants of common birth. Who do you think you are, daring to mention the Reflection Room in front of the young lady?”
Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Her words, like an NPC giving background info, actually made me thankful inside.
But gratitude is gratitude, and this situation is another matter.
“I wasn’t the one who said it. I was only repeating the Madam’s words.”
“Madam? You—”
“It’s fine, Larisa.”
I stopped Larisa, whose face was crumpled in anger.
“I’ll just go see that woman. You can lead the way.”
At my words, the maid’s face brightened.
“Oh, then—”
“Oh, I wasn’t talking to you.”
With a smirk tugging at my lips, I jerked my chin.
“I’ll go later. For now, get out of my room.”
“But—”
“It disgusts me to breathe the same air as a fool who can’t even learn.”
The insult twisted the maid’s face with humiliation. I flicked my finger lightly.
“Wh-what the?!”
Her legs suddenly moved on their own, carrying her out of the room at a run.
Larisa’s eyes widened at the sight.
“Young Lady, don’t tell me…”
“Shh.”
I winked at her.
“Keep it a secret for now.”
Soon enough, the moment the second semester began, my reputation at the Academy would flip 180 degrees anyway.
At first, Larisa had felt sorry for Canis’s meek response.
The Young Lady shouldn’t have to endure treatment like this…
But as time passed, her thoughts began to change.
Ten minutes after the maid left:
“Oh, this is a new spell.”
Thirty minutes:
“Ah, reading closely after so long makes me crave sweets. Larisa, bring me some dessert.”
One hour:
“Yaaawn! Now that I’ve eaten, I should nap.”
And now, three hours later.
Looking at Canis completely asleep, Larisa realized—
She’s toying with her perfectly!
Making the other person wait anxiously, while she herself naps peacefully.
Nothing could be more infuriating for the opponent.
Sure enough, after three and a half hours, angry footsteps thundered outside.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The door shook under the harsh knocks, revealing how furious the intruder was.
“Open this door at once, Canis Escleif!”
It was practically a scream. Larisa scowled at Helena’s voice.
Nothing more than the Duke’s mistress, and yet…
In the Crocus Empire, remarriage was never looked upon kindly once children were involved, no matter the status.
And no vassal would ever wish to serve as mistress the woman who had been the Duke’s affair partner while his wife was still alive.
All the more so if that woman swaggered about, acting like she owned an old and noble ducal house.
Without opening the door, Larisa answered coldly:
“The Young Lady is resting. Please leave.”
“Ha! Resting? More like cowering in fear and trembling!”
At that, Larisa glanced at Canis.
Wow, that’s impressive in its own way.
Even with all this noise, Canis was sleeping soundly, motionless—like she was one with the bed. Larisa couldn’t help but admire such talent.
But her admiration didn’t last.
With a click-clack, the locked door was forced open.
“Canis! Get out here this instant—!”
Helena entered, maids at her side, only to freeze when she saw Canis.
Not just lying in bed—
But with one leg propped on a pillow, mouth half open, and an utterly peaceful face, fast asleep.
Even so, Helena asked, just in case:
“Don’t tell me you’re pretending to sleep?”
The sleeping Canis responded.
“Mmm… five more minutes…”
Talking in her sleep.
The room went silent.
“Pffft!”
Larisa burst into laughter, unable to help herself.
Helena’s face flushed crimson at the mockery.
“Get up this instant!”
She stomped toward Canis, hand reaching for her hair.
But her attempt was stopped cold.
What—!
Her arm froze midair, as if trapped in ice.
“Who’s this rude woman?”
Before Helena could speak, Canis’s eyes snapped open.
Helena’s face twisted into something monstrous.
When I opened my eyes, a terrifying face was glaring down at me.
“Who’s this rude woman?”
I muttered unconsciously, then quickly realized who she was.
Black hair. Black eyes. A voluptuous beauty. And a tear mole like Claude’s.
In the Ducal House, only one woman in her late thirties matched that description: Helena.
Keeping her frozen in place, I slowly sat up.
“Larisa, how long did I sleep?”
“Two hours, Young Lady.”
“Tch. I was aiming for three.”
No wonder I felt stiff.
I folded my tired arms.
“You… how dare you do this—!”
“Do what?”
I tilted my head innocently.
“What exactly?”
“You used magic to—huh?”
“Magic? What’s that?”
Before her, I casually picked at my ear.
“Must be dirty. I keep hearing nonsense.”
“That’s impossible! It’s your doing!”
“Oh my, what are you saying?”
I covered my mouth with both hands, feigning pity.
“I don’t have any magic power, remember?”
The unspoken message was clear: Don’t know that? Idiot.
Seeing Canis act so differently from her usual cowed self, Helena was stunned.
Well, no way she could’ve expected this.
The original Canis never would have dared.
And the same applied to me, the possessor.
In the original story, Helena had only been exiled abroad after the Duke belatedly turned into a doting father.
Ugh, that Duke, doting father?
I shuddered, crossing my arms. The thought alone was nauseating.
But Helena seemed to interpret my attitude as fear.
“Ha! Fine. Since you dare defy my orders, you’ll be locked in the Reflection Room for the day.”
She declared triumphantly.
“You two, drag her out at once!”
The two maids behind her started toward me with nasty expressions. Helena barked further:
“And bring out that maid May as well! She must be here too.”
“Yes, Madam!”
“Ugh, seriously…”
I muttered low, glaring at the three women.
“So damn annoying.”
I had originally planned to hide my power until leaving for the Academy.
For one reason.
In the original story, the heroine caught the Duke’s attention by awakening her healer ability—the possessor’s special perk.
If I showed power now, the Duke would definitely take an interest in me.
He might even say something nauseating like, I was mistaken until now. Let’s get along from here on.
No way. I refuse to attract that bastard’s attention.
There was no chance I’d ever play nice with my enemy.
But—
[Psychokinesis (B)]
Helena is a different matter.
The Duke loved her, yes. But he didn’t fully trust her.
Aristocratic arrogance ran deep. Deep down, he saw her as beneath him.
To him, Helena wasn’t an equal partner but more like a pampered pet.
Call that love if you want, but still.
Either way, if she tattled on me, the Duke wouldn’t believe her.
“Ghhk—!”
“Madam!”
In an instant, I lifted Helena and slammed her against the wall.
Her mouth clamped shut before she could scream.
[Intimidation (A)]
“You bark too loudly. I’m done listening.”
A heavy, oppressive aura spread through the room.
“So, tell me. What exactly do you plan to do with me?”
With one corner of my mouth curling upward, I added:
“Go on—say it again.”
