Chapter 04
Rubelia flinched after screaming in disbelief at the gifts Aria and Hasedian had brought.
Even though she remembered the last time—Hasedian almost dying after stealing flowers from the imperial garden that were strictly forbidden, and Aria bringing a tiara that belonged to the imperial treasure—these two, a duke and a duke’s daughter, acted far too boldly.
Rubelia rolled her eyes and cautiously watched Aria and Hasedian’s expressions.
Their faces were stiff with what seemed like anger.
“How could you….”
“My lady…”
“No, that’s not what I mean…”
Before Rubelia could finish her explanation, Hasedian and Aria spoke first.
“That’s far too kind a compliment.”
“Indeed. To be captivated by your beauty is the greatest blessing.”
‘Of course,’ Rubelia thought, rolling her eyes. Seeing their reactions, she felt foolish for even worrying they might be angry.
“You didn’t… bring these from the imperial palace again, did you?”
Rubelia asked warily, trying to steady her trembling mind. If they had, she was determined to escape the marquis’s mansion immediately.
“Do you prefer the flowers from last time?”
Rubelia had thrown the flowers in disgust, assuming she hated them—but perhaps she had been so delighted that her hands trembled. Hasedian thought this might be the case.
“No, never. I won’t accept anything stolen from the palace again. Return it at once.”
Rubelia stated firmly.
“Of course. How could anyone give Your Ladyship something previously owned?”
Aria, glancing at Hasedian as if to say, really, can’t you read the situation?, smiled brightly. Her elegance alone justified why she was called the “flower of the social scene.”
“My lady, I apologize for the impudence of offering such gifts…”
‘Your very existence is an affront to my life,’ Rubelia thought, frustrated.
Once, she had tried to confront them directly. She had asked plainly if they intended to kill her. If not, could they please leave her alone?
Their reaction had been extraordinary:
“Who would dare harm the lady?”
“Indeed, dare target Your Ladyship? Who is it? I’ll handle them immediately.”
Aria, trained in swordsmanship for self-defense, had even drawn a dagger from her sleeve. They seemed ready to die rather than let harm come to Rubelia.
Remembering this, Rubelia shivered and decided to ask about the source of the gifts.
“So… where did you get these?”
“These were originally meant for the emperor, but we brought them for Your Ladyship.”
“And this tiara was specially commissioned from the empire’s most famous jewelers, made just for Your Ladyship.”
Rubelia stared out the window at the distant mountains. She felt foolish for doubting them.
Still, the tiara worried her. Only royalty or those approved by the emperor could wear it. If they were caught with it, it could be considered treason.
“Take them back.”
“Is this not enough, My Lady? Then…”
“I’ll bring a tiara even the royal family cannot wear.”
“No! Stop! That’s not allowed!”
Rubelia firmly rejected any further dangerous gifts. She was even afraid to breathe the air they brought—what if it corrupted her?
“But My Lady, please understand my feelings. How can I make you accept them?”
“I know such material things cannot win the heart of a great lady.”
Aria even raised a dagger as if to stab herself, but Rubelia quickly stopped her.
“No! Don’t do that!”
“But Rubelia, you like it when I suffer, don’t you?”
“No! I want you safe, healthy, unharmed. Only then can I avoid suspicion and survive.”
Rubelia spoke earnestly, and Aria looked mesmerized.
“How could you look at me with such a gaze?”
“Jealousy is unbecoming of a man,” Hasedian remarked, watching Aria like a stone in the street.
‘Aren’t you two supposed to be the protagonists?’ Rubelia thought, frustrated.
“Do not presume you’ve won Stein’s heart with so little effort.”
Hasedian’s tone was icy after collecting himself.
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare imagine that, sir,” Aria replied gracefully, leaving Hasedian speechless.
“Is there nothing you want, Lady Stein?”
“No.”
Rubelia refused firmly, fearing any misinterpretation.
“Please, give me a chance,” Hasedian pleaded, and Aria’s eyes mirrored the same determination.
Rubelia almost wanted to cry.
“Are you sure there is nothing you need?”
“…A stone.”
Unconsciously, Rubelia answered. At this moment, all she needed was a stone—to become like a stone in the street and escape their attention.
“Understood. I shall bring the noblest stone suited for Your Ladyship immediately.”
“Hmph, I’ll bring an even better stone!”
They dashed out, racing each other, leaving Rubelia without a chance to explain.
‘No, it’ll be fine,’ she comforted herself. Surely a stone wouldn’t cause problems.
After a tired breakfast, Rubelia wandered aimlessly through the capital. She didn’t stay because she knew Hasedian and Aria would return with stones.
‘How do I become friends with the grand duke?’
They rarely attended social events, and Zerden wasn’t the type to go either. But to be friends, she needed frequent encounters to leave a good impression.
Then, Rubelia felt a faint guiding spark in her mind, showing her the way. Following it, she spotted the grand duke, Zerden.
‘Ah!’
She remembered the god mentioning that meeting him could awaken her special power. She didn’t know exactly what it was, but this must be one of them.
‘I can’t miss this chance.’
“Your Grace!”
Rubelia hurried toward Zerden with a cheerful greeting. Friends should greet each other warmly, after all.
Zerden looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected to see her again.
“Are you busy?”
His gaze was steady, curious about her intent. Last night’s dream had left him unsettled. He felt drawn to her and intrigued by her cheerful greeting.
“I’m bored, so would you like to have tea with me?”
Saying it felt awkwardly like flirting, but Rubelia ignored it.
“What does your boredom have to do with me?”
“Listen carefully. You’re a human, right?”
“Yes.”
“Two eyes, one nose, one mouth, two ears.”
“….”
“Oh, and two arms, two legs. Correct?”
“…And?”
Zerden frowned, unsure where this was going.
“With so many similarities, of course it matters!”
Rubelia declared confidently, leaving Zerden speechless. He couldn’t follow her reasoning but couldn’t ignore her gaze, which strangely eased his tension.
“…As you wish.”
Rubelia internally cheered, grabbing his hand and guiding him to a nearby tea house.
Zerden flinched slightly—he hated others touching him—but her touch was free of any hidden motive.
“I’ll pay.”
‘The best friends are those who treat you well,’ Rubelia thought. She intended to genuinely befriend Zerden, prevent his death, and live happily herself.
“…As you wish.”
Zerden, reluctantly dragged along, showed little interest.
Rubelia confidently chose sweets—sugar was the truth of life. Reaching into her pockets to pay, she realized she had nothing.
The last time, she had thrown a money pouch to save Zerden. She had forgotten to bring a new one.
“Do you have any money?” she asked him slowly.
