Chapter 63
‘Wink… That insane guy actually winked at me, ignoring his fiancée!’
Had he completely forgotten who his fiancée was? Was this some kind of signal from Odette to “die together in my hands”?
‘If you want to die, do it alone. Don’t drag me in like a leech!’
Marien’s mind was flooded with obscene curses. She pressed her lips tightly together, trying to stop the words from escaping.
‘Oh no, Baileon saw that too.’
She quickly glanced at Baileon sitting beside her.
Surprisingly, Baileon seemed calm. He didn’t glare at the spot where Cain had been, nor did he clench his teeth. He simply picked up his teacup and silently gulped down more than half of it. The tea probably wasn’t even cool enough to drink like that yet.
Marien turned her gaze away from Baileon and took a sip of her own tea.
‘Still hot.’
Even though it had cooled down a bit since being served, it was too hot to drink as casually as Baileon.
“Beers, you must be thirsty?”
Odette asked in a calm tone.
“Should I bring more tea? Or maybe some cold water?”
“I’m fine.”
Baileon smiled, showing his even teeth.
“Now that the troublemaker is gone, you can talk freely.”
“The Duke is the head of the Blackwood family and my fiancé. Calling him a troublemaker sounds awfully hostile.”
“But it’s true.”
Baileon lightly raised both hands in a gesture that said, We all know the truth, don’t we?
“Well, someone has to actually help, right?”
“Who was it that raided the Duke’s fortune to cover the delayed state projects, as if to teach him a lesson?”
“I think he shouldn’t have caused the problem in the first place.”
Marien suddenly wanted to drink the cold water Baileon had refused.
The northern guy who had been the source of trouble had disappeared. Even though his exit had been shocking, she had thought the atmosphere would improve once he left.
Yet, the power struggle between Odette and Baileon began the moment he left.
‘You guys must be good with words.’
Marien herself was strong against physical attacks despite her cute appearance. But she didn’t dare try to verbally overpower Odette and Baileon. So, she suddenly clapped her hands in the air.
Clap!
Odette and Baileon simultaneously fell silent.
“Seems like summer is really summer.”
Marien murmured.
“There’s a mosquito… Sorry, startled you? I was trying to catch it.”
“You weren’t doing that to save yourself, were you?”
Odette asked.
“Looks like you felt quite pressured, Marien Didi. Making mosquitoes out of nothing.”
“Oh, maybe I saw it wrong? But I really did see a mosquito.”
“Do you feel like we’re fighting?”
Odette stared at Marien with a serious expression. Even if we concede a few steps, it doesn’t mean the atmosphere is good, right? Marien swallowed many rebuttals and smiled brightly.
“Yes.”
“You couldn’t see Beers and me ‘really’ fighting. This is nothing. It’s just like casually asking about our parents’ health.”
Your Highness, humans have long called that a vile curse.
“You’ll get used to it.”
“Yes.”
Well, if told to, you follow orders. She’s a public servant, after all. Marien thought the power struggle would end there.
“Why do you think I refused Beers? If he decides it’s not right, he bites in without hesitation, regardless of rank.”
So the Princess still isn’t done.
It seemed the conversation might get longer. Marien wondered how maids are called outside the reception room in the Fourth Princess’s palace.
If she was going to get caught in a whale-sized fight anyway, it’d be better to have a cookie while being pummeled.
‘A bit of sugar might calm my nerves.’
Yet, she didn’t have the courage to call a maid out loud. Marien opened the sugar bowl lid with a distant gaze. The slightly sweet milk tea had now turned fully sweet.
“Your exaggeration is excessive.”
“It’s annoying to listen to.”
“They say good medicine tastes bitter. The same goes for sincere advice.”
“Unless you show the effort of mixing in honey, it’s too different from your usual attitude.”
It seemed neither was planning to stop. Marien was unaccustomed to seeing them clash so fiercely.
In the original story, Odette’s main opponent was the northern guy, her alliance partner. Baileon usually comforted and encouraged Odette, being the supportive male lead.
Was this another change in the storyline? Odette’s words suggested they’d often argued in the past.
So, in the original, the story only highlighted Baileon’s side to emphasize the main couple’s conflict.
Indeed, if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed it.
Baileon fighting fiercely with Odette? Baileon, the embodiment of devotion and purity? With Odette, the object of his unrequited love for over ten years?
“Sir Beers is too good a person…”
Marien muttered softly, and Odette looked at her.
“That’s why you refused him, right?”
“Well, not wrong. To me, Beers is sometimes too soft, and to him, I’m too harsh. But that wasn’t the only reason.”
Odette let out a short sigh.
“I’m human, too. Would I like a man who constantly opposes me? Of course, when he’s good, he’s good. He’s careful and thoughtful. The problem is, he’s meticulous even when fighting.”
“That’s my job, isn’t it?”
“Yes, so you found someone who always takes your side. Someone opposite me, so you were drawn to him?”
Baileon’s gaze quickly shifted when the arrows of conversation pointed at Marien instead of himself—a critical moment. Marien preemptively spoke.
“You meant to say, ‘I’d appreciate it if you refrained from saying this in front of the person concerned,’ right?”
“…Similar.”
He was forcing himself to suppress his anger. Originally, he might have intended to speak more aggressively. Odette pointed at Marien with her hand, as if to emphasize her point.
“Lucky you, Baileon Beers. Your lover speaks your heart for you.”
“I won’t deny that.”
“And Marien Didi, you’re quite clever.”
Odette stared at Marien.
“Huh?”
“You didn’t dare say it to me directly, so you used Beers as an excuse.”
Marien blinked innocently.
“It’s fine. You can say that openly in the future. The man sitting next to you is a hundred times more direct than you.”
If she hadn’t preemptively acted, Baileon would have certainly exploded.
Since she was now allowed to speak plainly, Marien asked one question.
“When you said you wanted to discuss future matters, was that just something you said?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t think any discussion will start today. Though, Your Highness would handle it well anyway.”
Odette stared at Marien expressionlessly. Just as Marien worried she’d misread the situation, Odette spoke.
“Quick-witted.”
“Thank you.”
“Good at applying knowledge, too.”
Marien smiled brightly, trying to please Odette. Since the men weren’t, she felt she had to make the effort herself.
“If your intention was just small talk, we can take our leave. We’ve had tea and talked enough.”
Baileon seemed ready to leave. Odette glared at him, displeased, then waved her hand dismissively—a signal to leave.
‘Finally escaping the hot seat!’
Marien tried not to show her joy and deliberately greeted slowly.
Just as she was about to leave with Baileon, a voice called from behind.
“Did you receive my gift well?”
Marien didn’t understand and looked only at Odette.
“The dress sent from Lumière de Chacha Salon. I thought you’d thank me at the right moment, but you stayed silent until leaving.”
“…Ah.”
“Since you’re now my aide, you’ll accompany me to various occasions. You need a dress for those events, don’t you?”
Odette clarified.
“That means the dress I wear here is a gift from my lord.”
Marien’s mind raced.
The troublesome jewels and dress Cain sent—Odette had intercepted them. Since she mentioned it with Baileon listening, there was no doubt.
A gift to boost the morale of a newly recruited member. How thoughtful.
Marien’s eyes sparkled at Odette, who had given her such a perfect excuse.
“Of course. I’ll receive it gratefully. I was planning to personally thank you later.”
“Unlike you, I’m quite busy.”
Odette continued.
“There’s no time to receive thanks separately. Handle it all at once when you meet me.”
“Yes!”
“Beers, you haven’t left yet?”
Baileon, who had been quietly watching Marien during the conversation, understood Odette’s intention. He then left the reception room. The moment the door closed, Marien ran to Odette’s feet and knelt willingly.
Fourth Princess, loyal and obedient.
“Thank you very much.”
Marien clasped her hands together like in prayer.
“Did the Duke confess about the dress himself?”
“No.”
“Then how…?”
“Someone in the ministerial department I trust.”
“Truly meticulous.”
Odette had already placed a source in Beers’ estate and even in the imperial ministerial offices.
‘If Odette wanted to know, she could probably find out how many times I go to the bathroom in a day.’
Marien secretly sighed at how advantageous this world was for the original heroine. Even the most capable emperors and empresses were powerless before Odette Rose.
‘To survive here, I guess I have to accept the heroine’s surveillance as normal…’
Marien pushed aside the sudden pang of regret.
The important thing now wasn’t that. Her voice became cautious as she addressed Odette.
“Does Your Highness not find the Duke’s behavior unpleasant? That I caused such trouble, or that you should teach me a lesson… not at all?”
Odette tilted her head.
“Blackwood didn’t threaten to break the alliance. That’s what matters most to me.”
“So Your Highness is okay with the current situation?”
For Marien Didi, Odette’s opinion was the most important. She wanted a proper confirmation.
“You won’t hate me, the little vixen who enticed your men, right?”
