Chapter 7. I’m the One Who Got Hit,
So Why Is Aunt the One Collapsing?
“Impressive.”
I blinked in surprise and murmured in admiration.
【Administrator: ( ´▽` )>】
【Administrator: Ahem. What’s luck, really?】
【Administrator: It’s just about turning small coincidences to your advantage! (૭｡•̀ ◡ •́｡)૭✧】
The administrator boasted proudly.
I nodded in satisfaction.
Having changed the course of the first step so drastically, that alone gave me hope.
It was almost unfair that I hadn’t known about this ability until now.
【Administrator: This is still just the beginning,】
【Administrator: But today’s small flutter of wings will stir a mighty storm.】
【Administrator: You can look forward to it. ٩(˘◡˘)۶】
I nodded silently.
In my previous lives, no matter what I did, I couldn’t make Icart take my side—let alone escape from Aunt Petunia.
That wasn’t even the worst of it.
The entire household was a minefield. There was no way out of the bad ending.
‘No matter how hard I struggled, everyone always turned their backs on me.’
And now it’s being solved this easily with just a stroke of luck?
It made me feel both thrilled and oddly hollow.
【Administrator: The administrator is the best, right? You agree?】
“Yeah, I admit it.”
This time, I had to give credit where it was due.
“Are you seriously going to grant Lady Roselia’s request?”
Inside Icart’s office.
As soon as he came out of his room, his adjutant, Philip, questioned him about his interaction with Roselia.
Having heard what had happened, Philip couldn’t hide his shock.
“Well.”
Icart replied indifferently.
Philip grew more agitated.
“I mean, I don’t mean to question your judgment, young master, but this is… it’s a bit suspicious, isn’t it? Of all people—it’s Lady Roselia we’re talking about.”
To Philip, Roselia was impulsive and reckless.
As a subordinate, she was difficult to appease, and on a personal level, he found her hard to trust.
“Of course, I was surprised by this incident myself. But she’s so unpredictable that who knows when she’ll change her tune again.”
Roselia’s fickle nature wasn’t new.
Even if she acted like a completely different, sorrowful person today, tomorrow she could go back to her usual unruly behavior.
“Besides, if we look at Lady Roselia’s statements, aren’t they ultimately just one-sided claims without any evidence?”
Philip couldn’t wrap his head around it. His commander, who always pursued fairness like a judge, falling for such cheap emotional manipulation?
“…….”
But Icart was still caught in the lingering effects of the Tragic Heroine Buff.
Though the buff itself had faded, the emotional turbulence it stirred lingered in his heart.
“This is purely speculation on my part, but isn’t it possible that Lady Roselia fabricated all this out of resentment toward Lady Petunia? Based on her past behavior, I think it’s a valid assumption.”
Philip continued, trying to make his case.
His passionate argument helped Icart regain some of his rationality.
Yet, his feelings remained tilted toward Roselia.
His mind was now searching for a logical explanation to resolve this cognitive dissonance.
“No, your side of the argument actually makes more sense. As of now, there’s no clear evidence to suspect Lady Petunia—”
And then Icart interrupted quietly.
“The Marquis of Balton’s documents.”
“……Pardon?”
Philip’s mind went blank for a moment at the unexpected words.
Then, realizing what Icart was referring to, he asked cautiously,
“Are you suggesting that Lady Petunia might be involved in that matter—”
“That’s right.”
Icart confirmed calmly.
Philip practically shouted in alarm.
“Why would you bring that up here?! Someone might hear you!”
“It’s only a theory for now, but it needs to be investigated. And as the duke’s proxy, I can’t overlook the clear signs of abuse I witnessed.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Philip trailed off.
Images of Petunia mercilessly grabbing Roselia’s hair and violently shaking her flashed through his mind.
Of Roselia staggering and collapsing helplessly.
Whatever her past behavior, the fact that she had been brutally assaulted by Petunia was undeniable.
And turning a blind eye to domestic abuse within the household was a matter of honor and principle.
“I don’t plan to stay at the ducal residence for long. Just one more month, so I’ll be relying on you until then.”
Icart’s decision was final.
Knowing just how stubborn his superior could be, Philip said no more.
“…Understood, young master.”
He answered begrudgingly.
“Uugh.”
The next morning.
I stretched with a yawn as I woke up in bed.
Sunlight poured gently through the window, and the room was silent.
‘When was the last time I had such a peaceful morning?’
I hadn’t gotten much sleep, but my heart felt light.
“…No maids around?”
The spacious room was completely empty except for me.
Though I didn’t usually have a dedicated maid anyway.
It looked like even the physician who had been watching me overnight had left.
“Well, they’re probably all busy.”
Especially since ‘that incident’ would have the entire household in chaos today.
The empty room felt oddly cozy.
‘Yep, I like my room best.’
Yesterday, Icart had said I could stay in his bedroom until I was fully recovered.
He probably offered that to act as my temporary guardian in Aunt Petunia’s place…
‘But I turned him down right away.’
It just felt too uncomfortable to use Icart’s bed.
If I took over his room, he’d have to sleep somewhere else.
It didn’t sit right with me, and I didn’t want to sleep in an unfamiliar place.
In the end, I insisted on returning to my room before midnight.
Icart nodded quietly.
Instead, he said he’d send his adjutant, Philip, to check on me every morning and evening.
‘It’s nearly 7. Philip should be here any second now.’
I glanced at the wall clock.
57 seconds, 58, 59—
Knock knock.
Right as the second hand struck 7, a knock sounded.
“Lady Roselia, it’s Philip.”
“Come in.”
I let him in, secretly impressed by his perfect timing.
“Excuse me.”
Green hair and amber eyes.
His slender build and pale skin gave off a sensitive vibe, though his face still retained some youthful features.
‘He’s Icart’s little shadow—no, his most trusted aide.’
Philip had studied at the Imperial Academy with Icart and was also the heir of Baron Evan, a noble family that had served the duchy for generations.
Even in my past lives, I had seen him a few times, and in every one of them, he had been wary of me.
‘Even if he’s technically lower in status than me, he’s Icart’s right hand. Best not to make an enemy of him.’
Philip gave me a slight bow.
“Good morning, my lady. I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
I replied gently.
Philip raised an eyebrow at my calm response.
Then, as always, he returned to his emotionless expression.
“Glad to hear it. Oh, and His Highness the Crown Prince has sent word that he will be paying a visit later this afternoon upon hearing of your recovery.”
I nodded silently.
‘The Crown Prince is coming to see me.’
It was a huge event that would normally throw the household into a frenzy,
‘But it’s nothing new for me.’
I’d experienced it countless times already.
Philip continued his report.
“However, Young Master Icart has made it clear that your recovery is the top priority, and if your condition isn’t well, you may feel free to decline the visit.”
“My brother said that?”
I repeated, a bit stunned.
‘He said I didn’t have to see the Crown Prince if I’m unwell?’
That was unexpected.
Icart was the promising heir of a powerful dukedom, sure—but even he wasn’t someone who could casually turn down the Crown Prince.
‘He’d be more likely to force me to meet him even with both legs broken.’
After all, a Crown Prince’s visit was tied to a family’s honor.
In my past life, when the prince announced his visit, my aunt was the one who lost her mind.
[His Highness is coming soon and you’re still lazing around? Get up, now!]
I had just been beaten by her and hadn’t even received proper treatment yet.
‘Even though she knew I’d been groaning in pain all night, she woke me at dawn and forced me to get dressed.’
As I made my way to the parlor, my aunt glared at me with murderous eyes.
[If you embarrass this family in front of His Highness, just watch—I’ll make you regret it.]
‘To her, I was just a toy.’
If she had even the slightest regard for me as a person, could she really have been so cruel?
Even now, just thinking of her actions made my teeth grind.
But Icart, on the other hand…
“My lady? You don’t look well. Should I call the doctor instead of preparing for the visit?”
Philip looked at me with a concerned face.
‘He’s really putting my health first.’
He’s shouldering all the responsibility, yet still worries about me.
Why?
Even if I asked Icart for help yesterday, this kind of care feels excessive.
Can I really accept such kindness? Unease crept into my chest.
“No, I’m alright. Since His Highness is kind enough to visit, I should at least greet him briefly.”
“…Understood.”
Philip nodded, looking a little displeased.
“By the way… how is Aunt Petunia?”
I cautiously asked about her condition.
Philip’s expression hardened.
“Lady Petunia… collapsed last night with symptoms of a recurring heart condition.”
“What?”
I almost laughed out loud in disbelief.
