ITRDBDWTDE 03

~Chapter 3~

The inside of the carriage was just cold and empty.

The duke’s eyes were fixed on a small book.

The young duke, Elias, rested his chin on his hand and stared boredly out the window.

And Cecilia sat quietly, feeling like she was on a bed of thorns, keeping silent.

It was the usual Lucerte Ducal family.

There was not a single word of conversation, just a strange feeling as if everyone was drifting apart.

“Cecilia.”

At that moment, the duchess spoke calmly.

Cecilia, startled, straightened her posture reflexively.

“The Baroness of Trangsie is my friend. So behave properly.”

The duchess gently warned her.

Cecilia bowed her head and responded politely.

“Yes, Mother.”

At that moment, the carriage stopped.

The servants of Trangsie politely opened the carriage door.

“Welcome, the Lucerte Ducal family.”

Escorted by the servants, the family began stepping out of the carriage one by one.

Cecilia just stared at their backs.

It felt as if someone was squeezing her throat with all their strength.

…Her breath was stuck in her chest.

A week passed like that.

I was nervous about accidentally running into the Lucerte Ducal family, but surprisingly, I could avoid them easily.

The movements of high-ranking guests and a lowly maid rarely overlapped.

And there was some good news too.

“The guests went out to enjoy the hot springs. They’re expected to return around evening.”

My friend Amanda whispered this to me.

So, currently, I was alone in the backyard of the Trangsie Baron’s mansion.

Since maids officially don’t have a resting time, we have to take breaks wisely when we can.

I had also told Amanda to call me if anything happened.

No problem should occur.

“Uwaaaah.”

I stretched my body, and a strange groan escaped my mouth.

“Ugh, my body is so stiff.”

Rolling my shoulders and moving my neck, my tense body finally started to loosen.

“But it’s kind of chilly…”

I brushed my arms gently.

The air was fresh, but maybe because it was early spring, it was a bit cold.

But I didn’t want to go back inside yet.

I had spent the whole day locked in the mansion, cleaning endlessly.

‘Maybe I’ll walk a little.’

As I walked wherever I pleased, I suddenly stopped.

“…Hic.”

I heard someone quietly sobbing.

A very small and weak cry, as if they were finally letting out long-held sorrow.

‘What is that?’

I instinctively turned my head toward the sound.

And then, I saw it.

Behind a large tree, the edge of a purple dress peeked out!

The owner of that expensive-looking dress was clearly…

‘Amanda!’

I screamed internally.

‘But you said the guests went out to the hot springs!!’

I racked my brain desperately.

Only two people in the mansion could wear such a fancy dress.

The first is the only daughter of the Trangsie Barons.

The second is the female lead of the original story, Cecilia… but no, I hope it’s not her.

Let’s be positive and assume the lady is the Baroness’s daughter.

‘I’m about to see a high-ranking young lady crying?!’

This is the worst…

Noble girls are usually very proud.

They would think being seen crying is humiliating!

‘No, I saw nothing.’

I swallowed hard.

If I quietly step back, nothing will have happened.

The unknown lady would probably want me to pretend I didn’t see her too.

I started slowly stepping back, hiding in the quiet backyard.

Crack!

‘Oh no.’

I closed my eyes tightly.

Please, anyone, let it not be a branch I stepped on.

Seriously, nothing goes right!

“Who’s there!!”

A sharp voice rang out.

At the same time, a figure hiding behind the dense tree jumped up.

And shot me a fierce glare.

‘Wow.’

Even flustered, I was speechless.

Almond-shaped eyes, perfect curves.

Skin as white as snow.

A long, deer-like neck.

Moist teal eyes like a summer forest after rain, and thick wheat-colored hair like a golden field.

I’ve never seen such overwhelming beauty in any life.

It was like an angel descended from heaven.

…but the problem was.

Cecilia hated her own wheat-colored hair and teal eyes.

No matter how much she tried to improve her looks, she could never compete with Milena’s bright gold hair and vivid green eyes.

Her dull coloring only proved she was a copy of Milena.

No matter how hard she tried, she could never reach the “real daughter.”

The worst situation had come.

‘Why is Cecilia here?!’

Cecilia growled fiercely.

“You, since when have you been here?”

“J-just now.”

Her suspicious eyes pierced me as I answered.

I hurriedly added:

“Really! I just came out for some fresh air, but I heard a strange sound…”

Ah.

Her gaze sharpened even more.

It seemed she was embarrassed to be seen crying.

But it was obvious she had been crying.

Red eyes, tightly pressed lips.

Eyelashes wet like butterflies in the rain.

“You.”

Cecilia suddenly called me after a short silence.

And spoke grimly:

“…If you ever spread that I cried… I won’t forgive you.”

“Yes, of course.”

I nodded eagerly.

“I didn’t meet anyone today, and I didn’t see anything.”

Still, Cecilia’s face was icy.

“Why should I believe you?”

Had I been tricked again?

The female lead probably doesn’t know yet, but my goal is to never get involved in the original story.

But Cecilia, not knowing that, whispered coldly:

“If you tell anyone that I cried… Hmph.”

Hmph?

Did the icy lady just sniffle?

“…!”

Cecilia stiffened for a moment, then hurriedly took out a handkerchief to fix her face.

But her beautiful face was already bright red like a ripe tomato.

Her teal eyes, which had been wavering, now shot me a terrifying glare.

‘I’m doomed.’

It’s not even me who made her cry…

I want to cry myself!

‘Wait.’

Then I realized.

Cecilia just doesn’t want anyone to know she cried.

So, as long as the person crying isn’t Cecilia, it’s fine!