Chapter 5
When I didn’t react, Layla laughed even louder.
“Did you forget how you ran away crying at last year’s tea party? You begged to go, so we took you—and you embarrassed us!”
Ran away? Last year?
The novel I read was the female lead’s story.
It only used Rize as a small incident to make the main character shine.
I never knew what kind of life Rize actually lived.
“This time, even if you cry and run away, no one will forgive you! A tea party and a charity party are different!”
“….”
“Mother may prepare your dress, but she won’t teach you manners step by step!”
“I don’t need it.”
“What?”
A party? Manners?
Rize cried—and they mock her for it?
For some reason—
It felt like I was the one being insulted.
Maybe because my soul and body were becoming more connected.
I couldn’t tolerate this feeling.
“I warned you.”
“Are you crazy?! About what?!”
“If you touch me, you will regret it.”
I stepped toward Layla.
A maid blocked my way.
“Miss! What are you doing to Lady Layla?! You uneducated—!”
SMACK!
I slapped the maid hard.
Because I added a bit of strength—
She was thrown to the ground.
“AAAH!!!”
“Layla, watch carefully.”
Maybe I should hit harder this time.
I grabbed the maid, lifted her up—
And slapped her even harder on the other cheek.
SMACK!
She collapsed again.
Her cheeks turned swollen and blue.
Her face was full of fear.
“P-please spare me! Lady Layla! Please!!”
“It’s not over yet.”
As I raised my hand again—
Layla finally shouted.
“S-stop!”
“Stop?”
“How dare you hit her without permission!!!”
“I am simply educating her. She is not your maid, but mine. Yet she blocked her master. Should she not be taught?”
“Just wait! Let’s see if you can say that in front of Mother!”
So she wants to bring Lady Lorraine.
…Not the right time yet.
“Hmm. Then it can’t be helped.”
I struck the back of Layla’s neck—
And knocked her unconscious.
Then I pulled out a thin thread of Qi from my fingers.
I inserted it into her ear.
“Forget everything that just happened.”
“Think that Rize will go to the charity party alone.”
I whispered softly.
My voice would stay in her mind like a command.
The maid, who saw everything, cried and begged.
“I-I’m sorry! I’ll keep it a secret! Please spare me!!”
“No… that’s not right.”
“Please…”
“You crossed the line.”
I didn’t knock her out.
Instead—
I forced Qi into her while she was still awake.
Now—
How should I use her?
Ah… this is better.
“Go to the capital square.”
“Shout that Lady Rize is being abused by Lady Lorraine and Layla.”
“You must tell everyone the truth.”
“…Yes.”
The maid answered weakly.
The capital square—
The place where the female lead met the male lead.
Crowded. Guards everywhere.
If she caused trouble and got arrested—
That wasn’t my concern.
“Take Layla away, then follow my command.”
“…Yes.”
As the maid dragged Layla out—
I finally felt a bit relieved.
[Big sister.]
“Hmm?”
[Is it true?]
Lili appeared with a sad face.
[Did Lady Lorraine and Layla really hurt you?]
…Not me.
You.
Lili was hiding from reality.
Even after seeing everything—
She still asked again.
She didn’t want to believe it.
I couldn’t force the truth on a child like her.
“I won’t force you to believe.”
“See it yourself.”
It’s better this way.
Let her understand when she is ready.
[Okay……]
I changed the topic.
“Lili, shall we make a new plan together?”
[A plan? What kind?]
Her face brightened instantly.
That innocent expression—
It suited her.
“I will be going to the Young Duke’s charity party.”
[R-really?!]
“Yes. But I’ll need someone to help me prepare.”
[Me! I’ll help!!]
She smiled brightly.
“First problem—dress. Noble ladies wear those, right?”
[Yes!]
“Then… where did you get your allowance?”
[A-allowance? I never got one…]
“…What?”
The only bloodline of a noble family—
And she never received money?
Night came.
Lili and I were deep in thought.
I didn’t want to use anything Lady Lorraine prepared.
But—
We had no money to buy a dress.
“Hmm… I wish money would just fall from the sky.”
[Father probably controls it… I never got any!]
“Rize’s father…”
I had never seen him.
If he wasn’t even mentioned in the novel—
Something must have already gone wrong.
At that moment—
“…Hm?”
I sensed a faint presence.
Something only I could detect.
“Lili, what room is at the end of this hallway?”
[Ah! Father’s study!]
At this hour?
And moving quietly?
“Shall we go take a look?”
[Yes!]
We went together.
A faint presence came from inside.
Someone was there.
I could hear books moving.
Slide… tap… slide… tap…
This wasn’t random searching.
They were looking for something specific.
“Lili, can you remember what he’s doing and where he stands?”
[Sounds fun!!]
She passed through the door.
After a while, she came back.
[I couldn’t see his face, but I memorized everything!]
“Good. That’s enough.”
I opened the door.
Inside—
A figure dressed in black.
Wearing a mask.
…This feeling.
I recognized him instantly.
“The Young Duke.”
[What?! Why is he here?!]
Why indeed?
Someone of his status—
Should send subordinates.
But he came himself.
That means—
This is something extremely important.
And secret.
I pretended not to notice.
“Ah… I need to finish my homework, but it’s too dark. It’s scary…”
I turned away.
[Big sister? What are you doing?]
“Shh. I’m acting.”
Then—
I deliberately made noise and slammed the door.
BANG!
Inside, the shadow flinched.
I hesitated on purpose.
“I should come back later with a maid… it’s too scary alone at night…”
[Haha! You’re funny!]
I walked away naturally.
But my focus stayed behind.
Soon—
The presence left the study.
And escaped the mansion.
As expected.
If it was too important to trust others—
He would act carefully.
I leaned by the window and looked in his direction.
“Hmm… this is interesting.”
I don’t know what he’s looking for.
But—
If I find it first…
This might bring me a lot of money.
