Chapter 7 ….
Not taking Roselia’s appearance was an adventure for me as well.
“It’s my first time hiding among people like this.”
I felt a bit excited too. Honestly, if I wandered around Korea in this form, everyone would probably mistake me for a white-haired witch or a ghost.
It was unfamiliar, but precisely because of that, I felt a whole new sense of anticipation.
“Then you should run away like this.”
“Thank… you. I’ll write, just in case.”
“Do that. It’d be better if you tell your father and report the situation as well.”
Roselia nodded.
“Really… thank you. Actually…”
“…?”
“I had someone special in my heart…”
“I know. Your family’s guardian knight, right?”
Roselia’s face instantly turned red, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“…Yes. I miss him so much.”
Tears, like little drops of chicken’s excrement, streamed down Roselia’s cheeks.
‘What am I supposed to do?’
Was she expecting comfort? I found it hard to understand.
As a human, I had met many men, but the feelings of affection were always fleeting. Over time, they would naturally fade.
“Alright. Go quickly before it’s too late. Who knows? You might suddenly take off somewhere if you linger.”
Roselia wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded at my words.
“Thank you so much. I will never forget this kindness.”
Repeatedly thanking me, Roselia turned around as if firmly resolved.
Kindness, huh? I feel a little guilty. In the end, in the story, she loses that ring and decides to run away anyway.
“…Roselia! Wait!”
“Yes?”
“Take the ring with you.”
“Ah… yes…”
After watching Roselia escape successfully, I turned around as well.
Roselia Felua.
Now that was my name.
When I left, I went on four legs, but I returned on two.
The carriage I rode passed by the guards who had said, “No wild animals allowed,” and through the curious gazes of people murmuring, “What kind of fox is that…?” until it arrived at the Grand Duke’s mansion.
‘The atmosphere is strange.’
Even though I was supposed to become the future Grand Duchess, there was no welcoming atmosphere, nor even a hint of chaos.
‘Everyone is completely indifferent.’
It had been the same when I sent Roselia off yesterday and arrived at the hotel where she stayed.
As she had said, a completely different person had appeared, and yet no one could tell that I was not Roselia.
-Of course, Roselia had covered her face with a veil when she went out because of shyness.-
‘They wouldn’t treat me coldly in the Grand Duke’s mansion, would they?’
I watched anxiously through the window as the gates of the mansion opened.
“…Oh.”
Contrary to my worries, as soon as the doors opened, neatly dressed attendants formed a semi-circle and greeted me.
Among them was a man who clearly looked like the head butler.
He opened the carriage door and bowed naturally.
“Welcome, Lady Roselia Felua. I am the head butler, Elaine, in charge of this mansion.”
Hearing his deep voice, I finally felt like I had become Roselia.
Even though it was the same mansion I had observed with fox eyes, it felt completely different.
But the one person I had often seen through fox eyes was nowhere in sight.
‘…Where is the Grand Duke?’
Of course, I expected him to come forward first to greet his bride, but he was nowhere to be seen.
It was a bit puzzling. This wasn’t the Joseon era, and there was no reason not to see each other before the wedding.
Especially since today wasn’t the wedding day, either.
In the story I knew, noble weddings were more like festivals.
The date was set and the ceremony held, but it was mostly a feast for the townspeople. The bride and groom often exerted influence even before the ceremony.
“Where is His Grace, the Grand Duke…?”
“This way.”
Before I even finished asking, Butler Elaine guided me.
‘Is he taking me to the Duke’s mansion?’
It didn’t make sense that I had to go to greet him instead of him coming to greet me.
Moreover, I was being taken to a side mansion, not the main one.
‘Why here? This isn’t where the Duke is staying.’
Perhaps he was waiting in the bride’s room. I had no way of knowing.
Following Elaine quietly, I looked around.
It was my first time entering a mansion I hadn’t been allowed into as a fox, and there was much to see.
Inside, the mansion was far more luxurious and beautiful than it looked from outside.
The window frames were intricately carved, decorated with vases of flowers and sculptures, and paintings hung on the walls.
The railings along the stairs, lined with red carpet, were all gilded in gold.
“This is your room, my lady.”
The room Elaine showed me was cozy and well-equipped.
“You may use the entire mansion at your leisure. If the room is uncomfortable, you may change it.”
I was momentarily surprised by the scale. I could use this whole mansion?
Ah, that’s why he brought me to the side mansion instead of the central one.
Looking at this, it didn’t seem like the Grand Duke was neglecting me. Still, it left an uneasy feeling.
“If anything is inconvenient during your stay, please let us know.”
Right now, the only inconvenience I felt was this one.
“When can I meet His Grace?”
“Please speak comfortably.”
“Alright.”
“….”
I didn’t understand why there was silence.
Seeing me still with an uneasy expression, the butler took a deep breath and exhaled.
“He had urgent business and went out.”
Urgent business?
From what I had heard as a fox, the Grand Duke went out once a week, every Wednesday—the same day I met him in the mountains!
And it was only the fifth day since I entered the story, so today was Monday!
Apparently, he had always been this punctual in the three months he had been here.
Suddenly… his lifetime partner… arrives, and on that very day, he goes out for urgent business?
“…I see.”
Well, that could happen. People can’t predict everything.
He was the type who had once gone so far as to issue a search order because his bride ran away before arrival. Now that the bride he had longed for had come, surely it must be important business.
I didn’t let my annoyance show and asked.
“So, when will he return?”
“He should be back around the afternoon.”
Afternoon. It was 2 p.m., so he’d be back soon.
“Alright. I’ll go out now.”
Like a noblewoman of a great house, I sent the butler away.
‘What now?’
I didn’t need to explore outside, since I had wandered around as a fox. I only lightly inspected the details of my mansion.
It took less than two hours to see the entire three-story mansion.
By 4 p.m., I approached Elaine at the entrance and asked again.
“Has His Grace returned?”
“Not yet.”
When would he ever come? I went back to my room to rest briefly.
How long had I slept?
Someone knocking woke me up.
Looking at the clock, it was already 7 p.m.
‘The Grand Duke?’
But, unfortunately, it was another voice.
“My lady, would you like dinner?”
It was Elaine. I didn’t know if it was the Grand Duke or Elaine who was married to Roselia.
“Has His Grace returned?”
“…Not yet.”
The same question, the same answer.
“I’ll have dinner when he arrives.”
“His Grace will be rather late.”
“I’ll wait and eat with him, then.”
I was hungry but skipped dinner and closed the door.
By around 9 p.m., the clock showed it was time.
Looking outside, the Grand Duke was entering through the gates.
‘Really? The bride’s here and he’s only coming now?’
Moments later, Elaine approached the dismounted Duke.
Because it was night, I could hear their conversation.
“Grand Duchess, Your Grace has been looking for you all day.”
No, Butler. If you say it like that, what does that make me? I had only looked for him half a day!
Then the Duke turned his head toward the window where I was.
‘Ah!’
I instinctively ducked to avoid his gaze, then peeked out again.
The Duke was walking toward my mansion.
‘Ah. He’s coming for me.’
In romance novels, misunderstandings always start things off.
I could misunderstand that he came to trick me and show displeasure. Then he could dislike me too. It would be crossing a point of no return.
Even if that was his intention, I would just be the one naïve for a day, so it was fine.
Thus, I ignored the long wait and removed my outer coat.
‘This is the first time he’s seeing me.’
First impressions matter.
To look more attractive, I wore a form-fitting slip.
Step by step, the sound of his shoes grew closer, then came a knock on the door.
“…Sorry for being late. It was truly urgent. May I come in?”
Apologizing first…
I reminded myself not to misunderstand, and hearing that, any remaining bitterness vanished.
“Please come in.”
The door opening sounded like the BGM in a variety show when a man and woman meet.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Roselia Felua.”
Oh my, he was perfectly polite.
“Likewise, Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”
He entered, glancing at the furniture.
“I’ve filled this room so that you won’t feel uncomfortable. Please consider it your own home…”
Then, when he naturally looked at me, he closed his mouth for a moment.
“You already seem comfortable.”
Of course.
Even if Roselia was timid, there was no one here who knew her. No need to act differently.
I boldly seduced the Duke.
“Yes. Since we will soon be married, I should get used to it quickly.”
“…I see.”
Damn. I should’ve used my seduction power earlier! Since it would take time to recharge the power used a few days ago, I reluctantly kept silent.
“Then…”
The Duke slowly removed his outer coat.
His sweat-soaked shirt clung to him and looked incredibly sexy.
“It’s your first night here… so we should do what’s required, right?”
I was momentarily startled.
Oh my, he’s more forward than I expected!
What should a couple do on their first night?
Seeing my surprise, the Duke hesitated for a moment and said,
“If it’s inconvenient, we can do it another time.”
“Inconvenient? I’d like to salute you.”
Feeling a bit shy, I blushed.
“Since we’ll soon be married, it’s okay.”
“If you’re tired, we can postpone…”
“No, I’m not tired.”
How could I dislike this? This was exactly what I wanted.
To smoothly insert the beads and gain human energy—how lucky!
“…Understood.”
The Duke placed his coat on a chair and approached me.
As he moved, the wet shirt revealed the contours of his chest.
He reached toward me with that chest, seducing me.
