Chapter 50
Liam lowered his head, focusing on tying the ribbon around Monica’s delicate wrist as he replied.
“…Do you remember what I said I’ve been thinking lately when I look at you?”
“You said you feel like you can create your own future and destiny.”
“Right. I can’t let anyone take that hope away from me. Don’t you agree? That’s why I want to protect you.”
It was, in some ways, an obvious thing to say. She had to stay alive to see the end of the story. But it didn’t feel like that was what he meant.
A strange feeling rippled quietly through Monica’s chest. The atmosphere had changed. She could now feel the slight tremble and warmth in his fingers—something she had never noticed before.
‘This is weird.’
Then again, maybe it wasn’t weird at all. Even after learning who she truly was, Liam had continued to look at her with the same unwavering gaze.
No, in fact, his gaze had started to shine even more brightly.
‘No way… is he seeing me as a woman?’
Come to think of it, there had been several times when she’d half-woken to find him reading to her.
‘Is it because I said I’d like to try having a boyfriend someday?’
The more she thought about it, the more her face flushed red.
Soo-jung had always been terrible at hiding her feelings when it came to romantic matters. It was something she considered a weakness.
Her boyfriends always figured out how she felt quickly and took control of the relationship. Then they’d go on to judge her looks and personality without consideration.
‘No, no!’
Monica quickly pulled her hand away from Liam’s grip, feeling her body heating up. She didn’t want him to notice how fast her heart was beating.
“I—I have to go back to my original world.”
The words slipped out almost instinctively, like a self-defense mechanism. Or perhaps she just needed to remind herself of it.
“…I know.”
Liam’s voice was flat, betraying no emotion.
The air between them grew even more tense—and at that moment, a hurried knock came at the door.
“Your Grace, the retainers are waiting.”
Seeing her opportunity, Monica quickly spoke.
“You should go. I’ll be leaving for the palace soon with Lady Gonzales.”
“I suppose I’ll see you again in the evening.”
“Probably.”
Liam lingered, not getting up right away. He stared at her face for a few long seconds.
Her thick, well-aligned lashes. Those sparkling violet eyes. They were exactly the same as before Soo-jung had possessed her.
And yet, she felt completely different.
Sensing his hesitation, Monica called his name as a prompt.
“Liam.”
His gaze slowly drifted to her lips—the lips that had just called his name.
Her soft voice slipped through his ears and stirred something turbulent in his heart.
He wanted her. He wanted her to keep calling his name, to talk with him more.
Liam briefly closed his eyes.
He just wanted to feel that ripple for a little longer.
“You should go now.”
Monica spoke again, reaching out with both hands and gently pushing him toward the door. Liam slowly opened his eyes and smiled at her.
Suppressing the sudden urge to caress her cheek, he replied,
“Then I’ll see you later, Soo-jung.”
Creak—
As the door closed behind him, Monica slowly covered her face with both hands.
She had assumed Liam was only acting to fool his subordinates. But the thought that he might truly like her made something flutter inside her chest.
If she had no feelings for him, her face wouldn’t be this flushed.
Phew.
She took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly.
Liam was her ideal type.
And now that she had seen his warm, caring side—she was becoming more and more curious about him.
Monica lightly slapped her own cheeks with both hands.
“This is all because Liam’s acting is too good. Get a grip. I have to go home.”
Just then, the butler’s voice came through the door.
“My lady, Lady Gonzales has arrived.”
“Tell her to wait in the carriage. I’ll be out shortly.”
Monica stood up, walked over to the mirror, and checked her reflection.
The flush in her cheeks slowly faded. Her gaze shifted from her face to her clothes, and she straightened her outfit.
She reached for the capeline hat on the table and pulled it snugly over her head. The wide-brimmed hat was perfect for watching the outdoor polo match.
Of course, she had another reason for wearing it.
“Ah!”
Suddenly realizing she hadn’t packed her notebook and pen, she hurried to the desk and grabbed the small notebook and pen—just in case.
As Liam had said, in an emergency, she might have to ask anyone for help.
“Now I’m really ready.”
She brought her hands together as if in prayer.
Please—whether by luck or coincidence—let me steal Marquis André’s letter. If not that, at least Madame Erez’s letter.
* * *
Inside the carriage, Gonzales and Monica reviewed the plan one last time.
“The merchant said he’s prepared everything the Duchess asked for.”
“Thank you.”
Nothing they were planning was particularly difficult or complex. There was no need to be nervous. They just had to act naturally.
Monica spoke again.
“Even if we don’t succeed today, there’s another social gathering soon. Don’t feel too pressured or anxious.”
“I’m not really doing anything. It’s all you, Duchess.”
The carriage soon came to a halt, and the door opened. Through the gap, bright lights spilled in—even though it was broad daylight.
As Monica and Gonzales gracefully stepped out, a lush green lawn spread before them.
The sheer size of the polo grounds made it impossible to take in at a glance—they had to slowly turn their heads from side to side.
In the center of the field, workers bustled about preparing for the match. Away from the field, tables were set up on the lawn where attendants welcomed nobles with champagne.
“Lady Gonzales, the first match is probably between the Crown Prince and the Orsé Duchy. Liam mentioned it.”
“Duchess… just to check—you do know how polo works, right?”
A chill crawled up Monica’s spine. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall a single rule about polo.
In that instant, she realized just how carelessly she’d made this plan.
‘How could I make such a mistake?’
Looking flustered, she turned to Lady Gonzales.
“…Well, I never paid much attention to it. I just asked Liam to prolong the match as much as possible, since I have something I need to do during the game.”
“Huh?”
Gonzales’s expression openly displayed her shock and confusion. She hadn’t expected Monica to be completely clueless about polo.
Monica looked embarrassed and failed to respond, prompting Gonzales to quickly assess the situation and try to salvage the plan.
“There’s no way… the Duke doesn’t know the rules either, right?”
“He should know. He said he practiced with the retainers.”
Gonzales fell silent in thought.
She’d seen enough of Monica’s intelligence while preparing this plan. There was no need to explain all the rules in detail.
So she chose only the most essential parts to explain.
That would be enough for now.
“Alright, Duchess. Listen carefully. Polo matches are divided into six chukkers. Each chukker lasts 7 to 7.5 minutes, so the total game time is around 45 minutes.”
“So we only have 45 minutes? But Liam said he’d try to prolong the match…”
“He probably meant during the mid-game breaks and when changing horses. That’s likely when he’ll stretch the time. Even if there’s overtime, it’s safest to finish everything within an hour.”
“Got it. I’m so glad you’re here to help. I completely forgot to consider the rules of polo.”
“No worries. You’ve had your hands full with that strawberry jam business lately.”
From a distance, Monica could feel Simon’s gaze lingering on her. It echoed in her head like the tolling of a bell.
She slowly leaned toward Gonzales and whispered, “It’s starting,” before turning her body toward the field.
Soon, Monica and Gonzales arrived at one of the tables set up beside the field.
“Duchess, please sit here.”
“Lady Gonzales, do you know when the game starts?”
“The attendants said the bell will ring shortly to mark the start. And yes, the first match is between the Crown Prince’s team and the Orsé Duchy.”
Just as she’d expected, the bell rang—and Simon appeared in front of her.
“Monica! Long time no see.”
He spoke casually and sat in the chair beside hers.
Everything was going just as Monica had predicted. But before taking action, she needed to know whether Madame Erez was present—and if not, when she’d arrive.
She needed Simon for that information.
He reached out and touched the edge of her ear teasingly, smiling seductively. His touch gave her goosebumps.
She leaned slightly away, irritation in her voice.
“Simon, did you find my ex-lovers and former flings like I asked?”
“…Monica, why are you acting like this? That’s not like you. How am I supposed to find people who ran off? And why haven’t you replied to the invitation I sent you?”
Simon glanced toward Gonzales. His eyes practically shouted, ‘Who’s that?’
“Hello, I’m Bonica Gonzales.”
“Bonica? Never heard of that noble family…”
He leaned in, inspecting her face.
“She’s from a minor house. That’s probably why you don’t know her.”
Only then did Simon go “Ah, right” and nod, returning his gaze to Monica.
“Monica, you’ve been acting strange lately. Why are you hanging around with a low-ranking noble? Oh! Is it because she has the same hair color and you’re collecting matching people? Or are you grooming her to be your duchy’s mistress?”
