Episode 9
“That was some amazing acting, you know? I’m sure I left a deep impression on the Duke!”
As soon as I returned to the Woodville mansion, I barged into Luna’s room—even though she was still sick and resting in bed.
Like a soldier reporting to their captain, I gave her a full briefing about my first encounter with Peredil at the engagement ceremony.
Sure, I had secretly cursed at the women fawning over Vivian, but I ended up doing the exact same thing… I didn’t like that about myself.
But come on—my future is on the line here!
If I show Luna how hard I’m trying, maybe she’ll take it into account.
“You’ve worked hard, Miss Joyce. But your dress is soaking wet… You should change first… cough cough.”
Right… I really ran all the way here like a dog.
“Haha. I just wanted to tell you quickly, in case you were worried.”
“You’re very thoughtful. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. You still don’t seem well, so I’ll let you rest now.”
“Miss Joyce, may I ask a favour?”
“Of course.”
“My mother and father are returning from their trip today, but I’m not feeling well enough to greet them. Could you have dinner with them on my behalf?”
“Sure. Don’t worry and get some rest.”
I closed the door quietly as I left Luna’s room. I had never heard of “divine power sickness” before I met her. It wasn’t mentioned in the novel, probably because it wasn’t important to the plot.
Apparently, divine power differs from person to person—not only in how it can be used but also in how much can be used in a lifetime. For some people, like Luna, the power is strong enough to heal even deadly internal injuries.
But once someone reaches their limit, their divine power can vanish overnight. Some people use it up slowly and can keep using it until they die. Only the person themself knows when that moment is near—when they feel a strange energy as they approach their limit.
And those with stronger divine power, like Luna, reach that limit much later.
Maybe that’s why Luna’s condition is more serious than others.
It’s not related to seducing Peredil, but it’s still interesting. I feel like I’m getting to know Coventin better now. Detailed world-building really makes a story richer.
Anyway, dinner with the count and countess, huh?
Sitting with older nobles wasn’t something I was particularly bad at.
But since the count and his wife were minor characters in the novel, I didn’t know much about them—just that they adored their daughter.
Luna hadn’t given me any extra info either, so I had to learn about them on my own.
I vaguely remembered that Count Woodville was a bit old-fashioned…
Nobles already tend to look down on actors, and if he was really conservative, he might not see me in a good light. Maybe he’d think I was some vulgar performer who shouldn’t even sit at the same table.
But come on—Luna is basically an angel. Her parents can’t be that bad, right? If they didn’t want me around, they wouldn’t have accepted me into their family.
Trying to stay optimistic, I went upstairs, washed up, and chose the neatest dress in the closet to wear.
Later, just as the count and countess were supposed to arrive, I went to greet them at the front door.
But the moment I met them, I regretted thinking it would be easy.
“Count, Countess. Did you enjoy your trip?”
It was our first meeting, so I politely greeted the Woodville couple.
But their response was… cold.
“Yes.”
The middle-aged man with a thick blond moustache glanced at me and replied flatly before walking past me without another word. The woman with large eyes didn’t even look at me as she followed behind him.
What the… Did they seriously treat me like some clown? Or like I didn’t exist at all?
They were clearly ignoring me. Even the maids nearby looked uncomfortable seeing me stand there, completely brushed off.
Of course, they didn’t know the real reason I came to the mansion, so they seemed confused by the couple’s frosty behaviour and started whispering among themselves.
Yes, I was fake-adopted.
If Coventin had a bamboo forest, I’d scream it out there.
This whole plan to keep Peredil away was definitely Luna’s idea.
And of course, the noble Woodvilles would see the world of commoners and actors as vulgar. I decided it was best to stay out of their way. I didn’t come here to be loved. But still… I guess part of me hoped they’d be kind.
It was stupid of me to expect anything.
Expectations are fine, but you can’t blame anyone but yourself if they disappoint you.
Later, I’d just ask Luna to speak to them and ask for their cooperation. Feeling like an unwanted guest, I quietly went back to my room.
“Miss Joyce, dinner is ready.”
When the count and countess weren’t around, hearing Emily, my assigned maid, call me for dinner was the highlight of my day. But today, the thought of facing them again made me want to skip dinner entirely.
Normally I would’ve jumped up and headed straight to the dining room, but I didn’t even answer her.
Emily knocked again.
“Miss, are you sleeping? The Count and Countess are waiting for you.”
Yeah, yeah. I’m coming. It’s Luna’s request, so I have to. When I opened the door with a gloomy face, Emily jumped back a little, looking worried.
“Miss, are you feeling unwell? You look different from usual.”
“No, Emily. This isn’t a sick face—it’s a heartbroken face.”
Leaving the confused Emily behind, I dragged my feet like a pig being taken to the slaughterhouse. Count Woodville and Lady Molly were already seated at the table.
Now that I had a better look, I noticed that their hair was the same golden colour as Luna’s.
Lady Molly had a sweet face that looked just like Luna’s, while Count Philip, a former knight, had a very stern and intimidating look.
I wondered if this was really the same gentle, “angelic” Woodville family I’d heard about—one that stayed quiet even when wrongly accused of treason.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. It’s an honour to have dinner with you both.”
But come on, I’m a Korean! I’ve had years of experience being polite.
Besides, I’m super outgoing. Talking to strangers is a piece of cake! I decided this dinner would be my chance to change their opinion of me.
“Countess, that hairpin is lovely. The red gem shaped like a rose suits you so well!”
“…Thank you.”
Lady Molly didn’t even meet my eyes. Her voice was so quiet it was barely a whisper. And her hand was shaking noticeably as she cut her steak.
Was she that uncomfortable with me?
She kept trembling, and I didn’t want to make things worse by talking too much. Alright. Forget the countess—let’s try the count.
What should I say…
“Count, I’ve always wondered how Luna grew up to be so graceful and poised. Now I see—it’s thanks to you. She’s been teaching me noble etiquette, and she’s such a good teacher!”
I saw the corner of the Count’s mouth twitch up slightly.
Yes! Parents love compliments about their kids.
“Luna has been mature since she was little. She never cried or threw tantrums.”
Finally, a full sentence from him! I was touched.
“That’s wonderful. I think it’s all thanks to her amazing parents.”
“Luna always puts others before herself. Thinking of how much she’s suffered because of me…”
Uh-oh… the mood just turned dark.
When it seemed like nothing I said could break the ice, I gave up and quietly focused on eating.
Honestly, the food was delicious when I stopped thinking too much.
I was chewing happily when I suddenly felt the Count’s sharp gaze.
“Miss Joyce. I just noticed your dress is all worn out. Have you really been walking around the capital dressed like that?”
