Chapter 42
I was running for dear life.
A gigantic monster was chasing me with its massive jaws wide open, trying to swallow me whole.
I flailed my arms and legs and ran and ran so I wouldn’t get eaten.
But despite all my desperate efforts, the monster quickly grabbed hold of me.
It opened that terrifyingly huge mouth to swallow me in one bite.
“Euuuaaaah!!”
I struggled with all my might, but I couldn’t escape its grasp.
In terror, I lifted my head to look at the monster’s face one last time before it devoured me.
Contrary to what I expected, the monster had a very beautiful face.
Gorgeous silver hair and deep ocean-colored eyes caught my gaze.
It was Rixion Luhanes.
No way!
“Don’t eat me!”
“Does this brat fight over food in his dreams too?”
Ow!! My cheek!!
Someone yanked my cheek so hard that I screamed and jerked awake.
“W-what?! What’s going on?!”
When I looked around, the first thing I saw were two familiar women muffling their laughter—Melissa and Anne.
“Get it together, kid.”
Next was my brother. I blinked up at my neatly dressed brother Michael, looking at me like a man about to leave on a long trip.
And even half-asleep, I remembered:
Today was the day Michael was leaving for the Azalenta Desert.
“And what did I tell you about that gluttony? If you don’t have enough food, just ask! Stop stealing from other people!”
“That’s not what happened!”
His large hand landed on my head, roughly messing up my hair. I shoved him away irritably and sat up.
“I’m heading out now. I’ll be back.”
He fixed his coat and spoke dully while giving me a look that called me pathetic.
He often left the mansion for merchant business, so I simply nodded. When I lived in the Sekzan territory, we were apart even longer.
“Yeah, yeah. Go and come back safely.”
“Please, don’t cause trouble while I’m gone. Just behave for once.”
“You talk like I cause trouble every day.”
“I heard the Duke of Luhanes came yesterday.”
Seriously? He even got that report when he’s so busy? Amazing. Truly.
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
I had just managed to forget that annoying memory, and he brought it right back.
“You didn’t push his hand away this time, I heard.”
Ugh, that sly fox of a man! I’m sure he cast some weird extra magic on top of our contract.
Otherwise, why would I—
No. Absolutely not.
I definitely did NOT get flustered by that obvious flirting! Never!!
With a scream, I pulled the blanket over my head until I was covered completely.
Michael stepped back, startled by my sudden thrashing.
“…What’s wrong with you now?”
Hearing the concern in his voice, I threw the blanket off me and yelled,
“Yes! Rixion Luhanes came. So what?!”
“Huh? You’re acting like this because I mentioned that?”
Michael stared at me like I was insane. A very familiar stare, honestly.
“Don’t ask! I am NOT dating him, and I never will!”
Hearing me shout like a lunatic first thing in the morning, Michael looked genuinely worried.
“Did she eat something weird last night?”
“No, she only ate a lot of what she normally likes.” (Melissa)
“Then why is she like this?”
“I have no idea.”
Listening to them treat me like a complete weirdo was irritating.
But… I kind of understood why.
Yes, I was relieved he wasn’t going to kill me anymore, but for some reason I’d been annoyed since yesterday.
Annoyed that Michael thought we were dating.
Annoyed that Rixion acted chummy.
Annoyed that I stayed up all night because of someone who will soon be nothing more than a stranger to me.
“I’m really leaving now.”
But—thankfully—there was great news.
“Make sure you eat well—actually no, you’ll do that anyway. Just stay healthy.”
Michael placed his huge hand on my head again and pressed down so hard my face squished.
Ugh, does he still think I’m a kid? People are watching and he keeps treating me like a baby!
I shoved his hand away, and he laughed shortly before turning around.
He said no need to see him off, so everyone followed him out of my room.
Since he said I didn’t need to come to the entrance, I didn’t.
Instead, I threw open my window and watched him get into the carriage.
The carriage with Michael, the escort knights, the merchant wagons—
Dozens of carriages shook the ground as they left the estate.
Even though he couldn’t see me, I waved my arm wildly in farewell.
And in my heart, I sent him telepathy.
Please, my beloved brother. Bring her back safely.
“Pfft… pffft….”
Oh no. Here it comes again.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
My heart was racing, my whole body felt light. I couldn’t stay still.
I spun around the room, giddy with excitement, then leaned out the window and breathed in the fresh air.
No dust, just crisp, clean air. Soon, I’d be saying goodbye even to this fresh air.
But thinking that the day I waited 23 years for was almost here made it impossible to stop smiling.
All the stress Rixion caused,
wearing this stupid noble-lady costume,
the awful homesickness,
the nightmares—
All of it would soon end.
Finally! Very soon!
The official heroine of The Saintess of Erendel—
Our very own Ji Eunha—
was about to appear!
* * *
Originally, after Michael left for the desert, I was supposed to return to the Sekzan territory.
Some nobles stay in the capital year-round, but in my case, I usually only stay during the social season.
I spend most of the year in our territory, so this mansion always felt more like a vacation home.
So I was planning to leave today or tomorrow—
but because of Rowen and Lynn, plans changed.
I decided to stay in the capital a bit longer and return to Sekzan around the time Ji Eunha arrives.
Until Rixion sends word again, I planned to enjoy the peaceful mansion without the nagging overload.
“Lady Elizabeth Christener attends Founding Day banquet!”
“Rumor that Lady Christener caught Red Rat disease proven false!”
“Society must reflect on spreading baseless gossip…”
The same gossip papers that spewed garbage the day before were suddenly taking it all back. Disgusting.
“Duke Luhanes requests a second dance from Lady Christener!”
“Elizabeth Christener ♥ Rixion Luhanes—secret engagement?”
“Witnesses claim the two had a blind date at a certain restaurant!”
“Christener and Luhanes families have already met formally!”
One paper scolds society for believing rumors,
while another spreads even worse rumors.
Hypocrites.
Thinking Rixion fed them this nonsense made me furious.
But… him respecting my request yesterday was kind of nice…
Ugh, my feelings were so complicated.
“Duke Rixion Luhanes absent from first official appointment with Magic Tower—why?”
“Magic Tower, silent until now, suddenly defends the Duke, saying ‘do not accuse him.’”
Seeing his name, I expected another article about us—
but it was something else entirely.
The date of the event was when he came to our house.
So… he skipped that event because of me?
If he didn’t go to the Tower, where did he rush off to?
Knock, knock.
“My lady.”
Anne’s calm voice came with a knock. I quickly dropped the gossip magazine onto my lap.
“Yes? What is it?”
“You should come downstairs for a moment.”
Anne walked in and looked at my messy appearance with worried eyes.
“There is a guest waiting for you on the first floor.”
