Chapter 13
Feeling relieved that the Lintbulm hadn’t hatched yet, I tried to put the magic stone back in the drawer.
At the same time, I figured I should double-check whether I really remembered the original story correctly. So, I inserted the key into the drawer that held the papers with the world’s settings and turned it.
Clunk.
“…Huh?”
I blinked at the sound of something heavy bumping. What was that?
My heart skipped a beat—had someone opened the drawer? Hastily, I pulled out the papers and checked them.
“No way…”
I had deliberately written them in Korean; no one else could read them. The book I had skimmed earlier about Lintbulm was written in a different language, so I was the only one who could make sense of this.
Then what was this clunking? I ran my hand along the drawer, and my fingertips caught on something.
“Isn’t this usually how a hidden drawer appears?”
My heart started racing. When I had quickly stuffed the setting papers in earlier, I hadn’t had time to notice anything else.
But now—a hidden drawer? What on earth could be inside?
I pressed down on what my fingers had caught. With a click, the floor of the drawer lifted slightly. Inside, beyond the thin wooden panel, was a small book.
“No… it’s not a book. A diary?”
The paper was slightly yellowed from being touched so many times.
“Erina’s diary…?”
I couldn’t resist. A favorite character’s diary! This was something I absolutely had to read.
“Hmm, hmm! Of course, it’s just to act more naturally, you know!”
So technically, I wasn’t snooping! Besides, I am Erina now, right? Who would think it strange for someone to read their own diary?
With that excuse, I pushed aside the faint guilt and opened what looked like the diary.
Because the notebook was thin, each entry wasn’t very long. It seemed she wrote daily notes for everything that happened, even minor events.
Judging by the messy handwriting, she had written diligently when she was young but had become more careless with age. And the reason for that was clear in the diary itself.
“…Have you seen people like this family?”
I’d heard that in the workplace, drawing attention by mentioning family could be beneficial—but if your own blood does this kind of thing, what are you supposed to do?
“I knew from the descriptions, but seeing it like this… it hits differently.”
The novel had described it, but seeing it from her own perspective was dizzying. The older she got, the more I could understand why she stopped writing consistently.
“Life was always the same. Was there really a need to write it all down?”
Her life had become routine, nothing special—nothing worth recording.
“…It’s informative, but it leaves a weird feeling.”
It was like reading a victim’s memoir after only hearing about an incident in the news.
My emotions stirred almost uncontrollably. Even though I had no reason to get angry, it felt like I had lived it all—Erina’s emotions lingering in this body.
I sighed deeply, trying to calm myself. Getting carried away by emotions here would be dangerous.
“Ugh, all the more reason to go to the temple… Wait, how old is the heroine at this point? Fifteen?”
Erina was two years older than me, so now she would be fifteen. As a saint from a commoner background, she was still considered a commoner.
I turned to the teal-colored egg. The way it gleamed like a mineral made it hard to believe there was life inside.
Good thing it hasn’t hatched yet.
If it had, I’d have been responsible for it—life is like that. As long as the magic stone is managed properly, the egg won’t awaken.
I closed the diary and returned it to its original place. Reading it also helped me understand the attitudes of the servants.
Unlike in other novels, the servants didn’t look down on or mock Erina.
Except for the personal maid, Marie, they were strictly professional. That made sense—Erina was the youngest of the Duke family.
Being the youngest meant she was the weakest. The Duke handled outside affairs with his wife, Gwen managed the family’s internal affairs in their absence, and Russell had already established himself as a talented mage within the empire.
So, the most ordinary one—Erina—was inevitably overlooked. Nobody openly mistreated her, but there was no reason to pamper her either.
“Can I think of this as… circumstances helping me a bit?”
The only tricky part was that the three men of the Duke family now regretted their past and seemed to want to treat Erina—me—well.
Wait… then I might not even be able to actively stop them from doing anything?
If they had done wrong, it would be hard to oppose them. Thinking like that made going to the temple feel more practical.
Knock, knock.
“Milady, the Duke has summoned you.”
“…Okay. Got it.”
So I was glad for the message. A perfect chance to test the waters and speak cautiously.
I moved forward, hopeful that things might go smoothly—but the Duke’s study was not empty.
…Why does this feel off?
Why were Gwen and Russell there together? Something was happening.
Every time the three of them gathered, unexpected events occurred, and I tensed up automatically.
When I entered and stood awkwardly, the Duke beckoned me in.
“Come in, Erina. Sit.”
His voice was warm and gentle—not the indifferent tone from the novel. I could tell immediately.
Under the intense, almost obsessive gazes of the Duke and my two brothers, I took a seat. Perhaps pre-instructed through the servants, as soon as I sat, a maid served tea and snacks.
…Strawberry cream cake.
It was the snack Erina frequently ate in the story. The Duke must have made an effort to bring it himself.
She ate it often because it reminded her of happier times.
The pink cream cake, decorated with a rose and a large strawberry, looked perfect for a child.
The three men stared at me with concern—as if my cheeks might burst from eating it.
…It seemed if I didn’t eat, no one would even bring up the conversation. So I took a small piece with a fork.
…I would’ve enjoyed this more under different circumstances.
The cake was soft and delicious. I glanced at the Duke while trying not to overeat—and nearly choked.
Wh-what is that look?
He was watching with a satisfied expression, like a father watching his daughter enjoy a treat.
Well… given the situation, I guess it makes sense.
But the gap between the original Erina and this situation made it surreal. I could never get used to it!
“Erina. I know you are very uncomfortable with the current situation.”
“…Yes.”
A straightforward statement followed that warm look.
The Duke continued, lowering his gaze slightly.
“We’ve been careless with you. I’m sorry.”
…God, I’m not religious, but what do I say in this situation?! I can’t possibly shout, “I’ll join the temple!” here!
“I know saying sorry blindly, without considering that you might find it strange or awkward, was clumsy. I am sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize so much…”
“It is something to apologize for. We have wronged you greatly.”
A faint, mature smile appeared on the Duke’s face—one only an elder could have.
“So, even if it’s awkward, will you give us a chance? We want to make amends.”
As he said this, all three of them—Duke, Gwen, and Russell—bowed slightly. I felt like tearing my hair out.
Even if it’s not usual, how am I supposed to react to them being this humble?
I thought for a moment.
In other words, they’re basically saying, ‘We’ll kneel before you, now!’
The analogy was strange, but the meaning was clear enough.
Then, just letting this pass meekly would be a huge waste.
I thought back to the diary I had read before—Erina’s loneliness, sadness, resentment, and subsequent resignation.
Recalling all that, I made my decision quickly.
“…All this time, you were only seeking Mother’s attention, and now you care about me?”
I saw all three of them flinch at that.
“Now that Mother has passed, you finally have time to care for me?”
“….”
“I wanted to see Mother too.”
Erina’s diary was filled with passages expressing longing for her mother.
“Mother was kind. She never left me alone, never scolded me harshly, always smiling.”
The Duke left Erina alone, Gwen scolded her, and Russell acted irritable.
“And now, having taken such a mother from me, why are you only speaking like this now?”
