Chapter 6
Gale pouted, pretending to still be upset even though his cheeks were blushing. It was a tantrum befitting a ten-year-old.
Watching Gale’s words and actions not quite align, I smiled like a doting mother. The moment I smiled, Gale, who had been diligently eating, froze.
– Clatter.
“You’re seriously weird now!”
Apparently still creeped out by my smile, Gale flinched and dropped his fork. Hearing the noise, a maid walked into the dining hall, visibly trembling.
She avoided both our gazes, quietly picked up the fork, and placed a new one on the table.
She didn’t need to be that cautious.
Feeling bad for making her uncomfortable, I called out the name I’d heard before to thank her.
“Thanks, Bibi.”
“Gasp!”
Startled by the sound of her name, Bibi dropped the fork she was holding. An even deeper silence fell between us than before.
I had been living here for a month now, and the reactions were always like this. By now, I was starting to think, Should I just act like the real Roni? Of course, I had no intention of actually doing that.
I picked up the fork she dropped and handed it back with a bright smile. Bibi went pale like she’d just seen the Grim Reaper.
‘I’ve got a long way to go.’
It was becoming clear that I’d have to put in some real effort if I wanted the people in this house to notice I had changed. The thought was already exhausting.
I changed my mindset. I wouldn’t just show Allen — I’d show everyone in this house that I was different. It would be better that way if I was going to continue living here.
First, I asked for the staff list and memorized everyone’s names and faces. Then I greeted every servant I passed by, calling them by name. But it didn’t go well at first.
“Hello?”
“Eek! I-I’m sorry!”
Some of the servants screamed and begged for forgiveness, while others clung to my skirt begging not to be fired.
Like… couldn’t they just say hello back when I greeted them with a smile? Why did it feel like I was handing out pink slips with every wave?
Holding the back of my neck in frustration, I realized I’d need to create a friendly image first.
Next, I picked some pretty flowers from the garden and gifted them to a maid.
‘How could anyone resist becoming friends with such a cute little girl offering flowers?’
The answer was: they didn’t resist — they were terrified.
“M-Milady! The Duke really cherishes these flowers… What do we do now?”
“Oh, really? I didn’t know.”
The maids recoiled like I had handed them insects, tossing the flowers away.
Why did I have to pick Leo’s favorite flowers of all things?
I looked at the maid with an awkward expression. All I wanted was to make friends. But somehow, I ended up looking like I was handing out landmines to chase them off.
Thankfully, a savior appeared. Bibi, who happened to be walking by, picked up the fallen flowers and approached me.
“Milady, you didn’t even notice your dress got dirty from picking flowers? Were you trying to give these to us?”
“Huh? Now that you mention it, your dress…”
Startled by Bibi’s words, the other maid finally glanced down at my dress hem.
I, too, looked at the bottom of my dress. Just as Bibi said, it was covered in dirt.
I wasn’t used to wearing clothes like this, so I hadn’t noticed. I’d crouched carelessly while picking flowers, and now the once-lovely dress was a mess.
“Oh? I really didn’t notice it got dirty while picking flowers. I haven’t even worn it that long.”
“I see.”
“Sorry. I made extra laundry for nothing.”
Bibi’s eyes widened at my apology. Then, she pulled a neat handkerchief from her pocket and gently dusted off the dirt.
“That’s nothing Milady needs to worry about. We can replant the flowers before the Duke sees them. I’ll help.”
“Really? Thanks, Bibi.”
Bibi smiled sweetly at me as I called her name.
Wow. The first maid to react to me like a normal person.
Tearing up with emotion, I grabbed her hand and guided her to where I’d picked the flowers. Bibi reattached the stems and tied them with a thin silk thread.
“Will that really work on a broken stem?”
“These flowers are strong. If you bind them quickly, they’ll take root again.”
“That’s amazing.”
I stared at the bandaged flowers. I was worried what Leo would say, but thankfully, everything worked out. Bibi spoke again.
“Milady, I’m sorry for acting rudely last time. I was nervous — I’m new to the estate.”
“I know. You’re nervous especially around me. You saw earlier — everyone’s scared of me.”
“Ah… so you noticed.”
Bibi looked troubled, her expression sinking.
‘So she’s only acting normal because she hasn’t been here long.’
That made sense. She must have been scared off by the rumors at first.
I had heard I used to say, “You’re fired,” at the drop of a hat. No wonder the staff was on edge.
“I think we misunderstood you. The way you remember all our names and call us kindly… everyone’s surprised.”
“They’re just surprised — they don’t actually respond.”
I pouted, thinking about how all my efforts had just made people panic. Bibi patted my shoulder gently, like calming a child.
“They say kids learn and change quickly, and I think it’s true. Milady’s become someone who considers others so well.”
Her voice was so kind that I nearly teared up.
It wasn’t like I wanted to become Roni Sharligan.
Still, I’d tried my best to change my image. But everyone around me just kept saying I was “weird,” and it must have been stressing me out more than I realized.
Startled by my sudden tears, Bibi gently wiped my eyes. I hugged her tightly and said,
“Bibi, you’re my personal maid from now on!”
And just like that, Bibi was promoted to be my dedicated maid.
While I was basking in Bibi’s affection, I saw a familiar silver-haired boy silently watching us from afar before vanishing.
‘Allen?’
Now I had one more person watching me. If Gale spied on me openly, Allen observed me so discreetly that I barely noticed.
So it was Allen I saw earlier with the silver hair. Since Bibi started attending to me, I’d gotten more used to this life. Having someone on my side really eased the stress.
I still didn’t know why I was here, but for now, I was.
At least Allen no longer avoided me.
I quietly snuck into Allen’s room. He was napping, hugging Sasha closely.
A sleeping favorite character… definitely worth collecting.
If only I had a camera in this world. I sat by the bed and leaned on my elbow, resting my chin in my hand to stare.
Up close, Allen was ridiculously handsome. His silver hair practically glowed in ambient light.
His pale skin, long lashes, sharp nose, and softly closed lips — all looked flawless.
“So handsome… seriously.”
I murmured to myself. I doubted anyone this good-looking existed elsewhere. He still looked young, but the potential was obvious.
He was also bigger than most kids his age. Just imagining how tall he’d grow one day made me smile without realizing it.
To watch my favorite character grow up right beside me — was this what winning as a fan felt like?
My lips curled upward uncontrollably. Anyone seeing me now would probably freak out again.
Whether this was a dream or a wild fantasy, I wished I could stay long enough to see Allen as an adult.
As I stared at his perfect face, sleep crept over me. The post-meal drowsiness hit hard, and soon, I fell into a deep slumber.
Allen opened his eyes slowly, sensing Roni had fallen asleep with soft breathing.
He’d actually been awake for a while but didn’t know when to open his eyes because of her intense stare.
He looked at her sleeping awkwardly and scowled at the memory of her calling him handsome.
Roni Sharligan had definitely changed. He’d kept an eye on her just in case, and it was clear now — her behavior toward the staff, toward him — it was all different.
What kind of nightmare was it that turned such a devious girl into this? Or… was that really the reason?
Allen looked between Sasha, sleeping soundly in his arms, and Roni, dozing vulnerably beside them.
If Roni’s dream was real, then Sasha survived because of it.
“Did you appear in her dream because you wanted to live?”
At Allen’s whisper, Sasha purred and nuzzled closer.
Now that I look, Roni and Sasha have similar fur colors.
Without realizing it, Allen reached out and gently tapped Roni’s black hair.
Just like Sasha’s coat, Roni’s hair was pitch-black, like the night. Her skin, in contrast, was so white it made her look even paler.
With her eyes closed and expressionless face, she seemed almost cold.
Despite being the same age, Roni had a strangely mature aura. It must’ve been something she was born with.
“So soft…”
Allen murmured absentmindedly as he played with her hair.
Just then, Roni stirred slightly and turned her head to the other side.
