<Episode 8>
I peeled an orange instead of eating popcorn and watched the situation unfold with great interest.
It felt like watching a movie from the front row.
‘The brother is handsome. She’ll probably deal with the servants first, then win him over.’
A familiar storyline formed in my head.
He might be cold at first, but he’d soften quickly once he noticed her change.
“Go back to your room quietly. You’re forbidden from going out for the time being—”
“Yes! I will. I’m just glad you’re safe, brother.”
The young lady suddenly hugged him tightly and smiled brightly.
The man looked startled and pushed her away.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m happy to see you again.”
I peeled my second orange while watching her cheerful face.
“…Take Eve away.”
“Yes, of course! Miss, let’s go inside. You’ll catch a cold like this.”
The loyal maid led Eve toward the mansion.
I glanced at the man left behind.
“Honestly… I have no idea what she’s thinking.”
“My lord, actually—”
The butler stepped forward, but the man waved him off.
“Enough. Don’t take Eve’s side.”
“But—”
“That’s enough! How long am I supposed to tolerate her childish behavior? Leave.”
The butler looked like he had more to say, but obeyed.
“…Yes.”
I quietly followed Eve instead.
‘How can I miss a live romance fantasy scene happening right in front of me?’
Luckily, they hadn’t gone far.
“Miss, what if you catch a cold? Let’s go inside quickly.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve learned a new ability.”
Once they were far enough from the man, Eve stretched out her hand and quietly chanted something.
The water soaking their bodies disappeared.
“W-what was that just now…?”
“I made a contract with a spirit.”
Water droplets floated freely around her.
The maid covered her mouth in shock.
‘So she’s a power-type heroine.’
Right. If she regressed, she should have max-level abilities.
I nodded in satisfaction—
“Last life, I couldn’t do anything. But this time, I’ll protect everyone!”
Hearing that, my interest instantly cooled.
‘This kind of overly motivated heroine isn’t really my type.’
She was too different from me.
I couldn’t relate.
Even though I had followed them this far, I decided to stop watching.
My basket was already full anyway.
Without hesitation, I said “Return” and went back to my cocktail bar.
Since I paid for the subscription, it now transported me directly inside the building.
Capitalism really was amazing.
‘As for the fruit… let’s just call it credit.’
* * *
I thought I’d never have to repay that “credit.”
But—
‘There’s nowhere with better fruit than this place.’
Maybe it was because it was managed by a noble family.
Or maybe, like a typical romance fantasy, it was grown with magic.
Either way, every fruit was top quality.
‘They even have watermelon.’
There was no way I could give this up.
“Let’s help each other out, right?”
Today again, I gathered fruit.
The orchard was so large that no one would notice.
‘If the protagonist ever visits my bar, I’ll just give her a free cocktail.’
An unspoken barter system was formed.
While I was excitedly picking large green grapes, I heard laughter nearby.
‘Did they already make up?’
I added two bunches of grapes to my basket and peeked.
Eve was having an elegant tea time with her maid.
‘Is that what they call an afternoon tea set?’
There were colorful macarons, cheese mousse cake, bonbon chocolates, and cucumber sandwiches on a three-tier tray.
And tea served in delicate cups.
‘That’s a great idea. I should try that too.’
First floor: fruit
Second floor: cheese
Third floor: dried snacks
Maybe I could call it an “Afternoon Snack Set” and charge more.
It sounded more fun than just a “snack platter.”
I moved closer to study it—
“Haa…”
Eve let out a deep sigh.
“Miss? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know how to clear up my family’s misunderstandings. At this rate, we’ll fall into the emperor’s scheme to destroy our house…”
She looked more lost than I expected.
Even though she was a powerful heroine.
It was unfortunate—but not my problem.
‘Why am I worrying about her?’
I turned away and reached for the grapes again.
I planned to freeze them for snacks or juice them for vodka.
But—
‘Huh?’
My arm wouldn’t move.
I looked down.
Wind had wrapped tightly around it.
‘Ah… I got too close.’
“You. Are you an assassin? Who sent you?”
Eve was glaring at me.
If I answered wrong, it felt like my arm might snap.
So I told the truth.
“I’m just a fruit thief.”
“Don’t joke. This is a marquis estate. Security is tight.”
That was true.
But saying I came from another dimension would only complicate things.
‘Too much trouble.’
So I smiled brightly and said:
“Return.”
The protagonist of this dimension is blocking your return.
Nothing happened.
I just stood there like an idiot who shouted “Return.”
I trusted you, system!
Maybe the system doesn’t have full control in other dimensions?
“What did you just say?”
“Um…”
“What? I can’t hear you. Did you confess you’re an assassin and are ready to die?”
“Maybe you should calm down first.”
“Do I look calm to you?”
Best case, I’d be thrown in jail.
Worst case, torn apart by a wind spirit.
Fine. All or nothing.
“I didn’t mean to overhear, but it seems like you have a problem. I can help.”
“You? What can you do?”
Eve looked me up and down suspiciously.
“Just trust me. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
She hesitated.
I didn’t give her time to think.
“In exchange…”
“In exchange?”
“Help me get fruit.”
Her face twisted.
“…You really are a fruit thief?”
“My life depends on this fruit.”
I was serious.
Without fruit, I’d have to make thousands of cocktails.
No thanks.
I’d rather collapse.
Eve looked stunned and exchanged glances with her maid.
“…How will you help me?”
“Wait. Show dimension info.”
Title: The Regressed Lady Protects Her Family (950 episodes)
Genre: Romance Fantasy / Regression / Frustration-heavy
Story: Eve’s family collapses, and her spirit powers are stolen. Just before dying, the Crown Prince she once loved reveals the truth—it was all a scheme by the imperial family.
After losing everything and dying, she returns to her brilliant past.
“This time, I’ll live differently!”
But first, she must resolve misunderstandings within her family… which proves harder than expected.
“950 episodes…”
It was way longer than expected.
‘Life is already hard. Who wants to read 950 episodes of frustration?’
Then I remembered it.
‘Oh! This is that story everyone complained about.’
Even after regression, the heroine kept dragging out misunderstandings.
It only progressed around episode 250.
‘Then I’ll just check episode 250.’
I quickly skimmed it.
‘The mother died giving birth, so the family distanced themselves from her. Yeah, classic.’
Her father didn’t hate her, but didn’t know how to treat her.
Her brother blamed her for their mother’s death.
It could be solved with a simple conversation—but getting there took forever.
“The solution you need is conversation. Stop overthinking and just talk to them.”
“But… my father and brother are deeply hurt. They’re actually very soft-hearted. I can’t hurt them just because I’m struggling.”
“You had no problem saying everything to me.”
Are you really the same person?
