Chapter 41
Donghee woke up earlier than usual that day. After a quick wash-up, she headed straight to the study.
Though the study was connected right next to the office, she hadn’t had a chance to enter it before. Just absorbing the information from the status window alone had been overwhelming, and she hadn’t had time to read books either.
In her previous life, she’d been too busy trying to make ends meet every day to leisurely enjoy a book. Even just one more hour of sleep was precious. Not long ago, she had been splitting her sleep hours to do part-time jobs. Now, wandering idly in a study filled with ancient books felt surreal.
“So many books.”
From very old ones to brand-new, stiff-spined books, there seemed to be at least tens of thousands of books here. They were neatly organized by subject.
“Looks like there’s a lot I can learn from here too.”
She muttered to herself while scanning the titles when a blue status window abruptly popped up in front of her.
[Nope! With the user’s current slow memorization and reading speed, it’s estimated to take about 30,000 years to obtain the desired information. Might I recommend a few pukes for forced absorption instead…?]
“Hey! I like reading, okay?!”
[Sure. I’m sure you do.]
“That reply was kinda rude?”
[No way. Just your imagination. I hope you have a wonderful reading session. Oh, and there are no comics here. So please don’t go looking for ‘Why? Series’ books.]
That damn thing.
Donghee glared at the gradually fading status window with all her might. It was the first time she’d ever felt the urge to physically grab something that wasn’t even human.
If only I could grab that status window by the collar…
[I don’t have a collar. No neck, remember? By the way, the easy books are over there.]
A large arrow appeared, pointing somewhere, then the window scattered like dust.
Donghee trembled with frustration, then took a deep breath to calm herself.
The study, once used by Chloe’s father, was old and worn, but filled with sturdy furniture.
Despite its age, everything had a classic and elegant design. Donghee spent the whole morning exploring the space in fascination.
Pretending to browse around, Donghee slowly made her way toward the bookshelf the status window had pointed out.
Unlike the others, this shelf was filled with notebooks.
Bound in leather, all of them appeared to be Chloe’s father’s journals.
As if drawn by an unseen force, Donghee pulled out the oldest-looking one, flopped onto the sofa, and opened it.
The old fabric sofa was surprisingly soft and cozy. Leaning back, Donghee glanced around the study again.
Then she noticed something odd—an empty space that seemed out of place.
“There definitely should be a desk there. Why is it missing?”
The empty spot looked like it was meant to hold a large desk. Curious, she placed the journal on the table and walked toward the window to inspect the floor.
“Yup, the desk was here.”
Just as she thought, faint impressions on the floor confirmed where the desk legs had once stood. Judging from the marks, the desk must have been quite large.
“Where on earth did it go?”
No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t recall seeing it in the room. She decided she’d have to ask Delma or Scrooge later.
Pushing her curiosity aside, Donghee sat back down and opened the journal again.
The rough-textured paper had yellowed over time.
“This is from the day Chloe was born?”
Donghee felt a bit guilty for prying into someone’s private memories, but since her appearance now was undeniably Chloe Grace’s, she wore a shameless expression.
The journal overflowed with concern and love for his wife, and deep affection for their newborn daughter.
She was smaller than I expected. I was afraid I’d hurt her just by touching, so I barely pressed her with my fingertip—and Chloe wailed so loudly. Looks like she inherited her mother’s strong lungs.
I never imagined human fingers could be so tiny. But what’s even more surprising is that the moment Chloe was born, I loved her. Even now, as I write this, I am overwhelmed by the fact that she came into my life. She’s not even pretty, yet she’s so lovable. How strange.
Donghee chuckled softly at the last line. A newborn baby would’ve looked wrinkly and awkward for sure.
With a curious heart, she lifted the small mirror sitting on the table.
Apparently, Chloe liked mirrors—no matter where she went, there was always at least one.
Inside the round mirror, a woman staring back at her looked uncannily like the one from the recent portrait she’d seen.
What are you doing in there? Why are you in my body?
It almost felt like Chloe’s voice would suddenly break through somewhere.
Feeling a guilty twinge, Donghee flipped the mirror face-down. Just then—
Knock knock.
A heavy knock echoed.
“Come in.”
The door opened, revealing Delma, now wearing a face full of storm clouds—very different from the morning.
Wondering what had happened, Donghee looked at her silently, waiting for her to speak.
“Baron Patrasche’s carriage just passed the drawbridge.”
“What?”
Donghee’s face changed instantly, and Delma’s expression darkened further.
Although she had changed a lot, the young lord still shrank in front of her uncle, Baron Patrasche. And now, sly Aileen was coming with him. Of course Delma was worried.
She feared the baron might pressure her again into selling the little land that remained—at a ridiculous price.
After a moment’s hesitation, Delma spoke firmly with a determined expression.
“You’re not the same lord as before. So please, stand tall.”
Donghee gave her a casual smile, as if to say not to worry.
She could see exactly what was troubling Delma.
“Don’t worry. I’m confident. I’m just nervous because it’s been a while since we’ve had guests.”
Actually, it wasn’t just a while—it was the first time, if you didn’t count that gigolo Ray.
The guests who came to this place really had no shame.
One slowly chipped away at Chloe Grace’s fortune. And the other was here now, trying to seize whatever little was left.
Poor and pitiful Chloe Grace.
Shaking her head in frustration, Donghee turned back to the journal—when Delma hesitated again and asked,
“Shall I call Anna?”
“Why?”
“You need to get dressed.”
“Why?”
“You’re not going to greet the guests looking like that, are you?”
Delma’s shocked face said it all.
Only then did Donghee glance down at her clothes and reach up to touch her hair.
As if reading her mind, Delma spoke with a firm tone.
“No. You cannot meet them looking like that. It’s not just basic etiquette for greeting guests. I also can’t stand seeing the baron and Aileen look down on you any longer.”
Her words were unusually harsh—especially for Delma.
It meant her resentment toward those two had been piling up.
This time, Donghee decided to listen to her.
If she didn’t, Delma looked ready to spank her.
“Can you please call Anna?”
She would get dressed—not for those shameless guests, but for Delma.
“Yes!”
Delma lit up like a kid receiving a Christmas present.
If she was that happy, Donghee figured she could put up with a little inconvenience.
She opened the journal again, hoping for a few peaceful minutes before Anna arrived.
But Delma was faster than expected, and Anna, upon hearing the baron’s arrival, had been standing by in full battle mode.
Before she could even flip the page, the two of them stormed into the study like a typhoon.
“You shouldn’t have torn up all those dresses! Now there’s nothing to wear!”
“Right. Even those frilly ones would’ve been better than nothing.”
“I guess we’ll have to use jewels to distract from the plainness.”
“Our lady looks great in red. How about ruby earrings and a necklace?”
“Perfect! Let’s match it with rings and bracelets too!”
Delma and Anna were like little girls playing dress-up, completely focused on picking out the right dress and jewelry for Chloe.
Most of the dresses were gone, but unlike before, the jewels were plentiful—thankfully.
They laid out several types of ruby jewelry, holding them up to Chloe’s face to see which suited her best.
Soon, the red gems buzzed around her like flies before settling gracefully around her neck, ears, fingers, and arms.
The plain, slightly shabby dress now looked elegant and luxurious—Anna’s fashion sense had truly shone through.
“Oh my! You look so beautiful!”
Anna beamed with genuine happiness, and Donghee gave her a soft smile in return.
“My lady, please don’t make that weird face in front of the baron. He’ll think you’re easy. Understand?”
“I just smiled…”
But Delma wasn’t listening.
Anna quickly undid Donghee’s messy morning bun and began brushing with lightning speed. Her hands twisted, braided, and swirled the hair in all directions until a stunning hairstyle emerged. It felt like watching a YouTube tutorial on 2x speed.
“Wow, Anna. You’re so talented! My hair looks amazing!”
It wasn’t just flattery—Anna’s hands were faster than any beauty YouTuber Donghee had seen. She was meticulous and knew exactly how to highlight Chloe’s features with her makeup.
Under her golden hands, Donghee looked like a completely different person.
Staring into the mirror, Donghee was genuinely impressed.
Half her hair fell smoothly down, while the rest was braided and twisted into a flower-like shape.
You can actually make a flower out of hair?
Just as she marveled at it in the mirror, Scrooge’s voice came from outside.
“Baron Patrasche and Lady Aileen have arrived.”
