Chapter 73
“This is an insult to our family. Everyone in society knows that Nanael and I are enemies,” I said coldly.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “Want me to deal with her?”
He looked like he’d already made up his mind — the kind of man who would find any means to take revenge on my behalf if I just gave the word.
And honestly, letting him handle it might have been simpler. I could sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
But no. I needed something to focus on right now — something to pour all my energy into.
Otherwise, I’d just keep thinking about Alperen and Summer.
Maybe if I threw myself into this revenge plan, I could distract myself from that mess.
“I’ll do the revenge myself. You just help from the sidelines,” I said firmly.
“Of course. Say the word, Deli — whatever you need.”
Adrian puffed out his chest proudly, like he could pluck stars from the sky for me.
It was an overly dramatic statement — but comforting nonetheless.
I squared my shoulders and declared,
“Since it’s obvious why Princess Nanael brought Jessica here, I can’t just let it slide. I’ll settle all my old grudges while I’m at it.”
“How will you do that? Can I help too?”
Mei, who’d been standing beside us with sparkling eyes, jumped in eagerly.
She was the loyal maid who’d never left my side — even back when I couldn’t speak.
If anything, she’d be more passionate about this than anyone.
“Of course you’ll help. I was already planning to give you a very important mission,” I said with a mischievous smile.
“What kind of mission? Oh, this is so exciting! I feel like a spy already!”
I hadn’t even explained yet, but Mei was already bouncing up and down with glee.
I pressed down on her shoulders and said darkly,
“Your mission is simple. Some servants will probably try to gossip about me being carried home yesterday — pretending to ask out of curiosity.”
“Ugh, don’t worry about that! I’ll keep everyone’s mouths shut tight!”
“No, not that. Do the opposite. I want you to accidentally let slip that I lost my memory because of a magic spell — and tell me who reacts to it.”
“What? But you already remember everything! And if the Duke or Madam find out, I’m dead!”
“This will be our secret. Just tell one person quietly — as if you trust them alone.”
“But if I do that, it’ll spread like wildfire! ‘This is just between us’ always means everyone will hear it in a day!”
“Exactly. That’s the plan.”
I did feel a little sorry for everyone who’d helped keep the secret for eight years… but this was necessary.
It was the only way to make sure the spies Nanael planted would hear about it too.
‘There’s no way the princess dragged Jessica all the way to the capital just for one afternoon tea.’
Especially since I’d panicked and fled the drawing room, Nanael would definitely keep Jessica close to use her further.
That woman was a master manipulator when it came to coaxing others.
And someone as ambitious as Jessica wouldn’t be able to resist such a tempting alliance.
“Oh, and by the way,” I added, “you should say the Count’s contract was lost. Remember the storm last year that soaked the archive? Tell them it was ruined then.”
“What? Why? Wouldn’t it be better to say we still have the contract so they’ll behave?”
The more Mei listened, the more confused she looked.
That’s when Adrian spoke up for me.
“You mean we’re setting a proper trap, right?”
As expected — family. He immediately understood my plan.
“Exactly. The more they let their guard down, the bigger the trouble they’ll cause.”
Nanael would eventually push Jessica right in front of me again.
And Jessica, who was still cautious now, would get bolder once she realized I supposedly didn’t remember the past.
Sure, she might hesitate a little when she found out there had been a secret contract she didn’t know about — but once she learned it had been ‘lost’?
That hesitation would vanish.
‘If the only evidence is gone, even Count Miranda might start acting bold again.’
With Nanael whispering in her ear, Jessica would soon move on her own.
I could already see it clearly.
“People who enjoy hurting others never forget what it felt like to dominate someone weaker. They always try to relive it,” I said with quiet certainty. “And if we find out who Nanael’s spy is along the way, even better.”
If Jessica still believed I was that same naïve girl from years ago, she would definitely cross the line again.
And I would be waiting for her the moment she did.
She’s trusting Nanael? I thought with an inward laugh. That’s her biggest mistake.
I knew exactly what kind of woman Nanael was — when cornered, she was always the first to abandon her allies.
Jessica Miranda had no idea she was just a disposable pawn in Nanael’s game.
A wicked smile curled across my lips.
“Hehehe… she’s going to let her guard down and destroy herself before I even lift a finger.”
If she regretted not staying quietly in her territory, it would already be too late.
“My lady, you’re brilliant! A genius villain!” Mei cried, clapping like an excited seal.
Before I could laugh, Adrian stood up suddenly from his chair.
“Alright then! I’ll deal with Princess Nanael myself.”
“You? How?” I asked suspiciously.
“I noticed she doesn’t get along very well with her brother,” he said, grinning wickedly.
“Which means… I’ll just have to bring the siblings closer together.”
Sometimes, I wondered if Adrian was too comfortable stabbing people in the back with a smile.
But since the “victims” this time were Nanael and her brother Cesare — I was more than fine with it.
“Perfect. Everyone, to your positions!”
At my command, Adrian and Mei both straightened up and saluted playfully before hurrying off to their tasks.
***
Meanwhile, Summer nervously arrived at the Tower for work.
That day she’d run into Alperen by accident — and seeing him again had shaken her more than she expected.
His silver hair glinting in the sunlight.
That sculpted face and those blue eyes, bright as stars.
He was exactly as she remembered him from the Academy.
Summer Clophen had entered the Academy thanks to a scholarship — and for two years, she’d studied alongside him.
They’d competed fiercely for first and second place.
She never thought he’d remember her… but then—
“…Summer Clophen?”
Hearing her name from his lips — she couldn’t help blushing, even with her little brother watching.
Because he had been her first love.
He had been the kind of person who drew every gaze wherever he went.
Not just because of his noble birth or talent — but because of his beauty.
Everyone at the Academy admired him.
And Summer was one of them.
As the second-ranking student, she had rare opportunities to speak with him — usually about classes or research.
He never ignored her, and that alone had made her heart flutter.
She’d started to believe she was someone special to him.
“I like you, Alperen.”
“I’m sorry. There’s someone else I already like.”
His rejection had been so gentle — but so final.
Summer couldn’t even remember how she made it through the rest of that day.
Someone else? Who could that be?
She’d spent that night sleepless, wondering — and the next morning, when she went to class—
“Did you hear? The Duke of Ainrook is dying! No, actually — they say he’s already dead!”
Summer froze in place.
The very next day after her confession, Alperen had left the Academy without a word.
He never returned.
If I’d known that would be the last time I saw him, she thought bitterly, I never would have confessed.
She’d regretted it ever since.
After all, as a professor at the Academy, she often worked with the Tower — where he was now Master.
How was she supposed to face him again?
But when they finally reunited, he had looked at her with blank eyes — as if he didn’t even remember rejecting her.
She almost laughed at the irony.
Once upon a time, she’d loved that expression — his calm, indifferent face.
But that was six long years ago.
If he had forgotten, then she had no reason to bring it up again.
