Episode 10
I quickly looked over the clothes I was wearing. I hadn’t noticed when I put them on, but now I saw there were several loose threads. I had changed into a dress I brought from Bria before coming downstairs, and that was on purpose.
The clothes the Woodville family had prepared for me were all styles I liked—but most of them showed a bit too much skin. I was worried they might think I was being inappropriate, so I chose something simpler and more modest on purpose.
But apparently, something else caught the Count’s attention.
“Oh dear, I didn’t realise the dress was so worn out. I just wanted to look neat since I was meeting you both for the first time. I’m sorry if it bothered you.”
“I see.”
“If it’s unpleasant to look at, should I throw it away?”
“…Is it a dress you like?”
“Hmm. Well, it’s not fancy for a noble, but for a commoner, it’s expensive. I had to save up quite a bit to buy it. I bought it with the first pay cheque I received after becoming an actress in Bria. So… I guess it has a lot of memories for me.”
“…Then let’s leave it as it is.”
Maybe my little story worked—after that, the Count said nothing more and went back to eating. That ended our short talk about my clothes.
Finally, after what felt like an endless meal, it was time for everyone to go back to their rooms.
I bowed politely to the Count and Countess and walked away with a tearless cry in my heart.
Good job, me. I gave it my all.
Early the next morning, while I was doing my usual stretching, Emily came into my room.
“Young Lady, may I come in?”
“Is breakfast ready already?”
“No, Madam Anne is here to alter your dress.”
Madam Anne? I had read that name in the novel. She was a famous seamstress who was so popular that nobles had to book her months in advance to wear clothes she worked on.
When I opened the door, Emily came in and began collecting my clothes.
“Emily, it’s really early. Why is a seamstress here now?”
“The Count said that if any of the clothes you brought from Bria need mending, to give them all to her—including the pink dress you wore yesterday.”
“He brought Madam Anne just for that? He didn’t book her months ago?”
“The Countess and Madam Anne have known each other for a long time. Do you have anything else that needs fixing?”
“No, just those.”
To think he brought such a top-tier professional for something like this… My dress must’ve really bothered him yesterday.
Well, I guess wearing ragged clothes with the Woodville name might make people talk. They might think the adopted daughter isn’t being treated well.
It could be a warning, so I should make sure I dress more neatly.
As I continued stretching, Emily came back, her blue hair bouncing.
“Young Lady, breakfast is ready too.”
“That’s the kind of breakfast where everyone eats together, right? The Count, Countess, Lady Luna, and me?”
“Of course!”
Emily looked surprised, as if wondering why I would even ask.
“Emily, you know how employers are. If their workers skip meals, they probably think they’re saving money.”
“Well… if they’re that kind of employer, I guess.”
“Hmmm, I don’t know if he’s like that, but… I’ll skip breakfast today. If anyone asks, can you say I’m feeling a little under the weather?”
“Understood. But… sometimes, I really don’t get what you’re saying.”
With a grin, I sent Emily out and lay back down in bed. I couldn’t help but think about the fluffy soufflé with maple syrup and the crispy, salty bacon I was giving up.
But I told myself: if I eat too much now, it’ll be hard to go back on stage once I return to Bria. Better to start cutting back early.
Maybe my stomach had gotten used to eating well the past few days because I ended up falling asleep from the hunger.
“Joyce Woodville! Come out this instant!”
A loud voice startled me awake. I rushed to the window—and saw Peredil Seymour standing outside the mansion with soldiers, holding a sword.
“There she is!”
One of the soldiers must’ve seen me by the window and pointed me out right away.
“How dare you slap me, Peredil Seymour? You’ll pay for that with your life!”
With a terrifying voice, Peredil stormed toward the mansion.
I panicked—should I pack and run? Jump out of the window? I was still thinking when I heard footsteps right outside the door.
“There you are.”
Peredil threw the door open and pointed his sword at me.
“Die!”
“Ahhh!!”
Wait… didn’t I just get stabbed?
When I opened my eyes, I saw myself standing in the middle of the room, both arms in the air.
A dream… It was just a dream.
But what was even more embarrassing than dreaming I got killed by the male lead—was seeing Luna and Emily standing in front of me, staring blankly.
“Lady Luna… why are you here…?”
“You said you weren’t feeling well. We were worried. Maybe you caught a cold because you came home soaked yesterday. You’re sweating so much too.”
No, actually… I was sweating because Peredil tried to kill me in my dream…
“Haha, I have a strong constitution. I just needed a short nap, and now I feel much better. But how are you feeling, Lady Luna?”
“I’m all better. Actually, I came because I didn’t really get to hear how things went with the Duke yesterday.”
“Then shall we sit down and talk?”
We sat on the long sofa in my room while Emily served tea.
“Well, I did slap him, so I guess he’ll remember the meeting. But not for too long.”
“So what should we do now?”
“Lady Luna, have you heard the phrase ‘out of sight, out of mind’?”
“No, it’s new to me. Is it something they say in Bria?”
I nodded casually and continued.
“It means when people don’t see each other, their feelings fade. Since you work for the Imperial Family, you probably see the Duke often. But I don’t. So I was actually planning to visit him and apologise for the slap.”
“To be close before he forgets you?”
“Exactly!”
Luna was quick to understand. Talking to her was easy and refreshing.
“So, you’re going to apologise?”
“Nope.”
Luna looked worried at my unexpected answer as I gave her a big smile.
“I’m going to fight with him more.”
“When I asked you to seduce the Duke, I didn’t think you’d do it this way. I did say you could use any method to catch his attention, but what if he gets really angry about the slap?”
Well, Peredil tends to be forgiving when it comes to you… and technically, I’m your younger sister…
But I couldn’t say that out loud.
“I listened to everything you told me about your past with the Duke and did a little analysis. The way I see it, he won’t make a big deal out of it.”
“Still, I’m not sure fighting him is the right approach.”
“Lady Luna, I’m only just starting things with the Duke. You’ll have to be patient.”
Luna tilted her head, still confused.
“How can I explain this… Oh! Like a fly. To the Duke, I’m probably like an annoying little fly buzzing around. He doesn’t like it, but he’ll forget it quickly.”
“A fly…”
Luna repeated the word thoughtfully.
“Yes, a fly. To make the Duke really notice me and feel something, I need to stir up strong emotions. Love would be nice, but since that’s not possible right away, hate will do. You know what they say—Love and hate are two sides of the same coin.”
“It sounds like you’ve thought this through. Alright.”
Finally, she seemed convinced.
“When should I tell the Duke you’ll be visiting him? Should we wait a few days?”
I gave her a big grin.
“Tell him I’m on my way right now!”
