78. The ‘Death’ Event Triggers for Icart!
“Sure, I’ve committed a grave sin, but do you really mean to kill me for it? Aaaah! Spare your loyal servant!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me….”
Icart could only let out a hollow laugh.
He had drawn his sword as if to cut Philip’s throat on the spot, but it seemed he never truly intended to kill his long-time friend and loyal retainer.
“If only Young Lord had given me my vacation time properly, none of this would have happened.”
Of course, Philip’s shamelessness was enough to make Icart briefly consider actually killing him.
Count Vermont, meanwhile, looked up at Icart with a half-resigned expression, though he couldn’t completely hide the glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“Sir Philip speaks the truth. I am prepared to give you anything, so long as it is for you.”
He knew he was being used—but he was willing to be used. There wasn’t a shred of falsehood in his desperate sincerity.
“Perhaps all the wealth I’ve painstakingly amassed was for your sake from the beginning.”
“……”
“There isn’t a trace of selfishness in this. Well… to say I have none would be a lie. But I’ll never let it show.”
“……”
“Please, take me with you to the Academy. Just once a day—or even once a week—let me watch you from afar. That alone would be enough for me.”
“Haaah.”
Icart sighed deeply.
“Are you sure that’s enough? Just seeing me from a distance once a week?”
“O-of course! That would be more than enough. Truly. I’ll always wait for you, pure and steadfast. I’m prepared to endure anything for that.”
Count Vermont pulled a pledge document from his breast.
“If you agree, I’ll hand over all the rights and privileges I possess as Count Vermont.”
“Why… why go this far….”
Icart looked down at the Count with exasperation. After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled out the feather quill he’d been gifted.
“Never thought I’d end up using this for something like this.”
With elegant penmanship, he filled the signature line.
“There. The contract is sealed. You won’t go back on your word now, will you?”
“Of course not.”
“It’ll be a long journey. You’re leaving without even packing—are you sure about that?”
“Y-yes! As long as I can follow you, I don’t care if I have nothing but the clothes on my back.”
“Then get up and get ready to depart.”
The Count’s face was radiant with joy.
Watching him, Philip let out a breath of relief. At some point, Seraphine had sidled up next to me and whispered.
“This might actually be for the best.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, whatever the reason, if Count Vermont ends up happily with Young Lord Icart, then there’s no obstacle left between us, is there?”
“……?”
What on earth is she talking about now?
Seraphine’s eyes glittered with a hint of madness. She clung to me tightly, like shackles locking me in place.
Ping!
At that moment, a system window popped up.
【SYSTEM: Achievement unlocked! “First Love Collector”】
【SYSTEM: 300 Luck Points have been awarded.】
[☞ Use points now ☜]
‘…First Love Collector?’
Great. As if I hadn’t had enough unwanted attention already.
I alternated glances between Seraphine and the system window before snapping myself out of it.
‘First things first—I need to look after Icart.’
“Are you really sure it’s okay to bring that man with you?”
Icart looked troubled as he watched Count Vermont happily climbing into the carriage.
“Roselia.”
He turned to me at my worried tone.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t uneasy. But the thought of leaving that twisted pervert lingering around you… that’s even worse.”
“Brother….”
“It’s safer to keep him by my side and keep an eye on him. If he tries anything, I’ll deal with him myself.”
His golden eyes glinted sharply.
I realized I’d been underestimating Icart. For all his gentle looks, his swordsmanship was second to none. Who was I to worry about him?
At that moment, Philip poked his head out of the carriage window.
“Young Lord, aren’t we leaving?”
“Do me a favor and don’t say another word for a while. You’re an eyesore.”
“Yes, sir.”
Philip quickly ducked back inside.
Just a moment ago, they’d been ready to kill each other. Now everything was back to normal again.
“We really should be going. If we delay any longer, the sun will set.”
“Wait.”
I slipped an antidote vial into Icart’s hand.
“Here, give this to Count Vermont—just in case.”
“This? What is it?”
“It’s an antidote to a love potion.”
I lowered my voice as I explained.
“Think about it. The Count’s sudden obsession with you only began a few days ago, didn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
“It seemed too unnatural, so I did some digging. I heard rumors he tried to use a love potion. It seems he meant to use it on Seraphine, but something went wrong and he ended up drinking it himself.”
I mixed truth with fabrication as I spoke. Supposedly, household staff had hinted at it, though I knew it wasn’t certain.
“Even if it’s just a rumor, it’s worth testing this antidote, don’t you think?”
“And how exactly did you get your hands on something like this?”
“Oh, I have my ways. I just wanted to prepare quietly so you wouldn’t have to worry.”
“Even so, you should have said something….”
“Come on, you’ll be late. Hurry and go.”
I pushed him gently before he could question me further.
Even after boarding the carriage, Icart didn’t signal to depart right away. He leaned out the window, his golden eyes—like a setting sun—lingering on me.
The look made my chest ache unexpectedly, and before I could stop myself, I asked something far too sentimental.
“Do you think… we’ll meet again someday?”
“Of course we will. And be sure to write me a letter with all the details about that antidote.”
“……”
Great. Homework.
“Hyah!”
With that, the long farewell ended and the carriage finally rolled away.
I stood there, watching as it left the ducal estate, following its shrinking figure until it disappeared completely from sight.
“…You must feel lonely, my lady.”
Seraphine gently patted my shoulder.
“Don’t worry. I’ll come visit often. I’ll make sure you never feel alone.”
I gave a hollow laugh at her bold declaration.
“Even more than now?”
“Hehe. Of course.”
“All right. It’s getting chilly. Let’s head inside. Want to stay for dinner while you’re here?”
“Kyaa, yes please!”
As we turned back toward the mansion, I felt a lingering emptiness.
Someone who had quietly filled the gaps in my life was gone, and the weight of his absence followed me like a shadow.
While I was lost in that melancholy—
“Brother! You mustn’t leave!”
“?”
A desperate woman’s cry made both Seraphine and me turn around.
Black hair, snake-like inscrutable eyes, and a thin, frail figure—
She bore an uncanny resemblance to Count Vermont.
I thought she must have some story, so I brought her to the drawing room.
But the woman only wept, caught in a storm of emotions I couldn’t name—sorrow, rage, perhaps both.
Minutes turned into tens of minutes.
Eventually, her sobs stopped. She stared blankly into empty space.
‘…What is she looking at?’
I followed her gaze, but saw nothing but a bare wall.
Her cold, piercing eyes on that empty wall sent a chill crawling down my spine.
Forcing down my unease, I offered her a handkerchief.
“Are you all right?”
“Of course. Forgive me, I caused quite a scene.”
She accepted the handkerchief, though she never once glanced at Seraphine, who sat beside me. Her eyes stayed fixed on me alone.
“Still, I’m glad I got to see you like this. It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, Madam, it has been a while.”
The Countess of Gothe.
She was Count Vermont’s younger sister—and I remembered encountering her in my past life as well.
‘The socialite queen bee, so to speak.’
Backed by her family’s stable business foundation, she had wielded great influence in high society. Even after marrying Count Gothe, she remained active in both politics and commerce.
‘But… was she always like this?’
I recalled her as lively to the point of recklessness, not this cold, chilling presence.
The Countess curled her lips into a faint smile.
“You look well. I’ve always wanted to speak with you directly someday.”
“With me?”
“Yes. All I ever did was watch from a distance.”
“……?”
Her unreadable gaze bore into me.
“But Madam, what brought you to the ducal estate earlier?”
“It’s rather shameful to admit, but since it’s family business, why bother hiding it now?”
She spoke with weary resignation.
“I heard my brother, Count Vermont, suddenly decided to liquidate his affairs and leave for a faraway land. I rushed here to stop him, but I was too late.”
“Ah.”
The atmosphere grew awkward instantly.
‘Of all things… the reason he left was because of Icart.’
At that moment, the Countess let out a sly smile.
“You needn’t trouble yourself, my lady. In the end, everything will unfold as fate intended.”
“…Pardon?”
【SYSTEM: A sudden event has been triggered—‘The Death of Icart’!】
“……!”
Oh dear, Seraphine keeps making worry