Chapter 18
“The charity ball is already over, I hear.”
I cupped my cheek and let out a deep sigh.
“It’ll be difficult to go outside right now. The streets must be jammed with the carriages of the noble families.”
“Then we should leave at night.”
“Hmm, wouldn’t that be dangerous? Everyone will see you leaving.”
At my words, Estelle’s face darkened — she understood what I meant. She still shouldn’t be seen by other nobles.
“So how about just staying here tonight and leaving early in the morning?”
Her eyes widened.
“What?”
“Think of it as a little preview, since you’ll be living here eventually. Don’t feel pressured.”
I said it casually, but Estelle still looked uncertain and hesitant to answer.
So I pressed on.
“Besides, the dress I was going to give you as a gift is finally finished. Why don’t you try it on?”
Eventually, Estelle nodded. I called in the maids waiting outside.
Shimmering pale pink silk, lace fluttering delicately along the edges.
A light yellow ribbon cascading from the open shoulders, and a crimson jewel resting at the chest.
I walked around Estelle in a slow circle and clapped my hands with a bright smile.
“It really suits you! The size is perfect, too.”
“As expected, our lady’s eye for fashion is unmatched,” one of the maids chimed in.
Even the maids adjusting her dress agreed. Estelle looked embarrassed; she couldn’t bring herself to face the mirror for a while.
“I’m not really… someone who wears things like this…”
“Don’t belittle yourself in front of me. Just say thank you.”
I grumbled playfully. Estelle finally nodded, a small smile appearing on her lips.
“Thank you, sister.”
“That’s better.”
I hid my grin behind my fan, then gestured to the maids.
“Let’s try letting your hair down in the front. I’d like to see how that looks.”
The dress I’d given her had a low, open back. I needed a natural way to check her back without arousing suspicion — and this was my solution.
Her long, smooth hair covered most of it, but not enough to stop me from seeing what I needed to confirm.
At my request, one of the maids hesitated.
“Um…”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just that… showing the young lady’s back might be a bit…”
Eureka. I raised my fan a little higher to hide the corners of my mouth from twitching upward.
“Is there a problem?”
I glanced at Estelle — she just looked puzzled.
I fought to keep my heartbeat steady.
“She has a scar, my lady,” the maid stammered.
I nodded silently. The maid met my gaze, then hurried to pull Estelle’s hair forward, exposing her back.
I slowly stepped closer behind her.
A scar…
How big was it? What did it look like?
The diary hadn’t described it in detail — it was one of the clues to this world.
Is that it?
Below her left shoulder blade, there was a faint, finger-length mark. It had long since healed and faded to white.
“…You’re right. I’ll have to change the design.”
It was difficult to force the words out. I fixed her hair back over her shoulders to cover the mark and took a slow, quiet breath to hide my pounding heart.
“Get her changed into her indoor clothes,” I ordered softly.
The maids took Estelle away. I sat down, waiting calmly for her return.
What now? My mind was blank — elated that the diary was right, but anxious that I didn’t know what came next.
Mikhail…
I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. Estelle soon returned, now in her loungewear, looking hesitant.
“The dress was already finished… would it be too much trouble to alter the design?”
Even as she asked, her expression was uncertain. I shrugged lightly.
“I don’t want to gift you something that exposes what you’d rather not show. Adding a layer of fabric inside is a simple fix.”
I didn’t really think the scar was a flaw. But the people of high society — especially those eager to tear down a duchess of common birth — would use anything.
Estelle sat across from me, still uneasy but accepting.
“Estelle.”
She looked up at me.
“Yes?”
“Did you know about the scar on your back?”
She shook her head.
“No… Is it big?”
“No, it’s tiny. Honestly, it’s unfair that we even have to worry about it.”
“I had no idea,” she said softly, tilting her head.
“I don’t remember ever injuring my back. When could it have happened?”
So she really didn’t know. Just like the diary said.
Then perhaps the assassination incident would also unfold as written. My stomach tightened with unease.
If it’s only about love, there’s nothing to fear — but was it only love in the diary?
“For now, let’s look at the other dresses too. We can’t bring all of them to the imperial palace anyway. But if you’ll wear some, I can leave them here. What do you think?”
She looked reluctant, but I didn’t let her refuse. I needed to stall until Theo returned from the ball.
“Just one more, okay? I think it’ll look great on you.”
Trying on dozens of gowns was no small task. Estelle was exhausted by the end.
Finally, I had her change into a blue satin gown, then led her back into the room.
“Estelle.”
There were two reasons I had called her here today. I’d achieved one; now it was time for the other.
I seated her on the sofa and went to the desk.
“Want to see something interesting?”
If the diary truly told the truth, I had to stop focusing on the ‘original story’ and find time to meet Mikhail.
I need to find out what connection Rozalyn has with the Magic Empire.
But before that, I had to confirm something.
Theo, one of the original main characters, couldn’t see anything in the diary. Then what about Estelle?
Even if she read it, there was no harm. I just needed to tell part of the truth — not all.
“I found a strange book that predicts the future.”
That much alone would convince her. She might doubt the book, but not me.
Estelle was that kind of person. And she would fight desperately to prevent the future.
I swallowed, picked up the diary from the desk, and handed it toward her. Estelle’s gaze naturally followed it.
“That’s a pretty book,” she said.
“Want to take a look?”
“Can I?”
I nodded, and she accepted it, opening the pages. The paper rustled softly as she flipped through them.
As if… she couldn’t read a single thing.
“The cover’s beautiful and unique, but the inside’s just ordinary. It looks like a plain notebook.”
She blinked, then hurried to add, “Not that it’s bad! I just meant—it’s simple. Did you have it specially made?”
“No, I just bought it because the cover looked interesting. I’ve never seen a design like this before.”
“That’s true,” Estelle agreed with a nod.
She clearly wasn’t intrigued. After a moment, she handed the book back to me. I shrugged and returned it to the drawer.
So, Estelle couldn’t read it either.
Maybe I really was the only one who could see the diary’s contents.
It made sense — the diary was written by Rozalyn, and perhaps only Rozalyn could read it.
“I was thinking of using it as a journal.”
“That’s a great idea! The cover’s so pretty — it’ll make you happy just looking at it.”
Estelle smiled. I returned the gesture.
“Right? If you ever find it later, just pretend you didn’t see anything and put it back in a drawer.”
I tapped the drawer lightly, resting my chin on my hand.
“Come to think of it, it’s getting late. Theo should be back soon. Want to play some cards in the parlor while we wait?”
Estelle seemed to welcome the suggestion — she was probably bored by now. Trying on all those clothes had taken longer than expected.
We went down to the parlor together. The household staff was bustling about — it seemed Father had returned while we were upstairs.
As soon as we reached the first floor, I spotted the head butler hurrying somewhere.
“Butler.”
“Ah, my lady!”
He bowed deeply.
“Has Father gone to his office?”
A voice answered from behind me.
“I was just about to.”
I turned and saw Duke Moore standing there with his hands clasped behind his back.
—I hadn’t meant to ask because I wanted to see him.
I quickly bowed my head.
“Father.”
“Your Grace,” Estelle added politely, lowering her head as well.
“Did you enjoy the ball, Father?”
“The Duke of Lethe put quite some effort into it,” he replied indifferently, glancing over us before turning away.
“I’ll be in my study. Make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Estelle’s voice trembled slightly. She had always been afraid of him — since childhood.
Understandable. He was a powerful duke and had long been her benefactor. For a common-born girl, he was an intimidating figure.
They’d always been awkward together, but today… something felt different.
I realized what it was soon enough.
Why exactly… is Father trying to make Estelle, a commoner, the duchess?
