Chapter 21
Willace’s arrival came two or three months earlier than I had expected.
In the original story, he only appeared at the villa shortly before helping Edmund attempt his escape.
It must be because I fired a third of the household staff earlier.
Willace had only just returned from studying abroad in the Magic Kingdom. He must have scrambled for a way to slip into this villa immediately—and thanks to all the vacancies I created, he managed to take a spot much sooner than planned.
Good. Everything is going well.
At this rate, Edmund would be able to escape under far better conditions than in the original story.
And I’d escape too!
Back to my real world.
Of course, I couldn’t be sure that helping Edmund escape would automatically send me out of the book. But it was a possibility.
And even if it didn’t work… I refused to spend the rest of my life trapped in this wretched villa. Going back to Cassia’s family wasn’t an option either.
After all, her father, Viscount Florence, had sold his illegitimate daughter off to the Duke of Cohen. Her stepmother and half-sister, who already hated her, would only torment me more if I returned.
They weren’t my family.
Even if I returned to Korea, I’d still have no family waiting for me…
Whether I went back or not, the truth was the same: I could only rely on myself.
So I had to prepare for both futures.
- If Edmund escapes and I return to reality.
- If Edmund escapes but I remain stuck in this world.
For either path, the most important thing was obvious.
Money. I need money!
Whether in the book or in real life, money was always the hardest problem.
A week passed after Willace slipped into the villa disguised as a gardener.
During that time, he successfully made contact with Edmund.
Getting on her bad side actually made it easier to meet the young master.
That was thanks to me. By scolding him over petty reasons and piling on extra chores, I had created more chances for him to work near Edmund.
Of course, Willace didn’t know I had done it on purpose to bring the two together.
After some effort, he revealed his true identity to Edmund and won a sliver of trust.
If I had been there, I probably would have grumbled:
So quick to trust him, when it took forever with me!
Of course, Edmund hadn’t accepted him completely at first. But he remembered seeing Willace once as a child, and Willace had proof of his ties to Edmund’s mother’s family. Without those, Edmund never would have trusted him at all.
Still, compared to the original story, this was much faster. Originally, it took Willace an entire month just to gain Edmund’s trust—only then did they attempt an escape.
Edmund himself felt the difference, though he couldn’t pinpoint why.
Would I have trusted him this quickly a few months ago?
In other words—
If I had never met Cassia?
Without her kindness softening his heart, he would have doubted Willace even after reading his mother’s letter.
Now Edmund realized:
Because of one girl’s sacrifice and care, he was no longer the same distrustful boy.
That was why, when Willace criticized her, Edmund’s temper snapped.
“She’s a sly little thing, isn’t she? Already infamous for flattering the duke and living in luxury.”
“…Who do you think you’re talking about?”
The sudden anger startled even Edmund himself. Willace, too, was shocked—and worried.
“Young master…?”
“….”
They were alone in Edmund’s bedroom, secretly discussing magic lessons and future plans. When Cassia’s name came up, Willace had made a harsh remark—and Edmund had exploded.
Pale-faced, Edmund muttered as if to excuse himself:
“She’s still the young madam of this house.”
“Surely you don’t mean to say you trust her?”
Edmund quickly regained his composure and replied firmly:
“I don’t trust you completely either.”
“…That is indeed wise. You should never trust anyone completely.”
Willace added pointedly:
“Especially not Cassia Florence. She’s Cohen’s pawn.”
Cohen—that was the name of Edmund’s uncle, the current duke.
“I know,” Edmund answered heavily.
Yes, he knew. Perhaps better than anyone.
But…
Just when I was drowning in work, a visitor came from the duke’s main estate.
At first, I feared Patrick had barged in again. Thankfully, it wasn’t him.
Not the duke or duchess either—that would have been a nightmare boss battle.
More like a mid-boss monster.
It seemed the duchess had sent one of her trusted attendants to inspect the villa.
Meaning—I had to be extremely careful not to slip up.
The middle-aged woman looked strict, her gaze sharp as a knife.
“I am Baroness Lillipen,” she said with a slight nod. “Head lady-in-waiting to the duchess.”
“An honor to meet you, Baroness.”
I forced a polite smile, even though my mouth twitched.
Why now, of all times?
We sat in my parlor. Lillipen examined me as if I were an item for sale on display.
My unease proved right when her eyes landed on the half-wilted bouquet of yellow roses still sitting in the corner.
“A rather extravagant flower arrangement for someone of your station,” she said.
In that instant, I realized.
Patrick. This is about Patrick!
I clenched my teeth.
The roses had faded despite my efforts to care for them. Yet she still singled them out—implying they were far too fine for the likes of me.
She’s mocking me. Saying Patrick and I don’t match.
But it wasn’t fair!
I had done nothing! That brat had come on his own, sent the flowers on his own. I never encouraged him.
Still, I had to answer carefully.
“Yes,” I said with a sweet smile. “I’m grateful for his thoughtfulness.”
That’s right—it was your precious young master who insisted, not me.
Her frown deepened. Then she delivered her message, each word dripping with scorn.
“The duchess is concerned.”
“About what, exactly?”
“This is her warning.”
Her tone turned cutting.
“Know your place.”
“…Excuse me?”
Looking down on me as if I were filth, she sneered openly.
“The young master Patrick is destined to become the next Duke of Cohen. It’s obvious you don’t belong at his side.”
There it was! Straight out of a soap opera.
And I hadn’t even done anything!
Shouldn’t she at least hand me a hush-money envelope if she’s going to say things like this?
She went on, unbothered by my simmering anger.
“You haven’t forgotten your low birth, have you? If you were just a passing amusement, the duchess wouldn’t mind. But if you dare to hinder his future—she will not forgive you.”
Of course. The duke and duchess were aiming to marry Patrick into the imperial Zenovia family. By tying their son to the conquerors of the Falts Kingdom, they would wash away their colonial origins.
So of course, with such an important match underway, they wouldn’t tolerate a “low-born nuisance” like me hanging around.
But—
Why am I the one being scolded when I never asked for his attention?
So I smiled coldly and cut her off.
“But I’ve done nothing at all, Baroness.”
It was the truth. He was the one bothering me.
She looked appalled, as if I’d said something unthinkable.
“What did you just say?!”
I tilted my head and kept smiling.
“I’ve done nothing for you to lecture me about. As for the future… who knows?”
It was a threat.
If you keep pushing me, maybe I’ll actually cling to Patrick just to spite you.
Of course, I had no intention of doing so. But she didn’t know that.
The baroness paled and shook as if her whole body were vibrating.
Someone please set her phone to silent mode.
For a moment, I even missed modern technology.
She was about to lash out when—
“Y-you dare—!”
Oh dear. She bit her tongue mid-sentence. Blood welled at her lips.
“Baroness,” I said sweetly.
“I won’t forgive—”
“No, that’s not it. Look—” I pointed at her mouth.
“You’re bleeding.”
“….”
She had bitten so hard her lip was bleeding visibly. Embarrassed, she covered her mouth with her sleeve.
