We took a walk around the lake near the Grand Duke’s castle.
I thought I wouldn’t even be able to meet his eyes after what happened last night. But surprisingly, the awkwardness faded faster than expected.
Lucas escorted me, and we spread a small mat by the lakeside to sit down.
“The North is full of untouched nature. To me, it’s the best place,” I said.
“Because you’re a spiritist?”
“Yes. It feels like I’m closer to them here.”
Julia, Garnet, and Kishiev followed us, though they stayed a good distance away. They couldn’t hear our conversation.
“I heard you asked a maid if the North holds any parties.”
“Oh… well, I got a bit bored staying only inside the castle. I actually like parties.”
“If you wish, you can host one yourself. It wouldn’t hurt to meet the northern nobles.”
His serious tone made me smile and shake my head.
“Attending parties is fun. Hosting them? Too much work.”
“I forgot. That’s your personality.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “And what exactly is my personality?”
He looked straight ahead, pretending not to notice.
“Otherwise, there’s a social gathering hosted by Nox’s wife. I can arrange for you to attend.”
“That would reveal my identity. I’d rather not. I did think about it at first, but if people knew I was in the North, it would only cause trouble.”
Lucas studied me for a long moment, then gave me a faint smile.
“That’s very you.”
The autumn breeze swept gently across the lake. This time, I didn’t look away but met his eyes.
“While you’re in the North, do whatever you want to your heart’s content.”
“So you’re saying you can handle me?” I teased with a crooked smile, trying to make light of things.
But Lucas didn’t joke back. He was serious.
“Do you know how the Empire refers to me?”
“The handsome Grand Duke?”
“…You never fail to say the most unexpected things.”
“So that was a compliment?”
“I didn’t mean it as an insult, so yes. A compliment.”
Something about that felt unsatisfying.
“In any case, I want you to rest well here in the North.”
“Lucas. You’ve heard the rumors about me in the capital, haven’t you?”
“Not just in the capital. You’re well-known across the Empire.”
I knew what he meant and gave a hollow laugh. Lucas added quietly:
“Whatever people call you doesn’t matter. They judge too quickly based only on appearances.”
“Sometimes what they see is the truth,” I answered with a faint smile.
I had already explained how I worked desperately to avoid the fate written for me in the novel. I didn’t want to die miserably at Theo’s hands. But no matter what I did, the label of “villainess” never left me.
To protect my family, I had to become cruel in others’ eyes. I sacrificed the few for the many. I turned away from pleading hands and desperate tears. I punished corrupt retainers and their families, leaving them ruined on the streets.
I thought living kindly would be enough, but the weight of the novel’s setup always pulled me back.
In the end, I became the villainess.
“Even if what people see is true, everyone has circumstances they can’t reveal,” Lucas said softly.
My eyes widened.
‘Author, how could you not make this man the male lead?’
The words he spoke were exactly the kind that should come from a novel’s protagonist.
I stared at him in awe, and then—
“…You’re… bleeding.”
“Huh?”
“Your nose.”
I touched my face in confusion. A warm trickle slid down.
“What?! A nosebleed?!”
Of all the times—his handsome face and those words were simply unfair!
I quickly covered my face, mortified, but Lucas calmly handed me a handkerchief.
Embarrassed, I took it while trying to hide behind my hands.
“You’re more delicate than I thought.”
“I am not!”
“In any case, no one here would dare insult you. Rest as much as you like. And if this really is a runaway… it’s not too late to tell me the truth.”
“It’s not a runaway!”
Even with my nose bleeding, he still found ways to tease me.
“I really am resting well, you know.”
“But you’re bleeding again…”
Yes, he was definitely teasing.
I glared at him, but he only laughed quietly.
The silence that followed carried a different weight. Then Lucas spoke cautiously.
“They say you killed the Emperor.”
Perhaps he hesitated because of how heavy the subject was. I wiped my nose with his handkerchief, now stained red, and answered evenly:
“The Empire was already rotting. The people couldn’t endure his excesses. Loyal ministers were stripped of their titles and branded as criminals. A new emperor was necessary. I don’t regret it.”
Lucas stayed quiet.
The silence stretched, heavy but unspoken. As a man who wielded the sword, he knew the weight of taking lives.
I deliberately lightened my tone, nudging his arm.
“Do you know how I protected House Metheisa?”
“….”
“I fought in the war. With the blessings of nature, I killed on the battlefield. The first time was hard. After that, less so.”
I was only fifteen when I first went to war. That was also when my powers awakened. I had to prove myself to retainers who doubted a young lady .
“It must’ve been hard,” Lucas finally said.
“I nearly died, but the spirits protected me.”
I gestured toward the lake. The water leapt playfully in response.
He didn’t comment, only pulled my cloak tighter against the cool wind.
“Marchioness.”
“Yes?”
“No… Lizebrion.”
It was the first time he called me by name. I turned to him with wide eyes. He met my gaze calmly.
“Come with me tomorrow.”
“…Come with you?”
“I promised, didn’t I? To show you the North.”
“Aren’t you busy?”
“I can make time.”
His touch and his tone were gentle, almost too much so. But it wasn’t unpleasant.
Who else had ever treated the infamous villainess of House Metheisa with such warmth? Perhaps Lucas was the first.
I forced down the flutter in my chest and smiled brightly.
“Of course. As long as it’s with the handsome Grand Duke.”
“…Handsome.”
“Didn’t you know? You’re exactly my type.”
Even as I teased, my mind raced with plans. Tomorrow was the day. Time to show him every bit of my charm.
I’d need to beg Julia for beauty packs and a massage tonight. Tomorrow had to be perfect.
Lucas, oblivious to my scheming, asked,
“Is there anything special you want to do here in the North?”
“Not really. Though… will you be using the Riverton carriage tomorrow?”
“So it isn’t a runaway, but you still don’t want your identity revealed?”
“It’s not that. I just don’t want Theo to know. I told him I was traveling. If he learns I came here looking for a husband, he’ll faint.”
Lucas gave a small nod. It was his way of promising my secret was safe.
Relieved, I grinned.
“I’m excited. Can we also try some northern food tomorrow?”
“All you think about is food.” He sighed, but I didn’t care. It was my trip, after all.
“I even got a local restaurant map.”
“…From whom.”
“Sir Kishiev!”
I pulled out the map, but Lucas’s expression darkened. His displeasure was clear. I tilted my head, puzzled, but he turned away.
I didn’t dwell on it. My thoughts were already consumed by tomorrow’s “outing.”
To me, it was a date.
‘What should I wear? Should I let my hair down? Or braid it?’
I wouldn’t miss my chance to win over the Grand Duke.
“I’m so excited for tomorrow!” I blurted without meaning to.
“What’s so exciting?” His tone was gruffer now, but I was too giddy to notice.
“Going on a date with the handsome Grand Duke!”
“…A date, huh.”
“Sorry, what was that? You spoke too quietly.”
“Nothing.”
He cleared his throat and rose to his feet.
“Already? Can’t we stay a bit longer?”
“Something came to mind. I should attend to it.”
I pouted but then remembered I also had preparations to make.
“You’re right. You must be busy.”
“And you?” he asked.
“Me? Well… I thought I’d eat some homemade snacks from the chef and… maybe try flower arranging. I’ve always wanted to, but never had the time.”
Flower arranging? Me? I usually tore flowers up, not arranged them. But I couldn’t exactly say I needed to prep for a date.
Lucas, of course, took my words seriously.
“Flower arranging requires patience and care. You’ll be busy too, then.”
“Yes. Let’s head back.”
I quickly agreed, afraid he might see through my excuse.
I needed to hurry—beauty treatments, massage, outfit prep. There was far too much to do.
