Chapter 18
When I first possessed this body, I only cared about surviving Liriope’s doomed life and had completely forgotten about the tragic events that unfolded in the novel.
In the original story, the Empress always viewed the Northern Grand Duke as a thorn in her side, fearing he might block her son, the Crown Prince’s, path to the throne. She was constantly looking for a chance to get rid of him.
Before the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, the Empress wanted to weaken the North’s power. For that reason, she sought out and hired a practitioner of black magic, which was forbidden in the Empire.
The first crime that began from this was the flood.
Using black magic, she melted the great ice cliffs, driving countless Northerners to their deaths.
Liriope thought: if it were essential to the main storyline, she could endure it. But letting innocent Northerners die just to build up the villain’s evil deeds? That was something she couldn’t stand by and watch.
Besides, her survival alone was already causing many parts of the original story to change.
So, even if she prevented some of the villain’s atrocities, it wouldn’t erase the villainy altogether.
Yes, knowing what’s to come, how could I possibly ignore it?
Originally, all she wanted was to make sure her possessed self didn’t die. But lately, she felt like her desires were growing greedier.
She didn’t want the Northerners—Theo’s people, his subjects—to become victims of the Empress’s wickedness.
Of course, this wasn’t because her heart beat faster for Theo.
It wasn’t because of his dangerously alluring looks, nor was it because of that soon-to-be-worthless slip of paper called their betrothal contract.
It was simply because this world she now lived in was full of living, breathing people. If she could prevent needless deaths in advance, then she should.
It did sound like an excuse, even to herself—but she swore, it was not because she liked Theo and wanted to protect his North.
Nope, absolutely not.
With that self-rationalization, Liriope once again vowed to protect Theo’s North.
* * *
When Liriope joined her father, the Duke, for breakfast after a long while, he widened his eyes slightly at her words.
It was because she suddenly said she wanted to visit the Grand Duke’s castle.
Technically, she should’ve asked Theo first. But given his recent behavior, Liriope felt that the mere mention of “Grand Duke’s castle” would instantly have him telling her to come.
There was too much she needed to check in person to prepare for what was about to happen.
Most importantly, if she wanted to stop the black magician from causing a flood, they needed a dam.
She wasn’t knowledgeable in that field, but Theo could easily call in someone skilled in dam construction. That way, the flood’s damage would at least be minimized.
“You want to visit the Grand Duke’s castle?”
“Yes.”
The Duke set down his fork and knife, looking worried.
“But Liri, the North is far colder than you think.”
“I know.”
“And you get cold so easily. Is there really a reason to go there?”
“I just… want to see it for myself. For sightseeing?”
Tilting her head cutely, she spoke. The Duke sighed shortly, staring at her.
“There’s nothing worth sightseeing there.”
“There’s plenty! Like the icefalls.”
“You’ll find it far less impressive when you see it in person.”
“I still want to go.”
“Well, I suppose the journey isn’t the problem…”
“So I can go?”
“I just don’t understand why you’d go to such a freezing place. If you catch a cold—”
“I’ll take Rinix with me. Then I won’t feel cold at all.”
“Mm…”
The Duke’s face showed clear disapproval of her trip to the North.
He hadn’t hesitated for a second to fetch the betrothal contract with Theo, but now he was reluctant about her going North? It made no sense.
“Father, do you dislike me visiting the North?”
“No, dislike isn’t the word… It’s just—no, not dislike. I only worry because it’s terribly cold there.”
Apparently, he was genuinely concerned that his one and only daughter might catch a cold.
Wait, isn’t the plan to marry me off there anyway? If I wed Theo, I’d have to live in the North. Not that I’m planning on marrying him…
“I’m not staying there overnight. Just visiting during the day. Don’t worry too much.”
“Oh, I see.”
At last, the Duke’s face brightened as he smiled.
“That’s true. With a teleportation portal, you don’t need to spend the night in that cold place. Yes, but make sure to return before sunset. Northern nights are brutally cold—you could lose an ear to frostbite.”
“Of course.”
Smiling, Liriope nodded, and only then did the Duke return to eating, reassured.
She gazed at him quietly, struck anew by how handsome he was in his prime years.
He was a true romantic of this era—after Liriope’s mother died giving birth, he never remarried and devoted his whole life to raising his daughter.
That was why he cherished her so dearly. Later, after her death, he would abandon everything and disappear, leaving his loyal retainer Gray to search for him.
Thinking of that, Liriope mused that he, too, deserved happiness. She even considered playing matchmaker for him someday.
* * *
[You wish to come here?]
The beautiful face inside the comm crystal showed a peculiar expression.
“Yes.”
Liriope nodded. Theo tilted his head slightly, clearly puzzled at why she suddenly wanted to visit his castle.
“Well… to look around a little, and… check on some things, and also—”
[Lipe.]
That deep, pleasant voice called her name as his gaze bore into her, and her heart thudded nervously.
She said nothing, only staring back into the comm crystal.
[You want to come to the Grand Duke’s castle.]
“I said yes, didn’t I?”
At her insistence, Theo laughed—lightly biting his lower lip.
That devastating smile made her heart leap wildly again.
[Why do you keep doing such adorable things, I wonder.]
“…Excuse me?”
[If you’re trying to seduce me—]
“Wha—?! Me?! No! Of course not!”
How on earth could “I want to visit your castle” sound like seduction? He seemed genuinely convinced, and Liriope frantically shook her head.
“I just want to go because I can help with something there!”
[Help?]
“Yes. But it’s not something to explain over the comm. I need to say it in person—otherwise, you might not believe me.”
[I believe you.]
Theo’s immediate answer left her sighing inwardly.
Does this man ever think before speaking?
She asked, exasperated, “How can you say that when you don’t even know what I’ll say?”
[Because it’s you. Anything you say, I’ll believe.]
Her face burned at the unexpected line, and she quickly lowered her head.
Seriously, where does he learn these things? He said I was seducing him, but he’s the one doing it now!
[So, when will you come?]
“…When should I go?”
[Anytime. If it’s you, always.]
“Th-then, I’ll come tomorrow morning. My father doesn’t want me staying overnight, so I’ll have to use the portal back and forth. Besides, it’s too late today—I already have a tea party scheduled.”
[What a pity. So you won’t stay overnight…]
P-Pity?! What the hell is with this guy…
[Ah. I have a favor to ask of you, too.]
“Me? What is it?”
She looked up at him, and their eyes met through the crystal. Her heart shivered again.
[May I borrow Rinix?]
“Rinix?”
She hadn’t expected that name. Theo nodded.
[Just for two days.]
Since “borrowing” a living creature sounded odd, Liriope corrected gently,
“If you’d like to take care of him for two days, that’s fine.”
She remembered how fondly Rinix had taken to Theo when he visited. Agreeing came easily.
At her response, Theo smiled faintly, the corners of his eyes softening.
In the original story, he almost never smiled except in front of the heroine.
And now he smiles so easily. Hmph.
[Good. I’ll keep him for two days, then.]
“When will you come pick him up?”
[Now.]
And the connection cut off immediately.
“…”
Liriope stared blankly at the abruptly ended comm. Clearly, this man had no sense of phone etiquette.
Just then, her maid Gemma rushed in, flustered.
“L-Lady Liri! His Grace the Grand Duke is here!”
Did he already open a portal directly to the Duke’s mansion? This was absurdly fast—even too fast.
* * *
“You’re here.”
Greeting him in the reception room, Liriope’s eyes widened when she saw Rinix already perched on Theo’s arm.
“…When did he get down there?”
The thought slipped out before she could stop herself. Theo replied,
“I called him.”
“You called Rinix?”
Looking bewildered, she blinked at him. Theo gave a small smile and whistled sharply.
At the sound, Rinix spread his wings, flew around the reception room, and then returned neatly to perch on Theo’s arm.
Liriope blinked at them in surprise.
On a whim, she pursed her lips and blew a whistle herself—though the only sound was a weak puff of air, nothing like Theo’s clear note.
“…”
Both Theo and Rinix stared at her blankly, as if to ask, What on earth was that?
Awkwardly scratching her cheek with her finger, she laughed it off.
“I’ll bring him back in two days. But if you miss him, you’re welcome at the Grand Duke’s castle anytime.”
“Well, I’ll be there tomorrow anyway…”
“Ah, right.”
“By the way… why do you want Rinix?”
