Chapter 4
Starting from that moment, I didn’t even know how long I wandered around. By the time night fell, exhaustion hit me like a wave.
‘I got younger, so why is my stamina the same?’
Or was it not my body but my mental strength that was draining instead?
After spending so much time getting Emil to blend into the group, the sky had already turned dark without me noticing.
Even though the children were still a little awkward with him, Emil was no longer sitting alone by the window like before. They still didn’t approach him casually, but the number of times they came up to speak to him was slowly increasing.
What surprised me most was that, ever since I created that opening, Blensia had been staying right beside Emil the entire time.
‘I can finally breathe a little…’
My throat was dry, so I sipped juice from a pretty glass.
When I said I was going out for some air because it was hot, no one followed me onto the balcony. Thanks to that, I could stretch my legs comfortably.
I was quietly watching the children gathered inside when—
“Hey, what are you doing alone?”
That annoying face of Hildred Raymon finally came over here.
He didn’t even bother pretending to be polite like asking, “Should I get another drink for young Lord Raymon?”
Even though I stayed silent, Hildred didn’t seem bothered at all. Instead, he casually walked closer.
“The cake earlier was impressive. And you today….”
His bright golden-brown hair swayed lightly in the cool breeze.
Anyone who didn’t know him would probably be fooled by that face.
But not me.
“You’re pretty.”
“I know.”
“And annoying.”
“That too.”
Before my regression, Hildred Raymon and I weren’t exactly on good terms.
More precisely, we acted like we weren’t on good terms while still pretending to be close. Because our families had frequent contact since before we were ten, there was no need for formal speech between us.
“Move over.”
“Why should I?”
The couch on our mansion’s balcony was wide. Unless you were wearing a very bulky dress.
And I was wearing a dress, meaning the seat was practically already taken.
But Hildred casually flicked the hem of my dress with his foot.
“This is expensive fabric.”
“Even if it is, your house probably has tons of it.”
Oh, really?
That was clearly picking a fight, so I kicked him without holding back.
Two Years Before This Time
Two years ago, the Marquis of Raymon declared that he would remain unmarried.
“But I still need an heir. I know that much. So I will adopt one child from among the noble families here.”
At her declaration, branch families and affiliated households of House Raymon were actually pleased. It meant an opportunity to send their children and possibly place them as the heir of the marquis family.
The Marquis brought several children from families closely tied to her, such as House Costni, House Clorante, and House Siol, including Hildred.
The children, pushed forward by the desires of adults, were quickly evaluated and selected one by one.
Among them, Hildred stood out the most.
“Ah, do you still not understand? You won’t sit in that seat.”
He had ambition, sharp instincts, strong learning ability, and at times, a cold and ruthless side.
“So kneel down and say you give up. Then I’ll give you this—the antidote.”
In the end, Hildred fed the last rival in the Raymon family a vomiting agent disguised as poison. The terrified child immediately gave up the heir position, and Hildred became the final winner.
Given his personality, it might have even been real poison—but either way, he was skilled at pressuring others psychologically and presenting himself perfectly.
“I didn’t expect Emil Calixt to be useful like that. That guy does have some value after all.”
With a gentle-looking face, Hildred casually degraded Emil without hesitation. But that was all it was.
To me, whose mind was still that of an adult despite my younger body, Hildred’s words were nothing more than childish rivalry.
“So why are you here?”
“To pick a fight.”
“Then go ahead.”
“What?”
“You said you came to pick a fight.”
When I declared I would accept his challenge, Hildred looked at me strangely.
“Did your personality always like this?”
“Didn’t you know?”
“I only remember you nodding along no matter what I said.”
“Did you like that?”
In my past life, I had found Hildred somewhat cute.
But sometime after my debutante, we had a major falling out over a trivial misunderstanding and started avoiding each other.
‘And still acted like we were on good terms in front of others.’
I couldn’t even remember what we fought about. But in this life, our relationship was… somewhat closer. Or at least not as distant as before.
Still, as I changed people’s perception of Emil, Hildred would inevitably become wary of me. Increasing support for Emil would not be pleasant for him.
That realization felt a little bitter.
“You wouldn’t suddenly be a different person. Is it your birthday, so you’re in a bad mood?”
Since I refused to move, Hildred remained standing awkwardly in front of me instead of sitting.
Unlike his gentle expression earlier among the children, his current face was completely different.
I smiled kindly like before.
“It’s because you keep bothering Emil.”
At that, he went silent. He seemed to be trying to figure out why I was protecting Emil so much.
But only for a moment.
His gaze shifted toward the window beside me, then back to me. Someone was apparently coming this way.
“No way.”
“Really?”
“You said friends of friends are friends.”
His soft golden-brown hair moved in the wind, and a charming smile formed on his lips.
“I’m your friend. Right?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Blensia entered the balcony.
Emil was with her too. He still looked slightly uncomfortable walking with someone.
“Um, Lord Hildred. The Marquis is looking for you.”
After delivering the message, Blensia glanced at me. When I smiled at her, she quickly turned red and looked away again.
‘She heard it. About how he said we’re friends.’
So she’s good at pretending, huh.
As the host sending off a guest, I spoke in a slightly regretful tone.
“I heard the Marquis has been busy lately.”
Hildred narrowed his eyes, smiling back.
“Yes. New documents arrived for analysis. I wanted to stay longer, but I should go.”
Then he knelt on one knee and kissed the back of my hand.
“Happy birthday.”
He gave a formal congratulation and stood up. Before passing Emil, he placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Invite me again next time. I’d like to get closer to the young lord as well.”
He approached first, yet completely ignored Blensia. What a bad guy.
While I only smiled without answering, Emil—who was usually shy—glanced up at Hildred.
Come to think of it, Hildred didn’t really know Emil well yet.
“You?”
Emil asked coldly.
“…With me?”
Emil was naturally defensive. And very direct.
“You don’t like me.”
At the blunt rejection, Hildred’s smile cracked.
I grabbed Emil’s hand and pulled him toward me.
“Sorry, but the young lord will be busy playing with me.”
You won’t isolate him as you want. His emotional state was already unstable enough.
“We probably won’t have time for you.”
Fear lingered in my mind—that if this fragile situation exploded again, my family and I might die once more.
After the Birthday Banquet
The birthday banquet ended very well. That meant it was a success.
“Send me letters, Bree.”
“I will! I definitely will!”
It was worth agreeing to call each other by first names before leaving. After Blensia, who had grown much closer, left, I looked out the window.
Soon, the Count Bute family’s carriage slowly disappeared.
“…They’re gone.”
Emil, standing beside me, muttered. His tone sounded calm, but there was clear reluctance in it.
Now it was just the two of us. I took the chance.
“Emil, aren’t you going to congratulate me on my birthday?”
Ever since we agreed to speak casually, Emil kept malfunctioning like something was broken.
“I already… earlier—”
“Hm? You didn’t. You don’t want to?”
“No… it’s not that…”
“I would’ve been happy with just a simple congratulations, even more than gifts…”
“I’m not good at that kind of thing…”
“There’s no such thing as being bad at congratulations. Just be sincere.”
When I pretended to be disappointed, Emil’s ears turned red.
“Ha… happy… birthday.”
Only then did I smile brightly.
“Thank you! Can I visit the ducal house next time?”
At that moment—
“If you wish.”
I turned in surprise.
“I will allow you to visit once.”
The chandelier light reflected off his pure silver hair, making it glow coldly. The glass of his glasses shimmered as well.
A refined and sharp-looking man.
The Duke of Calixt had arrived.
After the Duke’s Arrival
The moment the Duke of Calixt arrived, Emil visibly stiffened.
“Do you like that boy, Lady Lancaster?”
The Duke asked. I was momentarily speechless at his smiling expression.
But I answered naturally.
“Yes, the young lord is handsome!”
I had already met the Duke once before, but I still couldn’t fully understand him.
So instead of showing suspicion, I decided to act like a naïve child.
“He’s the first person as handsome as my father.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! And he’s smart too… oh, can I visit the library with him someday?”
I naturally shifted attention away from the Duke toward Emil.
If I acted like a girl simply wanting to spend time with a boy she liked, it would seem harmless enough.
Just as I planned, the Duke of Calixt watched me with interest, ignoring his own question entirely as I focused on Emil.
“There are nice places for picnics too. Just outside the capital, there’s a lake…”
“Lady Lancaster.”
The Duke called me again. I quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry, Duke.”
He didn’t scold me and instead patted my head.
“I must return for today.”
“Yes!”
“I look forward to seeing you again.”
At his words, Emil’s expression darkened slightly.
“Thank you for the invitation. I’ll definitely visit.”
“I will be waiting.”
As the Duke turned away, Emil followed behind him with heavy steps.
I saw them off to the gate.
“See you later, Emil.”
“…Yeah.”
As I waved, Emil awkwardly tried to respond but hesitated.
They both got into the carriage soon after. Once I confirmed they had left through the gate, I turned back inside.
‘Does the Duke know about Emil’s madness?’
The Duke of Calixt. A man with very little information even in the original story.
He was merely the political fiancé of Robellin Castone, appearing only as someone who escorted her or occasionally got slapped.
And after marriage, when Robellin gave birth to Emil, he had been extremely happy.
‘Now that I think about it, it’s strange how he was so happy, yet Emil was neglected after Robellin was executed.’
Was it because he was ashamed of his criminal wife?
Or was there another reason?
Lost in thought, I climbed the stairs—then saw my mother and father at the top.
Afraid they might notice my expression, I quickly pushed away my worries and smiled brightly.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes, very much. Thank you for the congratulations.”
But unlike what I said, my mind was tightly wound with tension.
