Chapter 10:
“The Duchess of Felond has come to see you.”
“…What?”
The next day, I was reading a book in the library under Bertha’s name when I quickly hid it under the sofa in the servant’s presence.
There was no benefit in being caught reading by the servant planted by the high priest.
But the name he mentioned made my eyes twitch.
Is this a magnesium deficiency? No—no, it’s because of that name.
Alexandra Roxanne Felond.
The protagonist of the novel I transmigrated into—
<In This Life, I Won’t Lose My Husband>—
came to see me.
“She… came to see the Saintess? Me?”
“Yes. I’ve escorted her to the reception room. What should I tell her?”
The servant hesitated, watching my reaction.
Even though Alexandra was looked down on in society as a “villainess,” her status was still high enough that servants couldn’t treat her carelessly.
But this is strange.
According to what I read, meetings with the Saintess were officially restricted.
And the high priest wouldn’t want my identity revealed.
I glanced at the servant.
The same arrogant servant who used to treat me coldly now looked pale and uneasy.
Could it be because of that?
The Felond family was a key supporter of the high priest’s faction.
Maybe he thought Alexandra came here under the High Priest’s orders.
And since the high priest was currently away, he couldn’t confirm it.
“…Wait.”
Another thought hit me.
How did Alexandra even find this place?
What point in the story is this?
I quickly thought it through.
If this is her first life, she has no reason to come.
She wouldn’t know about the affair yet.
But if this is her second life…
Then she has a reason.
But even then—
She shouldn’t be able to find me.
Because in the original story, Alexandra only discovers the Saintess’s identity much later.
Then…
Did she really come under the high priest’s orders?
A chill ran down my spine.
No.
That couldn’t be.
If that were the case, the story wouldn’t unfold the same way.
Then Alexandra would already know from the beginning that the Saintess is her husband’s mistress.
What is going on?
One thought popped into my head.
Should I run?
No.
I shook my head.
I need to meet her—
If only to confirm what timeline this is.
And more importantly—
Nothing happened between me and Rexton.
That’s certain.
Plus, I already kicked him there twice.
So—
Let’s meet her.
Let’s confirm everything.
I took a breath and answered,
“I’ll go right away.”
The servant bowed.
“I’ll help you change.”
“No need. I’m already dressed to go out.”
“…My apologies.”
He bowed even deeper.
The truth was—
I only had two indoor outfits, this one outdoor outfit, and my ruined banquet dress.
The servant knew that.
I shrugged and stood up.
***
My hand was damp as I held the reception room doorknob.
I took a slow breath—
Then pushed it open.
Creak—
The room slowly came into view.
A noblewoman stood from the sofa, sunlight behind her.
Long red hair flowing behind her.
Clear green eyes like fresh leaves.
This calm, elegant woman—
Was Alexandra Roxanne Felon.
She’s so beautiful.
Seeing my favorite character in real life made me emotional.
“Saintess, why are you covering your mouth?”
Oh.
I lowered my hand quickly.
“You’re too beautiful.”
…I think I’m catching a cold.
“…Pardon?”
She blinked.
Oops.
I waved my hands.
“When I see someone beautiful, I say weird things.”
“…Pardon?”
“Unni, you’re so pretty.”
…Crap.
Seeing her confused expression, I panicked too.
Words spilled out uncontrollably.
“Do you know how moved I was yesterday? Your green dress matched your eyes perfectly—it was so elegant. When I opened the door just now, all I saw was light. I almost went blind!”
“…”
After a pause, she spoke stiffly.
“…Thank you for your words, Saintess.”
“I mean it.”
I winked and gave a thumbs-up.
But she just looked at me coldly.
She probably thought I was mocking her.
She sighed slightly and stepped aside.
“Let’s sit and talk.”
“Yes.”
Her cold tone made me shrink a little.
She sat on one sofa, and I sat across from her.
Her hands were slightly trembling—
But her voice was steady.
“Thank you for seeing me despite your busy schedule.”
Her tone was firm.
I spoke carefully.
“No, I should be the one—”
Then she met my eyes.
Hostility.
Anger.
Disdain.
Emptiness.
All in one gaze.
I swallowed.
I knew instantly what it meant.
She didn’t come here for the Saintess.
She came for her husband’s mistress—
Serenity Tites.
My head spun—
Then she spoke.
“Do you remember the day you came to see me?”
“…What?”
“That day, you said your name was ‘Tites.’ Not ‘Serenity.’”
“…?”
Was that even in the original story?
I couldn’t remember.
She studied my expression.
Then continued,
“Last night at the banquet, you left with my husband. And then—”
“Nothing happened!”
“…What?”
“I’ll explain everything!”
I quickly told her everything—
How I tripped the noble lady holding wine.
How I slipped out into the hallway.
How Rexton dragged me into a room—
But I escaped.
“I’m completely innocent!”
I looked at her earnestly.
“I can even bring a witness!”
The Black Mage.
If needed, I could call him.
He works (on the surface) as an Inquisition official.
Even if she doesn’t believe me, she’d believe him.
Though… he probably wouldn’t cooperate easily.
Still—
Before I could continue—
I froze.
Alexandra’s eyes were shaking.
“…Why?”
“…What?”
“Why would you… end things with him?”
Now.
This is my chance.
I shouted sincerely,
“Because you exist!”
Her eyes widened.
She couldn’t believe it.
After staring at me for a long moment, she said slowly,
“…You’ve changed. Saintess.”
Strange tone—
But I didn’t have time to think.
Now or never.
I clasped my hands together and declared,
“Yes! I’ve turned over a new leaf! That Saintess—no, I—was terrible! But now I deeply regret everything! I swear I’ll never appear anywhere near you again!”
I was ready to kneel if needed.
But then—
I saw her face.
Pale.
Lips trembling.
Eyes like she heard something she shouldn’t have.
“…Then… let me ask directly.”
She steadied herself.
“Saintess…”
Her eyes filled with doubt and confusion.
“…Have you regressed?”
“…I transmigrated.”
“…What?”
