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Chapter 5
Of course, I had already predicted that Rishid would react like this.
I knew very well that he’d try to seek help from a priest.
So naturally, I’d prepared a move of my own.
“How could I have known that…? I swear I didn’t.”
I furrowed my brow, feigning sincerity.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace! I never thought you’d turn to the clergy for help. Every temple is already in His Majesty’s hands!”
As I clasped my lips shut in perfect despair, I could feel the duke’s composure waver.
Yes, that’s right. You can’t afford to have the Emperor get a hold of your weakness, can you?
If you so much as breathe near a priest, the news will reach the Emperor before dawn.
“And there’s one thing you’re misunderstanding, Your Grace.”
I shook my head, as if deeply wounded.
“Why would I ever sell you out to the father who despises me? The man doesn’t even think of me as family…”
Everyone in the social circles knew it — Airel, the illegitimate daughter of Duke Blandiche, was on cold, formal terms with her father.
So there was no reason for Rishid not to believe me.
Tears pricked my eyes as I whispered,
“And… you know this already, don’t you?”
“…What?”
“That I’ve always… harbored feelings for you.”
For a split second, his crimson eyes faltered.
I seized that opening without hesitation.
“Please, just trust me this once. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you— even before my own life.”
“…You, protect me?”
“Yes. I promise I’ll do everything I can to help you. And if you ever sense even the slightest hint of betrayal from me, then…”
“You may drive your sword through my heart without hesitation.”
If that day ever comes, I’ll be as good as dead anyway.
“How about now, Your Grace? Do you trust me a little more?”
I gestured toward the blade pointed at me and smiled with all the confidence I could muster.
For a moment, something subtle flickered across Rishid’s gaze.
“Milady…? What happened to your face? Did you fight someone again?”
When I returned to the mansion, Janice looked at me in alarm.
“My face? What about it?”
I turned toward the mirror— and nearly screamed.
My silver hair was a tangled mess, and my lips were pale and dry.
Oh, heavens.
So I talked to the male lead looking like this?
Sure, Airel had been described in the novel as beautiful beyond reason, but still…
Confessing love with this face… that’s rough.
Probably the first time she’s ever confessed directly, too.
Sorry, Airel.
But since I’m the one cleaning up the mess you made, you’ll have to forgive me a little.
As I apologized silently to the original owner of this body, Janice came closer and began brushing my hair.
“It’s strange. You’ve been acting so differently lately.”
“Differently?”
“Yes. You’ve lost all interest in dressing up. And that odd little bag you made yourself— you actually took it outside! It’s just… not like you.”
“Ah.”
I froze for a moment, glancing down at the pouch slung around my shoulder.
Inside that pitch-dark bag, Rishid— who had decided to follow me— was glaring up at me with glowing red eyes.
A chill crawled down my spine.
“Uhh— t-thank you, Janice. You can go rest early tonight! I’ll take care of my bath and bed myself.”
“Already? But—”
“Please. I’m just exhausted. Tell the maids not to come in either, all right?”
Though she looked puzzled, Janice eventually nodded and left the room.
Click.
Only when I heard the door close did I finally exhale in relief and pull the bag off my shoulder.
“Whew… You can come out now, Your Grace.”
As I set it gently on the bed, the pouch gave a faint twitch.
“Ah— wait! Shoes!”
The moment he stepped out, I grabbed his hem.
“…What are you doing?”
Rishid’s crimson gaze sharpened as his hand touched the sword at his waist.
“N-no, I just meant— please take off your shoes before getting on the bed!”
What kind of barbarian wears shoes on white silk sheets?
Not me, thank you very much.
I pointed to his boots, horrified at the thought of black footprints.
He let out a humorless laugh.
“You truly are… a troublesome woman.”
“But footprints will get you in trouble too! The maids might notice, and then word will reach my father— and then—”
After my frantic explanation, he finally smirked and kicked off his boots behind him.
“Satisfied?”
“Perfect!”
I flashed him a thumbs-up and let go.
He looked at me as though wondering how a human being could possibly be this ridiculous.
“Feel free to look around, Your Grace! If you need anything, just say so.”
“Very well.”
He tilted his chin slightly, scanning the room.
Five seconds later, his judgment fell.
“For someone so obsessed with tidiness, your room is appallingly gaudy. Chaotic. No aesthetic sense whatsoever.”
“Ugh…”
I flinched.
He wasn’t wrong— Airel’s room was overdecorated.
And yes, that was completely my fault.
I thought he’d like opulence— he’s a duke, after all!
If only he knew how much effort I put into this interior design. Even Janice had called me insane.
“…You caught me off guard,” I muttered.
“I’d rather not catch you anywhere else.”
“….”
For a fleeting moment, I actually wanted to punch him.
While I was still fuming, Rishid drew his sword and yanked aside the curtains covering the wall behind my bed.
“Why’s this covered?”
“Ah— w-wait, don’t—!”
I leapt forward, face burning.
“Please don’t open that! I’ll really get mad, I swear!”
“Mad? Is that supposed to be a threat?”
“N-no, not a threat— a request!”
He raised an eyebrow.
“A request, then?”
“Yes! A sincere one!”
I nodded desperately.
There was no way I could tell him what was behind that curtain.
That wall had traumatized me enough on the first day I possessed this body!
He studied me quietly for a moment, then sheathed his sword.
“Very well. I’ll consider it… a request.”
Relief flooded me.
At least he listens when I ask politely…
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
In the novel, Rishid had been a man of pure steel— cold, ruthless, willing to cut down anything in his way.
“The northern duke who slaughtered both men and monsters alike.”
That was Rishid Ephenterion.
And yet, with the heroine Seria… he was sweet enough to drive readers insane.
Maybe that’s why I’d fallen for him, too.
I wonder… what kind of man he’ll be once the curse is gone.
I looked at him again— and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
So small.
The Rishid before me was no taller than a child’s doll.
Round and stubby— like a tiny bean-shaped toy.
He wasn’t ridiculously miniature, but still small enough to be… adorable. Even his scowling face only made him look cuter.
How strange, I thought.
A voice that deep coming from a body that tiny.
Even if everything went wrong, I wanted— just once— to see his true form.
Then, his voice broke the silence.
“Then, Lady Airel.”
He sat casually on the edge of my bed, as if none of this was remotely unusual.
“Where am I supposed to sleep?”
Steam rose in thin, white wisps from the small wooden tub.
Soft bubbles enveloped Rishid’s tiny body like a pale mist.
He looked down at himself, frowning.
…Small.
Hands. Feet. Even his torso.
Nothing about this body matched his true size or proportion.
He brushed a hand down his face.
A curse, he thought grimly.
Just what kind of ridiculous trick is this?
