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Chapter 21
Willes appeared two or three months earlier than I had expected.
In the original story, he attempts his escape within a month of arriving at the villa.
It must be because I replaced a bunch of the villa’s staff.
Willes must have just returned from studying abroad in the Magic Kingdom.
And the moment he came back, he probably did everything he could to sneak into this villa.
In the process, thanks to me firing one-third of the employees, he managed to fill a vacant spot much earlier than planned.
Good. Good. Everything’s going perfectly.
At this rate, Edmund would be able to escape under far better circumstances than in the original.
And as a bonus, I’ll escape too!
To the world outside the book.
Of course, even if I succeed in helping Edmund escape, it’s not certain that I’ll be able to leave the book as well.
But the possibility definitely exists.
Even if I can’t… I don’t want to stay in this hellhole of a villa. But I also can’t go back to Cassia’s house.
The Count of Florence sold his illegitimate daughter to Duke Cohen.
And the Countess and my half-sister, who already hate Cassia, would be ready to torment me the moment I returned.
They were never my family to begin with.
Even if I return to Korea, I still won’t have a family…
Whether I go home or fail to, the only person who can take care of me is me.
So I needed to prepare thoroughly for my future.
-
If Edmund escapes and I return to reality
-
If Edmund escapes but I remain here
I have to be ready for both.
And in either case, there was one thing more important than anything else.
Money! I need money!
Whether in the book or in the real world, the thing that tormented me most was always this problem.
It has been a week since Willes snuck into the villa disguised as a gardener.
During that time, he successfully made contact with Edmund.
Ironically, because that woman hated me, it made it easier for him to meet the young master.
Cassia had given him extra tasks for ridiculous reasons.
Of course, she was doing so to help him meet Edmund sooner.
Willes had no way of knowing that.
And although it took some time, Willes eventually managed to reveal his identity and intentions to Edmund.
If Cassia had known, she would have complained loudly.
You didn’t open up to me that fast! You still haven’t!
Of course, Edmund, who was full of distrust in others, didn’t simply accept Willes right away.
But Edmund did remember meeting him once as a child.
If Willes hadn’t shown proof of his connection to Edmund’s mother and maternal relatives, the boy likely never would have trusted him.
Neither of them knew it, but Edmund trusting Willes this quickly was a deviation from the original story.
In the original, it took a full month before Edmund opened his heart to Willes.
And immediately after that, they attempted the escape.
Edmund didn’t know all this, but he did sense something was off.
If it were a few months ago… would I have trusted Willes this fast?
To put it more bluntly:
If it were before I met Cassia?
Even after seeing the letters from his mother, he probably would’ve still doubted Willes.
Edmund suddenly realized:
I’m trusting someone this easily… is this really okay?
But the boy now understood.
A girl’s kindness, consideration, and sacrifice had melted him.
That was why—
Edmund suddenly snapped in anger at something Willes had said.
“That kid is extremely cunning. She’s already infamous for flattering the Duke and being extravagant.”
“…Who do you think you’re talking about?”
Edmund was more shocked at himself for snapping.
Willes was just as shocked—and more than that, worried.
“Young Master?”
“…….”
They were secretly meeting in Edmund’s room for magic lessons and to discuss future plans.
When Cassia was mentioned, Willes had criticized her harshly.
And Edmund had exploded.
With a pale face, Edmund added defensively:
“Even so, she is nominally the young duke’s wife.”
“Surely you don’t trust that girl?”
Edmund quickly erased any trace of disturbance from his expression.
And with a firm, calm face, he replied:
“I don’t trust you completely either.”
“…That is indeed a wise decision. You must never trust anyone completely.”
Willes added firmly:
“Especially Cassia Florence. That child is just Appen’s pawn.”
Appen was the current Duke—Edmund’s uncle.
Edmund answered heavily:
“I know.”
He knew better than anyone.
But…
Just when I was dying from being busy, someone from the main family came.
At first, I thought Patrick had barged in again—but thankfully, it wasn’t him.
Still, although it wasn’t the Duke or Duchess—those boss monsters—
It was at least a mid-boss monster.
It must have been someone the Duchess sent to inspect the villa’s situation.
I absolutely could not afford to give them any reason to find fault with me.
The stern-looking middle-aged woman dipped her head slightly.
“I am Baroness Lillifen. The Lady’s senior maid.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Baroness.”
Forcing a smile that made my lips twitch, I greeted the unwelcome guest.
Why is the Duchess’s maid suddenly showing up when I’m this busy?
I received her in my sitting room.
Baroness Lillifen was observing me closely.
Like a store employee checking a product on display.
Right when the discomfort became clear, she opened her mouth.
And I realized my unease had been justified.
Because her gaze jumped straight to the yellow rose bouquet displayed in the corner.
“These are rather extravagant flowers for someone of your station.”
At that moment, it hit me like lightning.
Ah… she’s here because of Patrick!
A twisted feeling churned in my stomach.
Despite the time that had passed—and despite my efforts—the roses Patrick sent were already quite wilted.
Yet the fact she would deliberately say they didn’t suit this place—meaning me—
She’s basically saying Patrick and I don’t suit each other!
It was unfair!
I was offended!
I had nothing to do with that brat!
He just came on his own once and sent flowers, that’s all!
But I can’t say that out loud.
With a bright smile, I calmly replied:
“Yes, which is why I’m grateful to the person who sent them.”
Your precious young master sent them of his own accord, you know?
Baroness Lillifen frowned and spoke bluntly:
“Our Lady is very worried.”
“What kind of worry?”
“A message from the Duchess.”
She straightened her voice and spoke in an incredibly insulting tone.
“Know your place.”
“…Excuse me?”
Looking down on me with a contemptuous gaze, Baroness Lillifen openly mocked me.
“He is Young Lord Patrick, the future Duke of Cohen. It is obvious that someone like you does not belong at his side.”
There it is!
It finally came out!
Isn’t it too early for the pseudo–second-male-lead rivalry arc to start?!
I didn’t even do anything to him!
In morning dramas, if you’re going to say something like this, aren’t you supposed to hand over an envelope of money? Isn’t that the rule?
While I fumed inside, Lillifen continued smoothly:
“You haven’t forgotten your lowly birth and humble circumstances, have you? If it were just a fleeting romance, the Duchess would pay it no mind.”
Her tone suggested she was being extremely generous.
The mother and son really are alike—drinking kimchi soup before the rice cake is even cooked.
She was absolutely insufferable.
And she didn’t stop:
“But if you dare hinder the young lord’s future, the Lady will not remain still. So if you are entertaining any foolish dreams—”
At this point in the story, the Duke and Duchess were likely working on arranging Patrick’s marriage with a princess of Zenobia—the imperial family of the nation that conquered the fallen Palz Kingdom.
By arranging the marriage, they hoped to cast off the stigma of being from a former colony.
Under such circumstances, having a pesky little fly hovering around their son must have been irritating.
But—
I am way more irritated!
So I cut her off with a mocking smile.
“But I haven’t done anything, Baroness.”
I had done nothing.
The one getting tangled up all on his own was their son, not me.
I only stated the truth—but she reacted as if I’d said something impossible.
“What?!”
Her stunned expression amused me.
“I’ve given the Lady no reason to say such things to me. But whether I’ll continue to do nothing in the future… who knows?”
It was a threat.
You touched me first—should I stick to Patrick like glue and give you a real reason to worry?
Of course, I had no intention of doing that.
Baroness Lillifen went pale and trembled like she’d been slapped.
Anyone watching would think her phone’s on vibrate mode.
Thinking of the modern conveniences I missed, I felt a wave of nostalgia.
Then, just as she seemed ready to explode—
“Ho—how dare you— ugh!”
Oh, she bit her tongue. That must’ve hurt.
It looked painful, but she pretended nothing was wrong.
However—
“Baroness.”
“An apology is useless now!”
“No, that’s not it.”
“What do you mean—”
I pointed at her lips.
“You’re bleeding.”
“…….”
She had bitten her tongue that hard.
Flustered, Baroness Lillifen covered her mouth with her sleeve.
