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Chapter 05
Another Unwanted Guest Appears
Fortunately, when she returned, the Bluesiel Atelier was cleaner and more organized than usual.
‘What on earth is going on? Wasn’t the novel I transmigrated into The Oath of the Black Knight ?’
Adeline sat in the owner’s office, staring blankly out the window. The brilliant reddish-gold glow gently colored the sky.
Even after fleeing the Grand Duke’s estate and returning to the atelier, Adeline still couldn’t collect herself. The memory of scrambling away from Winster clung to her.
“Next time we meet, think up a better excuse.”
“……”
“I’ll listen to any excuse you make.”
She could have simply denied everything and said she didn’t know what he was talking about.
Why was she being so foolish?
“Boss, did things not go well?”
Ian entered the office and handed her a lukewarm cup of tea.
No matter how hot the weather was, Adeline preferred tea at a moderate temperature. Knowing that well, Ian always prepared it exactly the way she liked.
“Thanks, Ian.”
“You stayed at the Blackwood estate for quite a while. Nothing serious happened, right?”
“Not really.”
After taking a sip, Adeline slumped back onto the desk.
The sound of nightingales outside rose and fell. Between their songs, Ian’s voice reached her.
“At least drink some more tea. It’s the new geranium blend you made.”
“Mm, thanks.”
“This tea is the most popular one lately.”
“Mm, yeah.”
“Boss.”
“Mm, yeah.”
“Are you listening to me?”
“Mm, I am.”
“Boss!”
Adeline jumped and straightened up. Ian’s expression looked unusually troubled.
“Ian, is something wrong?”
“Yes. Something is wrong.”
“What is it?!”
“My boss has completely lost her mind.”
“……?”
Ian pulled the mirror on the table toward her.
“Boss, look at yourself. You look terrible. Almost as bad as when they said war had broken out with the Kingdom of Ludein.”
“Do I really look that awful?”
“Yes. Back then, you kept saying we’d definitely win the war, but you looked one step away from a coffin. You look the same now.”
“……The war ended, right?”
“Yes. It ended decisively.”
“Decisively, huh… Right. Wars are supposed to end decisively.”
“Just like you predicted, a forced peace treaty was signed. A complete victory for our Empire.”
Calling it a peace treaty was generous—it was practically making them a vassal state.
“And the Blackwood family led the war to victory…”
“Yes, exactly. His Grace, the Grand Duke of Blackwood, is the Empire’s hero. Even the other diplomatic envoys are busy watching his reactions.”
The long war had finally come to an end.
Winning against the Kingdom of Ludein was inevitable.
Just like in the original story, Winster—who had been forced onto the battlefield—returned as a hero.
Everything was the same up to that point.
The problem was that, unlike previous lives, the two of them had met at the Blackwood estate.
‘No… the real problem started when we met at the hotel, didn’t it?’
But could that really be called a problem?
The protagonist was already destined. If she left things alone, wouldn’t the story follow the original plot?
“Like you said, His Grace of Blackwood earned the greatest merit. The recent uproar over the victory celebration was also exactly as you predicted.”
“That’s because the Empress is wary of the Grand Duke’s household over the Crown Prince succession issue…”
“Yes, you’ve said that many times.”
Winster was the son of Heinrich II, the former Emperor.
The current Emperor was Philip III, Heinrich II’s cousin.
Naturally, rivalry formed between Philip III’s son and Winster.
“To think someone who risked his life in war would be treated so poorly—it’s ridiculous. If His Majesty Heinrich had lived longer, His Grace of Blackwood would undoubtedly be Crown Prince by now.”
Stories about Winster kept pouring from Ian’s mouth.
‘I clearly remember greeting my old classmates yesterday.’
If not for the splitting headache, she might have thought harder about everything.
Adeline pressed a hand to her head.
“Ian, did any customers come by today to place orders?”
“The young ladies of House Hamel stopped by.”
“They come often.”
“Yes, they’re among our most loyal customers. Also, the gentleman in the flat cap visited again. He ordered a large quantity of scented candles like last time.”
“Really? It’s nice that orders are increasing overall these days.”
“People seem excited since the war ended in victory.”
Winster was infuriating.
Still, increased sales were welcome.
Adeline justified it to herself and stood up.
“Ian, let’s close early today. I’m so tired I’ve got a headache.”
“Are you alright?”
“I’ll be fine after sleeping. Also, someone from the Blackwood family is supposed to come.”
“Will they compensate properly?”
“They will.”
Since they said they would, they surely would.
At least Winster wasn’t the type of man who lied.
If anything, his problem was being too honest.
“Until everything settles down, put up the ‘closed’ sign. And write letters to customers saying schedules may be delayed more than usual.”
“Understood.”
“We should contact the gentleman in the flat cap more politely. He’s going out to sea again this time, right?”
“Yes, he’ll be leaving soon. I’ll contact him immediately.”
“Thanks, Ian.”
“Boss, shall I escort you home?”
“No. It’s nearby, so I’m fine. You look exhausted too—go home and rest.”
“……Then I will.”
Adeline patted Ian’s shoulder once and walked away on legs drained of strength.
Only after arriving home did she hear an unexpected voice.
“Big sister!”
‘Am I hallucinating?’
The sky, burning redder and redder, eventually surrendered to darkness like black ashes.
Only a short time had passed since attending the reunion banquet, but she felt more exhausted than ever.
So hearing things wasn’t impossible.
“Big sister!”
“……?!”
Adeline looked down in shock.
Something small crashed against her knees like a tiny wave.
It was her youngest sibling, Luca.
Still very young, Luca hugged her tightly.
“Big sister! Big sister!”
“Luca?! How did you get here?”
“I came with—”
“Did you come alone?”
“No, little—”
“Were you hungry or tired on the way?”
Adeline stroked Luca’s hair.
Luca looked upset at being interrupted before finishing.
Then, instead of Luca’s cute answer, a sharp voice cut in.
“How did we get here? Seriously, sister, you’re awful. Do you know how hurt we were?”
When Adeline looked up, she saw her half-sister, Kayla.
“Kayla? Why are you here?”
“Is it strange for a younger sibling to visit her sister?”
“I never invited you.”
“Ugh! So annoying. Why is it so hot here? Adeline, hurry and open the door. Do you know how much trouble we went through coming all the way to the capital?”
“How did you even find this place?”
“Just open the door first.”
“I asked how you knew where I live.”
“I said open the door first!”
Kayla pointed at the door like she was giving an order.
“Adeline, you really live in a nice place. Meanwhile, the rest of us live in old worn-down houses.”
Adeline crossed her arms and glared sharply.
If Kayla hadn’t brought young Luca along, she would’ve wanted to throw her out immediately.
“Big sister.”
“Our Luca, it must’ve been hard coming all this way, right?”
“No. I’m not tired. Because I get to see you, big sister. Though… it is a little hot.”
Aside from Luca’s bright smile, Adeline wanted nothing more to do with the Primrose family.
Luca was still young, and cutting ties completely was impossible unless she abandoned her noble status altogether.
If possible, she even intended to buy a noble title someday.
She only planned to endure until then.
“Adeline, hurry and open the door.”
“Kayla.”
“Oh dear, our Luca’s about to collapse! Ah, right—I brought a very important letter too.”
The single letter in Kayla’s hand fluttered pitifully in the summer wind.
It seemed this summer was destined to become unbearably dreadful.
