EVHE 42

Chapter 42

“You’re absolutely flawless now, my lady.”

Lake was, as always, kind and gentle.

But his presence today felt different from usual. Maybe it was his attire—he looked more like a refined young noble than a proper knight.

“Thank you.”

I lowered my gaze to hide the unnecessary flush creeping into my cheeks.

When the music ended, we moved toward the tables.

‘Ugh, I’m exhausted!’

The joy faded, and the fatigue doubled.

My stomach felt queasy, my feet ached, and the dress that had seemed so beautiful earlier now felt heavy and cumbersome.

‘I’ve already seen Lake, so maybe that’s enough.’

The ball wasn’t a one-day event anyway—it would go on for four more days.

I could meet the others later.

‘It’s quieter than I expected.’

Was it just because I’d stayed out of the way? The ballroom seemed perfectly ordinary, with nothing unusual happening.

Olivia was far away on the other side, and even Nox and Calix appeared to be getting along well enough.

‘Well, you never know with people.’

Avoiding them altogether seemed safer.

“The only two staircases to the second floor are over there, right?”

I pointed at both with my finger.

One was the grand staircase the Empress Dowager and princes had descended, the other was meant for nobles.

“Yes. Is there somewhere you’re trying to find?”

“Oh, no. I just thought I’d get some fresh air.”

In the original story, Lilith—blinded by jealousy—pushed Olivia down the stairs. The male leads who saw it began to truly see her as an enemy.

‘Even if I don’t push Olivia…’

If a similar situation arose, just being near the stairs could lead to dangerous misunderstandings.

“Why don’t you go enjoy yourself too, Sir Lake?”

At a ball, it was poor manners to monopolize someone for too long.

Normally, Lake replied instantly—but this time, he stayed silent.

“I’m afraid to let go of your hand, my lady, in case you leave me for someone else.”

His lips curved in a quiet, serious line.

“Oh my, is that… jealousy?”

I let out a playful laugh, saying something completely ridiculous.

“I’m joking. Jealousy doesn’t suit you at all, Sir.”

It was hard to picture him feeling envy—he seemed gentle to everyone.

“When I was young, I used to feel jealous sometimes. I even bawled once because my mother gave candy only to Olivia.”

The sudden confession of his childhood made me blink.

“T-that’s not quite what I meant, but… alright.”

I gave a dazed answer, and Lake chuckled, as if admitting it was all a joke.

“Why are you laughing?”

When I asked blankly, he replied with a voice still tinged with amusement.

“I get jealous often, my lady.”

His warm gaze met mine.

“Now… and in the future as well.”

I reluctantly took my leave and slipped outside. Soon I found myself in the garden, and my steps carried me toward a lake.

A lake inside the palace…

It was vast enough to be mistaken for the sea, with a long white bridge stretching out over it like an observation deck.

I leaned on the railing. Above, the night sky glittered with countless stars. A deep breath brought in crisp, cool air that cleared my head.

No one else was around. From beneath the glass floor, fish occasionally leapt from the water.

‘Maybe my worries were for nothing.’

The ball was so calm, it felt almost too peaceful.

Maybe I should just go back to Richelle and enjoy myself in comfort.

“My lady!”

A bright voice called to me, and I turned without thinking.

“Olivia?”

There she was, in a yellow dress, eyes sparkling.

“What brings you here?”

Normally I’d have welcomed her warmly—but tonight was different.

“The air inside was stifling.”

“It is, isn’t it…?”

Oblivious to my unease, Olivia walked over and leaned against the railing beside me.

“Weren’t you with the others?”

I glanced around nervously, but saw no dark-haired men, nor any tall staircases nearby.

I forced myself to relax and edged a step away from her.

“Oh, I just left both of them behind.”

Olivia smiled harmlessly. Then, clasping her hands together shyly, she continued.

“I’ve spoken with His Highness the First Prince a few times now, and he seems like a wonderful person—so kind and considerate.”

Him? The praise made my eyes twitch involuntarily.

In the original story, he had been that way only toward Olivia—so her words made sense—but still, I felt strangely distant.

“And today… he seemed even more dashing. His smile is so charming. Don’t you agree?”

She looked at me as if seeking my agreement. I nodded absently.

‘So they’ve already grown close.’

At last, Calix’s attention seemed to have shifted to Olivia.

That meant he’d stop bothering me. I should consider that a relief, despite the lingering unease.

“I’ll head back in now. Don’t stay out too long—you might catch a cold.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

Leaving Olivia smiling brightly behind, I descended the short five-step stairway from the bridge—carefully, just in case.

“My lady.”

Olivia called after me before I could head toward the ballroom.

“I’m so, so happy we’ve become such good friends…”

She lowered her gaze, her cheeks blooming pink like a girl in love.

“I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

For a long time? I stared blankly at her awkward phrasing.

“So…”

She was about to say more when—

Crack—!

A sharp sound pierced the air. I whipped around, but the palace walls were unchanged.

The only thing in this space that could make that sound…

“…Olivia.”

A bad feeling gripped me. Olivia, too, glanced down at the glass floor with a pale face.

“Olivia!”

I lunged toward her, reaching out to grab her.

But the faint noise exploded in an instant, engulfing the entire bridge.

“Olivia!!!”

The pitch-black lake swallowed her whole.

I stared down in shock from the edge.

The lake’s depth was unknowable, its darkness broken only by the splashes and muffled cries below.

My breath came fast. I’d seen this before—

Exactly the same as in my second life, when I had drowned trying to save Olivia.

“No, no! Please!”

I slapped the sides of my head.

There was no time to waste—Olivia couldn’t swim at all. If I didn’t save her, she would drown.

My vision swam, my head spun. There was no time to call for help.

I staggered forward, about to dive in—when a black figure suddenly leapt into the lake before me.

At the same time, a strong grip yanked me back. I would have fallen if they hadn’t held me firmly.

It was a familiar face—crimson eyes looking down at me without warmth. If anything, they were icy cold.

“C-Cal… Calix?”

My words came out haltingly. What I saw in his gaze was frozen anger.

‘If Calix is here… then the one who jumped in is…’

My heart plummeted. A chill ran through me.

A dark silhouette emerged from the lake, cradling Olivia. I hurried down from the bridge to see who it was.

Holding Olivia—who was coughing and spitting out water—was…

“You owe me an explanation, my lady.”

The voice was wet and deadly calm, his eyes boiling with rage.

Nox glared at me like a predator ready to tear me apart.

I knew this scene. In the original, when Lilith had pushed Olivia, these two men had seen it—and that was when she became their sworn enemy.

The lines filled with hatred and condemnation that I’d read in the novel seemed to be unfolding before me now.

The circumstances were different, but the outcome would be the same.

Even if I explained, they wouldn’t believe me. I was now truly their enemy.

“Gone deaf already?”

Nox’s tone abandoned even basic courtesy, as if certain I had tried to harm Olivia.

The pressure radiating from him seemed to pierce straight into my brain.

I tried to keep calm, but my body trembled uncontrollably.

‘This is the worst.’

And to make it worse, the man standing behind me was also one of Olivia’s men.

Olivia’s fall had been an accident—but here, I had no allies.