RAL 28

A steady spring rain fell.

In the residence of Count Winsel, Celestine stood by the window of her room, staring blankly outside without moving an inch for quite some time.

The reason was simple.

It was raining in her heart as well—no, more like a torrential downpour.

I’m screwed.

…A lot had happened yesterday.

After saying what he needed to say, Dvaltin left without hesitation, and only then did Celestine hurriedly try to return to where Asha and Rio were.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say she tried to return.

“Lady Celestine.”

The moment she stepped out of the garden, the one she encountered was none other than Asha.

“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I got worried….”

Wow, I actually made Asha worry about me.
Since it was clearly her role to be the one looking after Asha, Celestine felt a deep sense of guilt.

As if seeing right through her thoughts, Asha gently clasped Celestine’s hand and reassured her.

“Lord Denheldin said he had to greet other guests and left shortly after. Thanks to that, I got to look around on my own. I was perfectly fine, so please don’t worry. I actually had a really enjoyable time.”

While they were talking, Dvaltin’s guard knight, Whisner, appeared in the distance. Just as Dvaltin had said, he escorted Asha back to the imperial palace.

“I’ll see you again next week, Lady Celestine. I’ll prepare fragrant tea and delicious desserts just like last time.”

Leaving those words behind, she departed.

Originally, the plan had been to advance the relationship between Rio Denheldin and Asha—just like in the original story—and then make Dvaltin jealous after seeing the two together.

So, in that sense, the entire plan could be considered a complete failure.

But that wasn’t what was stirring the storm inside Celestine’s heart.

Why!

Of all people—

Why Hella?!

Why is that woman investigating me?!

“I… I tried so hard to avoid being connected to anything….”

…Something had clearly gone terribly wrong.

Where on earth had she caught Hella’s attention?
Was it becoming Asha’s companion? George’s death? Being imprisoned in the underground dungeon and then escaping with Dvaltin’s help?

“Ha, damn it… In the original story, Hella didn’t even pay attention to someone like me….”

After returning from the party last night, Celestine hadn’t slept properly and had spent the entire day thinking it over—but no matter how much she pondered, she couldn’t find an answer.

“I don’t know what the Empress is thinking by investigating me, but there’s only one thing I can do right now. Stay as inconspicuous as possible… and pray this whole thing blows over quietly.”

In the end, Dvaltin had been right. There was nothing Celestine could do. All she could do was desperately hope it would pass as a minor incident.

“But where the hell did that old man wander off to?”

She had to inform Greg as well. Given the situation, she needed to warn him not to do anything reckless for a while.

But strangely, Greg hadn’t returned—not last night, and not even now, a full day later.

It’s not already too late… is it?

If it was, she would do whatever it took to get herself removed from the Winsel family registry.

Just as Celestine was making that rather absurd resolution—

“Miss.”

She turned her head to see Melsi entering the room with a tray in her hands.

“You didn’t seem to sleep at all last night, so I thought perhaps you’d like some warm tea.”

The tea was gently placed on the table. But unfortunately for Melsi, that wasn’t what mattered right now.

“Father? Still not back?”

“No. It seems his outing has taken longer than expected.”

Unaware of Celestine’s thoughts, Melsi nodded as she replied.

“As you know, there have been times before when he stayed away like this. But he always returns within three days.”

How would I know that?
Since possessing this body, this was the first time Greg had been gone this long.

Normally, she would’ve just enjoyed the peace and quiet—but not now.

“Do you know where he went?”

“No.”

“Could he have gone to Lete? Vien came to the mansion first, and they left together, right?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure. Whenever he visits Lete, he usually comes back right after finishing his business.”

Melsi tilted her head, then let out a small “Ah.”

“Still, he’ll probably stop by there. When he’s away for several days like this, it’s often because he’s with other nobles—and I’ve heard they usually wrap things up together at Lete.”

Wait a second.

Celestine’s emerald eyes flashed.

“Shall I send someone to Lete? It’s quite late now, so first thing tomorrow morning—”

“No, it’s fine.”

She had reached her limit. She couldn’t wait until morning—especially not without knowing what he was doing.

“Call a carriage, Melsi.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ll go myself.”

“You’d better not make any moves for a while. Especially at Lete—don’t get caught scheming in that damned café.”

It would be a lie to say Dvaltin’s warning didn’t weigh on her mind.

But she had no choice.

Besides, this wasn’t scheming—it was just a visit. Because she was worried about her father… or something like that.

“But Miss, it’s raining heavily….”

Melsi spoke anxiously, but Celestine was already busy preparing to leave.

—Didn’t he warn you? Why are you ignoring him?

“…What now?”

“Y-Yes?”

Celestine suddenly frowned mid-dress and muttered something incomprehensible, making Melsi flinch slightly.

“No, sorry. I wasn’t talking to you.”

She waved her hand dismissively.

—He told you not to go, and you’re still going lol. You didn’t even listen properly.

—Ugh… fine, just go and get wrecked by Hella.

—Acting all smart, and this is what happens. Trying to change the original story but ruining the logic—typical possession trope limitation.

“Oh, then what am I supposed to do?! Just sit here and wait?!”

You guys can read this like it’s a novel and feel nothing, but this is my reality!

“Yeah, whatever. Say what you want—I’m going.”

—I think it’s fun though? Even if the logic’s shaky, this kind of development usually leads to the male and female leads getting together lol.

Keep dreaming!

Celestine shouted inwardly.

“Miss… who exactly have you been talking to…?”

Ignoring Melsi’s worried gaze, Celestine patted her back a couple of times and dashed out of the bedroom.

Kneeling on one knee, head bowed, staring only at the floor—Dvaltin’s face was expressionless.

“…I have laid the groundwork for you until now. From here on, you must prove your own worth.”

Inside the vast reception room of the Empress’s palace,

Hella’s low voice pierced sharply into Dvaltin’s ears.

“The throne of the emperor is always like that. One must constantly demonstrate their own value. You understand what I mean.”

“…Yes.”

“No matter how strong my authority or how solid the foundation I’ve built through reputation, if you cannot uphold it yourself, it is all meaningless. And I have no intention of overlooking such a thing.”

Hella continued.

“So prove it.”

Thud.

As she finished speaking, a rolled document fell at Dvaltin’s feet.

He slowly reached out.

“It’s a kill list.”

Then he unfolded the scroll she had practically forced upon him.

“The names of those who will stand in your way. Those who will join forces to block your path.”

Written in elegant handwriting—

The names filled the entire page so densely that it was hard to take them all in at once.

“Kill them. With your own hands.”

“……”

“Every last one.”

As Hella’s commanding voice echoed, Dvaltin gazed at the list of noble names—

And a deep despair settled over his face