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Chapter 7
Ah, she’s so beautiful.
I’d fall in love with Mom twice.
“I’ve only heard rumors about the young lady. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you properly. Do you remember me from the last party?”
“I heard you weren’t feeling well. Are you better now?”
“Yes. I’m fine now. Right, Lala?”
“Yes! Lala isn’t sick at all!”
As I responded confidently, the noble ladies gasped in delight.
“She takes after the Duchess. She’s so adorable.”
“Exactly. I bet just looking at her makes you feel full even without eating.”
Pleasantries were exchanged.
Mom seemed relieved that no one was paying attention to Baldwin.
“Children should play with other children. Shall we let Lala and Didi go now?”
“Of course, Duchess. Adults should have adult conversations.”
The noble ladies laughed with ambiguous smiles.
Mom led Baldwin and me over to the group of children.
It’s almost time. Really soon.
Camilla from the Royster Count family must be on the guest list.
That meant Camilla was definitely here too.
This was Baldwin’s chance.
A chance to make an impression on Camilla before Ains does.
“Lala, can you look after Didi?”
“Just trust Lala!”
Mom’s smile stiffened.
She spoke again—this time, directly to Baldwin.
“Didi? Please look after Lala.”
Baldwin nodded.
Tch. So she doesn’t trust me, huh.
Baldwin and I waved goodbye to Mom and walked toward the other kids.
At first, they looked wary like meerkats, but then they swarmed around us.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Lila. This is Rudella.”
“Ah. Lila, I’m Reece. That’s Lloyd.”
“I’m Damon!”
“I’m Kristy!”
Since I didn’t give my last name, the other kids didn’t give theirs either.
But they weren’t who I was looking for.
Right now, these kids wouldn’t help in making Baldwin the male lead.
Camilla… Camilla…
There she is!
The novel described Camilla as a fiery beauty with vividly red hair like flames and mysterious violet eyes.
Her red hair, a rare trait passed down only through the Royster family, was unique in the entire empire.
If Lila Lorobante, with her silvery hair like melted moonlight, was called the white deer, Camilla was called the red fox.
And Camilla, who looked like she stepped out of the novel itself, stood near the balcony.
Camilla had a lively personality.
But since the Royster family inherited black magic, other children avoided her.
That was because adults believed that, just like diseases, black magic could be contagious.
Luckily, Baldwin didn’t seem to have any thoughts about such things. He quietly followed me, holding my hand.
Noticing my gaze, Baldwin gave me a sweet smile.
My kitty.
Is it just me, or is he getting more handsome every day?
Good. With this level of charm, the female lead will fall for him in no time.
Trusting in Baldwin, I spoke to Camilla.
“Hi!”
“…Hello.”
Camilla looked at us warily.
“I’m Lila. This is Rudella!”
“…I’m Camilla. Camilla Royster.”
She definitely said her family name to see how I would react.
Makes sense. She’s probably only dealt with stupid kids so far. Of course, she’d be cautious not to get hurt.
Black magic isn’t contagious. It’s something you’re born with.
Any kind of power can be used for good or evil depending on how you use it.
Black magic was the same.
And Camilla was someone who worked harder than anyone to use her power for good.
Totally main character material.
Our heroine who overcomes trials to become a hero!
The noble children who had been tailing Baldwin and me now backed off.
From their wary glances, it was obvious they were gossiping about Camilla inheriting black magic.
One of the braver kids came up and spoke to me.
“Hey, Lila.”
“What?”
“You shouldn’t play with Camilla.”
What a half-baked show of courage.
Clearly, it was the adults who were at fault for planting these wrong ideas in their heads.
“Why?”
The child glanced nervously at Camilla.
Camilla’s bright face quickly darkened.
She bit her lip hard and lowered her head.
Ugh, seriously.
Don’t they realize she’s the female lead?
That’s why you’re all just extras.
I shook my head.
The child, who couldn’t even answer my question, turned red and shouted.
“Camilla uses black magic! That stuff is dangerous and can spread! If you catch it, you become a germ too!”
Good grief. What kind of ignorant adult told them that?
“My mom didn’t teach me that.”
The child flinched at my words.
“She said Camilla could become a great knight because she uses black magic! She said black magic isn’t bad!”
“M-my mom’s not a liar!”
Oh, so it was your mom, huh?
“Well, my mom’s not a liar either. She’s never lied to me!”
Ugh, having to argue on a child’s level is exhausting. But drawing attention by acting out isn’t ideal either.
I was very satisfied with my life right now.
Loving parents, adorable Baldwin, and I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
Life just looked beautiful at this point.
A wealthy, successful fangirl life? Yes, please.
No need to stir up chaos by standing out too much.
As long as I didn’t fall in love with Baldwin, my life would stay peaceful.
My response clearly triggered something in the kid.
“Ugh!”
Tears welled up in the child’s eyes as they glared at me and screamed.
“I’m not playing with you anymore!!”
Good. I’m not playing with you either.
The child gathered their friends and left.
Damn. What if they tell their parents?
No, I didn’t do anything wrong.
It’s the kid’s parents who should apologize for feeding them nonsense.
I decided to stand my ground.
“Nice to meet you, Camilla.”
Camilla carefully took my hand.
“Nice to meet you, Lila.”
“This is Rudella. She’s my study buddy. Super smart, kind, and pretty.”
And she has tons of charms I can’t even explain. You just have to experience her to understand.
Since I entered this novel, this might be the most nerve-racking moment yet.
The first meeting of the male and female leads!
Hold hands! Shake hands!
As if someone heard my prayer…
They held hands.
Even brushing sleeves can form a bond, they say.
Why does it feel like I’m a mom marrying off my son?
I approve of this marriage!
While I was gushing and mentally blessing their union…
Camilla asked me,
“Hey, Lila.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you really think so?”
“Think what?”
“That I can become a great knight… That black magic isn’t bad, and it can actually help me be better than others.”
“That’s a fact, Camilla.”
Camilla’s eyes trembled at my words.
“But… no one else thinks that way…”
“Then they’re the ones who are wrong! That’s not the truth.”
“Lila…”
“I believe you’ll use your power for good, Camilla.”
Because you’re the female lead—and I know a bit about you.
You’ve got a good heart.
Not just anyone can be the main character.
Camilla’s violet eyes sparkled.
Wait, did she fall for me instead of Baldwin?
Well, Baldwin and I are always together, so it’s basically the same thing!
Look, my little kitty—see what I did for you?
I got the female lead to be your friend!
So go for it!
Suddenly, Camilla hugged me tightly.
“Thank you, Lila…”
“Oh? Uh, yeah!”
I patted her back in a mature way.
And just like that, I naturally passed through the gates of friendship with Camilla.
Maybe that’s one step further away from my death?
In the original story, Lila used to hang out with the other kids and bully Camilla.
Calling her a black magic witch and all that.
But if I just did the opposite of everything original Lila did, the main characters wouldn’t hate me.
And that would increase my chances of surviving.
Ah, so clever, Lila.
Let’s keep it up just like this!
But contrary to Lila’s thoughts, the moment the two joined hands, they both realized something.
“We’re the same kind.”
Baldwin’s eyes sparkled.
And Camilla’s violet eyes gleamed.
“A kindred spirit.”
Far from Lila’s sweet hopes, their meeting wasn’t so warm and fuzzy after all.
“Nice to meet you.”
Baldwin gripped her hand.
Crack—
“Nice to meet you, too.”
Camilla returned the grip.
Crunch—
The only one who didn’t notice the sound… was Lila.
“So we’re friends now, right?”
Lila said innocently.
