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Chapter 16
Why am I suddenly thinking about that story?
I mean, the fact that Bella is trying to kill me must, in some way, be a result of her affection for the original me, Ophelia Leora. For now, that’s the only thing I could choose to believe. The most positive interpretation.
Even so, I was still confused. She wanted to kill a helpless little chick. Was this really the Bella I knew—the one who, even with the strength of a predator, never harmed even the smallest thing?
Could it be that she isn’t sincere? Maybe she was just saying it in front of Clements, nervous, speaking words she didn’t mean?
If it’s not that…
“Take me to the palace. I truly wish to stay by Your Highness’s side.”
Clements simply stared at her without answering.
“If a price is needed for that, I will pay anything.”
Had I misunderstood Bella all this time? For some reason, I was afraid to meet her gaze.
Even though, just five minutes ago, I would have leapt with joy and cheered at those words, coming from Bella’s mouth now, I felt no happiness—only unease, even as she greeted me with an excruciatingly beautiful smile.
“Peep, peep!”
I tried to rush toward Bella as she left the room, but Clements had already grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.
“You naughty girl, little chick. Don’t give her any affection.”
This guy! Don’t insult our Bella!
This time, I pinched his palm hard.
“Ouch.”
“Your Highness, are you okay?”
…So, tonight, I’d have to stay with these little chick fools again, huh?
Bella had finally awakened, but something was still going wrong.
‘Ah, what should I do?’
If Clements ignoring Bella is because of me, the chick, and Bella trying to kill me is because of the human me…
…it was time for drastic measures. I would confess to both of them that I was Ophelia Leora, the pitiful little chick. Then they’d understand. They’d stop worrying about the chick and focus on each other.
Clements would naturally lose affection once he realized that the precious little chick was actually a fully grown human. And Bella would get back “her” Ophelia, the maid she had always talked about.
Though I wouldn’t be able to meet the cute little chick anymore, in its place, the fierce, absolute beauty of Honwood would enter their hearts.
Bella’s case was simpler.
“Bella, actually, I was that little chick. I got cursed the opposite way while gathering herbs.”
“What? You fool… I had no idea!”
“It’s fine. You didn’t have any ill intentions, did you? I wanted to return to you. Let’s go to the palace together. I’ll help you with anything.”
…That should be enough to reconcile, right?
The intense feelings would calm down soon enough, right? The Bella I had known since childhood wouldn’t hurt a living thing lightly, right?
Alright, let’s try it. I waited for the night with resolve. But…
‘Why does it have to go like this again!’
I swallowed my tears. My plan was falling apart before it even began. Perhaps it was karma.
Last night, the little chick had escaped, worrying me, so tonight the Crown Prince had decided to personally hold the little chick while sleeping.
Does that make sense…?!
“Don’t worry, I won’t crush you.”
Clements whispered as he effortlessly held me in his arms, keeping me from escaping. His voice was slightly tired with drowsiness.
“Even this small mansion isn’t safe for you. Don’t leave my hand day or night. Then I’ll protect you.”
No need… please… ah…
“Stay still.”
Huff…
My entire body had run out of strength. Me, yes, but Clements was truly a person with indomitable will.
What now?
Soon I’d transform back into a human. Clements would see me for the first time as a person, and here I was, being hugged on his bed. How awkward would that be?
‘Please… let me move out of his arms when I change…’
My only hope was that when I became human, my body would lift into the air.
‘Alright. When that happens, I’ll roll out of the bed with all my strength!’
I ran through the simulation in my head over and over.
The night passed sleeplessly, and soon I heard the soft, steady breathing behind me. Clements had fallen asleep. And then…
A rushing upward current. My body should have risen with white light emanating from it…
‘Ah, damn it.’
Clements was holding me so tightly with both hands that I couldn’t rise at all. Only his palms lifted slightly. Then, a small pop sounded.
In the next moment, I had returned to my human form and landed lightly in Clements’ arms.
“Ah! Aah!”
“…Hmm.”
Clements instinctively hugged me tighter as I tried to escape. His chest pressed against my back. His deep exhale brushed against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
“Aahhh!! Help the supporting character!!!”
My entire body froze. Damn it! What now?
This situation was full of problems. From beginning to end, it was a scene full of misunderstandings. If he wakes up…
“…What is this?”
Ah, why did the situation I feared happen so quickly?!
“Ah…!”
I thought I was trapped in an embrace, but my body rolled. In the next moment, I was pinned between the bed and Clements’ body.
Both my hands were caught in one of his.
And somehow, a dagger was now at my throat—I didn’t even realize when he had drawn it.
‘Crazy. That’s a knife.’
Had he hidden it under the pillow? Even in the faint light of night, the well-honed blade reflected sharply.
His eyes glinted sharply like broken amethyst. His voice, low and controlled, asked:
“Who are you?”
Just a small movement of his hand could slit my throat. But before that, the overwhelming aura he exuded—anger or intimidation—made it hard to breathe.
“I am…”
Trying to force out my voice, tears rolled down my cheeks despite myself. I just wanted to beg for my life. But first, I had to explain why he couldn’t kill me.
“I am Ophelia… Leora. Miss Bellarucia’s maid.”
“…‘That’ maid?”
Mentioning my name seemed to slightly ease the deadly aura. But the dagger at my neck and the wrist he held still trapped me completely. I couldn’t help but plead.
“Your Highness, my wrist… it hurts. Please let go.”
He didn’t even flinch.
“Did you think that being Bellarucia Monahan’s maid would guarantee your life?”
…Well, that’s true. But even being Bella’s maid, could I still be killed if Clements wanted?
I see. Clements was a person who used his authority to the fullest, cold and ruthless. Since he didn’t yet love Bella, even her cherished maid could be killed under his authority.
“….”
“You were so arrogant. Pathetic. What does she mean to me? And what, exactly, are you to her?”
Right. Even the woman destined to be his, Bellarucia Leunis Monahan, meant nothing to Clements Resta Dusingen yet. And maybe, I wasn’t all that important to Bella either.
“Did the Count send you? Since you couldn’t be my sister, he thought he’d shove even that maid into my bed?”
What a misunderstanding!
…It made sense. Given his status, given his appearance, how many would have tried to seduce him just to take his side?
Damn. Facing the male lead in the book, who was supposed to be a loving character, could not have been worse than this situation.
I tried not to look at the dagger pressed against my neck. I repeatedly encouraged myself, calmly, that if I spoke the truth carefully, it wouldn’t cut me.
“Leora was granted the title of Baron by His Majesty the Emperor 150 years ago. No matter how lowly a maid, one is not obliged to serve a nobleman in the night unless wed to him.”
If it’s not forced, it could be interpreted that I came voluntarily. Seeing Clements’ eyes, I realized that was the case and quickly added:
“Moreover, I already have someone promised to me in the future. This is not something I want. Your Highness, please allow me to explain.”
It wasn’t a lie. In the peaceful, comfortable future I envisioned, there was always a proper, obedient husband, fitting the circumstances of the Leora family.
Though that person was still blurry in my imagination, like a mist with no face or name, he existed.
Clements seemed lost in thought after hearing me. I decided to stop interrupting with further pleas. I closed my eyes, inhaled, exhaled. Steady.
“…Huh.”
Ophelia, stay calm!
“Sniff… sniff!”
“….”
Regrettably, in the face of life-threatening danger, I couldn’t stop my sobs. The first time I had shown this side of myself to such a great beauty, I was crying with closed eyes, trying to hold back sobs. As a fan, as a reader, as a supporting character, it was utterly humiliating.
How much time had passed? I opened my trembling eyes. Clements withdrew the dagger from my neck. Was he sparing me?
“…It smells.”
Huh? What?
Smell? Now? Do I smell?
Of course, I hadn’t bathed since the forest incident… My thoughts froze there.
Clements, still holding the dagger, lifted the edge of my cloak.
