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CHapter 6…………………………………
“Shh, be quiet.”
“Mm. Sorry.”
“Apologies aren’t necessary. Why did you come in here?”
“I… uh. I came to warm up bread?”
“You came into the office to warm bread, and then ended up reading documents for nearly an hour?”
Damn it. So he saw everything. Radian looked at Michael with an awkward expression.
“Let’s not be too harsh on each other, fellow night intruders. Anyway, thanks. You’re the one who helped me, right? You saved my life.”
There was an edge to Radian’s words. I’m a night intruder too, but so are you. It was a reminder that they were both accomplices and should stay quiet. At the same time, she was genuinely grateful. Radian smiled and bowed her head obediently to Michael. Michael gave her a strange look.
“You’re bowing to a servant? The noble lady of the marquis’s household?”
“I’m just saying thank you because I’m grateful. Being noble doesn’t mean you don’t acknowledge kindness.”
Michael narrowed his eyes as if trying to read Radian’s intentions. Radian tried her best to meet his gaze sincerely. After a few seconds, Michael let out a sigh and smiled like a spring breeze.
“You’ve changed a little, Lady.”
“Did we know each other?”
Radian tilted her head and asked. Michael smiled bitterly.
That was strange—Radian, as a 21-year-old, should have had no connection with him.
“I’ve always been watching you.”
Even though he said “you,” Radian focused on his words. Since when had he been watching me? She only started remembering servants’ names and faces after her regression.
As Radian looked puzzled, Michael stepped closer. Their eyes met at the same height. Suddenly, Michael grabbed a handful of her soft hair and pressed a kiss to it.
“It’s too late for a noble lady to still be awake. You should go back now.”
“W-wait…!”
When Radian blinked after losing the staring contest, she was already on her bed. She blinked repeatedly in disbelief, but there was no doubt—this was her room.
“What… am I dreaming?”
She wondered if it had all been a dream, but the apple still in her hand proved it had happened. A teleportation spell would require at least a 6th-class level of magic, yet the boy had done it without any incantation.
Maybe even his appearance was something he had created. Radian frowned. She considered going back down, but feeling both tired and cautious, she burrowed back under the blanket instead.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
It wasn’t like this was the only night she had.
Just as she was about to fall asleep—
Thud, roll…
Startled, Radian turned toward the sound in the darkness. In the middle of the room lay the basket she had taken from the storage room earlier, with an apple rolled out beside it.
“What is this…?”
When she approached, the basket was filled not only with apples and bread, but also honey, cookies, and other foods she liked. It was likely Michael’s magic.
“How does he know my taste so well?”
Radian muttered, glaring at a macadamia chocolate cookie. It was her favorite. After her marriage, she had barely been able to eat them anymore, dismissed for having a childish palate.
Crunch.
The cookie crumbled in her mouth.
“…It’s good.”
It had been so long that it was almost tearfully delicious. But the sweeter the cookie, the more bitter her mouth felt. Today had been a day of missed chances. The only gain might have been Michael.
Michael—the little angel of Skannan Castle. But perhaps not just that. She needed to learn more about him. After eating three cookies, Radian finally went to bed.
“Will you marry me?”
Radian stared at the man in disbelief.
It was her first social debut, but because another noble daughter from a count’s family was debuting on the same day, she received little attention.
Due to her baron family’s financial difficulties, Radian wore a dress altered from her mother’s. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit her height, leaving her hem too short and her ankles exposed. Feeling self-conscious, she had stepped out onto a dark balcony—only to hear something dreamlike.
The man was Iriett Skannan, the eldest son of the Skannan ducal family. His neatly swept-back red hair and burning red eyes held an unreadable passion.
Radian’s heart pounded wildly. How could something like this happen to her?
He looked at her with an affectionate gaze, took her hand, and whispered:
“I think I’ve come to like you.”
A blatant lie.
Radian’s eyes snapped open.
She had woken up in a cold sweat, her back soaked. Sitting up, she angrily brushed back her tangled hair. Her wavy green hair rustled like wind through reeds.
“This is insane…”
Memories of this world, which she had forgotten while living as “Lee Soo,” were slowly returning. Sometimes she would remember them while walking; other times they appeared in dreams. They were not good memories, and lately her mood had been worsening.
Then she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
It wasn’t just her imagination—red stains had bloomed on the bed.
Her period had arrived.
“Ah.”
Her cycle, which came like clockwork once a month, made life miserable. Radian’s cramps weren’t severe, but the first two days left her weak and in bed.
Knock knock.
Wendy? Just who she needed. Radian called out brightly.
“Come in.”
“Radian.”
But the person who entered was unexpected.
Iriett Skannan stood at the door.
Since that day, their relationship had remained strained. Without noticing her pale face, he spoke quickly.
“This afternoon we’re going on a picnic. It’s in two hours, so get ready quickly and come down.”
His tone assumed she would naturally attend. Radian was stunned.
“Why would I… with your family?”
“I’m not feeling well today, so I’ll rest.”
Iriett looked genuinely shocked. She did look unwell—pale face, colorless lips, and a frail body.
“You’ll get sick staying cooped up like this. Mother specifically asked me to bring you. Unless you’re on the verge of collapsing, you should attend.”
“Honestly, Mother, Mother… you’ve become quite the filial son.”
Radian frowned.
“Anyway, get ready.”
“I can’t. It’s the first day, and I’m in pain.”
“Can’t you just hold it in? I know someone whose wife exercises and holds it when going out.”
Radian stared at him in disbelief.
After a moment, Iriett’s face turned bright red.
“Do you have no shame as a woman?! How can you say something like that in front of your husband?”
Radian burst out laughing.
“Ah—hahahaha! Who even says things like that? Count Nex? Honestly, what nonsense!”
Iriett, unable to deny it, clenched his teeth.
“What’s so funny?”
“If you’re ignorant, you’re really bold. Don’t hang around that guy; you’ll bring your standards down. If you were bleeding from a stab wound, would you just hold it in? That’s how ridiculous you sound.”
Iriett turned red with embarrassment.
“I… I don’t know about women’s matters.”
“Exactly. Then don’t pretend you do.”
He fell silent.
“Fine… I must have upset you. So please calm down…”
He sat beside her, reaching for her hand. Radian pulled it away sharply.
“You said periods are unclean. I wouldn’t want to harm such a noble husband.”
“I… I see…”
Iriett awkwardly stood up, rubbing his pants as if uneasy.
Radian watched him calmly.
“I do understand your feelings… I’m grateful. That’s why I asked for ham sandwiches for the picnic…”
“I still want you to come.”
His voice was sweet, but Radian felt only irritation.
“…Hah.”
This was clearly Shan’s doing.
If she refused now, Sylvia or Shan would likely force her anyway.
Better to accept and rest as much as she could.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
“Really? Thank you. Wear something comfortable. You look beautiful in anything.”
“However.”
Iriett turned back.
“This is the only time I’ll obey you without question.”
