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Chapter 32
The heroine called her maid sharply in a somewhat cold voice.
“Eri.”
Only then did Eri seem to realize the seriousness of the situation. Her defiance softened, and she lowered her head.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Wait outside.”
“But—”
“You’re making me speak far too much today.”
“…I apologize. I’ll wait outside.”
It made one wonder how much leniency she had been given for her to talk back like that. It was a sight you wouldn’t see among other nobles.
Considering that this was a class society where one must obey their master unconditionally, Eri’s behavior was far from normal.
It was almost as if she believed herself superior to her own mistress.
After Eri stepped outside, the heroine apologized in her place.
“I’m sorry. She’s like an older sister to me, so she worries about me a lot. Please forgive her.”
“No, it’s fine.”
I pointed to a nearby chair.
“Would you like to sit?”
“No, I’m alright.”
The heroine said nothing further. I didn’t know the male leads’ names, but if I could at least learn the heroine’s name, I might be able to figure out which novel this world belonged to. So I cautiously asked.
“May I ask your name?”
“Oh, I didn’t introduce myself. I assumed everyone already knew.”
Since I had no connections to nobles, of course I didn’t.
Until now, Mr. Bey had handled everything, but I was starting to realize that I needed to learn about the nobility myself.
If I ever got out and met him again, I should ask him for a list of nobles and their portraits. Memorizing faces would prevent mistakes later.
“I’m Rose Russell of the Green Tea Marquis family.”
…Is this really the novel I read?
At this point, doubt began creeping in. Even after hearing the heroine’s name — a decisive clue — no novel came to mind.
The name Rose Russell wasn’t exactly common.
I had already been suspicious because I couldn’t recall it, but now it seemed increasingly likely that this world belonged to a novel I had never read.
“Ah. I’m Coco.”
“Yes, I’ve heard your name.”
Now that I thought about it, she had known my name despite this being our first meeting.
Seeing my confusion, Rose Russell covered her mouth and laughed softly.
“I wanted to thank you for saving me that day.”
“That day?”
“It’s been a little while, but…”
She paused, as if calculating the date, then spoke again.
“Do you remember the day you met Archduke Jeffrey, His Highness the Crown Prince, and Priest Hedwin?”
Aside from the priest, that was the only day I had encountered such powerful men.
The day I had guessed they were male leads and avoided them all.
“…Yes.”
I didn’t bother hiding it. I had met all three again recently, and it wasn’t easy to forget faces like theirs.
Besides, Rose Russell clearly already knew, so denying it would only raise suspicion.
“And I heard you called soldiers for us afterward.”
“Ah…”
“It’s right to thank someone who helps you. But it’s not good for a commoner to get involved with nobles.”
“I just—”
I tried to make an excuse, but she gently cut me off with a kind smile.
“There’s no need for someone powerless like you to help. Even if it weren’t you, many people would have helped me. I’m a noble.”
“Even if there was no other choice?”
“Yes. It’s better for you to pretend you didn’t see anything. If you get involved, you’ll be the one who suffers.”
It was a friendly warning. And it wasn’t entirely wrong, so I simply nodded.
I didn’t understand why she had come all this way just to say that, but if she was the “overly kind heroine” type, it made sense. Most novels give their heroines that lovable trait.
And judging by how she didn’t scold her maid despite the blatant disrespect, she probably was genuinely worried about me.
“Yes, I’ll be careful.”
Still unconvinced, Rose Russell elaborated further.
Since the people involved weren’t ordinary men, she seemed especially concerned.
“It was overlooked this time, but if you keep getting entangled with those three powerful men, you’ll suffer. You could never handle them.”
I never intended to handle them in the first place.
“But usually, when you help a noble, you receive a reward, don’t you?”
“Do you really think they wouldn’t see through such naive thinking?”
That was true.
Everything she said was reasonable.
At the same time, my question made me seem like a clueless commoner.
Rose Russell sighed softly, then spoke firmly, as if showing me harsh reality.
“I’m a lady of a marquis family, and you’re merely a commoner. It’s important not to forget that. You have your world, and we have ours.”
“Yes, Lady Rose Russell. Thank you for reminding me of reality.”
I bowed deeply in gratitude.
I truly had no desire to become entangled with the male leads anyway.
“Hm, since you seem kind, I’ll tell you one more thing… Honestly, getting involved with unrelated men isn’t good for you either.”
“…Pardon?”
“You’re getting married, aren’t you? It would be terrible if misunderstandings ruined your marriage.”
“Marriage?”
“Yes. To Count Lipork. Congr— no, I shouldn’t say that.”
She started to congratulate me, then quickly shut her mouth.
But I was too stunned by the information to react to her hesitation.
“Count Lipork?”
I had never heard of that noble family before.
“I heard he’s very wealthy. You should be congratulated for going to a better place, right?”
Before I could ask anything else, she gently stroked my hair and left the room.
Silence fell.
It was Oried, eyes bulging in shock, who broke it.
[Coco… you’re getting married?!]
“Are you kidding me?!”
Marriage?! So it really was marriage?!
They’re already trying to sell me…!
Panic began to rise.
I have to get out somehow!
* * *
As Rose Russell stepped out of Coco’s room, she felt a little guilty — but also relieved.
Coco had been prettier than expected, enough to surprise her, but considering her miserable circumstances and impending marriage, she wasn’t a threat.
Rose Russell felt reassured.
She didn’t regret warning Coco. It wasn’t wrong.
When commoners get entangled with nobles, they suffer — just like Coco, who was being sold to a noble man with no connections.
Though she justified it to herself, the truth was she had come because she wanted to see Coco in person.
Eri followed beside her, glancing nervously before speaking carefully.
“Miss… I was rude earlier. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Seeing Rose Russell smile kindly, Eri finally relaxed.
“Doesn’t that Coco girl seem very kind?”
“Well… to me, you’re the kindest, Miss!”
Rose Russell smiled as if she had expected that answer.
She believed she was different from others.
One of the empire’s few marquis daughters, blessed with beauty, wealth, and a charming personality that drew people in.
Unlike typical nobles, she even got along well with commoners.
All of it made her shine brighter.
Everyone admired her. Envied her.
Gradually, she began to want more. She wanted to be special.
Then she met the three men admired by countless nobles.
People around her excitedly said she might become the sole recipient of all three men’s attention — like the heroine of a romance novel.
How wonderful that would be.
And there was no reason it couldn’t happen.
By chance, she had formed connections with all three men — something others didn’t have.
As envy toward her increased, she felt a strange satisfaction.
But Coco’s appearance stirred unfamiliar feelings — inferiority, jealousy, and anxiety.
‘Still, I don’t need to worry anymore.’
Coco’s beauty and situation were pitiful, but for a commoner, such a fate was not unusual.
* * *
“I’ll wait here, so don’t try to sneak off. Come out when you’re done.”
“Yes. I need to make up for all the prayers I missed, so it may take a while.”
The knight waved dismissively.
I bowed and entered the chapel, settling into a corner.
About a day after Rose Russell left, the baron informed me that I would be married soon.
I already knew, but I pretended to be shocked.
Then I begged to offer one last prayer of gratitude before leaving his household.
That was how I barely secured this opportunity.
My bruises had faded while I was locked up, and after tearfully asking to express my gratitude to the baron couple, they reluctantly allowed it.
Still, they were anxious about damaging their “goods,” so they sent a carriage and a knight to escort me.
The knight watched me pray for about five minutes, then stepped outside.
After confirming the surroundings, I cautiously stood up.
I had deliberately chosen a chapel with a back door, so slipping out wasn’t difficult.
That knight wouldn’t guard me the entire time. I knew him from before — he was assigned during festivals or my early days here.
He would likely wander nearby and return when it was time.
I had bought myself some time. I needed to meet Bey and Venus quickly.
Crossing the corridor, I hurried into the room where Venus stayed. Bey was there too.
Venus brightened immediately.
“Coco!”
“Hello. Have you both been well?”
After brief greetings, I got straight to the point. There wasn’t much time.
Even without explanation, they must have guessed why I hadn’t visited.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come before. This is urgent, so I’ll be direct. I’m about to be sold… please help me.”
Though they surely already knew—
For some reason, the moment I said it, both of their expressions turned ice-cold.
