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Chapter 17
“You’re someone our master is very closely connected to…”
Roten muttered faintly, shoulders drooping. I blinked, replaying his words in my head.
“Huh?”
“The only young lord of the Kazliden family, who currently governs Proud…”
“Oh.”
…I’m doomed, aren’t I?
Felix Kazliden.
There was no way I wouldn’t know that name.
My life.
That evening, as I happily poked my fork into a perfectly grilled piece of meat, I began reflecting on life. But no matter how I thought about it, there was no making sense of this.
Seriously? This is how we meet?
Sure, I figured we’d run into each other eventually. I’m the villain’s first love, after all, and he’s the ruler of Proud.
But right now, I’ve been avoiding him! I expected maybe to see him from afar — not face-to-face like this.
“Amel.”
My grandfather suddenly spoke up, cautiously.
“What’s wrong with your face?”
“M–my face? What about it?”
Startled, I asked, and he furrowed his brows. The expression looked oddly familiar… maybe just my imagination?
“You look like you’re about to be buried in a coffin.”
“A coffin… I might be soon.”
“What?”
His face immediately hardened. Bang! The knife hit the table as he asked in a low, chilling voice:
“Who is it?”
“…What?”
I blinked, confused. But he already looked certain, as if he’d drawn his own conclusion.
“Who’s threatening to kill you?”
“…?”
Excuse me? What genre did we just jump into?
“W–what do you mean, threatening me?”
“You just said you’d be in a coffin! Who’s trying to stuff you into one alive? Don’t tell me those bastards are threatening you again?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Ungrateful punks. Who do they think they are to bother you? I leave them alone for a few months and they lose their damn minds.”
“Sir, that’s not—”
“Damn it. I knew I should’ve cleaned up that street properly back then.”
“……”
…Yeah, I definitely missed my window to clear this up. I quietly stuffed the pre-sliced meat into my mouth.
While I was still chewing, Grandfather calmed himself down and gripped his knife again.
“Don’t worry. Who do you think I am? I’ll go teach those little bastards a lesson myself.”
“…Thank you.”
It was a small misunderstanding.
But he’s not wrong about those guys deserving payback.
For the sake of the bigger picture, I decided not to correct him.
I kept eating my nicely cooked meat as he suddenly spoke with renewed determination.
“Tomorrow, I’ll have to step out for a bit.”
There was a certain grim resolve in his tone, but there was no point trying to stop him now.
I just asked him not to make it a bloodbath and popped a perfectly grilled vegetable into my mouth.
I should ask him later if there’s a back entrance I can use.
Even if I change the story from the original, Felix is still the final boss. Nothing good will come from staying near him.
Yeah. The one who’s in danger should be the one avoiding it.
I shrugged and started planning tomorrow’s tasks in my head.
The next morning.
After eating the breakfast my grandfather prepared, I headed straight for Raymond.
“Lady Amelia!”
“Hello!”
Roten greeted me cheerfully at the entrance.
“You’ve come just in time! The workshop I mentioned yesterday is all ready.”
“Already?”
Well, I guess since it’s a business building, most things are probably pre-set.
When I looked at him with mild surprise, he grinned proudly.
“There’s nothing money can’t get done here!”
“Ah-ha!”
I clapped my hands together.
Capitalism really is amazing.
So that’s how they finished everything overnight.
“Would you like to head up right away?”
“Ah, before that, could I stop by the 4th floor?”
“The 4th floor? If you want dessert, you can just call a servant.”
“I’d like to see it myself.”
A true pastry lover enjoys sweets with her eyes too! Seeing rows of freshly baked bread is pure happiness — and that buttery aroma? Heaven.
Yes. This is workplace welfare.
A little visual dessert therapy before work makes the day go smoother.
“Very well. Let’s go to the 4th floor first.”
Roten said he had some free time since Gilbert was in a meeting, so he led the way.
I followed closely behind, mentally noting the route again.
Ahh, that smell’s amazing!
Bread aroma is dangerous. My stomach growled the moment we entered the hallway.
Grandpa said to eat in moderation, but…
How am I supposed to just walk past this smell, sir?
No way. I’m eating some.
No one here knows my grandfather anyway. As long as I keep quiet, no one will ever find out.
“Oh my, isn’t that Mr. Roten!”
As we stepped into the largest room, a warm-looking man smiled brightly. Judging by their familiarity, they knew each other.
“It’s been a while,” Roten replied politely.
“Why haven’t you come by lately? I’ve baked plenty of those egg tarts you love.”
“Haha, I’ve been busy with external assignments lately.”
After a cheerful exchange, Roten turned to me.
“This is Mr. Vincent, our head chef.”
“Ah! So you’re the one—”
Before I could finish, Vincent’s eyes went wide like a startled rabbit.
Huh? Does he know me?
I bowed my head politely just in case—
“Eh?”
A familiar voice cut through the air.
“…?”
I glanced sideways. Vincent clapped his hands in realization.
“Your Highness the Young Duke! What brings you out here?”
“Coffee. And bread.”
A boy with striking blue hair waved an empty mug impatiently. Vincent quickly nodded.
“Next time, please call a servant, Your Highness. You shouldn’t come down yourself.”
“It’s fine. I came out because it was too noisy inside.”
The boy’s gaze slowly shifted — landing right on me.
“…Ha.”
Of course. Why here, of all places?
I awkwardly straightened my half-bowed posture.
Felix Kazliden.
The boy with the vivid violet eyes stared at me with a visibly displeased expression.
“Your Highness, you’re early. The master is—”
“I know. Barged into a meeting room.”
“So I’m waiting, quietly,” he muttered in a chilly tone.
Yep. Definitely the future villain.
Even his presence was intimidating. I swallowed hard and met his gaze.
But wow… he’s really handsome.
A little sharp, yes, but the word “beautiful” suited him better. The word “noble” seemed like it had been invented for this guy.
If the main hero gives off a sunshine vibe, this one is… all cold shadows. Even his face screams “final boss.”
No wonder the fan community went crazy for him.
Readers made fanart, AUs, the works. And seeing him in person, I kind of understood why.
Still, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s the one person I need to avoid.
“Why is she here?”
