IBWMD 76

~Chapter 76~

“Elaine.”

“…Reina?”

A familiar voice I hadn’t heard in a long time called out to me.

The fresh scent of new grass filled my lungs—like the gardens of the capital, not the snowy grounds of Saint Portou.

When I looked up, I saw a young Reina walking beside me, holding my hand.

“It’s okay. I’ll help you.”

It was only after seeing her small, soft hand in mine that I realized—I was also a child in this dream.

And I was limping.

‘…Ah.’

I remembered.

I must’ve been around five.

I’d climbed a tree to scold a boy who was bullying Reina. He tried to escape by climbing too, thinking I wouldn’t follow. I did… and fell.

I landed wrong. My leg had swollen and felt like a wooden stick every step I took.

Even though I knew this was a dream, I felt that same fear.

“Everything will be alright, Elaine.”

“What if it’s not?”

I started crying suddenly. Her reassurance only made me more emotional.

“What if I can’t walk properly again?”

“Then I’ll carry you everywhere.”

“Forever?”

“Forever.”

Reina’s eyes were red.

She wanted to cry too but held it in for my sake.

“I’m your sister, Elaine.”

“…”

“I’d do anything for you.”

Yeah. Even back then, Reina was so mature and kind.

I was so lucky to be able to save her.

That I came here instead of her…

Blink.

I opened my eyes again—Reina had grown up.

She looked just like the last time I saw her.

“Reina?”

But something was different. Her skin was pale, her lips had no color.

“I’m your sister, Elaine.”

Reina… What’s wrong?

“I’d do anything for you.”

What do you mean…?

Why say something so ominous?

“So I can even do something like this.”

She reached out her hand.

Suddenly, a black silhouette walked toward her.

When the figure stepped out of the shadow, I froze.

“…A dragon head?!”

It was a man with a literal dragon’s head, holding Reina’s hand.

His snake-like tongue flicked out and licked her cheek. It was disgusting.

But that wasn’t the worst part.

“If it’s the Monster Grand Duke’s child, I’ll be the one to bear it.”

“Reina! What are you saying?!”

“It’s okay, Elaine.”

“WHAT THE—!”

I was absolutely not okay.

I screamed wildly—and then snapped awake.

CRASH! The dream shattered and reality returned.

“Gasp.”

I opened my eyes in a huge, sprawling bed.

Even after thrashing in my sleep, I hadn’t rolled off. The bed was just that big.

‘Would’ve been better if I’d fallen off and woken up sooner—before that dragon-headed freak showed up!’

“What the hell was that…”

I sat up slowly.

As I absentmindedly fixed my messy hair, my thoughts settled.

Yeah…

“That was just a stupid dream.”

I felt bad calling a dream with Reina “stupid,” but still…

Like that weird dream with the snake before.

Ever since I came to Saint Portou, I’d been dreaming way more than usual.

‘Must be because I’m anxious about the whole “negotiation with the Grand Duke” situation.’

Dreams reflect your subconscious, right?

After hearing about the shared bedroom, I’d gotten mentally shaken.

Suddenly, the reality hit me—I was expected to carry on the Grand Duke’s bloodline.

‘I was supposed to settle this when he arrived.’

We’d agree to a political marriage, stay as a “couple” on paper, and divorce at the right time…

‘Now I’m not sure that’ll even work.’

The biggest issue is the heir.

That stress probably triggered that horrible dream.

‘Reina died unloved by the Grand Duke in the original story.’

And now she’s appearing in my dreams, saying things like that… It made me feel guilty.

‘Are you trying to run away, Elaine?’

I scolded myself for the first time in a while.

If you caused trouble, it’s your job to fix it.

You said you’d take responsibility, remember?

‘If the Grand Duke asks you to have a child, you can’t refuse.’

If he wants marriage, you have to accept it.

Though judging from his letters, he doesn’t seem interested…

But still—

“…Then what about Karl?”

Ugh, seriously.

I clutched my head and groaned.

‘What about him?!’

He just drew a line between us and shoved me into the Grand Duke’s estate.

Didn’t even say goodbye—just vanished.

‘Vanished like we broke up… wait, what breakup?!’

We were never even dating!

So “breakup” doesn’t even make sense!

“Then why am I acting like this?!”

I sighed again, fully aware now.

‘This is all your fault.’

He should’ve never been kind while pretending not to care.

Shouldn’t have teased me, looked after me, or whispered things about “taking responsibility.”

Shouldn’t have left me here like this.

“I’m dreaming stupid crap because of you!”

It is his fault.

Because… because…

“I like you more than I thought.”

…

“…What?”

Wait. What did I just say?

Realization hit me like a truck.

“…I’ve lost my mind.”

My face flamed instantly.

No, no. This can’t be right, Elaine. There’s a shared bedroom in this house!

Let’s rethink this.

I—

WHOOSH!

I jumped up and ran to the bathroom.

I grabbed the edge of the tub—already filled—and dunked my head right in.

The icy water shocked me awake.

“Pwah!”

Alright. I’m calm now.

Even though I was dripping wet and shivering—

Even though my whole body was shaking—

Now I could think clearly again—

“I like Karl.”

…And that’s all I could say.

I let out a bitter laugh.

Yeah. I like him.

That’s why I’ve been such a mess.

But it’s not my fault.

He’s basically a natural disaster with that face and body—of course I’d fall for him!

And honestly… he’s not that bad a guy.

‘You know it too, Elaine.’

He teased you, but always cared.

He approached you when no one else would. Accepted that you’d dressed as a man.

He gave you more than you gave him.

He worried you might die because of the Grand Duke—even though he worked for him.

On New Year’s night…

When you felt all alone, he held your hand and stayed with you.

And that night… you probably even kissed.

He drew a line afterward—but then looked at you that way again.

So…

Of course you fell for him.

The second I realized that, I dunked my head in the cold water again.

* * *

“Ahh, that feels better.”

After going all in and taking a shower, I stepped out, teeth chattering.

But now that my head was cold, my mind was sharp.

I felt clear-headed again.

‘First, I need to write to the Grand Duke.’

I recalled the letter he sent me.

It clearly said he didn’t want to marry me.

At the time, it stung a little… but now, I’m grateful.

‘I’ll ask if he still feels that way.’

If he does, I’ll tell him to come back—I have a proposal.

Once he’s here, I’ll say we don’t need to marry at all.

I’ll just report to the Emperor that the wedding happened.

And for the heir issue…

‘I think I can figure that out too.’

Maybe adopt a child and pretend it’s a blood heir.

People will say the bloodline is needed for monster-repelling powers.

But I didn’t come up with this idea randomly.

I remembered when Karl showed me the Dragon’s Tower.

‘Maybe some of the Dragon’s relics have monster-repelling powers.’

Karl had mentioned it too.

There’s a theory that inheriting the Dragon’s relics was seen as passing down the Dragon’s “bloodline.”

If the Dragon’s Tower still exists, maybe there are other relics.

And the important thing is the Grand Duke’s ability to repel monsters.

If those powers could be drawn from a relic…

‘That’s our best shot for now.’

I thought about other options too—like negotiating with the dragon itself—but quickly gave up.

‘Why did I even think that was possible? Dragons are dead.’

It must’ve been that weird vision I had.

Still, no thanks.

Let’s keep things realistic.

Let’s sit down and talk this through.

Find another solution together. Let him know I understand.

‘…No.’

I’ll be honest—I’ve fallen for someone else.

Trying to be diplomatic about it would be dishonest.

‘But I won’t say Karl’s name.’

I don’t want him to get hurt.

If the Grand Duke agrees to release me…

If the negotiation goes well… then I’ll tell the whole truth.

‘No more running away.’

Not from my feelings, not from this situation.

I’ll just do my best.

As I walked, deep in thought…

I noticed something in front of my door.

A tray—filled with delicious smells.