LMTM 10

Chapter – 10

I took Selena’s hand. The tips of her fingers were cold. I held them tightly, as if trying to warm them with my own. Surprisingly, Selena was weak to this kind of small physical touch. Her cheeks flushed red.

“Let’s go talk. Will you tell me what happened? Sometimes things work out once friends talk it through.”

Selena hesitated, then nodded. She followed me obediently.

People’s eyes followed us as we walked past.

I led Selena out onto an empty balcony. Once I pulled the thick blackout curtains closed, it felt completely cut off from outside. I never imagined I’d end up on that famous romance-novel balcony — the one with the curtains — together with the so-called villainess. This is where history begins, right? The view’s great, too. Tsk, a place like this is really meant to come with a man.

I finished my little moment of reflection and turned back to Selena.

“There’s no one here now, Selena.”

She lifted her head from where it had been drooping. Her eyes were rimmed red.

Wait— is she crying? Why?

“Grace is so annoying.”

“Grace?”

“Yes. I was fine up until she tried on the dress we picked out together. The problem started after that.”

It had only been hard to start. Once she opened her mouth, the words spilled out nonstop.

“I can share everything I own with Grace. Honestly, what does Grace even have? She lived in the countryside her whole life. Even after coming here, she stays shut up in her room and never goes out to get anything nice. So today I told her I’d lend her my jewelry. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I still haven’t bought her proper jewelry of her own.”

Selena let out a long sigh, frustration written plainly across her face.

That’s real love, right there…

“As you know, good jewels take time to process and set, right?”

Uh, actually I have no idea. I only arrived in this body recently.

“Yes, that’s true.”

I played along. Original Raina, Selena — all of them had a completely different sense of spending than I did. Even if I’m “Raina” now, some parts are still confusing.

Even now, whenever I walk into Raina’s dazzling dress room, I’m shocked.

Like — how did I get this rich?

“I ordered a jewelry set for Grace, but it still hasn’t arrived. Sigh… yellow diamonds are hard to get. And it’s not easy to find really good topaz or amber either.”

“…I see.”

Topaz, amber — to me they were just expensive-looking items behind glass displays in luxury boutiques. Still, I nodded along. I’m a noble lady — it’d be weird if I didn’t know this stuff. Anyway.

“So today I had no choice but to lend her mine, and she said no because she felt burdened. I mean, does that make sense between sisters? How can it be a burden?”

“Um…”

This was something I needed to hear from Grace’s side, too. She had just come from the countryside and hadn’t adjusted to noble life yet — and Selena was stirring things up.

Strangely, I could understand Grace’s feelings.

“I get why you’re upset, Selena.”

I patted her hand. This was a problem born between someone who wanted to give endlessly and someone who still wasn’t used to receiving. Talking it out would be best.

“So what did you say to her?”

“I told her she still couldn’t shake off that countrified look.”

See? Her mouth is cursed. She just keeps stacking up karma with it.

“And what did Grace say?”

“She told me to stop bothering her… When did I ever bother her? She’s always so negative.”

Selena sniffled. Somehow, I didn’t think this would get solved today. They’d already thrown words back and forth. But I couldn’t just walk away either — I’d promised to help. I needed something longer-term. Was there a good way…?

Oh — right.

“Guess what I bought you for your birthday?”

“…What is it?”

“You said you both like drawing, remember? You and Grace. Even though you say you’re not very good.”

“…That’s true. But Grace is still better than me. She never even learned, yet she manages somehow.”

Yes, yes — you doting sister. Grace’s drawing skills are not the point right now. What matters is that there’s something they can do together.

“So I ordered something that I thought would suit both of you.”

I’d commissioned this world’s version of a coloring book. Thanks to Rochester — that giant whale — getting involved, I’d been able to make it in a bigger size. Thankfully, the painter found the idea interesting. Coloring is great for healing, too.

“What is it?”

“You’ll see. It’s a gift you can enjoy together with Grace.”

“…Now I’m really curious.”

“I’ll bring it tomorrow. But in exchange, don’t talk to Grace until I come.”

“Why? We should talk and fix it as soon as—”

Yeah, that talking is exactly the problem. I’m almost sure someone cursed your mouth. But I couldn’t say that, so I smiled awkwardly.

“I think you both need time for your emotions to cool down.”

“…I guess so.”

“Even if you don’t, Grace might.”

Thankfully, Selena wasn’t the type to ignore others completely. After thinking it over, she nodded.

“Let’s go back out. People must be waiting for you.”

“…You have to come tomorrow.”

“I promise.”

I hooked my pinky around her ring finger, and she finally smiled and nodded. As soon as we stepped out of the balcony, people swarmed her. The tearful, fragile young lady from moments ago disappeared, replaced by the elegant noblewoman everyone expected.

No wonder it’s hard for Grace to deal with her. I’ll have to understand both sides.

While I was sighing, someone approached me.

Who is it now.

My schedule’s already full this week. If you’re going to give me even more trouble, please just go…

…Cesar?

“…What is it?”

Weren’t we supposed to be pretending we didn’t know each other? Yet here he was, obviously approaching me.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

Cesar’s face was serious. He jerked his chin toward the balcony I’d just left.

“Could I borrow you for a moment?”

“…Just for a moment?”

It felt rude to refuse in front of everyone, and I was curious what had him looking so grim. A moment should be fine.

We went back onto the balcony.

So I did end up coming here with a man. Just… not the one I would’ve imagined. We’d promised to avoid each other, yet somehow kept meeting everywhere. I urged him on.

“What is it—”

“Walter Dawson and Gelston Tears are no good.”

He spoke like he’d been holding that in for a long time.

Huh? What was that supposed to mean? Those were the guys who’d just asked me out earlier. Cesar continued, face grim.

“They’re foul types. They gossip viciously about other ladies and treat them like trophies. They don’t take relationships seriously.”

“And?”

“…You shouldn’t see them.”

What was with this sudden kindness? Well — kindness refused.

“…I understand what you’re saying.”

Sure, they could be like that. Lots of people are different on the inside. I barely talked to them; what could I know? And it’s not like I expected them to be perfect marriage candidates anyway.

I’d only thought of them as decent date options.

Does that make me trash too, thinking that way? I let out a small laugh.

“Thank you for telling me. But, Your Highness — this is my business. Something no outsider needs to worry about.”

I emphasized the word. Cesar is a stranger to me now. I don’t like him anymore, so he has no right to meddle. In other words, butt out.

His brows twitched, displeased.

As if he didn’t like that at all.