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Chapter – 30
From the very beginning, that novel wasn’t to my taste.
Why did the author have to torment the protagonist like that? If it was going to be a happy ending anyway, why force them through the same kind of suffering over and over again? At times like these, everyone would conveniently be thrown into crisis, unable even to help the people they loved.
Even as I shook my head in frustration, I still clung to the novel until the very last page just to see that one happy ending. There was nothing else I could do but keep turning the pages.
Even in this life—where I actually could do something—I kept taking a step back. I believed there was nothing I could do about the protagonists. From the debutante ball, the very first scene, the story unfolded exactly as I knew it, without a single line of dialogue changed. What right did I have to interfere? I decided to keep my distance. If things followed the novel’s plot, not only I but even the people precious to me might be sacrificed. That was all I could think about. The most ambition I allowed myself was saving a few people who were mentioned in only a handful of lines.
But not anymore.
I learned that my actions really could change the predetermined story, and now that I’d become fairly familiar with the protagonists, I no longer thought they’d be so easily sacrificed.
Before, I had simply waited for the time after the ending to arrive. Now, I would lead the protagonists to that ending myself—faster, and more comfortably.
So.
“We need to make him someone who can’t be easily touched.”
“He already is more than enough so,” Bihan replied.
I blinked at his answer, then let out a small “Ah,” and shook my head.
“Oh, I misspoke. I don’t mean me…”
I turned my gaze to Eiclet.
“…Me?”
Eiclet asked back, looking at me with a bewildered expression. Of course it’s you. You’re the protagonist of this story.
“Of course, Eiclet.”
“How could I…?”
Eiclet’s expression darkened. Was he thinking about the events yet to come?
Despite being publicly known as the eldest son of Baron Adrian, Eiclet was relentlessly bullied simply for monopolizing the male leads’ attention. After Baron Adrian exposed his past of having lived in the slums, the harassment only grew worse.
“Baron Adrian can act so recklessly because people don’t know much about you,” I said. “If you gain a position that Baron Adrian can’t lay a hand on, he won’t be able to treat you lightly.”
“A… different position?”
Yes. Not a title or status, but a position—or rather, a role.
After many incidents, Eiclet reappeared in high society under the crown prince’s invitation, escorted by a duke and guarded by the knight commander. But that was precisely the problem. Eiclet was too fragile to bear such special treatment. His self-esteem was dangerously low, and above all, he had no weapon with which to stand against the high-ranking nobles of society led by the princess.
The “dukes” who had saved Eiclet from danger multiple times couldn’t become his shield in high society. The crown prince was too elevated to justify a close friendship, the duke was constantly watched by the princess, and the master of Delua struggled to gain supporters due to his origins.
None of them could properly introduce Eiclet to others. He wasn’t a lover, a friend, a family member, nor a business partner—there was simply no explanation for their relationship. All they could offer were flimsy excuses like “a friend” or overly honest statements such as “someone special.”
But I was different. I was the daughter of Count Liotium—perfectly suited to be a supporter. Moreover, I had two whole years of seclusion due to illness, during which no one knew where I was or what I did.
“Eiclet needs a role, Lord Bihan.”
“A role…?”
“A position unrelated to Baron Adrian or social rank. Something Eiclet can maintain regardless of the baron’s actions. Because he’ll try to interfere no matter what.”
“Do you have something in mind, Lady Rosemary?”
I nodded and looked at Eiclet.
“Eiclet.”
“Yes, Lady Rosemary.”
“Can you play the piano?”
Eiclet’s eyes widened. Confusion flickered as he blinked at me.
The piano—an instrument far removed from Eiclet, who was born in the slums and locked away in Baron Adrian’s attic without proper education. At least, that was true in the early part of the story.
Later on, Eiclet gradually became the center of high society. That was thanks to the devotion of the other protagonists and Eiclet’s own kind heart—but his newly discovered talent also played a part.
Yes. The Eiclet who captivated everyone with his piano performance wasn’t the present Eiclet, but the future one.
“…That’s right. I’m testing you right now, Eiclet.”
Had he glimpsed his own future? Or read it somewhere, like me? Or perhaps—had he returned with all his memories intact?
“…You’re very honest, Lady Rosemary.”
“You looked like you didn’t want to talk about it, but… I don’t really have a better option.”
“Do you want to introduce me as a pianist?”
“No.”
“Then why…?”
“I want you to be my teacher.”
“…What?”
“My piano instructor. Isn’t there any position in high society more special than being the ‘teacher’ of a high-ranking noble?”
Who could object to someone introduced as a noble’s teacher? It would be a position entirely unrelated to Baron Adrian, and I would craft the story to make it so—provided Eiclet agreed.
“…Why…?”
“Hm?”
“Why go this far? That would create a public relationship between us. You’d get dragged into my troubles. You know that as well as I do.”
“…I realized things can be changed. And even though I know you don’t want this, how could I just stand by and watch?”
“….”
After a brief silence, avoiding my gaze, Eiclet finally sighed and spoke.
“My hands haven’t played the piano in a long time. I’ll need practice.”
So you really did go through all that pain and come back.
“…Don’t worry, Eiclet. I’ll need time to prepare for the ball anyway.”
“…I’ll do my best not to bring you any trouble, Lady Rosemary.”
That was enough. Having received Eiclet’s answer, I turned to Bihan.
It was surprising. To him, my conversation with Eiclet must have sounded like riddles, yet he didn’t ask a single question—just waited patiently.
“There’s something I’d like your help with, Lord Bihan.”
“Yes. Anything.”
“I’ll be hosting a ball in a month. Officially, it’ll be to celebrate my recovery. I plan to introduce Eiclet as my piano teacher there. My whereabouts for the past two years are unknown, so that’s fine—but Eiclet’s aren’t. There will be people who doubt it, and surely some who turn that doubt into certainty.”
Baron Adrian, of course—and the princess as well.
“Shall I fabricate ‘evidence’ for you?”
“Yes. We need a ‘story’ to support our relationship. Supporting characters who can testify, or a suitable ‘place’ as background.”
“That won’t be difficult. As for Baron Adrian—”
“He won’t move recklessly at first. If he questions Eiclet, he’d also be accusing me of lying.”
That was only at the beginning. If it dragged on, my title as a count’s daughter alone wouldn’t be enough to stop him. I’d have to return to society and build my influence—to become a perfect supporter so Eiclet could settle comfortably and move forward. Only then would he reach his happy ending, and only then could my precious people and I escape the confines of this novel.
“If you wish—”
“Hm?”
“If you want, Lady Rosemary, I can take care of Baron Adrian.”
Take care of…? Knowing Bihan’s abilities, that phrase didn’t sound simple at all. It would certainly make things easier for me—but this wasn’t my decision alone.
“…Shouldn’t you ask Eiclet about that?”
“….”
“….”
Eiclet and Bihan exchanged strange looks. How odd. Why did they seem so awkward with each other? Was it because both of them were already different from the original story?
“In my opinion, dealing with Baron Adrian might put you in quite a difficult position, Lord Bihan. You know what kind of connections he has.”
“…Then I’ll wait and observe for now.”
“Yes. Please do.”
Given how merciless he could be as someone who ruled the underworld, I was a little worried.
“Then, may I take my leave for today?”
“At least stay for dinner—”
“No. I need to explain the situation to my family. And there’s a lot to prepare.”
“…Then I’ll escort you.”
“I’ll—”
As Bihan stood to escort me, Eiclet rose as well, but Bihan shook his head.
“Eiclet, you look like you have something to do.”
“….”
Eiclet sat back down with a sulky expression. Bihan then offered me his arm.
“Rosemary.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Taking his arm somewhat dazedly, I stood up and looked back at Eiclet.
“Would it be alright if I invite you to the Liotium estate soon, Eiclet?”
His face brightened immediately.
“Of course.”
“I’m looking forward to your piano.”
Somehow, it all flowed naturally as Bihan escorted me through the courtyard and down the mansion’s corridors. Strangely, there were no servants or knights in sight.
Well, that worked out. There was something I wanted to ask him.
“Lord Bihan.”
“Yes, Rosemary.”
“…Why don’t you ask me anything?”
