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CHAPTER 07
The moment I heard his voice, my heart started pounding like crazy. This time… how was I supposed to escape?
Aiden’s gaze was sharp, unwavering, and completely piercing. He stopped near the rose-covered gate, where the scent of flowers and the tension tangled together until my head felt dizzy.
Then suddenly, his hand gripped my shoulder. Cold, strong force. My body instinctively shrank back.
“Lillian.”
His voice was low and dangerous—like a predator refusing to let its prey escape.
“If you’re on your way back to House Floris, how about coming with me instead?”
I tried to respond with a natural smile.
But then—
“You’re way too obsessive.”
A cold, cutting voice sliced through the space between us.
I turned in shock.
It was Scarlett.
But the “Letty” who had been gently speaking with me just moments ago was gone.
Her red eyes gleamed like ice, and a mocking smile curved her lips.
“You leave your fiancée just to come see another woman?”
This was the true Scarlett Floris from the original novel.
Cold. Ruthless. Unyielding.
“Lily is my guest.”
Her voice turned even colder.
“So it’s only proper that I personally send her back.”
I froze completely.
Where had the warm girl who had been smiling and drinking tea with me gone?
Was this the real Scarlett…?
A chill crept into my chest.
Had I been mistaken? Was her warmth, her gentleness… all just a mask?
Scarlett extended her hand toward me. It was still warm—but her expression was entirely different.
“Let’s go, Lily.”
I hesitated.
Was this hand “Letty”… or “the villain Scarlett”?
Was the girl who had smiled warmly with me real, or was this cold woman confronting Aiden the real one?
Scarlett guided me out of the garden.
A carriage she had prepared in advance was already waiting in front of the estate.
“Get in quickly.”
At her commanding tone, I obediently stepped inside.
The carriage began to move.
Inside, the same scent of roses lingered. But now even that fragrance felt cold.
What is this?
I carefully looked out the window. The sun was setting, painting everything in red light that flooded into the carriage.
It looked like blood.
And strangely, it matched my emotions.
What is this confusing reality?
Was the Scarlett who had just laughed with me fake? Or was this just a mask she wore in front of Aiden?
Which one was real?
The carriage jolted slightly as it moved along the stone road. I unconsciously placed my hand on the velvet cushion. It felt soft—but my heart remained cold.
In the end, I still didn’t know the answer.
Later
Silence filled the room heavily. I leaned against the window, staring at the distant sky, letting out a deep sigh.
I still couldn’t believe all of this was real. Was there truly no way back to my original world?
Then the door opened carefully.
My older brother walked in.
His sky-colored eyes were filled with deep concern. The moment he looked at me like that, something heavy pressed down on my chest.
“Lily…”
His voice was as gentle as always. He sat beside me and carefully placed a hand on my shoulder.
“I’ve been worried seeing you like this. What happened? Talk to me.”
“I’m fine, brother.”
I forced a smile and shook my head. But he saw through it immediately.
“Lily, how about going out to the city tomorrow morning with Lina? Just to clear your mind for a bit.”
His kindness softened me slightly.
Right… I couldn’t stay like this forever.
Maybe going outside would give me some clues.
“Alright. Lina hasn’t been out in a long time either. She’ll like it.”
Relief crossed his face.
“I’ll assign you a knight escort then.”
“Good—”
…Ah. So this is what happens when I change the original story.
And I already knew who it would be.
“Do you remember Leon from your sparring match?”
…Yeah. Of course it’s him again.
The Next Morning
Birdsong filled the garden still wet with morning dew. Sunlight scattered through stained glass like rainbows, brightening my room.
Today was the first time in a while I would leave the palace.
Lina burst into my room excitedly.
“Lady! We’re really going into the city? Oh, how wonderful!”
Her pure joy made me smile without realizing it.
Lina, a former commoner maid, had always worked at House Floris. For her, this outing was something truly special.
“I’m glad you’re this happy.”
As she carefully fixed my dress, I looked out the window.
Beyond the castle gates, the city spread out—very different from my original world. Medieval European-style buildings lined the streets.
“Everything is ready, my lady!”
My reflection in the mirror was perfect. A pale cherry-colored dress, butterfly-shaped earrings, lace gloves embroidered with gold thread—everything was flawless.
At the manor gate, my brother was waiting. Beside him stood a young knight.
Leon.
The moment he saw me, he bowed deeply.
“It is an honor to escort Lady Lillian.”
His voice was calm and low. A typical knight.
But I alone knew the truth—he was just another one drowning in this romance chaos.
“Leon, take good care of Lily.”
“Yes, I will.”
My brother handed me a small pouch.
“For spending money. Buy something nice, eat something good.”
The moment I stepped outside, a completely different world unfolded.
Fresh morning air. Busy streets. The scent of baked bread, vendors calling out, the sound of carriage wheels.
Everything felt alive.
“Wow! Lady, look at that! That fountain is huge!”
Lina’s eyes sparkled at the marble fountain in the square. She wandered around like a child, amazed at everything.
I smiled and placed a few silver coins in her hand.
“Go ahead. Buy whatever you want. Eat something good too.”
“Really? Thank you so much, Lady!”
She practically ran off happily.
But Leon was different.
His eyes scanned everything like a hawk, treating every passerby as a potential threat.
When a fruit seller smiled at me and said, “Young lady, would you like some fresh apples?”—Leon’s hand instantly moved to his sword.
“What are you doing!”
The vendor jumped back in shock.
“I-I’m just selling fruit!”
“Stop following her!”
I snapped at Leon.
But somehow, when our eyes met, his face turned bright red like a blooming rose.
…What.
I almost laughed in disbelief.
One second he’s radiating murderous intent, the next he’s blushing just because I looked at him.
I don’t understand this at all.
I sighed deeply. If this continued, I wouldn’t even be able to enjoy the city.
Love, my foot. This feels more like imprisonment.
How do I get rid of this overprotective knight?
Then I saw someone familiar.
Bella—the maid of my fiancé’s household.
She was standing near a flower shop.
“Bella!”
I quickly ran to her.
In the novel, Bella was said to possess magical abilities.
If Iris was a swordsman in name only, Bella was a girl with the potential of a great mage by his side.
“Lady—no, I never expected to see you here.”
“Just call me ‘Lady’ casually.”
But the moment I approached—
Clang.
Leon’s sword was out in an instant, its silver blade aimed at Bella’s neck.
“Step away from the lady!”
“Leon!”
I shouted angrily.
But I also realized the situation was getting out of hand.
We were in a public place. People were already staring.
“She is my fiancé’s maid. Don’t threaten her.”
I said coldly, with noble authority.
Leon immediately lowered his head and sheathed his sword.
“Understood, my lady.”
Bella exhaled in relief.
“Thank you, Lady.”
“Sorry.”
Sorry—for making her face a psycho stalker like that.
I shot Leon a warning glare. But he still stared at Bella like she was a threat.
But that wasn’t the end.
Leon completely ignored my order not to follow.
Like a shadow, he trailed behind us, threatening anyone who approached me.
A baker offered bread—Leon drew his sword.
A flower seller offered bouquets—sword again.
Even a child brushing my dress by accident earned a growl from him.
“Leon!”
No matter how much I shouted, nothing worked.
I was reaching my limit.
This wasn’t protection. It was imprisonment.
I grabbed Bella’s wrist.
“Bella, please! Teleport us somewhere Leon can’t follow!”
Bella’s eyes widened.
“How do you know I can use magic—especially teleportation…?”
I froze.
That was a mistake.
“…I heard it from the Duke. That you have special abilities.”
Bella’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, but there was no time to question it.
“Alright. Hold on tight.”
She began chanting.
The world spun violently.
Light flashed.
When everything stabilized, we were somewhere completely different.
Dim, mysterious, enclosed by green velvet curtains. Crystal balls scattered around. Candles flickering with eerie shadows.
“Is this…?”
“A tarot reading shop,” Bella answered.
Then—
A voice echoed from the darkness.
“Oh my… we have visitors.”
An old woman appeared from the candlelight.
Wrinkled face. Sharp, piercing eyes that seemed to see everything.
She stared at me.
Then pointed.
“You… do not exist in this place.”
A chill ran through my entire body.
My hand trembled over the crystal ball.
I couldn’t stand it.
I picked it up and threw it.
Crash!
The crystal shattered across the floor.
“I’m very sorry.”
I wasn’t sorry at all.
I handed over gold coins from my brother’s pouch.
“Is this enough compensation?”
The woman immediately said it was enough and told us to leave.
As we turned—
“Be careful, young lady. Truth always reveals itself.”
…If only I had thrown it a little harder.
We left through the back door into a dark alley. I finally sighed in relief.
“Phew… Leon won’t find us here, right?”
But Bella didn’t relax.
Instead, she stepped back, her gaze sharp.
“You…”
Her voice turned cold.
“You’re not from this world, are you?”
