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~CHAPTER 90~
Did I overstep again?
I looked at him nervously, and Vincent sighed before replying.
“Alright. But do you really not mind? Even if Lady Sylvia stays in the west wing?”
“Yes, I don’t mind. Really.”
Actually, I did. A lot.
If Sylvia stayed in the west wing, she and Vincent might run into each other often.
And if that happened, they could grow close and fall in love, just like in the original story.
That’s the natural course of things, after all.
But I had no intention of losing my mind with jealousy and dying like Amelia did.
So I gave Vincent the most harmless smile I could manage and said I was fine.
Vincent stared at me for a long time, as if gauging my sincerity, then nodded.
“Alright, I’ll tell them to move her quarters.”
“Thank you. And…”
At my next words, Vincent looked at me, signaling for me to continue.
“About my father’s punishment…”
“That—”
He started speaking the moment I opened my mouth.
But as he spoke, it felt like he couldn’t quite meet my eyes.
“As I said earlier, I’m sorry. Owning a slave auction house is a serious crime from the imperial family’s perspective. Such a punishment is necessary for others to accept…”
“Wait, Your Highness.”
I interrupted.
Something about his explanation felt off.
“Wasn’t my father’s punishment limited to three years of being banned from the palace, prohibited from public activities, and stripped of his position as Chief Financial Overseer?”
“That’s right. But I discussed it with His Majesty and set the punishment at that level in consideration of your position. I hope you… understand.”
Vincent trailed off.
Now I understood what he meant.
But even though I understood the words, the reason behind them didn’t quite sink in.
“So… you mean my father only received that light of a punishment because of me…”
“Hm? Amelia, what did you say?”
“Ah, nothing. Nothing at all.”
As I muttered to myself, a realization hit me like lightning.
My face flushed hot, and my heart started to pound.
Afraid my thoughts would show, I quickly lowered my gaze.
He likes me. Or at least, he thinks I’m very important to him.
When I thought back on all his actions so far, it became almost certain.
I’d denied it in my head for a long time, telling myself it wasn’t possible, and I still remembered what he said on the terrace of the Roisen estate.
But this time, there was no mistaking it.
When I looked up again, Vincent’s face was suddenly very close.
“Amelia, are you feeling unwell?”
“W-What? No, I’m fine!”
“Your face is red. I didn’t open the window because it’s been getting chilly outside, but it must be warm in here.”
“Ah… maybe a little.”
“Then I’ll open it.”
Vincent stood and opened the window wide.
Cool autumn air flowed in.
The fading red light of the late afternoon shone over his golden hair, making it shimmer softly.
Was it just my imagination that his glow felt warm instead of dazzling?
Now I could see it clearly—
The gentle smile he gave me was real.
***
Back in my room, I lay face-down on the bed, lost in thought.
How could that be possible?
Amelia wasn’t just the daughter of his enemy.
She was his enemy herself.
How could he truly come to like someone like that?
Is it because I’ve changed?
Then that means he likes *me*—not Amelia.
“Kyaaah!”
Overwhelmed by sudden embarrassment, I smacked the bed and rolled around.
Then, without warning, the door burst open.
“My Lady!”
“Ah—oh, Sir Derek!”
“What happened?”
Derek rushed in, clearly thinking something terrible had happened.
His serious expression made it even more awkward.
I sat up awkwardly on the bed.
“This building has an insect-repelling track installed, so there shouldn’t be any bugs. It must have cracked somewhere. Where did you see it? I’ll catch it and report it to the pest control department.”
Insect-repelling track? Wow. So that’s why not a single bug came in, even with the window open.
What a world.
But Derek was seriously looking under and over the bed, searching for the imaginary insect.
“Ah, no! I must’ve been mistaken! Maybe it was just some dust.”
“Seems the maids haven’t cleaned properly. I’ll have words with them.”
“N-No! I’ll tell them myself. You don’t have to.”
Vivian had already been having a hard time lately.
I didn’t want her scolded because of this.
“Understood.”
Thankfully, Derek didn’t press the issue further.
Instead, he added,
“If anything happens again, shout or call for me immediately. I’ll come running.”
“…Thank you.”
That was his duty, sure, but the way he emphasized it made me wonder if it was just my imagination.
He bowed slightly and left the room.
“Phew…”
Though Derek’s sudden entrance startled me, it helped me calm down and think more clearly.
If Vincent truly has feelings for me…
Then what happens now?
Can I live free from his revenge?
Or will things unfold the same, regardless of his heart?
This is confusing.
Nothing like this existed before his regression—or in the novel itself.
That meant the future I knew might no longer apply.
The thought made me anxious again.
Then… what about me?
How do I feel about him?
I got off the bed and went to the window.
The twilight outside was deepening.
The red glow of sunset faded as darkness spread over the sky.
The air in the room felt stuffy.
Suddenly, I remembered Vincent opening the window for me earlier.
At that moment, I saw something different in him—more than just a handsome crown prince.
Do I hate him?
I opened the window.
The gust that hit me was colder than before.
I don’t hate him.
Between the gardens of the Crown Prince’s Palace, magical lanterns flickered on one by one.
I spotted someone walking among them.
Sylvia.
The maids behind her were carrying piles of luggage—she must’ve moved from the east wing to the west.
Now she and Vincent would inevitably see each other often.
The thought made me feel strange.
If his feelings shifted from me to Sylvia…
I fell silent.
That undeniable stirring in my chest—
It was jealousy.
And in that moment, I couldn’t deny it anymore.
What I felt for him was more than affection.
“I’m the one who suggested it…”
And now I’m the one jealous.
Just like the original Amelia.
Of course, I wouldn’t torment anyone like she did.
But still…
What am I even thinking?
Nothing had happened between Vincent and Sylvia yet.
Even if it did, it wasn’t like there was any grand event between Vincent and me either.
Feeling a bit ridiculous, I shook my head and drew the curtains.
The cool air helped ease the exhaustion pressing down on me.
I’ve been through too much lately.
The slave auction, the Mage Tower Master’s drastic reforms, my shifting view of Vincent…
I should wash up and rest.
Dragging my heavy limbs, I walked to the bathroom.
When I stood before the mirror, I froze.
My face is really red.
It was even more flushed than I thought.
And now, my head throbbed and my body felt heavy.
I pressed a hand to my forehead and realized—
“I’m… sick.”
