TMST 13

Chapter 13

It had been a difficult day. If days like this kept repeating, Karin felt like it might be better to return to life before she was possessed.

Fortunately, after Iris had visited, nothing major had happened, so Karin was able to rest well at the mansion and gradually regain her energy.

That didn’t mean she was simply idling around. Preparing for her future as a duchess’s daughter, she spent time in Duke Tricia’s office reading various documents. And along the way, she caused a bit of trouble.

While flipping through papers, she discovered a joint investment contract sent by Baron Flang—the mustached man.

At a glance, it was a contract stating that the mustached man and the Second Duchy would jointly bear the initial investment costs for developing a mine.

Just seeing his name in the contract irritated her, but what angered Karin even more was that even to her untrained eye, the contract was blatantly unfair.

The amount the mustached man was contributing was negligible compared to what the Second Duchy was investing. Yet, the profits from the mine were to be split evenly between them.

It wasn’t a mutually beneficial deal—it was completely one-sided in his favor.

Karin couldn’t stand the thought of that mustached man benefiting, so she immediately went to Duke Tricia and pressured him to cancel the contract.

After a few exchanges, the duke readily agreed.

He added some nonsense about always respecting Karin’s opinions, but to her, it just sounded like a belated excuse for having sent her to that meeting before.

Half-listening to him, Karin tore the contract into pieces and threw it in the trash.

A week passed, and at last, the founding anniversary of Esmeril arrived.

All the nobles of the capital were invited to the commemorative party, so Karin would naturally be able to see Arken, who would come with Duke Lucas.

Just the thought of seeing Arken after so long filled her with excitement.

Only a few hours remained before the party. Once Marie brought the dress, she could change quickly and head to the carriage.

“What is taking her so long?”

But even after quite some time, Marie hadn’t arrived. Something felt off.

Marie had never disappointed her before.

Especially when it came to attending to her quickly, Marie was unmatched—that was precisely why Karin had recently appointed her as her personal maid.

For someone like Marie to be late… maybe something had happened? Perhaps she slipped on the stairs, or tripped while running and hit her head.

All sorts of scenarios crossed her mind, feeding her unease.

Unable to sit still, Karin got up and opened the door.

…and found Marie chatting with other maids by the railing.

What? She’s late because she’s gossiping?

The tension drained from her body instantly. She waited, but it didn’t look like their conversation would end anytime soon.

Just as she cleared her throat to call out, something felt strange. Marie sounded angry.

What could possibly make gentle Marie angry? Forgetting about the party, Karin leaned in to listen.

“It’s true! The young lady has become so kind lately!”

Marie exclaimed, fuming. The other maids, however, brushed her off.

“You’ve already forgotten how you used to get whipped?”

“Don’t you know people don’t change? Who knows when she’ll snap and try to bite your head off again?”

“That’s not true!”

It was clearly about her.

Karin shrugged. She wasn’t the original Karin anyway, so she had no intention of punishing them. Still, she was curious.

“The young lady has completely changed. You can tell just by looking.”

While the others criticized her, Marie defended her passionately. How admirable.

The other two maids clicked their tongues, looking at Marie with pity—as if she had Stockholm syndrome.

“As if.”

“Exactly.”

“It’s true. The Saint granted my wish and changed the young lady’s personality!”

“What? What are you talking about?”

At Marie’s strange claim, the other maids’ eyes widened.

The Saint? What does she mean?

Karin was equally surprised.

“I prayed every night to the Saint to make the young lady kinder. She must have been moved by my sincerity and granted my wish. I’m sure of it!”

…That’s actually kind of cute.

Explaining a sudden personality change wasn’t easy. Even adults would struggle to accept it, let alone a child like Marie. That was the best explanation she could come up with.

“If you have wishes too, you should pray to the Saint. If you pray sincerely every night, she’ll grant them.”

To explain briefly, in Esmeril, the Saint was like a god on Earth.

Apparently, she had greatly contributed to the founding of the nation. To Karin, it sounded like a “believe it or not” myth—something like a legendary figure—but people here believed in her completely.

Statues and paintings of the Saint were everywhere in the capital, and there were even temples dedicated to her.

“Uh… sure.”

“I guess…”

The two maids patted Marie’s shoulders sympathetically before leaving.

“I’m serious, though!”

Grumbling, Marie headed back toward Karin’s room.

Karin quickly returned inside, shut the door, and pretended to sip tea.

Soon after, Marie entered with the dress.

“My lady, I’ve brought your dress!”

“Good work.”

Marie helped Karin change out of her indoor clothes into the dress.

Thanks to her skillful hands, it was done in just a few minutes. Marie dusted off her hands with satisfaction.

“I’ll go tell them to prepare the carriage.”

“Wait.”

Karin stopped her and picked up a jewelry box from the dresser, placing it in front of her.

With a click, the box opened, revealing colorful jewels and accessories.

“Pick one.”

“…What?”

“Choose one and take it.”

“Whaaat?”

Marie’s eyes widened in shock.

Each piece inside was worth far more than her monthly salary.

Her eyelids trembled in disbelief.

“I didn’t do anything to deserve something so valuable…”

“It’s fine. You’ve worked hard. You deserve it.”

It was partly because Marie had defended her earlier, but also a token of gratitude.

Marie was the first person Karin had truly opened up to in this world.

Naturally, she had grown attached.

“Hurry up, or I’ll give it to someone else.”

At Karin’s teasing, Marie hesitantly reached into the box.

After a moment, she picked out a butterfly-shaped brooch with imitation gems.

Of all the options… why that?

“Are you sure about that one?”

“My lady, this is more than enough for me.”

Though Karin wished she’d choose something better, Marie stood firm.

Clutching the brooch with both hands, she looked at Karin and said calmly:

“My lady… you’re a really good person.”

How kind.

“You are too.”

Karin gently patted her head.

“My lady…”

Marie’s eyes welled up with tears.

Wiping them with her sleeve, she hurried out.

Karin listened to her footsteps running down the stairs, feeling a warmth in her chest before leaving as well.

The carriage ride to the palace didn’t take long.

After stepping out, Karin looked around.

Where was Arken?

Scanning the crowd, she couldn’t find him or Duke Lucas.

Maybe they hadn’t arrived yet. She decided to sit quietly in a corner and wait.

It was similar to the previous ball, with one difference—people weren’t as wary of her anymore.

Perhaps because she had behaved herself recently, they no longer flinched or avoided her.

That was a relief.

I hope Arken feels the same…

“Hmm?”

Then she spotted a familiar face.

The mustached man.

And he’s coming this way?

He walked straight toward her at a fast pace.

Before she could avoid him, he suddenly dropped to his knees in front of her.

Gasps spread through the crowd as Karin stood up in shock.

“What are you doing?!”

“Lady, please forgive me!”

He grabbed the hem of her dress.

It was obviously about the contract she tore up.

“For the love of everything, please persuade the duke to reconsider!”

Her suspicion was confirmed.

“It’s useless.”

Her voice turned cold. She had no intention of forgiving him.

Thinking of what he did to Arken made her blood boil.

“Please!”

He began slamming his forehead against the floor.

It looked painful—but it was him.

She felt no sympathy.

However—

“So she’s causing trouble again.”

“As expected of Karin.”

I’m not!

Public misunderstanding was another matter.

If this continued, all her efforts to improve her reputation would be ruined.

She had to leave quickly—but he held her dress too tightly.

If she moved, it might tear.

Walking around in a torn dress—especially before seeing Arken—was unthinkable.

So she raised her voice instead.

“Let go!”

“Promise to reconsider the contract!”

“No. Why should I?”

“Then I won’t let go!”

Spectators kept gathering.

This is driving me insane.

She bit her lip, twisting her hair anxiously.

At that very moment—

A familiar, elegant voice rang out.