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Chapter 01
On a bitterly cold December day,
people lined up along the dazzling exterior of the building, eyes fixed on the clock.
8:59:10.
30 seconds.
55 seconds.
Ding!
At the chime, a uniformed doorman flung open the glass doors with force.
“Move out of the way!”
“I got here first!”
“Don’t push!”
The crowd surged inside as if someone were chasing them.
Above their heads, a banner with ornate lettering fluttered in the wind.
<Le Marché des Rêves Department Store End-of-Year Customer Appreciation Sale>
While the first floor became instantly packed, the second floor was relatively calm.
It was a special area reserved for a select group of important customers.
“Long time no see, Madame Revelly. Are you here to see the new collection too?”
“Madame Lesion! How delightful to meet you here. My daughter insisted I come. She wants to follow everything I do.”
“My daughter’s the same. But of course, Le Rêve’s quality is trustworthy. That’s why it’s so popular.”
“I like that prices are fixed here. Haggling feels improper for people like us… but buying blindly is worrying too…”
The noblewomen, adorned in thick furs and silk dresses, exchanged cheerful smiles.
“Did you hear the news? That fiancé of hers is actually a prince!”
“Ha! A prince? They wouldn’t accept someone raised among commoners into the royal family.”
A clear, ringing voice cut through the chatter.
“Shouldn’t we ask the person involved first?”
The noblewomen turned pale as they recognized the voice.
“M-Mademoiselle Charmoise! And… Monsieur Velour…”
Adelaide smiled gracefully, nodding slightly. But behind her smooth smile, her bright violet eyes were icy cold.
They hurriedly hid their faces behind fans. But Adelaide had already memorized them.
Tilting her head slightly, she asked her fiancé:
“Are you going back?”
Their eyes met, and a small spark flickered in his normally lazy red gaze.
“Why should I?”
The man answered sharply, flashing a dazzling smile. He seemed to say he wouldn’t take the royal title even if offered.
He gently kissed the back of Adelaide’s hand.
“Why would I, if you’re not there?”
The low, affectionate voice drew murmurs of admiration from the onlookers.
“Sept. We’re in front of people.”
Even as Adelaide pushed him away with her fan, a smile tugged at her lips.
He leaned over her fan, playful as a mischievous boy.
“You can’t do this with a prince.”
“I only need your lips shining above me.”
The girls watching gasped at the continuing boldness.
Adelaide sighed as if used to him, her eyes full of undeniable love.
“…Anyway, that’s what the person involved thinks.”
She spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“Please look forward to the spring sale. You’ll find items matching your taste on the first floor.”
Those who had insulted her fiancé would never be invited to the private floor again. That meant social exile.
But none of the ladies dared protest. Adelaide’s words were law in the social circle.
“Let’s go, Bastian. We should check the first floor too.”
“W-Wait! Hold on! It’s not like that…”
With a light flick, Bastian knocked away a hand trying to cling to him.
“Sorry, madam. A common man like me is crude even in manners.”
The lady froze, ready to snap, but Adelaide added:
“About the consignment idea… it was Bastian’s. He’s even more brilliant than I am.”
With that, Adelaide passed by the stunned noblewoman, her presence calm and assured.
“Ungrateful wretch!”
Splash!
Cold water poured over my head. The stench of rotting plant stems hit my nose.
“After all I did for you! How dare you!”
Shards of a shattered vase flew in every direction. I rubbed my cheek, a thin line of blood appearing.
“After being kicked out by your husband, huh? Where do you think you’re crawling back to?”
“You were the first to betray me. I was a child you raised. This is my home, my inheritance. And you, uncle, aren’t you ashamed? How dare you swallow your nieces’ inheritance…”
A sharp pain shot through my cheek, making me scream.
“Get out, now!”
Thrown out by the servants’ firm hands, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the front of the mansion.
Cursed uncle.
After both parents died in a train accident, my uncle became guardian, and in no time spent all their wealth. Now he wanted to sell my sibling’s noble title too.
To hear about my sibling’s engagement in the newspaper first? Ridiculous. He even already had a fiancée.
I rushed to the mansion with the paper, but all I got was a splash of rotten water and a slap.
Returning home defeated and hopeless, I was met not by an empty house, but by Antoine, exhausted.
“Antoine? Why are you home at this hour? H-Hopefully you weren’t fired?”
“Fired? Me? No, I just came to fetch some papers I left. But why do you look like that? Uncle again…?”
“Sorry… I tried to persuade him one last time, but it didn’t work.”
“Why are you apologizing? Put the medicine on first. Don’t let a scar form.”
“Enough. What did the boss say?”
“Whether I become the son-in-law or a pillar of the household, he’s still your employer. Just go work.”
“…That’s a relief.”
Bastian, as always, saved us again. A commoner who employed nobles, owner of the Velour department store, and the genius who first created the concept of a department store.
He despised nobles and royalty equally but showed generous tolerance only to those who proved their worth. Antoine was a prime example.
“He’s truly kind. Make sure to thank him properly.”
“Got it. Oh, he said if the work finishes well, we’ll have a meal together. You too.”
“Me too?”
My shoulders stiffened at the unexpected offer. I had met Bastian only once before.
Antoine looked ready to explain something.
“I should get going. See you later, sis.”
“Be careful.”
Seeing Antoine off, I turned back and froze at the papers neatly on the table.
“Antoine! You left the papers behind!”
As I ran after him, suddenly—
Bang!
A loud crash, and my body was lifted into the air.
Then came the sounds of breaking and crushing.
Ah, I’m dying.
I sensed death.
Images flashed before my eyes—
But they were long, moving backward past happy childhood into even earlier times.
Strange landscapes, unfamiliar people, unknown languages flooded my mind like waves.
I realized—this was inside a book I had read.
‘Are you kidding me? This should have come sooner…!’
And that was my last memory.
