UDBL~31

CHAPTER 31

‘This is the good time.’

Since the strongest rival, Killian, hadn’t entered the love triangle yet, this was probably Allen’s best moment.

Riana quietly walked away from them, making sure not to accidentally bump into Deborah.

‘Another safe walk completed without getting involved with the female lead!’

But she didn’t go back to the main building. That place still had the white-robed grim reaper, Duke Veloci.

So instead, she headed toward the maids’ wing.

“Let’s hang a big welcome banner!”

A maid from the laundry team raised her hand excitedly.

“I’ll take care of that!”

“How about giving everyone amulets as gifts?”

“I’ll handle that too.”

The maid who previously embroidered a handkerchief raised her hand again. Everyone nodded, meaning she must be good at crafts.

“And of course, Mrs. Baker will take care of the food… That wraps up today’s meeting!”

Meeting?

Riana tilted her head and nudged Mrs. Baker with her elbow.

“What are you all preparing?”

“What else? A welcome party for Sir Grey!”

“…Ah.”

Now that she thought about it, Grey’s induction ceremony had been delayed due to his injury and was scheduled for a few days later. It seemed they were planning a party to go with it.

‘I don’t exactly agree with welcoming Grey, but…’

With nowhere else to go, she stayed.

Unfortunately, the topic stayed on Grey.

“Sir Grey’s photo was in this week’s Minitz Daily! I brought a copy for everyone!”

One of the maids started handing out black-and-white newspapers. Riana got one too.

It reminded her of high school days, when idol fans would buy dozens of albums just to get a fan sign ticket and hand out extras to friends. She wondered if fangirling and recruiting fans were always linked.

“Wow… Is he really this handsome?”

“We hit the jackpot.”

“Not my type. He’s okay, but…”

Since many maids had never seen Grey in person, everyone took time to admire the photo. Some clapped in awe.

‘Let’s see how the picture turned out.’

Riana opened the paper, half-curious—only to be hit by another face.

“…Wow.”

Why did Killian look like he was doing a photo shoot in the courtroom?

“Miss Riana, are you going to join the Knights Fan Club?”

Riana was still staring at the photo when someone spoke to her.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

Cecilia kindly repeated herself.

“I asked if you’re joining our Knights Fan Club! It’s our group for loving the knight order!”

What kind of name is that? Terrible.

Still, Riana smiled politely.

“I’m not really into love this lifetime. But you don’t have to be a member to enjoy the view, right?”

“Of course not. Everyone deserves to enjoy good-looking men!”

Just then, someone spoke up again.

“Wait, didn’t Riana live in the main building with Sir Grey? You’ve seen him, right?”

All eyes turned to Riana. She wasn’t someone who usually got nervous from attention, but even she felt the pressure.

“I’ve run into him a few times.”

“Oh my! What was he like?”

Luckily, her past life gave her experience in dealing with fangirls. She knew the trick—agree with everything.

“Is he really that handsome in real life? Broad shoulders, sharp jawline, beastly eyes?”

…She couldn’t agree with that part.

“You won’t believe it till you see him yourself.”

His personality, that is.

“Oh wow! He must be something else!”

The maids happily squealed and held hands with excitement. Riana didn’t want to ruin their fun, so she stayed quiet.

Eventually, the maids left to go back to work. Mrs. Baker left to prepare dinner, and as the mood settled down, Riana stood up too.

At that moment, she bumped shoulders with Cecilia, who was also standing up.

“Ah!”

Cecilia dropped her bag, and Riana accidentally stepped on the strap and lost her balance. Reaching out to steady herself, she grabbed Cecilia’s shoulder.

Crash!

Of course, they both fell together.

“S-Sorry—!”

Riana tried to speak, but her words trailed off. Her vision was blurry. Cecilia’s face was unexpectedly close.

Riana realized she was on top of Cecilia.

Her glasses had fallen off, and her orange eyes were wide with shock.

“I’m sorr—”

She wanted to finish her sentence, but the words wouldn’t come.

Because the face in front of her was really pretty.

And… strangely familiar.

“…Have we met before?”

She whispered softly. Cecilia’s face turned bright red. She couldn’t even meet Riana’s eyes, just mumbled something, and then quickly pushed her off and jumped up.

“I-I’m okay! Are you hurt, Riana?”

“No.”

Cecilia hurried to put her glasses back on and picked up her bag. Still clearly flustered, she mumbled a goodbye and rushed away.

‘What was that?’

Riana stared blankly after her.

‘She’s really pretty without her glasses.’

It was just as shocking as seeing Deborah for the first time. And come to think of it, her voice was amazing too.

‘Don’t tell me… is Cecilia also a heroine?’

…No, probably not.

Cecilia had black hair and orange-brown eyes.

That was a pretty common look, but unusual for a female lead. A lead should have something more unique to stand out.

Plus, this place was already packed with leads—there were no more male leads left to match with her. Yep, that’s it.

Maids can be pretty too. After all, everyone in this world is way above average in looks.

Feeling sure about her theory, Riana nodded. That’s when she noticed something shiny on the floor.

‘A potion?’

It must’ve fallen out of Cecilia’s bag.

But Cecilia was already gone.

Riana picked it up and slipped it into her pocket. She’d return it tomorrow.

But life never goes the way you plan.

When Riana returned to the main building, she was met by Sophia, who looked troubled.

“Sophia? What’s wrong?”

“Well…”

Sophia handed her a letter.

It said: To Miss Riana Epin-Dor. The handwriting was the same as the letter Duke Veloci had sent before.

Riana’s face went pale. Her lips trembled as she barely got out the words:

“Is this…?”

“Duke Veloci asked me to give it to you.”

Thump. Her heart dropped. Sophia quickly tried to explain.

“I swear I didn’t say your name! But… he already knew. It seemed like he already knew everything…”

Riana shut her eyes tightly.

It was over. Her time here. Her plan to buy the island.

‘No. Wait.’

She didn’t have to give up on the island.

She just needed to run away. Then find another way to earn money.

So, first—escape. Then figure out the rest.

With that cold, clear decision in her mind, Riana’s fear disappeared. Her hands stopped shaking. Her face turned calm and steady.

“Thanks, Sophia. For everything.”

“I… I’m really sorry!”

Even though it wasn’t her fault, Sophia shouted an apology and ran off down the hallway.

With a frozen expression and barely breathing, Riana quietly opened her door.

The cozy, familiar room welcomed her. She might never get to live somewhere this nice again.

Still, she had to leave.

She started packing.

The sun went down.

Riana entered the Isolation Tower looking the same as always. The only difference was a small bag in her hand.

After serving tea to Killian as usual—

‘I need to take this with me.’

Beginner’s Guide to Tea Blending for Professional Maids. It had too many of her notes in it to leave behind.

“I wonder if the cat’s coming.”

He’d be fine.

He always followed her around, even when she didn’t ask. No need to go looking for him.

‘Anyway, I’m glad I asked him where that hidden hole in the wall was.’

After Killian’s isolation shift ended, Riana quietly slipped away, heading toward the hidden gap before sunrise.

Creak—pop!

Her head popped out on the other side of the wall.

It had been a long time since she was outside.

The sky was still navy blue. It wasn’t exactly night anymore, so technically it wasn’t a midnight escape. More like a dawn escape.

Riana walked down the dark road with strong steps. Her bag strap was tightly slung across her chest.

Once people realized “Riana” had run away, the Midas Job Agency that sent her would be held responsible.

‘I need to clean up that place too.’

Before anyone at the Droche estate realized she was gone.

‘And I need to sell off anything left at the agency for cash.’

That gave her a to-do list before leaving the capital.

Deadline? Before the next shift at the Isolation Tower.

So she had half a day left.

Now Riana stood, hugging a golden incense burner that looked like an antique.

She had a gloomy expression.

“Oh come on… This is all I get?”

The amount of gold coins the merchant offered was way too little.