Chapter 116

I went with Lady Olivia towards the carriages lined up in the garden.

“What can I do?”

Lady Olivia sighed and went on.

“Does it hurt a lot? I guess I shouldn’t have left the doctor alone. I thought the doctor was good.”

She couldn’t hide her gasping breath, perhaps the aftermath of the fight was still there.

“I should have asked for the money she received. Your complexion improved so much, and you didn’t cough much, so we were at ease.”

I was thinking about something else while smiling quietly.

“You can grow up with peace of mind. It seems like you will make a choice for Evan in the end, no matter what.”

When Lady Olivia said that, I just thought it was absolutely not because I was the most pitiful. Objectively, Evan’s situation was much better than mine.

“An old woman’s insight. The only thing that has gotten better as I’ve gotten older is my senses.”

Nonetheless, it was family and love that made me not think about who’s situation was good or bad. Leaving aside the comparison, I just didn’t like it if that person was unhappy.

“Because even hypocrisy is often sincere when repeated.”

I have now become sincere with the Duke of Icard. Even if it started with a dark intention at first.

“Great-aunt.”

“Yes?”

“When I get older… Will I be able to have the same insight and intuition as Great-aunt?”

When I asked quietly, Lady Olivia frowned and answered.

“You have to experience a lot of people instead. You were stuck in the countryside because you were sick.”

She grumbled and continued.

“I had to go up to the capital and carry myself on my back and go through a series of trials and tribulations to dominate the social world. In fact, I am only waiting for that day.”

I didn’t answer anything, just smiled slightly.

“You’re too kind, so it will be a problem. If I have to give instructions on your every move, what should I do?”

If I had Lady Olivia behind and entered the social world of the capital, well, that was just my plate.

“So, get well soon. Since Calaudin is calling all the doctors on the continent, there will be improvements.”

“Great-aunt…”

As I reached Serena’s carriage, I stood in front of her again and greeted her politely.

“Stay healthy.”

“Huh…?”

Lady Olivia narrowed her eyes at my words.

“Why are you like this? Just like someone leaving somewhere.”

“I just said it because I’m sick, so I want Great-aunt to always be healthy.”

“Who is caring about whom? Laria, I’m going to live a very long time because I’ve been cursed so much. I worry about you.”

Uttering so, Lady Olivia smiled and stroked my hair.

“I don’t think your ankles are too uncomfortable… In any way, Icard men are exceptional. I have nothing to say about them being in Matilda’s shadow.”

I quietly nodded and smiled.

“But, I think that they are loved and endured all those silly jokes. So please.”

After stroking my hair, Lady Olivia straightened her back and continued her words.

“Laria, you should just go back to the Duke’s residence. In fact, it’s not good to look in the banquet hall.”

“…Yes.”

“Don’t put bad things in your pretty eyes and only take good memories from the banquet. In fact, you and Evand you first danced together, you looked really good together.”

I stared at Lady Olivia’s gorgeous dress, her tall stature, and her flashy jewelry for a long time. When I first saw Lady Olivia, I just wanted to avoid her somehow though she was the kind of person I feel secure with now…

“Then, I’m going to play the second match with Elanie. Go carefully. I’ll tell them that you went to the duke’s residence beforehand.”

“Thank you.”

And I added lightly.

“…Godmother.”

Lady Olivia stared at me.

All the while, I thought she had a stronger connection to Icard, so I always called her great-aunt, but I wanted to call her one last time. It was because she was the evil godmother whom I had always longed for.

“Hmm, that doesn’t sound bad.”

While Lady Olivia turned around and headed back to the banquet hall, I stood still and watched until her figure got smaller.

“Miss Laria!”

The first person to spot me in front of the carriage was Lisa.

“What are you doing? Why don’t you call me?”

She seemed to be chatting with the other maids in the garden, and when she saw me, she ran right over.

“Oh, what’s wrong?”

Calmly looking at Lisa, I opened my mouth slowly.

“Lisa, I need to go to the Duke’s residence right now though I have something for you to do.”

“…What?”

Lisa seemed a little surprised to see my face. Up until now, she had always seen me laughing, crying, or feeling down. However, now I have a completely different face.

“Tell Morande never to turn on the light in the office tonight.”

“What?”

“I’m sure the Duke is going to make a fuss. Nonetheless never… He’s very drunk anyway, so he’ll fall asleep soon.”

“Ah, I don’t know what happened…”

“Too long to explain. Lisa, but this is very important to Icard. You have to take responsibility and make sure my words come true. No, this…”

I grabbed Lisa’s arm and said clearly.

“…This is an order.”

At those words, Lisa’s expression went blank, for I had never given her orders in this way so resolutely.

“As the wife of the Young Duke, I’m giving orders as the only mistress. The next morning, it will be fine, so don’t worry and turn off the lights in the office. You will find out why the next day.”

“Miss Laria. But, like this…”

“If Morande refuses or does not believe it…”

The next moment, I held out the tiger fan Lady Olivia had given me to Lisa before parting my lips again.

“Pass him this. Then, he will understand.”

I believed that he would notice the importance of the order by looking at my fan.

‘…I’m glad. If I hadn’t shown my brilliance, Morande wouldn’t have followed me.’

In the library yesterday, Morande looked like he would swear allegiance to me, so he would listen to me.

Lisa shivered as she took the fan.

“Where is Serena? Call Serena. And you go right away, now.”

“Yes.”

Conceivably because my expression was serious, Lisa responded immediately without saying anything anymore. However, before moving on, she spoke cautiously.

“Then, Miss Laria, why don’t you go and tell him yourself. Come with me.”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“I have somewhere else to go.”

“Ah…”

“Lisa.”

Calling her name, I gave her a slight smile.

She was the first person who was with me, and she was a watchdog at first but someone who gradually came to really like me. Even if I didn’t say my feelings, she could know from some time. I realized that it was not as difficult as I thought to be sincere when people are bound by duty.

“…Thank you so much for all this time.”

“Yes? Suddenly?”

“Not all of a sudden. I was always thinking about it. Did you have a hard time taking care of a weak master? Then go quickly.”

Even though Lisa seemed to have doubts about something, she didn’t ask more because of me urging her. And after waiting for a while, Serena came out with a man from the bushes in the distance. Adjusting her clothes, she hurried towards me.

“Miss Laria!”

She grabbed my hand with surprised eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“Sorry. It seems like you were having fun, Serena.”

“What! Nothing special because we see each other every day.”

“….”

Obviously, the man looked very sad, while Serena was very bright.

“You haven’t been drinking, have you? Are you sober?”

“Yes! I didn’t even take a sip.”

“Then, it might be a little sudden, but now.”

I said calmly.

“…What?”

“I’m going to run away now.”

It was a decision that I made when Duke Icard called the Emperor a jerk… No, maybe I made up my mind when I shouted at Duke Icard from the balcony that it was Duke Orlando’s limb. If it weren’t that, it would have been when Seymour confessed to me.

Seymour didn’t connect with Elanie, then it meant that Evan wouldn’t get divorced. Not only that, but Icard’s influence reached even the Imperial Family.

In other words… Duke Icard’s long-cherished wish would be fulfilled.

“From a certain moment on, I wanted to fulfill all of Father’s wishes.”

Evan would remarry Elanie if Duke Icard asked him to. Since there was no variable called Seymour, Elanie and Evan’s marriage would continue for a long time… that way, one day, he could get permission for black magic and would be able to turn back time.

‘Then… then…’

I thought, unable to calm my pounding heart.

‘…Lady Matilda will come back alive.’

Although I didn’t know the exact process, somehow, she would come back alive, and time would go back…

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