After Valdwin and Camilla had their happy ending, I want to work hard and live a long life. Since I was born into a wealthy Duke’s family, my family would have a promising future as long as I don’t do anything crazy. As long as I am obsessed with Valdwin and don’t harass Camilla, then I will not die. I only need to help Camilla and Valdwin to have a smooth-sailing relationship. 

Camilla seems to have a crush on Valdwin the way I see it now. Valdwin is also kind towards Camilla…. The only problem is that Valdwin was dressed as a girl. 

Ah, sister is so pretty….

I can tell Camila later on about Valdwin’s true identity and his sad circumstances. I just need to slightly block her contact with Einz, then Valdwin would be connected with Camilla as planned. 

Then what should I do after that? I will go on my own way as an ordinary supporting character. I will just be a child whom they used to play and eat with. 

“Didi, I will make an ointment that can heal your wound quickly if you get hurt later. I’m telling you, I can make it.”

“I trust you of course, Lala.”

I don’t think you believe me though. It smelled soulless like it didn’t contain a grain of sincerity. But if you look at his face, it doesn’t seem like that. 

“Lala is smart. You’re also taller than me and know a lot.”

“Oh my….”

That’s true, I misunderstood Valdwin. He’s a little sensitive because I’m trying to study now. I flipped through the book while whistling. 

“You’ll do your homework, right?”

Valdwin smiled and took my hand.

“Of course.”

Valdwin gets scolded too if I don’t do my homework. The teacher who teaches us was strict and scary like a Headmaster. He was almost like “Snape”. 

Anyway, even though the academy doesn’t really mean anything to me, it would still be better for Valdwin to go there in order to become a knight. That was also the reason why mom decided to dress up Valdwin as a woman. Classes were also essential for Valdwin’s entrance exam. What can I not do for my male lead? This is just like elementary math! 

In fact, I applied to the Department of Chemical Engineering because I liked chemistry, then I studied physics for four years and graduated, so this was nothing. What I didn’t like was the pressure and indifference of my adoptive mother. 

“When did you say you will enter the academy?”

“It’s next spring.”

“Aha.”

Only Camilla and Valdwin will attend the academy next year. That’s because the academy doesn’t really mean anything to me. Will the love between the two of them bloom during that time? 

“Are you going to visit often?” 

Valdwin waved my hand, who was lost in thought. I glanced at him who looked at me like a cat in boots, then nodded. 

“Of course!”

Besides, I need someone to remind Camilla about Valdwin…. How can I not go when he looked at me with those eyes? 

“Promise?”

“Yeah, promise!”

“Lala, I’m not afraid of anything if you are there.”

Hmph, as expected of young children. Just trust noona. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

It was really easy for me to invite Camilla now. Camilla and I had surprisingly many things in common, and we were even both amazingly good-looking people. Camilla and I are in the same boat. We both had great temperaments that transcended regardless of gender. 

Camilla, Valdwin and Laila were close friends in the original novel. Camilla knew that Laila liked Valdwin, and Laila knew that Camilla and Valdwin liked each other. 

Well, I can sum it up in one word. It was a great year for one another. Oh, of course it’s different now.

“Kyaaah! Didi! You’re beautiful! Please take me! Sister you’re pretty!!”

“Milk colored Didi! I love you, Didi!”

Camilla didn’t like me cheering for Didi at first, but at some point, she seemed to have changed her mind and started to enthusiastically cheer for Valdwin. Now, she has been a very great friend to me waving her handkerchief with me. 

Valdwin then fell on his butt as if his leg had lost strength while training. Camilla smiled brightly as she looked at Valdwin who fell down. She must be thinking how Didi was still pretty even when he fell down. Whoo-hoo! 

“Camilla, why don’t you go and get Didi up?”

“Me?”

Camilla widened her eyes. She’s probably shy, right? 

“Hm, I am a little… uh, I think my leg hurts. Did I walk too much?”

I pushed Camilla’s back who was hesitating. Oh, it is such a perfect plan. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Camilla stood in front of Valdwin and raised her lips.

“You fell for something like that? I can do better.”

Camilla grunted then turned her head to wave her hand towards Laila. Valdwin frowned slightly and said, “Why on earth did you come here?”

“I came because Lara asked me to come. Hey, wake up.”

“Weren’t we supposed to avoid each other?”

“Then you give up Lala.”

“Taking out a stone that rolled in? You were the one who was between me and Lala. You should give up.” 

Laila was the only one who didn’t notice the intense and piercing spark that occurred between them.  

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Valdwin got more curious about Lala as he got older. Laila was unique. There were no other noble young ladies like Laila even with the vast knowledge Valdwin possessed. She was honest, naïve, and wasn’t envious. In fact, Valdwin was nothing more than a cuckoo – another person’s egg who was laid on the nest where Laila was born. 

Moreover, Valdwin was doomed to eat Laila’s life, and even the whole Lorovante eventually. In the first place, he came from the family that was branded as traitors, but Laila was just too sweet, warm and lovely. He just casually gave up the seat beside him for her. 

[‘What could be scary about thunder…? Come here, Didi.’]

She made a promise for the rest of her life. 

[‘I will protect you for the rest of my life!’]

The day when the Winchester fell, there were thunder and lightning. Valdwin would recall unforgettable memories when yellow and white lighting struck the sky. It was when his father died helplessly and revived inside of Valdwin, who had baited himself in order to protect Valdwin and his mother. 

It was Laila who hugged the groaning Valdwin in cold sweat. But that didn’t mean Laila was young and didn’t know anything. She was more skeptical and precocious than he thought. She seemed to have some idea of what Valdwin was experiencing and the dangers he had.  Although it must have been frustrating, she never told him to leave the mansion and never asked why Valdwin had to dress as a woman. 

Valdwin fiddled with Laila’s hair with a subtle, broad smile on his face. 

“Do you know you’re really weird?”

She made Valdwin embarrassed and fell on his buttocks, making him let go of his sword. Maybe because you’re weird? I kept looking at you and wanting to keep you next to me. I am curious about everything about you, Laila. 

Caliburn, who had survived many years, revealed her greed toward Laila. 

“Hnng….”

“Lala.”

Pressing it down, Valdwin smiled brightly. 

“Did you sleep well?”

“Hmm… what about you Didi?”

“Me too.”

Valdwin laid hid head next to Laila, pretending to rub his eyes as she. Laila’s face now was covered with pencil marks thanks to falling asleep while she was drawing. 

It was a day when they couldn’t feel the cold due to the warm sunlight. The early first snow was piled up outside, as much as the time Laila and Valdwin spent together. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

“Is it there?”

“Yes, this is certainly the last place where the Duchess was last found.” 

“… There is a high probability that the Master is here.” The masked man murmured mournfully. 

The man pulled down his mask. A scar on his face stood out. The name of the man who lost his Master and his left eye was Skein. He was the leader of the secret organization, Caliburn, on behalf of the missing Winchester’s successor. 

Skein stared at the bright snow-covered mansion with remorseful eyes. It has been nine years since Winchester’s successor had been gone, whom everyone believed to be dead. They finally found a clue. This was a hunch that only a servant pursuing after his Master could feel. 

‘The Successor is still alive.’

And he will surely come to life and find them. To recover what was lost and to repay the shame of the past! 

Skein agreed that he will be safe there for now. Then, what can they do in order for the Successor to safely grow? They will just be a tiger that will repay the favor.