Chapter 46
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I possessed the body of a homebody villainess locked away in a desolate tower.
Chapter 46
Knights and attendants could only find true rest once their master had fallen asleep.
I assumed the man before me had sought out this secluded place for the same reason—to find peace and quiet.
"Besides, no one would visit at this hour anyway, and there are quite a few plants I'd like to observe more closely."
"...Plants? I'm curious what plants you want to observe."
Perfect—I'd found a convenient excuse.
In response to his inquisitive question, I shifted my feet slightly away from where I'd been standing.
A small flower bloomed between the rocks where green grass sprouted, now clearly visible.
"It's called evening primrose. When it's in full bloom, you can pick it and chew it raw to neutralize simple poisons immediately. It doesn't form colonies and only blooms at night, so it's quite difficult to find."
Finally, the man gave something resembling a response.
"Do you have extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs?"
I simply nodded without answering.
Lemeia had always been eager to find evening primrose for its skin-beautifying properties.
Of course, acquiring and purchasing the flowers had been entirely my responsibility.
In fact, most of the medicinal herb transactions handled by the Salt Royal Palace had passed through my hands for approval, so it would have been strange if I didn't know about them.
"I won't stay long, so would you mind allowing me just this once?"
I'd found this comfortable sanctuary in the midst of constant mental exertion—I couldn't abandon it now.
Whether my plea had worked or not, the man chuckled softly and replied.
"...Very well."
"Oh, thank you so much!"
"The Grand Duke has brought something amusing."
"...Pardon?"
But since he didn't elaborate, my confused question was followed by a silence so complete it felt suffocating.
...The atmosphere had become terribly awkward.
"Ahem."
A glance over my shoulder.
I, who had been gazing blankly at the moon, let out a nervous cough, conscious of his presence behind me.
I wanted to ignore it and continue my thoughts, but the man's intense presence kept pressing against my awareness from behind.
The type whose mere existence was a statement, you might say.
'Introvert trait number two: unable to endure awkward silence.'
In the end, I was the first to surrender.
'...I should just make polite conversation and head back inside.'
I tidied my skirt and rose to my feet.
Still, after spending quite some time in the fresh night air, I felt as though I'd sleep rather well once I returned indoors.
"I'll be heading inside soon, and you should probably go in quickly as well."
"Why?"
"It looks like it will rain soon."
"Why do you think it will rain?"
To his question, which seemed genuinely puzzled, I pointed upward at the sky with my finger.
"Look, there's a halo around the moon."
A pale, luminous ring encircling the white, perfectly round moon.
It seemed this world hadn't yet developed such common knowledge.
Whether he understood or not, I rose to leave, but a slightly excited voice reached me from behind.
"Setting that aside—do you know what this rain signifies?"
"What..."
Never did I expect to be asked such a question here.
I nodded as I thought this.
"It heralds the beginning of a typhoon."
"Why do you think that?"
"Well..."
Before turning away and leaving the Garden, I offered a brief answer.
"It's easy to discern if you consider the timing."
* * *
Whoooosh.
From that night onward, torrential rain poured down as if possessed by spirits, and a tempest descended upon my life with equal inevitability.
The morning after that unexpected nocturnal stroll, I dragged my exhausted body—having not slept a wink—to the door, where the Grand Duke awaited in his usual manner.
"The Crown Prince suggested a tea time to congratulate you on the Empress's matter."
"I hardly..."
"You must go."
"Yes...."
After breakfast—whether it went in through my nose or mouth, I couldn't say—I was dragged to a place where...
"It's raining quite heavily."
The man I'd seen yesterday was sitting there.
Or more precisely, Lyden Kletan.
'It must be a lie.'
How many times was I denying reality now?
Truth be told, last night had been so dark I couldn't see the man's face clearly. But...
The silhouette and voice I'd witnessed in the darkness, the overwhelming presence I'd felt with my entire being in that quiet Garden. And most importantly, my intuition.
Compiling all the clues I'd gathered, the Crown Prince before my eyes was undoubtedly the man I'd seen yesterday.
Which meant...
'I had a private meeting with the Crown Prince of Kletan in the Garden yesterday.'
I couldn't help but scream internally.
And there was another thing troubling me.
"Setting that aside—do you know what this rain signifies?"
"It heralds the beginning of a typhoon."
"Why do you think that?"
"Well..."
"It's easy to discern if you consider the timing."
Reflecting on it now, those questions he'd posed repeatedly seemed deeply suspicious.
Could this have been an interview question all along?
As I recalled how I'd provided an answer far too convincing for comfort, I found myself drowning in anxious imaginings that flooded my mind.
'What if I end up locked away somewhere again and forced to work? What then?'
And if he's the Crown Prince of Kletan, shouldn't he have revealed his identity from the start? Why hide it?
As a silent storm raged within me and my insides trembled, I made every effort to maintain an outward appearance of composure.
Why?
'The moment I admit it, I'm done for.'
In situations like this, the answer was simply to play dumb and deny everything.
All of this rushed through my mind in barely more than a minute.
I stood behind the Grand Duke with a respectful bow, then carefully stepped away to where his gaze couldn't reach me.
At least I had the fortune of not being alone here—there were other painters present as well.
As the Crown Prince of Kletan nodded after greeting each of them in turn, people began sitting down one by one, starting with the Grand Duke.
"I've heard the story from my mother."
The moment he spoke, all eyes converged on him.
Despite his crossed legs and arrogant posture, there was nothing jarring about him whatsoever.
The reason was....
'He really is strikingly handsome.'
Golden hair that gleamed as though pure gold had been melted down, and eyes of the same brilliant gold.
His skin was as clear as white jade, and his features were so dazzling that even the faintest smile would linger in memory.
Was this... the male lead buff?
I'd heard rumors praising his handsome appearance many times, but seeing him in person felt truly different.
Yet having already read through the original work, I knew that such dazzling and beautiful features couldn't be trusted.
One only had to look at the nickname readers of the original had given him to understand his true character.
'Lyden the Lunatic.'
After drawing out the silence until all eyes were sufficiently upon him, the Crown Prince of Kletan pulled his lips into a smile.
"I had no idea the Grand Duke was involved in something so entertaining."
Was he referring to the comic book as something entertaining?
Before I could interpret his words, which seemed laden with multiple meanings, the Crown Prince of Kletan spread his arms in an exaggerated gesture.
"Since these are guests the Grand Duke brought, it's only right that I make time to meet them."
"We are grateful for your kindness."
The Grand Duke offered a response that was impeccably polite yet utterly devoid of warmth.
'Are they less close than I thought?'
As I pondered this and glanced at the Grand Duke's profile, I encountered that uncomfortable feeling once more. His green eyes had turned cold.
Though he was always somewhat austere, now it felt as though his very soul had withered away.
'Surely he's not in a good mood.'
I knew this because I'd read the original story.
The Crown Prince of Kletan and Blaire Grand Duke were locked in a brutal competition for the throne. Despite sharing blood, the likelihood of them having a good relationship was far lower.
Moreover, the original text never clarified whether the Grand Duke had inherited his position of his own volition or by circumstance.
So I was in a situation where I had no idea what emotions drove him to occupy this seat.
But what was clear now was that the Grand Duke certainly didn't appear pleased.
Regardless, the Crown Prince let out a soft chuckle and smoothly changed the subject.
"Ah, I've recently procured a new tea from beyond the continent, and it has a wonderful flavor."
At the Crown Prince's command, the attendants waiting nearby began to serve the tea.
As I watched the pale porcelain teacup fill with water that shimmered with a subtle green hue, I was already excited at the prospect of leaving the serious conversation to the Grand Duke and tasting the fragrant brew instead.
But then.
"Young lady, what is your name?"
Just before the teacup touched my lips, a question directed precisely at me fell like a stone.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org