‘He’s mine…’
Even I was at a loss for words due to the intense possessiveness. That’s why I couldn’t look away. And I unwillingly understood Illyana Glaine’s feelings.
‘…I didn’t expect the narrative to open so forcefully.’
I lined up the champagne glasses on the terrace railing and picked one up to drink.
Once that moment passed, I could think freely again, but my mind was still filled with the image of Magnus smiling.
‘…Crazy possessiveness.’
The author often described Illyana Glaine as a madwoman, but I didn’t think she was truly mad.
Knowing it was an act that would put me in danger, I couldn’t look away from him.
‘It’s a relief he didn’t seem to notice…’
Feeling suffocated from within, I grabbed another champagne glass and drank it down.
Borrowing Illyana Glaine’s words, it was a vulgar and lowly act, lacking in grace and dignity, but what did it matter? I felt like I was going to die from the burning sensation inside.
“…Tired.”
All I could think about was leaving the party at the right moment. It didn’t take long to empty the four glasses of champagne.
Even though it was alcohol, I quickly felt the intoxication. I thought champagne was a children’s drink, but it seems the champagne in this world is different.
“Oh, there’s already someone here.”
“……”
It was a voice I heard while contemplating whether to bring another plate of snacks and a few more glasses of champagne.
It was a hearty voice, free of formality or pretense.
‘Wow, this isn’t right.’
This wasn’t in the story. Of course, Illyana Glaine never stepped onto the terrace to avoid the party.
No matter how much, I don’t think there was ever a separate encounter with the heroine…
“Hey, it’s not a one-person-one-terrace rule, right? Can I join you?”
I quickly cleared my throat and gathered my strength. From here on, I had to use a falsetto voice.
If I used my real voice, I’d be discovered in an instant. Of course, Cheryl wouldn’t know me, but still.
“Do as you please.”
I spoke as nonchalantly as possible, pretending to be the aloof Illyana Glaine.
With my permission, Cheryl’s footsteps grew closer. I reflexively grabbed a champagne glass in my nervousness, only to realize it was empty and put it back down.
“Ah, should I bring a few more glasses? The champagne they’re serving here doesn’t seem enough, so I brought several…”
Her cheerful, laughter-filled tone made me finally turn around.
There was no malice, nor any sign of rejection, so I couldn’t keep ignoring her words.
“…Ah.”
And I was at a loss for words. Seeing the eight glasses of champagne wedged between her ten fingers.
I swallowed a dry laugh. What kind of ridiculous situation is this?
“Oh, what do you like to have with your drink, my Lady?”
Her question left my mouth agape.
What does grace even mean? I couldn’t think of a response. With the drink? What drink?
“When I drink, I usually just have crackers as a snack, but does anything work for you?”
Cheryl tilted her head and asked. Her mature appearance made that gesture seem a bit awkward.
I barely managed to nod in response. It seemed that was enough for Cheryl.
“If we’re both drinking, it might be better to just ask for a bottle instead of glasses.”
“…Ah… Ahem! Yes. Anything is fine.”
I almost let out my real voice in a daze.
Even with my slightly exaggerated falsetto, Cheryl, in her doctor’s coat, remained bright-faced.
Then she skillfully lined up the champagne glasses on the railing.
“Really? Then I’ll bring a bit more, wait here.”
Cheryl left the terrace with a bright expression.
Feeling like a storm had just passed, I stood there in a daze. It felt more like a ghost had come and gone.
‘Is she really the heroine…?’
Of course, she was often described as cheerful and easygoing, but she was truly unreserved.
Well, with that personality, it’s no wonder she has Magnus wrapped around her finger.
But why am I drinking with her?
“Here, have a drink.”
And why am I accepting this drink so naturally?
I thought Cheryl would only bring champagne, but surprisingly, she also brought a bottle of wine in her other arm.
And she was sharing what might be her umpteenth glass. Leaning against the railing, watching the glasses pile up.
“Wow, I’m glad I can talk to you, my Lady. The other ladies are all trying to get in good with Mag… “
At that point, Cheryl glanced at me and quickly changed her words.
“No, they’re all eager to impress His Majesty, so they don’t even bother with me. And I can’t exactly drink with those dark men.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, but I’m happy you’re here today. I’ve attended several banquets, but it’s my first time seeing you. May I know which family you belong to?”
Right, we haven’t even introduced ourselves yet. But she’s so friendly. We haven’t even exchanged names…
I couldn’t bring myself to say that and instead gulped down the champagne, watching the bubbles through my blurred vision.
“Oh, of course, even if you tell me, I might not know. I haven’t been in the castle long, so I haven’t memorized the noble family trees yet.”
“I’m Illyana Glaine of the Glaine family.”
Even with my exaggerated falsetto, she didn’t seem to notice anything strange, just widening her eyes.
Or maybe she was pretending not to notice. I couldn’t be sure either way.
I didn’t even know why she was interested in me in the first place.
‘It’s a good thing Marquis Glaine said I didn’t have to become the Empress.’
If not, really… There would have been no answer to this life itself.
“The Glaine family, you mean Marquis Glaine?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, I didn’t know he had a daughter. I’ve met him a few times in the capital, and unlike others, he was polite to me.”
He was polite? I can hardly believe it. If anything, he was more likely to be overbearing than polite.
He was quite overbearing with me, so I thought he’d be even more so outside.
“Oh, I don’t mean he was kind or friendly. But he didn’t show any signs of disregard.”
Sensing my skepticism, Cheryl quickly added.
Perhaps because we were both tipsy, I felt warm, and her face was flushed.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s peculiar. He’s very dignified and ascetic… Honestly, he doesn’t seem like someone who enjoys socializing, but he always seems to be at the center.”
I don’t know about that. I’ve dealt with him for the past week, but he’s someone whose thoughts I can’t fathom at all.
Marquis Glaine, Magnus, Cheryl—they’re all too difficult for me to understand.
Even if I try to think it’s because they’re characters from a novel, facing them in person leaves me feeling stifled.
I have no intention of getting involved in this story.
The two of them can be happy, and I just need to find a way back home.
As I emptied another glass that Cheryl had filled, I leaned against the railing.
There are certainly things I’m curious about regarding Cheryl. How she became the head of the medical institute instead of the Empress, why she came without any adornment, what happened in places I couldn’t see.
Whenever I felt questions bubbling up, I deliberately picked up my glass. This is something I shouldn’t know.
I must never let curiosity get the better of me regarding their affairs. Curiosity was the most dangerous enemy that could undermine me.
“But why didn’t you attend the banquet, Lady Illyana?”
“I was at the temple academy.”
The strange phenomenon of becoming more clear-headed the more I drank was quite amusing.
I didn’t know that the saying about becoming clear-headed when too tense also applied when drinking.
“The temple?”
“Yes, I believe in God.”
I certainly believe. If the author is God, then that bastard threw me into this world.
“He saved me once…”
To be precise, he threw my lifeline into hell.
I continued speaking calmly, contrary to my true feelings.
Cheryl listened intently while munching on crackers. I casually lied.
“I wanted to become a priest. So I went to receive religious training.”
“Ah, I see. Becoming a priest is impressive. From what I know, that training is extremely tough. Waking up at dawn, going to bed early, and not even touching alcohol, right?”
How do you know so well? As if you’ve been there.
Her expression was so jaded that I felt like the resentment buried deep in my heart was about to burst out.
“Which room were you assigned to?”
“The Moonlight Star.”
“Can I visit sometimes?”
As I downed the last glass, I set it down.
Am I crazy to get involved with you guys?
I am a selfish and strong-willed Korean who can exclude all curiosity.
And I was Illyana Glaine, who didn’t associate with low-level people.
“I’m sorry, but I must decline.”
“Oh, why?”
“Because I’m a noble and you’re a commoner.”
I tried to smile as naturally as possible. The noble and arrogant gaze of the radiant Illyana Glaine.
That unique, unapproachable aura probably resembled Magnus quite a bit.
“Did you think we would get along? Fickleness is fickleness.”
“Yes, I thought we’d get along very well, but it’s a shame.”
Cheryl leaned against the railing and spoke breezily. Her straightforwardness made me feel petty and pathetic for even bringing it up.
Her crescent-shaped eyes perfectly reflected her bold personality.
“But I quite like you, my Lady.”
“So, I…”
“Cheryl.”
The gentle voice and breeze from behind made my body freeze.
Realizing Cheryl was in front of me, I hurriedly composed my expression. As I quickly looked up, she had a meaningful smile on her lips.
Leave a Reply