“Eric, I want to visit your estate.”

“Huh? Oh… um… Sorry, what did you say?”

“…I think I’m sick. Here. I can’t… breathe…”

“What? Let’s go inside. You’ve been out in the cold too long.”

The pale-faced blond man jumped to his feet, lifting the woman with ashen blue-gray hair into his arms and hurrying away from the garden path.

Watching this scene, Edith clicked her tongue in disgust.

‘For heaven’s sake, look at them. His former fiancée was married off to some ancient duke in the freezing North, possibly dead for all we know. Cold? What nonsense. It’s summer, you foolish girl!’

Grinding her teeth, Edith slammed the window shut with a bang.

“Excuse me! Shh, please keep it down! Some of us are still taking exams here!”

“Oh, yes. I apologize.”

Embarrassed, Edith stepped away from the window and remembered why she had come to the library in the first place: ‘The rumor that the Duke of the North had “murdered” his five previous wives.’

Edith half-believed this rumor. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire—she suspected the gossip wasn’t entirely baseless. That’s why, on the night before the wedding, after confirming Brote’s condition, she had immediately taken the southern gate straight to the Academy in the capital. 

Her family lord had sent a letter demanding to know why she hadn’t visited home after returning to the South, but Edith couldn’t care less. Brote’s situation was far more important to her.

That had been a week ago. Arriving at the Academy in the early hours, Edith had unpacked her things and headed straight to the library as soon as dawn broke.

She requested every newspaper and magazine published in the North, indiscriminately gathering anything related to “the Duke of the North,” “murder,” or “disappearance.”

When she left the library that day, Edith received shockingly terrible news: Eric Colin, that wretched man, had crashed Brote’s wedding and caused a scene by grabbing her wrist! 

Knowing Brote’s decisive nature, it was obvious she wouldn’t have offered her wrist willingly. That insufferable fool must have grabbed his former fiancée’s wrist without consent.

‘The nerve of him. That rotten bastard. Or perhaps he simply has no conscience? And now he’s cozying up to that Ariel girl?’

He wasn’t a dog in heat, so what had gotten into him? Brote had already been married off to a man who might have murdered and concealed the deaths of five women.

Instead of helping dispel the existing rumors surrounding her, her former fiancé had added a new scandal before sending her off to the North. Edith experienced firsthand what it meant to be truly furious.

She wanted nothing more than to rush over and gift Eric’s pretty face with an autumn festival of bruises a season early, but she restrained herself. The damage was already done, and that man wasn’t worth her time. Edith didn’t know how to communicate with animals.

Swallowing her anger, she waited for the requested materials to arrive at the Academy library. Today, the library had finally contacted her first.

“I’m here to collect some documents.”

“Yes, your name please?”

“Edith Hopper.”

“Just a moment. Yes, I’ve found your request. One hundred years of newspapers and magazines from the North, the complete collection of ‘Northern History,’ and three volumes on murder and disappearance cases. Is that correct?”

“Yes. Here’s my student ID.”

“Thank you, I’ve received your ID. All done.”

As soon as the librarian finished speaking, the magical device behind them began to whir—beep, beep, beep, beep.

While Edith waited patiently for the machine to finish, the librarian struck up a conversation.

“Is this for an assignment?”

“Pardon? What do you mean…?”

“Well, another student requested the same materials recently. I wasn’t asking with any ulterior motive—if it’s for an assignment, I thought I might make bulk copies to save time. It’s quite a substantial amount and takes considerable time to process…”

“Another person?”

“Yes, someone tall and well-built…”

Beep! Just as Edith was about to question the librarian further, the magical device emitted a series of plaintive beeps.

“Here you go. These are your copies.”

“Thank you. Have a good day.”

Leaving the librarian’s drawling voice behind, Edith swept all the documents into her magical pouch and turned to exit the library.

“Oh damn, who—”

“…Oscar?”

Edith’s face crumpled when she realized she had just bumped her nose into Oscar’s bare chest.

His shirt was completely unbuttoned, his hair wild like untended rose vines, and his eyes wide like half-ripened apples. With his tie and vest discarded somewhere, Oscar looked thoroughly disheveled. Edith’s irritation surged.

‘This must be another of his “rebellious” phases.’

She’d heard he’d been skipping classes lately, despite having seemed to get his act together for a while. Suddenly, Edith recalled the tournament bracket posted at the training grounds on her way to the library. Oscar’s name had been there, and if nothing had gone wrong with the exam… it should be happening right now.

Her blood boiled at Oscar’s laziness. Edith knew better than anyone how desperately Brote had wanted to attend the Academy. She knew why Brote had given up that dream and for whom, even if the person in question remained oblivious.

‘And they call him the Rose of the South. What a joke.’

Edith inwardly clicked her tongue and walked past Oscar. Eric, Oscar—why were all the people around Brote cut from the same worthless cloth?

Fortunately, Oscar didn’t try to stop her. Returning to her lodgings, Edith gathered her packed belongings, boarded a carriage, and headed south.

* * *

“Well, who do we have here? If it isn’t Lady Edith Hopper, the most elusive daughter of House Hopper!”

“My lord. Why did you summon me?”

Edith dropped her bag at her feet, her face weary.

“You look quite exhausted. So, is Academy life treating you well?”

“…Yes. What did you need?”

“Ah, your third mother wants to host a salon.”

“I’ll attend and grace the occasion with my presence. Is that all?”

“Well, yes, but…”

Edith looked up quizzically at Marquis Hopper, who was twirling his mustache and rolling his eyes about. Recognizing he was deep in thought and unlikely to hear anything she said, Edith trudged over to the sofa and sat down.

The prepared two-tiered tray was filled with sweets that only children would enjoy. After quickly scanning the table, Edith picked up the blue teapot. Bright pink tea filled her cup.

‘Nothing’s changed. He still thinks I’m a child.’

Clicking her tongue softly, Edith took a sip. The tea was sickeningly sweet, like someone had dumped a pile of sugar cubes into it.

“I never thought she would go like that.”

The comment came out of nowhere. Edith lowered her cup and stared at the Marquis, who had settled into the seat across from her. Seeing his eyes drift to the empty space beside her and away again, Edith realized who “she” referred to.

“Gone like what, my lord? Has someone died?”

“Hmm, you’re right. Not dead yet, at least. Still, it’s a shame. She was remarkably bold, that girl.”

Silence filled the study after those words.

‘My lord, please allow Lady Hopper to attend the Academy. You won’t regret it.’

‘Hmm? Why should I trust your word? On what grounds?’

‘…Forgive my late introduction. I am Brote of House Veritatis, my lord.’

‘I’ll accept your greeting. Your rudeness will be attributed to your family.’

‘Yes. Thank you, my lord.’

‘My lord! I was wrong! It’s all my fault! Please don’t punish Brote—I mean, Lady Veritatis!’

‘No, my lord. The fault is mine.’

‘…Enough. Dealing with children like this makes me feel like a scoundrel. Very well. Tell me why I should send my daughter to the Academy in the capital.’

‘Thank you, my lord. It’s because… the Academy is about to undergo reforms.’

Perhaps they were recalling the same moment.

“…She acted like she knew the future, yet didn’t know her own. Tsk.”

Edith had similar thoughts and habitually began to click her tongue before catching herself.

“The Count went too far.”

“……”

“Times may have changed, but having a mistress isn’t such a grave sin. A man in his prime might do such things. Needlessly making that child…”

“My lord, if you have nothing more to say, may I take my leave?”

“Oh, yes. Go ahead.”

Edith gathered her bag and left the Marquis’s study. No one witnessed the Marquis flinch at the loud bang when the door slammed shut.

* * *

“Miriam… you said?”

“Yes, my lady. I would be grateful if you would simply call me Miriam.”

Miriam. Miriam Gross.

A head butler with the same name as the Miriam I had left behind in the South. I slowly studied her face. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties at most, with a youthful countenance.

Unlike the Miriam of the South with her chocolate-brown hair and eyes, the Miriam before me had ashen gray hair and eyes as somber as the spire’s tip.

“Very well, Miriam. Would you please show me around?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Following Miriam’s guidance, I entered Manderley Mansion.

A tall black iron gate led to a maze garden, beyond which I could see that blue spire again. After following Miriam through the maze garden, which easily exceeded human height, we emerged before the main building, so vast it couldn’t be taken in with a single glance.

Woof! A dog barked somewhere.

“Behind the main building are a glass greenhouse, an annex, adjoining gardens, and a path leading through the coniferous forest. However, since they haven’t been used since the previous lady was here, repairs would be necessary if you wish to use them.”

“Is that so? I understand… But isn’t that the sound of an animal crying?”

Again, woof! The sound of a dog barking came from somewhere.

“Ah, that must be Mike.”

“Mike?”

“Yes, my lady. He’s the mansion’s guard dog. He must have caught your unfamiliar scent. If you don’t mind, shall we continue touring the estate?”

I nodded slightly in response. After confirming that the mansion staff were unloading my luggage from the carriage, I followed Miriam into the main building.

Mocking my fears, the interior was enveloped in gentle warmth. I had heard this place was unbearable for those sensitive to mana—perhaps some magical mechanism I didn’t understand surrounded the entire mansion? Curiosity arose, but my body, melting in the warmth, protested with sudden fatigue.

“Miriam, is there anything else I need to know immediately? If not, I’d like to rest.”

“Ah… there’s nothing urgent. Then… I’ll show you to your quarters right away.”

Without further comment, the head butler led me to the Duchess’s chambers.

“I’ll help you change, then withdraw, my lady.”

“Please do.”

Only after the Northern Miriam left did I release the tension in my rigidly held back. My head throbbed painfully, my limbs tingled, and my back ached terribly.

The moment I had boarded the carriage leaving the South for the North, I had maintained constant vigilance. Now, as that tension finally released, strength drained from my entire body.

I staggered to the bed and collapsed onto it.

At least I hadn’t made any mistakes.

Or had I?

I worried that perhaps I had been too friendly with the knight, or that Miriam might look down on me, but…

I had done my best.

To the extent of my knowledge, to the best of my ability.

I just… wanted to live well.

Here, in this new land. In the North where no one knew me.

Without anyone doubting anything.

This time, surely…

—

T/N: Edith is so hilarious. “Edith didn’t know how to communicate with animals.” LMAO. I WAS GAGGED. We all need an Edith in our lives.