Everything was full of questions. It felt like putting a tangled skein of thread that would never be unraveled into a box and setting it aside.

‘You’ll end up seeking me out again anyway. Until then, try to find your memories.’

Gloria was frustrated too. Since she genuinely couldn’t remember what had happened with Jack, not as an act, she couldn’t help but be helplessly flustered when he approached.

‘In other novels, they manage to recall things well and use the original content somehow to get by, but what’s wrong with me?’

In the end, Gloria had no choice but to search for clues herself.

Gloria searched around the annex for a long time. What she was looking for was none other than the door he had used to enter.

Since he wouldn’t have come through the main entrance, there must be a secret door somewhere in the mansion’s outer wall.

Gloria intended to block that door first to prevent any possible intrusion.

And soon she found it.

It was a wall she had passed by many times. There was an old wooden door hidden among the ivy vines. Unlike its appearance, it opened smoothly and silently, as if it had been oiled. It wasn’t even locked.

Opening the door and looking outside, she could see a deserted path. The door led directly to the back of the annex, to the back entrance used by servants.

The rest was easy. Since only Gloria and her maid Dona were allowed to enter the annex, he could come to the bedroom without being seen by anyone.

With her curiosity satisfied, Gloria locked the door from the inside and returned to the annex.

“Dona.”

She, who had still been pacing anxiously at the entrance, hurried over.

“Miss, I was so worried when you didn’t return. It’s cold outside too.”

“I wasn’t gone that long. Anyway, I have something to ask you.”

Gloria spoke to Dona who followed behind as she made her way to her bedroom.

“Did I usually take my meals here?”

“Ah, yes. I prepare something simple for breakfast, and lunch and dinner are brought from the main building’s kitchen.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Then tell the chef I’ll be joining everyone in the main building for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Breakfast……?”

Dona asked as if she had misheard. Gloria nodded with an unperturbed expression.

“Yes.”

At this brief answer, Dona hurriedly bowed her head.

“I’ll inform them.”

“While you’re at it, let them both know in advance. If you’re this surprised, imagine how my brother will react.”

“I-I’m sorry, Miss. I’ll deliver the message.”

Though Gloria had said it lightly as a joke, Dona bowed her head even more deeply.

“That’s all I need.”

By the time Gloria finished speaking, they had arrived at the bedroom. She was about to grab the door handle when she suddenly turned around.

“Dona.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Gloria smiled as she met the eyes of the tense Dona.

“Thank you. The fact that I keep only you as a maid in this spacious annex shows I must have cared for you a lot. Plus, you know all my secrets…… like what happened earlier.”

It was her own version of a calculated attempt to build rapport.

At Gloria’s gentle voice, Dona’s cheeks turned pink for the first time.

“Ah, that’s because you said if word ever got out, you’d tear out my tongue and eyes and lock me in the basement forever.”

“……You may go now.”

“Oh! I-I’m sorry. I thought I should answer anything to help you recover your memories as soon as possible, so without thinking……”

“It’s fine……”

With her attempt at closeness ending in failure, Gloria dismissed Dona.

※※※

The next morning, as promised, Gloria headed to the main building early. Guided by the butler waiting at the door, she arrived at the dining hall where the Count and Countess were already seated.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I tend to oversleep.”

“We just came down ourselves.”

Gloria’s brother, Chris, said with a welcoming expression. He seemed genuinely pleased to be having breakfast as a family after such a long time. Giving him a slight smile, she sat down on the right side of Chris, who occupied the head seat.

Her eyes then met with Bella, who sat across from her.

“Did you sleep well, sister-in-law?”

“Yes.”

Bella accepted the greeting with a faint smile. The peaceful face and the dining hall bathed in early morning sunlight appeared extremely tranquil at first glance.

As if they had always started their days like this. But Gloria couldn’t help noticing Chris and Bella occasionally glancing at her.

Each with slightly different emotions.

“I must have surprised you by suddenly saying I’d come here.”

Gloria broke the silence first, stirring the soup placed in front of her with a spoon.

“It was welcome news.”

Chris answered.

“Weren’t you worried about me after that day?”

“How could I not be?”

“I was worried.”

Gloria caught Bella raising her head from her soup in her peripheral vision.

“I was afraid I might fall asleep and never wake up. As if it was all a dream. And with no memories, I still feel…… confused.”

“Gloria……”

“I should have brought back my memories intact when I came back to life. I’ve caused you and sister-in-law unnecessary concern.”

“Don’t say that. Neither Bella nor I thought that way at all. We’re just grateful to God that you’re alive.”

Chris pushed his bowl aside as if he had already forgotten about the meal and reached out to place his hand over Gloria’s.

“How are you feeling? If anything hurts, be sure to tell me.”

“Actually…… I’m not completely comfortable yet. Both mentally and physically.”

As his concerned gaze grew serious, Gloria quickly added:

“So I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend social gatherings for a while, though I apologize to both of you. I don’t really know how I’ve been living all this time. I’m sure rumors have spread about what happened the other day, and I’m not even sure if I can properly follow etiquette.”

“Is that what you’ve been worrying about? Gloria, you don’t need to think about such things. Do as you wish. Go out if you want to, and rest as long as you need to.”

Gloria was momentarily stunned by these words, which she had never heard in her life, though she had expected Chris to be more generous toward her than ever before.

‘I never thought I’d hear anyone say I could rest as long as I wanted until the day I died.’

Gloria smiled faintly and grasped Chris’s hand.

“Thank you, brother. In that case, I have one request.”

“Anything, tell me.”

“After resting for two days, I’m not sure what to do with myself. I’d like to start a hobby, so could you find me a teacher?”

At this cautious question, Chris nodded as if it were no big deal and gave her a warm smile.

“Then I’d like to learn art first.”

Gloria ultimately decided to do nothing.

She crumpled and threw away the letter she had written to send to Isabel.

Going into society without any information wasn’t a good choice either.

Rushing in unprepared could leave her with no retreat.

Besides, Gloria had no particular fascination with the social world of romance fantasy novels.

Of course, in this situation, any fascination she might have had would disappear.

So what would Gloria do with her life from now on?

It was about establishing the foundation for her second life as Gloria. With what she did best.

She planned to live quietly, holding her breath until a response came from the other side first.

Hoping that the incident would simply disappear without any consequences.

If she needed to apologize, she was prepared to do so sincerely. If she had to pay for her sins, she would, even if it felt a bit unfair.

But if they asked her to die instead, that was out of the question.

‘Just because Gloria’s soul committed a mortal sin doesn’t mean I have to die too.’

Perhaps no one would ever understand her sense of injustice, but Gloria had to understand it herself.

Even if everyone pointed fingers calling her selfish, she had to protect herself.

It was a d*mn life, but it was now hers.