Chapter 2 – Part 1

The Marchioness’ carriage arrived in the capital exactly two days later. During that time, Olivia explored the city and visited the library to study this world more clearly.

And then she drank. Ever since discovering that she had a strong tolerance for alcohol, Olivia has sampled various liquors. Exactly two days before.

On the day she heard the shocking confession from Marsden, Olivia downed three glasses of wine that Fore had brought.

Fore and his servant, who was beside him, were astonished, but unfortunately, Olivia was unfazed.

‘It would have been better if I couldn’t handle alcohol! ‘

The point of drinking was to get drunk, but even after drinking high-proof alcohol from a beer glass, she remained clear-headed. Damn it! Why was Olivia always such a good drinker?

Olivia sighed as she looked in the mirror. After hearing that confession from Marsden, she was overwhelmed with an indescribable emotion. It was probably a feeling the original Olivia had.

Betrayal, disappointment. Olivia couldn’t ignore these feelings. Even though she couldn’t remember and it wasn’t her own experience, why did she feel this way?

“It’s done, Marchioness.”

As the maids stepped back, Olivia could see herself more closely in the mirror.

A red dress with bare shoulders. The corset and pointed shoes were uncomfortable but not bad. She looked beautiful in the mirror.

Would the past Olivia have been nervous at this moment? Olivia wondered. What would the ‘real Olivia’ have thought about Marsden waiting outside the door?

“All the men in the palace will surely fall for you.”

The maids clasped their hands and praised her. Olivia smiled nonchalantly.

“I don’t really care if they fall for me or not, but thank you. The red looks nice.”

Seeing herself like this, Olivia thought she should wear pretty clothes more often, even if only for her own sake. She must have done everything so far while being constrained by people’s eyes.

Olivia gestured to the maid, who then opened the door.

Marsden was there. Ever since revealing the shocking truth by the lake, he has been hovering around her with a look that begs for forgiveness but never actually asks for it.

“Marchioness.”

Marsden, with his hair neatly swept back, approached slowly. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn’t slept for days.

“You look beautiful, truly.”

He used formal speech when others were around. But why did it sound more earnest than when he spoke casually?

She was confused about what to feel towards him. Anger, pity, then anger again. What frustrated her more was that she couldn’t distinguish whether these emotions were the original Olivia’s or her own.

“Let’s go.”

Instead of thanking him, Olivia walked past him to the entrance. The house lent by a minor noble was small but tidy. The sound of her heels clicking on the polished floor.

“Marchioness.”

Marsden quickly caught up to her. His long legs covered the distance she had walked in just a few steps.

“May I have the honor of escorting you?”

Olivia looked up at him with a complex feeling.

Unless he made a dramatic scene like Gael Abyss, he silenced the opposition by not even trying to make excuses.

Olivia placed her white hand on Marsden’s large one. She turned away from his relieved expression.

‘D*mn it, this makes you seem like the regretful male lead.’

Olivia shook off that thought.

She hated the idea of being a pushover. So…

Half-hearted love was the worst.

* * *

On the way to the palace, the crowds were enormous. People watched the procession, and Olivia watched them. Oh, so many people.

It was a long way from the palace entrance to the main hall. Olivia, who had been looking curiously out the window, soon grew bored and sank into her seat.

“Buddy, how are you feeling?”

Marsden, taking advantage of being alone with her, spoke casually. Though his attitude was stiff, Olivia flinched momentarily. She wanted to ask why he did it, but she held back. Now was the time to maintain a good relationship rather than flipping the table in front of a powerful ally.

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

“Really…”

“Mas?”

When Marsden leaned in, looking unconvinced, Olivia stopped him by calling him by his nickname.

Marsden froze, confused, as if he had misheard her. Come to think of it, it was the first time she called him by his nickname since their reunion.

“I know you’re anxious because I’m not prying.”

“…”

“But I’ll do that properly when I’ve got a good grasp of you, so just wait a little.”

Though it was meant to make him sweat, Marsden’s eyes filled with relief. What was this? Did he enjoy hearing harsh words?

While Olivia was trying to figure him out, the carriage arrived at the palace.

“Whoa, it’s like X-land.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

Olivia, who had inadvertently exclaimed, quickly swallowed her words. A man who seemed to be the chamberlain led them to the audience chamber.

She felt a bit nervous now. It hit her that this world was truly real, not just a novel. A world where real people lived.

“Your Majesty, Duke Marsden and Marchioness Charbert have arrived.”

The chamberlain’s shout coincided with the large doors opening. Olivia stepped inside, telling herself it was just a theme park attraction.

“Oh my, you really returned alive, Marchioness.”

When Olivia turned toward the voice, she saw the emperor sitting on a grand chair, more interested in her than Marsden.

The emperor appeared to be in his mid-thirties, probably because of his beard. Actually, forget the beard; he was handsome.

“It’s an honor to see you again, Your Majesty.”

Unlike her memory, there was no grand greeting like “Meeting the Sun of the Empire” in this world. It was actually more comfortable this way.

“I’m also glad to see you again, Marchioness. Everyone believed you were dead.”

When Olivia glanced at Marsden, his expression was, once again, unpleasant.

“Many might have wished for my death, but unfortunately, I returned alive, quite intact.”

The tension disappeared as soon as she saw the emperor. It was reassuring to confirm with her own eyes that he was just a person. Emperor Hellebore looked at her curiously, like a peacock discovering something fascinating.

“You have indeed changed a lot, right, Celeste?”

Hellebore turned his gaze to the knight commander, Celeste, whose gray eyes then shifted to her.

“As His Majesty said, you have changed quite a bit. Your complexion has improved greatly.”

“Hmm?” Olivia frowned.

According to her studies, Celeste had participated in several wars with her. She had found out that Celeste was one of the people greatly disappointed when she put down her sword and started living as a noble.

‘Judging by the look on his face, she doesn’t seem to like it very much.’

It was easy to tell. She was 22 years old here, but in her previous life, she had been 29. Even among those 29 years, she was quick-witted.

“You too, sir.”

“…What about me?”

“You also look remarkably healthy. If we met on the street, I wouldn’t recognize you.”

Olivia smiled wryly. Looking at Celeste’s uncomfortable expression, Olivia inwardly scoffed. ‘This is the typical noble lady’s manner of speaking, you fool.’

Olivia leisurely looked at the knights lined up next to Celeste. After observing them for a moment, Olivia realized something. Oh, these looks are definitely…

“By the way, you’re busy recovering, but you have something important to say to me? The Duke insisted that I make time today.”

“Insisted? That’s too much. I just wanted to see Your Majesty after a long time.”

Marsden responded calmly without getting flustered. Olivia observed Hellebore and Marsden, who seemed oddly comfortable. Marsden seemed more helpful than expected.

“Your Majesty.”

Holding the end of her dress, Olivia took a step towards Hellebore. Hellebore looked at her with curious eyes.

“The Marchioness seems to have a special request. Please speak. How can we deny a small favor to the Empire’s border protector who has returned?”

“I’m afraid it’s not a small favor but a rather large one.”

At Olivia’s bold words, Celeste raised an eyebrow disapprovingly. However, Olivia didn’t care at all.

“A large favor? Let’s hear it then.”

Hellebore leaned back against the chair, maintaining a calm demeanor. He seemed to have a guess. He probably expected something like money or power.

That would be sweet, but what I want is…

“Please grant me a prison, Your Majesty.”

“Pardon?”

Even Hellebore seemed surprised; his voice was dumbfounded. Seeing his disbelief, Olivia kindly repeated herself.

“Please grant me a prison, Your Majesty. One with very sturdy bars.”

The atmosphere in the audience room naturally grew tense, but Olivia didn’t regret it. It was best to get straight to the point when making requests. Beating around the bush wasn’t her style.

“Marchioness, do not speak nonsense in front of His Majesty.”

“Nonsense?”

When Celeste snapped sharply, Olivia retorted without backing down.

“In what way is this nonsense?”

Olivia’s calm attitude only made Celeste’s expression angrier.

“Suddenly asking for a prison is absurd. If that’s not nonsense, what is?”

“Calm down, Celeste. Marchioness, what exactly do you mean by asking for a prison?”