Chapter 5 – Part 4

When Olivia read the original story, she, like any reader, imagined many things. Among them were the appearances of the protagonist Gael and Ronae, and their mansion and rooms.

She wondered what kind of substance and atmosphere they would have if this world were truly a living one.

Sometimes she doodled on memos or diaries, but sadly, her drawing skills couldn’t fully capture her imagination.

“It’s as splendid as I heard.”

“Have you never been here, Melanie?”

Olivia asked as she gazed at the enormous mansion through the carriage window. Melanie smiled wryly. They had left in the morning and had just reached the Abyss mansion.

“Count Abyss is very selective about who he invites to his tea parties. As a low-ranking noble, I never received an invitation.”

“Hmm, a mere count being so choosy.”

Melanie was slowly getting used to her new mistress’s manner of speaking. It was quite refreshing. If she were an enemy, she’d want to tear her hair out, but since she was on her side, it was comforting.

“Are you really alright with this? You’ve worked so hard to dispel the rumors about you and the Count.”

Freeing herself from the scandal with Gael Abyss had been one of Olivia’s long-standing goals. Melanie knew that Olivia’s face hardened every time she heard Gael’s name.

Could losing one’s memory change one’s personality this much? It was fascinating to Melanie that Olivia, who once loved Gael so much, now seemed to despise him. She acted as if some filthy grime had soiled her clothes.

“I knew this would happen, so I prepared for it. Let’s just wait and see if Troy Marsden comes running like Pavlov’s dog.”

Olivia, who acted like a manager who had been at the company for over 20 years, spoke confidently. Melanie leaned back in her chair, resigned to whatever might happen.

Count Abyss. He had always been and still was a prominent figure in society. With his handsome appearance and sensational romances, all the nobles were eager to invite him to their mansions.

“Hah, forget Marsden, I’d love to gouge that bastard’s eyes out.”

Of course, she seemed desperate in a different way. Melanie thought it was a good idea to bring a knight along just in case. At least it would prevent her master from becoming a criminal…

As the carriage entered the count’s estate, the scent of flowers wafted in. The smell was so overwhelming that Melanie couldn’t shake the feeling it was too much.”Welcome, Marchioness Charbert. Thank you for coming such a long way.”

The butler’s overly welcoming attitude was just as odd. Olivia seemed unable to hide her irritation either.

“Thank you for the hospitality, but as I mentioned beforehand, I have something quite important to discuss with Count Abyss. There’s no need for a reception room or formalities, just somewhere we can talk will do.”

It was the first time the staff had seen a guest ask for a less formal welcome. Only the butler, with a false smile mimicking his master, maintained his composure.

“Then I will guide you to the garden. The windflowers are in full bloom and are quite a sight…”

“Windflowers or whatever, can the Count come out immediately? As you know, I don’t have much time.”

The butler’s smile wavered at her direct and impatient tone. The woman who once chased after her master fervently was now behaving like a high queen.

In the past, he might have played a trick on her, but he had heard that messing with the Marchioness would not end well. So, the butler suppressed his petty impulses.

“Please wait in the garden for a moment, and I will bring him to you right away.”

“And how long is ‘a moment’? I clearly said I would come at this time, so where is the Count, breaking his promise?”

Olivia’s gaze sharpened instantly. While some might praise the estate for its grandeur, Olivia felt an inexplicable urge to destroy it. And they were asking her to wait even longer? How absurd.

“It’s not that… He was preparing on time, but an unexpected guest arrived.”

“As expected of the flower of society. You double-booked appointments at the same time.”

Olivia’s sarcastic smile broke the butler’s mask-like expression, revealing his open displeasure.

“How long exactly is ‘a moment’? The time I can spend with the Count is quite limited…”

Olivia’s words trailed off as her gaze locked onto a woman standing on the staircase, beyond the gathered staff.

A complex mix of emotions flashed in Olivia’s eyes. So, it’s finally her…

“It’s been a while, Marchioness.”

Her brief greeting was enough to leave a strong impression.

“Indeed, it’s been a while, Lady Ronae Bartram.”

A figure hurriedly approached behind Ronae. Olivia sneered at the man standing beside her.

‘The main characters have arrived?’

Olivia stood with her hands behind her back, looking up at the two. This was the moment she finally faced the two protagonists.

* * *

At the end of a tedious love story, a trivial conclusion awaits. While other romance novels might differ, Ronae and Gael’s story was just that.

They fought and quarreled, with misunderstandings piled on to the point of absurdity. Every action taken for Gael’s sake only added to the misunderstandings and his burdens.

“I told you to stay inside.”

“No, we need to talk today. You’ve been avoiding me for days!”

D*mn it. What a shitty situation.

Olivia watched them with a face full of disgust. She hated interfering in couples’ affairs, especially when it involved the main characters of a regrettable romance. She was torn about whom to hit first.

The situation was as follows:

Olivia had no intention of sitting with Gael alone for tea, and she planned to extract the information she needed from him within five minutes.

Whether Marsden responded to her provocation or not was a secondary issue. Olivia had set Ronae in front of her and brought up the main topic with Gael.

“I want to talk alone. I also want to properly apologize to you, Liv.”

“I can’t allow that.”

Ronae blocked Gael, though to Olivia, they were the same. But at that moment, she sided with Ronae.

What was this crazy man doing in front of his fiancée?

As a result, the intense argument had already lasted three minutes and forty-five seconds.

“So, you barged in rudely without a word and are now causing this scene?”

“I’m your fiancée! No matter how wrong I was, I can’t just wait forever for you to come to the estate.”

“Your shamelessness is unmatched. What are you doing in front of an esteemed guest? Your earlier apologies were all lies, weren’t they?”

Olivia thought these two were indeed the regretful protagonists she hated. The lines and scenes from the novel she wanted to rip apart were unfolding right before her eyes.

“They weren’t lies…”

“Know some shame, Ronae Bartram.”

“…”

Ronae’s face flushed red. Gael rebuked her with cold eyes.

“Just because you’re my fiancée doesn’t mean you’re the one I love. The one I love is…”

When Gael’s gaze shifted toward her, Olivia froze as if she had spotted a cockroach in her apartment.

“The one I love is…”

Gael repeated himself, trying to mention someone’s name, and Ronae, with a wistful look, tried to stop him. It was a typical scene of misunderstanding and conflict found in regretful romances.

“It’s not you…”

“The Count’s beloved should stay confined to his own mouth, perhaps?”

Olivia casually interrupted Gael’s words. He froze, and Ronae’s complexion turned pale.

“Whatever the reason, stop using someone else as an excuse when your heart beats for your fiancée. Who do you think you are to play this kind of game?”

When Olivia lifted her foot slightly, Gael flinched and stepped back. A cheerful laugh escaped Olivia’s lips.

“Don’t want another hit? Then deal with your love quarrels yourself and just agree to my demands now.”

Olivia put her foot down firmly.

“I need to go to the Kettlelin Forest. The one managed by Count Abyss’s estate. Right now.”

“The Kettlelin Forest? Why suddenly there…?”

Gael openly displayed his reluctance. It was not like the wistful act of an unrequited lover he had been putting on; it was a look that said he might bite if pushed further.

“I need to know the reason. Why such a dangerous place? And before that, let’s go inside, the two of us need to talk…”

“I’ve told you repeatedly, I don’t want to be alone with you. How many times do I have to say it for you to remember?”

In truth, she hadn’t actually repeated it since she hardly met him to avoid seeing his face, but Olivia said it anyway. Gael’s eyelid twitched slightly.

“I can’t allow it without knowing the purpose. It’s a very ‘sensitive’ matter to discuss here, but let me say that place is… off-limits by imperial decree.”

“That might be the case for commoners, but I am a border master of this empire. It’s a place I must visit for my investigation, so even if the Count doesn’t grant permission, I will go.”

“An investigation?”

Gael narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat confused. It was understandable given the number of incidents that had recently befallen him.

“I will ensure the Abyss estate is not affected. So, if you give your permission, you can spend some quality time with your fiancée inside the mansion.”

Gael’s expression hardened at the implied threat that there would be no ‘quality time’ otherwise.

“If… that’s what you want, I’ll go with you. I can’t let you go alone; I’m concerned.”

It was a ploy to talk to her somehow. Olivia clicked her tongue while glancing at Ronae. For a noble lady, Ronae was quite poor at hiding her emotions.

“Since I brought knights to guard in case anyone’s head gets lopped off, there’s no need for Count Abyss to worry.”

She didn’t specify whose head, but Gael seemed to get the gist. His eyes showed a hint of anxiety.

However, his anxiety was distinctly different from the look Marsden gave Olivia. Marsden’s gaze was driven by affection, while Gael’s was more like that of a hunter worried about losing his prey to another.

This bastard is hiding something. Olivia smiled inwardly. His attitude suggested that even if she showed mercy and tried to persuade him, it would take half a day. Having no choice, Olivia decided to push forward.

“Please grant permission, Count.”

But before Olivia could press Gael, Ronae interjected, her calm demeanor starkly contrasting with her countier anger at Gael.

“The guardian of the empire’s borders wouldn’t do this out of whim. It’s possible she can’t explain the details since it’s still a sensitive matter.”

Olivia held back a sneer. Though Ronae’s words sounded supportive, they subtly suggested Olivia’s actions might seem whimsical. Typical noblewoman behavior.

“Besides, Count, you don’t want to keep arguing with the Marchioness, do you?”

When Ronae lowered her eyes, her eyelashes stood out sharply.

“I will wait longer. When you return from the forest, it will be dusk, so you can rest and talk with the Marchioness then.”

Olivia decided not to dismiss Ronae as just another typical hypocritical noble. Switching her demeanor so deftly in such a short time was not something a common person could do.

“Talk… Indeed, we haven’t had a proper conversation since that day, have we?”

The shame briefly flashing on his face indicated ‘that day’ referred to when Olivia kicked Gael’s groin.

“Fine. Let’s have that dreadful conversation when I get back.”

Olivia said jokingly, but none of them laughed. Neither did Olivia.

“You don’t have any companions, do you?”

As Olivia turned to leave, Gael’s voice stopped her.

Their eyes met. Olivia wore a bright smile.

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘companions,’ but many people come to see me. You should know that well, Count.”

Gael didn’t respond. Olivia set off for the forest with Glenn and a few knights.

As they approached the forest, the sky grew increasingly overcast, as if warning them to turn back.