-10-

I was flustered. It wasn’t as if I had completely removed my corset, so for someone who lived through the 21st century like me, it wasn’t all that shocking. It was more like wearing a sleeveless top that showed a bit more skin than usual.

But for Roan, it must be different. I hurriedly adjusted my clothes.

“…What should I do?”

I murmured quietly. I didn’t have the courage to open the door.

It seemed Roan hadn’t left the front of the door yet.

I paced nervously, realizing I couldn’t just stay like this. Gathering my courage, I cautiously began to open the door.

Through the crack, I could see Roan’s straight back. Why am I so nervous? My heart was pounding.

Even though the door was fully open, Roan didn’t turn to look at me.

“…Roan?”

I called out to him, but he didn’t respond. Hmm?

I then noticed his ears, peeking out from his black hair, were slightly red.

What the… Roan, were you embarrassed? You shy thing! My tension melted away quickly. I stepped out from behind him to face him.

“Roan!”

Roan didn’t meet my eyes. He was clearly avoiding my gaze.

“…I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional.”

“Yes, I know. It’s okay.”

Of course, I understood his embarrassment. I decided to be understanding and took hold of his arm. He flinched slightly at my touch.

“Let’s go.”

Roan obediently followed my lead. We arrived at a locked room.

In his hand, I noticed something gold. Ah, is that the key to the room?

“Roan, is that the key?”

“Yes.”

Roan inserted the key into the keyhole on the doorknob and turned it.

-Click.

The door unlocked with a sound. Roan pushed the door open, and it creaked heavily as it swung open.

He turned on the light in the room. There was no electricity in this world, but there was magic. The lighting seemed to be powered by magic.

Wow. The room was surprisingly spacious, unlike its exterior appearance. Lined up in rows were weapons that looked so valuable, I felt like I’d have to sell a kidney just to afford one of them.

I didn’t even try to touch them. I couldn’t afford to sell my organs.

“Would you like to touch one?”

Roan surprisingly offered first. Those precious items.

I hesitated but figured he wouldn’t ask for it back after offering, so I nodded.

Roan picked up the closest sword. It was a slender, silver sword.

“It’s dangerous, so don’t touch the blade.”

Before I could even appreciate his concern, I felt the cold metal against my hand.

Wow. The surface was incredibly smooth. Even someone like me, who knew nothing about swords, could tell it was a very fine blade.

“This sword is called ‘The Silver Dance.’ It was used by an ancestor of the Bannister family who was a sword master.”

The name sounded fancy and implied it could withstand aura. But why doesn’t Roan use such a sword?

The thought of his sword breaking in battle sent chills down my spine, knowing what his future held made it even more terrifying.

“Why don’t you use such a good sword?”

“What do you mean?”

Roan’s eyes were filled with confusion.

Come to think of it, a sword breaking could happen even without him falling into a trap. Feeling anxious, I raised my voice at Roan.

“If you don’t use a good sword like this, it could break!”

“I’m already using a better sword than this.”

…What? What did he say?

“You use a better sword than this?”

“Yes. The previous duke gave me a sword. It is better than this one.”

Roan referred to his father as the previous duke. Well, such a father isn’t much of a father anyway.

But then, why did his sword break?

“This sword is also a very good sword, but I can’t use it.”

“Why not?”

I couldn’t contain my curiosity.

“It wouldn’t withstand my aura.”

Even this sword can’t withstand Roan’s aura? An incredible realization dawned on me.

‘Even that good sword couldn’t withstand his aura.’

“Then, what about your sword? Can it withstand it?”

“Probably. As long as I don’t get any stronger, it should.”

…As long as he doesn’t get stronger? So, if he gets stronger, his sword will break too!

I momentarily forgot. Roan was overpowered. He was insanely strong now, but he’d become even stronger later. My expression grew serious.

“…Roan. Is there a better sword here than yours?”

“There are some similar ones, but nothing I’d call better.”

It seemed hopeless. I’d have to ask the dwarves to make a sword for Roan. That was the only solution. I felt that only their swords could withstand the strength of overpowered Roan.

“By the way, Duchess, why are you so interested in my sword?”

Roan suddenly put down the sword and approached me, leaning against the wall and slightly bending towards me. Our faces were now quite close.

“Well? Oh, it’s just that I suddenly became interested.”

“Is it me you’re interested in or the sword?”

Roan smiled lazily. I was momentarily speechless at his unfamiliar behavior.

“Th-that, well, both!”

I stammered in my flustered state. Roan chuckled at my response and said,

“I understand, Duchess.”

Back in the room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Roan’s behavior had been a bit strange.

That indifferent Roan smiled like that? And to ‘Delis,’ no less. Not that I minded, hehe.

***

I resolved to go to the slave market where the dwarves were held captive. However, they were known to shun humans. I needed something to win their trust.

In the original story, Grace accidentally ended up at the slave market and freed the dwarves who were trapped there. Of course, the crown prince saved her. Because of that, she went to the dwarves’ forest and received a sword from them as a token of their gratitude.

Initially, I didn’t want to interfere with the heroine’s path, so I planned to look for other ways if I had to go, but… the situation was urgent. While I could prevent Roan from falling into traps, his sword could break at any time and place. Knowing that his strength was increasing, I needed to obtain the sword quickly.

Sorry, heroine. I have to go first. I read in the novel that the dwarf had been in the slave market for a long time because he was difficult to tame. So, he should still be there now.

‘But… how do I get there?’

As it stands, Delis is a duchess. The slave market is an illegal operation. If I recklessly declare I’m going there, they’ll surely say no.

What should I do? After some thought, the answer came quickly.

‘I’ll sneak out!’

Roan mentioned he would be at the palace for business tomorrow. He’d be there from morning until evening. I just needed to return before dinner.

Here’s the plan.

First, I’d start by complaining to the maids about how ‘stifling’ it felt inside the mansion today. They’d likely suggest going out together.

Second, I’d attack them with my desire to feel ‘freedom’ and insist on being alone. I’d leave a note saying I’d be back before dinner and not to look for me! The escape route was a small hole in the duke’s mansion wall I noticed earlier. They said they’d soon close it up because stray cats kept coming in through it, right?

Then, I’d head to the slave market where the dwarves were held. I’d pose as a buyer and show them money to secure the dwarf’s release.

If they hesitated, I’d show them more money. In my previous life, they used to say, if something can’t be solved with money, maybe you just didn’t use enough money.

After freeing the dwarf, I’d promise to receive a sword later. I wasn’t worried about being scammed. The dwarves were a race that understood gratitude.

Perfect. Clap, clap, clap.

I was impressed with my plan.

Of course, I wasn’t going to go without any precautions. Among the many precious items of the Bannister duchess was an ‘artifact.’ An artifact was an item made with magic.

A miraculous item that allowed even ordinary people to use magic!

The one I intended to take was a necklace imbued with Fireball magic.

By shouting “Fireball!” the magic would activate.

Anyone hit by it would turn to charcoal, hehe.

I’d prepare some money and jewelry to take with me tomorrow. I’d also write a note for the maids.

The preparations were perfect.

***

The next day, I got up early. The diligent Roan had already left. Things were working in my favor. It was a good start.

I began my first attack. I placed my fingers on my forehead.

“Ah, Mary.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“The mansion feels so stifling today.”

“Excuse me? Would you like some water?”

“Yes, please.”

I gulped down the water but still acted as if I felt no better.

“I still feel stifled. I want to leave the mansion.”

“Excuse me? Should I prepare for an outing?”

“I want to go out alone today.”

“But that would be…”

Mary looked troubled. I deliberately pretended I couldn’t eat breakfast well.

“Sigh….”

“Your Grace, are you feeling unwell?”

“Are you really feeling suffocated?”

“I can hardly eat….”

I picked at my food before standing up as if I couldn’t continue. The innocent servants looked at me with worried eyes.

“Today, I want to feel a bit of freedom.”

“Do I never have time to myself…?”

I finished in a voice that sounded like it might break.

Back in my room, I quickly changed into a comfortable dress I had prepared the day before and put on a brown robe over it. I hung the artifact necklace around my neck and placed the note I had written on the desk.

I opened the window. A cool breeze blew in. I grabbed the rope prepared for emergencies by the duke’s house, tied it to the window frame, and dropped it down.

This was the second floor. It seemed quite high, but I braved it and slowly climbed down the rope.

Thankfully, I descended safely.

Well done, Delis!

I praised myself as I headed towards the small hole I had seen earlier.

I found the spot while exploring the garden before; the hole was just about the size that I could squeeze through.

There was no one around.

I tried squeezing through the hole. Fortunately, I fit. With my previous body, it definitely wouldn’t have fit. Sigh.

I crawled through the hole and made it outside. I felt a sense of accomplishment.

Alright. Time to go!