Chapter 10: Another Protagonist

Inside the swaying carriage, Bliss stared absently out the window. Though she appeared to be watching the passing scenery, her mind kept replaying her time with Caelan in the rose garden.

What had they done together that day?

‘We had tea, talked, and then left, didn’t we?’

They had savored the rose-scented tea, lingering until the fragrance had permeated their clothes, before departing. Afterward, they had simply relocated for a meal before parting ways…

‘Why can’t I stop thinking about that day?’

Three days had passed, yet memories of the rose garden kept surfacing unbidden. Normally, she would have remained perpetually tense, but perhaps because the roses had so thoroughly captivated her attention, her anxiety had gradually subsided.

When the time came to leave, she had even felt reluctant.

‘Reluctant? Have I completely lost my mind?’

What was so special about a rose garden? …Although the fragrance had been lovely, and the roses blooming in every direction had been pleasing to the eye.

“No.”

Bliss shook her head. Her defenses had lowered too quickly. Caelan was the very person she needed to be most wary of. Though it saddened her to be most cautious of someone she should trust and depend on, this was her reality.

“I can’t let my guard down.”

Considering who had originally ended her life, she couldn’t afford to become this relaxed.

“Finding a way to survive should be my priority.”

Wasn’t that precisely why she had ventured out today?

Deliberately suppressing memories of the rose garden, Bliss’s gaze sharpened as she looked outside. The setting sun had painted everything crimson.

Today was the day of Viscount Jimilta’s banquet.

***

“Are you alone?”

Bliss nodded slightly at the attendant’s question. Though Caelan had inquired once more before she left, she had assured him she would be fine.

‘If I had come with him, I would be addressed as Marchioness again.’

To appear as simply Bliss rather than the Marchioness, she needed to arrive alone.

As she followed the attendant into the banquet hall, she felt the weight of numerous gazes. These weren’t merely curious glances at a new arrival. Under the stares of those who clearly recognized her, Bliss walked in with measured steps.

‘I should probably seek out Viscount Jimilta first…’

As the host who had extended the invitation, he would undoubtedly be eager to attend to her before anyone else. Afterward, she could greet the other guests.

Though people gathered around Bliss as she searched for Leonard, none approached to speak with her. Even those who had previous dealings with her seemed to prefer observing from a distance, likely due to her formidable reputation.

This allowed Bliss to search for Leonard unhurried. As she surveyed the banquet, she noticed details she had missed at the previous ball.

The magnificent splendor of noble banquets. The gentle melody that caressed her ears, and more.

At the Marquis’s residence, her troubled thoughts had prevented her from enjoying anything. Particularly at night, she had been especially on edge, knowing she had to share a bed with Caelan. Perhaps that was why the banquet now felt so extraordinary, and Bliss’s expression visibly softened.

‘Simply being away from Caelan brings such comfort.’

She dismissed that one instance of feeling at ease in the rose garden. Even now, she couldn’t fathom why she had behaved that way.

‘Or had he anticipated my lowered guard?’

Was that why he had shown her the rose garden?

He had even granted her permission to visit anytime, but what if a trap lay hidden within?

Bliss sighed at the endless chain of questions.

‘Not knowing his thoughts is maddening.’

The original novel had been narrated from the author’s perspective, focusing on the female protagonist’s inner thoughts.

‘Will I ever reach a day when everything becomes clear?’

Lost in these thoughts as she walked, Bliss happened to look up.

She froze upon discovering an unexpected figure. The other person also noticed Bliss and hesitated briefly before approaching. Bliss internally screamed at the sight of a face she would recognize anywhere.

It was Latte, the female protagonist of this novel.

“It’s been a while.”

When Latte greeted her shyly, Bliss found herself unable to look away. Platinum blonde hair cascaded softly against her fair face, swaying in the gentle breeze. Bliss was rendered speechless by Latte’s appearance – even a simple greeting was enough to bring a rosy tint to her cheeks.

It was as if all the world’s beauty had been bestowed upon Latte alone. As her pink lips parted, her youthful, lovely voice rang out.

“Marchioness?”

Latte’s golden eyes disappeared as she narrowed them into crescents. What man could resist such a beautiful lady’s gaze? As the female protagonist, she possessed an irresistible charm.

Bliss fought to calm her racing heart. After all, Caelan had been the one who killed her, and Latte was someone she would have had to meet eventually. Thinking of it as merely happening sooner than expected helped ease her mind somewhat. Since they had already met, Bliss decided to acknowledge her, hoping to build a friendship.

“You don’t need to be so formal.”

Bliss and Latte had once been friends. Though circumstances had kept them apart for a while, they shared a history. Having grown up in the capital at the same age, their paths had naturally crossed at various events. This had led to a casual friendship, though they had never been particularly close.

After speaking to Latte, Bliss felt awkward with her empty hands and reached for a nearby champagne glass.

“Is that so?”

Latte also picked up a champagne glass. After taking a few sips, she spoke in a noticeably warmer tone.

“I’m glad I accepted the Viscount’s invitation. It’s wonderful to see you after so long.”

Bliss offered a gentle smile at Latte’s words. Though initially startled by her beautiful face, she found herself relaxing as their conversation continued. Then Latte glanced around and carefully asked.

“Did you come… alone?”

“Yes.”

“I heard the Marquis was busy, so I guess it’s true.”

Latte murmured, almost to herself, while twirling her glass. As Bliss tilted her head to better observe Latte’s contemplative expression, Latte looked up with a face that seemed suddenly unburdened.

“Though it’s a bit late, congratulations on your marriage, Bliss.”

“Thank you.”

Bliss concealed a forced smile behind her champagne glass. Receiving congratulations from Latte of all people felt particularly awkward. She felt uncomfortable, even though she hadn’t actually been the one to push Latte aside and marry Caelan.

It felt as though she had stolen someone Latte had desperately wanted.

“Is the Marquis treating you well?”

“He is.”

Bliss nodded slightly. There was no need to dwell on past memories – his recent treatment of her spoke for itself.

‘Oh?’

Bliss, who had been dismissive until now, suddenly caught herself. All this time, she had been suspicious of Caelan’s hidden intentions. Because of that suspicion, she hadn’t been able to accept his kindness at face value.

Setting aside her suspicions, she realized he had always treated her like a gentleman. During meals, he would inquire about her well-being and show genuine concern. Despite his busy schedule, they shared a bed, and once he had even covered her with a blanket while she slept. She had hazily registered the gesture while drifting off and had been quite surprised when she remembered it the next day.

How could someone like that contemplate killing his wife? Or were all these gestures merely an elaborate facade?

While Bliss remained silent, Latte continued.

“I heard the Marquis gave you a necklace at the ball. His sudden appearance must have been surprising enough, but to receive a gift… He’s truly such a caring person.”

Latte mused dreamily while fidgeting with her champagne glass. Bliss, the actual recipient, couldn’t bring herself to smile. That day, she had been convinced she would die immediately after becoming Bliss, wearing what she thought was a poisoned necklace.

Even now, the memory sent chills down her spine and raised goosebumps on her skin. Bliss masked her hardening expression by pretending to sip her champagne.

“He was cold to everyone before marriage, but I thought he would be tender to his wife.”

Bliss tilted her head at Latte’s words, which implied familiarity with Caelan. She wasn’t sure how to respond – should she confirm Latte’s assumption about his caring nature, or admit that she still couldn’t fully understand him?

“Oh my, I might have said something I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. I just meant that’s what I thought he would be like, not that he was that way with me…”

As Latte’s voice trailed off, Bliss found it difficult to believe her words were sincere.

“That’s just the impression I got of him.”

Latte concluded with a smile, dismissing her previous comments. While Bliss’s mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Caelan, Latte had managed to muddle the conversation with peculiar remarks.

‘What’s going on?’

Bliss realized that the characters she was meeting from the novel were gradually straying from her expectations. Her husband, whom she had expected to be perpetually cold and aloof, was gentle, while Latte, whom she had anticipated to be sweet and innocent, seemed rather tactless.

Unable to make sense of anything, Bliss could only stare at Latte’s bright smile.