Chapter 18

The pendant that Eos Liche always wore around her neck.

Despite how much it irritated him, there was never a chance to get his hands on it—until now, when he managed to snatch it during a dance. That item was now in Bleria’s possession.

Claiming it had been dropped by a silver-haired woman on the balcony, he handed it over through a servant.

Since Allnight did not belong to her, it was safest to keep it outside her reach. At the same time, it was a simple test and a means to strengthen their relationship with Bleria.

Would Bleria return to him even when tested with something so sensitive? He believed she would and hoped so, just as Rex, the dog, had returned when his leash was removed.

Knock, knock.

Startled by the knock, the butterfly took flight.

“Young master, it’s time to depart.”

“All right, I’ll be right out.”

As Gopher left the office, the door clicked shut behind him.

Left alone, the butterfly fluttered around the room before finding the open window again. As it flew outside, it became ensnared in a spider’s web. It struggled, writhed, and flailed until it finally stopped moving.

***

The knock felt ominous. Bleria lowered her hands from her head. Her gaze fixed on the door, frozen.

Who is it?

Faces flashed through her mind. People who always smiled at her now appeared in her imagination without their smiles.

Their expressions twisted in anger or contempt, glaring at her—the fake Bleria. The suffocating weight of their dark gazes overwhelmed her.

Knock, knock.

Holding her breath, Bleria backed away. This time, a voice accompanied the knock.

“Bleria, you’re in there, right?”

Harriet?

“I’m coming in.“

“Wait!”

For once, Harriet didn’t wait for an answer and turned the doorknob. Bleria, gripped by fear, immediately scanned her face. When she saw Harriet’s solemn expression, a chill ran through her, and a scream escaped her lips.

“Bleria!”

Following Harriet’s horrified gaze, Bleria touched her face.

Her nose was bleeding.

Harriet moved swiftly, pressing a handkerchief to Bleria’s nose and calling for a maid and a doctor. Harriet’s overreaction sent everyone else into a frenzy. In the end, the conclusion was underwhelming.

“It’s likely fatigue from the upcoming wedding. You need plenty of rest and should avoid stress,“ the doctor advised before leaving the room. Amelia exited soon after, having tidied up the fallen jewelry box.

Now, only Harriet and Bleria remained. The silence felt even more oppressive after the commotion. Bleria fidgeted with her dress hem, keeping her gaze down. When Harriet sighed beside her, she flinched.

“You were that bothered by the woman at the ball?“

“...”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have meddled. I just wanted to ease your mind.“

Harriet’s dejected expression prompted Bleria to speak, but no words came to mind.

“I’m unsure if I should tell you, but her name is Eos Liche.“

“What?“

“She’s a fallen noble from the Liche family. After being stripped of her title, she lived like a commoner. After her parents passed away, she lived abroad until she met Count Dice and returned to the empire with him.”

It was the same woman rumored to be Mixel Luke’s lover.

“She’s staying at the Allnight estate. It might’ve been a coincidence that she went to the ball.“

“Harriet.“

“People are unpredictable. Misunderstandings can arise from the most unexpected reasons.”

Harriet clasped her hands, her voice softening.

“Lord Gopher, for instance. He always smiles but feels distant and unreadable. He’s the person you wouldn’t want to get involved with.”

But that’s not entirely true…

“But it seems like you like him. You can’t know for sure until you have a proper conversation.“

“If…“

Bleria’s words caught in her throat as she swallowed the lump rising within her.

“If what I fear actually happens?“

“In that case, break off the engagement.”

Harriet smiled and patted Bleria’s frozen head.

“If he underestimates both you and Heaven, why stay with him? I’ll find someone better for you.“

“...”

“What? Do you still want to marry him? Do you like him that much?“

“It’s not that…!”

Her flustered voice cracked and shot up in pitch, making Harriet laugh.

How annoying. Bleria narrowed her eyes at Harriet before turning away sharply. Harriet wrapped a warm arm around her shoulder.

“Do whatever you want, Bleria. I’ll support you no matter what.”

The gentle words offered comfort, but they also stung. Bleria wanted to abandon Mel Slopey’s life and live forever as Bleria Heaven.

She wanted to steal Harriet’s once-cherished life—that child’s life—and live it as her own. Just as she was now borrowing Harriet’s comfort, she wished to do so for the rest of her life.

“I’m scared.”

What kind of expression would Harriet—and everyone else—wear when the truth is revealed?

The guilt she had been trying to ignore swelled deep inside her chest. If that day ever came, Bleria would rather die than face them.

Is that selfish, too?

“I should get going,“ Harriet said, kissing her cheek in farewell before leaving the room. Bleria watched the closed door absentmindedly.

A misunderstanding, you say?

Could such convenient luck ever come her way? Bleria had hardly ever experienced good fortune. What if, instead of clearing things up, asking about it only exposed the truth?

A horrible thought ballooned in her mind, but within it was the sliver of hope Harriet had planted. Bleria decided to follow Harriet’s advice. No matter what happened, it was better than running away.

With trembling hands, she rang the bell.

“I’ll go to the Allnight estate.”

***

“The young master went hunting with Her Grace,“ the servant informed her.

Bleria blinked blankly.

I didn’t even think of sending a letter ahead.

Chiding herself, she also felt an odd sense of relief. Telling the uneasy butler she would wait, Bleria went to the drawing room.

Steam rose in a hazy column from the tea set before her. The day was cold, and although she enjoyed warmth, she didn’t touch the cup, only allowing the steam to warm her cheeks. Gazing into the tea, she saw a blurred reflection of a woman amidst the fog.

Trying to empty her mind of anxiety, another memory surfaced. She had similarly waited for Gopher before—shortly after their engagement ceremony. It was the anniversary of the day Gopher lost his parents:

~~~~~~~~~~+++~~~~~~~~~~

Though he warned her he might not be available, the Bleria of three years ago still stubbornly visited the estate.

Upon arrival, she asked them not to light the fireplace, clutching a teacup between her hands, letting it cool as she waited.

Afraid of seeming strange, she didn’t ask for a blanket; her only warmth was from the cup.

How long had she stared at it before she fell asleep?

Gasp!

She woke with a start from a nightmare, clutching her pounding chest and catching her breath. That’s when she noticed a strange coat draped over her lap.

“This is…?”

It was a man’s coat, quickly twice her size. She looked up and saw a familiar face sitting across from her.

“Did you sleep well?”

The younger Gopher Allnight, looking more boyish than now, was reading a newspaper. He sipped from the teacup she held as if it were his own.

As Bleria glanced at the cup, he answered her unspoken question.

“I was thirsty, so I had a sip. Don’t worry, they’re bringing you a fresh cup.“

“Oh, that’s fine. I haven’t touched it, anyway. You don’t like hot tea, right?”

Previously glued to the text, Gopher’s eyes briefly flicked up to her. His gaze narrowed slightly, devoid of any humor.

“I noticed the tea was always cold whenever I visited Heaven.“

“You never mentioned liking cold tea. I just didn’t drink my share.“

“Don’t go out of your way to cater to me. Someone might notice and find it odd.“

“They wouldn’t find it odd. It’s normal to adjust to the preferences of someone you like.”

Oh no. Bleria stiffened, realizing what she had just said, and hastily corrected herself.

“Not that I mean I like you. I just meant since we’re engaged on the surface…“

“Right.”

His response was dismissive as he turned to another page of the newspaper.

“What kind of dream was it? You were almost groaning.”

She felt disappointed that he hadn’t woken her but let it slide. Stroking the coat draped over her, she answered,

“A dream where the real one comes back.”

In the dream, the honest Bleria Heaven had not died. The former duchess secretly raised the child, revealing the truth only after she became an adult. The Heaven family rejoiced, embracing the long-lost daughter.

And then…

“I’m thrown in prison, waiting for my trial. I’m sure I’ll be sentenced to death. But as time passes, no one comes for me. I wait until the torches in the prison go out, and I’m left in the darkness… just waiting.“

“...”

“I’ve had it so many times now that I’m used to it.”

Bleria trailed off, realizing something. The way she brushed off her nightmare was exactly how Gopher used to act when they first met.