Chapter 15

The way to work.  

Wearing the dress provided by the Ducal House was quite uncomfortable.  

Some parts were too tight, while others were too loose.  

Even though it was a simple design, unlike the fancy dresses worn by nobles.  

Traveling by carriage from the Ducal House to the pharmacy wasn’t bad.  

In fact, it was comfortable and nice.  

She looked out the carriage window, enjoying the rare leisurely commute.  

The pharmacy she ran was a small shop located on the outskirts of the capital.  

When she first opened the shop, she couldn’t afford the high rent in the central area due to a lack of capital.  

Now, she had more funds, but she had no intention of moving the shop.  

Although the location was remote, there were many regular customers, and it was convenient for various activities since it didn’t attract much attention.

“Hello, Jeffrey. Good morning!”  

“Whoa! You scared me.”  

“Get used to it quickly.”  

Jeffrey was startled every time he saw her in the dress, as if he found it awkward.  

After glaring at him in warning, she went straight to the changing room.  

The dress was pretty but uncomfortable for working, so she quickly changed into pants.  

From early in the morning, a tall stack of orders was piled on her desk.  

“Looks like it’s going to be a busy day. I’ll tackle it with enthusiasm!”  

She stretched her neck, shoulders, and wrists, glaring at the pile of orders.  

Her work at the pharmacy was mostly finished by the morning.  

In the afternoon, Jeffrey would go out to deliver the medicine she prepared, leaving her alone in the pharmacy.  

Today was the same.  

In the afternoon, left alone, she munched on the sandwich she brought for lunch and opened an old notebook.  

It was the notebook where she had written down the contents of the original novel.  

It was currently the middle part of the novel.  

The male lead, Duke Conver, was gaining recognition for his abilities by taking on important roles in various imperial projects, and his power was gradually increasing, while his romance with Princess Stephania was flourishing.  

“At this rate… won’t the latter part of the novel completely change?”  

The male lead’s son, who wasn’t in the original, had appeared.  

Naturally, the male lead’s emotions and actions would change, and consequently, his relationships with those around him would also change little by little.  

“No, even if he’s the male lead’s son, he’s still just an extra, right? He might not have much impact.”  

She shook her head, trying to think positively as much as possible.  

Anyway, Duke Conver was the male lead of this world, and he would eventually have a happy ending.  

That meant his son Ray’s future would likely be bright too, right?  

‘Yes, I’m sure it will be. Of course, it will.’  

She tried to think positively, but for some reason, an inexplicable sense of unease seemed to linger around her neck.  

‘Because… that day was a bit strange.’  

The sight of Duke Conver and Princess Stephania together at the cabin in the woods lingered in her mind.  

Contrary to the keyword ‘gentleman only to the female lead,’ the Duke’s attitude towards the Princess seemed very dry.  

They didn’t hold hands or link arms; instead, they walked far apart.  

They rarely exchanged tender words while making eye contact.  

This was clearly a romance novel world, and they were supposed to be the romantic leads…  

‘Their atmosphere wasn’t romantic at all.’  

Of course, she couldn’t be sure since she only saw them from a distance.  

But she had a good intuition in many ways, and it was true that the atmosphere between them that day was unusual.  

Moreover, it was strange that he didn’t invite the Princess, who had come from afar, into the house.  

‘She must have wanted to meet Ray.’  

Hmm. A hum escaped her lips.  

She focused her mind and recalled the situation at that time.  

‘No, at that time, Ray was throwing a tantrum, not wanting to part with me, so it would have been difficult to introduce him to the Princess. Yes, that’s right.’  

Oh, I see.  

She nodded repeatedly.  

It was funny to think she was playing both the drum and the janggu by herself.  

She turned a few more pages of the notebook.  

‘Ugh, wait! What’s this?’  

There was something that caught her attention.  

It was the part where Duke Conver found the body of his deceased wife.  

The Conver Ducal House had scattered seven years ago.  

And it was two years later when Duke Conver found Isabella’s body.  

Bryce was said to be deeply shocked upon confirming the skeletonized remains.  

It was Princess Stephania who comforted Bryce, who was struggling with the grief of losing his wife in such a way.  

After that, their relationship deepened.  

‘But… if he’s only now learning about Isabella’s whereabouts, five years later than in the original… then could it be that the Duke and the Princess couldn’t develop a deep relationship all this time?’  

A chill ran down her spine.  

It made her think that perhaps the original had been subtly twisted for a long time.  

Ever since she found Isabella collapsed in the forest.  

Thud, she put down the notebook.  

Perhaps the plot of the novel she knew was no longer valid.  

Now that it was revealed that Ray was the male lead’s son, it was definitely not a good sign for her.  

If the latter part of the novel twisted uncontrollably, the benefits she could enjoy as a transmigrator would significantly decrease.  

“Ugh… Ugh!”  

Suddenly, she felt a surge of heat.  

Her clenched molars tightened.  

‘Why is this happening to me?’  

She shook her head vigorously, glaring aimlessly into the air.  

It was a glare directed at the creator who might be secretly watching them from somewhere.

* * * 

Bryce, who had returned home early for once, frowned at the pile of gift packages in the first-floor lobby.  

“What is all this?”  

“Master, you’ve returned. These are gifts for Young Master Ray. They seem to be messages congratulating and welcoming the Young Master who has finally found his place. Here are the letters as well.”  

The Head Butler, Owen, lifted a silver tray piled high with letters as he spoke.  

The reunion of the Conver father and son had been widely reported in the newspapers, making the entire empire aware of their news.  

Many people seemed to want to express their sincerity and perhaps establish a small connection with Duke Conver through this opportunity.  

“Where is Ray?”  

“The Young Master has finished his sword training and is bathing. Master, have you had dinner?”  

“Not yet. I’ll eat with Ray.”  

“Yes, I will prepare it.”  

As Bryce was about to climb the stairs to go to his bedroom, a loud noise came from outside.  

“It seems Miss Astrid has returned.”  

The butler opened the front door.  

But contrary to Owen’s expectations, it was Diane Lesper standing in front of the entrance stairs.  

Behind her was a cart, with a white pony inside.  

Upon seeing Bryce, Diane widened her eyes in surprise, then smiled broadly and waved cheerfully.  

As if she hadn’t expected to meet him here at this time.  

“Oh, Bryce! I’m here! I brought a gift for the young lord. Hohoho!”  

Her high-pitched voice echoed loudly.  

Bryce’s lips twitched slightly at the visit of an unwelcome guest.

* * *

It had been a week since she started living at the Ducal House.  

Until now, dinner had always been just her and Ray.  

But today, Duke Conver had come home early, and there was an unexpected guest.  

Diane Lesper’s gaze at her was extremely unpleasant.  

If her eyes had a voice, she would surely be saying, ‘How dare a mere employee dine with the employer’s family!’  

But since Duke Conver was present, her words were much more refined.  

No matter how refined, the underlying meaning was still unpleasant.  

“The nanny is dining at the same table too. Oh, how surprising. Hohoho.”  

“Ray wanted it, and I allowed it. Naturally. Astrid and Ray have been like family.”  

“Oh, I see.”  

When Duke Conver spoke nonchalantly, Diane pouted as if something displeased her.  

Seeing this, Duke Conver spoke again.  

“Miss Lesper, is something bothering you?”  

“No, nothing like that.”  

“That’s a relief.”  

With Duke Conver’s words, Diane immediately fell silent.  

She turned her head away from the Duke’s cold face and looked at Ray.  

Ray, who ate everything without fuss, was happily enjoying the salmon steak in front of him.  

“Ray, do you like the horse gift?”  

“Yes, I really like it! Thank you!”  

“Oh my! Our Ray has such a strong voice! Oh, how lovely!”  

“Thank you for the compliment too.”  

Diane laughed gleefully at Ray, who answered questions well and politely expressed his gratitude.  

Duke Conver was the same.  

A satisfied smile appeared on the father’s face as he looked at his son.  

They say a house with a child is never without laughter.  

Thanks to Ray, it seemed that laughter replaced sharp conversations, which was a relief.  

“Ray, do you like your new life?”  

“I’m still adjusting, but I think it’s okay. Everyone helps me a lot.”  

Seeing her Ray answer without any shortcomings in front of others made her feel something akin to emotion welling up inside.  

‘Ah, what a good child. You’ve grown up so well.’  

She was feeling content when suddenly Diane’s gaze turned to her.  

‘Why is she doing that again?’  

She thought Diane should just continue focusing on Ray.  

She furrowed her brows in irritation at Diane’s unpleasant gaze.