Lora’s conduct and notoriety were already widespread, so one more episode about a slave intrusion wouldn’t make her image any worse.

So, the reason for barging into my room was because of the expulsion.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you if I were expelled, brother? You’ve always seen me as a thorn in your side. And if I’m gone, there won’t be any chance of lowering Epine’s dignity.”

I couldn’t understand why this was such a heated issue that he had to barge in.

“I don’t know why you’re acting like this, but you seem too agitated. Why don’t you go out and cool your head first?”

I issued an order to leave as if there was nothing more to see. He raised an eyebrow as if truly puzzled.

“When did I ever treat you like a thorn in my side?”

“Always.”

“I’ve always cherished you.”

His serious statement made me dumbfounded.

“How did you cherish me?”

“That’s,”

“What, in your heart? How unfortunate. It didn’t show at all.”

It wasn’t even funny. Where in the world is there someone who expresses care so coldly? He hesitated at my question, his lips twitching. And then, frustratingly, he trailed off.

“That’s because you! Haa. Anyway, the talk of expulsion was premature. You are a person of the Epine Count family.”

“Brother, as you know, I’m leaving soon. If you have something to say, it would be better to say it without hesitation before I’m gone for good.”

I crossed my arms and tilted my head, and Calix opened his mouth with a faint sigh.

“I acted that way because I was afraid you’d be further ostracized among the nobles the more you behaved like that.”

“What?”

“You’re already in the position of an illegitimate child. If you do well, it’s just breaking even, and if you don’t, you’ll only be the subject of gossip. I admit I was harsh to you. But I never considered you a thorn in my side, Lorazie.”

“No. Brother, you were like that even before I went astray. Even before my conduct became something to nitpick about. You wouldn’t say you don’t know how hard I tried to become a member of the Count’s family before that, would you?”

He pressed his fingers between his eyebrows as if unsure where to start, and continued speaking.

“That… I just didn’t know how to express it.”

“Ha.”

“I’m sorry. I really won’t come barging in like this anymore. I only seem to make mistakes with you.”

He apologized and awkwardly avoided my gaze, and I could only harden my expression as I felt my insides boiling.

“Why are you saying these things now?”

Things he never said even when Lora was dying.

He smiled bitterly.

“It was Father’s sin, not yours. I realized that watching you try to leave this place.”

His words were spoken softly.

As each word entered my ears, I felt anger rising.

He should have done this for the real Lora. What’s the point of saying these things to me now?

I couldn’t stand to look at him anymore.

“Please leave.”

“I see.”

He left the room quietly, unlike how he had barged in.

Thud-

I collapsed onto the sofa, trying to calm my boiling insides.

If you’re going to be bad, be bad all the way through.

Though I tried to pretend I didn’t notice, I had been feeling it. The subtle changes in the Count, Calix, and Lora’s family members.

It was a truth I had been avoiding because if I admitted that they changed because I changed, it would make both my former self in Korea and the now-vanished Lora seem too pitiful.

Not knowing what to do with this heavy heart, I closed my eyes and tried to erase my thoughts.

Click-

At that moment, I heard a presence. It was Sion, whom I had sent to the room to avoid Calix.

“Because of me, the rumors are like that…”

He hesitated, his lips twitching, then bowed his head deeply. It seemed he had heard all of our shouting match from inside the room.

He lowered his already gentle eyes even more, wearing an expression full of guilt.

“Hm? No. The rumors weren’t exactly beautiful even before you came, so it doesn’t matter. And it seems you’re being insulted every time because I lack power. I’m sorry. Let’s just fix your leg and go back quickly.”

I smiled kindly, not wanting to see him make such an expression for something that wasn’t his fault. Though it was probably just a weak smile.

“No, Master.”

“Ah, and could you call me by my name instead of Master?”

“Pardon?”

“If that’s uncomfortable, call me Lady Lora.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t like it. The sound of ‘Master.’ Somehow, ‘Master’ sounds a bit perverse.”

It’s amazing how I can make such frivolous jokes even in this situation.

“…Yes.”

“Why are you so down? Here, eat this.”

I smiled brightly and handed a cookie to the dejected Sion.

Sion quietly accepted it and stared at the small cookie on his large palm for a long time. Then, he spoke solemnly.

“Even if my leg doesn’t heal, I will protect you, Lady Lora.”

“What? Ahaha- Alright. Come to think of it, it’s tomorrow. The day the priest comes from the temple.”

As we talked, my heart calmed a little, and I was able to laugh.

Gulp-

On the other hand, Sion swallowed nervously and stiffened his body.

“Don’t worry too much. It’ll be fine. Well, if it doesn’t work out, you can just work hard on managing the garden with Lionel.”

“Yes, Lady Lora.”

I joked playfully with him, and Sion smiled broadly, his eyes curving into crescents.

It was the first time I’d seen such a clear smile.

***

The morning of the day Sion had been longing for dawned.

“Miss, you’re scheduled to visit the temple this morning, and there’s a family dinner in the evening.”

I leaned on the sofa, resting my chin on my hand, and grumbled.

“Sigh, how annoying. That damned family dinner. I wonder how much of a mess it’ll be today.”

“Pardon?”

The maid who had been reciting the day’s schedule beside me asked, looking as if she might have misheard.

I smiled brightly, pretending nothing was wrong.

“It’s nothing. Is there anything else besides that?”

“No. Which dress would you like to wear?”

“Today, I want to wear a glamorous dress. Hmm, could you bring the flashy red dress I wore before?”

“Pardon? Yes. I’ll go select it.”

Today was the day I needed to appeal my wealth to the priests from the temple to maximize their abilities. So I decided to use jewelry and dresses I don’t usually wear without hesitation.

If I dress the way the previous Lora did, it should be successful.

I put on the red dress studded with jewels that the maid brought, as she dressed me. Around my neck, I wore a necklace with a diamond as big as a king’s bauble. I also put on ruby earrings decorated with pink diamonds around the edges, and standing in high heels, I looked in the mirror.

“Ah! It’s blinding! My eyes!”

“Miss, are you really going out like this?”

It was literally blinding. Even the maid, who by now rarely questioned my words, frowned and asked, it was that insanely bright.

The various jewels densely studded on the dress reflected the light brilliantly in all directions, and the massive diamond necklace, the finishing touch of today’s look, created prisms here and there as if shooting beams.

It was as blinding as if someone sitting by the window on a bus was using their phone and the light from that phone hit my eyes directly.

“Can you turn off the lights? Did I really go around like this before?”

“Ah, haha…”

The maid laughed awkwardly and avoided my eyes.