My body automatically opened the door and headed outside. I felt stifled, with my thoughts seemingly blocked by an invisible force.
As I left the room, I was guided to the dining room not by Irena, but by a maid I had never seen before.
Only then could I recognize it.
Ah, it’s a dream.
My mind eased. I surrendered myself to the dream.
As the dining room door opened and Lora entered, I could see family members already seated.
The gazes of family members and servants were cold, just like when I first became Lora.
Similarly, it was a meal that seemed likely to cause indigestion. Perhaps emotions even heavier than when I was at the Count’s mansion weighed down on Lora.
Nevertheless, Lora chattered incessantly. Pitifully, there were no responses.
The dream from Lora’s perspective continued afterward.
[Lorazie. What is this behavior? I’m sure I told you not to touch my things carelessly.]
[I don’t have time for you. Go back to your room.]
[Hey. If you catch my eye, I won’t let it slide. Get lost.]
[You take after your mother, completely lacking in dignity.]
Somehow, it felt more intense than when I had possessed her. Thinking about it, the revenge I carried out seemed a bit mild.
Anyway, unlike me, the real Lora was hurt by those words, became angry, and eventually despaired.
And then someone approached Lora. It was on a day when she was alone at a party.
Lora followed him to the garden. He said something, and Lora nodded.
Strangely, I couldn’t hear anything as if there was noise interference. The man’s face was only visible as a blur.
The two, who had grown close, met frequently afterward. At parties, in busy streets, and even in back alleys in the middle of the night.
When the man told Lora something, she hurriedly wrote it down.
The papers and their contents flew out of my mind as soon as I heard them. Even when looking at the papers, they were not visible to “me” who wasn’t Lora.
Several days passed like that.
That day too was an ordinary day when Lora had been despised by her family. She was throwing things around the room in frustration when suddenly, she glanced at the paper where she had written down the man’s words.
Lora, as if having made a decision, clenched her fist and then opened it.
Past Lora’s dressing room was another small room.
In there, Lora stabbed her hand with a knife. And she began to draw something one by one as the man had instructed.
[It’s done.]
She muttered that and laughed madly.
The next day, Calix died.
“…miss, Miss. Wake up.”
“Mmm, Irena?”
With the image of trembling hands at his funeral, I woke up from my sleep.
Blinking my eyes, I looked around. It was Kalschmitz Castle. Only after confirming that my fingers and toes moved according to my will did I come to my senses.
“A nightmare?”
“Pardon?”
“Irena, could you bring me paper and a pen?”
It might be nothing, but it felt unsettling.
In the memories that Asmodeia showed me before I became Lora, there was no such content. I began to write down the contents of the dream lest I forget.
“By the way, why did you wake me up?”
“Oh, a message came from home. For Master Limpe.”
“Really? The crystal ball?”
“I’ll bring it. They said to contact them at your leisure.”
“Alright.”
While Irena went out briefly to get the crystal ball, I stared at the letters for a long time, chewing on the end of the pen. And I pondered.
“…Was there such a space inside Lora’s dressing room?”

***

“Lora. Have you been well?”
“Lady Lora!”
“Limpe, Soho. Good to see you. Where’s Aria?”
“She was waiting, but went to the market with Mia for a moment.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I should have contacted you sooner.”
I felt sorry for contacting them late today and for not keeping in touch frequently. They were friends who were managing the mansion in my place. Limpe responded with his usual comfortable smile.
“It’s alright, Lora. Soho, say hello.”
“Soho, have you been well?”
“Yes! Hello, Lady Lora!”
He was still energetic, and it tugged at my heart that he seemed to have grown a bit since I last saw him.
“Lora, how about returning as soon as the social season ends?”
Limpe suggested with a worried expression. Being well-informed, he must have heard about the northern expedition. I wanted to return too, but…
“I don’t think I can. I have things to do.”
“Is it because of the Grand Duke?”
“Well, it is something I need to do with him.”
Since Asmodeia told me to stay with him.
Upon hearing my words, Limpe’s expression grew deeply troubled.
“I heard that you and he have become lovers. But there’s no need to join him in dangerous affairs, Lora.”
“Lovers? Limpe, that’s just a false rumor.”
“Anyway, it means you’re meeting with good feelings, right?”
“Who is?”
“At least one of you.”
“You won’t believe me even if I deny it, will you?”
“Hmm, I believe you.”
What’s the point of revealing the truth? No one believes it anyway. Seeing Limpe’s ironclad expression, I sighed and gave up.
“How is the capital?”
“They’re currently accepting volunteers for the expedition force.”
“I see.”
“You’re not thinking of following the expedition force, are you?”
“Why?”
“If so, I was thinking of volunteering too.”
He said he was worried about me staying here and wanted to come along.
While I appreciated his concern, I was equally worried about him.
“It’s fine, Limpe. With His Highness the Grand Duke here, what is there to worry about?”
“That’s true, but I miss you too.”
“So do I. But please take care of the mansion.”
“Alright, Lora. Please take care of yourself.”
Behind him, Soho peeked out.
“Lady Lora! Be careful!”
“Yes, yes. See you soon.”
And so we said our reluctant goodbyes. Well, I just hoped we would meet again alive.
Not long after I turned off the screen, Lionel returned. His voice, asking if I had been looking for him, was completely drained of energy.
“You’re back?”
I just patted his shoulder, and he gave a sorrowful smile. His silver hair flowed down smoothly.
“Lady Lora, I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I shouldn’t have gone out carelessly…”
But there was something else I wanted to hear.
“I’ll let it slide this time. So what happened?”
“She left.”
Though I asked without a subject, no one here misunderstood. But where could Lady Deswin go?
“Where to?”
“She said she’s going to the Academy.”
“Huh? There?”
“Yes, that’s right. Where Irena’s siblings are.”
“Wow. That’s a big decision.”
A high noble entering the Academy. She might be the first student above the rank of Marquis.
“So she wasn’t completely thoughtless.”
“Haha.”
“Lionel, since she’s in the same northern region, you’ll still be able to see her.”
We could visit her when we go to see Irena’s siblings.
Lionel’s eyes widened in surprise. He must have thought that since Lady Deswin and I didn’t get along, he wouldn’t be able to see her until she graduated.
“Is that allowed?”
“Why not? Stop worrying and go.”
“Yes, Lady Lora. Thank you.”
He smiled brightly, looking much happier than when he came in.
But you know what? They say I need to seal something called a demon realm gate or whatever before going there.
“Sigh.”
With that thought, I became rapidly tired and collapsed onto the bed after sending everyone out.
And once again, I dreamed.