Chapter 11

At that moment Kaillus narrowed his brow at Alice’s incomprehensible actions, Helkin asked carefully, “Uh… Your Excellency. You said, regained consciousness last night?”

“That’s right.”

“Was there anything particularly strange when you woke up? Like if someone was around, or you ate something else….”

“No, there was no one else. The only person in the bedroom was the Duchess who came to give me medicine.”

“But the medicine I gave Little Madam yesterday was the same as today…. Your Excellency, would you mind if I examine your body a little?”

“Examine me by you?” Kaillus’ eyes became fierce. It was an expression not believing him. 

Helkin cried out as if he suffered an injustice, “Your Excellency is already holding on to my life, what would I dare do? I just want to make sure you are in good shape. Please trust me.”

There was no sign of lies on his sullen face, and just as he said, he would be killed at once if he did some foolish tricks. 

Kaillus opened his mouth, easing his suppressing energy, “You’re permitted.”

Helkin crawled over to Kaillus on his knees. He then took out his magic tool and quickly inspected his body. 

“Is the poison completely detoxified?” Kaillus asked Helkin who was gathering his magic tools.

“That… the poison has yet to be completely detoxified, but this much was treatable.”

Helkin continued speaking, unable to hide his surprise.

“No antidote could cure it before, so this alone is a huge miracle. The paralyzing poison you drank Your Excellency was a very potent one that no cure would work.”

“And that poison was something you made.”

Helkin cleared his throat pretending not to hear Kaillus’ cold voice. 

“You said you would be useful, so that means you can make an antidote, right?”

“Of course. I will make you an antidote within a week.” Helkin nodded quickly in reply.

When Kaillus looked at him and glanced at the butler, the butler grabbed Helkin and helped him stand up. Just before the butler sent him out, Kaillus warned him. 

“Doctor, keep silent about the fact that I am awake not only from Madam Quillian, but also from the Duchess. Also, pretend to obey the Duchess’ orders as usual.”

“… Yes? Oh, I understand.”

Lifting his head in wonder, Helkin nodded immediately at Kaillus’ eerie gaze – because he thought that he would be killed if he asked further. 

“Then follow me, Doctor.”

The butler left the bedroom with Helkin drenched in cold sweat. 

After they left, Kaillus slowly got up from the sofa and headed towards the window. The sky outside was very clear thanks to the curtains Alice had rolled up. 

“Alice Podoori….”

All he knew about her was her family and her voice.

What kind of person are you?

Kaillus looked at the full moon in the sky for a long time, thinking of her who was constantly getting on his nerves. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Three days later.

“The guests will be arriving soon, so hurry up and prepare.”

As Alice was just finishing her makeup, Maris entered the room and said with a sullen face.

“Alright, I got it.”

Seeing that familiar face now, Alice grinned.

It has been three days since Alice heard the news that the heroine of this world, Young Lady Meltain, was coming. Today was the day Young Lady Meltain would arrive at the Duke’s house. 

Alice stood in front of the mirror after putting on her last piece of earring for the last time. Unlike yesterday when she was wearing a dress too old for a Duchess, Alice now was wearing an upgraded elegant turquoise dress. Even the necklace and earrings she was wearing now were also quite expensive, and the jewelry was unique. Moreover, these were all gifts from Madam Quillian, so Maris’s mood was quite low these days. 

Alice had been fantastically pleasing Madam Quillian for the past three days. Thanks to this, Madam Quillian took a liking to her quite a bit, and then sent dresses and accessories like this today. Of course, she also said bluntly that it would hurt the Madam’s face if she appeared not looking like a Duchess, but everyone knows it. It’s impossible for Madam Quillian to send such a gift for someone she dislikes. 

Was that why Maris’ mood is extreme these days? She would have swayed Madam Quillian as she liked using flattery. 

Thanks to Alice’s display of talent, Maris’ position was getting smaller day by day. She was even openly told to take good care of Alice yesterday. Alice couldn’t forget how Maris’ face looked like she ate poop. 

“Maris, how do I look? Would this be enough?”

When she asked Maris who was reflected in the mirror, Maris turned her head with a displeased expression. 

“… Yes, it’s alright.”

Alice grinned at Maris’ furious angry side profile while fixing her dress. The hair she put up looked a little bit awkward as Maris didn’t help her, but she still doesn’t look unsightly. 

Yes, this should look cute enough.

“Let’s get down before it’s too late.”

Alice took a deep breath after that, making up her mind, and then left the room to meet the heroine. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

“I didn’t know you were already here, Mother. My apologies.”

Madam Quillian had already arrived when they got down from the lobby. Alice was a little perplexed, but she walked quickly to Madam Quillian’s direction and apologized. 

“It’s fine. Don’t be late next time.”

“Yes.”

Alice smiled faintly and turned her head back.

Maris would have known that Madam Quillian had come down, and maybe she deliberately didn’t tell her. Maris avoided her gaze as if she had guessed right. 

She thought she was a little quiet yesterday and today. Alice turned away, thinking that she should repay her later. 

And then, the butler came into the lobby and said, “Old Madam, the Meltain carriage had arrived.”

An ivory wagon stopped in front of the mansion door. Inside that carriage is Young Lady Meltain – the female lead of the original story. 

Alice took a tense breath and clasped her hands. She never wanted to get involved with Young Lady Meltain, but she was curious about the person inside. What would Young Lady Meltain look like, who was said to be as gorgeous as a rose? 

The carriage door opened at that moment. Alice watched the woman getting down the carriage with squinted eyes, but her eyes squinted as she got closer. No, she had no choice but to open her eyes widely and gaped her mouth – because Young Lady Meltain was much more beautiful than she imagined. 

[Her green eyes that seem to contain the red sun and the freshness of the forest. Meltain Sienna looks as beautiful as a single gorgeous rose.] 

The description of the female protagonist in the book flashed through Alice’s mind. And Alice thought, the said description didn’t contain even half of the beauty of Young Lady Meltain in front of her. In a nutshell, Alice faced the second most beautiful human after Kaillus in her life. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Duchess. My name is Meltain Sienna.”

Young Lady Meltain closed her eyes and greeted Alice – not to Madam Quillian who took a step forward to greet her, but to Alice. It was an outright act of ignoring Madam Quillian – an act of referring to Alice as the Duke Family’s hostess. 

Alice was awakened by the chilly atmosphere even though she was just mesmerized by Young Lady Meltain’s beauty. 

Oh, you raised a death flag against me as soon as you saw me? 

As soon as Young Lady Meltain arrived, she started to ruin her relationship with Madam Quillian. 

Alice swallowed her saliva and spoke in a cold voice to Young Lady Meltain in the midst of the hardening atmosphere. 

“Young Lady Meltain, the order of your greeting was wrong. You should greet the elders of the Duke’s Family first. Is Baron Meltain not aware of such etiquette?” 

Her sharp criticism shook Young Lady Meltain’s green eyes slightly. 

I didn’t want our first meeting to be like this. Seriously, Young Lady Meltain means no harm. I wouldn’t have charged at you if you hadn’t charge at Madam Quillian first. Alice screamed inwardly the words she couldn’t bear to say. 

At that moment, Young Lady Meltain lowered her eyelashes and moved her pink lips.

“My apologies Madam Quillian. I mistook the greeting order, thinking that it was the Duchess who would take charge of the house in the absence of His Excellency the Duke. I apologize if I somehow offended you.” Young Lady Meltain bowed her head and apologized. 

It would look bad for Madam Quillian to say anything in this situation when she apologized with such sincere words. It will only make her look narrow-minded if she gets angry here – even though it was Young Lady Meltain who made her feel bad first. 

“… No, it is only right for the Duchess to act as the head of the family if the Duke is not present. It doesn’t matter, it’s alright.”

Madam Quillian raised the corners of her lips awkwardly.

But Alice saw it – how the corners of Madam Quillian’s lips trembled. 

Young Lady Meltain raised her head with a bright smile whether Madam Quillian did that or said that. 

(T/N: Young Lady Meltain is sus)