Chapter 8

‘This time I will safely pass tomorrow . No matter what!’

I made it my resolution . It was embedded into my mind deeper than it had ever been before .

Now that the situation had come to this point that stubbornness started churning up inside me .

I would make sure that there is no accidents tomorrow just because of how unfair I feel about this whole situation .

I’ll go see the clock tower super fast .

I’m gonna see it really briefly and come back to the house without any accidents!

Definitely!

* * *

Did my resolution have any effect?

This time I did not take my wallet when leaving with Ash . Not only my wallet, but I did not have anything on me and simply went out empty handed .

So that I couldn’t lose anything or be robbed in the first place .

Even as I walked I did not give my attention to anything around me .

A store stand? No thanks . A hair clip? Put that away . Once was more than enough in being distracted .

I also made up an excuse saying I wanted to enjoy the scenery, making us walk from the entrance to the outskirts of the square . The clock tower was located at the northern part of the square .

And when we walked like this, soon…… .

‘Clock tower . ’

We were at our destination .

“Shall we go up?”

Ash led me into the clock tower .

It was only meaningful if we actually went up the stairs and heard the bell at the top instead of simply looking at it from the outside .

I stood there dazed for a moment and was dragged along to the stairs by Ash before I even had time to respond .

The way up the tower was narrow, so we had to hold hands instead of linking arms .

My heart was beating . It didn’t feel real for a moment .

We arrived at the clock tower? This easily?

Without any accidents along the way?

Ding-

Then I heard the bell sound . It was a clear ring that told me that this situation was completely real .

I stood on the top of the tower next to Ash .

The open scenery through the window and the bell sound that rang at my ears told me where I was .

‘I really saw it . ’

I came out to see the clock tower, and actually saw it .

It meant we were done . Our purpose in coming out had been fulfilled . Our outing was over .

It should’ve been like this from the start . This was the norm, but the things I went through before turning back a day were so baffling and unbelievable that this simple moment felt like a dream .

I asked Ash just in case .

“……Shall we return now?”

“Do you want to go back?”

“Since we saw the clock tower . ”

“Alright . If that’s what you wish . ”

Ash simply nodded his head .

All the stress and tension left my shoulders as soon as I got a positive answer .

Should I say I felt like I had been drained? Something like that .

I was grateful for this simple situation with no accidents but I also felt that it was unfair .

‘It should’ve been like this from the beginning . ’

I had been determined to forget the past and get over it, but I couldn’t stop thinking of how unfair it was now that the situation ended up like this .

The marble I had to break unfortunately seemed to appear before my eyes like a homeless idiot .

‘It was so easy and simple…… . ’

Why did it turn out that way before .

I felt so unfair that my nose began prickling . A moment later a tear fell down my cheek .

My tear faucet was beyond my control .

“Sister?”

I could hear Ash’s surprised voice .

Ash seemed to be quite flustered since I started crying so unexpectedly .

I could understand why . I was flustered as well .

“Why are you crying?”

It was hard to reply because my throat was clogged . I was barely able to let out a few words .

“Just…… . ”

It seemed like Ash was holding his breath and waiting for my next words .

No, there was no way . It’s not anything serious .

“It’s nice to see the clock tower…… . ”

This was half true . My tears held my feelings of unfairness but there was also relief and happiness .

I felt like a weight had been pushed off my heart now that I knew I wouldn’t have to see Agrita die the third time despite my complicated emotions .

Ash was silent for a moment after hearing my reply .

Well, I guess it would be hard to reply if someone replied like this after being asked why they were suddenly crying .

Then Ash suddenly spoke .

“If I knew you would like it so much I should’ve made some time earlier . ”

“…… . Huh?”

“I’m sorry I brought you here so late . ”

Ash seemed to be really sorry . I could see his sincerity in his expression and tone .

Thanks to this I was at a loss of words .

I was the one who made up the excuse but I couldn’t believe he actually bought it .

‘Well whatever . ”

I have now become a lady who cried at the sight of the clock tower but I couldn’t care less .

I finally completed today’s task . I had seen the clock tower with Ash, and Agrita was alive .

The only thing left was to pack my things after going back home .

This thought made me more teary, and I ended up sniffling at the top of the tower of a long time .

* * *

I originally did not plan to attend the banquet today .

I had planned on making excuses to not attend and take my stuff and run as soon as the banquet started and when everyone’s attention was there .

Since the female lead, Agrita, had caught Ash’s sight as soon as Ash had entered the banquet hall, which was right after the banquet began, so I thought it would be okay .

‘But I’ve suddenly become more nervous . ’

But my thoughts had changed now .

I had already gone through the female lead’s astonishing death twice .

I could only be relieved if I saw the female lead walk into the banquet hall with my own eyes .

So I ended up having a change of plans . I would attend the banquet and sneak out in the middle to run away .

I would leave once I saw my brother and Agrita notice each other without any accidents .

I had already packed my things and hid it in my closet .

It wouldn’t be a problem to take it and leave the house once I had a chance .

“Miss, look in the mirror . ”

Bessie said as I was deep in my thoughts . I lifted my eyes at her voice .

“You were already beautiful, but you’re practically sparkling today . ”

This wasn’t the first time Bessie had called me pretty .

But this time her tone seemed particularly sincere…… . Hmm, understandable .

I blinked as I met the gaze of my own eyes in the mirror .

The movement of my long eyelashes looked like the movement of a butterfly’s wings .

My skin was fair but with a healthy colour, and my thick wavy red hair seemed to be glowing today .

‘Bessie……’

Bessie’s skills were amazing despite having seen it so many times . She must’ve struggled a lot as I sat in front of the dressing table deep in thought .

“No one at the banquet today should be more beautiful than you . ”

“Yeah, sure . If you take out Ash . ”

“Oh my . Who are you comparing yourself to?”

I had mentioned my younger brother half joking, half serious, and Bessie began laughing as if she had heard a funny joke .

What, I was half serious .

Then she brought out a cream coloured butterfly shaped hair ornament and placed it between the top of my head and my left ear .

It was matching colours with the velvet coloured dress I was wearing .

“Done!”

There was a knock on the door immediately after she said this . I turned my head after hearing the ringing knocking sound .

“He must be here . ”

Bessie moved quickly to open the door . I closed my eyes and opened them again slowly .

Truly the protagonist of tonight, Ash was standing in a tailcoat .

‘Look at that . ’

I knew it .

His carefully decorated look was truly deserving of all the praises of sparkling or whatever .

The black tailcoat surprisingly went elegantly with his balanced proportions .

Even the person who made the tailcoat could not have thought of such a fit .

If he had been on the news in my previous life, the title ‘Sold out man’ would never have left his name .

I walked towards Ash thinking of these things . Ash reached his hand out, as if he had been waiting .

“Shall we go, my lady?”

Ash’s eyes held playfulness as they bent smoothly .

Don’t smile like that after dressing up, boy .

I become flustered even though I know you’re an adult psychopath villain .

‘This is why the confession letters don’t end . ’

I suddenly remembered all the letters that flew into the house endlessly .

Ash was at an age where he had barely become an adult yet, but he was definitely husband material that people desired .

There were many personal confession letters among the pile of letters but there were also many proposal letters sent from noble families .

Of course Ash had never replied to any of those letters . I didn’t know if it was okay to do that but that was what Ash was doing .

And it was going to be this way from now on as well .

Why would he concern himself with dating or marrying when all he will think of is Agrita after today?

It was a little weird to say it was because of this, but I had a simple hobby since before .

I gather all of Ash’s unread letters along with mine but I read mine first and even sent decline letters to the proposal letters and I burned all of them in the fireplace in the living room .

I had first started this to help Bessie out since she would feel troubled getting rid of them without permission, but it had become quite enjoyable after a while .

Ash also liked this hobby of mine .

He didn’t say it out loud but he seemed happy every time I burned the letters .

I didn’t think it was because I was saving the firewood, but I wasn’t entirely sure why . Did he enjoy it because I looked like I was enjoying myself when I did it?

“Duke, Miss . It’s rather hard to lift my head because of your sparkling presence today . ”

We reached the entrance of the banquet hall as I thought this . The location of the hall was the inside of the first floor, and it was linked to the back garden .

The butler, who was getting ready to greet us near the entrance of the hall, made a friendly smile .

I took the lines forming at his wise eyes as a greeting and smiled back .

“Everyone is here . Let’s go in . ”

The main character always appears last .

We purposely dragged the time a bit and came down after everyone who was invited had arrived .

The butler sent a look, and Alex opened the door .

I walked into the banquet hall with Ash .