CH 5

[Princess Sellonia Basin, living in seclusion due to the pain of a broken heart. She doesn’t even move a single step in her room.]

“Ha.”

Seeing the headline on the front page of the newspaper, Sellonia let out a laugh.

What a ridiculous article.

It’s true that she regained her consciousness and remained confined to the house.

But it wasn’t because of the pain of a broken heart, it was as she had no particular reason to go out.

The duke’s mansion had everything. Like this, she couldn’t not be luxurious and comfortable.

In the morning when she wake up on a high-quality mattress and a blanket with a crisp, refreshing scent, instead of on a dirt floor where her whole body is exhausted.

It’s not a bath to quickly wash off the minimum amount of dirt in a cold pond that she found once a week, but a leisurely time to lie down in a bathtub filled with hot water and even receive a scalp massage in a bathroom as large as a room.

Three meals a day isn’t just a meal that quells hunger with dried-up bread and cheese, but is accompanied by warm, glossy food cooked by the chef himself.

In addition, tea time and sweet desserts that you can have anytime you want.

“It’s the best. How exciting.”

She was living like a princess for the first time in nine months since she possessed this body.

Joining the expedition as soon as she possessed, she had to roll for half a year in the wilds.

Food was nowhere to be found, and even the minimum amount of shelter wasn’t provided.

She couldn’t wash as she wanted even if she did, and she had to walk several kilometers a day, always covered in thick monster blood.

The inner side of the adventure that doesn’t appear in a single line in the original story.

She liked the comfort she had now because she had been through it firsthand.

“Shall I tear it up?”

“Throw it in the fireplace.”

“Yes!”

Ella quickly tore up the newspaper and tossed it into the fireplace.

With a roar, the flames instantly expanded in size, and the newspaper disappeared in the blink of an eye.

“Miss, sue this newspaper!”

“Should I?”

“Yes! You have to show them what happens when they talk nonsense!”

Sellonia, who was responding, smiled at Ella’s serious expression.

Ella was very helpful to her, who originally had no memory of Sellonia.

She’s the type of person who talks a lot, so even if she was put next to her, she’ll talk about the situation of the nobles and the phenomenon of social circles.

At present, all the attention of the society was focused on her.

Starting with her regaining consciousness, articles about herself continued to appear. How does she feel today after breaking up with Ian, how much she’s struggling with the pain of a broken heart, etc.

There could be no more interesting gossip in the Empire now.

Looking at it at this time, whether the world she used to live in or this place, there was one thing they all liked to talk about.

Is this because all people live the same way?

“I sent the letter you gave me this morning.”

“Thanks.”

“By the way, Miss. The recipient of the letter…”

“That’s right. It’s Ian Cherville.”

“T-That…”

Ella hesitated at the name that came out of her mouth.

“I think it’s time to get alimony.”

When Ella noticed what she was trying to say, she hit her head first. It’s not a lingering regret.

After pondering what to ask for from the disgraceful man, it seemed that there could be no better thing than alimony.

Even at the end of the original story, it was shown how obsessed he is with ‘it’.

She also considered mines and business rights, but she didn’t really need them.

It was because the Basin family was richer than the Cherville family in the first place.

That’s why she asked for something that would hurt his pride and dignity.

He’ll probably go wild when he reads the letter.

“Lady, the vice guild leader of Finnest has come to visit you.”

“What? Already?”

Sellonia jumped up from the seat at the notification that came from outside the door.

It was noon now, when the sun was at its highest point.

Less than 24 hours have passed since the request, but the investigation has already been completed…

It seemed that her father’s influence had worked properly.

“Ella. Can you bring me a shawl?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Before she knew it, Sellonia was ready to go see her guest with a grim face.

***

“Grace, where do you want to go?”

Ian Cherville asked, affectionately passing his lover’s hair.

Originally, he had a date with Grace tomorrow, but at the lovely woman’s request to see him as soon as possible, he hurriedly dressed up and went out.

He was dressed so extravagantly that one wouldn’t think he was the one who broke off his engagement a few days ago.

In addition, the blue eyes of deep lakes beneath his blonde hair as soft as butter were even sparkling intoxicated with new love.

Ian’s face was as elegant as ever today, like a statue carved from hardened plaster.

With a high nose and smooth lips like a stretch of mountain range, he had a reliable frame, befitting the position of knight commander.

His height of over 180 cm and his strong body built with swordsmanship helped to make Ian’s appearance shine.

Because his handsome appearance was so famous that he was wandering around as a hymn.

In particular, his smile was so charming that there was a phrase in the lyrics of the hymn, ‘It is called the smile of God.’

The subject of that smile was no longer Sellonia, but Grace.

“Um… Can we go to the dessert shop recommended by the young ladies this time?”

Grace answered with a smile as if she was accustomed to Ian’s kind touch.

“Of course. Where is it?”

“Roblanc.”

“…”

Ian, who responded quickly with the energy to pick a star, hesitated at the familiar store name.

Roblanc, located on the northern outskirts of Monterra Street, was a dessert shop known only to those in the know because it wasn’t famous.

And it was the favorite shop of Sellonia Basin.

“Duke?”

When Grace grabbed Ian’s arm with a curious face, he hurriedly opened his mouth.

“Grace, wouldn’t the new Brezuel be better than that? Its interior is gorgeous and luxurious, so I think you’ll like it.”

Ian knew from reading the newspaper that Sellonia was living in confinement, but Roblanc was her favorite shop.

It was best to avoid her in case they ran into her if they put their feet in it for no reason.

“Pardon? But I really wanted to go to Roblanc, thouuugh…”

The corners of Grace’s eyes drooped down in disappointment.

Seeing that, Ian held back his desire to leave for Roblanc and held Grace’s hand.

“It’s quite a distance there, so we’d better go to Brezuel today.”

“Duke…”

Grace was bewildered when Ian, who had listened to everything she said, stubbornly came out today.

But that’s also for a while.

She opened her mouth again, as if realizing something about the way he held her hand without being able to meet her gaze.

“Could it be that you went there with Miss Sellonia?”

“…”

“Is that why you can’t come with me? You’re afraid you’ll be reminded of your memories with Miss Sellonia?”

“Grace, it’s not…”

“That’s true.”

Grace’s face hardened coldly at Ian’s expression of embarrassment.

He can’t lie. As it was revealed from his face.

“I still have no time to intervene. Right?”

“Grace, it’s a misunderstanding! Listen to me!”

As Grace removed her arms and turned back, Ian hurriedly grabbed her by the wrist.

“I’ve never been there with the Lady Basin. I was just worried that if the distance was too far, you would have a hard time.”

He excused himself with a desperate expression.

Ian was terrified that Grace would leave him like this. Like a puppy about to lose its owner.

“I’m telling you. We’ll go to Roblanc if you want to. Get in my carriage and let’s go together.”

Two large hands gripped Grace’s soft, white hands tightly.

“Really?”

Despite his earnest voice, Grace looked at Ian with narrow eyes. The corners of her lips twitched as if she still couldn’t believe it.

“Really. You’re the only one for me. Ever since the day I first saw you. That woman really means nothing to me now.”

“Alright. Then let’s go to Roblanc.”

Grace lifted her twisted lips and crossed her arm over Ian’s.

“Hurry, get the carriage.”

Ian quickly ordered the servant, lest he offend her again.

Grace, who was standing next to him in the form of a loving lover, had a satisfied smile on her lips.

***

“Miss Sellonia, this is the information you requested.”

Gillian handed out the brown envelope to Sellonia.

She swallowed her dry saliva as the envelope slid across the table.

Inside the envelope was information about Grace Bennett that she had asked for.

“It’s a research involving all the people around her and her family, including her.”

Gillian added with a calm face.

At the young age of 24, he was a man capable enough to become the vice guild leader of the Finnest Guild.

A man with her father’s trust. So this information must be reliable.

Sellonia picked up the envelope with a slightly trembling hand.

Until she confirmed it, she couldn’t jump to conclusions about anything, yet all sorts of thoughts filled her head.

She even felt a little afraid.

‘When it turns out not to be all the cases I’ve thought of, then what should I do…’

Eventually, however, she came into the drawing room and was handed a piece of paper containing all the clues.

Sellonia hesitated, untied the thread from the envelope, and took out the paper.

Her watery eyes began to shake violently as she read the letters while gently biting her lip in nervousness.

“…Is this for real?”