“They said he’s resting in his room. He woke up early at dawn.”
“Really? And the doctor?”
“I know a very skilled physician. I contacted them yesterday, and they said they could come today.”
“If it’s someone Sophia trusts, they’re reliable.”
She’s one of the few competent people in this mansion. A bit quirky, maybe… but she gets things done.
“Have them brought here as soon as they arrive at the estate.”
“Yes!”
“Oh, wait a second.”
After quickly wiping my face, I returned to my desk. I opened the bottom drawer and took out the jewels and gold accessories I had removed from the dress.
“Use this as payment.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“And this is yours!”
“…Pardon?”
Sophia’s eyes widened dramatically. I smiled and gently placed the jewels into her hands myself.
“I was going to give something to the other staff too, but I wanted you to have yours first.”
“No, please! Just being taken in by the late Earl was already more than enough—!”
“Mm. Then think of this as extra compensation.”
“My lady!”
“Whatever you do, you must accept it, Sophia. I’m not giving this to you for no reason.”
“W-what?”
She blinked like a fish.
I smirked.
“Bribe.”
In times like this, competent staff like her were priceless. The internal structure was already full of holes, so unity was more important than ever.
Fixing a leaking bucket wasn’t something I could do alone—it required everyone’s effort.
“Think of it as a bribe to keep you here for a while. Or an advance on your salary. I’ll give you more later too.”
“My lady…”
Sophia looked between me and the jewels, deeply moved. But soon, her shoulders drooped.
“I appreciate it very much, but I think this would be more meaningful if used for the family’s funds. I don’t mean anything else!”
“I know what you mean, Sophia.”
She meant: use it to pay off the debt instead of giving it to staff.
“But it doesn’t matter. I’m not paying that debt.”
I plan to return it—cleanly wrapped and properly packaged.
The ledger was already full of holes, but this wasn’t something jewels could fix. This was rot that had to be cut out entirely.
‘Besides, there’ll still be some left over.’
This much was fine.
“Say one more word and I’ll add even more.”
It had originally been escape money, but plans change. Resources should be used accordingly.
After a moment of hesitation, Sophia nodded tearfully.
Somehow, I felt oddly satisfied.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
As Sophia quickly wiped her eyes, I called for them to come in—and a tall figure cautiously stepped inside.
“C-can I come in…?”
“Yeah, come in—ah! Perfect timing.”
Matthias tilted his head.
I quickly ran over to him, grinning.
“Let’s cut your hair!”
It had been bothering me for a while.
Every time I saw that overgrown fringe, I felt uncomfortable on his behalf. It probably got in his eyes too. Even the back was long, falling past his shoulders.
“Okay.”
“Good decision!”
I immediately asked Sophia if she could handle it. She agreed without hesitation.
‘He looked pretty good in the illustration too.’
I hadn’t paid much attention back then, but I still remembered his striking appearance.
Perfect head shape. Perfect proportions. He was already halfway there.
And once Sophia worked her magic—
I clapped my hands.
‘As expected!’
No matter how you spin it—forward, backward, doing windmills a million times—young men are always right.
No objections accepted.
“Wow! You look like a completely different person!”
Sophia admired her work proudly.
The messy hair that had fallen past his shoulders was now a neat short cut. His bangs were trimmed just above his eyes and parted cleanly.
‘Black-haired beauty with visible eyes—perfect.’
And as expected, appearance really does change impression.
His timid atmosphere softened a little once his sharp eyes were revealed.
Tall, lean frame too—now that his clothes fit better, he had a surprisingly intimidating presence.
‘I get why he’s described more by appearance than anything else.’
Even as a 2D character, he had been memorable. In 3D, it was unfairly better.
Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.
‘He’s really handsome.’
My taste had always leaned toward sharp, cold-looking faces rather than gentle ones.
Apparently, that preference survived reincarnation too.
‘Fine. So what if I overwork myself?’
If this face is the reward, I can endure it.
“Do you… like it?”
“Ah—y-yeah!”
Lost in admiration, I snapped back to reality as Matthias fidgeted with his hands.
Now that his face was visible, his expressions were much easier to read.
“I like it. It looks more comfortable. What about you?”
“I… like it too.”
He answered quietly, ears slightly red. His eyelashes were unusually long when he looked down.
“L-like it. Me too.”
I held my breath.
‘…Damn.’
This is dangerous.
‘What even is this kid?’
I stared at him seriously.
It was lucky Sophia had already left the room—otherwise I might’ve begged for a portrait or something ridiculous.
‘Well, there’s no camera in this world anyway.’
I quickly turned away.
If I kept looking, something dangerous might escape my restraint.
“Cough. Let’s eat first, then talk.”
Food first. Always.
That universal truth had never failed.
After a simple breakfast,
I rubbed my sleepy eyes and unfolded a map.
The parchment spread wide across the desk.
“So, it’s an alley inside 10th Street of Robentory?”
“Yes.”
Matthias nodded while studying the map curiously.
I pinned down both edges of the parchment.
Now that I saw it clearly—
‘It’s pretty far.’
The Empire of Rutherford.
The capital, Robentory, was divided into ten districts—from 1st Street to 10th Street.
The Imperial Palace and top nobles lived in the 1st and 2nd districts.
Middle and lower nobles occupied up to the 8th.
And the slums—along with black markets and vagrants—were in the 9th and 10th districts.
The 10th district was infamous for its poor security. Even imperial guards reportedly avoided it.
Black markets and entertainment districts were packed together there, making it feel like a completely different country compared to the noble districts.
‘Of course it was there.’
I pressed my tired eyes.
His past had only been briefly mentioned in the original story, so I hadn’t thought much of it back then…
‘Environment really does shape a person.’
Seeing it firsthand made everything feel heavier.
Matthias glanced at me.
“Tired.”
“Ah, I just stayed up too late. I’m fine!”
Still, I should sleep earlier tonight. Maintaining a healthy routine was essential.
Now that I had someone else to take care of, I had to manage myself properly too.
‘Hang in there until I deal with that guy!’
Once the urgent matters were handled, things would stabilize.
I clenched my fist and looked at Matthias.
When our eyes met, he flinched slightly, almost shyly.
And just like that, my tension melted away.
‘Yeah.’
Good-looking people really are the best.