“That’s impossible…”
I was confused.
I understood why Vivian cursed me. In her eyes, I was a thorn in her side, someone interfering between her and Jerome.
But Jerome was different. He was the man Vivian loved.
Why would she curse the person she loved?
My head was full of question marks.
“Why would Lady Vivian curse the duke? I heard they’ve known each other since childhood…”
“Because she loves him.”
“…What?”
Did I hear that right?
I stared at Lowell in disbelief.
“If Duke Winston suffers from a curse, Lady Angus gains an excuse to deliver purification incense. She simply wanted to see him, even if it meant that.”
“That’s not love. That’s obsession.”
Lowell asked calmly,
“What do you think is the difference between obsession and love?”
How should I know?
Isn’t it unfair to ask someone who’s never even dated what love is?
“As love deepens, intelligent beings try to blur the boundary between themselves and the one they love. The stronger the affection, the less they see the other as a separate existence.”
His voice was steady.
“It’s instinctive. The desire to be close to someone you love is no different from wanting to make them part of yourself.”
I felt uncomfortable listening to him.
“When love grows, it’s natural to feel anxious when you’re apart. The attempt to ease that anxiety is what people call obsession.”
His eyes were darker than usual.
“If so, obsession could be seen as a more intense form of love.”
I still couldn’t agree.
And hearing that from someone who likes preserving people as specimens made it even more disturbing.
“So does that make what Lady Angus did right?”
“Of course not. Her method has ethical problems. But the desire to keep someone you love by your side—that part is understandable.”
Why are you understanding that?
His logic sounded reasonable on the surface, but it felt twisted.
Unable to argue properly, I gave an awkward smile.
“It’s hard to understand. I’ve never been in love.”
Lowell smiled.
“Back to the main point. Since she used both poison and black magic, Lady Angus won’t escape severe punishment.”
I hadn’t known she went as far as cursing me, but I knew she was ruthless.
Still, she wouldn’t block my path anymore. That was enough.
“Did you break the curse, Master?”
“Yes. You don’t feel any aftereffects, do you?”
“No. I actually feel better than before.”
“I placed a blessing spell on you.”
A blessing spell? That uses holy power.
“I didn’t know you could use holy magic.”
“I once belonged to the temple.”
“You were a priest?”
That was new information.
Lowell smiled lightly.
“After leaving, my holy power weakened. I can only use simple spells now.”
Then he changed the subject.
“Lady Angus is refusing to speak, so the investigation is delayed.”
Vivian, you stubborn idiot.
There was solid evidence she tried to poison me. She couldn’t escape.
“If she remains silent, the maximum sentence will likely be given. Delaying only harms her.”
“I hope she speaks soon.”
Either way, she’d pay for her crimes.
The problem was solved.
Now I just needed to focus on raising Jerome’s affection.
Just as I sighed in relief, Lowell suddenly asked,
“How did you know there was poison in the teacup?”
“Huh?”
Our eyes met.
“As I said, the poison was colorless and odorless. It’s not even publicly known. Unless you drank it, you couldn’t detect it.”
He looked at me as if trying to see through me.
“How did you know to use the fairy skull?”
My eyes darted.
Is he suspicious?
In the game, no one questioned anything I did.
But this was reality now.
I couldn’t say I already knew from a previous playthrough.
I thought quickly.
“She kept insisting I drink the tea even after I refused. It felt suspicious.”
Lowell stared silently.
Doesn’t he believe me?
After a moment, he spoke.
“That’s interesting. At the duke’s estate, too. Perhaps you have a talent for sensing bad energy.”
Maybe my desperate wish worked. The suspicion in his eyes faded.
“You might have a heightened sense. That kind of intuition will be useful.”
Thank goodness.
Just then, there was a knock.
Lowell’s attendant entered.
“Duke Winston has arrived.”
“Winston? We didn’t have an appointment.”
“He says he’s here to see Miss Ambervia.”
I jumped to my feet.
He must have heard I collapsed!
How thoughtful.
I quickly checked myself in a mirror. Thanks to Lowell’s blessing, I looked perfectly healthy.
“That won’t do.”
I applied pale powder to my face, dulled my lips, and shaded under my eyes to look sick.
If he came to visit me, I should look at least a little ill.
Time for the “trigger his protective instincts” strategy.
“Master, how do I look?”
“A complete mess.”
Perfect.
Confident, I hurried to the reception room.
Jerome was sitting upright on the sofa.
“It’s good to see you again, Duke.”
His eyes shook slightly. His brows furrowed.
After a moment, he stood.
“…You look worse than I expected.”
He seemed genuinely troubled.
“You coming to see me gives me strength.”
I smiled weakly.
“I’ve sent medicine and ingredients that may help your recovery. They’ll arrive tomorrow.”
How considerate.
“Thank you.”
Then he spoke heavily.
“…I apologize for Lady Angus.”
“What?”
“Because of me, you were entangled with someone you didn’t need to be.”
So he feels guilty.
“I’m sorry you suffered because of someone connected to me.”
“It’s not your fault.”
After all, the obstacle was gone now.
Time for my ultimate move.
[Activating “Charm.”]
But instead of Jerome’s affection rising, another message appeared.
[Skill activation failed.]
What?
Before I could process it, Jerome spoke.
“I won’t be able to fulfill my promise of showing you the north.”
“…What?”
I forced a smile.
“If you’re busy because of the crown prince, that’s fine. We can go later—”
“No. There will be no further occasions for us to meet.”
He stood slowly and bowed politely.
“I hope you recover well.”
With that, he left.
I stared blankly at his retreating figure.
What just happened?
What is this?
What went wrong?!
