Chapter 8: About to Strip Naked in Front of a Strange Man
by Ring“…Unsettling?”
That was the first time she’d heard such a thing. Calling Lilia—kind, pure, and the typical female protagonist type from romance novels—unsettling.
“You know the type. They smile in front of you but talk behind your back. I get the feeling Miss Lilia is exactly that type.”
“Mirabel, do you perhaps have paranoid delusions?”
At Lise’s words, Mirabel answered firmly.
“No. But people have instincts. My instincts are quite accurate, if I do say so myself.”
At those words, Lise thought:
‘Well, I can’t trust that. Considering she took such devoted care of a villainess like me until the very end in the original story.’
“Anyway, don’t keep Miss Lilia close to you.”
Mirabel urged.
“I have no intention of keeping her close.”
“But you just apologized to her.”
“That was…”
‘To avoid being marked by the male lead.’
Lise recalled Cain, who had been watching her confrontation with Lilia from the entrance to the hallway.
‘That man should understand by now, right? That I won’t harm Lilia anymore.’
But she hadn’t spoken those words solely with his gaze in mind.
Lise wanted to make a clean break with her previous self and live a new life.
Preferably in a direction that wouldn’t entangle her with the two protagonists.
Anyway, it was quite a clever move for something that came from her previously foolish head.
To think she had such a cunning side.
As if surprised by herself, Lise let out a chuckle and said:
“Anyway, it wasn’t to become friendly with her.”
“That’s a relief then. But Madam is really too much. A coming-of-age ceremony, no less. And trying to have a dress made at the same place as yours.”
“What’s wrong with that? If we’re going to have them made anyway, it’s convenient and good to use the same place.”
“Still, this isn’t right. What will people say when they see this?”
“They’ll say she’s the generous Marchioness Berium who treats legitimate and illegitimate children without discrimination.”
And that was exactly what her mother wanted to hear, and the ultimate reason for holding Lilia’s belated coming-of-age ceremony.
Mirabel deeply agreed with Lise’s words.
“Anyway, you heard what Mother said, right? Contact the dress shop. I don’t know when we’ll be able to visit though.”
“Three days from now.”
Mirabel said without hesitation, and Lise was startled.
“What? That soon?”
“Yes. There was a canceled appointment slot that we were fortunately able to take. A friend from my hometown works as an assistant under that dressmaker. Things worked out well.”
Wow… Mirabel. You have good connections.
“That’s great. We can proceed quickly. I want to get the coming-of-age ceremony over with as soon as possible too.”
It would all be Mirabel’s work anyway, and moreover, it would be something Mirabel was doing reluctantly, so Lise wanted to lighten the burden even a little.
“Oh, have you decided on a partner?”
Ah… come to think of it, there was the partner issue.
She only just remembered.
‘Who should I choose as a partner?’
“How is it? Do you like it?”
Cain asked after rearranging the position of several pieces of furniture in Lilia’s room.
It was something Lilia had requested, saying the traffic flow wasn’t efficient, but only she knew that was merely an excuse.
“Yes. I like it.”
Lilia smiled prettily and gave a simple affirmation, then tried to state her real business. But before that, Cain asked first.
“Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”
“…”
Those words were always on Cain’s lips.
But Lilia rarely asked him to do anything. She knew that Sister Lise had made many unreasonable demands of him. She also knew that Cain had suffered greatly because of it.
She didn’t want to use Cain like her sister did. So she did trivial things with her own hands and only carefully requested things that required physical strength.
‘How much trouble did she cause him that he reflexively ran like a dog the moment he saw Sister out the window that day?’
Thinking of it this way, even the incident when Cain didn’t hear her suggestion and went to her sister made her feel better.
“There’s nothing I need you to do…”
“…?”
Lilia struggled to open her mouth. To state the real reason she had called him to this room.
“Cain, about this coming-of-age ceremony. Would you be my dance partner?”
She had been told by her mother to secure a dance partner in advance.
She had even received a list of several young nobles, but she didn’t know who was who, and somehow the first dance felt like a first experience. So she didn’t want to choose based solely on reputation like that.
She wanted to dance her first dance with someone she wanted to dance with. And that was Cain.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”
“…?”
“For you to dance with a servant, miss. And with someone like me at your social debut. Everyone would laugh.”
She didn’t care what people thought.
But Lilia somehow felt that saying so might sound like a confession, so she couldn’t easily voice it.
Having watched how Sister and Cain got along, perceptive Lilia knew that his speaking this way was an indirect expression of rejection.
Pushing forward without any pride was something only Sister would do.
“I understand. If that’s how you feel…”
I’ll approach slowly. I won’t push recklessly like Sister.
“You’re beautiful enough, miss, so good young lords will soon be lining up.”
“…”
Having finished what he had to say, Cain bowed and was about to leave the room. At that moment, Lilia suddenly blurted out:
“Still, I can’t be better than Sister, can I…? Surely more attention will be focused on Sister than on me. That’s natural. Sister is beautiful even from another woman’s perspective.”
“You are beautiful too, miss.”
“…”
Cain bowed once more and left the quarters.
Beautiful…
A twisted smile momentarily appeared on Lilia’s face as she repeated those words. She muttered quietly:
“You ‘too’ are beautiful. That’s not what I wanted to hear when I said that.”
She wanted to hear ‘You are more beautiful, miss.’
Sir Willen, who was in charge of rehabilitation therapy, came to see Lise again today without fail.
“You’ve improved a lot now.”
He said this after having her walk a couple of rounds.
“I think so too.”
Lise agreed, as she too had felt her body becoming much lighter lately.
Then her mother, who had been watching from the side, said:
“That’s good. Her sister’s debut is in a few days. There shouldn’t be any problem with dancing.”
“Ah… I’m sorry, but that might be difficult.”
Sir Willen said. Though she had improved a lot, her muscle strength was weak, so dancing was still too much.
Lise was secretly pleased. She didn’t particularly want to dance with anyone anyway.
“What do you mean? How can an older sister not dance at her younger sister’s debut?”
Her mother suddenly became indignant.
“Do whatever it takes to build up her strength by then.”
No… as if that’s something you can control at will. The poor rehabilitation therapist was being blamed for no reason.
‘She has strange obsessions. She really cares so much about appearances.’
“Well, there is one method…”
At Sir Willen’s words, her mother’s ears perked up.
“What is it?”
“Training in water.”
“In water?”
Because you have to overcome resistance in water, it takes several times more effort than moving on flat ground. Therefore, training in water should allow us to meet the deadline, Sir Willen said.
Her mother didn’t hesitate for a moment.
“Then let’s start right away.”
Because her mother loved bathing, the Berium mansion had a bathtub as large as a swimming pool from her previous life.
It was a place where an entire room had been converted into a bathtub, and her mother would spend half a day there when she entered. It was quite deep too. It came up to her chest.
“The thing is…”
But Sir Willen hesitated slightly.
“What are you hesitating about? Let’s start right away.”
At her mother’s urging, Sir Willen said:
“To do underwater training, this kind of clothing won’t do.”
“Then what kind of clothing should she wear?”
“She needs to wear something as thin and light as possible, something that covers the body minimally.”
“…”
Silence fell around them.
Sir Willen scratched the back of his head awkwardly even after saying it himself, her mother coughed a couple of times with a “ahem,” and the servants didn’t breathe.
Only Lise was unfazed.
Lise recalled memories from her previous life. So what Sir Willen was talking about—clothing that covers the body minimally—would probably be a swimsuit.
But this world had no concept of swimsuits, and fabric of that material hadn’t been invented, so she’d have to train wearing something almost like underwear…
“Wouldn’t it be better not to do it? No matter what, that’s a bit…”
But her mother thought differently.
“If it’s necessary, we have to do it.”
“…?”
Oh my, Mother. Do you want to make your daughter strip naked just to train her? Do you want to save face that badly?
“Mirabel.”
“…Yes.”
Mirabel’s voice had sunk despondently.
“Find some clothes suitable for training wear.”
“There are no such clothes.”
“Then she’ll have to do it naked.”
At her mother’s firmness, Mirabel surrendered.
“I’ll… I’ll look for something.”
Sir Willen sighed. No matter how much he was dealing with Lise as a therapist and patient, it was quite burdensome for him to see a noble lady’s near-naked form.
Anyway, Mirabel hurried off to look for clothes…
She was just turning a corner when she nearly bumped into a pillar and almost fell backward. Fortunately, the pillar caught her.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?”
The pillar asked.
“Oh, Cain… The thing is.”
Mirabel barely calmed her heart and said:
“Really, what I just heard. I’m so flabbergasted I can’t even speak.”
“What did you hear?”
Cain asked once more.
“Madam is going to strip Miss naked and put her in the water with Sir Willen!”
“…”
“All that just to have her stand at Miss Lilia’s debut. It’s obvious. She wants to show off by flanking herself with both daughters, saying ‘Look how I love my two daughters equally without discrimination.’ But no matter what, to have a miss who just turned twenty with a strange man…”
Mirabel couldn’t say any more.
Because Cain’s eyes had turned unusually cold.
Just as the perfectly cooked beef cutlet was about to reveal its tender interior with white steam at the tip of Mrs. Berium’s knife—
“I won’t go on any more blind dates.”
Lise’s sudden declaration made the lady’s knife stop dead in its tracks.
“You won’t go on blind dates? Does that mean you won’t get married?”
Her mother asked with wide eyes. Lise shook her head and replied.
“I don’t mean I won’t get married, just that I won’t go on blind dates. For now.”
“Why? The really good catches are all that’s left now.”
Her mother said disappointedly. Mirabel, standing in one corner, looked even more disappointed.
Still, Lise didn’t change her mind.
“I’ll take a break and meet people later. Right now, I don’t want to meet anyone.”
‘It doesn’t seem like I’d be able to meet anyone anyway.’
Lise thought as she rubbed her throbbing temples.
“How strange.”
Her mother said, tilting her head.
“Why did both of them cancel consecutively like that? It’s as if someone planned it.”
At those words, Lise let out a bitter laugh and retorted.
“Who would do such a thing? It’s not like selecting the crown princess, just a marriage for some noble lady. If someone did that, they’d really have nothing better to do.”
Clang—
At the sudden loud metallic sound, she turned to see Cain had just dropped a silver tray on the floor.
‘Why is he making mistakes he never used to make…’
She sent him a look that said ‘be more careful’ and turned her attention back to her mother.
Her mother continued the interrupted conversation.
“Crown princess selection, indeed. There isn’t even a crown prince. Though an archduke’s wife selection might be possible.”
“Archduke’s wife? Ah…”
As soon as she asked, she remembered.
Archduke Montaner, the late emperor’s half-brother who became regent after the emperor died and the heir disappeared. Come to think of it, he was unmarried.
“Why hasn’t he married at his age?”
“His age? He’s only forty.”
“Isn’t forty old enough to have married twice?”
At least in this world’s standards.
“Well, he probably didn’t find anyone to his liking. Besides, that man had quite high standards. He was quite popular in social circles. Everyone was so desperate to be his dance partner…”
“You too, Mother?”
It was just a casual remark, but there was no answer.
From that reaction, it seemed to be true.
Anyway, forty years old. She knew the current crown prince was born when the childless emperor was over fifty. If the emperor were still alive, he’d be close to seventy, and his brother is now forty. He is young indeed.
“Still, that man, for being born a bastard, grew up quite loved. His brother, the late emperor, cherished him enough to make him his right hand. Unlike someone else.”
“There seems to be some barb in your words.”
When Lise narrowed her eyes and retorted, her mother immediately admitted it without trying to hide anything.
“You should be nicer to your sister from now on too. She’s your only blood relative, so don’t treat her so coldly.”
“Actually, I was going to…”
But before she could say that, the person in question appeared.
“Sister is already being good to me. Don’t worry too much, Mother.”
Lilia entered with a gentle smile.
Lise felt the atmosphere become bright and cheerful just from her appearance.
Was it because she was the female protagonist?
Or was it because she herself possessed so much?
Tall stature and slender figure, light steps as if dancing, and gracefully fluttering long, delicate arms. And above all—
A smile that made anyone who saw it feel good.
‘I can’t compete with that.’
Lise swallowed a bitter smile.
But she didn’t feel the intense jealousy she used to.
Rather, once she accepted the inevitable gap, her heart felt more at ease.
Now she could like her…
“Oh my!”
“…?”
“I’m sorry, Sister. I shouldn’t sit across from you. You don’t like that…”
“…”
Was it still too early?
Judging by how this flustered, helpless appearance seemed oddly contrived.
“What’s wrong with it? Just sit down.”
Her mother smiled warmly at Lilia and then spoke to Lise reproachfully.
“From now on, Lilia will eat with us too. She’s been part of our household for almost a year, yet she’s been eating alone. That’s too much, isn’t it? No objections?”
“None.”
Lise answered briefly and simply.
“Thank you… Sister.”
Lilia said carefully as she sat down, speaking to Lise. There was a faint tremor in her voice.
“You’re eighteen this year, aren’t you?”
Her mother asked while cutting the beef cutlet into small pieces.
“I’m nineteen, Mother.”
“Ah, I see. You’re only one year younger than Lise. Sorry, dear, for not knowing your age even though I’m like a mother to you.”
“Not at all. It’s impressive that you got it approximately right.”
At Lilia’s warm words, her mother seemed pleased. Watching her mother’s face bloom with a smile she’d never shown her, Lise wondered why those two seemed more like mother and daughter when she was the real daughter.
She thought that perhaps this was why Lise in the book had been even more harsh to the female protagonist.
“You couldn’t have a proper coming-of-age ceremony, could you? Flora… no, your mother was in mourning.”
Her mother, who had little affection for her husband, was also tolerant of his affairs. Rather, she was quite grateful that Lilia was the only hidden child he had. She thought he had more integrity than expected.
Though she wasn’t sure if this was something to be grateful for.
“It’s fine. What does it matter if I didn’t have a coming-of-age ceremony?”
“No, that won’t do. Our family has traditionally held grand coming-of-age ceremonies for our women. Lise had one too.”
It wasn’t even Mother who arranged it; Mirabel did most of it, didn’t she? Yet she acts as if she did it herself.
“Even if your birthday has passed, I’ll arrange something proper, if not grand.”
“You don’t need to…”
“Still, it’s only right.”
At her mother’s consideration, Lilia blushed and smiled shyly.
She’d heard that because her birth mother was frail, she hadn’t received proper care while growing up. Rumor had it that it was almost neglect. Perhaps that’s why Lilia looked genuinely moved by her mother’s consideration.
Once she cleared away the jealousy that had clouded her vision like fog, Lilia, who knew how to be genuinely grateful for something, looked truly beautiful and lovable. Was that why Cain fell in love with her too?
Lise glanced at Cain. She was curious about how he was looking at Lilia. But…
Gasp!
Their eyes met.
Why was he looking at me?
Had he already developed feelings for Lilia? Was he being wary because he was worried about what I might do to Lilia?
“I’ll send out invitations soon, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, Mother. Thank you.”
“I should contact the dressmaker too. Mirabel!”
When her mother called, Mirabel approached. Displeasure was clearly written on her face. But her mother, unaware of this, gave Mirabel instructions.
“You know the dressmaker we commissioned for Lise’s blind date dress last time? Commission Lilia’s from the same dressmaker.”
“…”
Mirabel delayed her answer and looked at Lise. She blinked deeply.
‘Do as you’re told.’
Then Mirabel sighed imperceptibly and answered.
“Understood.”
After dinner, Lise was about to go up to her room with Mirabel’s support. Just as they reached the foot of the stairs leading from this floor to the third floor—
“Sister.”
At the voice calling her, Lise turned around. She looked at Lilia with an expression asking if she had something to say.
“Are you perhaps…”
Lilia said with hunched shoulders and a small, trembling voice.
“You’re not upset, are you? That someone like me would dare use the same dress shop as you…”
“No.”
At the unhesitating answer, Lilia looked at Lise with considerable surprise.
Well, in moments like this, Lise always used to spout harsh words or at least glare fiercely, so it was natural for Lilia to be surprised.
Lise thought she should make it clear this time.
Otherwise, this would continue in the future.
“You don’t need to think like that anymore.”
“…What?”
Lilia looked at Lise with round eyes.
“And I apologize for everything in the past. I’m sorry.”
This time Lilia’s eyes widened as if they might pop out. Not just because of the apology, but because Lise had smiled at her for the first time.
“I apologize for all the mean things I did to you. I don’t know if words can make up for it, but I was wrong. Let’s get along well.”
Though the serious bullying hadn’t even begun yet, the vivid descriptions of bullying from the original story remained so strongly that she felt she should kneel and beg for forgiveness.
But if she did that, this weak-hearted girl might faint.
Even now, with just this slight change in attitude, her face had turned pale as if she might collapse. This might be a new form of torture, judging by her expression.
“Miss, let’s go up now.”
Mirabel urged.
“Right. Got it.”
Lise climbed the stairs with difficulty, using Mirabel’s arm as support.
Lilia watched her sister’s retreating figure with indescribable emotions.
Usually, in such dramatic reconciliation scenes, one should feel warm inside, but Lilia didn’t.
Rather, she suddenly felt bad.
‘Why is Sister suddenly doing things she never did before? Why is she suddenly being nice? Then she overlaps with me. How annoying.’
Annoying?
Lilia was shocked by her own sudden thought.
‘What… what am I thinking? This is the kind of thought Sister would have. No, I can’t think like this.’
Lilia shook her head to dispel that wicked thought and turned to go back to her room.
But the next moment, Lilia froze without being able to take a step.
Because of Cain’s indifferent gaze watching her from about ten paces away.
‘He couldn’t have noticed my inner thoughts, could he?’
Warmth soon returned to his gaze, but still, Lilia felt strangely guilty.
“Mirabel, why did you do that earlier?”
“What? What did I do?”
“Why did you rush me on the landing?”
“…”
Since Mirabel had never done that before, Lise was puzzled. There must have been some reason for it.
“Actually… I find Miss Lilia unsettling.”
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