Four days remained until Summer had to return.
“Are you going to the banquet?”
“Yes. I still have some time before I have to go back.”
“Thank you for keeping the young lady here, sir.”
After Russel left, Summer asked Mary to help her prepare for the banquet.
Initially, Mary couldn’t believe Summer’s words. The person who hadn’t left her bed until yesterday was suddenly going to a banquet? Still, seeing the young lady trying to do something, Mary was truly happy.
After her bath, Summer, with Mary’s help, put on her dress and spoke.
“Mary. When Fay returns, I’ll be sure to ask her about you. About how you can exist even after I leave.”
She added this, vaguely bothered by Mary’s previous words. At Summer’s words, Mary slightly frowned and shrugged.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe in witches.”
“Hmm, I did get angry, but Fay is someone who wants to help me.”
No matter how angry she was, or how betrayed she felt, there was no other way. After all, in the current situation, Fay was the only being who could help Summer.
That was why she had to endure her unpleasant feelings.
“Witches aren’t human, young lady. They have no concept of good or evil. Do we punish the crime of killing a person and the crime of killing a dog equally? They’re the same.”
“…….”
Mary, roughly adjusting Summer’s hair, continued.
“Young lady. You are a special person in this world. Don’t be swayed by the witch’s words. If you want, you can know everything.”
“Unusual, not special.”
Summer let out a weak laugh, tilting her head back. Mary’s heartbeat thumped, distinctly felt.
Mary put down the comb and gently hugged Summer. Yellow sunlight streamed through the gaps in the chiffon curtains, illuminating the two.
Two days before the expedition, in the evening. A lavish pre-expedition banquet was held. They should have used that banquet money to increase the soldiers’ salaries instead. The imperial family always loved pointless things.
“We shall surely win!”
“Hooray!”
Among those cheering loudly, none were actually participating in the war.
“He’s just bullying Ian again.”
Summer coldly glared at them, tilting her champagne glass.
The world, seemingly dissatisfied, repaid Summer’s interference in this way. Ian was no longer someone Summer wanted to ignore. Having already heard his story, she couldn’t ignore him.
He lived a miserable life for the sake of a perfect romance narrative. Going to war, engaging in power struggles with his brother.
She knew all of this was a device to maximize Julian’s loveliness and pure heart.
She felt nauseous. Someone’s life and death were in the hands of the creator. Even our happiness and unhappiness.
Ian, seemingly unfazed, listened calmly to the nobles’ empty chatter with a polite, indifferent expression.
Surely, as the protagonist, he wouldn’t be seriously injured or killed.
“…….”
But it was the same world that had harmed Julian. Summer’s chest still tightened whenever she thought of the day Julian lay alone.
“Summer!”
“Julian. You’re still beautiful today.”
“Oh my, I’m so happy to hear you say that, Summer.”
Julian smiled brightly and took Summer’s hand.
“Were you already drinking champagne, Summer?”
“I didn’t have anyone to talk to.”
Julian playfully nudged Summer. Summer, accustomed to Julian’s teasing, responded in kind.
It was true that no one had spoken to her.
“More importantly, are you feeling better?”
“Much better.”
“That’s good. I was really worried. By the way, Summer, I heard you’re not very good at riding.”
“That’s right.”
Julian’s expression was as clear and calm as ever. As if it wouldn’t be shaken by any storm.
However, Summer felt that the atmosphere surrounding Julian, as he spoke, had subtly changed.
“But why did you participate in the hunting competition?”
“I guess I just wanted to experience it, even if I wasn’t good at it.”
Why was she suddenly bringing up the hunting competition? Summer anxiously stared intently at Julian’s eyes.
She stared as if she could read Julian’s thoughts, but Summer couldn’t understand Julian’s inner feelings at all.
“Summer, actually, that day, I was going to enter the forest. Specifically, hunting ground number 3, where you were threatened.”
“…….”
“Did you know? That the person who sent me the note was trying to assassinate me.”
“Ah, that.”
Perhaps it was better to leave it as a misunderstanding. It wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Then you would have warned me that the person who sent me the note was trying to kill me.”
“…….”
Our heroine was unfortunately intelligent. And quite perceptive.
“But you went into the hunting ground yourself. As if you were trying to die in my place.”
“Haha, Julian. I knew you were in danger. But my emotions overwhelmed my reason. I thought I had to protect you, but my method was clumsy. I admit it. I’m sorry if I surprised you, Julian.”
“No. I think differently, Summer.”
Julian’s pink eyes sparkled. So this is what it means to shine like a firearm. Summer felt this anew and slightly narrowed her eyes.
To become the protagonist, you have to shine to this extent. Just as she was having such a thought,
“They say prophecies and oracles are often given in the temple.”
“…….”
“So at first, I thought you were connected to the temple. I heard you made huge donations to the temple and went there to pray.”
“Well, I’m not a devotee.”
“That’s why it was strange. Why would you try to protect me? Even going into a dangerous situation. There were many ways for both of us to be safe.”
“…….”
“You also have something unusual, like me? That’s why… you were floating, unable to blend in among us like a foreigner?”
Suddenly, Summer felt as if someone had set her hair on fire. She dropped the glass in her hand.
The glass, hitting the marble, shattered into pieces, losing its original form.
“Summer! Are you alright?”
“Ugh…”
The sudden noise drew everyone’s attention. A servant quickly brought a tray and a rag, cleaning up the glass and repeatedly apologizing. It wasn’t something to apologize for.
Summer clutched her head, staggering from the pain. At the same time, a sensation like lightning striking her entire body engulfed her.
“I’m, I’m fine. I just felt a little dizzy.”
Summer took a deep breath, reassuring Julian. Julian’s large eyes clearly showed worry and shock.
“Summer!”
Seeing Summer stagger, Russel rushed over and quickly supported her. The moment she was in Russel’s arms, a faint coolness swept over her.
“Russel…”
“Let’s go upstairs to the rest room.”
“Thank you.”
Russel carefully lifted Summer and quickly ascended the stairs.
The nobles’ mouths hung open, speechless. Only after Russel and Summer had completely left did they start chattering excitedly.
“My goodness! Does Duke Bertrand have a woman?”
“That’s right. Wasn’t he in love with books?”
“Oh my, how envious. I should have broken a glass too.”
“By the way, who is that young lady?”
Amidst the murmuring voices, someone formless spoke in a slow voice.
“Summer Lindsey. The eldest daughter of the Lindsey Earl family.”
The moment he uttered Summer Lindsey’s name, Summer, gasping for breath in the rest room, frowned again at the returning headache.
“Summer. I think it’s best if you go back. I’ll escort you to the Earl’s mansion by carriage,”
“I’m fine. Just, just a moment.”
This feeling. She had experienced this several times since arriving in this world. When had this happened?
“Russel, do you remember the Legacy Young Lady’s coming-of-age party?”
“…That day, you drank the poison instead of Lady Dudley.”
“…Of course. You still remember…”
“The news reported that Lady Dudley drank the poison and was near death, which was absurd.”
“That’s right.”
Summer smiled faintly. The headache gradually subsided. The electric shock-like pain was gone.
“At first, I thought the families had agreed to keep Summer’s story out of the press. Some parents want their children to never appear in gossip magazines.”
“Haha… No, no, Russel. I didn’t do anything.”
“It’s strange.”
“…….”
“Summer, as you said. I agree that this world is somehow bizarre and strange.”
Russel gently patted Summer’s back, tidying her sweat-dampened hair.
Summer felt herself gradually calming down under his touch.
“Russel. Do you believe me?”
“Anything. If you say there is no God, I will believe there is no God. If you say God is evil, I will believe that too.”
“…….”
“And I believe there’s some reason you can’t tell me everything. I can wait.”
“Russel…”
Summer clenched her hand resting on her lap. Tears fell onto her white hand with its protruding knuckles.
“I’m leaving in four days.”
“…….”
Russel’s eyes flickered for a moment. His light blue eyes, almost violet, soon stopped shaking.
“Is… that Summer’s happiness?”
“Yes.”
“Do you feel you can only be happy if you go back?”
“Haha, Russel. In this world, happiness and unhappiness are all in God’s hands.”
“Summer. That’s not true.”
“…That’s because you’re the protagonist.”
Russel slowly knelt down in front of Summer. He gently took her tear-stained hand. His fingertips caressed her wet hand.
“In any world, happiness and unhappiness cannot be touched by God. Even at the end of hell.”
“The probability of someone in hell being happy is too low.”
“Are you sure you’re in hell?”
“Do you think I’m trying to end things without much difficulty?”
“No. As someone who will be sad after you leave, I’m asking if that decision is the best. I will mourn your death with all my might. Are you doing your best right now?”
“…….”
“I’m holding onto you right now. Is it impossible for us to be happy together? Is that possibility truly nonexistent?”
Russel’s gaze deepened. At the same time, it was clear. Clearer than any blue lake. Clearer than any violet orchid.
Summer gazed intently into his beautiful eyes, more beautiful than jewels. She was completely reflected in his blue eyes. Completely. Without allowing any gaps.