"Your Highness, I have prepared what you requested."
Adrian smiled softly as he handed me the newspaper.
"How is life in the Mansion of Darkness? Are you experiencing any inconvenience?"
It had already been a week since I'd moved to the Mansion of Darkness. I'd become accustomed to living here, largely thanks to my butler, Adrian, who watched over me day and night.
"Not at all. It's very comfortable."
I answered casually, flipping through the newspaper in search of the economics section. Adrian took a shallow breath as if relieved, then smiled broadly.
"I'm so glad to hear that, Your Highness."
He began pouring tea into my cup and spoke softly.
"The works of art you mentioned have been sold to the highest bidder—the Alpierre store in the capital."
"Oh? How much did they go for?"
"The total amount is expected to be approximately 1.87 billion rut."
Before moving into the Mansion of Darkness, I'd asked Adrian to dispose of the art Rebecca had been collecting. When Mina asked why, I'd told her it was to reduce my moving load. But the real reason was different.
"I will make certain you wander through the mud like a beggar."
I snorted softly, remembering Duke Bold's words.
Well, let's see if things go your way.
The divorce law of the Western Empire had been an ambush I hadn't expected. If a woman divorced, the alimony went to her biological family first, and its disposition was determined by the head of the family. That was imperial law—though apparently it was customary for the head of the family to hand the alimony directly to the divorcee.
But there's no way that miser, Duke Bold, will follow custom.
Duke Bold's sudden visit had certainly been unpleasant, but it had also been fortunate. Thanks to his petty threats, it had become clearer what I needed to prepare for.
I found out the alimony may be passed to the biological family... but personal property acquired before the divorce announcement is a different matter entirely, Duke Bold.
I decided to increase my personal assets as much as possible before the divorce was announced.
Thanks to the original novel, I definitely know how to make a fortune in this world!
As I carefully read the economics section of the newspaper, I slowly raised the corner of my mouth. I'd found an analysis article on the "Demon World Material Futures Trading Market."
"Adrian, please deposit the money from selling the artwork into my personal safe at the bank. There will soon be a suitable investment opportunity."
"You said... investment?"
"Yes. I'm taking action without my family knowing."
"I will do as Your Highness says..."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"...By the way, I really didn't know Your Highness was interested in such fields."
A smile slowly spread across Adrian's lips as he blinked in surprise.
"It truly feels like a dream to be able to see Your Highness so closely and learn about sides of you I never knew."
I looked up at Adrian's face, full of warmth.
Like a dream, huh?
When I thought about it, Adrian hadn't been able to hide his happiness from the moment he'd learned I was moving to the Mansion of Darkness. Since then, he'd always followed me around and even called himself my personal assistant. Every time, he seemed moved by my every action—as if it were amazing that I was alive and breathing right in front of him.
Something's going on here. This can't be...
As I looked up at Adrian's smile, a mischievous thought suddenly occurred to me. When I glanced behind him, I saw Mina staring at his back with hazy eyes.
"Wait a moment. Come closer."
At my words, Adrian approached the sofa where I was sitting and slowly bent down. His neatly tied blond hair fell gently over his shoulders, and a fresh floral scent—like a garden at dawn—passed my nose.
Adrian looked up at me, his blue-violet eyes curving into half-moons.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
It was a sweet, low-pitched voice that matched his smile. I leaned closer and whispered in Adrian's ear.
"Adrian, I'm asking just in case..."
Adrian nodded with a serious expression, as if he would answer anything. His Adam's apple bobbed deeply.
"Do you... have feelings for me?"
His blue-violet eyes widened dramatically at my mischievous question. I looked down at Adrian, struggling to suppress my laughter. Red gradually crept across his face.
"W-well, that... How could I possibly presume..."
"Really?"
When I asked again, as if suspicious, his face turned even redder and he struggled to find somewhere to focus his gaze. I ended up bursting out laughing—his reaction was far more intense than I'd expected.
Mina, standing at a distance, craned her neck and tilted her head, dying of curiosity.
"Haha, just kidding! Adrian, you reacted so seriously that even I became embarrassed."
In response to my teasing, Adrian touched his red ear and lightly bit his lower lip. A slight tremor appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"...Oh, I forgot for a moment that I had news to share."
Adrian touched his reddened neck and hurriedly took a step back. Thinking it was an attempt to change the subject, I smiled slyly at him.
"Suddenly? What kind of news?"
However, Adrian hesitated with a troubled expression before finally speaking.
"Actually, this may not be very pleasant news for Your Highness."
He paused, then continued cautiously.
"Princess Bianca... is returning to the Mansion of Light tomorrow."
At the sudden news, I opened my eyes wide.
"Princess Bianca is coming back? Tomorrow?"
"...I'm sorry to deliver this news, Your Highness."
Adrian's face darkened. He seemed to think I'd be displeased by the news of Princess Bianca's return.
Well, it's reasonable for Adrian to think that way.
The previous Grand Duke and Duchess had passed away before their eldest daughter, Bianca, turned one year old. It was natural for Cedric to feel especially protective of his younger sister. But there was no way the obsessed Rebecca would have just watched quietly.
As a result, Bianca had taken refuge in the capital to escape Rebecca's cruelty, and it was only after Rebecca was imprisoned in the tower that she'd returned to the Grand Duchy. However, this was much earlier than when Bianca returned in the original story.
I suddenly became anxious at the thought that events were proceeding as in the original—just with different timing.
No matter how hard I try, if the timing is different but my ending stays the same... it won't be like that, right?
I shook my head with difficulty. I might not be able to avoid a predetermined ending, but that didn't mean I could just give up. I had to do what I could, step by step. For now—
"Your Highness, at Princess Bianca's welcome ceremony, I assume... you probably won't attend?"
"Welcome ceremony?"
"Yes. You were invited by the Grand Duke, but you don't have to come if you don't want to..."
I shook my head resolutely.
"No, I have to go."
Adrian blinked, looking like he couldn't believe his ears.
"Your Highness, really... are you sure you don't mind?"
"Of course. I will definitely attend the welcoming ceremony."
Who was Bianca? Wasn't she the younger sister whom Cedric cherished more than anyone?
Having Bianca's favor would benefit me in many ways.
If I need to be liked, I can't skip the welcome greeting.
Ah, it would be better to prepare a welcome gift too...
I was lost in thought for a while.
Ah! Finally, a good idea occurred to me, and I quickly turned toward Adrian.
"Adrian, you said you'd do anything for me, right?"
"Of course, Your Highness. Have I finally found something I can do for you?"
Adrian's face brightened with joy. I smiled at him.
"Yes, it's something only Adrian can do."
That night, inside the Grand Duke's bedroom.
Cedric had been ready for bed several hours ago. But sleep wouldn't come, and in the end, he found himself pacing by the window yet again.
Cedric sighed with fatigue and sat down by the open window. He was wearing a red nightgown and holding a glass of whiskey in one hand. For a moment, he looked down at the gardens bathed in darkness below.
Out of habit, Cedric's gaze turned toward the Mansion of Darkness. Lost in thought, he recalled the conversation he'd had with his aide earlier that day.
"Ask the Archduchess whether she wishes to attend Bianca's welcome ceremony."
"Your Highness? Forgive me, but... did you really tell me to invite Her Highness to the event?"
"...Yes."
The aide hadn't been able to hide his surprise. Cedric had made the decision thinking it would be better to maintain the appearance that their marriage was still intact. But soon after, he'd been surprised at himself for making such a decision so carelessly.
I personally invited Rebecca to Bianca's welcome ceremony.
He was the one who had done whatever it took to prevent the two of them from ever encountering each other. The more he thought about it, the more surprising it was that he'd invited Rebecca without hesitation.
I suppose my guard has relaxed.
Not only were they already divorced, but Rebecca had indeed changed into someone else entirely. After moving residences, she'd disappeared from sight—just as she'd said she would.
Like... like someone who had never existed in his life.
"As soon as the divorce is finalized, I'll leave for the Mansion of Darkness. Then we won't have to see each other again!"
Cedric remembered Rebecca's words out of habit and took a sip of whiskey. Then, inadvertently, he turned his gaze toward the Mansion of Darkness once more.
His attention was immediately captured by a familiar figure walking in the dark garden. A woman in a thick shawl draped over a white chemise, strolling through the shadows.
It was Rebecca.
Cedric couldn't take his eyes off her—he was seeing her for the first time in so long.
Does she still not know about the "Devil's Gift"?
Watching Rebecca simply walking through the pitch-dark garden, Cedric recalled their wedding night. That day, after returning from Mount Manakin, he'd planned to go straight back to Rebecca. Because on the first night of their marriage, he'd wanted to see her face light up as she watched the "Devil's Gift."
But in the end, until the very day our bond ended... I was never able to show it to her.
Cedric lowered his gaze and let out a self-deprecating laugh. He slowly lifted his head and searched for Rebecca again.
Cedric's brows slowly began to furrow when he finally found her.
It was after he saw another man standing beside her.