One step, then another step.
The rain that had been pouring down in torrents suddenly slowed down as if by magic, and my legs gained strength as I walked. The sound of my pounding heart pounded in my chest more intensely than ever.
The moment the new, stained shoes finally stepped onto the porch of the Bansengers’ house, Hermia was overcome with a strange sense of liberation.
It is unclear whether the fear that had weighed on my shoulders for six long years was washed away in an instant by the rain, or whether it was the effect of an absurd curse…
‘It’s not scary.’
It seemed as if someone was whispering in her ear that the middle-aged woman standing there wasn’t as scary as she used to be. Only when all the surrounding sounds became clearer and she came back to reality did Hermia finally open her mouth.
“I’m back.”
The countess looked at the pitch-black carriage still standing tall, then at her, who was finally stepping on the porch with her muddy feet, and smiled gently.
“Welcome.”
“I’m still a little scared when I hear your voice.”
Hermia hurried towards the stairs, muttering softly. Long, stained footprints left their mark wherever she went.
As she was climbing the stairs and passing the large family portrait that always hung in the same spot, Hermia suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.
“… … .”
She slowly walked back down. When she turned her head, she saw an antique oil painting that made her feel like she was being stabbed every time she looked at it.
He moved his gaze from my face, which was flustered like an idiot, to my muslin dress, to my little shoes, and tapped them with his fingers.
“It’s okay now. It’ll be okay.”
Hermia spoke calmly to the girl in the frame, then went up to the room and immediately opened the terrace window.
The sound of the Duke’s carriage moving away through the pouring rain could be heard. It was also the sound of the last shield protecting him disappearing.
When I turned my head, the door was opening slowly.
It was surprising that I didn’t feel nervous even after seeing the person who appeared in between.
“You’ve gained some weight. Do you prefer plump people?”
Tsk. Normally, I would have had the maid come down, but she came herself.
Hermia asked absentmindedly as she took off her wet boots, threw them on the floor, and changed into slippers.
“Do you have anything to say to me?”
“It’s not that I’m saying anything else, but your father and I have been discussing it… … .”
The countess went to the faded sofa and sat down, wiggling her buttocks a few times as if she was uncomfortable.
“Your prospective groom. Although the Duke’s qualifications are good, there are no other adults in the family… Even though he is from a prestigious family, he cannot be of a higher status than a prince, right? Your father also has political ambitions, so now is the time… … .”
“Andy!”
“yes yes!”
As Hermia shouted through the open door, Andy, who had obviously been eavesdropping in the hallway, immediately rushed in.
“Just bring me a glass of lemonade. With lots of sugar in it.”
Andy hesitated in his seat at the sight of her boldly asking for sugar, not just water but a soft drink.
The countess tilted her head shamelessly as Andy glanced at her.
“Would you like a drink? Andy, bring two.”
“I’m fine. The doctor told me to cut down on the sweets… … .”
“Two glasses. I’ll drink them all.”
“… … .”
The countess, speechless, closed her eyes forcefully and then slowly opened them.
“…Okay. Bring two glasses. Hermia must be very thirsty.”
“Not really.”
As I said that and sat down across from him, his face looked pale and cold, like only eyes, a nose, and a mouth were glued onto a snowman.
It’s not scary.
Hermia recited the magic spell in her head once more and looked him in the eye with determination. The Countess spoke again only after Andy’s footsteps had faded away.
“Is this your true nature? This is truly astonishing.”
This is Lady Olivia. The familiar reaction that finally came out actually calmed my mind. The magic spell’s effect was excellent.
“To be honest, it was creepy at first. It was like you’ve been acting fake for five whole years since you came into this house.”
“It’s been six years.”
Hermia calmly corrected herself, without avoiding the look of contempt.
“I knew that she was a child who knew my situation, so I knew that she would act cool and behave… … .”
Ha! The countess burst into laughter as if she was dumbfounded, and touched her temple with her finger that had a jewel ring on it.
“Let’s stop talking like this. If a person wants to succeed, they have to look to the future. They say that they can’t progress if they are tied to the past. Don’t you think so too?”
“Yes. Future. It’s my favorite word.”
A gentle smile appeared on the Countess’s face, as if she was quite satisfied with Hermia’s answer.
“So, to finish the story from earlier, your father and I decided to go with the prince. It was a very difficult decision.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
The prince’s side? Are you in your right mind?
“Are you in your right mind, Prince?”
As he continued to pour out words without any filter, the countess’s eyes shook as if there had been an earthquake. Her chest kept rising and falling as if she was pulling something down.
“Yes, I’m saying this with your future in mind. As you know, if there’s one thing our family lacks, it’s our traditions. If we take this opportunity to establish a relationship with the royal family, we too can become a proud royal family… … .”
“Just tell your father to join the army. The royal family is a piece of crap. It’s more like a novel family.”
This time, unable to hold back, the Countess frowned violently.
“My goodness! Hermia! What inappropriate words for a young lady of noble birth to speak!”
“I’m going to be the owner of a bakery.”
Oops. That was a mistake. Hermia flinched and sat up straight, urgently changing the subject.
“That’s enough talk. But aren’t you two going on vacation?”
“vacation?”
While the Countess was asking questions, there was a knock at the door and Andy came in carrying a tray with two glasses of lemonade on it.
Andy placed the tray on the round table, hesitated for a moment, and then pushed both glasses in front of Hermia. His judgment was noticeably quicker than when he had sent her on an errand.
As Hermia lifted the glass and drank it down in gulps as if telling her to do so, Andy’s eyes sparkled as if he had finally become certain. Then, he walked out with an extremely impatient gait.
‘Yeah. Go and spread the word everywhere. That the bastard child of the pervert has changed. Or else he’s gone crazy.’
It didn’t really matter what happened, since I was leaving anyway.
The water had already been spilled since the princess’s tea party, and Hermia was determined to stir up waves in it.
“That thing where you go out every year and party and play card games and you treat me like a rat. It’s a vacation for you two and hard labor for me. That’s it.”
“Why are you jumping to such conclusions… I guess I’ll go anyway, but I think I’ll have to resolve your marriage issue first… … .”
Hermia couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. The reaction to her rebellion, which she would have never dreamed of before, was so absurd.
The next emotion that follows is, of course, resentment. If he had continued to act so humble, would the Countess have backed down like she did now? The answer is ‘no way’.
A child who couldn’t even complain when she wasn’t given food or had her diamond necklace stolen would still be considered easygoing even if she became a princess, not a duchess.
If no matter what you say, all you can say is, “Yes, mother,” isn’t it obvious that someone is sitting on top of your head trying to control and manipulate you?
Yeah. If it weren’t for that damn curse, I would still be, and forever… … .
She took deep breaths, repeatedly inhaling and exhaling, trying to calm her gradually rising emotions.
At this moment, if the writer who had cursed me were in front of me, I would give him all my remaining emergency funds. Why on earth did I have such a hard time and fear such a worthless person?
“I really want to hit you.”
“What, what, what did you say?”
“I’m talking to my past self. Don’t worry about it.”
It wasn’t intentional, it was sincere, but the countess flinched and looked down diagonally.
“Oh my god. What the hell did I just hear… .”
“So when are you going on vacation? I’d like you to leave as soon as possible.”
“Okay, so we’ve decided on a location… but is there somewhere else you want to go?”
Hermia twitched her ears at the question still asked in a cowardly manner.
“You two have a nice trip. I won’t be going with you.”
“What do you mean? All the servants are on vacation, so you have to be here… No, you’re saying you’ll be alone in this big house?”
I nodded once at my stepmother, who was blinking nonstop in embarrassment.
“That’s what I’m thinking. After staying at the Duke’s house for a few days, this place doesn’t seem as big as it used to.”
Compared to the Duke’s house, which is as big as a department store, Bansen’s mansion is nothing more than a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall shop.
The countess hurriedly got up from her seat and this time began to ramble on.
“If you don’t go, what are we going to do… … . Should we get a maid right now? Oh my god. Who should we take? No, let’s talk to him first… … .”
Is that woman more shocked by the fact that she has no one to serve her than by her stepdaughter’s rebellion?
The Countess grabbed the hem of her skirt, leaving Hermia behind, who was genuinely disgusted.
“Arnold, Arnold. Arnold!”
It was just funny to see her running away, shouting her husband’s name like a fanatic.
In the calm before the storm, Hermia picked up a second glass of lemonade.
Soon, the wide-open door echoed with the angry voice of my father. I was told to watch my blood pressure, but I wondered if it was okay for him to yell like that.
What do you know?
Hororok, the drink in my mouth felt sweeter than ever.
* * *
“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”
Hermia nodded her head up and down at the old butler’s worried questions.
Judging by the rather large trunk on the shelf, it seemed that Philip was also looking forward to this long vacation. Hermia playfully tried to lift the trunk, but let go because it was too heavy.
“Butler, you should get some rest too. And take your joint medicine. Oh, right. And this.”
She took a brown bottle of supplements out of her pocket and handed it to Philip.
“The doctor at the studio gave it to me. It’s good for your health. Take one after every meal.”