Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 3

His voice was cautious. Even the tip of Tidwell’s eyelashes was slightly down, which made him look pitiful for some reason.

Such a great acting skill. Ravia was genuinely impressed.

It must be hard to act so gentle.

But she couldn’t show that sentiment. More than that, his question was wrong.

“It’s nothing like that.”

Just like a dandelion flying about in the hazy spring sunshine, she smiled.

Nevertheless, when the beautiful person smiled candidly, she had a strange enticement that was hard to resist.

“You might not know, but I knew this would happen.”

Tidwell looked up to his soon-to-be sister. Her slightly lowered head, curved mouth, and eyes. And her amethyst-like eyes in between.

“One day, someone will show up and take everything from me. Just like a novel written by someone.”

Her drooping eyelashes cast a shadow on her cheek.

She spoke as if she could trust Tidwell no matter how much she was getting rained on.

That’s how sad it was.

“That’s why I don’t hate you. The only reason I want to leave my position is…”

Her eyes briefly touched Duke Leontine. It was an overly cold gaze directed towards someone who was supposed to be her biological father.

But that was only momentary. A beaming smile followed after her cold smile as if the ice was breaking apart.

“Because I don’t need to be in this position.”

Welcome, Young Duke of Leontine.

And so, Ravia left the scene. She left in light steps, the same way she entered.

Tidwell, who was left behind, stared blankly at her.

***

Tak-!

The door behind Ravia’s back closed. Shortly after, the strength in her body vanished, and Ravia flopped down as if she was crumbling away.

However, the only thing that vanished was the strength in her legs, not her chaotic mind.

‘I’m doing a good job, right?’

Ravia stumbled as she grabbed the doorknob to lift her body, then walked a couple of steps.

Her first objective to meet with Tidwell was completed.

It was to convey that she had no intention to fight for succession. Likewise, revealing that she had no intention of obstructing him.

‘Although I didn’t expect that you’d call me all of sudden.’

It wasn’t a bad response.

She didn’t know how well she did, but it surely wasn’t bad enough.

‘I wish you won’t mind me until I leave the mansion.’

It was just her wishful thinking. From now on, she needed to observe more to find out.

Ravia’s plan was simple.

Without attracting Tidwell as much as possible, she would give up her position quietly and run away to another family.

‘It’s often referred to as a contract marriage.’

In this country, adults and minors were separated by marital status.

Anyone could get married after the age of 18, and if they get married, they would be recognized as legal adults and be able to carry out external activities such as succeeding the family or being awarded a nobility title.

Ravia also had to get married earlier, but it was delayed because she was the successor of the family, and so, she naturally missed the right time.

There were many aristocratic young men who were looking for a suitable spouse in order to be recognized as adults. She could just choose a rich person among them, establish boundaries that won’t affect both of them, and proceed with the marriage.

‘Someone who isn’t interested in becoming a successor joins another family… With that kind of standpoint, there’s no way they will hate it, right?’

All she had to do was find the right man and get married. And Ravia had already chosen one ‘adequate’ candidate.

‘What’s left is… to avoid getting Tidwell’s attention until then.’

She planned to hold her breath and lay low, then leave without looking back. Without taking anything from this mansion. Because she didn’t want anything….

Ravia pulled her knees to her chest and buried her head in it.

‘You said you’re going to devour Leontine to get your revenge, Tidwell.’

The reason why Tidwell took the poison, the reason why he was kicked out on the street…

And the reason why he had been striving to become a high-ranking aristocrat even though he abhorred the aristocracy.

It was because of his childhood memories.

Tidwell was originally the son of an ordinary merchant, but since some noble wanted to seize their headquarters, his whole family was poisoned and he was the only survivor.

He was only ten back then.

But what could a powerless orphan do?

No need to know who was the culprit behind all this, because Tidwell, who became a homeless orphan overnight, clenched his teeth and vowed to himself.

He vowed to become more villainous than any villain and climb to the top of the rank to tear apart the noble’s four limbs.

‘The first step of the plan is to devour Leontine.’

This was simply a description of the male lead’s dark past in the novel, but Ravia was the one who became a victim of his dark past.

Therefore, that description hit her differently.

Ravia swallowed her welled up tears.

‘I know how Tidwell feels.’

The feeling of constantly beating oneself down for a goal that seemed impossible to reach.

‘You must have been lonely…and suffered a lot, too.’

Not a single wicked man, who only chose ruthless schemes as their means, was like that from the beginning. Just like how Ravia didn’t have such a cold-hearted manner in the beginning.

‘I mean, I can understand him. I surely can…’

Trying to calm herself down, Ravia smacked her cheeks with the back of her hands.

She could ‘understand’ Tidwell enough. About the reason why he would never let go of Leontine.

But for some reason, she was unable to get rid of her frustration.

“I’m fine.”

Ravia tried to speak out loud. She felt so much better now that she tried it.

It wasn’t the time to get caught up in a frivolous emotion.

In order to get out of Tidwell’s sight faster and safely, she had to spend every hour preciously.

‘Become invisible to Tidwell as much as I can.’

Ravia’s mind was busy planning out the future.

But she had no idea that she just greatly caught Tidwell’s attention.

Really, not even a little.

***

Ravia was quite surprised to see Tidwell visiting her the next day.

“You must be very surprised, sister.”

The person who made her surprised was saying that with a relaxed smile.

Considering that Ravia normally had a small change in facial expressions, the fact that her eyes grew bigger and her mouth slightly opened means that she was greatly shocked.

‘Why the hell are you looking for me?’

In the novel, the relationship between Tidwell and Ravia was described like a chicken and dog.

They were either indifferent or hostile toward each other. The chance of these two to see each other with a good feeling was zero.

Therefore, Tidwell’s sudden visit could be interpreted as such,

‘You’re wary of me.’

In other words, her effort to go out to the front door to greet Tidwell yesterday was all in vain.

“After exchanging greetings yesterday, I was unable to have a cup of tea with my sister, so I came to ask for your time.”

He said, but of course, it was just an excuse.

It gave her a headache. So Ravia touched her forehead.

‘I expected that he won’t believe me straight away, but-’

But she didn’t think he would come to see her right away. Ravia got a bad feeling as chills ran down her spine.

‘Surely, it’s not because you’re trying to get rid of me as fast as you can, is it?’

Tidwell hated variables.

He took a step back as he watched the chess horses move on top of his checkerboard.

That was the direction he was aiming for.

Therefore, an unpredictable move was the only thing that scratched his nerves.

‘I’ll have to humor you for now.’

She didn’t mean to die in a hasty manner.

Ravia lifted her hand off her forehead and got up from her seat.

If her opponent pretended to be relaxed, then there was no reason for her to show impatience.

Ravia received a fan from the maid next to her and swung her gaze at Tidwell.

“I never thought you’d want my time.”

“How could I do that when I’m living in the same house as my sister.”

Very smooth-tongued. Ravia smiled at his amiable response.

How sickening.

“Is that so? Then can I talk casually? Just like you said, even if you’re a distant relative, I’m still your sister.”

“….As you wish.”

Tidwell’s answer was one step late. However, Ravia knew that it was not caused by displeasure.

‘He’s the man who crawls up from the bottom, so this much won’t anger him.’

However, he must be fazed because he didn’t know she would behave like this.

‘Well, whatever…if you’re curious about me, there’s nothing I can’t tell you.’

This is great. Let’s take this opportunity to make it clearer. I have no intention of fighting with you. Ravia thought as she approached Tidwell.

Tidwell’s gaze unintentionally touched the corsage on her head.

Soft blonde hair that flowed like honey. A white neck was exposed underneath it.

His gaze was strangely persistent as if scouring her, but Ravia didn’t notice it.

She was busy thinking about where to talk to Tidwell.

After thinking for a moment, Ravia opened her mouth.

Sure enough.

“Shall we go to the garden?”

“Allow me to escort you.”

The stone that was stuck and the stone that rolled in.

Hence, the ill-suited combination that seemed compatible on the outside was born.

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