"It's truly strange... I'm so sure that Sir Nathaniel's sister died years ago... It's in my dream..." She muttered.

I didn't get to hear what she had whispered for it was so low to catch on. It didn't bother me though, I'm more concerned with some other stuff.

I peeked at her again, all the while sorting my head with what I know, had just recently known, and the changes in the timeline. It just doesn't sit right with me, how big of a difference the two realities have.

Now that it came up, let me just go over with the entire thing again. At least the stuff that I remembered in that written parchment, that is. I'm pretty confident that Estelle had struck a deal with Lukas because of her future in the dream. As I've said, that was the main reason that led to the rest of the story.

If there wasn't a thing about Estelle having these prophetic dreams, she would never seek someone out, and thus the story won't take place at all. But the Estelle right now is defying everything I know!

If it's like this... Does that mean she didn't dream of her future? Is that the case because that would make sense.

I drank my tea as I thought. I'm legit racking my brains for this, you guys better appreciate my effort. The parchment only contained the stuff that is important so it is easy to remember the key points. I was running them through my head, then a certain detail came up and it immediately caught me off guard.

I'm telling you when I recalled that part, I almost spat out the tea in my mouth. But because I am a lady with a good upbringing, I prevented the potential mouth spray by swallowing it but it ended up on the wrong pipe, so then I started choking.

The poor Estelle was so shocked that she almost spilled hers

"Are you alright, Lady Nadia?" She asked as she leaned forward to check up on me.

I coughed a few more times, grasping the front of my chest because my heart was grieving from the pain it caused me.

I then gazed at Estelle with wide eyes. The woman was panicking, unsure if she wanted to stand up and go to my side or what. However amusing it might have looked, my mind was thinking of something else though.

Today... today is an important day because there is another fateful encounter with her and one of the male leads. I don't know who exactly it was though but I could vaguely remember Janus' name. Not only that but it's also the day where she would meet Kai for the second time where she would then help him out. Janus saw the whole exchange between her and the thugs and got interested or something along that line.

It's basically just Janus getting curious with little miss Estelle here that would lead to more interactions in the future. You guys understand what I'm getting here, right?

Janus had helped Estelle a lot in the novel and he's like, always present. He's always there! I just realized that Janus is literally everywhere in the book! Every arc... every important scene... every chance encounter... even when Estelle got rescued and shiz... He was there.

Why did I not notice that?

But that's not what's making me choke here. I mentioned that it's the day where Estelle and Janus would suppose to meet, right? But Kai is not living in the streets anymore... Kai is at the palace right now, training to be a knight. He sure as hell won't be fighting any thugs out here. He's already out of the picture!

And how do I know if it's 'the day', you ask? It's because it's the exact date after the founding ball.

And not only she's going to meet Janus, and take Kai home with her, she's also going to meet my brother again.

That all happened in one entire day. So do you get why I'm acting like this? Because this day is supposed to be filled with nothing but encounters!

So what is going to happen today when one of the crucial elements is taken away? How would this day go without Kai in it? I am very curious.

I'm so curious as to how I ruined the whole shit up.

'Oh, Luminus! I am sorry for meddling with the story!'

Wait, no. I should be apologizing to Estelle.

'Estelle! You poor woman! I'm sorry for taking away the good stuff from you! Because of me, you won't get to have a harem! Because of me, you won't get to see these beautiful men! This is all my fault!'

Oh, goodness. Just thinking about it is also making my heart ache.

I gazed at Estelle with pity in my eyes, apologizing to her mentally, again and again. After all, I just robbed her of the chance of a good life. The ticket to her better future... It was taken away... because of me...

Estelle! You poor thing!

"L-Lady Nadia?" She uttered nervously upon seeing that I was staring at her full of sympathy.

This pitiful child...

I retracted my eyes and immediately cleared my throat.

"Ahem. I'm fine... I'm fine..."

'I don't know about you though...' I internally sighed.

Estelle let out a relieved sigh and smiled innocently afterward, giving me another wave of guilt.

"Oh, that's great! I'm glad..." she said and sat back down properly on her seat.

I stared at her one more time while sipping another cup of tea to soothe my sore throat. I'm really curious as to what would happen to her future, seriously. To her in general. I don't think the storyline is being followed at all or if the whole future really changed for good this time.

Is it even good though? Sure, I won't get to die a horrific death because I am no longer the Nadia who's crazy enough to chase her own blood-cousin. I won't offend a higher power, my dad will not resort to evil means for me either, and my brother certainly doesn't hate me anymore.

It's a good ending no matter what angle you look. But how about Estelle?

Damn it. This is that question again. Really, it won't ever leave me alone huh? It will forever haunt me for the rest of my life.

—**

Hmmm...

My eyes roamed over the tray of colorful stones in front of me, furrowing my brows as I did so. Now and then, I would glance sideways to watch a certain figure of a woman wade through the crowd.

I wasn't really looking at the stones with interest, it's just a way to appear as if I am completely absorbed with choosing one. Heck, I don't even know what these stones are for.

When the figure will move to a specific distance, that's where I would start moving as well. It was like that ever since earlier. I would pretend to look at the things that the merchants are selling and then follow her again.

That's right, I am following Estelle.

Why am I doing this? Nothing. I am merely fueled with curiosity. When she bid goodbye to me back at the cafe, this crazy idea suddenly sprang into my head.

I know... I know...

I'm not going to do anything, okay? Just going to watch, you know. Coz first, I have nothing to do and I am bored out of my mind. Second, I'm wondering what's gonna happen today. I mean, it's already predicted that the encounter with Janus and Kai won't occur. But that doesn't mean the thing with my brother wouldn't either.

As far as I know, Estelle would meet my brother first before she would tumble with Kai on the way home.

That's why I am doing my best to not give away my presence as I tail after her. Of course, I shouldn't let her know that I'm following her or what's the point, am I right?

This is not meddling, okay? I'm not hurting anybody! Nor am I obstructing someone else's way. I'm merely going to observe, nothing more.

My feet brought me towards a stall that was selling local handwoven scarves. It looked pretty neat that even I had the urge to buy one, so I did. This could also be used to conceal me anyway. But of course, I did buy a cloak too to cover my dress because Estelle knows what I wore after all.

Estelle suddenly stopped in front of a fruit stand so I had no choice but to hide behind the wall of an establishment. My head was peeking slightly, watching Estelle choose a bunch of fruits.

Some people were passing by and had seen me and got weirded out eventually. I mean, I do look suspicious. I was grasping the scarf over my head, tactfully hiding my face, plus the fact that I was obviously hiding in broad daylight nonetheless...

Geez... What am I doing?

A certain couple passed by and saw me, then walked away while muttering among themselves.

"What's she doing?"

"Stalker?"

No! I am not a stalker!

I ignored the accusing stares of others and just continued observing Estelle instead. I won't let them deter me!

"Spying again? I thought it's not your hobby?"