Chapter 09
I think I’m going insane. How on earth did my life end up like this?
Whether I spat out the memorized lines with a disgusted expression or not, my master didn’t seem to care at all.
“At the party, call me Eden.”
“Yeees…”
“If things go well today, I’ll give you a week off.”
“Paid?”
“As if. Unpaid.”
Ha.
Before I could even mentally prepare myself, he suddenly flung the carriage door open. The attendant waiting outside to open it looked startled.
But would our Eden Croiden care about that? Of course not.
Ignoring everyone who stared at him, he extended his hand to me.
“Let’s go, darling.”
I stared at his hand for a long moment—
Then took it.
“…Fine. Eden.”
The party hall was smaller than I had imagined.
And there were far more people than I had imagined.
Which meant—
Too many people packed into too small a space.
And every single one of them was looking at us.
More precisely—at me.
A mysterious woman holding hands with Marquis Croiden.
The only one who didn’t seem to care was Eden himself. He whispered to me, clearly amused.
“My father should see this.”
“Hmm? Why?”
“He’d collapse from anger seeing his son holding hands with a commoner he despised so much.”
“That’s quite unfilial.”
“He always said my existence itself was unfilial, so this is nothing.”
He suddenly pulled my hand sharply.
As our eyes met, he smirked and pressed his lips firmly against the back of my hand.
“Just being affectionate.”
“……”
I could hear murmurs rising from all around us.
My face flushed, and instinctively, my hand moved downward—toward where my gun was hidden.
Seeing that, he smacked the back of my hand.
“Not allowed, darling. Did you forget our goal?”
“Our goal is to irritate Arthur Camelon. I haven’t forgotten. Yes.”
I wish the world would just end.
Right now.
Completely, without leaving even a trace.
Before I knew it, I found myself wishing for the destruction of the world.
Was this the influence of the original story’s villain?
A corrupting influence?
What exactly was God’s intention?
Did He really send me here to help Eden Croiden destroy the world?
‘Then did He also anticipate that I would kill Eden Croiden and awaken his ability?’
But I only killed him by accident while trying to steal his money.
‘So did He just send the one with the most thief-like tendencies…?’
That would be me.
While I was lost in confusion, my partner was already dragging me straight across the party hall.
Snapping back to my senses too late, I realized where he was heading—
And nearly had a heart attack.
Blond hair. Blue eyes.
‘Arthur Camelon!’
I screamed internally.
If there hadn’t been so many people around, I would’ve screamed out loud.
The moment I realized we were heading straight toward him, my steps slowed instinctively.
Eden, still smiling brightly, wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Walk faster.”
“…Can’t we just destroy the world right now?”
“No.”
Is this what it feels like to walk to your execution?
Why am I about to cry while looking at Arthur Camelon’s ridiculously handsome face?
‘He really is handsome.’
If my master was a finely sculpted, elegant kind of handsome, then Arthur Camelon was like sunshine itself—a bright, gentle beauty.
Just looking at him made you feel at ease.
It was obvious why he was the protagonist.
Honestly, not making someone with that face the protagonist would be a waste.
Arthur Camelon looked like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.
Noticing our approach, a warm smile spread across his face.
He opened his arms in welcome.
“Marquis Croiden, thank you for coming.”
“Sir Camelon.”
Eden gave a slight nod.
‘What an annoying attitude.’
But Arthur Camelon didn’t seem bothered at all.
“I was worried you might not come again. I’m truly glad you did.”
“I didn’t expect to be here myself.”
“You always have such a good sense of humor, Marquis.”
Should I call that tactful… or oblivious?
‘Sense of humor, my foot.’
Arthur Camelon’s gaze shifted to me.
“And this lady is?”
Our eyes met.
His piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through me.
There was something strange about the way he looked at me—
Like he had discovered something unusual.
‘Is he surprised that a personality disaster like him brought a partner?’
But the strange feeling quickly disappeared.
Eden wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“My lover.”
Pfft—someone spat out their drink.
“Darling, you should greet him.”
Eden whispered into my ear, making my skin crawl.
I wanted to shove him away and show him my goosebumps, but I endured it and extended my hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Camelon. It’s an honor to see the Empire’s hero.”
“You flatter me.”
Arthur Camelon smiled and took my hand.
He must have been surprised by Eden calling me his lover, yet he showed no sign of it.
‘What a great personality. Unlike someone else.’
“Hosting a charity party like this is very thoughtful of you.”
“Thank you. There will be an auction later, so please enjoy yourselves.”
Arthur Camelon gave a warm, friendly smile.
‘Wow… his face is practically glowing.’
I silently showered him with compliments.
If I had let my guard down for even a second, I might have said them out loud.
That is—
If my master hadn’t interrupted.
“Luana is helping me with my work. She plans to accomplish great things with me.”
Despite the sudden remark, Arthur Camelon responded smoothly.
“I see. I’m quite curious about what kind of work that might be.”
“Curious? Then come to the balcony later. I’ll show you something very interesting.”
With that, Eden wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me away.
Several nobles approached us, but he brushed them off with brief smiles and nods.
As I turned, I saw people staring at us with their mouths practically hanging open.
It was so ridiculous I almost laughed, biting my lip to hold it in.
Noticing, Eden leaned closer.
“Oh? Trying not to laugh?”
“You must be mistaken.”
“Can God’s messenger lie?”
“I told you, I’m not a messenger of God.”
I insisted again, but he clearly wasn’t listening—just nodding absentmindedly like he was hearing background noise.
Eden led me to the balcony.
When he pulled aside the heavy curtains, a sofa meant for resting guests came into view.
‘I’m saved!’
I hurried toward it, intending to kick off these uncomfortable shoes.
I shook my feet, sending the shoes flying somewhere far away, and was just about to sit—
When he stopped me.
“A maid trying to sit in front of her master?”
“……”
I awkwardly lifted myself back up mid-motion.
He chuckled again, clearly amused.
Standing there awkwardly, my legs started to hurt, so I leaned lightly against the balcony railing.
The cool floor against my bare feet felt nice, and the breeze was pleasantly refreshing.
‘Too bad the company isn’t.’
Then Eden spoke.
“Tell me. Did you really come from the sky?”
