Chapter – 49
“Merina?”
“I wanted to be with my sister more, so I came to request an escort.”
Calvin… you shouldn’t be saying things like that to me.
“Anyway, thank you, sister.”
I was taken aback by his sudden words, but I offered him a seat.
“I heard about what happened at the Pink Count’s estate after you went to the Red Foot Club.”
The Red Foot Club is a social gathering for men, usually attended by unmarried noblemen. Married men go to places like the Blue Bridge Club instead.
“You only told me that Merina’s ship had capsized.”
“Yeah, so?”
“You didn’t tell me that Merina was seeing multiple men and wanted to continue meeting them.”
Well, even if I told you, you probably wouldn’t have cared. You might have thought I was trying to slander Merina.
“You were only worried about me, right? You were afraid I’d get hurt because I like Merina.”
“Cal, I—”
“I didn’t realize you were such a thoughtful person and always thought you disliked Merina and were trying to trouble her.”
My younger brother spoke quietly, as if confessing his true feelings.
“But that was all my misunderstanding, and even…”
He twisted his face in apparent pain.
“Merina was the one at fault. Yet you never blamed her.”
Calvin’s reaction was so unusual it was almost disorienting.
Every time something happened, I had let him know that my relationship with Merina was a misunderstanding. That way, it was easier to gain his favor and manipulate situations.
But fundamentally, Calvin sided with Merina. He had never said she was wrong.
“After hearing about what happened at the Pink Count’s estate, I realized that Merina has no interest in me at all.”
Even if Merina had no interest, you were the one always chasing after her, Calvin.
That was your role from the beginning.
“I also seriously thought about why I started liking Merina. We saw each other countless times at the academy, and yet I didn’t feel anything back then. Then one day, this feeling just appeared.”
“Why did you start liking her?”
“There’s no reason.”
His red eyes were serious, just like mine.
“I just got swept up because someone else liked her.”
“And now? How do you feel about Merina now?”
“Seeing her face might make my heart flutter, but not as much as before. I’m actually more angry at her for hurting someone kind like you.”
Thud. My heart seemed to sink.
I couldn’t count how many times I doubted Rexian when he confessed his love to me, thinking the world was playing a trick on me.
But now… Calvin?
And he had never shown even the slightest hint before, making the sudden shift in the male lead’s role dizzying.
“The foolish me from the past is gone now.”
“What if Merina asked you to be her partner?”
If Rexian showed interest in me and we became serious, Merina would try even harder to claim him as hers.
Knowing that a man who should be her follower has broken role, she becomes obsessively relentless.
“Hmm…”
Calvin seemed to still struggle with his feelings for Merina, but he shook his head soon after.
“I’d refuse.”
He looked completely determined.
“If Merina truly liked me, I might consider it, but now that I know her personality, belated affection doesn’t appeal to me.”
Rexian had deviated from his original role, facing a dreadful outcome.
Calvin had been executed multiple times for treason in the past; what would happen this time?
I had long wished the original story would fall apart.
The fact that so many things happen in what could be my last chance in this timeline—what could it mean?
Does it mean I could push Calvin or Rexian into even worse situations? If I asked whether things could get even more tragic, the answer would be yes.
This damn world always manages to corner me in unexpected ways when I try to feel relieved.
Should I push Calvin into getting involved with Merina?
—So, don’t waver, don’t give up, and keep going. The path you’re walking is right, young lady.
As I pondered, a phrase I had heard from an elderly man recently came to mind.
Why does his resolute voice echo in my mind as if he knew my situation?
Since this is the last timeline where I can achieve a perfect death, I must act cautiously…
Even so, the warmth my usually clashing younger brother showed felt both awkward and delightful.
“Sister, can I escort you?”
Looking at his bright, expectant face, I shook my head.
“Thank you for the offer, Cal, but I already have someone to go with.”
“Could it be the captain?”
“No, someone else.”
Calvin’s light-brown eyebrows twitched.
“Strong?”
“Yes. Sorry, but much stronger than you.”
“Could it be the Archmage?”
“Yes.”
Since I had already arranged to attend the royal ball with him, I could answer confidently.
To prevent the emperor from putting me in line as a candidate for crown princess and to keep my distance from Rexian, I absolutely needed the Archmage.
“The Archmage… Even he couldn’t easily confront a Sword Master, right?”
“Probably not. Sword Masters are said to be equivalent to an 8th-class magician, the strongest class.”
“Good.”
Calvin clenched his fists as if making a decision.
“I’ll become stronger and deal with anyone who bothers you.”
“What did you say, Cal?”
“I know you’re popular in society. Because of our family’s status, no one can approach you easily. But the Archmage or the captain could crush people with our family’s power…”
Muttering ominously, Calvin jumped up.
“Sister, I’m off to train. Oh, and don’t forget tonight’s training!”
Like the wind, he dashed out of the room.
“Riss, what’s gotten into him?”
“Quuu?”
My silver fox, circling beside me, tilted its head.
I had discovered two Blue Bird branch offices in the provinces, confirmed that all Blue Diamond accessories were fully booked for a year, and received reports that Merina Ichel continuously met men.
“Merina is remarkable. She meets three men in rotation every day.”
“You saw it with your own eyes?”
“Yes, by chance.”
He shrugged, showing no interest in Merina at all.
“She’s even prettier, so it’s strange why she’s so popular. Maybe it’s because you have a somewhat cold impression?”
In the novel, Ted doesn’t fall for Merina’s traps, but she’s clearly the heroine who charms all men, which was a relief.
If he were to fall for her and leak information about me, I’d lose a useful asset.
“Thanks for the compliment, T.”
“Haha, it’s true. Also, here’s a report summarizing the Crown Prince’s movements.”
After encountering the crown prince, who I had never met in the slums, I had him investigate.
The Crown Prince mostly stays in the palace but occasionally inspects commoners’ lives. He goes outside about twice a week, and I had met him by chance, unfortunately.
His behavior was unusual and somewhat embarrassing, but I didn’t show it.
“As expected from the best guild of informants—thorough.”
“Quu!”
Riss sat beside Ted and nodded in agreement.
Riss is affectionate even to my mother and Cassie, but especially to Ted, probably because of her mixed elf heritage. Ted ignored it, not revealing that he was also half-elf.
“Good work, T.”
I handed him a heavy pouch, making him flinch slightly.
“This is your incentive for the Red Diamond case. Take it.”
“If it’s something like that, gladly.”
I gave him a quiet warning.
“I’m planning to attend the royal ball with the Archmage. He’s coming to pick me up at the mansion, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And you’ll see him frequently outside the ball too.”
“Have you developed a liking for him? Personally, I’d recommend the Lisianthus Duke instead. The Archmage is dangerous and has harmed our guild before.”
“I can trust him with my life and those close to me. I’m meeting him precisely to avoid getting closer to the Duke.”
A few days later, the royal ball at the palace was held.
