บท 34: CHAPTER 34 "DOMAN WOODHILL" (1)
Kyle led the knights forward through the gates guarding the mansion. For longer than I was aware, I watched his figure retreat until he and his troops disappeared completely over the horizon. My heart panged with regret at the realization that the words we had exchanged just now would be our final ones. This was the last time I would ever see his face.
***
After seeing off the knights, I returned to the mansion and uneventfully took my breakfast. Once finished, I went back to the bedchamber and discretely ushered Marina in with me. Wordlessly, I pulled out the letters Elvin had given me and checked who they were from. One of them was from Viscount Spencer, and the other one was from…
F*ck.
Oh my God. Reading the sender's name nearly caused me to curse out loud. The second envelope contained a letter from none other than Riddel's ex-fiancé, Doman Woodhill.
After arriving in this world, I had refrained from meeting him since I wanted nothing to do with him. Before I came to the mansion, I had meant to notify him that I had changed my mind regarding whatever I—or rather, the original Riddel—had said to him previously. The thought must have slipped my mind in the midst of all that had happened since then.
But I never expected he'd go so far as to send me a letter in order to reach me.
Moreover, I couldn't believe that he had the audacity to send it through Elvin, one of Kyle's closest companions.
He's crazy, isn't he?
His confidence was astounding for someone who would later commit an affair.
Ah, I guess that was what Elvin's knowing smile from before had meant.
Did he assume that I had been eagerly awaiting that man's letter?
Both men really ganged up to make me annoyed. I decided to dispose of Doman's letter, but before that, I placed Viscount Spencer's letter down atop a book on my desk where it would be more visible.
It's better if the original Riddel reads it and not me.
I was sure that the letter's contents would bring more trouble and headaches, but the original Riddel could decide what she wanted to do about that.
Meanwhile, I handed Doman's letter to Marina.
"Marina, burn this letter."
"Huh, what?"
"This is a letter from my ex-fiancé, but I don't need it. He is a womanizer. I don't want to see it anymore, so burn it."
"Oh, yes. I understand!"
I purposefully told Marina that information for one simple reason: to prepare this world for the previous Riddel's return. In the past, I often thought about what would happen when she comes back. The story was going to unfold differently from before, and I hoped to prevent her from meeting her original ending.
She won't remember anything that has happened since she's been gone.
As had I before. When I entered this body, I found I had no memories of Riddel's life prior to my arrival. Even after I realized I was in my own novel, I still could not access her old memories and had to rely on what I recalled from the story in order to get by. If the same thing happens upon her return, Riddel will be awkward around Marina because she won't know anything about her. Fortunately, I knew that Riddel was a friendly woman with a good personality, and Marina was a lovely and affectionate sort of person who easily expressed her feelings. They will get along well.
Then, one day, Marina will tell the original Riddel about her ex-fiancé.
The same also applied to Kyle. When his curse is lifted, he will return to his original personality. If that happens, then I'll be confident that the original Riddel will accept and fall for him. Human Kyle was completely different from dragon-possessed Kyle, and if Riddel is able to meet him, then she will not fear him and their relationship surely will not end badly this time.
"Haah…"
After finishing all the tasks on my agenda, I let out a long sigh. I had told Marina all the essential information she needed to hear in order to ensure the proper events would be set in motion after my departure. For a moment, I briefly considered telling her about the male lead, but in the end I didn't say anything about him because I thought it was better for her to discover him naturally. Part of me was a bit concerned since I also wanted to save the male lead if possible, but I didn't have that much time left anyway.
Honestly, I don't think I need to get involved with that.
Marina is not a trivial character who will be deterred by the unfortunate circumstances around her. She is the heroine of this novel, after all, and I knew I did not write a sad ending for her.
Thanks, Marina.
For the companionship and all the help she gave me during my stay, I thanked Marina from the bottom of my heart. I hoped she could stay safe here before she goes on to meet the male lead and find her own happy ending. After a while, I dismissed her because I didn't require any further assistance from her. Marina nodded at first, but then she seemed hesitant as she moved to leave the room. She looked as if she had something she wanted to say to me.
Only
"Marina, what is it?" I tilted my head in curiosity. "You can always tell me whatever is on your mind. It's fine."
Marina hummed unsurely and then opened her mouth as if she had finally made up her mind to speak.
"Uhm…Your Highness," she fidgety nervously, "you're not planning on going far away, are you?"
Oh my God. She's definitely the heroine. Her intuition is so sharp, even in this case.
"What are you talking about?" I smiled at her. "Don't worry, Marina. Where would I go without you?"
Technically, I wasn't lying. If my plan succeeded, the real Riddel would come to replace me, and she would stay here for good.
Only if I succeed.
As I pondered the circumstances of her return, I suddenly became curious about her future interactions with Kyle. What kind of flowers would he bring back to her? I wished I could be around to see them.
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