Ay, why is this man acting like this?
"You already know. Mrs. Toten wants her child to live even a little longer, but without putting another soul into the body, how could a dead person come back to life?"
A similar example was Melek, a ghost who possessed a dead body.
Realizing there was no solution, Gabriel lowered his head in regret. His blue eyes rippled as if he might burst into tears at any moment. Crying over something like this? Hold it in! And Gabriel, being the male lead, held back his tears well.
"I see. Mrs. Toten probably won't come to the temple again."
Gabriel said with certainty.
"Because God has forsaken her faith."
For a holy knight, it was quite a blasphemous thing to say. Gabriel looks so virtuous, but sometimes he says such sharp things? He's all soft in front of me though... Is this also a flaw of the male lead character who's only warm to his woman?
"I heard Mrs. Toten made a deal with you?"
Surely he's not regretting losing a good customer? Since Gabriel is a character who's only warm to his woman, I became suspicious.
"Yes. I gave Mrs. Toten holy water."
Did he really do some smuggling?
Of course not. Gabriel explained in detail from the beginning how it came to that. He even added explanations here and there for me, who lacks common sense.
"Regarding cases like Young Marquis Toten where holy water doesn't work, people say he was abandoned by God. Or cursed."
Rahel was not a god equal to all things. Where sunlight falls, shadows naturally exist. Holy water not working would correspond to the darkest part.
Even death row inmates receive mercy, so not responding to holy water was enough to be called a curse. Some said the soul was corrupted and God refused to embrace it.
Actually, those were just rumors, and Gabriel said that since holy water was originally medicine for recovery, if someone was born weak, it would be of no use. Evangeline was also that case.
Mrs. Toten was originally devout and visited the temple often, and having received help from holy water to recover her body ruined from difficult childbirth, she became an even more devoted believer.
"But holy water didn't work on the young marquis."
The child was born early and had a weak body. Thinking it would work for the child since she had seen effects herself, Mrs. Toten fed him holy water. When one bottle didn't work, she tried two, then three. As she purchased holy water countless times, rumors spread.
"They said the young marquis was cursed."
And the temple, conscious of the rumors circulating in society, prohibited the supply of holy water to Mrs. Toten. Mrs. Toten knelt before Gabriel, whom she knew at the time.
"I couldn't ignore her plea for help."
That's where the deal was made. Gabriel would provide holy water to Mrs. Toten, and she would donate an equivalent amount. It was scheming done behind the scenes, but it was a method that moderately satisfied both parties' consciences. Originally she wouldn't have been able to obtain holy water at all, so it was definitely worth saying Mrs. Toten received grace.
So that's why Mrs. Toten agreed to the request to be Evangeline's chaperone out of nowhere.
"We should find someone else for the chaperone."
"Isn't that too rushed?"
"I think it would be better for Mrs. Toten to spend her remaining time with the young marquis."
Gabriel decided to look for a chaperone more actively. Two days left, but will there be anyone to do it? I think it would be better to slightly delay the debutante. After all, I'm not officially debuting through an audience ceremony, but secretly taking one of the Crown Prince's invitations and debuting through the back door.
"Very well."
I became depressed along with Gabriel.
It's sad that a child is dying, but there was nothing I could particularly do. If I knew the original story and could grasp some clue, that would be one thing. Even if I speculate based on my extensive reading experience for everything else, I'm helpless in this kind of situation.
If there was something I could do like with Daisy's kids, I would have helped in any way...
"If my abilities fall short, I will ask Duke Vael to serve as chaperone."
"Duke Vael?"
"Yes. He is Raphaela's mother."
I was startled when suddenly a big shot like a duke was summoned, and even more so that it was Raphaela's mother. I was so surprised my mouth almost fell open. He looks so refined I thought he was a young master, but he's even a duke's son? He has higher status than me? Don't tell me Gabriel is also secretly a duke? He said he was from an orphanage, but maybe he's actually the late emperor's child, that kind of thing.
But if there's such a good connection, why didn't he arrange that before Mrs. Toten? Did he perhaps refuse to do something like Evangeline's chaperone?
"Since Raphaela became a knight, they're practically estranged, so it will be difficult, but the Duke treasures Sir Raphaela."
Ah. So that's why it was the last resort. Raphaela... She didn't seem like it, but she was quite rebellious.
"Then may I now ask the reason why the Lady summoned me?"
Ah. Finally, the main topic came up. Why would I have called Gabriel? Of course, to practice dancing. If we're delaying the debutante, it's not necessary, but Gabriel seems to not want to delay even if he has to use an alternative.
"I need a dance partner."
"I heard you hired a tutor."
"They couldn't last long and ran away, so only Doline remains."
When I mentioned Doline, Gabriel furrowed his brows, displeased. A while ago, Gabriel suddenly investigated Doline and asked if it wouldn't be better to fire her since she's a drug user. I momentarily thought Gabriel had evolved into an obsessive male lead who cuts off all relationships with people around me.
When I asked Doline, she said she was briefly tempted by drugs in the past but absolutely doesn't touch them now, and she cried and begged me not to fire her because she loves the Rohanson mansion so much. Her devotion was crazy.
Since her repentance seemed so genuine, I decided to cover up that past youthful indiscretion. It's not reality, it's a novel, so what if she did some drugs?
Gabriel didn't oppose my decision to keep Doline by my side, but he was still displeased.
"That's why I need you to be my partner, Sir."
When I stood up and extended my hand, Gabriel hesitated slightly. I suddenly remembered the private tutor who ran away saying he didn't want to hold my hand. Does holding my hand kill you? No, Gabriel, you've held it more than once or twice!
"Do you dislike it?"
"That couldn't be."
When I made a sulky sound, Gabriel hastily grasped my hand.
"It's a great honor."
Gabriel rose, led by my hand. My gaze swept upward, and our bodies drew close. Breath touched, eyes met. I could see his long eyelashes covering his eyes trembling softly.
We were pressed together holding hands when suddenly the sound of running footsteps came from outside. Mary? She's the only one who runs around like that in the mansion. But the footsteps sound a bit louder? As soon as I thought that, the door burst open.
"My Lady! The dress is complete...!"
It was Misha. She'd been holed up in her room for days working only on the dress, and it seems she finished already.
"I'm sorry, so sorry! Please have a good time!"
Bang!
Misha closed the door with a red face. Gabriel, who suddenly seemed to have been caught in a secret tryst, stiffened awkwardly. Wow, this timing is really like a novel. Well. It is a novel.
"Shumitiana?"
The timing is really something. The position was a bit unjust, but we weren't doing anything strange, we were dancing!
How should I explain? Originally, Gabriel is my partner, so do I even need to explain? While I was scratching my head, knocking came again.
"My Lady, it's me, Misha."
Didn't she run away?
"Misha."
When I called her name, Misha stuck out her face, scratching her cheek as if embarrassed.
"Sir Gabriel was just being my dance partner."
"Yes! I believe you!"
I quickly explained, but Misha answered with a laugh and dismissively. She clearly didn't believe me at all.
Since Gabriel had shared important stories and I had even sent Daisy outside, there were only Gabriel and me in the room, making the situation even more strange. Suddenly, we became lovers enjoying a secret tryst after even sending the maid outside.
Let's think positively... I was fishing with Gabriel anyway, so it's not a bad thing. First, I need to quickly divert Misha's attention.
"What's going on?"
"Haha. Actually, since you two will be together anyway, wouldn't it be good to try on the dress while together? I wanted to see the picture!"
She must have come back because of the dress, even though she ran away embarrassed earlier. Misha is really serious about dresses.
"Of course. Sir, could you wait a moment?"
"Yes. It would be easier for the Lady to get used to it if she dances wearing the dress as well."
With Gabriel's cooperation too, I was about to follow Misha when Gabriel didn't let go of my hand.
"Sir Gabriel?"
"Ah, this... I apologize."
Gabriel also seemed unaware of his own action. He hastily let go and covered his face as if embarrassed. He would be... His ears that weren't fully covered were red. Right. This is a setting I see often. Let's give him some time alone until his complexion returns. Let's give him some time alone until the red color fades.
Misha was looking at Gabriel with a very pleased smile, then took me out.
"You mustn't be too surprised when you see it, saying it's too pretty, okay?"
We stopped in front of the room given to Misha. Nearby, Misha's tailors and seamstresses were also gathered together. Why is everyone waiting outside instead of inside?
"This is the first time the Lady is seeing the completed dress!"
Ah. Misha must have made them wait outside so I wouldn't see it. Thump thump. Before opening the door, Misha made sound effects with her mouth.
"Ta-da!"
When the door opened, the dress caught my eye immediately. Misha's eyes shone as if expecting my reaction, but I was so flustered I couldn't say anything.
Isn't this a wedding dress? White and flowing, and even the hem dragging long - it was exactly a wedding dress. If I just put on a veil, it would be perfect.
"How is it? Does it please you, My Lady?"
Misha babbled on about where she got her inspiration, what she paid attention to, and especially "The Lady has particularly beautiful shoulders so I opened that up completely..." explaining what parts of my body she focused on to enhance.
I wanted to listen diligently too, but since I have no interest in clothes, my only thought was that she worked really hard. But I couldn't show that in front of someone who worked so hard to make my clothes.
I hugged Misha tightly.
"M-My, My, My Lady?"
Misha trembled like an aspen tree. I slowly stroked her back to help her relax.
"You worked hard, Misha. I like it. The time must have been tight, but thank you for bringing me the best result like this."
"You're thanking me? Me?"
When I hugged her tightly once more and let go, Misha staggered. Moreover, Misha's face was red as if she had received some amazing gift.
"My Lady."
"What?"
"My Lady, you're too much..."
And leaving those incomprehensible words, she buried her face in her hands. She must have thought I was trying to settle with just words instead of a bonus after making her work so hard. So when I said I'd give her a bonus that wouldn't disappoint, she finally smiled broadly.
Misha, who had been grinning for a while, soon came to her senses and helped me put on the dress.
I had tried it on once during fitting, but the quality was definitely different from that time. Unlike just looking at it, when I put it on, its true value was revealed.
"This is truly a masterpiece... Everyone thinks so, right?"
Misha sighed in ecstasy and asked the other staff's opinions. The staff who had been avoiding Evangeline in fear, keeping their heads down and not making eye contact, urgently chimed in.
"Yes, yes! I think it should be in history books!"
"Yees...! If you just stand still at the ball, everyone will think you're a work of art crafted by a master!"
"You're a genius! You've turned high society upside down! Of course, Lady Rohanson is also a genius!"
What did I do to be a genius? Face genius? Misha's staff tearfully clapped their hands. I thought Misha was just kind, but she does bully them a bit? Their effort to match their boss's mood was quite apparent.
"Is the movement uncomfortable?"
"It's fine."
"Then let's go show Sir Gabriel!"
Misha shouted with determination. I nodded along, getting caught up in it. Since Gabriel is a face fanatic and seems to like Evangeline's face, it should work somewhat well.
And if it's a romance fantasy novel, this kind of event is necessary. When someone who usually dresses plainly dresses up, people are stunned at first sight. Of course, I'm not saying I dressed plainly. Misha said it was unique and nice too.
All the way back to the reception room, Misha hovered around me spouting all kinds of compliments.
The nonsense continued in front of Gabriel too. Gabriel didn't have a big reaction like opening his mouth in amazement like in comics, and that seemed to rub Misha the wrong way.
It wasn't obvious, but seeing Gabriel's pupils having an earthquake, he seemed greatly disturbed. Unfortunately for Misha, pupil earthquakes don't count as reactions. Misha demanded an even bigger reaction from Gabriel.
"Sir Gabriel, how does the Lady look to you?"
"It suits you well."
"No, you need to praise a bit more!"
"You're like an angel!"
"Yes! Mary, you did really well!"
Mary, who had been running wildly around the mansion, must have heard the news that I was trying on the dress from another maid and came running to take a spot next to Gabriel.
Seeing Daisy apologizing shamefacedly, she must have tried to stop them, but Gabriel seems to have told her to let them be. Mary is the next brightest person in our mansion after Kanna. She's going to grow up to be a sunshine female lead.
"You're like a fairy!"
"Right?"
Mary endlessly spewed flattery. With Mary saying all kinds of compliments and Misha clapping for more, I felt like I was being bowed down to and wanted to escape.
"Now, Sir! Do you know what to say now?"
Misha, having shown all sorts of one-dimensional examples, set the stage telling him to try once. Normally when told to do something, rebellious spirit arises.
Gabriel deliberated and seemed to have found an expression Misha would be satisfied with.
"Lady Rohanson is like the brightest star."
"Good."
It was a compliment on the same level as the examples Mary gave. Misha, who must have known what Gabriel would say, nodded as if somewhat satisfied, uncovering Mary's ears she had been covering.
Satisfied? Then please consider my feelings too, being boweded down to... When I looked at Misha with lingering regret, perhaps my eyes were misread, Misha startled and hugged Mary.
"Mary, let's go out."
"Already?"
When Mary hesitated, Misha whispered something in her ear. The offer must have been quite tempting as Mary nodded her head greatly.
And before leaving, she ran to me and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, My Lady, for making clothes for Mary."
I wondered what she whispered, and it seems she brought up the request to make clothes for the kids she mentioned before. Now that my clothes are done, she must be starting soon.
But why is she thanking me? No, they haven't even been made yet, and Misha right behind me is the one making them? Because I'm the money? I readily accepted. True. Money is important.
Misha's face was bright even though her contribution was stolen. Is she really going to survive being that innocent?
"Now, Daisy too needs measurements taken, so let's go together!"
"Huh? But I need to attend to the Lady? At least I'll wait outside the room."
"Tut! This is also the Lady's order! Sir Gabriel is with her, what's there to worry about!"
Misha seemed to want to take Daisy's measurements too while she was at it. Daisy looked at me as if asking permission, so I nodded telling her to go. So Daisy also gave in and was dragged out by Misha.
After watching the door the three left through vaguely, I met Gabriel's eyes. It was somehow awkward but I felt like I'd burst out laughing.
"Would you like to dance with me?"
Unlike before when I changed clothes and extended my hand first, this time Gabriel slightly bowed his upper body and offered his hand first. Since I'm properly dressed, he seems to intend to observe proper etiquette.
"One song won't be enough."
There were so many types of dances. But we should try each type at least once.
"I will accompany you as much as you need."
When our hands met, Gabriel took a small breath. Is he nervous? When kissing someone's hand, he acts so brazenly.
Come to think of it, except for saying goodbye, this is the first time we've held hands. Thinking of the kiss that should naturally follow after this, I felt slightly heated.
Of course, it was a thought that quickly faded because Gabriel's hand was too hot. No, why is Gabriel's body so warm? Is his hand warm because his heart is cold?
Gabriel indeed had expertise in dancing too, wrapping his arm around my waist and skillfully taking position.
Though I couldn't hear it, the music began. I followed Gabriel's lead and stepped.
Come to think of it, Misha said she wanted to see us together in the dress, but then ran right out. She probably just wanted to see Gabriel admiring me in the dress.
"Misha didn't have to deliberately leave."
We're not doing anything strange, just dancing. Gabriel answered that it must be Misha's own consideration.
"Shumitiana seems to think of the Lady specially."
"Because she allowed me the nickname Misha?"
"Yes. Likewise, Shumitiana originally chooses who she makes clothes for. Because of that, I had a hard time bringing her to Rohanson mansion at first too."
True. At first she said she couldn't make clothes for someone who wears human skin, so she definitely didn't come willingly and Gabriel must have dragged her forcibly. But isn't that not choosing people but choosing criminals?
Hmm. Thinking about her bullying the staff earlier and Misha's artisan spirit, she would probably be picky about her clients. Gabriel took his eyes off the door that was tightly closed after Misha left.
"She's someone with stricter standards than I thought. Having her make even the servants' clothes isn't an easy thing."
Strict? To me, she looked like a romance addict enchanted by the pink atmosphere unfolding before her eyes. She also seems to have some talent for face appreciation. She was extremely weak to Evangeline's face.
While we talked lightly, the dance continued. Still, thanks to learning theory thoroughly, no mishap like stepping on Gabriel's foot occurred.
One song ended and we bowed. If it were a formal ball, the partner would have to change when the song changed, but since this is a private setting, we continued to other dances without changing partners.
The distance that had separated for the bow closed again. The temperature, now feeling quite lukewarm, gently wrapped around my waist.
What genre is the next song? Still unfamiliar, unlike me who was recalling the order, Gabriel's entire attention was focused on me.
It's proper etiquette to lightly converse while dancing. Where did we leave off? Ah, the story about Misha making clothes for the employees.
"Misha is just trying to do her part since she received payment from me."
"That couldn't be. Shumitiana doesn't move even if paid a fortune if her heart isn't moved. It's just that the Lady has become her exception."
Ah. This song is a waltz. Without accompaniment, it was hard to distinguish. Without sound, I have to memorize through body movements. Instead of music, I etched Gabriel's movements in my head.
Gabriel extended his left foot, his right foot moved and turned left. Then his left foot moved again, and Gabriel held me in his eyes.
"It seems to become so when I hold you in my eyes."
Gabriel looked at me with strange eyes. What was reflected in him was a remarkably clear blue without a single blemish. I always thought it was like a cloudless sky, but seeing my reflection like this, it was also like an undefiled water surface.
"My faith, my philosophy, my ideals, everything I've built from the bottom up feels futile."
Until now, it wasn't Misha's story but Gabriel's own. Why is he suddenly setting the mood like this? My heart felt ticklish, so I must have a romance fantasy allergy.
Gabriel continued speaking as if he couldn't see me feeling lukewarm about it.
"You, who broke into my world and shattered it, seem to rebuild the world from scratch as you please."
As my body spun, the dress hem spread low and wrapped around my body. Gabriel said he was just as helpless before me as a person facing a natural disaster.
A being that shakes the world - hearing it briefly, it felt like a passionate love confession.
"That sounds like a confession."
I said it jokingly, but Gabriel didn't deny it. A confession? That?
I knew well that Gabriel likes me, and I knew well that to escape the death sentence or unhappy ending, ending up with Gabriel, the male lead, is the most ideal method.
But when it was suddenly thrust right before my eyes without warning, my head spun. I felt nauseous.
A discomfort arose from the abruptly confronted emotions. My heart, which had been excited thinking I was enjoying novel events, sank heavily, and my feet grew heavy.
"You like me?"
To me, Gabriel's words were not a love confession but self-torment. His gentle downcast eyes looked more wretched, crushed by guilt, than enraptured by love.
If Gabriel had rather whispered romance with a sweet face, my feelings wouldn't be this miserable. That would be a flattened love, pressed firmly onto paper. It would be nothing more than the male lead performing his role.
So this is the eeriness I feel when a ghost that existed beyond the monitor reaches out. It's a vivid creepiness like black things I thought were letters squirming on the spread pages, growing limbs and becoming ants, crawling in a line toward me.
Does he really like me, not just loving Evangeline as a setting value?
"Without even knowing who I am?"
I met Gabriel's eyes deeply. Reflected in the transparent glass is Evangeline's face. All Gabriel knows is that I'm a possessor. He probably confessed while agonizing like that because of that fact. But is that really Gabriel's true heart? Not a setting value? Not because he's fallen for Evangeline's appearance?
Gabriel's body stiffened and the dance movements became extremely slow. This time, I led Gabriel instead.
Gabriel couldn't even bring himself to answer. He shut his mouth tight and avoided my gaze. Even while seeming to want to run away immediately, continuing to dance as promised was quaintly stubborn, just like Gabriel.
Even when no answer returned, I was rather relieved.
Right? Even you think something is strange? My heart became peaceful again.
"Sir Gabriel just needs to get along with me moderately."
I don't desire such heavy sincerity. I'd rather avoid it.
I associate with Gabriel to receive his protection and to avoid the fate that might befall me in the future.
Gabriel just needs to accommodate that much. He just needs to like Evangeline, and if Evangeline needs something, he just needs to help like when she asks for a partner.
I must have pushed him too hard, as Gabriel's complexion was particularly pale. Anyone watching would think Evangeline died, not Gabriel.
"Shall we stop here?"
If we danced more, Gabriel seemed like he would collapse. We only matched two songs, but seeing that I could follow the dance well, it seemed I could sufficiently do other dances too.
Originally, I wasn't going to dance continuously either, so this much should be enough.
Ah. Come to think of it, I was planning to firmly cast my net today! Did I forget my purpose and put up too much of a wall? I think I got too absorbed.
From Gabriel's perspective, he was laying groundwork to confess when suddenly the some-woman suddenly cut him off saying we're not at that stage yet. He must be thinking, why is she suddenly acting like this? Is that why he's lost his words?
"I actually quite like you, Sir."
After the waltz that seemed like it would last forever ended, I whispered while holding my dress hem and bowing. This probably won't salvage things, but saying something is better. If I push too hard, it's not fishing management, so I should at least give lip service.
Since it's certain Gabriel likes Evangeline's face, I tried my hardest to smile. Since I don't usually use my smiling muscles, it's a bit awkward... My mouth corners feel like they're cramping.
I glanced at the mirror to see if I'm smiling properly and saw a smile that looked like it could kill someone, so I slowly lowered my mouth corners.果然, I have no talent for acting at all.