Chapter 6
I widened my eyes in shock.
Selenia was truly remarkable in many ways. To refuse a meal with her own father for a full two years—unbelievable.
So there really was a reason the Duke acted this way.
If a parent’s only daughter refused to eat with them for two whole years, it was only natural for them to be angry.
Hesitating, I quickly sorted out the situation in my head.
After making a decision, I wiped the awkward expression off my face.
“Ah… right. I did do that, didn’t I.”
I smiled casually, and the Duke’s brows furrowed slightly.
Still, I forced the most natural smile I could and continued.
“The meal was so delicious, I completely forgot. I’ve been so spoiled and rude that I must have made you angry… right?”
Even to my own ears, my tone was calm and obedient. A little brazen, perhaps, but there was no other choice.
Trying to act serious here won’t do me any good.
I was already well-practiced at this kind of situation.
In my previous life, I had been sent to client meetings constantly, just because I was the youngest.
Even without proper handovers.
My mentor always passed me the most difficult cases—places that were desolate and harsh, like the Serengeti.
I even had to deal with people who suddenly tried to flip tables on me.
Back then, it felt unjust and I nearly died of frustration. But I never imagined I would later use the skills I learned from being tossed around and challenged.
I suppose that’s what they mean when they say you don’t know life until you’ve lived it.
I glanced at the Duke.
Keep smiling, no matter what.
Complaining here wouldn’t solve anything. Winning over someone whose favor you’ve already lost is never easy.
So in moments like this…
“I came today to apologize for my past behavior. From now on, I’ll attend meals properly, so I hope you can trust me…”
I smiled gently, and the Duke’s eyes widened in surprise.
It was awkward to keep smiling in front of someone so serious, but I held my ground.
“I suppose I was just going through puberty back then…!”
“…What?”
“I promise I won’t cause trouble anymore. So really, you don’t have to worry at all!”
I finished my words with the kindest, most innocent smile I could muster.
It wasn’t a lie.
From now on, I truly intended to be a good girl—no mischief, listening to my father.
If I couldn’t break him, I’d at least play along. That was my life motto.
And honestly, after two lives, it’s ridiculous to worry about pride.
Keeping in step with my new father was easy. I’d done this sort of thing before in my previous life.
And the most important thing—
Last night’s soft, warm bed, and today’s meal that melted in my mouth—
I thought that perhaps this life was a reward for all the misfortune I’d endured.
God must have felt sorry for me in my previous life and offered this kindness.
Since I suffered so much before, now I could enjoy life.
There was no way I would waste this incredible luck just because of a strained relationship with my father. In fact, I didn’t want to take that risk at all.
I smiled brightly at the Duke and carefully placed a piece of roasted fruit into my mouth.
From today, my goal is to live a long, healthy life in this mansion.
To do that, I had to start showing my father that I was a good daughter.
“I’ll show you a completely changed me from now on. Please watch, Father!”
As the Duke let out a short, astonished sigh, new dishes kept arriving.
Duke’s study.
Walter stood at the door, watching his master’s unfamiliar behavior closely.
“Puberty?”
Duke Aleon Tigerys muttered a short curse through his teeth.
He sat back in his chair with arms crossed, staring into the air and talking to himself.
“She looked healthy enough for someone who supposedly collapsed. But two years without so much as a proper appearance—puberty, you say?”
“…”
“What does that even mean?”
It sounded like a growl. Walter cleared his throat and spoke cautiously.
“Your Grace, the young lady was at that sensitive age. It’s said that girls in other noble families sometimes act out around that time as well.”
The Duke had heard such rumors before.
At a vassal meeting a few days ago, a count even complained about his fifteen-year-old son.
“My son has started refusing to listen. Even gentle advice doesn’t work.”
“Exactly! Our daughter is the same age as his son, and she locks herself in her room, shouting ‘Who are you to tell me what to do?’”
“Why is it only fifteen-year-olds who act like this… raising children is never easy.”
Still, Aleon couldn’t understand Selenia.
For the past two years, she hadn’t just been avoiding conversations—she’d locked herself away completely.
And today, she suddenly appeared at the dining room, apologized for her past misbehavior, claimed it was due to puberty, and vanished with a cheerful expression.
“…Find out what she meant by ‘puberty’ first.”
Walter bowed, and Aleon muttered under his breath:
“If she strays twice more, someone might die.”
Walter hesitated, then answered.
“That… there was an incident.”
At that, Aleon’s crimson eyes darkened as he recalled something.
“Go.”
Walter stepped back quietly. Just before closing the door, the Duke added briefly:
“…Ask if she needs anything else.”
Walter nodded and finally left the study.
That was an incredibly satisfying meal.
I walked down the corridor, face shining and smiling.
I felt a little full, but my mood was fantastic.
As I strolled, I suddenly stopped.
“…Wait. Where am I?”
I realized I had wandered into an empty corridor with no frames on the walls.
The dining hall corridor had decorations everywhere, but here only cobwebs filled the space.
Whoosh—
A cold gust echoed through the hall.
I shivered, looking around slowly.
Through the grimy windows, the sky was overcast. A cloud passed in front of the sun, plunging everything into darkness.
This place is like a haunted house.
I stared at the far end, then immediately turned in the opposite direction.
Curiosity didn’t matter—I just wanted to return to my room and bury myself in the soft bed.
I should take a nap.
On gloomy days like this, rest is essential.
But how can a house be this huge?
If this is the size of a mansion in Je-do, how big must a duke’s estate be?
Rich people…
I clicked my tongue and shook my head. Then a thought struck me.
Still, better than being poor.
Exactly.
Wait… does that make me a silver spoon now?
I smiled to myself.
Correction: rich is definitely best. People should have money first and foremost.
Once I get to my room, I’ll check the wardrobe before my nap. A noble girl should have a jewelry box, right?
Honestly, at first I worried about being a villain…
But that didn’t matter anymore.
I was now in Selenia’s 17-year-old body, the age when she starts her real mischief.
So at least I could stop any future bad deeds. I just needed to not act, and nothing bad would happen.
Also…
Estellin’s birthday party incident seems to have been handled much better than expected.
I could slowly get close to Father, smiling like today, and I wouldn’t risk being thrown out suddenly.
Everything was flowing in the right direction.
I’ll live happily as a rich girl, enjoy everything, and grow old peacefully!
Better than working like a dog and dying suddenly in a building collapse.
Feeling proud, my steps grew lighter.
Then…
“…You won’t believe it, but…”
A voice came from ahead. I stopped and pressed myself against the wall.
“The young lady appeared at the meal today.”
Two long shadows stretched from around a corner shaped like ㄱ.
“…What? The noble girl came to the meal?”
“Yes. From what we hear, the atmosphere was very lively. She even called the Duke ‘Father’ and followed him…”
“That’s impossible!”
A sharp voice echoed faintly down the corridor. I froze and held my breath.
“Impossible!”
“It’s true. Someone in the kitchen told us. So… perhaps her ‘education’ should be strengthened.”
The other person sighed, clicking their tongue.
“…Foolish. Don’t you know that too much of anything is poison? If we strengthened her education now, the Duke would notice immediately.”
“But we have no other choice. We’ve spent so much time cultivating her. Now we can’t let it all go to waste.”
I frowned. I couldn’t understand a word.
But my instincts, honed by experience, screamed at me:
That’s about me, no matter how you look at it.
The two shadows shifted suspiciously.
“…Understood. I’ll relay the message for now, but the plan can change at any time.”
“Very well. But always remember: if we strengthen her education, the Duke will never…”
Whoosh—
The window rattled violently as the wind blew through the corridor.
I stared at it, dumbfounded. By the time the wind stopped, I’d already missed something important.
“Then we’ll meet here again another time.”
One shadow retreated, and shortly after, the second followed.
I stepped out cautiously, peeking around the corner.
The corridor was empty, as if no one had ever been there.
What did I just hear?
Stunned, I stood there for a while, then shook myself and moved on.
I had one more thing to figure out.
