SCMBRN Chapter 14

“Good night.”

 

In the awkward atmosphere, I quickly greeted him and chose the option of fleeing to dreamland.

 

Perhaps noticing that I was embarrassed, Kirie spoke up with a sort of explanation.

 

“Lady, I completely understand your kind intentions. However, I’m not very skilled when it comes to talking with others about such matters…”

 

Hearing those words, I somehow felt a bit relieved.

 

Right. What kind of development did I think I was in, like some heroine from a body-swap romance novel?

 

‘I gave up on that kind of dream long ago.’

 

After the possession, I thought my life would unfold in all sorts of dramatic ways, but I ended up wasting half a year in the corner of a room with nothing much happening.

 

With a mix of resignation and relief, I responded to Kirie’s words.

 

“It’s alright. We haven’t known each other long, so I’ve been overstepping.”

 

“No, not at all! Your advice was invaluable. In my situation, it’s absolutely the right course of action.”

 

“But things don’t always go as we want them to.”

 

“Indeed… I know I should be more honest, but it’s not so easy. Once your reputation is set, it’s not easily changed.”

 

He was right. The saying about first impressions existed for a reason. People are reluctant to change their established perceptions.

 

‘In the original, the heroine Aila somehow managed to restore Kirie’s reputation, but how did she do it?’

 

I tried to recall the details slowly, but I couldn’t remember at all, so I rubbed my temples in frustration.

 

Damn it! I’ve read too many novels to keep track of the specifics!

 

Unless it was a part I paid special attention to, I could only remember the general plot and a few specific scenes.

 

After a moment of searching through fuzzy memories, I finally gave up.

 

‘I wouldn’t remember even if I were beaten to death!’

 

Then, I realized that the most urgent issue at hand was something entirely different: the curse in the comments.

 

Sorry, Kirie, but I’m more concerned with my own problems right now.

 

“Kirie, I have something I want to ask.”

 

When I suddenly spoke up, Kirie seemed slightly surprised and responded.

 

“Yes, ask anything.”

 

“After tonight, Kirie’s curse will be completely lifted, right?”

 

“It’s very likely.”

 

His tone was serious and cautious.

 

“Curses are rather tricky and mysterious magic. The curse I’m under is probably an extremely complex high-level curse.”

 

“Is it really that serious?”

 

“Of course!”

 

As the conversation shifted to magic, the timid Kirie from earlier was gone, replaced by a confident mage who eagerly explained.

 

“It’s not just a curse that prevents sleep. There’s a very specific condition attached — I have to be in a certain situation with a specific person in order to sleep. No matter how I think about it, this couldn’t have been done with just a curse potion. Someone must have cast the spell directly around me.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Ah, I’m curious. What kind of skilled mage could have created this curse? And when could they have cast it on me without my noticing?”

 

“Who knows.”

 

“I made sure to take precautions against this sort of thing. Yet somehow, without my awareness, this curse was placed…”

 

Perhaps because I looked exhausted, Kirie quickly noticed and stopped himself.

 

“…I’ve gotten too worked up.”

 

“It’s alright. Anyway, the conclusion is that the curse will be lifted after tonight, right?”

 

I carefully voiced the worst possibility, the one I had been pushing down deep inside.

 

“Please don’t tell me that from now on, I’ll always have to sleep in my bed…”

 

“That’s absolutely not going to happen. There’s almost no chance, 99.9% that won’t be the case.”

 

The tower mage’s top disciple made a confident declaration.

 

“To begin with, the existence of such an intricate and secretive curse is almost a miracle. For it to have a lasting effect? That’s in the realm of the gods.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“I’m certain. The fact that you have to sleep in your bed is part of the condition to break the curse. As you know, most curses of this type are powerful, but they also have a weakness.”

 

This was all new to me, but I listened intently to Kirie’s explanation and nodded earnestly.

 

“The good thing about these kinds of curses is that once the condition is fulfilled, the curse disappears without a trace. If you gain something, you have to give something up in return.”

 

“I think I understand.”

 

“What makes this curse different from the ones we usually know is that…”

 

Kirie grew more animated as he spoke. The awkwardness and wariness from earlier were now gone.

 

He was still sitting at the edge of the bed, but his expression had become far more relaxed.

 

“Wow, magic is truly fascinating.”

 

I didn’t understand most of what Kirie was saying, but I nodded along and added the occasional “mhm” to keep the conversation going.

 

“…”

 

Before long, Kirie’s clear voice began to trail off and eventually stopped. Looking to my side, I saw that he had fallen asleep.

 

As expected, his fairy-like features made just looking at him warm my heart.

 

‘Silver-haired mage, top tier.’

 

I silently reaffirmed this truth as I slowly closed my heavy eyelids.

 

Perhaps due to the intricate magical lecture, sleep quickly overwhelmed me.

 

 

—

 

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of a maid knocking on my door. There was no sign of Kirie next to me.

 

“Has he already left?”

 

I looked around at the neatly made bed and turned my gaze. Then I noticed a note placed on the table.

 

“I couldn’t bring myself to wake you, so I left quietly. Thanks to you, I was able to sleep soundly for the first time in a long while. I am deeply grateful for your help in breaking my curse.”

 

The note continued with a promise to visit me soon to express his gratitude, written in neat handwriting.

 

I smiled as I folded the note and tucked it away in my drawer before letting the maids into the room.

 

Gratitude. Just two words that made my heart race with excitement. What kind of gift would I receive?

 

‘Asking a mage for money would be lowly.’

 

In a fantasy world, magic is an immensely important thing.

 

No matter how challenging the protagonist’s struggles, they’re often solved with some miraculous magic.

 

And money? I’d likely get more than enough from Prince Raynard. So what I’d expect from Kirie would definitely be something related to magic.

 

‘Without a doubt, magical tools!’

 

Magical tools are objects that allow non-mages to use specific spells.

 

Given Kirie’s exceptional skills and his position as the tower master’s top disciple, he probably has some useful and hard-to-acquire magical tools.

 

Perhaps one that enables teleportation or flight.

 

‘It’s always good to have a way to escape just in case I end up being falsely accused of being an evil woman, like in the novel.’

 

It would be best to avoid such a situation, of course, but life is unpredictable.

 

Although I hadn’t yet imagined a scenario in which I’d be running for my life, I happily spent time thinking about which magical tool to ask for.

 

After a quick freshen-up, I made my way to the dining room with light steps.

 

“Charlotte, you’re late again today. What were you doing up so late at night?”

 

“Sorry, I’ll make sure to come on time next time.”

 

The endless chiding from the Marchioness Lindsy was music to my ears. My worries had been solved, so I was in a good mood!

 

As of yesterday, I had broken the curses of Raynard, Yugen, and Kirie — all three of the male leads.

 

Though it was a bit, no, quite sad to think I’d be parting with their handsome faces, comfort in bed was more important than anything.

 

‘And besides, there’s a harvest too.’

 

Money from Raynard, magical tools from Kirie, and… well, Yugen is cute, so that’s fine.

 

Now, I could leave the empire and live a comfortable life anywhere I wanted.

 

It would be best to avoid the risk of meeting Aila or Cedric again and being falsely labeled as the villainess.

 

‘Now, should I ask Marquis Lindsy to send me to the villa abroad?’

 

Just then, I felt an intense gaze. I raised my head quickly.

 

Jayden, seated diagonally from me, smiled and greeted me when our eyes met.

 

“Did you sleep well last night, sister?”

 

“Huh? Uh… yeah, I slept well.”

 

Hadn’t he been staring at me a moment ago with a piercing gaze? And now, this overly sweet tone? Something felt off.

 

This awkwardness didn’t seem to be just on my end. Even my family and the servants who were serving food looked tense.

 

“When did you two get so close?”

 

The Marchioness Lindsy asked, both confused and moved.

 

“You even partnered up for the tea party yesterday. You two seem to be getting along quite well.”

 

I didn’t know how to respond, so Jayden spoke first.

 

“Actually, not long ago, we had an honest conversation and cleared up our misunderstandings.”

 

…We did?

 

“From that point, we decided to move forward in a positive relationship.”

 

When did this happen?

 

“Oh, I didn’t know that.”

 

The Marquis nodded absentmindedly, then broke into a pleased smile.

 

“If you’ve reconciled, there’s nothing more I could wish for. Charlotte has grown so mature lately, it’s a joy for our family.”

 

“Indeed, dear. I’m happy as well.”

 

The Marchioness agreed, and the dining room was filled with a warm atmosphere.

 

Feeling the situation growing too comfortable, I couldn’t deny Jayden’s lies and just quietly ate my foo

d.

 

If I were to shout, ‘Don’t be fooled! That guy’s lying!’, I would be the odd one out.

 

I glanced at Jayden out of the corner of my eye. He was smiling insincerely, elegantly cutting his meat.

 

‘What’s he up to now?’