SCMBRN Chapter 30

Kyrie asked me,

 

“Will something like that really do?”

 

“Yes, I like it. This one.”

 

I opened the velvet pouch to check if the item I had chosen was inside.

It was a rope. Completely ordinary in appearance, nothing about it suggested it was a magic tool.

 

“I didn’t expect you to choose a hunting tool.”

 

As he said, the rope was primarily used for hunting, specifically for making snares.

 

Being a magical item, it was far stronger than regular rope and could securely bind even if the user lacked strength or skill.

 

A question mark seemed to float on Kyrie’s face.

 

“Do you enjoy hunting wild beasts?”

 

A wild beast… there was one. Adorably tame by day, fiercely unruly by night.

 

This rope would prove very useful for that little darling.

 

“Well, the details are a secret. But it’s never a bad idea to have a sturdy rope on hand, right?”

 

As I glossed over it, Kyrie didn’t press further.

 

It was partly out of consideration for me, but more likely, he just wasn’t all that interested.

 

Let’s not forget. We’re bound together by the curse of the bed, nothing more. No drinking the kimchi soup before getting the kimchi.

 

“My lady.”

 

As I engraved those words in my heart for the umpteenth time, Kyrie spoke in a low, tentative voice.

 

His cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps from nervousness.

 

“May I have the honor of visiting your bedchamber tonight?”

 

…So don’t misunderstand. Absolutely not.

 

That day, upon returning to the Lindsy Marquisate and joining the evening meal, the Marchioness cleared her throat with a tone that suggested she had something to say.

 

“Charlotte, I heard from Sir Calix. You ran into the Duke of Hicklid while out today, didn’t you?”

 

As expected, Sir Calix had dutifully reported everything he saw and heard to the Marchioness.

 

“Is that true?”

 

“Sister.”

 

The Marquis looked at me with surprise, and Jayden also called out to me.

 

After swallowing the food in my mouth, I answered,

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

“When I first heard, I thought you’d gone out just to chase after the Duke again. But after hearing the full story, I changed my mind.”

 

Yes! Under the table, I clenched my fist.

Thankfully, the worst had been averted.

 

“They say you knelt before him and apologized in front of everyone?”

 

“What?!”

 

“Is that true, Sister?”

 

I slowly nodded.

“Yes, it is.”

 

“You’ve always been a proud child. Never once did you yield, even if the sky were to fall.”

 

The Marchioness set down her fork.

 

“And ever since you grew older, you’ve despised being looked down upon more than death itself.”

 

Now that I was in Charlotte’s shoes, I understood why. She was constantly surrounded by people who looked down on her.

 

‘Both inside this house, and out.’

 

Charlotte had survived in such an environment by keeping her chin up and never bowing her head, even when she was in the wrong.

 

“For someone like you, I can’t believe you endured the shame simply to gain favor with the Duke of Hicklid.”

 

The Marchioness looked at me with eyes much like Charlotte’s.

 

“I’m sorry. You’ve said countless times that you regret your actions, and only now do I truly believe you.”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

“I’ve told Sir Calix not to report your whereabouts to me anymore.”

 

“Thank you for trusting me.”

 

Seeing me respond gently, a smile relaxed the Marchioness’s lips.

 

“My daughter’s all grown up now. Oh, and by the way, I hope you weren’t too disheartened by how cold the Duke was to you today?”

 

“Not at all.”

 

“That’s good. After all, he’s not the only man in the world. Now that you’ve apologized, just shake it off and move on.”

 

“I’ve shaken off quite a bit during my time of reflection.”

 

“Really? Then there’s no problem if you happen to run into the Duke again.”

 

“Right, of course.”

 

Never before had a moment with the Marchioness felt this warm.

 

“Charlotte, I’m proud of you. Few people can truly repent for their actions.”

 

“So did the Duke accept Sister’s apology? Surely he didn’t ignore it, did he?”

 

The Marquis and Jayden both added their thoughts.

 

I responded casually to their remarks, judging that everything was proceeding smoothly…

 

Until the Marchioness brought it up.

 

“Alright then, it’s about time you returned to the social scene.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

I stared at her blankly.

 

“Why are you so surprised? Your time of reflection is over, and you’ve apologized formally to the Duke. There’s no reason for you to avoid society anymore.”

 

“Do I… really have to go?”

 

“What are you talking about? What would a noble lady do if not attend social functions?”

 

“I don’t know. I could just stay home and… do a few things…”

 

“Do what, exactly?”

 

Since I couldn’t very well say I lazed about all day and occasionally lent my bed to men in unfortunate circumstances, I shut my mouth.

 

“I won’t tell you to find a husband right away. But a proper person should still go out, interact with others, and live a decent life.”

 

“…”

 

“You can’t just stay cooped up in the house wasting time forever. You’re not unemployed.”

 

For some reason, her words pricked at my conscience and made my chest sting.

 

“I know you’ve reflected, but why do you seem so downcast? Ah, is it because you don’t have any friends?”

 

“…”

 

“Come to think of it, you said you grew distant from the young ladies you used to be close with. Are you worried about being alone at the next ball?”

 

“…”

 

“It’s fine. That’s not a big deal. I’m sure there’ll be one or two young ladies in society who’ll want to be friends with you. Making friends isn’t all that hard, you know?”

 

“…”

 

What is this? It sounds like encouragement, but the more she talks, the more my mind spins.

 

Maybe because even before I possessed Charlotte’s body, I had hardly any friends…

 

All this talk about friendship felt particularly uncomfortable.

 

In the end, I returned to my room with a battered heart, having been thoroughly encouraged by the Marchioness.

 

“Ugh! I hate the social scene! I just want to stay home!”

 

Lying on the bed, I hugged my pillow and thrashed about.

 

I’d told the Marchioness I would return to society, but it felt like I was being led to the slaughter.

 

“My reputation is still garbage.”

 

Word of me kneeling and apologizing to Cedric might help a little, but I couldn’t expect a miraculous recovery.

 

The real problem was the ladies who had once idolized Charlotte solely because of the Lindsy family’s prestige…

 

Then turned on her after the incident six months ago.

 

It wasn’t long ago that they poured champagne on my head at the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

 

‘If I return to the social scene, I’ll have to see those people again, inevitably…’

 

Just imagining it made my stomach churn.

 

It’s easy to picture.

As soon as we meet, those former admirers will jump at the chance to torment me.

Onlookers will whisper gleefully, enjoying the spectacle.

 

As at the Emperor’s banquet, a few might approach me.

But not out of genuine goodwill…

Only to enjoy mocking my misery from up close.

 

Immersed in this vivid imagining, I kicked my legs and shouted,

 

“Ugh! I hate it! Hate it! Everyone get lost! Stay away from me!”

 

Just as I was catching my breath after the outburst…

 

Knock, knock, knock…

 

There was a notable pause between each knock, giving it a timid feel.

 

I quickly jumped out of bed and rushed to the terrace where the knocking came from.

 

“Welcome, Kyrie.”

 

Oh no, the time I promised to meet Kyrie had arrived before I knew it.

 

Kyrie stood outside, looking like he was about to cry.

 

“Should I just go back…?”

 

“What? You just got here. Why would you leave?”

 

“Because… just now, you said you hated it and told everyone to stay away…”

 

“Ah, you heard that?”

 

“I should’ve known better. I never imagined you disliked me that much. Then again, what woman wouldn’t hate a man who suddenly appears and asks to sleep in her bed?”

 

“No, you’re misunderstanding.”

 

“I’ll just leave. Even if I die from sleeplessness, I won’t show up in front of you again…”

 

“I said it’s a misunderstanding! That wasn’t directed at you, Kyrie. I was just talking to myself.”

 

Why is this wizard so pessimistic?!

 

I reflexively grabbed Kyrie’s arm as he turned to go.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Kyrie flinched and brushed off my hand, then looked even more startled.

 

“I-I’m sorry. It was a reflex…”

 

“It’s fine. I forgot myself and reached out. Anyway, it’s really a misunderstanding, so don’t worry.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

“Now come in quickly. Someone might see.”

 

We stepped inside and sat down on the sofa.

 

Kyrie kept glancing at me, clearly still bothered by what had happened.

Well, considering he was already terrified of women, it was understandable he’d overreact to hearing me yell to stay away.

 

“Milady.”

 

He was the first to speak.

 

“You said it was just a monologue, but may I ask what brought it on? If you truly dislike my visits…”

 

“I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you. Honestly, it’s like this.”

 

I gave Kyrie a rough outline of what had been bothering me.

 

“So, in short, the issue is that there’s a group in society that bullies you?”

 

“That about sums it up.”

 

“There’s a simple solution.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Let’s curse them all.”

 

“A curse sounds goo… Wait, what?”

 

Kyrie said it so cheerfully that I reacted a beat too late.