Chapter 85
The dining room was filled with appetizing food smells.
The moment Luka and I entered, the gazes of those seated turned towards us.
“…Good morning.”
I said, extremely nervous.
“Yes, good morning. Did the medicine work well?”
However, just like Luka, Dad asked me kindly as if everything was normal.
“Yes, I heard it was specially developed overnight for me… Thank you.”
When I smiled brightly, a smile also appeared on his face.
We started eating after chatting about various things as usual.
The food tasted like honey because my body felt refreshed.
I put a piece of chicken in my mouth with an ‘ahm-‘ and made an ecstatic expression.
I felt gazes on me.
Not just one, but several.
Gazes that quickly dispersed when I raised my head.
‘They’re still concerned after all…’
There’s no need for that. Rather, my physical condition is much better than usual today.
With Miller being unusually quiet compared to normal, and even the usually taciturn Drehan not speaking, only the clattering of tableware could be heard in the dining room for a while.
Feeling this couldn’t continue, I looked at Sarah and said:
“Sarah, this is really delicious! I mentioned wanting to eat this yesterday, did you remember?”
“Yes- What was it, you said it appeared in that novel ‘The Lady of the West’, right?”
Sarah answered with a bright smile.
“That’s why I thought people in the west ate this all the time.”
The fried chicken drizzled with a flavorful sauce tasted like the ‘chicken god’ from my previous life.
“Actually, this dish was created after that novel became popular. I’m trying it for the first time today too, and it’s really delicious.”
Feeling nostalgic after a long time, I remembered forgotten foods.
Tteokbokki, jajangmyeon, ramen, pizza…
If I wrote a novel here and described these foods in detail, would they become popular and actually be made?
My mouth watered.
“Marquis, I apologize for interrupting your breakfast, but Marquis Zeld has come to see you.”
At that moment, a servant quietly relayed a message to Damon.
“Tell him to leave.”
“The thing is, he’s parked his carriage in front of the door and says he won’t leave until he meets you.”
“Then let him stay there. Considering the Marquis’s personality, he won’t last half a day.”
The servant bowed to Damon and left the dining room.
‘This Marquis Zeld or whatever is quite persistent.’
It’s not like he’s protesting from early morning, but he’s blocking the front gate with his carriage and stubbornly waiting.
“I heard most of the noble faction people have turned their backs on him.”
“That’s right. He wasn’t a well-liked person to begin with. He’s very assertive and stubborn…”
Damon’s face hardened as if recalling yesterday’s events.
He then looked at me and said:
“You helped me again. Last time, and this time too.”
Just as I was about to say it was nothing, Sarah opened her mouth.
“This person has gifted a villa where you can stay whenever you come to the west, with a grateful heart.”
“…?”
“It’s… though it’s a very modest gift for Princess Rayes, it’s a villa in front of the most beautiful Luminous Coast in the west, so I think you’ll like it.”
The two of them delivered words that made me doubt my ears while smiling brightly.
I stopped chewing with my eyes as round as saucers.
“Vi-villa…?”
* * *
The Luminous Coast, which we reached after a 20-minute carriage ride from the Einhasil Marquisate, was even more beautiful than I had heard about.
As I stood there with my mouth open in a ‘heh-‘ shape, Sarah approached and took my hand.
“It’s here, Ria.”
Walking along the white sandy beach, a snow-white villa that I had only dreamed of appeared.
Right in front, emerald waves were rolling.
This coast was said to have clear weather without a single cloud and cool breezes blowing all year round.
“This is too much.”
I said, suppressing the urge to immediately put up a sign saying ‘Laveria Jenne Rayes’ Villa’ in front of it.
It was literally too much.
Just yesterday, I had thought that if the president, who was diligently researching at home, succeeded in developing magical tools, I would prepare such a villa.
It was a plan I had set for at least 5 years, but it materialized in a day.
“Not at all. As you’re Princess Rayes, I thought any repayment would be insufficient, and then I thought of this place.”
Following Damon and Sarah as they walked into the villa, I saw that the interior was also splendid, fully embodying the characteristics of the west.
“Please accept my humble heart.”
Saying this, Damon politely handed me a golden key.
Now I couldn’t refuse anymore. If no one had been here, I would have run around excitedly in all directions.
“Then, thank you…”
As I grinned, looking at the jingling golden key in my hand, Luka, who was beside me, muttered:
“For the next birthday, this entire coast…”
Birthday? Coast?
It was incomprehensible. However, what mattered now was that this beautiful villa had become my property.
“Still, since I don’t come to the west often, please visit frequently, Damon and Sarah. There are several caretakers, and they’ll feel lonely if the owner doesn’t come.”
“Haha, we will.”
“Then I’d like to stay here today. Is that okay, Dad?”
“Of course.”
I barely held back a cheer and hugged Sarah excitedly.
* * *
“These are the servants sent by the Marquis. They’re children who will assist you during your stay, so please call them when you need anything.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Garnett had brought my luggage from the Marquisate, preparing for a one-night stay.
A gentle breeze blew in through the wide-open window.
“I want to live here forever.”
Of course, I’d get tired of it if I stayed every day, but it seemed perfect for occasional visits.
I just blew away two detestable villains, but to think such a reward would follow.
“Yes, I want to live here with Ria forever too.”
At the voice I heard, I suddenly opened my eyes that had been leisurely closed.
“Luka?”
“Yes, Sister Ria.”
Surely Damon and Sarah had returned to the Marquisate, and Dad and my brothers had gone to a meeting to sort out the chaotic atmosphere from yesterday’s events.
“Didn’t you go along with them?”
“I played hooky.”
“…”
Luka walked to the bed where I was lying and smiled, facing me.
‘Who on earth corrupted our Luka!’
To think the best model student in the story would play hooky!
‘But wait. If Luka comes along when I go to the clock tower…’
I was planning to go to the festival held tonight.
I had thought to go quietly with Garnett, but now it seemed I’d have to adjust my plans.
I stopped being shocked and said to Luka:
“Sit down, don’t just stand there.”
‘Come to think of it, wouldn’t this make things easier? I was a bit worried about going with just Garnett without a guardian. I can go with Luka instead of Garnett.’
I grinned at Luka, who had plopped down next to the bed where I was lying.
This time, Luka looked at me with uneasy eyes and said:
“You always have that expression right before causing trouble…”
“Luka, take me to the clock tower tonight.”
* * *
[Drivich, take me to the clock tower tonight.]
‘Wow, it’s still an iconic scene even when I see it again.’
I inwardly cheered while reading the pink hardcover book with Garnett.
“I’m sure the young lady already had feelings for Sir Drivich.”
“Really? For that, isn’t she too surprised when she hears his confession at the clock tower?”
“From what I’ve heard, in the west, clocks symbolize eternal love. Since the young lady asked to go to the clock tower alone first…”
If that’s the case, then I also just now to Luka…
‘I just blurted it out wanting to say a famous line.’
Did it somehow turn into a western-style confession?
But there’s no way Luka would know this fact that I just learned.
‘He doesn’t know, right…?’
When the evening sun began to shine through the window, the true value of this villa was revealed.
The sparkling coast shone in various colors, making it very beautiful.
I was in the middle of preparing to go out with this scenery as a backdrop.
From the villa, the clock tower could be seen on top of a distant cliff, and it already seemed like a lively festival was in full swing.
“Garnett, you’re really sincere. I didn’t expect you to prepare this dress.”
“Of course, you’re going to none other than the clock tower.”
A pale pink chemise, almost white, draped from my shoulders.
My hair was decorated with a light green ribbon matching my eye color, and if the novel were to be made into live-action, it would look like this.
“Have a good time, miss.”
“Yeah. If my brothers come, explain it well.”
“Of course, don’t worry.”
As I stepped out the door, I saw Luka’s back.
His gaze was directed at the ground, as if looking for pretty shells on the beach where the sunset was settling.
Then, as if sensing my presence, he turned his head to look at me, and we both widened our eyes.
Luka was wearing a white chiton with a red himation draped over it.
He looked like a languid young beast.
“You, don’t tell me Garnett…?”
“Yes, Ria’s maid said you would like it if I dressed like this.”
You’ve fulfilled your dream of a live-action ‘The Lady of the West’, Garnett…
Luka held out his hand to the dazed me and said:
“Shall we go, to the clock tower?”
I thought he looked just like the male protagonist about to confess.
It was difficult to look directly at his smiling face.