Chapter 10: What It Means to Become Real
Back then, I didn’t understand how painful and difficult it would be to become a villainess, to have my very existence denied.
I never realized how corrosive it would be to face condemnation even from strangers, to endure the gazes of those who wished to erase my existence.
Especially if the man I cared for was behind it all.
“Hannah, could you bring me a newspaper?”
“I’m sorry, miss. We don’t get deliveries out here in the forest.”
“Is that so? Nothing to be done then.”
“Will you be alright, miss?”
“Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”
“But still, this is…”
“Are you planning to complain to the Duke? If not, don’t worry about it. I’m sure he has his reasons.”
People guarding the duke in the guise of footmen. Hannah averting her eyes when asked to bring a newspaper.
The feeling of being the only one kept in the dark, ostracized even there.
What was he thinking as he watched her struggle to restore her damaged reputation?
Perhaps because her mind was in such disarray, the mire that had risen to her ankles seemed to be pulling her down.
Despite nothing being clear in this situation, she couldn’t stop her thoughts from spiraling.
Perhaps that’s why a hollow laugh escaped between her bitten lips.
It was amusing how ridiculous her thoughts had become.
She had only just realized what her contract truly entailed.
One that had to be broken, could only be broken.
The more broken she became, the more he would like it.
“Sigh.”
Foolish Lyra Norris.
Sabrina and Lindia had always been right about her. No matter how much her circumstances changed, Lyra Norris remained nothing but a fool.
‘And yet I…’
Why do I still want to believe in you?
“…”
It felt as if the place hit by fierce waves was gradually being eroded. What she had believed would be eternally solid now felt as meaningless as a castle built of loose sand.
Now…
‘What should I do?’
She felt suddenly lost. It was as if the guiding star in the dark night sky had vanished in an instant.
As she gazed at the bitter lump filling her chest, a prim voice suddenly came from beside her.
“Are you laughing or crying? Could you pick just one? It’s confusing.”
How long had she been watching? The irritated face was gone, replaced by blue eyes filled with equal parts curiosity and fascination as they stared directly at her.
Lyra, who had momentarily forgotten Leona’s presence, cleared the shadows from her heart with a slow breath and set the newspaper down.
Yes, right now.
‘I should focus on this woman.’
Her composed voice soon addressed Leona.
“I saw some interesting content. Were you worried?”
“Me? About you? My goodness, how amusing.”
When Lyra simply stared at her silently, Leona crossed her arms and turned sideways in her seat.
“The world seems full of interesting things. Even now.”
“…”
“You look like you need help. Or am I mistaken?”
Leona, who had been crossing her legs and fidgeting with her foot, finally glanced down at her side.
“Oh, right! Why isn’t she coming?”
The fabric dangling from her torn waistline looked hideously out of place. Leona tried to gather the cloth with her hand a few times, then glared at the silent door. While the missing maid wouldn’t materialize just from her staring, she didn’t look away.
Lyra, who had just sent a maid away earlier, smiled gently and asked the oblivious woman again.
“I think I could help with that. What do you say?”
“You?”
Her skeptical look openly questioned whether Lyra had ever sewn anything in her life. Then, after glancing at the newspaper beside her, Leona’s expression changed to one of understanding.
“Not all the rumors are true, but I can offer some assistance,” Lyra said.
Despite receiving the disparaging look, Lyra’s bold response made Leona let out a surprised “ha.” Even so, her eyes quickly scanned Lyra from head to toe.
“Fine then.”
Her attitude clearly suggested she wanted to see just how skilled Lyra’s hands could be to warrant such confidence.
When Lyra remained still despite receiving permission, Leona raised an eyebrow askew.
“Wouldn’t it be better to take off your dress first? I might accidentally sew your flesh along with it.”
At Lyra’s playful smile, Leona’s face briefly reddened before she hastily removed her dress. She then brought over a needle case and watched Lyra, who sat down beside her, with a blank stare.
Despite the silk material requiring careful handling, Lyra’s confident touch suggested this wasn’t her first time.
Even wearing only her petticoat, Leona crossed her legs nonchalantly as if she’d never felt embarrassed. She quietly observed the dress being rapidly mended before abruptly asking Lyra:
“Are you always this meddlesome?”
“Well, if needed, perhaps.”
“Ha. What’s with that attitude? Don’t you have any pride?”
“Is pride necessary for something like this? I’m simply offering a hand to a lady in need.”
“…”
“Please wait a moment. Fortunately, it’s not seriously damaged.”
Lyra sewed the fabric more skillfully than most maids. In the time it would take to drink a cup of tea, she was tying the final knot while her meticulous gaze checked for other issues.
After thoroughly examining the dress hem, she handed it back, prompting Leona to look at her with renewed interest.
“You need to help me put it on. How am I supposed to wear this by myself?”
She had removed it so easily, yet now acted like a child when it came to putting it back on. Lyra stared thoughtfully at Leona, who resembled a prim cat, then broke into a small smile.
* * *
“You two must have been quite close sisters. It didn’t seem that way.”
Emily, who had pressed herself against Lindia’s side, spoke with a somewhat pitying expression. Lindia fashioned her face into a sorrowful look, letting her eyebrows droop.
“Everyone thinks that. It’s upsetting, but what can I do? I never imagined my sister would change like this.”
“I understand. It must be truly heartbreaking. So you haven’t been able to speak with her at all?”
“No, we did talk briefly at the hunting grounds. That’s enough for me.”
“Oh, you poor thing.”
Emily gently clasped Lindia’s hand and stroked the back of it. The ticklish feeling in her chest from that soft touch was so pleasant that she didn’t even notice Sabrina glancing over repeatedly.
Lindia felt as though her heart might burst just from trying to calm the excitement of receiving such attention.
‘How is this even possible?’
Not only had Davira Claudia extended her hand, but she had readily included her in her circle!
Though they were all nobles, ladies from worlds as different as heaven and earth were now hanging on her every word. Lindia found it both strange and fascinating.
“I’m fine, really. As long as my sister is happy, that’s all that matters.”
“My goodness. Not only a beautiful face but a beautiful heart as well, Miss Lindia.”
“You think I’m… p-pretty?”
Lindia, who had been compared unfavorably to Lyra in appearance since childhood, suddenly stammered and blushed.
She had often overheard the whispers of visiting tutors and housemaids, which naturally led to her developing complexes about her looks. Amid all that, receiving such compliments felt both embarrassing and wonderful.
“Of course. You have large eyes, a high nose, and such soft hands.”
As Emily’s touch grew more affectionate, Lindia felt like she might burst into tears. No matter how much Sabrina praised her beauty, it could never compare to approval from the ladies present.
“Thank you.”
The women covered their mouths and laughed at her soft whisper, as if indulging a younger sister’s childish behavior.
“But I truly mean it. It’s unfortunate that my sister suddenly left home, but wherever she is, I wish for her happiness.”
Congratulating herself on such a lovely statement, Lindia let her lips droop in pretend sadness. However, she flinched when the women’s gazes suddenly changed.
“Left home? Are you saying she ran away?”
