Chapter 4

Actually, isn’t it already something to be grateful for that the fiancée, who had no connections, suddenly showed up and was allowed to stay for a whole week?

Besides, it was easy to guess what the noble society was saying about Maynus and Veloce.

They were probably still gossiping about the shameless Veloce Artemio and the handsome Maynus, who had become a scapegoat.

He was thrown into the middle of rumors through no fault of his own, just because of me.

But Maynus.

I really have nowhere else to go.

I’m truly sorry, but I decided to be a little more shameless.

“Of course, I understand you, Maynus.”

I said, my voice trembling slightly.

I will repay this favor someday, Maynus. But right now, I really have no one else to ask for help.

Besides, usually possession happens before or during the original story, not after it ends. But I possessed a body after the novel finished.

This world was already moving in a different direction than I had planned. Like the location of the mines or discovering outstanding talents. It would be nice if I could share such information, but it was impossible.

I couldn’t offer any help at all.

I really felt deeply sorry. It was shameless of me. But Maynus was the only one.

If I got kicked out here, the two of us would freeze to death together. So Maynus was my best and only lifeline.

“But… but I have nowhere to go, Maynus. I’m an adult, so it’s okay for me, but this baby…”

Tears rolled down.

As I spoke, I didn’t realize I was crying. That much… I must have been desperate.

“The baby will surely freeze to death as soon as we leave.”

The baby smiled brightly, as if she knew her situation.

Maynus seemed to soften his heart under the combined pressure from me and the baby.

“…I will give you some more time to stay, Lady Veloce. But please avoid calling me ‘Maynus’ so familiarly.”

Does that mean he doesn’t want any more misunderstandings?

Whatever it is, I was ready to do whatever Maynus wanted. I wiped my tears and smiled as I asked.

“Oh, of course. That was rude of me. Should I call you Mr. Maynus? Or Master?”

Just say whatever you want!

Maynus frowned as if bewildered.

“Lady Veloce, you don’t have to call me that. Just…”

He seemed to be searching for a proper title and fell into deep thought.

“I… was abandoned by Artemio, so I’m no longer a noble.”

I added a pitiful expression as a bonus.

“…Abandoned? The count must be grieving deeply right now. He’ll come for you soon, so don’t say that.”

“Do you think my father would?”

I, as the creator, knew better. Count Artemio had branded Veloce as the seed of disaster and truly hated her.

“That’s right. So… I will arrange for you to stay until he comes to get you.”

Those words meant to stay forever. But that couldn’t be. People had to have some conscience, right? I couldn’t block the bright future of my character.

I planned to repay this kindness like a magpie returning a favor and leave this place. Smiling brightly, I asked Maynus.

“Thank you. So, what should I call you?”

Maynus frowned slightly and sighed deeply.

“…Just Maynus will be enough.”

He said in a tired voice. He told me not to call him ‘Maynus’ so familiarly, but in the end, it was Maynus.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

I waved to Maynus, who looked tired and had gained nothing.

Filled with sincere apology.

It was none other than me who made Maynus such a kind and considerate man. A gentle herbivore.

That was fortunate for me… but the feeling of guilt came first.

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

Surely, I had urged Veloce to explain to people and persuade them to leave quickly, but something felt off.

Maynus grabbed his head and leaned on the desk with both arms.

‘How did it come to this?’

He retraced the conversation from the start.

At first, the atmosphere seemed fine when he entered.

Veloce looked sad and seemed ready to leave if Maynus told her to.

But then…

“…I will give you some more time to stay, Lady Veloce.”

What madness.

Maynus was the one who said not to leave first.

He pressed the bell irritably.

Ding dong— ding— ding—

Eden and Kahir, who were wandering outside, entered the office.

They had been lurking around, guessing what kind of talk would happen after hearing Maynus went to meet Veloce.

Eden bet Maynus would kick Veloce out immediately, while Kahir bet he wouldn’t.

Either way, it was clear Veloce was bringing life to this mansion.

“Did you call, Your Excellency?”

“Contact Count Artemio immediately, Kahir.”

“Yes.”

Kahir Loterric answered. Eden Daunis had heard that they tried contacting the Artemio family several times over the past week, but the letters never made it past the front gate.

Rumors said Lady Veloce was truly the black sheep of the Artemio family.

This would likely be another useless attempt.

“How long will Lady Veloce stay in the mansion?”

Kahir and Eden looked at Maynus with overly bright eyes. They had bet 10 gold coins each on this. Ten gold was one-fifth of a monthly salary.

“For a while… The Artemio count will have to be reached. Sigh. That little baby will freeze to death in this weather.”

Maynus muttered.

He was sure the baby played a major role in softening his heart. Kahir let out a small cheer, and Eden’s shoulders drooped.

As gold coins exchanged hands between Kahir and Eden, Maynus said,

“Oh, and make sure to tell the servants clearly. The baby is not mine or Lady Veloce’s.”

Really?

Eden and Kahir’s eyes sparkled, though they didn’t dare ask out loud.

The truth behind the rumors heating up Jeremias was about to be revealed.

“The baby is the child of the late Lady Ellice and the hero Alexand. Make sure everyone working in the mansion knows.”

It was a deflating story.

Especially for Eden, who had been happy that Jeremias finally had a rightful heir.

So Eden Daunis couldn’t hide his feelings and gave a vague answer with slumped shoulders.

“Uh, well.”

“Eden Daunis!”

I scolded sharply, and Eden snapped to attention.

“Yes! I will do that!”

But that underestimated the power of rumors. Only Maynus didn’t know that the rumors had already inflated and spread to the territory.

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

A day passed since Maynus visited. I heard he went out early morning to the territory. The bridge had collapsed due to the overnight heavy snow.

Jewel explained that the river had frozen because of the cold, or else transportation would have been paralyzed.

Since he was busy, it was good not to run into him and have to be cautious.

Of course, Maynus didn’t give me any hints, but that’s just how it was.

I do have some conscience.

Anyway.

By the way, how do I meet the priest?

Maynus was the only person I could lean on…

Yesterday, Maynus, who clearly planned to kick me out, surprisingly gave in to my pitiful situation like a gentle herbivore and just left.

Calling the priest costs money. It would be rude to ask for that too.

I know I should be grateful just to be allowed to stay here like this. Someday, I will repay this kindness with interest.

Huff.

How desperate must I be to cling to Maynus? I pretend to be calm, but inside I’m rotting away.

Meeting the priest will have to wait a bit. I need to figure out a way to earn money first.

What can I do?

I have a few computer certificates…

But I’ve never felt so useless as I do now.

Goodness. The certificates I worked so hard for now feel completely useless. They once brought me glory in getting a job but now shine no light.

Okay. Then let’s think more simply. What else can I do?

Maybe writing novels would be better?

Maybe…?

Maybe!!