Advising her nemesis to be smart was something only Cesenia would do.

Who else would tell their object of revenge to be intelligent? To snap out of it? Usually, one would relish the other’s foolishness.

But Cesenia disliked that.

‘My death was just falling into a trap set by a clever person. It can’t be that such a fool killed me.’

If a fool like that had killed her, leading to her unjust death, she would’ve been overwhelmed with self-loathing.

Having said all she wanted, Cesenia returned to her room without any further attention. Whether it was realization or urgency, Eljezer didn’t make any further moves.

Days passed.

It was now only two days until the week-long notice of the sale of Hepria cotton and firewood. Cesenia was leisurely enjoying tea and reading a book when an unexpected visitor arrived.

The door opened without a knock or permission, causing Cesenia’s expression to harden.

“Entering without the owner’s permission?”

It was Ian. Seeing him, Cesenia felt a twist in her gut.

“We never needed permission before, Cesenia. Aren’t you happy to see an old friend after so long?”

He seemed like a snake, ensnaring with his long body and deceiving with his silver tongue. Just the thought of him was dreadful.

“…….”

“Been busy lately, I see.”

“……What do you want?”

“Want? You speak as if I shouldn’t be here.”

Cesenia almost let her lip curl in disgust.

‘When did you fall for Eljezer? When did you decide to betray me?’

No matter what, Ian was not her friend. Cesenia realized this only after her death, finding his presence utterly repulsive.

‘But I can’t show my feelings. Revenge requires more than exposing emotions. That’s for the inept. I’m different from Eljezer.’

“Of course, there’s nothing wrong.”

“Now you sound like yourself. When you first saw me, you were so cold I thought you were someone else.”

“Was I?”

Ian naturally sat next to Cesenia and pressed down on the book in her hand.

“Reading boring books again?”

“It’s interesting. Books.”

“You always say that… you’re just not fun.”

What defines an interesting person? Why do they dismiss her as uninteresting? Are people only there to entertain others? Cesenia had many questions but kept her expression neutral, closing her book.

“What brings you here today?”

“I always came without a reason. Why the change?”

“Recently, I’ve seen royal carriages at the Vestel mansion. Was that you?”

“Eh? Oh, was it? I don’t remember.”

As Ian casually smiled, Cesenia also forced a smile.

“Maybe I saw wrong.”

“Probably. You wouldn’t mistake it for a royal carriage. Oh, I heard there’s talk of marriage with your brother.”

“Marriage?”

Cesenia stroked her chin, recalling. It was around this time, at 19, after her coming-of-age ceremony. The Duke always wanted ties with the royal family, eventually leading to her engagement with the Crown Prince.

The outcome wasn’t good, but it did start around this time.
‘Eljezer making a scene, refusing to marry the Crown Prince… It must be around this time.’

Eljezer, after a splendid debut at the founding banquet, caught the Crown Prince’s fancy. The Duke, seeing his eldest and beloved daughter as a potential Crown Princess, was delighted. However, Eljezer, having become the star of the social scene after the successful banquet, started throwing tantrums, refusing to go.

Ultimately, Cesenia ended up being engaged to the Crown Prince in her sister’s place.

“Right. Your father always wanted to connect with the royal family. It seems this time the discussion went well. Maybe the carriage you saw was that.”

“Seems so.”

Cesenia nodded affirmatively, but inwardly she scoffed.

That carriage might have been the royal carriage for the Crown Prince, but Cesenia knew for sure. She had already investigated. On the day Cesenia told her sister not to act foolish, Eljezer had summoned Ian.

What they discussed was unknown, but it was evident that Eljezer sought Ian’s help.

“So, what will you do?”

“Do about what?”

“Since it came up. About marrying the Crown Prince.”

“What a strange question. Shouldn’t you be asking my sister that? Do I have a choice?”

“Uh…? Right.”

“It’s weird that you’re asking. Ian, why? Did my sister already refuse?”

Ian casually pulled Cesenia’s head onto his shoulder and began to stroke her hair as if petting an animal.

“Just asking. The marriage partner is one of the Vestel daughters… If it’s you, I thought I’d be sad.”

There it was. The perfect reason Cesenia never doubted Ian.

‘I thought it was love.’

Cesenia thought Ian’s feelings towards her were love. She leaned on his shoulder and chuckled lightly.

“You know my feelings, Cesenia.”

“……Ian.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you love me?”

“Why ask that?”

His actions were undoubtedly those of a lover. Affectionate, genuinely caring, or at least appearing to. But Ian never answered this question.

“Just curious.”

“Don’t you know my feelings?”

“No, I don’t. You act like you love me, but you never say it.”

“Not saying it doesn’t mean you don’t know.”

“No, I don’t know. It feels like you’re pretending, managing me. It’s disgusting.”

Cesenia lifted her head, which he had forcibly rested on his shoulder.

“……Disgusting?”

“Yes. So, if you don’t really love me, stop testing me like this.”

Cesenia thought Ian loved her, felt sorry for him, even as she engaged with his brother, the Crown Prince.

‘But I was foolish.’

“Why say that, Cesenia?”

“So, don’t act ambiguously.”

Cesenia stood up, smiling brightly. Making sure not to get lost in emotions, she exaggerated her happiness.

“Ha… You never understand my heart.”

“Yep. You also seem unsure of your feelings, Ian.”

“Unsure…!”

“We’ve always been raised to naturally become lovers, from childhood friends to ambiguous relationships. You’re just confused within that. If you truly love me… act on it. If you really don’t want to lose me.”

Cesenia spun around.

“……You seem happy, Cesenia.”
“Is that so? I guess you’re happy because things have been going well lately.”

Ian’s expression finally changed.

“Everything’s going well, you say. Oh, you’re doing business?”

“Yes.”

“And that business is going well?”

“Right. It’s going really well.”

If he were a true friend, he would have congratulated her right away. But Ian, seemingly indicating where his emotions lay, slowly opened his mouth.

“At the same time as your business, I hear Lady Eljezer is preparing to take over the affairs of the Vestel house.”

“You heard about that quickly.”

“Well, the rumor is out.”

“I didn’t know the Prince collected such rumors as a hobby.”

Cesenia, perched lightly on the table, nodded.

“There’s a bite to your words.”

“Not really? Ian, you seem to be overly sensitive today.”

“I see. How is Lady Eljezer? She must be busy.”

Eljezer. Eljezer. Ian kept reverting the conversation to her, asking about Eljezer, then again about Eljezer. Watching Ian’s repetitive behavior, Cesenia couldn’t help but smile.

‘I didn’t notice such obvious actions back then.’

Was it because that time had passed, or because she was living in this timeline? Her memories before her death, except for the major ones, were fading a bit.

But her memories about Ian were becoming clearer. Those ordinary conversations, which she had passed over, thinking they were unimportant at the time.

Like waking up after sleep was a natural step, or eating in the morning, her relationship with Ian had always been like that. That’s why Cesenia found this moment strangely intriguing.

She didn’t realize it was so blatantly obvious that he neither loved her nor maintained a clear relationship. It was almost astonishing.

“If you’re curious, go and see. Eljezer would be happy if you visit.”