“Only two people from the Empire are coming, but since one of them is a prince, it’s significant. It’s been decades since a royal from the Empire visited, so it’s an exceptional event. And…”
Flinch.
My cheek tingles.
As he stops speaking, everyone’s eyes turn towards me. I sip my tea as calmly as I can.
Pretending not to notice anyone looking, pretending to know nothing. Submissive, as always.
Since I only behaved unusually for one day and then reverted to my usual meek and compliant self, no one suspected anything odd about me.
“Would you like some more cookies, Eigrain? I ordered your favorite kind.”
Hubert’s voice is softer than the butter in the cookies, his eyes meltingly sweet. It almost seemed like he was concerned I might be hurt by Lady Emerun’s comment.
‘I feel like I’m going to be sick…’
I refuse with a touched look, but he still insists on placing a cookie in my hand.
His gaze lingers on me.
‘Persistent.’
Hesitantly, I take a bite, and he looks pleased. I can’t blush as much as I’d like, but I shyly lower my head.
“There are no strawberry cookies.”
Then, a sullen voice rings out.
It’s quiet, but the living room is so silent that it’s distinctly heard. Hubert’s attention immediately shifts in that direction.
“Oh dear, what to do? They were all sold out when I ordered.”
“It can’t be helped. The other cookies Hubert brought are delicious too.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course, but strawberry cookies are the best!”
Aris sticks out her tongue playfully.
Hubert smiles softly.
“I’ll be sure to get them next time.”
I watch them both, chewing the cookie in my mouth indifferently.
Aris doesn’t like seeing Hubert being affectionate towards me.
I thought she was unusually quiet, but it seems her patience for seeing me ‘sacrifice’ myself in her stead has its limits.
I smirk inwardly at her acting like a wronged wife.
The night deepens. Shadows dance on the floor as the chandelier candles flicker.
“The carriage is ready.”
Jenny informs me with an unusually stiff expression. I put down my nearly untouched cup of tea and stand up.
Everyone’s eyes follow me. I see the whole room at a glance – Lady Emerun dipping biscuits in her tea, Hubert slowly flipping through a book, and Aris embroidering a water goddess motif. Except for the Count, who’s out with friends at a brewery, these are the key members of the Lorenst family.
“I’ll be visiting the ‘Royal Library’ then.”
Hubert’s eyes change peculiarly. I recall our conversation from the previous day.
[Have you heard? The Royal Library just got a bunch of new books by author Dupeng.] [Dupeng’s new books?]Why bring up Dupeng? I was puzzled by the sudden topic, especially with Hubert preoccupied with thoughts about the Prince’s welcome. What scheme could he be plotting now?
Dupeng.
A novelist and theologian. Popular, yes, but did Hubert like him too?
[Princess Laratu is a fan. His Majesty even made the Finance Minister scurry around to acquire them.] [The library will be busy for a while then. Dupeng’s new works are always a hit. Maybe it’ll be quieter in a month.] [No need to wait.] [What?]Hubert’s arm reached out towards me.
Click.
The door opened slightly, and the stale air of an unventilated room wafted out. Hubert’s gentle green eyes were right in front of me.
[I’ve reserved them through the librarian, so you can borrow them first.]Creak. The door opened wider.
[Eigrain, since we’re on the topic, how about we go to the Royal Library tomorrow?] [Tomorrow… you mean?] “Isn’t tomorrow the implicit day to meet the Prince? Yet why suddenly the library?”As I met Hubert’s gaze, his unnaturally affectionate green eyes seemed all too contrived.
‘Ah.’
I understand now.
‘This guy is creating a way out for himself.’
Unlike in my previous life, now I have the status of a princess. I’m no longer a disposable pawn.
With more watchful eyes on me now than when I was just the daughter of a count, it was clear he wanted to keep this affair secret.
If anything goes wrong and it affects the family, the Royal Library will serve as their perfect excuse.
“But my sister was supposed to be at the library. What could she have possibly done?”
I could easily imagine him saying that with a straight face, feigning innocence.
A sudden contempt rose within me, mixed with admiration.
Could Hubert really be the true offspring of a con artist? It seemed he had inherited those traits, not me.
“That sounds good.”
“You’ll have someone to guide you once you reach the palace.”
“…”
“You need help, it’s your first time at the Royal Library.”
“…”
“You understand what I mean, right?”
“Of course. I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll do as you wish.”
Wearing the mask of an obedient family member, I smiled coldly inside.
‘I didn’t lie. I do understand. That I must go to the library.’
“Take care, dear.”
Lady Emerun wiped her fingers on a napkin as she spoke, though her lips still glistened with grease.
Her lips were no different from those of the commoners she despised.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
