Four days remained until Summer had to return.

“Are you going to the banquet?”

“Yes. There’s still some time left before I have to go back.”

“Thank you for holding onto the young lady, sir.”

After Russell left, Summer asked Mary to help her prepare for the banquet.

At first, Mary couldn’t believe Summer’s words. Someone who hadn’t left her bed until yesterday was suddenly talking about a banquet. Still, Mary was truly happy that the young lady was trying to do something.

After bathing, Summer spoke as Mary helped her put on her dress.

“Mary. When Fei returns, I’ll definitely ask about you. About ways for you to exist even after I leave.”

She added this, unnecessarily concerned about what Mary had said before. At Summer’s words, Mary slightly frowned and shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe in witches.”

“Hmm, even though I got angry, Fei is still someone trying to help me.”

No matter how angry or betrayed she felt, there was no other way. After all, in the current situation, Fei was the only being who could help Summer.

That was the reason she had to endure, even if it made her feel awful.

“Witches aren’t human, young lady. They have no sense of good or evil. Do we punish the crime of killing a person and killing a dog the same way? They’re just like that.”

“…”

Mary continued speaking as she roughly tidied Summer’s hair.

“Young lady. You are a special person in this world. There’s no need to be swayed by a witch’s words. If you want, you can know everything.”

“I’m peculiar, not special.”

Summer let out a weak laugh and tilted her head back. Mary’s heartbeat was clearly felt, thumping loudly.

Mary put down the comb and gently embraced Summer. Yellow sunlight filtered through the chiffon curtains, illuminating the two of them.

Two evenings before the departure date. A splendid banquet was held before the expedition. Instead of using the money for the banquet to increase the wages of the departing soldiers, the imperial family seemed to enjoy unnecessary affairs.

“We shall surely be victorious!”

“Hurrah!”

Among those cheering loudly over there, not a single one would participate in the war.

“They’re just bullying Ian again.”

Summer glared at them coldly as she tilted her champagne glass.

The world, discontented with something, took revenge on Summer’s variables in this way. Ian was no longer a being Summer didn’t want to know about. Having already heard his circumstances, she couldn’t ignore him.

He had lived an unhappy life for the sake of a perfect romance narrative. Going to war, engaging in power struggles between brothers.

It was impossible not to know that all of this was a device to maximize Julian’s loveliness and pure nature.

It made her sick to her stomach. Someone’s life and death depend on the creator’s hands. Even our happiness and unhappiness.

Ian, seemingly not even angry, listened quietly to the nobles’ nonsense with his usual cold and indifferent expression.

Surely he won’t get seriously injured or die, being the protagonist.

“…”

But this was a world that had even harmed Julian. Summer still felt a chill in her chest whenever she thought of that day Julian lay alone.

“Summer!”

“Julian. You’re still as beautiful as ever today.”

“Oh my, I’m so happy to hear Summer say that.”

Julian smiled brightly as she clasped Summer’s hands.

“Summer, were you already drinking champagne?”

“No one was talking to me.”

Julian playfully hit Summer as she spoke. Summer habitually responded to Julian’s teasing with a joke.

It was true that no one had spoken to her, though.

“More importantly, are you feeling alright?”

“I’m very well.”

“That’s a relief. I was really surprised. By the way, Summer. I heard you’re not good at horseback riding.”

“That’s right.”

Julian’s expression was clear and calm as always. As if nothing could shake her.

But Summer felt that Julian’s demeanor had subtly changed as she opened her mouth now.

“Then why did you participate in the hunting competition?”

“I guess I just wanted to experience it once, even if I couldn’t do well.”

Why suddenly bring up the hunting competition? Summer anxiously stared intently into Julian’s eyes.

She stared as if she could read Julian’s thoughts that way, but Summer couldn’t understand Julian’s inner thoughts at all.

“Summer. Actually, that day, I was going to enter the forest. Exactly the 3rd hunting ground where you were threatened.”

“…”

“Did you know? That the person who sent me the note was someone trying to assassinate me.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Perhaps it’s better to leave it as a misunderstanding. It’s not exactly wrong anyway.

“If so, you would have warned me who sent the note and that they were trying to kill me.”

“…”

Our female protagonist happened to be smart. And quite perceptive too.

“But Summer just entered the hunting ground directly. As if trying to die in my place.”

“Haha, Julian. I knew you were in danger. But emotion took precedence over reason. I thought I had to protect you, but my method was clumsy. I admit it. I’m sorry if I surprised you.”

“No. I think differently, Summer.”

Julian’s pink eyes sparkled. So that’s what they mean by eyes shining with intelligence. Summer newly felt this and slightly drooped her eyes.

To become a protagonist, one’s eyes need to sparkle that much, huh. She was having such idle thoughts when:

“They say prophecies and oracles often come down to the temple.”

“…”

“So at first, I thought Summer might be someone connected to the temple. I heard you make huge donations to the temple and go to pray.”

“Well, I’m not a believer.”

“That’s why it was strange. Why would Summer try to protect me? Even walking into danger. There were many ways for both of us to be safe.”

“…”

“Summer, you have something special like me, right? That’s why… you’ve been floating around, unable to mix in with this crowd like a foreigner?”

Suddenly feeling as if someone was searing her head with fire, Summer dropped the glass in her hand with a thud.

The glass, hitting the marble, lost its original shape and shattered.

“Summer! Are you alright?”

“Ugh…”

The sudden noise drew people’s attention. A servant quickly brought a tray and cloth to clean up the glass, apologizing profusely. There was no need to apologize.

Summer staggered, clutching her head from the oncoming pain. At the same time, a sensation like being struck by lightning engulfed Summer’s entire body.

“I’m, I’m fine. I just felt dizzy for a moment.”

Summer reassured Julian, panting heavily. Julian’s large eyes showed clear worry and shock.

“Summer!”

Russell, who came running as soon as he saw Summer stagger, quickly supported her. The moment she fell into Russell’s arms, a faint sense of refreshment washed over her.

“Russell…”

“Let’s go up to the lounge for now.”

“Thank you.”

Russell lifted Summer in his arms and hurried up the stairs.

The nobles were left speechless, their mouths agape. Only after Russell and Summer had completely left did they begin to chatter excitedly.

“My goodness! Did Duke Bertrand have a woman?”

“That’s right. Wasn’t he someone in love with books?”

“Oh my, I’m envious. Maybe I should have broken a glass too.”

“By the way, who is that young lady?”

Amidst the murmuring voices, someone formless spoke in a slow voice.

“Summer Lindsey. The esteemed daughter of Count Lindsey.”

The moment he uttered Summer Lindsey’s name, Summer, who was catching her breath in the lounge, frowned again at the oncoming headache.

“Summer. I think it would be better for you to go back. I’ll escort you to the Count’s residence by carriage,”

“It’s alright. Just, just a moment.”

This feeling. It was something she had experienced a few times since falling into this world. When had she experienced this?

“Sir Russell. Do you remember Lady Legacy’s coming-of-age party?”

“…That day, you drank the poison instead of Lady Dudley.”

“…Indeed. So you remembered too, Sir Russell…”

“I was just baffled because all the news outlets were saying Lady Dudley drank the poison and was fighting for her life.”

“That’s right.”

Summer smiled faintly. The headache was gradually subsiding. The pain like electricity coursing through her body had also disappeared now.

“At first, I thought the families had agreed to leave Summer’s story out of the press. Sometimes there are parents who wish their children wouldn’t appear in gossip columns at all.”

“Haha… No, no, Sir Russell. I didn’t do anything.”

“It’s strange.”

“…”

“Summer, as you say. I agree that this world is somehow bizarre and strange.”

Russell tidied Summer’s sweat-soaked hair and gently patted her back.

Summer felt herself gradually calming down at his touch.

“Sir Russell. Do you believe me?”

“Anything. If you say there is no god, I will believe there is no god. If you say god is evil, I too will believe so.”

“…”

“And I also believe that there must be some reason why you can’t tell me everything. I can wait.”

“Sir Russell…”

Summer clenched her hands resting on her knees. Tears fell onto the back of her white hand, where the knuckles protruded.

“I’m leaving in four days.”

“…”

Russell’s eyes wavered for a moment. His blue eyes, close to purple, soon stopped wavering.

“Is that… what makes Summer happy?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think you can only be happy if you go back?”

“Haha, Sir Russell. In this world, all happiness and unhappiness are in God’s hands.”

“Summer. That’s not true.”

“…That’s because you’re the protagonist, Sir Russell.”

Russell slowly knelt on one knee in front of Summer. Then he gently took her tear-stained hands. His fingertips caressed her wet hand.

“No matter what world you fall into, happiness and unhappiness are beyond God’s reach. Even at the end of hell.”

“The chances of someone in hell being happy are too slim.”

“Are you certain you’re in hell?”

“Do you think I’m trying to end this even though I’m not really struggling that much, Sir Russell?”

“No. As someone who will be sad after you leave, I’m asking if this decision is the best. Because I will do my best to mourn your death now. I’m asking if you’re also doing your best now.”

“…”

“I’m holding onto you now. Is it impossible to be happy with me? Is there really no possibility at all?”

Russell’s gaze deepened. At the same time, it was clear. More than any blue lake. More than any purple orchid.

Summer gazed quietly into his eyes, more beautiful than jewels. She was completely reflected in his blue eyes. Completely. Without allowing any gaps.