In fact, Summer had little interest in Ian Lancaster.

She didn’t want to see people covered in wounds in writing when there were already so many in reality.

Summer’s lips slowly parted as she briefly recalled Ian.

“I was just afraid of dying, but as time passed, I think I can understand that feeling of everyone applauding me.”

That was it.

Julian waited expectantly for Summer’s next words, but Summer simply smiled brightly and changed the subject, saying the cake was delicious.

“Then take care on your way back.”

“I will. Thank you for understanding my sudden visit, Julian.”

“Come visit anytime. The doors of House Dudley are always open.”

Summer was about to say to come visit the Lindsey house too, but hesitated.

If Julian saw that terrible scene, would she understand Summer, or would she just brush it off naturally?

“Thank you. I was happy today.”

Summer smiled and tilted her head slightly in greeting. Then she left the Dudley residence.

After walking a few steps, she turned back to see that the gate of House Dudley was already closed.

Summer walked leisurely, feeling the pleasantly cool air. As befitting the mind of a Korean author, everything in the imperial capital was close together.

If this were a real world, a naive noble lady strutting down the street dripping with jewels would have been caught by thugs and left without a single bone.

The concept of literary license was truly comforting.

The central street she soon reached was still bustling with activity.

As Summer was looking around the market, she suddenly approached a mirror being sold at a stall. Dazzling blonde hair and blue eyes. Clear, distinct features.

Summer frowned slightly, suddenly feeling strange.

“That’s odd. I’m just an extra.”

Did the author put some effort into creating the Lindsey family? But then again, didn’t they have few lines and just repeat a seemingly plausible day endlessly?

Above all, she didn’t remember seeing that name when reading the original work.

“I did skim through the latter half though.”

Then perhaps the Lindsey family appeared in the latter part.

Summer walked towards where the hired carriages were gathered, mulling over her cascading questions.

“Miss, where shall I take you?”

“To the front of Lindsey Manor… er, go there. Go.”

The coachman glanced at Summer, who had awkwardly finished her sentence, with slightly strange eyes, but soon wore the face of a jaded worker and pulled the reins.

“Yes, we’re departing.”

The carriage headed towards Lindsey Manor on a smooth road that only looked like a dirt path.

As soon as the carriage stopped in front of Lindsey Manor and Summer got off, a black object suddenly rushed at her.

“Ah!”

Summer jumped in surprise.

“Black hair! Where have you been all this time?”

The sudden black object was none other than Fei.

“Fei! You startled me!”

“I thought you’d gone off to die, I was the one who was surprised. Where on earth did you go?”

“To Dudley Manor.”

“Why there?”

“I’ll explain inside.”

Summer lightly picked up Fei, who was in cat form, and entered the mansion.

Arriving at her room, Summer placed Fei on the soft bed and sat down beside her.

“So why did you go?”

“Because of Summer’s soul.”

“What did you gain?”

“Certainty.”

Summer hummed a tune with a pleased expression. She seemed a bit unhinged, making Fei feel somewhat creeped out.

“What does the Dudley lady have to do with Summer’s soul?”

“This world begins with the royal banquet. Summer Lindsey is a noble #1 or so, meant to show how lavish and splendid that banquet is. Since the work hasn’t started yet, Summer’s soul wasn’t created because it wasn’t needed.”

“…”

Summer began to explain calmly.

“Julian Dudley is the protagonist of this world. So the more Julian recognizes Summer, the more Summer will become a necessary character in this world. Then Summer’s soul will surely be created. Without fail.”

“Wait. Wait a minute.”

Fei hurriedly interrupted Summer and transformed into human form.

“What’s wrong?”

“Protagonist of the world? The world has been maintained for a long time, so what do you mean by the beginning of the world?”

Fei frowned fiercely and spat out questions aggressively.

In fact, Fei had just returned from the Witch’s Forest to learn more about Summer’s soul.

The information she had barely obtained after struggling there was now flowing freely from the black-haired soul’s mouth. She was beyond perplexed, feeling dumbfounded and bewildered.

Ah. Summer then realized she had spilled everything to Fei.

Fei was a person of this world. She had mistakenly assumed Fei would know this too, since she knew about the possession.

Fei didn’t seem to know that this world was merely inside a book.

“Fei, what I said is…”

“Summer. Do you mean that this world revolves around a human named Julian Dudley?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s the protagonist.”

“How do you know that?”

“…”

Summer remained silent.

She wasn’t sure if she should reveal that this world was inside a book. Noticing Summer’s thoughts, Fei crossed her arms and let out a deep sigh.

“Fine. We’ll talk about that later. Anyway, you’re saying you can switch bodies at that royal banquet?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll prepare for that too. When did you say it was?”

“Two weeks from now.”

Fei nodded and transformed back into a black cat. Then she leapt onto the windowsill and tapped on the closed window.

Perhaps by magic, the window opened smoothly.

“Ah, black hair. Take this.”

Fei retched as if about to vomit, then spat out a jewel.

Summer took out a handkerchief from her bosom and carefully picked up the jewel, examining it from various angles.

“What is this?”

“A mineral I’ve imbued with my power. Keep it on you.”

“Are you going somewhere again?”

“I’ll be back. Don’t worry.”

Fei disappeared back into the darkness after a brief farewell.

After Fei had completely left, Summer pulled the bell rope. As expected, Mary entered.

“Mary. Could you make this into a necklace?”

“Shall I look for a famous craftsman?”

“Please do. The cost, just a moment.”

Summer took out a gold coin from the safe and handed it over.

Mary shook her head at Summer, who was trying to give more, indicating it was sufficient, and left with the jewel and gold coin.

It was three days later when Mary brought the completed necklace.

As soon as the necklace was finished, Summer preciously wore the jewel Fei had given her. She never took it off, even when sleeping.

However, even after a week had passed, there was no sign of Fei, not even a single tail hair.

The one fortunate thing was that Summer was incredibly busy. The social season was a more brutal period than she had imagined.

It was probably similar to an entertainer’s active period.

Without exaggeration, she attended parties with Julian from early morning until late at night every day. And that was after declining several invitations.

With so many families holding parties all at once during a period of about 3 weeks, naturally they had to attend three or four places a day.

It was a week where she keenly felt that this was what the social season appearing in romance fantasy was like.

At first, the parties were interesting and splendid, but now she was sick of them.

The only consolation was that when she tightly grasped the necklace made with the mineral Fei had given her, a faintly warm feeling would spread, making it bearable.

“Julian. I think I’ll have nightmares about the social season now.”

Summer, who had sneaked out of the party to sit on a bench, downed a glass of champagne in one go.

“Me too. I feel like my energy is being drained away.”

“Shall we leave after doing the bare minimum?”

The parties were splendid and uniformly beautiful. The food was delicious and all kinds of wine were available.

At first, she had eaten the food with excitement, but after a week, she was tired of it.

Due to the Western setting, she had eaten so much Western food and desserts that she desperately wished she could have tteokbokki, ramen, or plain white rice just once.

Nevertheless, she kept attending parties partly out of curiosity about the main characters in the novel, and partly to alleviate Julian’s loneliness if she went alone.

To a very small extent, there was also a vain hope that she might be able to change Julian’s difficult future.

“Summer, you seem to know me very well. Appearing when I’m struggling and taking me away like this.”

“I guess I came here for you, Julian.”

Summer bowed exaggeratedly and held out her hand to Julian.

Julian burst into laughter and lightly placed her hand on Summer’s.

Julian, who momentarily made Summer forget this absurd situation, was salvation to Summer, and Summer, who suddenly appeared and told Julian she was right, was salvation to Julian who had been lonely and isolated.