Frankly, no matter how pretty I was, I was still an orphan.

People would think I was incredibly lucky to have married him. But the trees didn’t seem to feel the same, looking at Johann’s flaws with dissatisfaction.

I didn’t like him from the start. To leave such marks on a person, let alone an animal, who is his wife.

Even animals wouldn’t act so blatantly.

I don’t know how they saw it, but the trees didn’t like Johann’s obsessive behavior.

Those black magicians. They are always vile.

Yes. You must escape well when you do.

If you do it halfheartedly, you might get into bigger trouble.

I asked cautiously, as they seemed to know a lot about the black magician.

“Have you seen many black magicians?”

Of course. They are hidden all over, but can they avoid our eyes?

They all look different, but they did have one characteristic in common.

“What is that characteristic?”

The chatty trees fell silent for a moment.

Their ambiguous silence felt even stranger, as they were originally talkative.

“What is it? Is it that serious?”

That is…

A tree that trailed off spoke firmly.

Obsession.

“Pardon?”

To become a black magician, you basically have to be incredibly obsessed with something. You need a huge obsession, so much so that you don’t even care about your own life.

It wasn’t wrong, considering Johann was also incredibly obsessed with revenge.

So, child. You should be careful. He’s not normal right now.

Yes. Your husband.

The trees joined their mouths and spoke firmly.

He is the most talented and terrifying black magician we have ever seen.

“I guess so.”

It didn’t feel particularly new, as I had already guessed about the greatness of the black curtain.

Child. There’s a reason we’re saying this.

Typically, obsession is as terrible as skill. Perhaps, you might have to bear all that obsession.

Those kinds of people have a huge attachment to what is theirs, and once they set their eyes on it, they never give up and chase it relentlessly. He will obsess over you.

The trees, who had lived for a long time, were half right.

‘In the end, he did complete his revenge in the original work.’

I nodded in agreement.

“You’re right. That might be possible.”

The trees were shaken by my calm response.

Hmm? Then what is the reason for wanting to escape? It seems like you’ll just provoke him more.

Yes. Isn’t it better to stay still?

“I wish I could do that too…”

The reason Johann is obsessed with me is because I’m his target for revenge.

“He will probably get rid of me or discard me soon. I’m trying to escape to avoid that.”

Oh. That’s…

Our poor child…

How did the last fairy get tangled up with such a madman…

The trees brought down their branches to pat me.

It seemed like everyone, including Johann, wanted to pat my head when they saw me.

‘Is my hair so touchable?’

I was criticized for having platinum blonde hair with pink highlights in the Libertan Duke’s house because it was different from Estelle.

But here, Betty, Johann, and even the trees liked my appearance.

I thought I didn’t care, but it seemed I was conscious of the criticism I had received in Libertan. My mood improved slightly every time I heard such words.

Do you need a change of mood?

A tree extended its thick branch.

The view from the tree is different. Why don’t you climb up?

“I’d love to.”

We’ll make sure you’re safe. Sit down.

As soon as I sat down on the tree, it spread its branches and lifted me up.

‘Surely, the view is different.’

A more refreshing breeze swept in from below.

“Thank you.”

I swung my legs, leaning against the tree. The place hadn’t changed much, but I still felt strangely stable.

“Is there a way I can enhance the fairy’s power immediately?”

Oh! I just asked other trees about that, wondering if there were any trees that knew better.

“Really?”

Yes. Um. I think they said that relics related to fairies can enhance the power of a fairy. You should also learn about fairies.

‘Relics.’

Investigating fairies outright would risk being caught.

‘But to acquire something like a relic, I’d probably have to use the power of the Duchess.’

Otherwise, at the very least, I would have to secretly go out and request information from a guild.

‘Maybe the best way is to look it up secretly while working for the Duchess.’

I enjoyed the breezy wind as I considered various methods. Then, I seemed to have dozed off.

Child. Child!

Someone is coming. It seems like you need to wake up…

I rubbed my eyes and woke up at the dizzying sound.

“You!”

There was already someone under the tree. It was Erich in a black suit.

Erich stared at me in shock, unable to tear his eyes from me with his bluegray eyes wide open.

“How did you climb such a dangerous high place?”

The tree I climbed was the tallest among the trees in the forest. Hence, it was a bit difficult to climb on my own.

‘Every time I meet Erich, I seem to be misunderstood like this.’

It was somewhat curious.

As I looked at Erich, I hesitated over what to say and lightly greeted him.

“Long time no see, Viscount of Blonew.”

“Is this the time to say hello?”

Erich’s voice heightened.

“I don’t know how you climbed, but it’s dangerous. Please come down right away.”

“Ah… Can’t I come down a little later?”

“Do you think I’m joking right now?”

Anxiety filled Erich’s bluegray eyes as he looked at the dizzying height.

‘If I have an accident, the situation will become complicated.’

Anyway, the important thing is not this. It’s hard to ask the trees for help to get down when Erich is there.

‘The trees move the branches to bring me down?’

Anyone would see that as an odd sight.

Especially hostile Erich would undoubtedly report to Johann.

The cool breeze shook my platinum blonde hair plentifully. I flicked my disheveled hair and replied calmly to him.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“…Don’t worry?”

“You don’t like me anyway. I’ll come down on my own, so you don’t have to interfere anymore.”

At those words, Erich seemed displeased and bit his lip.

“What if you fall and have an accident? When there is someone to catch you from below…”

“I’ll take care of it. Even if I fall, I won’t die.”

Of course, if they think I’m as fragile as people believe, I could die. But that won’t happen.

“Why are you talking so irresponsibly?”

“Viscount Blonew, you suffered a great loss from the Libertan Duke’s family, didn’t you?”

At those words, Erich shuddered and shook his fist.

“How did you know that? Who told you?”

“Just by what you told me, I could tell.”

Anyone could see that Erich’s behavior was obvious. Even if it wasn’t mentioned in the original work, I would have noticed it earlier.

Erich, who sighed deeply, nodded his head.

“Yes. I hate the Libertan Dukedom more than anyone.”

“Then wouldn’t it be good if I died?”

Because Erich thinks of me as a beloved daughter from Libertan.

“Why are you worrying about me?”

In the original work, Erich was one of the people who oppressed me. He never comforted Estelle or helped her.

Rather, he was one of those who rejoiced in Estelle’s downfall.

“If I accidentally die, you’d be pleased.”

“I am…”

At that time, I felt a hot surge in my chest.

‘I’m screwed.’

I might vomit blood again like last time.

Especially in front of Erich.