Etienne had a strange dream. Her parents died, and she was also killed by having her throat cut. After such an end to her life, she returned to the past and was given a second life.

Thus, she met Fernando again and became quite close to Leharht.

Now that her one-sided love had ended, she wanted to live her life. Regardless of how others turned out, she had lived looking at the things she hadn’t noticed while she was infatuated with her one-sided love.

‘It was all a dream.’

That was when.

“Wake up, miss!”

“Huh.”

Etienne, who opened her eyes abruptly, looked at the ceiling with a surprised expression.

“Why are you dreaming so loudly?”

“… Dream?”

As she looked at the picture engraved on the ceiling, Etienne, who was breathing heavily, mumbled the words she heard. She had just said it was a dream. But what was a dream, and what was reality?

“You were at the ball until late yesterday, so you must be tired. But you have an appointment today.”

“Me? Ball?”

Etienne, who muttered as if she didn’t know anything, suddenly raised her hand and examined it. There were no bandages wrapped by the butler, and there were no wounds from thorns.

“If it’s a ball…”

“It’s a congratulatory event for you becoming an adult, miss.”

With the butler’s calm explanation, Etienne sat up abruptly.

There were no wounds from thorns on her hands, and the butler explained about the debutante ball.

“So, is this reality? Am I eighteen, and Leharht…”
As Etienne’s words became unclear, the butler approached with a curious expression.

“What’s next?”

“Hmm? What?”

“You called the name of Prince Leharht. What’s the next thing you’re going to say?”

Wondering if there was something between them, the butler looked at Etienne with a curious gaze, but Etienne shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

“Really nothing? Even though others might be deceived, I probably can’t be.”

“That’s right. I can’t hide anything from the butler.”

When Etienne admitted it willingly, the butler tidied up her messy hair and looked at her face.

“But I won’t ask further. You should get up now.”

The butler added a word while pulling the blanket for Etienne.

“You’ll be late for your appointment.”

“Ah… right.”

Realizing belatedly that there wasn’t much time left for her appointment with Leharht, Etienne hurriedly got up.

She wasn’t dreaming; she was living in a reality that felt like a dream. Her mood was soaring.

“We don’t have much time, so as quickly as possible. Well, should I put on makeup, though?”

Even though it was their first time alone together after starting their relationship… Etienne, pulling up her hair with her hands, pondered for a moment and then hurriedly ran off.

“You’ll look beautiful in any appearance. What wouldn’t be pretty in the eyes of lovers who have just started love?”

The butler laughed lightly and left the room.

Thanks to Leharht, who had sent a carriage in advance, there was no need to worry about where to meet. Etienne took a deep breath with a tense expression.

Despite having no time, she wanted to look pretty, so she tried wearing a hat she didn’t usually use. It felt awkward, and she kept touching it. The world with a layer of lace seemed to show a different today than yesterday.

Yesterday, yes, it was fair to say that it was a complete turning point in my life. I awakened my abilities safely, and there was no death of the Crown Prince who would make my family collapse.

The moment when the first button to change the future was properly fastened, but more surprising than that was that I started dating.

“Come to think of it, is it the first time?”

Dating someone with whom my heart resonates felt unfamiliar and awkward. I had seen Nick and Solar exchanging love-struck glances at each other during gatherings.

Now, I had such a partner too. The fact excited Etienne’s heart repeatedly.

Continuing to touch the hat, without knowing that the hair flowing down the side of her face was getting messy, Etienne kept smiling. Then, she looked out the window and stared at the sky for quite a while.

“The weather is nice.”

Although the sun was covered by clouds, making it seem like rain could fall at any moment, the sky was still beautiful.

It was definitely not good weather, but Etienne thought positively.

“We have arrived.”
The carriage stopped and the door opened without Etienne knowing where Leharht had called her to. Carefully holding the hem of her skirt, Etienne descended from the carriage. Upon getting off, she saw a path that seemed to lead to the entrance of the mountain.

“Is this the place?”

Wondering if he intended to take a walk, Etienne turned to the coachman to ask, but…

“Huh?”

The carriage had already departed, leaving only Etienne behind. Perplexed, she looked at the carriage with a bewildered expression and then scanned her surroundings.

She quietly waited, hoping that Leharht would appear. However, nothing happened.

“What am I supposed to do?”

Whether she should wait here or go inside, he could have at least told her. If he had, it wouldn’t have been so confusing…