episode_0008

In the moment of hesitation, wondering whether to introduce oneself in response to the question or to respond like a fool.

“Ah… I apologize for my rudeness on our first meeting.”

Fortunately, the Grand Lady withdrew her question and gestured for me to sit down politely.

‘Hmm, she’s willing to take steps to prevent the escape of the Regretful Character.’

She must have made a different decision due to the deviation from the original plot.

With the mysterious reaction from Gelwood, it seemed like Duke Logan had paid a visit…

‘I didn’t expect her to be the Grand Lady.’

In the original work, Logan Winterfell was unaware of the humiliation his daughter faced at the Royal Academy.

Let alone Gelwood of the Half-Dragon Tribe.

Since Remian had thoroughly concealed all the facts.

At least until the free chapter, aside from the maid “Marien,” no one realized that the Regretful Character quartet had become the final candidates.

Therefore, even if I didn’t particularly welcome the news of Elden Raphaelion’s withdrawal, I didn’t dismiss it either.

However, it seems that the Grand Duke has delegated all decision-making power to his daughter.

‘Plan B is sharp and ready.’

Humans must always be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

The best-case scenario is the approval of the withdrawal declaration, Plan A.

The worst-case scenario is when Plan B is activated upon the rejection of the withdrawal declaration.

Remian Winterfell.

As the female lead of a romance novel, she possesses a gentle yet ruthless personality.

After graduating from the academy, she chose magical research and alchemical experiments over revenge, and her mind was broad enough to consider the past three hellish years as passing by lightly.

If handled properly, there should be no issues with her safety.

She also knows what Remian expects from the Regretful Character quartet.

“It’s okay. I couldn’t give an answer due to not grasping the context.”

As I finished speaking, I sat across from Remian.

I knew that the meeting between the candidates and the Grand Lady was prohibited before the final evaluation began.

I also knew it was to prevent favoritism and bias.

Therefore, I hoped that my words wouldn’t reach the ears of the Regretful Character trio as I spoke to Remian.

“You came because of the withdrawal declaration, right?”

Even with a mask on, the eyes are visible.

The blue pupils hidden in the shadows.

The public suspects her to be a concubine, but I knew from the original work how her face was described and what illustration was registered in the announcement.

It was natural for the face behind the mask to be vividly depicted.

“Yes. That’s the reason. I was curious.”

“What do you mean?”

“I declared withdrawal for one reason only.”

“…I have already explained the reason to Gelwood’s advisor. Did you perhaps not hear it?”

“I heard.”

“And…?”

“It’s because I realized my analysis and decision were flawed.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that I now understand that my analysis, deciding to participate in the Grand Lady’s Selection as someone suitable for the Third Grand Lady, was wrong.”

“….”

The eyes behind the mask began to scrutinize me.

Remian also has exceptional insight.

Although not comparable to Gelwood’s abilities, she, a relentless researcher and interpreter, is trying to find the reason for the withdrawal.

She is trying to dig into my thoughts.

I did not avoid her gaze.

There was no reason to refuse the scrutiny.

It may have been necessary for Elden Raphaelion, but Junwoo had to endure the scrutiny uncomfortably.

For those who try to peek beyond someone else’s walls without permission, it is acceptable and a natural defense.

Of course, I fully understand Remyang’s perspective.

I am curious about the reasons for withdrawal and change of heart, and as my specialty lies in investigation and observation, it is a natural act for me to uncover them.

Therefore, I did not express any discomfort.

I simply regarded Elden Raphellion as a character who had possessed an evil character, nothing more.

It would not have been appropriate to express discomfort to the victim.

After a while, Remyang presented the results of the first exploration.

“I didn’t know you were so eloquent.”

“You flatter me.”

“So, is that the reason for your withdrawal?”

“Yes. Because I am a villain.”

“Are you being sincere?”

100%.

“I am sincere.”

The final candidate Elden Raphellion is definitely not suitable for her as a husband, a person who would fit into the royal family, or a leader of a clan. He is nothing more than a mere scoundrel.

Someone who cannot be loved by anyone.

Remyang began tapping her index finger on the armrest of the sofa.

‘…Hmm.’

It was a long-standing habit described in the original work.

A habitual action when finding an interesting subject for research or when the experiment yields good results.

The current situation is unrelated to the latter, so the probability of it being the former is high.

Although Remyang’s interests are not interesting to me, and it should be avoided, the moment she threw the withdrawal form, and the moment she confronted Remyang, it was a foreseen event.

In her eyes, I am the worst trash, worse than a demon.

It was a role that I could not play, imitating a scoundrel I did not want to be, and even if I did it poorly, it would only raise suspicion instead of interest.

Above all, she is the beloved daughter of the Duke of the Grand House, a nobleman.

It would have been better to maintain the current posture rather than face severe reprimands by acting recklessly.

In the end.

‘Just showing myself.’

It was also a stepping stone to prepare for Plan B.

“To call yourself a villain, have you committed a lot of bad deeds?”

“Yes.”

“….”

Hmm.

Too confident.

“…Well. Doesn’t everyone make mistakes in life?”

“Even so, if you were an ordinary person, you wouldn’t run away from the opportunity to rebuild your family.”

“It’s not running away, it’s considering it as returning to where you belong.”

“….”

Silence returned.

Tap, tap, tap.

Remyang’s finger, which had been tapping the wooden armrest of the sofa, stopped.

The silence was broken right after that.

“So, just because of past mistakes, you’re giving up the opportunity to rebuild your family?”

…Is this a full-on confrontation?

If it’s a researcher who tries various paths to achieve the desired result, it would be natural to think that way, so I answered without any embellishments.

“Yes.”

“Lies.”

The response that came back was almost like a rebuke.

“Yes?”

“Just because of that reason, you think you’ll give up this opportunity?”

…Is she choosing to go all out?

It was a habit she knew well.

A habit she had when experiments or research did not go as planned.

And Remyang, a researcher of unwavering determination, never gives up on a challenge.

She digs in persistently until it is solved.

Soon, a fierce debate began.

“…At least you don’t seem like someone who would give up so helplessly.”

“Appearances can be deceiving.”

“Isn’t appearance important?”

“I think what is not seen is more important.”

“How can you know what is not seen?”

“If it is not seen, then there is a need to be cautious, I believe.”

“Are you cautioning me right now?”

“Haha. How could I dare to caution the wise Lady Elden?”

“How can you think I am wise when we have just met?”

“Please consider me as a humble individual.”

“Why would someone who declared withdrawal in the marriage proposal insult me? Could it be another strategy?”

“Absolutely not. It’s just because you are the beloved of the great ‘Duke Gongga’.”

“No. Were you capable of such insults?”

“It’s a great survival strategy for the weak to survive in a world of the strong.”

“Not a cunning move by a sly person?”

“If you think so, I apologize.”

“No. I didn’t come all the way here to receive apologies…!”

The escalating argument gradually came to a halt, the voices that were getting more intense suddenly stopped.

Remyang, who now realized she was being drawn into the conversation, interrupted the flow.

Having high insight doesn’t make one omnipotent.

She was just exceptionally good at penetrating the essence and observing, but the ability to lead the flow and take control is a different skill.

The trio of Regretful Three might be drawn to her with ‘sincere’ insults, but for her, who wanted to escape from the marriage proposal, it didn’t matter.

Moreover, she grew up in an isolated environment where it was difficult to cultivate leadership and dominance.

She hadn’t experienced various situations or people, and lived a life different from other noble ladies.

For her, who was used to revealing rather than concealing her emotions, being drawn into the flow was a natural course of events.

Of course, it wouldn’t be pleasant to provoke the female lead, but there was no intention to provoke or lead the flow.

And even if it did provoke her and pique her interest, it didn’t matter.

As long as Plan B to avoid the tears of the marriage proposal worked.

Thud.

Remyang’s footsteps, which had been tapping, stopped.

Then, she stood up from her seat.

And.

“Quite intriguing.”

Leaving a brief comment on their first meeting, she tried to leave the reception room.

If my question hadn’t followed her.

Standing up and following her, I asked.

“Do you approve the declaration of withdrawal?”

Hehe.

A low chuckle came from behind the mask, and Remyang left the reception room.

“Until we meet again, Elden Raphellion.”

Leaving a greeting that was not a definite answer, but rather a question.

…Hmm.

For some reason, that laughter sounded intriguingly familiar, like it had become an interesting subject for study, but it must be a misconception.