Though he spoke indifferently, if someone with black hair had truly told Gillian about the novel’s plot, it would have been disastrous.

Sikar Blake felt his insides burning as he went to Yura’s room to see her, but Yura was not there.

“The mistress said she would sleep in the young master’s room tonight.”

“How old is Kian that he’s sleeping with his grown son?”

Andrea smiled warmly, as if thoroughly pleased with himself.

“Young Master Kian often appears lonely, but whenever he’s with the mistress, he looks happier than anyone else. Perhaps, Duke, you should just let them share a bed tonight.”

“If Andrea insists that much, then I suppose I must.”

“You’ve made a wise decision, Duke.”

Andrea turned away with a warm smile. Sikar considered returning to his own room, but instead, he quietly opened Kian’s door to peek inside and see what they were doing.

Seeing Kian and Yura fast asleep, tightly embracing each other, he felt an emotion surge within him—an emotion he had never experienced before.

It was a strange, warm sensation, as if one side of his chest were being gently warmed by a fireplace.

Reidox visited the ducal mansion a few days later.

This time, he was accompanied not by the twins, but by a woman with dark eyes like mine—an East Asian.

Until that moment, I had doubted whether she truly came from the same dimension as I did, but seeing her with my own eyes left me no choice but to believe.

She had slightly wavy hair falling to her shoulders and wore a dress from this world.

Perhaps, having lived here for some time, she had no choice but to wear local clothing.

She was truly East Asian like me. The moment I saw her, I covered my mouth with my hands—and she did exactly the same.

“Good heavens!”

“Good heavens!”

I struggled to suppress the urge to jump up and down while holding her hand, then glanced around.

“I’d like to speak privately with her. Would you two gentlemen please step aside?”

“But isn’t it customary to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time?”

It was glaringly obvious that Sikar wanted to read her memories. So I practically shoved him out the door.

“Go away. Hurry, hurry.”

Only after chasing both men away could I smile peacefully.

“Please sit down, Han Seo Yeon.”

Han Seo Yeon looked at me as if wondering how I knew her name, then nodded as if she understood.

“Oh. You must have heard my name from Lord Sikar… no, no, from the Duke.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m so glad to meet you, Seo Yeon. May I call you Seo Yeon?”

“Of course. Please feel free to call me however you like.”

“My name is Yura. Jin Yura.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. Thank you for inviting me, Duchess.”

I waved my hands dismissively at her formal address.

“Oh, no, no. Duchess? Please just call me Yura. I’ll also comfortably call you Seo Yeon.”

Seo Yeon shook her head vigorously, as if she could never bring herself to do that.

“How can I? If the Duke ever catches me… oh dear. I’ve read the original novel too, so I know exactly what kind of person he is.”

Seo Yeon glanced nervously outside as if afraid someone might be eavesdropping.

“How are you, Duchess? Are you managing alright? You’re not being held here under threat or anything, are you?”

Well, at first, I was. So it wasn’t strange at all that she thought that—I too was terrified at the beginning.

Remembering those times made me laugh, and I clapped my hands as if bursting into hearty laughter.

“Haha. Yes, I used to think that way too. So I completely understand why you’d misunderstand.”

Seo Yeon stared blankly, as if unable to comprehend what I meant.

“What? Misunderstand?”

“You’ll understand once you experience it—Sikar isn’t as frightening as you think. And he’ll see every word you’ve said to me so far.”

Only then did she realize her mistake, and her mouth fell open—then opened even wider.

From her expression, she seemed to think I was being cautious because Sikar can see all memories.

‘Ah, that’s really not it.’

“Seo Yeon, do you believe people can change because of other people?”

Seo Yeon made a thoughtful face, then nodded.

“People are deeply influenced by others.”

“As far as I know, Sikar has changed a lot too.”

Seo Yeon jumped in surprise, glancing toward the door as if checking on the people outside.

“Oh my, is it really okay to casually say the Duke’s name like that?”

“Yes, truly. When we’re alone, we actually call each other by our first names. Since he’s seen all my memories, it’s surprisingly convenient—he understands my culture, so he quietly respects many of my ways.”

Seo Yeon paused, clearly struggling to adapt to this situation, then spoke.

“This is so strange. I truly thought you were imprisoned here like a hostage, completely confined. But now, your expression… you look so incredibly relaxed. I’m honestly very surprised.”

Well, of course—I really am comfortable.

“Yes, I really am comfortable. Sikar is much more easygoing than you imagine.”

Ah, I really didn’t want to say something praising Sikar like this. Imagining him reading my memories and smugly asking, “Do you really find me that easygoing?” made me inexplicably annoyed—even if I claimed it was just polite, he wouldn’t believe me anyway.

“I’ve heard rumors that the Duke is famously devoted to his wife and quite the romantic, but I couldn’t believe it—he seemed so fearsome, I couldn’t tell if it was just an act. But seeing you now, Duchess, even if he’s not quite that romantic, I’m starting to think he might be somewhat kind-hearted after all.”

That was something I never imagined. Of course, he still has a long way to go, but I think Sikar has changed quite a bit.

“I probably would’ve thought the same.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Shall we now hear a bit about your story, Seo Yeon?”

“My story?”

“Yes. I’m truly curious about you, Seo Yeon.”

“I’m also curious about you, Duchess, but since you likely know even less about me, it’s only right I speak first.”

“If you’re willing to do that, I’d be so grateful, Seo Yeon.”

Seo Yeon beamed and began telling her story.

She said she was a nursing student who had just started clinical training. While training at a university hospital, she worked the same rotating shifts as the nurses, standing nearly all day—swollen legs were practically guaranteed.

Even during training, Seo Yeon juggled part-time jobs to make ends meet; since her part-time job was at a convenience store, she spent over sixteen hours every single day standing.

One day, after living like this in a constant state of war, she collapsed from exhaustion—and when she opened her eyes, she was here.

She said this novel had been left behind by a patient hospitalized at that time, and she gradually came to enjoy reading it during her breaks.

“Back then, I was truly so exhausted—not just physically, but mentally too. This novel became a great comfort. The protagonist enduring every trial and ultimately claiming the throne was very inspiring. Whenever I struggled, I told myself I’d someday find my own throne too. Honestly, back then, my dream and goal was simply to lie around doing absolutely nothing for exactly three months. Can you imagine how hard it was?”

“It must have been truly difficult. My days were hard too, before coming here. Lately, being here has made me think—perhaps everyone must overcome their own hardships to find true happiness.”

Hearing my words, Seo Yeon smiled brightly.

“That’s truly a wonderful thought.”

“How have you been since arriving here, Seo Yeon?”

“Since arriving here…”

Seo Yeon said that when she first arrived, she never imagined she’d fallen into the world of a novel—she thought this place was somewhere in Europe.

But after meeting Jeremi, she realized this was indeed the novel’s world.

The first words Jeremi said upon seeing Seo Yeon were:

“Might you be the Duchess?”

“The Duchess?”

“I’m asking because I wonder if you are indeed the Duchess, wife of Duke Sikar Blake.”

Hearing Sikar’s name, Seo Yeon became certain this was truly the novel’s world.

Having landed in a place with such a terrifying duke, and with nothing but her body, Seo Yeon had nowhere to go—so she asked the person who approached her:

“And you, sir, what is your name?”

“I am Jeremi Iker, Duchess. Why are you trying to hide your identity from me?”

Jeremi? Jeremi—that’s Reidox’s friend, the mage!

Jeremi was honorable, never harmed people carelessly, eccentric yet fundamentally kind-hearted and respectful of all.

Seo Yeon felt incredibly fortunate to have met Jeremi.

God hasn’t abandoned me!

So she claimed she came from another dimension and could see the future—that she was a prophet.

Hmm… that’s similar to my approach.

Indeed, to survive, a little lie like that means nothing.

I clapped my hands as if praising her cleverness.

“Yes. Survival skills are necessary here. I think you did very well.”

“But Master Jeremi was busy and couldn’t care for me, so he entrusted me to the Marquis. At first, the Marquis offered to arrange lodging for me, but since I didn’t know this place well and felt I couldn’t survive alone, I asked if I could quietly hide away—even a storage room would do. Fortunately, the Marquis allowed me to live in a guest villa—a place even the twins don’t enter.”

Hmm. So that’s how they fell for each other.

Indeed, seeing Seo Yeon’s cheeks blush slightly, it was clear the next part would be their love story.

Seo Yeon pressed her cheeks firmly with the backs of her hands, as if trying to cool them down, and said:

“And after frequently meeting the Marquis… before I knew it, we became lovers.”

Huh? No, no. I want to hear more details.

I smiled brightly at Seo Yeon.

“Seo Yeon, about that love story—could you tell me more details? I’m so curious.”

Seo Yeon blushed crimson, as if flames had erupted on her face.