The next day, two people sent by Orland came to find me.
The man wearing glasses gave an immediate impression of being exceptionally intelligent, while the other man had a rugged appearance and a sturdy build.
The bespectacled man stepped forward first and greeted me.
“Hello, Miss. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Robin. The Marquis instructed me to consult with you regarding the construction of the laboratory.”
“Oh, I’ve been expecting you.”
Robin’s greeting brought back memories of my previous conversation with Orland.
─Then, I’ll soon have an expert relay the details regarding the laboratory. If you have nothing further to say, you may leave now.
Since I had been eagerly awaiting news about the laboratory, the sudden arrival of the two men felt genuinely welcome.
I sat down at the reception room table and gestured for them to take their seats.
Robin bowed politely before sitting, and the burly man also introduced himself briefly before taking his seat.
“My name is Tyler. I handle construction.”
True to his rough appearance, Tyler spoke only what was necessary, nothing more.
I didn’t mind his aloof personality. I preferred someone earnest yet taciturn over someone overly eloquent but lacking substance.
Of course, I’d need more time to truly understand Tyler’s character, but I disliked those who flattered me excessively just because of my status.
“Nice to meet you both. Has the location for the laboratory been decided?”
At my question, Robin unfurled a detailed map of Arwen Empire’s capital. Several spots were already marked with red circles.
“These are the locations I recommend. I avoided areas too close to the city center to prevent disturbance to your research, and also avoided overly remote areas for practical accessibility. I’ve narrowed it down to these balanced options.”
Robin was right. All the locations he recommended appealed to me.
I pointed to the spot marked farthest from the capital’s center, with the most spacious land.
“This one suits me best.”
“Is that so? Won’t the distance be inconvenient for you?”
“No, this distance is perfect.”
My reason for developing magical engineering weapons was to prepare for war.
In the future, many supplies might need transport, and experiments might cause explosions—so the fewer people nearby, the better.
“Understood. Shall we proceed with this location, then?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve brought several sample blueprints for the building’s exterior and interior. Would you like to review them?”
“Please show me.”
Orland’s promise to send experts was accurate. Robin’s handling of matters was so smooth and efficient, like flowing water.
After reviewing the few blueprints Robin presented, I shook my head.
“Too ordinary.”
Robin looked puzzled at my remark.
“Do you have specific preferences?”
“Yes. I want a bunker in the basement. Also, include as many secret passages leading outside as possible—undetectable to anyone. I’d also like a storage warehouse for emergency rations, and construct the outer walls to withstand any ordinary attack.”
As I continued, Robin’s mouth fell open in surprise, and Tyler, who had been silently listening until now, interjected with confusion.
“Isn’t that practically a military fortress?”
“Exactly. That’s precisely what I want.”
I always had to prepare for the worst-case scenario. If war broke out, I’d need a shelter to hide.
Right now, I couldn’t predict when, how, or for what purpose it might be used—but having preparations meant I could adapt to any situation.
Robin spoke with a bewildered expression.
“If we follow your instructions, Miss, we’d need permission from the Imperial Palace…”
“The law explicitly requires palace approval only for buildings designed to attack the Imperial Palace. I’m merely constructing stronger walls. Since the building’s purpose and function remain as a research laboratory, is palace approval truly necessary?”
“…!”
Robin stared at me with startled eyes—he clearly hadn’t anticipated I’d know such detailed regulations.
This was information I hadn’t known while reading the novel , but learned after arriving in this world through supplementary texts.
“I simply want sturdier outer walls, secret passages, and an additional storage warehouse. Is the bunker what concerns you?”
“Ah, no. Come to think of it, you’re right, Miss.”
Robin, who had initially led the conversation with ease, now pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe sweat from his brow.
Then Tyler, who had been quietly listening beside him, added a comment.
“But if someone deliberately seeks to cause trouble, they might raise objections.”
That was exactly what I had been thinking.
I smiled faintly and looked at Robin and Tyler.
“That’s precisely why I need you both.”
At my words, Tyler finally seemed to understand. Robin had apparently already grasped my intent—he was just slower to react.
“The building’s exterior can look however you like—make it appear as ordinary as possible. What matters is the interior: bunker, secret passages, emergency ration storage, and strong outer walls. Undetectable to anyone.”
This was the most critical point: undetectable, so no one could ever question my laboratory.
Robin nodded. He gathered the exterior and interior blueprints he’d brought and spoke with a more serious tone than before.
“Understood. Since the Marquis instructed us to build according to your preferences, I’ll revise the blueprints incorporating your requests and return with them.”
Tyler, having made up his mind, spoke earnestly.
“I’ll source the materials you mentioned—to construct outer walls impervious to ordinary attacks and a bunker sturdy enough to endure even during war.”
Their responses pleased me immensely. I nodded firmly and smiled in satisfaction.
“Good. I’ll look forward to our next meeting.”
After meeting Robin and Tyler, I felt increasingly optimistic—each step seemed to steer me further away from a death route.
I was humming absentmindedly while reading books on magical engineering in my study.
Tap—a small sound caught my attention, and I turned my gaze from the book.
Somehow, Ascan—who had fled like a fugitive the previous night—had silently entered and placed a steaming teacup on my desk.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the herbal tea you favor. Since it’s around your usual time for tea, I thought you might want some.”
I had just been thinking I’d like a cup of tea, so his timing surprised me. When had he started paying such close attention, despite previously seeming indifferent?
This was the first time Ascan had done something like this for me—I immediately sensed his intent.
I took a sip of the tea he offered and spoke in a blunt tone.
“Did yesterday’s incident make you feel a bit guilty toward me?”
“…Me?”
“Yes. Weren’t you bothered after leaving like that? Because you left so abruptly, Jerin ended up… No, never mind. It’s already in the past.”
Though I still felt deeply wronged thinking about Jerin’s misunderstanding, seeing Ascan like this, I couldn’t stay upset.
Contrary to my expectations, Ascan replied with a confused expression.
“I believe you may be mistaken—I don’t consider my departure after dinner yesterday to be problematic. I asked your permission before leaving, and you granted it.”
Upon reflection, Ascan wasn’t wrong.
I pointed at the teacup he’d brought, puzzled.
“Then what’s this for?”
“It’s herbal tea.”
“No, I know that already. Why are you suddenly doing something you never do?”
“…Just because.”
Huhhh?
His answer was so unlike anything Ascan would normally say that I could only widen my eyes in disbelief.
“Did you do something wrong to me?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Then why are you acting like this?”
“What am I doing?”
“Aren’t you being nice to me right now?”
He flinched slightly—as if I’d struck a nerve—but his expression remained as blank and unreadable as ever.
“You said… you’re just being nice to me. Can’t I do the same?”
His serious retort caught me off guard.
It was an irrefutable point—especially since I had indeed told him exactly that.
“No, I was just curious.”
Can’t a person ask a question?
I pouted slightly and took another sip of the herbal tea Ascan had prepared. Somehow, because he’d brought it, it tasted even better than usual.
Ascan watched me drink for a moment, then turned to leave—as if his task was complete.
I glanced at his retreating back and blurted out a sudden thought that popped into my head.
“You didn’t poison it, did you…?”
He abruptly halted, turned his head, and stared at me. His face clearly showed shock, surprise, and exasperation.
I didn’t know why, but seeing emotions flicker across Ascan’s usually expressionless face was strangely amusing.
I burst into laughter at his flustered expression. He finally seemed to realize I hadn’t meant anything serious and frowned slightly.
But unlike before—when his gaze would have conveyed genuine irritation—now, somehow, his eyes looking at me felt softer.
“Do you find this amusing?”
“Yeah, teasing you is surprisingly fun.”
He seemed so stoic I’d assumed it wouldn’t be entertaining, but his unexpected reactions kept making me laugh.
Ascan stared at me with an incredulous expression, then turned away. I softly called after his retreating back.
“Join me for dinner later.”
Without turning around, he replied.
“Yes.”
Just as I’d grown accustomed to living in this world, coexisting with the stoic Ascan had become as natural to me as breathing.
I was returning to my room after finishing my daily tasks.
Drip, drip, drip…
I heard the sound of water and instinctively looked up at the sky.
Dark clouds filled the heavens, but rain hadn’t started falling yet.
‘Where is that sound coming from?’
Curious, I walked toward the direction of the noise.
I hadn’t intended to spy, but in a corner of the outdoor garden, I saw Noxia Brellof practicing her water-manipulation ability alone.
She had placed a large glass and a very small glass side by side, training herself to move water precisely to her desired target.
Since Noxia couldn’t yet fully control her ability, she had no choice but to practice—but I had no idea how long she’d been at it. Her entire body was drenched in sweat.
‘I wonder if she’ll collapse from exhaustion.’
Though Noxia possessed abundant innate magical power, that didn’t mean she could use it endlessly—especially while still inexperienced.
I glanced absentmindedly at the magic-stone bracelet on my wrist.
Though the Light magic inscribed on it was mine—since I’d personally engraved it—it couldn’t be used infinitely like Noxia’s magical power.
I’d already used it once to save Ascan; I could only use it two or three more times before the magic stone’s power depleted, turning it into an ordinary bracelet.
‘It’d be great if the magic stone’s power could be endlessly used—or better yet, rechargeable…’
Feeling a pang of regret at this sudden thought, I watched Noxia for a moment longer, then turned to leave. I wanted to avoid entangling myself with her and altering the original plot.
The relationship between Rohel and Noxia Brellof was already distorted—who knew how the story would unfold now? Just thinking about it gave me headaches severe enough to jolt me awake in the middle of the night.
At that moment—
Crash!
A sharp sound of breaking glass rang out.
Instinctively, I stopped and looked back toward Noxia. It seemed she’d failed while trying to pour water—the glass had hit the ground and shattered.
To make matters worse, shards of glass appeared to have embedded into Noxia’s hand. From a distance, I could see blood flowing from her palm.
‘I need to call a maid quickly…’
In my sudden urgency, I accidentally stepped on a twig lying on the ground.
Crackle—
Panicked, I froze in place. Noxia noticed my presence and turned her head toward me.
“…Sister?”
Hearing her call me, I realized there was no chance of slipping away unnoticed.
With no other choice, I turned back toward Noxia. Since I’d been caught, I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t seen anything.
“Yes, it’s me. Are you hurt?”
“Oh, the water I was trying to pour into the glass moved elsewhere instead…”
As I drew closer, I realized Noxia’s injury was far deeper than I’d thought. Somehow, the glass shards had cut badly enough that blood was streaming down.
I quickly searched for a handkerchief to stop the bleeding, but for some reason, I hadn’t brought one today—nothing was within reach.
“We need to stop the bleeding. Do you have a handkerchief or anything?”
“No, I forgot to bring one.”
“Wait here. I’ll call a maid to…”
I turned to alert the household staff about Noxia’s injury so she could receive prompt treatment.
But at that moment—
Boom, crash!
Suddenly, lightning flashed, and a downpour began.
I’d expected rain due to the overcast sky, but the abrupt weather shift left me momentarily stunned.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
