That a…….

At Martha’s consolation, my expression increasingly grew stony like a moldy orange.

However, if I were to let out those severe words in front of Martha, who was worrying about me sincerely, I was likely to get smacked on the back again, so I gathered all the patience I could.

“That a…… No, it’s not because of his Highness. I just feel a little drowsy. And I don’t have anything to do.”

This was my sincerity.

A few days ago, when I met the female protagonist, I received definite proof that this world was heading in the same direction as the novel.

Of course, that didn’t mean I would act the same way as the novel dictated Melissa to do so. I was most likely the only variable in this world.

However, the most I could change was Melissa’s personal future. It was fate for Ian and Yuri to meet at the party and was not something I could touch.

As soon as I realized this, I lost all will. No matter how much I did to humiliate Ian, his bright future was a flower road with the woman he loved, and no matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t make it into a road of flames.

I decided to rest a while. In any case, we’d break our engagement far later.

Since there was still more than six months left, it would take a while…….

In any case, that was how I started to spend half of my days staring absentmindedly into the air and lazing around like a lazy Melissa.

“It’s because you’re always stuck inside. It’s not like you’re young master Jake when he was little.”

When Jake was young, he was a hikikomori who lived within his room. When the Duke sent him overseas, he learned sniping in a foreign country and became totally different.

“That makes me feel worse, Martha.”

What worse curse is there than to tell the older sister she was similar to her younger brother?

Martha cleanly ignored my mocking laughter and lifted the basket she held in both hands.

“That being said, let’s go on a walk. Don’t they say the roses in the garden have bloomed beautifully?”

So she planned on offering to go on a walk in the first place. But the basket?

As I quietly blinked my eyes, Martha said with a bright smile.

“I packed some food, so I’m asking you to a picnic.”

I almost bit my tongue off.

Martha was most definitely a great nanny, but she sucked at cooking. I recalled the memory of the young Melissa eating one of Martha’s cookies and fainting.

“M, Martha…… I’m not very hun-.”

“Now, now, let’s hurry up, milady! Hoho, it’s been such a long time, I’m looking forward to it!”

Like usual, she neatly ignored my words and I was dragged out the door by Martha. Though Martha was clearly smaller than I was, she had the strength of a strong-man.

As I was being dragged out, I sent a desperate look of salvation towards Yona.

‘Save me.’

Yona smiled like an angel. Then, she raised her thumb and drew it across her neck.

‘Milady is totally dead.’

I, too, smiled brightly and responded to her silently.

‘When I come back, know that your neck will also be swept off.’

Yona’s face was filled with mocking light, but before I could finish threatening her, I was pushed towards the stairs leading to the first floor.

***

At least the weather was definitely great. My mood lifted as I watched the flowers bloom under the sunlight.

Though my harsh thoughts and nervous gaze were focused all on Martha’s terrorizing snacks.

“Doesn’t it feel good now that you’re out here?”

Martha looked up at me with a bright smile. I giggled and nodded. Martha was one of the few people that Melissa found precious. If she was this happy, it was worth it for me to throw away my taste buds. I stopped my harsh thoughts and submitted to my fate.

And so when Martha and I stopped in front of the table with a parasol — there was no doubt she had prepared this as well — my heart was peaceful.

It’s just that I couldn’t help but pray to my mother, father, God, Buddha, Allah, to please protect my stomach.