Adeline Augustus wanted to see me again.
Voluntarily.
Willingly.
Without threats.
I stared at her letter for the fifth time that morning trying to determine whether this was a blessing or the beginning of my downfall.
Probably both.
"My lady," the head maid asked carefully, "will you respond?"
That was the problem.
Should I?
On one hand, becoming friends with the heroine sounded dangerous.
Main characters attracted chaos naturally.
On the other hand…
Adeline genuinely seemed kind.
And unlike most nobles here, speaking with her didn't feel exhausting.
I sighed dramatically.
"This world is complicated."
The maids looked confused.
Fair enough.
Everything about my existence sounded insane without context.
I looked back down at the letter.
…selfishly, I hope we may meet again.
Dangerous.
That sentence was dangerously cute.
Why did the heroine write like a romance novel protagonist even in casual letters?
The head maid smiled softly.
"Lady Adeline seems very fond of you."
I nearly inhaled air incorrectly.
"No she isn't."
"She wrote to you personally the morning after the banquet."
"…That feels normal?"
The maids exchanged knowing looks.
Oh no.
What expression was that?
The "young ladies discussing romance" expression.
Abort mission immediately.
Before the conversation could become weirder, another servant entered the garden.
"Young Lady, Baron Augustus' messenger awaits a response."
Already?!
Nobles moved fast.
Too fast.
I stared at the letter one final time before surrendering.
"…Prepare a reply."
The maids brightened instantly.
Traitors.
Two days later—
I regretted every life decision leading to this moment.
Because I was currently sitting in a carriage on the way to the Augustus residence.
Tea invitation accepted.
Escape impossible.
My injured ankle had improved enough for walking again, though stairs still felt like personal enemies.
Across from me, the head maid adjusted my gloves carefully.
"You seem nervous, my lady."
"Because I am."
"Lady Adeline is kind."
That wasn't the issue.
The issue was that every important character in this novel seemed increasingly interested in me.
And historically speaking—
that usually ended badly for villainesses.
The carriage finally slowed before stopping.
A servant opened the door politely.
"We have arrived, Lady Alexandra."
I stepped outside carefully and looked up.
The Augustus residence was smaller than the Raine mansion by far.
But somehow—
it felt warmer.
Flowers bloomed around the entrance while sunlight reflected softly against the windows.
Instead of overwhelming luxury, the estate felt peaceful.
Comfortable.
Like an actual home.
No wonder Adeline turned out emotionally stable despite this novel's chaos.
The front doors opened before I could overthink further.
And there she was.
Adeline Augustus herself.
She wore a soft cream-colored dress today, her black hair tied loosely behind her shoulders.
Simple.
Elegant.
Pretty enough to cause emotional damage.
"Lady Alexandra," she greeted with a smile.
My brain malfunctioned briefly again.
Why was the heroine so powerful?
"Lady Adeline," I answered carefully.
Then awkward silence attacked immediately.
Because despite surviving death and reincarnation—
basic social interaction still terrified me.
Thankfully, Adeline smiled gently.
"I'm happy you came."
And just like that—
the tension eased slightly.
This girl had unfair protagonist abilities.
Inside the mansion, everything felt calm compared to noble estates I remembered from the novel.
The servants smiled naturally.
The atmosphere lacked that stiff cold pressure I constantly felt inside House Raine.
Adeline guided me toward a beautiful garden terrace prepared for tea.
And unfortunately—
someone else was already there.
Crown Prince Cedric.
My soul left my body instantly.
WHY WAS HE HERE?!
Cedric looked equally surprised seeing me.
"…Lady Alexandra."
I turned slowly toward Adeline.
"…You invited the Crown Prince too?"
Adeline blinked innocently.
"Yes?"
She sounded confused.
Like this situation was perfectly normal.
It absolutely was not.
This was male-lead proximity.
Dangerous territory.
Very dangerous territory.
Cedric stood politely from his seat.
"I was unaware Lady Alexandra would also attend."
His voice remained calm, but his golden eyes studied me carefully again.
This man really didn't trust me.
Honestly understandable.
Still stressful.
Adeline looked between us nervously.
"…Should I not have invited both of you?"
NO.
But seeing her anxious expression immediately made me feel guilty.
"No," I answered quickly. "It's fine."
Cedric nodded slightly.
"The issue is not Lady Adeline's invitation."
Ah.
So the issue was me personally.
Fantastic.
Tea began awkwardly.
Very awkwardly.
Adeline tried her best carrying conversations while Cedric and I sat there radiating mutual suspicion.
Actually no.
He radiated suspicion.
I radiated survival instincts.
Completely different.
Adeline carefully poured tea into my cup.
"I heard your ankle has improved."
"Yes. Thankfully."
"I still feel terrible about it."
"You really need to stop apologizing for existing."
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Adeline blinked.
Cedric looked toward me quietly.
I coughed awkwardly.
"I mean… none of it was your fault."
Adeline lowered her gaze slightly.
"…Most people usually say I attract trouble."
Something in her voice felt painfully familiar.
And suddenly—
I remembered.
Before reincarnating, Ahn Sun also constantly felt like a burden to others.
Too quiet.
Too awkward.
Too ordinary.
Maybe that was why Adeline's loneliness felt so recognizable.
"You don't attract trouble," I said firmly.
Adeline looked up slowly.
"You're just surrounded by people who blame you unfairly."
Silence followed.
Soft silence this time.
Cedric's expression changed slightly.
Not suspicious anymore.
Thoughtful.
Adeline smiled faintly.
"…Thank you."
My chest did the weird thing again.
This needed to stop immediately.
Before emotions became complicated.
Then suddenly—
"Interesting."
I froze.
NO.
I recognized that voice.
Everyone turned toward the garden entrance.
Leonhart Blake stood there casually like he belonged.
Which he absolutely did not.
Adeline blinked in surprise.
"Marquis Blake's son?"
Cedric's expression cooled instantly.
Meanwhile, I wanted to throw myself into the ocean.
Why were all the important characters gathering around me at once?!
Leonhart's blue eyes met mine lazily.
"You seem troubled, Lady Alexandra."
Because you keep appearing like a summoned demon.
"What are you doing here?" Cedric asked coldly.
Leonhart smiled slightly.
"Lady Adeline's father invited my family for business discussions."
Oh.
So this chaos was legal.
Wonderful.
Leonhart approached the table calmly before his gaze landed on my teacup.
"…You dislike mint tea."
I froze.
Wait.
How did he know that?
Even I didn't know that until five minutes ago.
Cedric narrowed his eyes immediately.
Adeline looked confused.
And Leonhart—
smiled slowly.
Like he'd just discovered something interesting.