I Should Have Just Died

Everyone left the mansion slowly. Only Seidrick, Ophelia, and Juliana were left at the dinner table. With the food that remained almost untouched.

The grilled fish prepared by Alyssa’s all-day hard work to serve them also remained untouched. The nobles of Cambridge couldn’t get their hands on such typical food. They’ve never seen such crude food before.

Seidrick nervously wiped his face.

In addition, Ophelia said that Alyssa had prepared the food Kendrick enjoyed the most to inform them that Alyssa was working hard, but her heart couldn’t reach them at all.

“…I’m going to eat it, mother. Mother…”

“I’m going to eat it too. Isn’t it food prepared by Alyssa herself? We couldn’t just throw away the food she prepared for Kendrick. Butler.”

“Yes, Grand Madam.”

“Call everyone in the mansion. Let’s share a lot of these foods. Call Gilbert and Mona too.”

“But…”

“But what?”

Juliana smiled.

“On a day like today, you can ignore such customs and etiquette.”

“…Yes, Grand Madam.”

The butler, ordered by her, summoned those still working in the mansion to the dining room.

As soon as everyone sat down, Seidrick took the nearest grilled fish and put it in his mouth. The savory scent of the grilled food, baked with a clumsy but sincere skill, spread throughout his mouth. Alyssa’s heart was added to the flavor of the fish itself.

“Is it delicious?”

Ophelia smiled brightly.

“I think the madam is good at cooking.”

Only then did the silence in the dining room break when Gilbert added his words. The quiet atmosphere of the day disappeared, and a warm dinner began.

Seidrick was relieved that Alyssa’s effort was not in vain. Isn’t this the cooking she learned by breaking her busy schedule?

* * *

Alyssa and Dania were also on their way home. The way out was easy because the queen couldn’t hold Alyssa anymore.

“…I’m hungry.”

Dania glanced at Alyssa and spoke to her.

Resenting the queen that upset our writer. If she hadn’t caught them, she was thinking of going out for dinner with Alyssa. However, our writer looked out the window with an indifferent expression like a person who had no feelings.

She talked to try to relieve the mood a little, but Alyssa ended up just nodding her head slightly. With that, it was no wonder that Dania’s resentment toward the queen deepened.

And Alyssa noticed that Dania cared about her. She wasn’t trying to make anyone’s mind uncomfortable.

Alyssa said her words awkwardly.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“However…”

Dania flashed her mouth with a look that had a lot of words to say.

How can she not care when our writer has such a weakened face?

Alyssa realized that Dania would never cease her concern for Alyssa because of her personality. If so, it might be better to talk.

“…Lady Dania.”

“Yes, Alyssa.”

“Maybe the queen will not give up. As I said, she will continue to press Lady Dania and Gerald County. She considers the royal family as a great right and duty. The queen is probably vindictive for Dania’s refusal to marry the royal family.”

“Then, should I give up?”

“Never. So Lady Dania will have to think about something else. Just as Ophelia tried to raise the ceremony earlier.”

“Oh my gosh.”

It was a mess. The royal family was wielding rights like a weapon and ignoring obligations.

Why have people so far been complacent and just sit back and watch the situation? Reflecting on it, the answer was not far away. It has been a long time since the royal family has existed. No one thought of a country without a royal family and followed their words.

It has been an ‘awareness’ that has been rooted in people’s perceptions since the past. People didn’t have any questions about the royal family until Alyssa threw stones as a novel, saying the fear of the royal family and its unknown origin.

No, she didn’t speak out because she had doubts.

It is Alyssa who brought about such a change. Would it have been easy for her to turn away from the royal family? To Dania, they were strangers, but to Alyssa, she would have known them her whole life.

No matter how much the royal family persecuted and harassed her, that was the truth.

Alyssa glanced at Dania, who seemed to have many thoughts about her, and closed her mouth. Whatever decision she made now, was up to her.

The only way Alyssa could see fit was for Dania to come out of Gerald County. Even temporarily.

The royal family still had coercion and power. The force is called the Royal Knights.

“…It’s a long way to go, Alyssa. Nevertheless…”

Dania said her words with a subdued look.

“It seems like the time has come for me to become independent. I have to get out of my father’s family register.”

Alyssa sympathized with a hazy smile.

“I’ll do what I can.”

Just as you are also doing what you can.

A week later, the news came that Dania had been dug out of Gerald County’s family register.

***

By the time Alyssa arrived at the Cambridge mansion, the mansion was already immersed in silence as the guests had returned to their homes.

‘I don’t know if they enjoyed it.’

There was also a time delay because of dropping Dania to Gerald on her way. Her hungry stomach no longer felt hungry. Alyssa said with a weary face when she entered the mansion.

“Madam.”

“The butler? Why are you still… waiting for me?”

“Yes, Madam. Actually… it’s because Gilbert has been nagging me to ask if the madam can come to the hut.”

The butler said, watching Alyssa’s eyes. Even though it was rude for a lower person to ask for an upper person like this, it was all because of Seidrick. His master urged Gilbert and Mona to invite Alyssa to their home.

He promised to pay enough for that. Thanks to this, Seidrick has been helping to clear up leaves in the garden as time permits throughout the fall.

Knowing that Alyssa finds peace of mind there, Juliana sympathized with Seidrick’s acquiescence actions, which resulted in this.

Alyssa nodded at the butler’s cautious question.

“…Yes. Thank you for telling me.”

Alyssa turned to Sasha.

“Sasha.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“I should wear a thicker coat.”

“Are you cold?”

“A little.”

It was always like that after visiting the royal family. It feels colder despite the same weather. Perhaps it is because she thought her heart was empty and cold, but she still looked for clothes.

Alyssa dressed in thick clothes and headed to the garden.

This might be better than staying in the mansion. There will be Gilbert, Mona, and Sid.

After hanging out with them and filling up her hungry stomach, will this cold go away?

Holding the lamp the butler handed to Alyssa, she ambled. And in the distance, she could see someone’s pacing.

‘Sid?’

She doesn’t know if he was waiting for Alyssa or for other reasons, but he was guarding the hut. Alyssa paused for a moment to observe his movements.

It was clear.

Sid was waiting for Alyssa.

‘Someone is waiting for me…?’

Except for Sasha, she never experienced something like this before. Looking forward to seeing her coming and greet outside, Alyssa bit her lips in her overwhelmed chest. In the royal family, they are waiting for her to wither while they are dying to eat her with anxiety.

It was the moment when the unique Sid was once again engraved in Alyssa with a new meaning.

And Sid found her.

“Lisa.”

Alyssa stared blankly at a smile slowly spreading on Sid’s face.

Someone who doesn’t smile very well is smiling.

It seemed that this dark night was brightening. Sid approached Alyssa. He took the lead, taking her lamp naturally.

“Did…”

Alyssa’s voice shuddered terribly.

Sid stopped his step and turned his head to stare at Alyssa. She, too, breathed, following his movements of her strangely tilting her head.

“Did… you come to meet me…?”

This had a very special meaning.

It’s different from when Sasha and other employees meet and wait for Alyssa. Sid and Alyssa stood on equal footing and weren’t perfect strangers. Still, Sid was waiting for Alyssa.

As if it were pretty natural.

“Yes, Lisa. I heard that Gilbert invited Lisa, but you’re running late. I was wondering if you fell on the dark night road…”

It was a minor and insignificant concern, but it was of great significance to Alyssa. Alyssa blinked slowly. It was to engrave this moment in her eyes forever.

Don’t forget even if you die.

Alyssa’s heart sank with a thump.

She helplessly fell in, perhaps because of the magnet-like force that attracted her without knowing that underneath it is hell as dark as sweet.