"My sword is one inch away from slicing your neck. My victory is one inch away, yet why can't I do it, Althea? What kind of spell have you cast on me to have me thinking about you all day?!"
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Byeol meets a tragic death at age nineteen...
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"Lady Althea, since the master of the duchy has passed, starting today we're in your capable hands!" The servants sang in unison as they greeted me. Crap, I forgot I was the next in line! But, how am I ever going to be able to rule a Duchy? I can barely make decisions for myself.
"Lady Althea, when would you like the funeral to take place?" Maybe like never?
I suppressed the urge to scoff.
"As soon as possible."
"Noted. And, shall we look into hiring a new butler for you?"
"Can't Harriet be my butler?" I whined.
"Miss Harriet is your personal maid, your grace." Your grace.
"Ah, fine, fine!"
The man scribbled something down on his notebook, before speaking up again.
"And... should we also look for a suitable husband for you?" That made me stop dead in my tracks. A husband?
"What do I need a husband for? Are you assuming I need a man to rule over this dukedom?"
"Of course not, your grace! Your grace is more than capable..! I merely suggested it so you don't have to take all the responsibilities by yourself." He panicked.
"Well, I don't need one. Not yet, atleast."
"Your grace. A guest is here asking for you." Is it Delia?
"He claims to be your friend."
He?
I walked out of the entrance, to see where my guest was standing.
In front of a carriage I realized had the Ashford symbol on, a blonde man was standing, waving at me.
Who the hell..?
I walked down the stairs, making sure not to trip over my long dress.
"Althea." We're on a first name basis?
Noticing the man from before was standing right next to me, I leaned in and whispered in utter confusion; "Who is that guy?"
"That is Isaac Ashford, your grace." He whispered back.
Delia's... brother?
"Isaac. What brings you here?"
Was he ever mentioned in the novel?
"I wanted to see how you're faring after... everything."
Oh. He was... He was the second male lead.
I personally always liked Isaac over Aias. If I were Eris, I'd choose Isaac. Of course, though, like in all novels, nobody beats a prince. Even if said prince is a psycho who's bound to stain his hands with the blood of his own father.
