A few days ago, I recalled the chocolate cake I had eaten. The image of the cream's glossy surface, slightly melted at room temperature, brought a smile to my face without realizing it. I could even feel a bit of saliva pooling in my mouth.
Alright, time for nonsense.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I've been wanting to tell everyone I meet how incredible His Highness was that day!"
"Pardon?"
"Even while wearing ceremonial armor, which must have been so restrictive, the way he unsheathed his sword in an instant upon seeing the monster—it was so graceful. Not even the most heroic of plays could deliver a moment as heart-stirring as that."
"Ah, yes. I'm sure he was splendid. But I was actually asking about something else—did His Highness say anything about future plans, by any chance…?"
"Future plans… Are you referring to marriage?"
At this point, I wanted to blush slightly, but since my acting skills weren't quite there, I picked up my fan, partially covering my face, and lowered my gaze as if shy.
That should do it for advertising. The only thing in my head right now is Tristan! That's all I can talk about!
"I haven't heard anything about dates or plans, but I'm merely waiting silently for His Highness's decision. Whatever choice he makes, it will be my greatest joy."
"Ah, haha, the Lady's steadfast devotion seems to grow deeper by the day. It's admirable."
"Thank you. To be honest, I've been too embarrassed to share it with anyone, but if you'd like to hear more about His Highness's feats—"
"No, that's quite all right. My niece must be waiting for me."
It seemed the baroness wasn't interested in hearing any more pointless chatter and quickly took her leave. Thankfully.
Soon enough, the one person in this household who was genuinely pleased to see me waved enthusiastically.
"Dory! Come on in. Was it hard to get here? I've got tea ready in my room."
"Thanks, Maria."
"Don't be startled; the room's a bit dim."
Of course, I wasn't startled.
Maria's room was exactly as described in the novel—a small, neglected space in a corner of the baron's residence, previously used by the baron's child in their younger years. North-east facing, the room had poor lighting, and its location made it prone to condensation and mold during winter.
But when looking at Maria's face, I didn't think about the lighting at all.
"What a cozy room. Thank you for letting me visit today."
"Oh, not at all. I'd have loved to host you in the tearoom, but… my uncle said he might have guests over today, so I was told to keep it free."
The baron wasn't home today. Maria had deliberately chosen a day when he was away for meetings to invite me. As someone who was essentially a freeloader, it made sense that she'd avoid hosting a guest in front of the landlord.
'Even though Maria has grown closer to the young duke, that's not exactly a major advantage for Baron Meyer's family, who seem keen to avoid getting entangled in their niece's marriage matters.'
Hadn't the baron openly suggested during the hunting festival that Maria find a suitable match within her own standing?
The joy brought by the animals gifted by Arthur must have long since faded.
'For Maria, this house must feel like a bed of thorns.'
At least, despite its dimness, the room was pleasantly cozy and well-decorated. And in summer, a north-facing room wouldn't be so bad.
"It's fine. When it comes to socializing, sure, but for spending time with a friend, I actually prefer their room over a tearoom!"
"Haha, thanks. But Dory, are you eating well? You look a bit pale."
"I've been busy with final preparations lately. But it's nothing to worry about. Anyway, could you take a look at the script first?"
As I sipped my tea, I handed over the real reason I'd come here—a revised set of lyrics and a short script for the upcoming performance.
Maria, with a serious expression, stood by the brightest window in the room and began reading through the script.
"This is great!"
She brightened immediately, showing no sign of forced enthusiasm. What a relief.
"The lyrics alone might seem conventional, but paired with the stage directions, it all becomes really intriguing."
"Do you think even first-time viewers will understand the story?"
"Definitely. There are only a few songs left to complete, and the plot is a classic—a love story between an innocent nobleman and a woman of lower status. Who wouldn't get it?"
That's right. Even if someone didn't know La Traviata, just hearing "an impossible love story between a naïve nobleman and a woman of humble origins" would conjure up a drama in anyone's mind.
Maria then added a playful remark. "Though with your touch, Dory, it's no longer just a love story, is it?"
"Ahaha… I, well, I'm not very confident with love stories—"
"Oh, don't get me wrong. If someone wanted a sweet romance, they'd head to the theater. For an audience with no expectations, a satirical play like this will be far more enjoyable."
"Thanks for the compliment!"
"Thank me? I should be thanking you for letting me enjoy such a fun script first. What's your role?"
"Here, mezzo-soprano. As for lines, I'm playing Lady C."
"Want me to watch you rehearse?"
I gave it some serious thought.
Having a third party watch could be really helpful.
When practicing among the ladies, we usually avoided critiquing one another too much, knowing how hard it all was.
I hesitated, too embarrassed to outright ask Maria to watch my rehearsal, mulling it over in my mind. That was when Maria suddenly remembered the teapot.
"Why don't you think it over while drinking some tea before it gets cold? It'd also help if you kept in mind that I'm not a harsh critic."
"You're getting better at joking. Oh, by the way, now that the play's been altered like this, do you think you or the young duke will be okay with it? It doesn't seem like the kind of story a couple would enjoy watching together."
"Of course, the young duke would want to see your performance… Wait, hold on. A couple?!"
Maria's face flushed bright red.
"T-that's not the kind of relationship we have!"
"What are you talking about? Didn't you say you've been exchanging letters since the hunting festival?"
"Yes, we've exchanged letters… three times already."
"…Is that all you're doing? Just exchanging letters?"
"What else would we exchange?"
"…"
Even though this isn't 21st-century Korea but a pseudo-European world blending elements from the 17th to the early 20th centuries, there's a limit to how conservative things can get!
"Have you met the young duke alone since the hunting festival? For a meal, a performance, or even just a walk?"
"No, we haven't. The young duke has been busy, and I feel too embarrassed at the thought of people watching us… I don't even know where I got the courage during the hunting festival! Thinking about it now still makes my face burn."
"…Has the young duke ever suggested a date?"
"He did mention that we should go for a walk together someday when the weather is nice. There'd probably be a lot of people on the trail then… Would autumn be a good time?"
"…"
Curse this transmigration story! Why does the original plot never go smoothly?
'No wonder I thought it was too easy for them to become a couple without any major events!'
In the original, the relationship between the two protagonists made significant progress during the hunting festival arc. The male lead and the female lead spent the night together at the bottom of a cliff. If there wasn't at least a kiss scene, it would've been a betrayal of the romance genre. That intimate moment brought them closer, but after the festival, Maria, feeling guilty for disobeying her uncle's instructions and embarrassed around Arthur, withdrew from society entirely.
Arthur, left to daydream alone, eventually realized Maria was avoiding him and entered the "Why are you doing this to me?!" mode, persistently chasing after her…
But now all of that has disappeared. Instead, they're exchanging warm love letters.
Healthy romance is great and all, but is this really okay?
Confessing feelings and then saying, "We're not a couple"? If they're only going to walk together in autumn, does that mean they'll hold hands in winter? But by winter, the social season will be over, and Arthur will have to head north.
What guarantee is there that he'll propose properly and take her north with him then? What if he postpones, saying he'll come for her after they get to know each other better?
I was starting to regret encouraging Maria to be brave during the hunting festival.
What this couple needs isn't the courage to approach each other slowly, but an intense challenge that forces them to stick together!
Damn it. No wonder the ladies' gossip sessions didn't bring up the young duke's romance. If their relationship is this lukewarm and ambiguous, there's no juicy material to discuss!
My mind went blank, and I blurted out the first thing that came to me.
"Autumn, huh. Sure, that's nice. By then, the social whirlwind will have settled… I mean, there'll be several couples finalizing their engagements."
"Walking under the autumn sky with couples who've decided to spend their futures together—just imagining it is lovely. Someday, Arthur and I will have our moment like that too, won't we?"
Do it now! Honestly, if they were exchanging love letters and making vague promises to walk together, wasn't it close enough to being in a common-law marriage?
The fear that I might end up watching this couple hold hands in winter only to part ways moved me to act.
"Maria, after the charity concert, when I have a bit more free time, why don't we go on an outing together? The four of us."
"Four?"
"You and the young duke, and me with my fiancé."