CH 7

Iris…!

It was only then Carinne realized the cause of her deja vu.

Iris was the female lead of 〈 Even if I’m a ditzy lady, I want to fall in love! 〉 A girl with a ditzy personality, as the title said. That was why her black hair and purple eyes felt familiar when she saw her since the author must’ve described her appearance once or twice in the story.

“What’s your name?”

If so, it was understandable for her to ask for a stranger’s name. She was Iris, after all, a ditzy lady.

Judging from Iris’ reaction, she seemed to have met Carinne for the first time. So Carinne gently told her her name because she thought it wouldn’t be a problem if she knew her.

“Carinne.”

“Carinne! You’re Carinne, hmm.”

If it were someone else, they would at least be shaking or surprised, but Iris was calm, so Carinne didn’t know whether she had heard about her notoriety or not.

“Right, it was you who confessed to Duke Lucas, right?”

She seemed to be thinking about something, then brought out a story from long ago, as if she was proud to remember it even though she had just canceled the confession just recently.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Iris at the ball.’

The update seemed slow because she was not invited to the ball, and there was no one to tell her the news. In addition, because of her tactless personality, Iris had no one around her.

Carinne, who was too lazy to explain everything, tried to keep silent.

“Even if it’s not now, the day will come when someone will look after you.”

After hearing Iris’ words, she changed her mind. Carinne thought it would be better to tell the truth before she heard any more nonsense.

“I don’t like Duke Lucas.”

She emphasized each word. That was how sincere she was.

“Huh? But…”

At her words, Iris opened her eyes wide and looked puzzled.

“I heard you confessed.”

“Well, I did. I used to like him though not anymore.”

“Why?”

Asked Iris, tilting her head as if she really didn’t know why.

“The Duke’s cool. He’s tall, handsome, and has a good personality.

She then continued with a dreamy look on her face.

‘…Duke Lucas has a good personality?’

Was that what she had just said? It was obvious that she had fallen for him because of her ridiculous words. Well, that was why she could be connected to the Duke later.

“Yes, you’re right.”

“Then, why did you change your mind?”

“Just because. He’s not my cup of tea.”

Her innermost thoughts came out casually, and Iris seemed to be greatly shocked to hear that the Duke was not her cup of tea. It was as if Carinne could hear her thoughts from her enlarged pupil, asking how it could be like that.

She forgot something.

In Iris’ eyes, Duke Lucas was like a prince in a fairy tale… a prince on a white horse who she couldn’t hate even though he was imperfect. So, she couldn’t help but be surprised to hear that Duke Lucas wasn’t her taste.

“Actually, I like another person.”

Not wanting to cause a fuss, Carinne quickly added.

“Oh, I see.”

When she said that she liked another person, Iris nodded her head in understanding.

“Who is that?”

Afraid Iris would tell it to the first person she saw later, Carinne responded with a sly expression instead.

“It’s a secret.”

“Can’t you tell me?”

“Maybe later.”

Of course, she had no intention of holding Iris and giving her a speech about her taste. However, as she was being evasive, Iris pursed her lips and made a sulky expression. Was she begging Carinne to tell her…?

“You and I just met.”

“That’s true.”

In the end, Carinne had to explain it.

It was fortunate that she understood the words even though she was tactless. Their conversation ended like that. Even though she had nothing more to say to her, she decided to enjoy this moment because her sitting position was quite comfortable.

While enjoying the quiet silence, there was a rustling sound somewhere, so Carinne glanced around.

“It’s a squirrel, right?”

When she looked down, a cute squirrel was eating an acorn. Its cheeks were about to burst.

Wouldn’t squirrels avoid people when they see them? She couldn’t believe it was eating right in front of two people.

“Oh, I forgot. Say hello. This is my friend.”

The next moment, Iris explained as if she had noticed her questioning look. Meanwhile, the squirrel climbed up her hand and settled on her shoulder.

Ah.

Carinne shook her head as she remembered the original story… right, it was a fairytale-like novel. In addition, like the lead in fairy tales often did, Iris had a setting of being close to animals.

“Are you still hungry, huh? It’s cold? Go here.”

She had a friendly conversation with the squirrel, who didn’t even open its mouth. When Carinne saw it, she just blinked before Iris spoke with a bright smile.

“I can talk to a squirrel. Do you want to learn how to speak squirrel?”

…Talking with squirrels?

Why should she? She didn’t need it.

Carinne only shook her head in reply.

Above all, she knew being able to talk to animals was Iris’ own illusion. Carinne thought so. In fact, there was no scene where Iris understands animals. Therefore, the setting in which Iris talks to animals was likely a tool to emphasize her innocence.

Iris looked sullen at the stern rejection but was only for a moment.

Soon, she returned to her original bright expression while laughing lightly and stomping her feet. A gentle wind shook her hair as her gaze was fixed on the forest.

“Speaking of the Duke earlier, if I need a date later, I want to be with Duke Lucas… Can I do that?”

Should she tell her not to worry because it would come true as she wishes?

Carinne shrugged her shoulders. Even if Iris hasn’t completely fallen in love with the Duke, she will not be able to escape from him.

They’d have a happy engagement later, and… hold on—

Carinne got up from her seat. As she read before, the novel wasn’t actually good. While the author gained popularity with a cute style and a fairytale-like atmosphere, the ending ruined it. How did she forget about that…?

“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”

“Ah, I have a headache.”

No, she really had a headache.

Carinne sat down again, clutching her throbbing head.

Who would have expected a romance fantasy novel, which was thought to be a healing story, would have a sad ending?

Naturally, readers who thought it would be a happy ending and followed the story leisurely were shocked to see the last episode and had a headache. Most people denied the ending, saying, ‘It was written by someone else, in fact, it was a forced ending.’

There were even several people who wrote and posted fanmade endings, expressing they would finish it properly instead of the irresponsible author.

She had read all the endings.

At the end of the fanmade ending, Iris and the Duke of Lucas had a happy wedding. People were happy that they finally read the right ending… except for Carinne. Even in the fanmade ending, Archen didn’t come out, which made her feel quite uncomfortable.

Anyway, she saw so many fabricated endings that she forgot in the original last chapter, Iris dies.

That was also very cruel.

What was she supposed to do? Knowing what was going to happen, it was safe to say that Iris’ life was in her hands.

‘She doesn’t know about Archen, but if it were Iris, she would have to get involved in the original story to save her.’

In fact, she didn’t like Iris that much even until she possessed Carinne’s body. This was because Iris’ stupid personality was frustrating, and her brightness was nearly a nuisance. She was insensitive every time she had a relationship.

Furthermore, despite learning etiquette, she didn’t know how to use it in real life, and she couldn’t tell what could be said and couldn’t be. She endured it while reading, but she didn’t want to be close to her at all, even as an acquaintance.

…Still, why did she feel sorry for her rather than feeling uncomfortable meeting her?

“Carinne, are you okay?”

Carinne realized why when she saw Iris asking anxiously. She knew Iris’ death also played a part, but it was also because she learned another thing.

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

The child was nice, even though she was tactless.

“Do you want me to pat you on the back? Or want me to give you a head massage?”

Hey, why did she want to pat her on the back when she had a headache?

She was ditzy, but… but she was nice.

“I need to do this. Let me help you, hang in there.”

When she didn’t answer, Iris got up and began to press her head with her slender fingers. As her head was massaged, the pain disappeared.

“How do you feel? Do you feel better?”

Iris smiled with her silky hair down. She gave her a smile that was clearly innocent. It was the first time she knew that a human face could look so pure.

Carinne stared blankly at the smiling Iris and made a decision.

She’d also try to save Iris’s life by twisting the original story as much as she could. What happened to the Duke of Lucas didn’t matter. Just look at this innocent girl who pressed her head with her own hands because the person she had just met had a headache.

…How could she just watch this girl die?

‘I’m dying because things didn’t work out, but there’s one more person to save…’

Whether Iris looked at her strangely or not, Carinne didn’t care as she glanced up at the sky like an old man who had gone through all kinds of things.

* * *

After refusing Iris to take her to her house, Carinne returned to the mansion before locking herself in a room and was lost in thought.

At first, it was a lot of pressure. Thinking about the original story, she thought she had to make a huge plan. Nonetheless, when she thought about it carefully, it was not that difficult to change the original story.

The way to save Iris was simple.

All she had to do was prevent the Crown Prince of the enemy country, the sub-main lead and the villain, from meeting Iris and falling in love. It was because, as she read the original carefully, she knew where and how to prevent the two from meeting.

It was one more reason why she felt happy.

The Crown Prince inside the novel came to Esmeril, Iris’ homeland and the place for the meeting was in spring. But now, it was winter when it just began to get chilly. There were still months left before spring came, and that was after the Ashite Flower Festival, where Archen last appeared.

She needed to take care of it later. Right now, she needed to think about how to meet Archen.

Carinne thought a cup of warm tea would help her think, so she tried to pull the rope to call the maids, but the door was opened suddenly by Marie.

“Lady! Master asked you to come to his office.”

She meant Duke Tricia, Carinne’s father.

“What is he going to say?”

Even though she didn’t want to, she couldn’t help but go. Carinne grumbled after Marie said that and headed to the office. When the Duke of Tricia saw Carinne coming in, he hurriedly shoved the paper he was holding in his hands.

…What? What’s that?

“My pretty daughter!”

He welcomed Carinne with delight.

As he was smiling, his cheeks, which looked like bread, stretched out happily. He had round eyes, round face and chubby belly. With such an impression, he looked more like a baker and butcher rather than a Duke.

“I feel like you’re getting prettier every time I see you. What did you eat to grow up to be so pretty?”

She didn’t think the Duke of Tricia would have called his daughter to praise her, no matter how much he coddled her.

Still, Carinne wanted to get down to business.

“What did you call me for?”

“Hmm, the thing is, nothing’s going on these days, right?” No

Even though Carinne from the original story was bad, she wouldn’t have said bad things to her father, who was worried about her.

She decided to answer quietly, “Yes.”

“You’re more mature these days. My daughter has grown up.”

Fortunately, the Duke of Tricia seemed to have no doubt that the Carinne in front of him wasn’t the same person as the Carinne he knew.

“My pretty daughter, so…”

The next words from the Duke’s mouth were like a bolt out of the blue.