C120
I opened my eyes to the sensation of the warm sunlight hitting my face.
"In."
As I got up and stretched, I realized that the clothes I was wearing were not pajamas.
Soon, the events that happened before I fell asleep passed through my mind.
Come to think of it, I was definitely so tired at the end that I was half asleep while talking to Terence...
"Did I just fall asleep like that?!"
I hurriedly got out of bed.
According to the plan, after telling Terence my whole story, if he still said that his feelings hadn't changed, then I had to tell him the answer to his confession.
However, I ended up saying what I wanted to say and fell asleep until the morning.
It's crazy, it's crazy. How absurd must it have been for Terence?
"Laura! I have to run now..."
It was then that I shouted as I left the bedroom.
"Where do you want to go?"
The person I planned to meet suddenly appeared.
"Terence! Why...?"
"Stop worrying about that."
Terence smiled shyly and pointed to the sofa where we had been talking until dawn today.
It seemed like he had fallen asleep on the sofa.
"Oh, right. I didn't even know what was happening and wanted to go check on Terence."
"To me?"
"Yes, we talked yesterday, and... I want to apologize again."
For enjoying his pure favor on a topic I approached with purpose and planning.
"You don't have to do that."
But Terence spoke firmly.
"If it had been like the novel you read, I would have continued suffering from headaches and obsessing over power."
That's true.
In the novel, Terence, who didn't have the medicinal tea or a blessing like Liena by his side, became a prince and did everything he could to obtain the emerald ring.
"Whether you had other intentions or not, thanks to Ethel, I was freed from a long period of suffering. Thank you."
"... Are you really okay? I approached you on purpose."
"It's okay. I'd prefer..."
He suddenly stopped talking.
"No. It would be better to say this later."
"What?"
"After we get closer."
After we get closer. It was clear that this didn't mean becoming close friends.
Now it was my turn to give him the answer to his confession.
"Terence, I..."
It was a topic I had been thinking about since last night when I told him my secret.
I liked Terrence too. This person says it's okay even though he found out the whole truth.
"But I'm not sure if this is love."
I didn't think of him as a friend like Vinetta and Diana.
There were definitely times when my heart raced when I was with him, and judging by the fact that I couldn't immediately reject his confession yesterday, romantic feelings also existed.
"I'm really grateful that you showed me so much kindness. But..."
I don't know if my feelings are deep enough to overcome all the problems I will inevitably face when I become Terence's lover.
Look. Am I still thinking about it?
If it's this kind of feeling, it might be better -.
"You're hesitating."
As if he could see through my inner conflict, Terence spoke up.
"That's enough for me. If you felt nothing for me, you wouldn't have come here like this."
"... I'm sorry for acting awkwardly."
If I denied it like this, there was a high chance that it would leave unnecessary regrets.
"No, that's my problem, not Ethel's."
But he said something unexpected.
"I guess it's because I lack charm."
"Oh no! Terence is quite an attractive person!"
"If that were really true, Ethel would have chosen me without hesitation."
"It's not that kind of problem..."
"That's the problem. So from now on, I'll try to perfect my charm."
Somehow, the conversation took a strange turn.
"So that you can take my hand without worrying about anything, whether it's what others think or future misfortune."
"Why is the conclusion...? No more than that! Why do you keep getting closer?"
Before I knew it, Terence was so close to me that we could feel each other's breath.
I slowly backed away, but the wall blocked me, and I was caught between the wall and Terence.
The man who placed both arms on the wall to prevent me from escaping smiled seductively.
"I'm trying to tempt you."
"Tempt me?"
"That's right. I want to show you my charms."
"I know them! I know them very well!"
"Is that so? Take a closer look. Don't you feel something?"
"Even if you say that..."
All I could feel was that Terence looked as handsome as ever today, and that even though he seemed a bit disheveled shortly after waking up, that couldn't diminish his charm.
"No, rather, I think I feel a new charm in his more relaxed appearance than usual."
While my head was busy with useless thoughts, my nose caught a fragrant smell. Is this a rose scent?
"I can feel the faint scent of roses from Terence."
"You noticed."
"I don't think it's perfume, what is it?"
"I washed my face with rose water."
"Rose water?"
"Yes, I asked Jack to bring it from somewhere and bring it to me."
"Why...?"
"I heard it's good for the skin."
I stopped and opened my mouth. There's no rule saying Terence shouldn't take care of his skin, but somehow, it didn't suit him. Neither in the novel nor in reality have I ever seen him care about his appearance.
"Didn't I tell you? From now on, I'll try to sharpen my charm."
"So, is that why you washed your face with rose water?"
"I was thinking about it this morning and remembered hearing somewhere that rose water is good for the skin. You said you fell asleep on the sofa while worrying; was that what you were worrying about?!"
Terence put his hand on my face.
"What do you think? Does my skin feel a bit softer?"
When I couldn't respond, he murmured, "As expected, once is enough," and confidently declared, "Please look forward to it. From now on, I'll become a more attractive man and try to tempt you."
"... Do we really have to do that?"
"Are you sure you don't even want to give me that chance? Or am I not to your liking to the point where I couldn't tempt you even if I were the only man in the world?"
"It's not like that!"
"Then that's settled. I'll try earnestly."
Terence, who was smiling cheerfully, spoke with a more serious tone.
"Ethel, there's nothing to think about. I like you, and you also feel something for me. So, I'll try, that's all."
I couldn't refute anything anymore.
In this way, Terence and I became not only friends but also seducer and seduced.
For your information, these were the words that came out of Terence's mouth.
In reality, his words about seducing me not only seemed like a burden to me but also...
"To take my hand without worrying about anything, whether it's what others think or future misfortune."
The moment I heard those words, I began to dream without realizing it. I wonder if that moment will ever come.
I didn't know how our relationship would go, but for now, I decided to do what I wanted.
I had breakfast with Terence and told him what I couldn't tell him early in the morning.
The past life of Ethel and Liena that I saw in the orphanage. Terence said after hearing that.
"She is a very greedy woman."
With a face full of discomfort.
"Not only did she steal your adoptive family from you, but she also tried to keep you by her side."
"I wonder why she's so obsessed with me. I don't think it's just about the mine... Does she want to have Ethel as a friend in this life too?"
"Only you know. What matters is how you will deal with her in the future."
"Honestly, I don't think I want to get back at Liena for missing a good opportunity to gain support from Cassius. I'm not even the real Ethel."
I continued talking while eating bread.
"But if Liena continues trying to take over the mine or interfering with me all the time, I can't just stay silent."
After finishing our meal, while having tea with him and discussing future policies.
"Your Highness, I'm so sorry...."
Jack, pale, approached Terence.
"What's happening? I'm sure I said I was going to rest all day today."
In front of Terence, whose face was stiff, the prince's aide almost pleaded.
"His Highness Mikhail suddenly opened a new discussion regarding the mining business... There's absolutely nothing I can do."
Terence sighed and apologized to me.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, so please go back."
"Yes, I'll be back as soon as possible."
Some time after his departure, someone arrived at the annex.
"Hello, sister-in-law!"
I was stunned and asked Liena.
"Did you ask His Highness Mikhail?"
Until now, I thought Mikhail, who had a bad feeling towards Terence, was making a fuss for no reason, but it seemed that Liena had planned it.
"Oh God, what?"
Liena's eyes widened as if she didn't know anything, but it didn't work for me.
"Anyway, we're the only ones here, so why not stop pretending? Stop playing the family."
"... fine. Ethel, I'll do as you say."
Although I didn't recommend it, Liena, who was sitting on the sofa, seemed regretful.
"I'm sorry, I always wanted to come see you, but Mikhail was so depressed that I didn't have time."
"You don't have to apologize, so don't come."
"Ethel! I don't know what he whispered to you, but we were best friends! You have to trust me!"
Now that I think about it, Liena thought that Terence was a returner like her and that he was playing a trick on her.
"My best friend? I guess you call a relationship that takes away adoption opportunities after abandoning it a friend?"
Liena, who had stiffened for a moment, immediately smiled calmly.
"Was it that guy? Did he say that?"
"No, it's what I think."
I uttered the password that only Ethel and Liena knew in their last life.
"I'm tired of raspberry juice, Liena."
Liena's expression distorted.
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