It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 73
Even though Lionel and I were living days that strayed far from A Night of Entwined Serpents, Vivian and the three male protagonists were not.
Their lives remained nearly identical to the novel’s original plot, and the masquerade ball hosted at the Ortatum Marquisate was one such event.
And for some reason, Vaikal Solen, my brother, seemed to want to meet me there.
I bit my lip, staring at the distant Ortatum estate.
I couldn’t immediately decide what to do.
‘The crown prince’s chances of attending the masquerade are slim to none. That means there shouldn’t be any danger.’
If there was any gathering Axion would never attend, it was an event hosted by Ortatum.
The Imperial family’s attitude toward the former emperor’s illegitimate child was clear: contemptuous, yet cautious. They wanted him crushed to the lowest depths.
In that sense, my brother had chosen the safest location for us to meet.
On top of that, today’s gathering was a masquerade ball, the perfect setting to conceal identities.
But there was just one problem.
‘Brother… I can’t get in there.’
Lionel probably had an invitation.
But I had no dress fit for a marquisate’s ball. Even if I called for a tailor now, it would take at least a week to have one made.
For that reason, I had no choice but to turn away, leaving my family behind after three years apart.
Per Lionel’s instruction, the carriage headed back toward the Luanax estate.
“…Stupid Vaikal.”
I muttered gloomily, prompting Lionel to bend down and meet my lowered gaze.
“Vaikal Solen must have known that his sister would be able to attend the Ortatum masquerade.”
“Then he should have sent a fairy godmother and a glass slipper.”
I grumbled, and Lionel gently pressed his forehead against mine.
“But you have me instead.”
…Even now, I couldn’t help but be moved by his affectionate words and actions.
“You don’t look like you believe that.”
“…No, I do.”
I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Lionel is a hundred times better than a fairy godmother.”
And, of course, a thousand times better than Cinderella’s prince.
Though he was the one who had leaned in first, the moment I embraced him, Lionel stiffened. His honesty made me laugh.
“So it really wasn’t just the priest’s robes.”
“…Did I not already say so?”
The restlessness and frustration I had felt when turning away from my brother seemed to scatter like a lie.
I wasn’t completely fine, but I didn’t feel like this was my last chance.
After all, I had Lionel.
As long as he was by my side, I was certain that reuniting with my family would never be an impossibility.
So I was okay.
It was strange, really.
To trust, rely on… and like someone this much after knowing them for so little time.
Without a trace of my earlier gloom, I pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and smiled. His gaze, deep and tender, met mine.
“…Serenia, I think I may have been waiting for you all this time.”
He whispered, gently stroking my cheek.
It was a secret-laden, meaningful statement.
But honestly…
Wasn’t it me who had been the one waiting for Lionel?
If not for him, I had no doubt I would have been helpless against the tragic fate entangling my family.
Upon arriving at the Luanax estate, Lionel led me to the third floor of the main building.
For the first time, he took me into a place I had never set foot in before.
It was the space meant for the Lady of Luanax, designed in symmetrical contrast to the lord’s chambers.
Without time to take in the room, which had clearly been newly furnished for the occasion, he guided me straight to the bedroom’s dressing room.
“We’ll have to make do with these for now.”
“…..!”
My mouth fell open in shock.
