Every night, I dream. In my dreams, Diane is like a flower in a book I’m reading—a flower plucked at will and discarded to wither and die.
“Next time we meet, I’ll tell you my secret, Elaina.”
Elaina had eagerly awaited today, whether Diane’s secret was about her origins or the man she loved. Seeing Diane’s swollen eyes from too much crying reminded her of the withering flower. To Elaina, Diane already seemed to be withering away, losing her will to live.
Elaina gritted her teeth. She was furious. How could a father ignore his daughter’s wishes and arrange a marriage solely for his gain? Finding a lifelong partner was a serious matter. How could he do such a thing?
‘Do you think I went through all this just to end up like this?’
Diane, seeing Elaina’s angry expression, felt even more disheartened. “I’ll… I’ll talk to the Archduke. I’ll tell him that it’s you he likes, not me.”
“Diane! Why do you keep worrying about him and me?” Elaina exclaimed.
“Huh?”
“There’s nothing between him and me,” Elaina said, grabbing Diane’s shoulders. “What matters is you, Diane. Do you want this marriage? Do you want to spend your life with Lyle Grant?”
The marriage between Diane and Lyle Grant was like a runaway train heading for disaster. Elaina couldn’t stand by and watch Diane walk into such a fate.
Startled by Elaina’s intensity, Diane’s eyes widened, and her tears momentarily stopped. She shook her head. “No. I… I find the Archduke frightening.”
Hesitantly, Diane confessed something she had never told anyone. “The truth is… I have someone I like. I don’t deserve to like anyone, but if I were to marry, I’d want it to be him.”
“Diane, stop crying,” Elaina urged.
“I’m sorry, Elaina. I didn’t know… I didn’t know my father was planning such a marriage. I didn’t mean to come between you and the Archduke,” Diane stammered.
“It’s not true!” Elaina sighed, seeing Diane still misunderstanding the situation. But now wasn’t the time to clear up that misunderstanding. Calming Diane was more important.
“Don’t worry, Diane. I’ll take care of everything.”
In fairy tales, the protagonist always has a helper.
A fairy godmother, perhaps.
Or a powerful figure in disguise.
If you look closely, Diane is also a protagonist in a book. Even if it’s a book in my dreams. There’s no reason Diane can’t have such a helper.
For example, someone like me. A princess with pink hair and golden eyes, immensely beautiful and wielding unmatched power.
‘That damn book.’
Everyone in that book was unhappy. Not just Diane, but the man who lost the woman he loved to Lyle Grant was unhappy too. And it wasn’t just him. Lyle Grant, who cared for nothing but saving his family after spending his childhood on the battlefield, was also unhappy. Even his younger brother, his only family, who grew up alone in the mansion, was unhappy.
‘I’ll crush that absurdly tragic ending with my own hands,’ I vowed silently.
My sympathy for Diane turned into resentment towards “Moonshadow.” I couldn’t accept an ending that made everyone miserable.
The only reason Lyle Grant wanted Diane as his wife was to revive his family’s fortunes using the Marquis Redwood’s wealth.
‘I have money too.’
Technically, my parents have it, but as their only child, it’s essentially mine.
If it meant saving Diane, I was willing to spend a significant amount.
“Diane, don’t worry about anything,” I said, reassuringly. “You will never have to marry the Archduke.”
Yes. That will never happen.
No matter how many nights “Moonshadow” thrusts its predetermined conclusion at me, I will ensure that marriage never happens.
***
“Miss.”
Sarah swallowed hard as she saw the expression on Elaina’s face. She had been serving her for over ten years, but she had never seen Elaina this angry.
“Are you alright?”
“Sarah. Come sit here.”
Sarah, looking tense, sat down on the sofa. “Is it because Lady Redwood didn’t come? You can invite her again later! There’s no need to get angry over that. She’s your close friend.”
The Duke and Duchess had left for a trip early this morning to celebrate Elaina’s successful debut and first social season.
Sarah knew how much Elaina had been looking forward to today. They had even brought an extra bed to Elaina’s room so Diane could stay the night.
They could have prepared a guest room, but Elaina was excited about chatting with her friend until they fell asleep. She had been eager to hear Diane’s secret and was now deeply upset.
She had even gone directly to the Marquis’s residence to address the matter, which made Sarah extremely worried.
“Listen to me. A very wealthy person wants a particular jewel. On the other hand, there’s another person in need of money who possesses that jewel.”
Sarah, initially nervous about sitting on the sofa, felt deflated when Elaina started talking about abstract matters. She frowned slightly but tried to focus on Elaina’s story.
“Okay, and then?”
��The wealthy person offers a deal: money in exchange for the jewel. Naturally, the one with the jewel wants to sell it.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good deal.”
“But I want to stop that deal.”
“You, Miss?”
“Just hypothetically. Anyway, the best way to disrupt the deal would be for me to give enough money to the person with the jewel to make them give up the deal, right?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why?”
“Because the more money, the better.” Sarah tilted her head in confusion. “Even if you give them money, the jewel stays the same. Unless you take the jewel in place of the wealthy person.”
“The jewel? I don’t really need it.”
“But isn’t that the point? Even if you give money, the jewel remains. The person with the jewel could still sell it to the wealthy person.”
“Right. They would get double the money.”
“Yes. Or if the wealthy person hears you’re interested, they might raise their offer.”
Sarah’s explanation was quite logical. Elaina closed her eyes tightly.
“So, Sarah, you’re saying that if I want to ruin this deal, I must take the jewel myself. Right?”
“Yes.”
“But I don’t need the jewel.”
Elaina held her throbbing head. She had thought it was a good plan in Diane’s room, but discussing it with Sarah revealed its flaws.
Then, Sarah’s voice reached her ears. “Then you can give it back.”
“…What?”
“Just keep it until the wealthy person gives up. Then return it. That way, it’s good for everyone, isn’t it?”
Elaina stared at Sarah, dumbfounded, before blurting out, “Sarah, are you a genius?”