Chapter 6

Even after that, Bertille continued to refuse the second prince's visits, but thanks to the servants' chatter, she occasionally received information about Minori. The otherworldly person was favored by the queen, and at her recommendation, the second prince was taking care of the otherworldly person. At first, there was a strange distance between them, but they were gradually becoming closer. It seemed that the engagement with Bertille might be dissolved soon. It was said that the otherworldly person had healing powers, and so on.

What concerned Bertille more was whether Minori was telling the truth. If Minori had told the second prince that she had been with him as Bertille for the past six months, it wouldn't be strange for a letter related to that to come from the second prince. However, since hearing about Minori's appearance, she had been carefully reading the second prince's letters, but they were only filled with words of concern for her health, apologies, and requests to meet and talk. Perhaps realizing that the story of the otherworldly person had spread widely, the most recent letter even stated, "I don't know how the rumors are spreading, but I have no intention of breaking off the engagement."

(Why won't she talk?)

Minori had also realized that the relationship between Bertille, the Raspade family, and her fiancé had not been good before she possessed her. This was evident from their attitudes when Minori had just possessed her. As the relationship with them improved, Minori felt a sense of guilt towards the real Bertille, as if she was taking away the benefits that should have been Bertille's. This feeling continued, and it was not impossible that Minori, out of consideration, was hesitating to take away Bertille's family and fiancé. After all, it was Minori, not Bertille, who had built a family-like and fiancé-like relationship. The things that should have been given to Bertille from the beginning were all things that Minori had obtained, and even if they were given to her, she would not be happy.

Bertille, who had been sitting on the sofa, tried to stand up. However, she immediately collapsed back into the seat. The sound of her hand hitting the table was loud. Her body was drained of strength, and she could not move, her eyes wide open in shock. Her eyes trembled with agitation. She bit her lip tightly.

---

A week later, as Bertille was preparing to go out with the help of a maid, Tristan and her next older brother, Kazimierz, arrived. They were twins and looked similar, but their personalities were different. Tristan, with his slanted eyes and rough manner, was rude and careless, while Kazimierz, with his droopy eyes and gentle tone, was polite. Despite their different personalities, they got along well, and Kazimierz often covered for Tristan's mistakes.

However, they had never treated Bertille with politeness. Instead, they often came to harass her together. So it was not surprising that they were both there today.

"What do you mean by going to the palace?"

Tristan asked with a stern look. Bertille was indeed preparing to go to the palace. She had sent a letter to the second prince, who had been refusing her visits, stating that she would visit him, and he had immediately agreed. Today was the day of their appointment. Perhaps because they had not heard about it, or because they were unhappy about her going to the palace, the twins were clearly in a bad mood.

The maid was concerned about the two, but Bertille, sitting in front of the dresser, ignored her brothers and asked the maid to comb her hair and put on a hair accessory, without any elaborate styling.

She was going to meet her fiancé, but she had no intention of dressing up unnecessarily. It was clear that doing so would be meaningless.

"I heard you're also going to have a chance to meet the otherworldly person."

Tristan continued, as if expecting Bertille's reaction of ignoring them.

"Are you going to give him a piece of your mind? The prince has already said he will definitely marry you, so there's no need to worry. You can use healing magic too, so there's no way the prince would choose the otherworldly person."

"..."

Bertille couldn't help but laugh, and the two brothers looked puzzled.

"Why are you laughing?"

Kazimierz, who had been silent, finally spoke. After years of speaking only harsh words to Bertille, his voice was unusually heavy and unenthusiastic, which was out of character. This made Bertille's lips curve into a smile.

(The otherworldly person, huh.)

It was ironic that the one who had formed a bond with the otherworldly person was them. Even though they didn't know, it was rather comical. Minori would probably be sad if she heard this.

"It seems you have a misunderstanding, but I no longer admire the prince. It's impossible to continue liking someone who can't even show basic courtesy as a fiancé."

"Then why are you going?"

"Why should I have to tell you?"

The maid's hands left Bertille's hair. Looking in the mirror, she saw that the hair accessory had been carefully placed.

"Thank you."

"Y-Yes..."

Bertille smiled and thanked the maid, who blushed and looked down. A kind and pure girl of her own age who didn't look down on her. If such a girl had been by her side from the beginning, Bertille's life might have been a bit more colorful.

"Hey—"

At the same moment Tristan called out in frustration, a knock sounded at the door. When Bertille said, "Come in," the door opened, and her eldest brother, Leander, entered. Leander, who was usually expressionless and unreadable, gave off a cold impression. He had studied abroad for many years and spent two more years there after graduating from university to build connections, returning only a few months after Minori possessed Bertille.

Bertille hardly ever spoke to Leander, as he, like her father, had avoided her. However, she was reluctantly going to the palace with him, so he had come to fetch her. In the past, he would never have shown such consideration.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

The conversation was just a formality, devoid of warmth. Standing up from the chair, Bertille started to walk.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

As she passed Leander, he called out, and she almost gasped. But she held it back.

"No, I am not."

Not wanting to engage in unnecessary conversation, she said, "Let's go," and left the room first.