Chapter 2: "Proper Manners"
Part 1 / 2
"Miss!"
Anne yelped as soon as she saw Lariette's condition upon returning to her room. The other maids did not have such a close relationship with her, so they simply stared in surprise. It was a normal reaction. After all, their lady of the house had returned as a complete mess after a family dinner.
"That crazy man! What a bast*rd!" (A)
"Shh~ What if someone overhears?" (L)
"Please! He is a man without conscience! How could a brother do this..." (A)
While helping Lariette bathe, Anne swore at Raon with the harshest words she knew. Lariette was afraid that someone might overhear and tell Raon, but she did not scold her. Anne's hands, which were washing her hair, shook with emotion.
"I'm sure he is jealous of you, since you're smarter and better off than him... Ha, my lady?"
"I'm alright."
I'm used to it, Lariette swallowed her words quietly. There was no need to add anything as Anne knew the truth. It wasn't until the bath was over that Anne calmed down. Lariette returned to rest, then she was finally left alone.
"Oh, so this was here..."
She mumbled as she went through an old wooden chest full of drawers. Obviously, she couldn't find anything in it as she never recalled using it in the first place. After a long while of searching, Lariette groaned in frustration. Even having gone through all the drawers, she couldn't find any spare money. She stared at the bottom of the drawer; something was hanging in-between the deep gaps.
"Found it."
Lariette extended her arms and finally discovered what she had been searching for. It was a small notebook which revealed a luxurious cover as Lariette dusted it off. It was the first gift that she had received from her father. Her father had gone on a business trip and Lariette was so happy to receive a gift from him, even if it was something she hadn't asked for.
'Raon received a sword.'
Lariette smiled bitterly, reminiscent of her poor and pathetic childhood. However, she quickly put away her sad feelings and opened the notebook. The reason she looked for the book was not to remember her depressing childhood after all. She needed a memo book, so she chose the most beautiful one in her possession. Lariette lit a small lamp and sat at her desk. Then, with a fountain pen she began writing in her elegant handwriting.
< I was sentenced to a life limit of 3 months on April 3, 732 >
Firstly, she wrote the time and current situation. She thought of the name of the disease, but didn't want to mention it.
< Bucket List of Things To Do Before I Die >
Lariette tilted her head, thinking intently. What came to mind was Anne's face. Although it was misty in the bathroom, Anne's emotional red-hot eyes continued to prick at Lariette's guilt.
< 1. Gift Anne a cake >
Lariette felt sorry that she was going to leave Anne, so she wanted to repay her favor. It was exciting to imagine Anne jumping up and down at having cake.
< 2. Independence (Let's Save Money!) >
< 3. Engagement to Marquis Segre >
These two items were things she thought of during the family dinner. Lariette no longer wanted to expect anything from the Duke and Duchess, nor stay with them anymore.
'The shell of a lady is now broken. Before my death, I want to be Lariette first - not a Blanche. I don't want to continue with the engagement of selling myself.'
But, the main problem would be the aftermath of her struggles. It was clear that her parents would be angry and Marquis Segre would never stand still. Lariette no longer wanted to sacrifice herself, but she also didn't want to destroy her family and cause their ruin. Therefore, she timidly wrote an explanation next to item 3.
< 3. Engagement to Marquis Segre Kept ( due to good manners ) >
This was the last consideration Lariette would show to her parents. Although it may be deemed insufficient for the costs of raising her, she had fulfilled her responsibilities as a noble daughter so far and worked beyond all the interests they showed. Thus, there was no guilt.
< 4. Dating a Handsome Person >
Lariette underlined the most important part, 'handsome'. It was a fact that no one knew, but Lariette loved pretty faces. If she was asked to choose between a rich man and a handsome man, she would pick the latter. She was also quite picky. Lariette had never met a man who looked handsome in her eyes. So, she had a small desire to go out with a gorgeous man before she died. However, there were conditions.
'I'm a person who's going to die in three months, so I can't get too serious about it... I'm going to meet someone with lots of experience and be casual in these coming months.'
Lariette was conscious of the fact that she had a clock that was running out of time. So, unlike her usual preference of serious relationships with a stable man; she wanted to find a guy who was really good at dating (womanizer). Fortunately her illness, Lokadura, had no significant symptoms until her death.
'My heart beats fast, but my body doesn't hurt nor does my behavior change.' However, when the time came her mana airflow would burst and cause her death. Lariette bit her lips, terribly imagining how her body would explode. In any case, it was a perfect condition to enjoy life comfortably until death.
Also, the doctor explained that her health was quite good. Hopefully, she could live up to 4 months maybe even longer? Lariette struggled as she thought about it. Holding the pen, she reached a conclusion.
< 5. Travel >
A native in the capital, yet she had never traveled. It was not easy because of her status and identity.
'Of course, Raon went several times.'
The only difference between him and herself was their gender. It was a very different life. She remembered Raon asking her parents to buy a countryside villa because of how heavenly his trip to the West had been. Though she doubted that's where he had been since their business trips always ended up in ruin. It wasn't reliable to hear Raon's opinions, but she had wondered how good the West truly was. She added a small caption next to the item.
< 5. Travel - What the H*ll is in the West? >
It was so small, that you couldn't read it without focusing.
Lariette, who was in a hurry, read the contents of the notebook for a while before closing it. For now, these agendas were all that came to mind.
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