With my glass in hand, I fixed him with a stern gaze, issuing a clear warning—
If you approach me, you die.
Having been my fiancé until just a few days prior, Callis seemed to recognize the threat behind my stare.
Desiring to be rid of his gaze, I turned my head and walked away.
It was ironic that our roles had reversed so swiftly—during our courtship it had always been me carefully gauging his reactions.
I looked at the grand clock adorning the wall.
There was really no point in remaining here, engaged in a staring contest with Callis.
It was also deeply disconcerting to find myself at a ball such as this and not dancing with him.
No, what I yearned for was solitude.
Just a few days ago, I believed I would soon be a marquise of House Hanneton.
Life can be unpredictable at times.
Had I married Callis and spent my days in his company, I would have undoubtedly led a blissful life.
Surely, there are futures one can foresee.
Yet now, all I felt was betrayal.
He had been sincere with me, but he had also been sincere with the story’s heroine.
Had I not stepped in to heal Callis’s arm before Lina had a chance, would he and I have continued to dislike each other, just as we did in the story?
Perhaps that would have been better.
Neither of us could have foreseen this outcome.
I had been trying so hard to escape the original storyline, but was it all in vain?
I had believed that Callis truly loved me.
Still, he was incapable of breaking away from the original plot and forgetting Lina.
As this realization slowly sank in, I began to fear that everything else might fall in line with the novel’s plot as well.
I really did not want to consider these things.
My survival, my life was on the line.
It was a fear that I had tried so hard to hide away and ignore, but now it was clinging to me like mud.
I lightly shook my head, a vain attempt at shaking off that dreadful feeling.
I recalled the sound of Callis’s plaintive voice, promising he would annul his marriage to Lina and begging that I would still marry him.
At the time, I was too upset to give it any consideration, but now, another question came to mind.
What would be the point, now, of proceeding with the marriage?
If Lina asked for him again, wouldn’t he go to her just as quickly?
And would he swear in the church that if he did it again, while married to me, then all rights and titles of the Marquisate of Hanneton would be transferred to me?
I wished I would have lashed out with such questions when we last spoke.
Seriously, I should have let him have it back then.
Why is it that such thoughts never arise in the heat of an argument?
Maybe I should just go and slap Callis right now, scream all this surfacing rage into his face.
Then the year-end ball at Castle Berk would be thrown into uproar, and within a few days the entire empire would be buzzing with rumors of the shameful fiasco.
As I entertained these absurd fantasies, I laughed to myself and I felt my mood lift slightly.
I finished my champagne in a single gulp and waved to a passing servant, handing him the empty glass.
“Shall I bring you another, my lady?”
“No, thank you.
That will be all.”
I walked away from the wall, making my way towards the stairs.
I desperately wished to leave on my own for just a little while.
With so many eyes on me, leaving the grand ballroom altogether would have been foolish.
The guests could only view such a move as fleeing on my part, unable to withstand the pressures inherent in high society.
Therefore, I concluded that my best refuge would be Castle Berk’s famed archduchess’s terrace.
Similar to how only members of the royal family were permitted access to the lounge at a royal banquet, this terrace was reserved for the Archduchess of Berk and those whom she invited.
It held symbolic significance because it was the highest terrace in the castle, and it was said to be exceptionally beautiful under the moonlight.
Since Rouche was unmarried, the archduchess’s terrace had been unused for several years.
It had remained inaccessible, but Lennon had insisted that it should be opened for this occasion.
Though I expressed my discomfort, Lennon persuaded me by pointing out that I had spent the entire day working at Rouche’s behest, so I should be allowed this harmless reward.
Lennon could be really convincing.
He was right.
I had worked so hard decorating the hall and making preparations for the banquet.
I even managed to tweak the schedule to fit in the High Priest’s visit the following day.
Besides, ever since hearing about it, I had naturally been curious to see this mysterious space which, without invitation, was off limits even to even the royal family.
When else would I have such an opportunity?
As I approached, a pristinely dressed servant deftly drew back a thick curtain of green velvet.
The blue emblem of House Berk was prominently embroidered on his vest, signifying that his duties granted him temporary permission to enter the terrace.
“Would you care for a cloak, my lady?” the servant inquired.
“It is quite chilly tonight.”
Before stepping onto the terrace, I glanced down the stairs behind me and noticed several nobles who had been watching me quickly avert their gazes.
Despite being surrounded by a large crowd, Rouche’s height alone made him stand out.
But his silver hair also shimmered in the light of the chandelier.
All he had to do was stand still in a ballroom full of people and he still drew attention.
Squinting for a better look, I saw that his expression, for such a formidable presence, was notably flat.
He really doesn’t give a second thought to the expressions he puts out there.
Such is the life of powerful figures.
I found myself smiling at the thought, only to lock eyes with Rouche.
I immediately straightened out my smile and gave a slight bow.
I could feel as the eyes of all the others followed Rouche’s gaze and landed inconspicuously on me.
I quickly turned away.
The servant was still patiently holding the curtain for me.
“Would you do me a favor?” I whispered as I passed by, and then made my request.
His eyes widened slightly before he nodded in acknowledgment.
“Of course, Lady Sterne.”
With the lightweight cloak the servant had given me draped over my shoulders, I ventured out onto the unfamiliar terrace.
The moonlight poured down like reflections caught in a mirror.
The white marble balustrade could have been a work of art.
A single elegant chair was placed slightly to one side, and a wool carpet lay across the ground.
Now I could see why Lennon had been so proud.
None of the rumors had been exaggerated.
I slowly took in the entire terrace.
The Archduchess’s Terrace was about half a floor higher than the next highest terrace attached to the grand ballroom.
Glancing down, I had a clear view of that terrace, and I noticed quite a few couples already enjoying clandestine meetings.
This really is a privileged vantage point.
After all, rumors are best confirmed with one’s own eyes.
For some reason, I got the impression that this terrace was not intended solely for leisure, but likely utilized for strategic social and political purposes.
Leaning against the marble balustrade, I looked up at the sky.
An uncommonly large full moon hung high overhead, surrounded by thousands of stars.
The view was enchanting, but as the servant had warned, it was quite chilly.
I had to huddle up beneath the cloak for warmth, though the solitude and fresh air were invigorating for my mind.
I closed my eyes to relax and take it all in.
How long had I been like this?
Just then I heard the sound of a small bell, followed by a door opening.
I opened my eyes and turned around to see someone I might have expected.
“How did you get in here?” I demanded.
“Seria…”
“Why didn’t the servant stop you from entering?
You did not have my permission.”
“I know… But I begged him in the name of the Saint.”
“What does that matter?
I did not invite you here.
Don’t you know that in Castle Berk, the traditions are so strict that, were a duke to intrude unwelcomed on this terrace, he would be forced to serve as the archduchess’s slave for a week?”
“What?
That’s…” Lina stared at me in shock.
“But Seria, I…” Her hands were trembling as she struggled to find her words.
Then she dropped her bombshell.
“I told Callis that we have to annul our marriage.”
I stood rigid, simply staring back at her.
“I see.”
“Seria…?”
Perhaps my reaction was too calm, for Lina was still at a loss for words.
She must have expected me to react with surprise and a flood of questions.
“Go ahead,” I told her.
“Do as you will.
Is that all you wanted to say?”
I was about to call for the servant, but Lina hurriedly got in my way.
“Seria!
The priestesses told me that seeking an annulment is as complicated as a Sterne wedding.
So, it can’t be done right away… But I will!
I promise!
I’ll… I’ll give back what I took from you…!”
Give back what she took?
Did I hear her correctly?
For a moment, I was rendered dumbstruck by this martyr-like attitude.
“Lina,” I replied coldly, “you seem to have misunderstood.
Whether you annul your marriage now or drop dead, I no longer have feelings for Callis.
If that’s all you have to say, then I think we’re done.
So please leave.”
“Seria!” Lina shouted.
I glared at her, annoyed.
The terrace at a banquet was intended for private meetings.
Adhering to common etiquette, those who came out to the terrace usually spoke in soft voices.
Yet, it was safe to assume that Lina’s cries just now had been louder than any voice ever uttered on the archduchess’s terrace.
I did not doubt that if I looked down at the other terrace again, I would see the eyes of all its occupants aimed up in curiosity and dismay.
“Lina, what do you want?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm and my creeping headache at bay.
“What do you mean?
I don’t want… I… I…”
Suddenly, I heard the tinkling sound of the bell again, from the direction of the door.
Lina choked back a sob as she cried out, “I just… I know I’m not the heroine, but I just… I feel like an unwanted third wheel stuck between the two of you!”
Heroine?
Third wheel?
“I just feel like an unwanted third wheel between the two of them.”
Those were the exact words I had said to Rouche before our first dance.
At that moment, Lina may have been standing close enough to have heard me.
A peculiar sensation overcame me as I stared at her in wonder.
Lina Yoo was supposed to be the main female character of this world.
Having read all about her, I knew her character quite well.
She generally had an even temperament, one befitting of a heroine.
However, she found it hard to endure hardships with levity or grace.
In the story, it was her wit which helped to fend off those who tormented her as a result of the attention she got from the secondary male characters.
I lifted my hand to my cheek.
It was still somewhat swollen.
This was evidence of my desperate efforts to protect the heroine.
Despite Seria’s uncontrollable rage, I had managed to scrape together just enough restraint to slap my own cheek instead of Lina’s.
In my time as Seria Sterne, I had never once tormented the heroine of the story.
I had not yet become a villainess.
But why was Lina repeating the words I had spoken?
And of all times, why now?
If anyone tries to come onto the terrace, please ring the bell.
That’s what I had asked the servant.
And if it was Lina or Callis who tried to enter, ring it loudly.
If somebody tried to come onto the terrace, then anyone with eyes and ears would know about it.
Imagine the audacity it must take to climb the stairs to the archduchess’s terrace uninvited.
I knew the only people capable of such disrespect were Lina and Callis.
Therefore, anyone who had been paying the slightest bit of attention would have come to the same conclusions.
Since Lina was already on the terrace with me and the bell had just rung again, it was not hard to deduce that Callis must be standing at the door.
So, just how much of our conversation had Callis heard?