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Fortunately, the misunderstanding was quickly cleared up.

Wendy’s statement about marrying me was more like a child’s whimsical declaration, akin to a young daughter wanting to monopolize her father’s attention. It wasn’t something to be taken seriously.

In fact, there was no real misunderstanding to begin with.

Of course, when Wendy said that in front of Se-hee, even I was momentarily taken aback… No, more like startled. But thinking of it as Wendy’s rare display of affection, I could laugh it off.

In the future, it might become a fond memory for me, but for Wendy, it could turn into a dark history she’d rather forget.

I don’t know how long Wendy will stay by my side.

Right now, she likes me enough to say she wants to marry me and follows me around, but that’s only because she’s still young.

Like any child, she’ll eventually hit a rebellious phase and want to break free from me to become independent.

When that time comes, I’ll surely feel a pang of regret, but I’ll have to let her go when the time is right.

Wendy is as precious to me as family.

However, there’s one thing I wish for—I hope I don’t have to witness Wendy’s teenage years. I don’t know about other kids, but I really hope Wendy skips the rebellious phase altogether.

Wishing for Wendy to remain as pure and untainted as she is now might be selfish of me, but…

Anyway, I introduced Wendy to Se-hee.

Since explaining that she was a former colleague would be too complicated, I just said she was an acquaintance, as I had mentioned before. Similarly, I also introduced myself.

“Jeong Ji-hwan…”

“I’m Tristan, but here I go by Jeong Ji-hwan.”

“That’s your name…”

Wendy seemed fascinated, repeating my name several times as if savoring it. Well, Korean names are quite unfamiliar to her.

I took the time to explain to Wendy about reality… or rather, the world I used to live in.

Explaining everything about games, my younger sibling, and more would take not just a day but probably a week, and even that might not be enough.

So, I ended up introducing it as a foreign country quite different from the Empire.

I realized how challenging it is to explain modern Korea to someone from a fantasy world where magic exists.

“So, there are carriages made of metal that move on roads, and underground, there are electric trains that transport many people.”

“Ca-carriages? How do they move without horses?”

“Well, they use the power of engines… Umm…”

Feeling the limits of my explanation, I eventually stood up.

“This isn’t working. Se-hee, can we step out for a bit?”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

Showing her directly would be a hundred times better than trying to explain everything in detail.

Se-hee didn’t object to my suggestion. Instead, she stared at me and Wendy for a moment before adding a comment.

“Hmm… But before that, there’s a place we should probably visit first.”

“?”

As expected, Wendy clung to me tightly, frightened by the fast-moving cars.

Se-hee’s officetel is right in the heart of Seoul, in Myeongdong, so we were immediately faced with bustling streets and towering buildings.

The bright lights and honking sounds were overwhelming for Wendy.

Seeing her holding my hand tightly, I was reminded of the time I held her hand on the library stairs.

Even though she’s grown taller, she’s still the same scared little girl.

After walking for a while, we arrived at a shabby clothing store, not the crowded Myeongdong streets but a quieter area nearby.

“Ji-hwan, you weren’t planning to walk around in those clothes, were you?”

“Ah…”

I hadn’t realized the problem. I was dressed in what looked like medieval noble attire, and Wendy was in her exclusive maid outfit.

No wonder everyone was staring at us. We probably looked like we were in cosplay.

Thankfully, it was past dinner time, so there weren’t many people around.

Seeing my expression, Se-hee opened the store door and walked in.

“Ah, sorry. We’re closing… Huh? Se-hee?”

The woman tidying up the store, presumably the owner, recognized Se-hee.

“Yes, I’m here. What? You’re closing already? It’s only 8.”

“Well, we have to close. It’s 8 already.”

“Eh… Didn’t you used to stay open until 9?”

“That was a long time ago. With fewer foreign customers these days, we often close earlier.”

“Come on, unnie. We just need a few outfits. Can’t you wait a bit? Loyal customer privilege.”

It was a store Se-hee frequented, but the owner firmly refused.

“Sorry, even if you’re a loyal customer, some things just can’t be done.”

“Really? I came all the way here to see you.”

“Sorry, but come back tomorrow. I’ve already packed up to go home…”

The owner froze when she made eye contact with me.

Well, since we made eye contact, I should at least greet her.

“…Hello?”

“Hey! Park Se-hee! Come here for a sec.”

“Unnie??”

The owner dragged Se-hee to a corner of the store, whispering something.

“Bringing an S-tier guy like that out of nowhere, what are you thinking?”

“He’s just a former colleague. He quit recently.”

“My god… He’s still as handsome as ever. So, what’s the deal? Are you two dating?”

“Ugh, unnie. I told you, he’s just a former colleague.”

The store was small, so I could hear everything.

The owner kept gushing over me while Se-hee tried to calm her down.

The owner coughed awkwardly and stood in front of me.

“Ahem! Sorry about that. You’re Se-hee’s former colleague, right? I’m Choi Seo-won, the owner of this store. I’m also Se-hee’s high school senior.”

“Yes, I’m Jeong Ji-hwan, Se-hee’s former colleague.”

“Wow, Se-hee really brought a handsome guy. I was just surprised.”

“Haha…”

Hearing such compliments face-to-face was quite embarrassing.

As Tristan, I was used to the more reserved noble society, but as Jeong Ji-hwan, this kind of situation was new to me.

“Oh? And who’s this pretty little girl? Is she your daughter?”

“No! I’m going to marry oppa!”

“Haha… She’s my cousin. My cousin.”

Phew. Thankfully, I caught that in time.

“My, what’s your name?”

“Wendy…”

“Is she a foreigner? But her Korean is so good.”

“Well, she’s been living in Korea for a while.”

“That explains it.”

Se-hee chuckled as I made excuses. Not helpful.

“Hmm… But your clothes are quite unique.”

“Well, that’s…”

“That’s why I brought them here, unnie.”

“Huh?”

Se-hee finally explained why we were there.

“His fashion sense is hopeless. Can you help pick out some clothes for them?”

Thanks to the two women’s efforts, I finally got some modern clothes.

“Wow, unnie, you have a good eye. He looks much better now.”

“Right?”

According to the two women, I was now dressed in a “boyfriend look” suitable for a date… but since I’m not a woman, I don’t really get it.

To me, it was just a burgundy knit sweater with a black coat. It had a casual yet polished feel, which I liked. At least now I wouldn’t stand out during the day.

“Thank you. Now I won’t stand out, right?”

“Pfft… Do you really think you won’t stand out, Ji-hwan?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

Se-hee chuckled and patted my shoulder.

Is there something wrong with how I look?

But they both picked out the clothes so carefully…

I guess I’ve never really dressed properly before.

“Oppa…”

I turned to see Wendy looking up at me.

She was wearing a burgundy and black checkered dress that Seo-won had picked out.

It suited Wendy’s age, looking both cute and appropriate for an autumn outing.

With both of us dressed casually, we blended in better.

“Does it suit me?”

“Yes.”

“Really? It doesn’t look weird?”

“No, not at all.”

“That’s a relief…”

Wendy twirled around, showing off her dress.

She seemed so happy.

“Wow, it really suits you. It matches your oppa’s outfit perfectly.”

“Ah, really? Oppa, our clothes are the same color. Hehe…”

“My, my.”

Seeing Wendy’s shy smile, Seo-won whispered in my ear.

“Wow… She’s like an angel without wings. How can she be so sweet and pure?”

“Haha…”

“Honestly, she’s the most adorable kid I’ve ever seen. How old is she?”

“She’s 12.”

“Eh?! Only 12? I thought she was in middle or high school.”

Wendy does look older for her age, but she’s still just a kid.

“I’m not a kid…”

Look at her.

Somehow, Wendy read my expression and pouted.

See? She’s still a kid.

I reached out to pat her head, but Wendy tried to dodge, not wanting to be treated like a child.

“You don’t like being patted?”

“?!”

I pretended to lower my hand, and Wendy hesitated.

“Too bad. I wanted to pat your head.”

“Ugh…”

After an internal struggle, Wendy finally leaned her head toward me, as if asking me to pat her.

See? She’s still a kid.

“Oppa, you’re so mean…”

“Sorry.”

I patted Wendy’s soft hair, holding back a smile.

Anyway, after picking out clothes, we thanked Seo-won and left.

Seo-won suggested we could be fitting models for her store, but I politely declined.

I don’t have the time for that right now.

Maybe after everything is settled…

But Seo-won didn’t charge us for the clothes.

“They’re just leftovers, so it’s fine.”

“But even if they’re leftovers…”

I had planned to have Se-hee handle the payment and later sell some jewels to cover the cost, but Seo-won firmly refused.

“It’s fine. Just come back and buy more clothes later. Or better yet, be my models.”

“Unnie, you’re so transparent.”

“Shush, just take care of your boyfriend. Don’t let him get snatched away.”

“Ugh, he’s not my boyfriend…”

“Half-joking.”

We left the store in high spirits, thanking Seo-won, and headed out to fulfill one of the purposes of our outing.

“Wow… So this is where the Count lived…”

“Ahem.”

“Ah! I mean, where oppa lived…”

We walked through Myeongdong and around Seoul.

At first, Wendy was scared and unfamiliar with everything, but she gradually adapted and started to take in the surroundings.

“It’s amazing… There are so many castles…”

“Those aren’t castles; they’re buildings.”

“Wow… They’re so tall, I can’t even see the top…”

Wendy kept exclaiming in wonder.

Well, it’s no surprise.

The worlds are completely different.

Coming from a fantasy world to a modern one, Wendy must be in shock.

Especially the towering buildings and bright lights that symbolize the city.

“Are they all made with magic? There must be so many great magicians here.”

“No, people here can’t use magic.”

“Huh? Then how did they make such huge things?”

“Well… They just worked together to build them.”

“That must have been hard…”

It’s not as many people as Wendy might think, but it’s true that many worked hard to build them.

“I didn’t know so many people lived in those big houses…”

“No, Wendy, people don’t live there.”

“But the lights are all on…”

“Ah… That’s because people are still working…”

“Huh?”

Se-hee, who was explaining to Wendy, couldn’t continue.

She herself had suffered from overwork and late nights.

“Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I walked around with Ji-hwan like this.”

“Yeah.”

“Not everything is resolved yet, but you’re really back. Truly.”

“…Yes.”

I had seen through the snow globe how much Se-hee had searched for me.

That’s why I felt immensely grateful to her.

Of course, as Se-hee said, not everything was resolved.

But at least for today, I wanted to enjoy this moment.

I wanted to feel this everyday life, even if just for a while.

Breathing in the cool night air, I walked through the world I used to live in.

I thought about how, someday, I wanted to walk through this world with all the people I love.

“……”

That’s why I didn’t notice the expression on Se-hee’s face, as if she had something to say.

“Achoo!”

“Are you catching a cold?”

“Ugh… It’s just that I feel like the Count is talking about us somewhere.”

Helga said, blowing her nose with a handkerchief.

“…That’s creepy. You can feel that?”

“Of course. I can sense what the Count is doing and thinking, even from afar.”

“…That’s terrifying.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Bella took a sip of tea and crossed her legs.

She picked up a warm scone with a fork and took a bite.

The sweetness spreading on her tongue made her feel a bit better.

While Tristan was away on a business trip, Bella visited the Ruelberta Mansion to have tea time with Helga.

Of course, Bella wasn’t exactly thrilled about it.

Sitting at the same table with Helga, who could be considered her rival, was something she’d rather avoid.

But she had to face reality.

Tristan had chosen both of them, not just one.

In the end, both would become the mistresses of the Ruelberta family.

Realizing that they were now on equal footing, Bella understood that she couldn’t keep fighting with Helga forever.

‘Fighting will only tire us out…’

Bickering between mistresses would only tarnish their reputations.

Not just their own, but Tristan’s as well.

So, Bella decided to try to get closer to Helga, even inviting her for tea…

“You’ve been drinking tea for a while now. Have some scones, Helga.”

“Sorry, I’m full.”

“…Really? Did you overeat?”

“No, my stomach is just filled with the fruits of my love with the Count.”

Clang!

Bella dropped her teacup.

“W-what did you just say…”

“Hehehe…”

Helga covered her mouth, giggling.

“You must be really shocked, huh? Of course, I’m just joking. You’re so easy to tease, Princess.”

“…Just stop talking.”

Bella tried to stay calm, suppressing her anger.

How was she supposed to live with a woman like this?

She sighed deeply, thinking to herself.

‘One is already enough. Who else could possibly interfere now?’

 

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