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Published at 17th of May 2023 08:57:51 AM


Chapter 23.1

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23. Whether the extras die or not (1)

A blonde woman was climbing up the stairs at the end of the hallway.

Briggs was a well-informed aristocrat.

That’s why he knew the name of the woman in front of him.

Was her name Kelly——the third daughter of the Eurecia family?

The woman, who was holding a large box, glanced at Briggs and nodded a greeting.

As soon as she was about to pass, Briggs blocked her.

Puzzled, Kelly went slightly off balance and it was fortunate that she caught herself.

She stepped to the right and Briggs moved in front of her.

“Go ahead.”

Kelly stood there, glued at the corner of the corridor.

The two faced each other again and danced the same awkward steps.

“Do you have something to tell me?” She gave him a disapproving look.

From her narrowed brows, it appeared like Briggs didn’t leave a good impression on her.

“I think I know where you’re going, miss. If you’re going to see Joshua, you’d better not go.”

“How come?”

“I just went in but he kicked me out.”

“Ah.”

Kelly lowered her head and her curly blonde hair flowed down her neckline.

He noticed a dark bruise on her pale shoulder between her hair strands.

Briggs examined it carefully before he spoke, “The box you’re holding Should I deliver it to him for you?”

She thought about it for a long time.

When she raised her head and handed the box to him, her ivory-colored fedora seemed to match well with her golden hair.

“Yes, please.” Her blue eyes sparkled like the summer sea and her beautiful face turned into an apple when she smiled at him.

Her melodious tone sounded like the lute he heard a few days ago when she added. “Thank you.”

Upon receiving the box, Briggs stared at Kelly’s back as soon as she descended the stairs.

When he untied the box’s ribbons to look at what was inside, cookies in various shapes were arranged neatly at the bottom.

“That lucky bastard~”

Why was he hogging all these beauties?

It had always been like this ever since Joshua was a kid.

Not only was he collecting those who flirt with him, but also women who look at him from afar, delivering these never-ending gifts.

Most of the girls in the Empire had lined up for his attention.

“Why would you like such an evil man, miss Kelly?”

In his ire, Briggs threw the ribbon to the ground, tore the cookie from its wrap and put it in his mouth.

He had no intention of giving this to Joshua at all.

If he did, he would just give it all to Ariad anyway.

Even if Miss Kelly expressed her feelings for Joshua, she wouldn’t have any chance to insert herself between the crown prince and his wife.

“Better not to be caught than to be.”

Briggs walked down the stairs with a big box in his hands as he munched on Kelly’s cookies.

Unfortunately, Kelly’s sincerity wouldn’t be conveyed today.

* * *

At the end of autumn, the festival was always crowded with preparations because the Empress’ birthday and the thanksgiving festival for the yearly harvest overlapped with each other.

It was early in the morning of Empress Bianca’s birthday when Sohee shook her head as she avoided the woman’s chilly gaze.

“Ariad, you’re still suffering from injuries. Because of that, it’s uncomfortable for me to ask for your help in preparing for the festival.”

Why did the Empress make it sound like it was her fault?

So-hee stabbed her food with a fork and put it in her mouth.

Sitting next to her was Joshua who kept placing more food that was out of her reach on her plate.

Even at a meal with the Emperor and Empress, Joshua sat her on his lap and tried to feed her himself.

Surprised, Sohee tried to refuse.

However, Joshua’s kind consideration made the people around them feel guilty for no reason.

“I’m not feeling well, so I’ll get up first. I hope all of you have a good time.”

The Emperor’s wrinkled face was red as he left the dining room with the help of the maids.

After watching the Emperor’s retreating figure, she gave Kelly a glance as she sat across from her.

The uninvited guest sat upright in a seat that should have been exclusive for the McKinley’s.

The heroine, who had gained the Empress’ full support, was a huge obstacle for So-hee, who had taken Ariad’s place.

She had no idea that Kelly’s character arc would chain her ankle like this.

Sohee sighed as she continued to stare at Kelly in a daze.

When the original heroine raised her head, both of their eyes met.

Suddenly, the atmosphere turned awkward.

It was her first eye contact with Kelly after that incident at Joshua’s office.

Since Sohee hadn’t covered their tracks properly, Kelly’s eyes were full of resentment as she stared at her.

She must have assumed that Joshua hated her due to the failed execution of Ariad’s plan.

So-hee felt bad as well.

Nevertheless, Sohee tried to make her gaze look apologetic as she faced her.

“I have prepared a business proposal.” When Bianca spoke, Sohee shifted her attention to the Empress. “I’m planning to establish the first academy for women in Franklin Empire and I want to open this school in early December. However, I need someone to manage the details for me and prepare for its opening ceremony.”

So-hee was aware of this, too.

She made Bianca McKinley this cool character who ran businesses to promote women’s rights since, in this setting, females were relatively powerless in every way.

The Empress was a fine leader of all ages.

To Ariad, she was just a feisty mother-in-law.

“So Kelly, I want you to represent me.”

“What? Me?”

Kelly’s eyes went round and large as So-hee’s.

No.

That special role was for the crown princess in her web novel plot.

Of course, Ariad was already dead and Kelly was already the crown princess in that set-up.

“Yes, I think you’ll do well, Miss Kelly. I know that you have what it takes.”

At this point, So-hee was confused.

Was she supposed to be the crown princess since she’s still alive or was it, Kelly?




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