As the hours passed, light from outside slowly began to illuminate the room. Beside the bed where Laya from her past life lay, there was a letter. Her eyes fluttered as she slowly woke up. The moment she saw the letter, Laya from her past life was utterly bewildered.
She clearly remembered how Alen had shyly removed his shirt last night while calling her Helena. Just thinking about it made her blush with embarrassment.
Laya from her past life suddenly shot up, but then immediately she felt a wave of sadness. Her thoughts began to wander. Don't tell me it was all because he was drunk.
But then the letter caught her eye. "Oh."
Laya from her past life reached out to pick it up, her eyes widening in surprise. "This is—"
Inside were a few words from Alen. I had to leave early on urgent business. If I behaved improperly in any way last night, please accept my apology, my lady.
Just then, Helena's face lit up with pure happiness as she read on. If you wouldn't mind, please have dinner with me tomorrow night.
For a moment, she allowed herself to dream of a future with Alen, and Laya from her past life made her way to the dining room.
Danton carefully poured her a cup of tea before reporting, "My lady, the master asked me to deliver a message to you."
Laya from her past life looked up in confusion. "What did he say?"
Danton smiled and placed a hand on his chest, reporting sincerely, "After completing his business, he will be sending Miss Rosalyn back to Parido County."
Laya from her past life looked up bewildered and exclaimed, "Oh, so Rosalyn will—"
Understanding her concern, he quickly interjected, "The master instructed me to tell you that he will continue to have the duke's knights protect Rosalyn, so you need not worry, my lady. And the master also wished to extend his apologies to you."
Laya from her past life asked, completely baffled, "What? Alen did?"
Danton explained on his behalf, "It seems his cold behavior in the past and having Rosalyn stay in the mansion has caused you much sadness and worry, my lady."
It felt as if a ray of light had finally pierced the gloom in Laya's past life heart. He blushed and bowed his head, expressing, "I am truly glad that things between you two have been resolved. I thought the master would never marry, but now that he has such a kind lady—"
This made Laya from her past life feel deeply moved. Alen truly was an affectionate man.
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Danton quickly cried out, "My lady."
"Ah." Laya from her past life hastily wiped her tears in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sorry for crying so suddenly."
Danton also quickly made his exit. "I'll take my leave now."
Then the dining room door closed hastily behind him.
For the first time, Helena felt such an overwhelming emotion fill her heart. Not since she lived with her family during childhood. It was a feeling of happiness, the last she would ever feel in her past life. Because immediately after, the shadow of misfortune drew near.
Someone approached from behind, calling out, "Hello, Helena. It seems you've forgotten all about your Lariston family, haven't you? How utterly sad that sounds."
Laya from her past life then saw Glock, and trembled in fear. "Why are you here?"
He walked towards her step by step, warning, "If you don't want to die, don't you dare scream for help. What's with that look? I treated you so well. I even opposed Count Lariston when he forced you to marry."
Laya in her past life was bewildered, stammering, "Why are you—"
At that moment, Glock continued to question Helena. "Do you want to know how I got here and why? That woman Alen trusted, she's willing to do everything I ask."
Hearing that, she felt terrified. "Did Rosalyn bring you here?"
Glock tilted his head, smiling mockingly. "Oh, why are you making a face like that? You know it, too. Rosalyn can't escape from my grasp. We're in the same boat, so you understand, don't you? Both you and Rosalyn are so foolish. You all think that just by clinging to the Duke, you can gain power. Every time I open my mouth, you all lower your heads and tremble like little animals."
Laya in her past life suddenly growled, "Stop it."
That made Glock furious, warning Helena, "Don't you dare order me around. Do you want everyone to know about your origins? The Duke tried to eliminate the count's family. Do you want people to know you're a commoner and have been pretending to be Helena all this time? I wonder if his grace the Duke knows that truth yet."
Laya in her past life hesitated. Helena was forced to submit to Glock's threats.
At that moment, he smiled defiantly. "I heard you used your body to seduce the Duke, right? But I bet no one thinks you're actually an impostor, Helena."
Just as Glock said, in her past life Alen had opened his heart to Helena too late, which meant Helena still couldn't confess her true circumstances.
Glock aggressively suggested, "Helena, leave this mansion at once. If you come with me, I won't tell him a thing."
She exclaimed in confusion, "What?"
Glock knew Helena's weakness and was exploiting it. Seeing her reaction, Glock was extremely pleased, adding, "It would be better for you to disappear without a trace than to be exposed as a fraud. Make your choice. The honor of the ducal house of Thodell depends on you, Helena."