In the novel, the male lead was the one who killed Dianna because of what she did. So as long as I don't do the same things she did I will not die in his hands.
And yet, strangely enough, on the first month while I was recuperating I had vivid prophetic dreams of what happened in the novel at the time of Dianna's death.
I sat down and relaxed myself.
"There is no need to apologize about what happened that day when we first met"
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't that the main reason as to why you called for me. Knowing father, he would have stormed in your room even if it was at midnight to ask you about what happened"
I did twist my words a bit when I answer father back then but I didn't thought that it would have this kind of effect.
"Instead of an apology, I want your cooperation"
"In what?"
"At my father's birthday there will be an uproar and I want you to go with the flow with brother Nicholas. You do that and I will say to father that you were very apologetic for your mistakes"
"Will it bring trouble?"
"For you? No. For the empress? Yes"
"I don't know what will happen but I will trust what you said today. If it is a lie then you know what will happen, correct?"
"I do. Now that we are done here"
"Wait"
"Yes?"
"Both your demeanor and words are that of a confident noblewoman, but your eyes are hinting me as if you are afraid of me. I wonder why"
'Its because whenever I look at you, there is an aching pain around my neck.'
Knowing Dianna was decapitated in the novel, how can I not get scared when I haven't fully adjusted myself, mentally, in this world.
"That is just your imagination. Goodbye, prince Kainston"
"Be careful on your way. And next time, just call me 'Kai'"
"Surely you jest"
I left and closed the door before he could add another bunch of nonsense to our conversation.
...
Days pass by and it was the day before father's birthday.
"Brother Nicholas are your men ready?"
"Yes. They already know where to go before dawn tomorrow"
"The preparations for the banquet that will be held tomorrow is also going smoothly"
"That's good"
It is nice that they are cooperative despite the awkward atmosphere.
Knock. Knock.
"Young masters and milady, the duke wishes to see you three"
"We will be there"
I covered myself under the blankets before the two left my room to go to father's office.
Things are going just as planned.
The thing that is concerning me the most is the butterfly effect.
True, everything right now is in my advantage, but the more I change the story the more variables will come up.
I want to live as I want but knowing that there will be a war in the near future makes it look like just some ideal dream.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Milady, may we come in?"
"Sure"
Anna went in with a basin of water on her hands while Emmanuel entered with a tray of newly cooked porridge.
"What do you feel, milady?"
"Anna, lock the door"
Instead of answering Anna, I ordered her to do something else instead.
For the past week Emmanuel who was with me found it weird that I did not answered Anna's question and made her to lock the door.
Is it perhaps a habit of his to put his hand at the hilt of his sword whenever he is uneasy?
"Sir. Emmanuel, I have a favor to ask you"
"Anything, milady"
A dagger touch his throat.
The dagger that I pulled out beneath the pillow.
"I ask you that for you to keep quiet about what I am about to order you"
"If it means gaining just a bit of your trust, then I shall do it wholeheartedly"
I pulled back and gave him a map.
"On that map is one of the warehouses that brother Nicholas will invade tomorrow at dawn. There are slaves in that warehouse and I want you to rescue a ten-year old boy there and bring him here without anyone knowing"
"While I do not know why you are lying about your condition, may I know the reason as to why you want for me to rescue this child?"
I am more surprised that he didn't bother asking me about the dagger. Maybe he thought that it would be normal to take one for self-protection.
"I have my own personal reasons. Don't worry, I won't mistreat the kid or anything when he gets here"
"How are you so sure that the child is ten? Are there any children in the warehouse? If you already had an informant that infiltrated the place, would it not make more sense if they themselves brought the kid out?"
That's because I am the informant who is using the information I got from the novel.
"I'm sure because my information network is solid. And no, there is no other child in the warehouse except for the child I am asking to be rescued"
He knelt down and bowed his head.
"I shall do as you order"
Why do people kept bowing their heads?
I know that it is the cultural difference but I still can't get used to people bowing to me.
"I shall prepare the things that I will need"
"Sure"
Emmanuel then left the mansion at midnight.
...
The sun was starting to rise.
As it rise to the sky, the mansion was filled with noise from all direction.
Many were busy to make sure that the banquet would be perfect, befitting for a duke's birthday.
As they busily make sure that things are in their position I was continuing the book that I was reading for some time regarding the plants in this world.
"Milady, are you sure that you won't be coming down and celebrate with the duke?"
"No. I have a very sensitive sense of smell. I would only vomit from the stench of blood if I were to participate"
"Blood?"
"Yes. Blood"
A few hours later guests started to enter the mansion one by one and filled the banquet hall in no time.