She let out a smiley eye while patting our cat’s fur. 

“It’s been a long time since you visited me, Miss. What made you change your mind?” 

Her actions are getting weirder that even Frederick asked her aunt if she had eaten something weird. 

The Countess didn’t answer his question, rather she tried to snatch Mingming, but Frederick hid her inside his cape. 

Mingming’s action was also in question because instead of hiding, she jumped into her arms. 

She kissed our baby's nose. 

“Don’t worry Kiddos, I can’t hurt this being who saved my life.” 

Before I could raise my voice to protest, they already vanished as their image in my eyes faded. 

How did a mere kitten who almost buried in snow saved her life?

What’s in front of us was the server named Gretel. A sixteen-year-old red-headed gal with freckles on her cheeks.

She snapped her finger. And that’s how my brown sugar bubble tea appeared on our table. They presented it at 16 oz. Mason jar with bamboo straws. 

At first glance, it was identical to the ones I enjoyed in my actual world looking by the cute swirls because of the caramelized brown sugar. The frothy cream on top made my throat drier.

Using bamboo straws was my first, but I don’t hate it. It performed well if I considered how many boba pearls did I sucked on the first try? 

The game’s version of brown sugar boba tea was interesting. First, the black tea has its malty taste similar to a beer but without the kick of alcohol. If you pair it with the lightness of cream, it created a unique balance, as if I could enjoy the best of both worlds! 

How could I forget the chewy boba pearls? The resistance was right when you bite in it. 

“How fascinating, if I had known this was your kryptonite, I brought you in this place earlier.” 

Relaxation technique by boba tea never failed me, especially in these turbulent times when weird people tried to strip away your sanity.

However, this sedative lost its effect when the Duke’s aunt still didn’t appear even I’ve already finished my drink. 

I squeezed information from Gretel, who wiped the tables and mopped the floor. But she didn’t know as well.

“It was my first time to hear that the Countess is interested in animals.” 

The Duke seconded her statement.

I sobbed my head on the table as I imagined the impending doom. Going to the boutique, having a wonderful lunch, and went straight home—why didn’t it happen?

Was I in the wrong turn movie? 

I stood up when I heard her meow. My baby jumped into my arms, and with her glistening eyes, her message was to go home, so I nodded and paid for my drink when they refused to accept my payment.

Well, these complementary goods comforted me—the only great thing that happened today. 

I thanked the Countess then she put a stack of envelopes made from brown parchment paper tied on the rope.

Another news was since I got used to his horse’s presence, I rubbed her neck and ears which she enjoyed! 

Frederick approached us and did the same thing to his horse.  

“I told ya if you’ll let yourself free, even once, you could discover things beyond your imagination.”

Strands of my hair danced along with the breezy spring wind, making me look like Medusa afterward. He tucked those in my ears and hopped to the same position earlier.  

“Did you enjoy our small adventure?”

The proximity when he whispered those words in my ears sent weird vibrations throughout my body, so I don’t have a choice but nod my head even though we have a different interpretation for the word adventure.

As we moved away from the town, a fiery ring of light appeared. Frederick didn’t mind, and he ordered Rain to jump right into it.

“Your Grace, you don’t have to do this.”

“When I want something to work, I’ll make it work.” 

Fine! It was his life force and not mine. 

I jumped down off Rain and took Mingming. It was a smart move from Frederick to teleport me to the backyard rather than the gate. 

“Ming, say goodbye to the Duke!” 

I lifted one of her legs and swayed it from left to right. She let out a melodic purr for him. 

The Duke sent flying kisses in return before he went to the teleportation circle.

“How rude of you, my dear. You should have invited him over for dinner.” 

Those words made my foot screwed on the ground, my zipped lips perished in an instant.

“Don’t worry, my dear sister. My tightly sealed mouth resembled yours,” he said.

A single dose of explanation won’t change his already programmed brain. I’ll use my innocence card for now. 

I linked my arms in his and reminisced about how much I missed our playtime routine.

A gentle smile brushed off his face. He patted my head and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll play as long as you want before everything becomes too late.” 

I let out an enthusiastic yey as I bounced on the backdoor steps.

Oh, earning money was never easy.

***

Days had passed. My hectic schedule went like this: dress fittings with Miss Giselle, dance lessons by Duchess Le Merck, and pasting acrid-smelling cosmetic concoctions on my face. 

“Miss, it’s time to get some Vitamin D!” 

The sun pierced through my face when Nora opened the drapes, forcing me to wake up instantly. My hands searched for the rose gold pocket watch on my bedside table. 

How would I get Vitamin D from the sun if it’s already 3 in the afternoon? 

After the delicious brunch, maids holding pieces of jewelry, cosmetic products, and other nonsense things crammed into my room. 

“Please, a simple makeup would do. A youthful image suits a 16-year-old lady like me.” 

These maids need to know that their Lady is a mere side character of this world. 

At five in the afternoon, the Marchioness started the roll call, so we had to gather in the living room. 

“I did not expect the young Madame skills would highlight our daughter’s assets.”

A few minutes after, the carriage came, and we arrived half an hour before the time stated in the invitation.

Guards in Griffin masks searched for the invitations upon entering the castle.

When the servant led us to the ballroom, my intestines tied into knots... I wanted to ride on the carriage again, but I don’t have a choice but to put this veil to survive this war. All I had to do was smile and agree to what these people are telling. 

You can’t afford to fail this up, Beth.

Of course, my parents were with other officials, Adrian was with the Order of the Knights and Charlie had her circle, but he introduced me to her friends. 

My head rotated just like Earth's, searching for my friend's shadow.

“The Duke and Duchess of Le Merck have arrived!”

All of us turned around when the ballroom’s door opened. 

The baby pink off-shoulder ball gown tulle dress with bishop sleeves matched with waterfall braid gave justice to her beauty. 

A lustrous light scintillated on her. Was this the power of the main character?