My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 23
After a prolonged silence, Kalen finally spoke.
“It appears you have no intention of conversing with me, at least not now. No matter what I say, you won’t listen.”
“You’re only realizing that now?”
“Even if I offered you goodwill, you wouldn’t accept it.”
“…What are you scheming?”
Only then did Kalen fully comprehend the truth.
No matter what he said or offered, I would never accept it. Instead, I would grow suspicious and defensive.
“I have come here.”
Kalen paused to take a breath, then exhaled slowly.
Becoming cold and rational was remarkably easy.
“To propose a transaction.”
“A transaction?”
I perked up, listening intently. Only now did I find the conversation worthwhile.
“Go on.”
Transactions, contracts—I only engaged with him over such matters.
Kalen cleared his throat and continued.
“Please continue to care for Lucy Adis’s health.”
“What? Don’t tell me you still don’t believe she’s fully recovered?”
“That’s not it. Lucy is…”
Kalen sighed softly before continuing.
“Lucy is not a particularly healthy child. Her build is small for her age, and her constitution is frail.”
“Well… I suppose that’s true.”
“She was born to a maid. My brother, our mother, and especially Isabel—they don’t treat her with much kindness. Rather, they’re often harsh with her. As a result, she’s always withdrawn.”
Now I understood what Kalen was proposing.
Lucy Adis was seven years old. A girl in her growth years subjected to stress would naturally suffer damage to her growth plates.
“Create a tonic that can strengthen both body and spirit. And since she’s the type to endure pain without complaint, please conduct frequent health checks on her.”
“What’s the payment?”
“Whatever you desire.”
“Two thousand gold per month.”
It was excessive for the work involved, but modest as a noblewoman’s monthly allowance, so I deliberately quoted high. He’d negotiate down anyway.
Yet.
“Very well.”
“…What?”
“Two thousand gold per month. And?”
What was this man saying?
“Two thousand silver, not two thousand gold. Two thousand gold, do you understand? Per month?”
“Two thousand silver or two thousand gold makes no difference to me. If you prefer two thousand silver, I shall provide that instead.”
“…”
Ah. Right. My counterpart was Kalen Adis, after all.
“Is there anything else?”
“…Assign me a dedicated maid. Someone with genuine skill and character.”
“Understood. And?”
“….”
“What else do you desire?”
“You’ll really grant everything I ask? Why on earth?”
“For Lucy Adis’s sake.”
So he was saying he’d grant me anything if I looked after Lucy Adis?
‘So Kalen cherishes Lucy Adis that much.’
I folded my arms and fell into contemplation.
Why did Kalen treasure Lucy Adis so dearly? When he’d made my childhood utterly miserable?
‘If he’d shown me even half the kindness he lavishes on Lucy Adis.’
Perhaps then I would have had at least some pleasant memories in this mansion.
Bitterness twisted through me unbidden. I clenched my fists, suppressing the urge to glare at Kalen.
“An escort.”
“Pardon?”
“Escort me to the Second Princess’s birthday gala.”
Entering on Kalen’s arm would grant me considerable advantage in her eyes.
But for Kalen, it would be utter humiliation. To escort someone he despised so thoroughly he’d locked me away in the Basement.
So this was both for my benefit and my revenge against him.
I’d expected him to refuse. But instead.
“Very well.”
After saying so, he hastily declared as if worried I might change my mind.
“Let us draw up a contract immediately.”
“…Truly?”
“Let us write it at once.”
“….”
It was suspicious, but it worked in my favor.
I drafted the contract on paper and signed it. When I handed it to Kalen, he signed as if he’d been waiting.
“Now the agreement is binding. I shall send the maid by tomorrow.”
* * *
“I am Lea Marwin, and I shall have the honor of serving the Duchess going forward.”
The next day, the maid arrived.
“Please give me your orders whenever you wish, madam.”
I took to her immediately. She hadn’t so much as flinched upon seeing my black hair.
‘I should test her skills properly.’
I sat before the vanity and gave my command.
“Trim my bangs.”
When the shaggy bangs fell away, cut cleanly at my brow line, Lea and I both gasped in surprise.
“Lea, you’re quite skilled with scissors. It’s natural and beautiful.”
Lea Marwin couldn’t respond immediately. She stood there with her mouth slightly agape, staring blankly before realizing her rudeness and quickly bowed at the waist.
“My apologies. You are simply too beautiful….”
Kanna Adis laughed brightly and handed over a piece of paper. It was a list of ingredients for beauty maintenance—hair care, skincare, and the like.
“Purchase what’s written here. And find a decent dressmaker as well.”
The banquet was still two weeks away.
‘I must manage myself diligently until then.’
* * *
“What?”
Orsini Adis clutched his belly and burst into laughter.
“Kalen, have you lost your mind? Why would you endure such an insult!”
Today was the Second Princess’s birthday banquet.
Orsini, who had finished preparing first, waited in the Lobby for Isabel and Kalen. In most cases, the three of them entered together at such events.
But upon hearing Kalen’s words, Orsini could not contain his laughter.
“What are you doing? Did Kanna Adis have some leverage over you, that filth?”
“That is not the case.”
“Then why on earth are you escorting that pile of garbage? All it will do is tarnish your reputation!”
Goosebumps rose on Orsini’s shoulders.
Merely imagining entering alongside that hideous filth made him nauseous, yet for Kalen it was reality.
“Brother! Have you been waiting?”
Isabel approached and, gauging Kalen’s expression, quickly linked her arm through Orsini’s.
“Orsini brother, how do I look today? Am I pretty?”
“Isabel, did you hear? Kalen says he’s going to escort Kanna Adis?”
The moment Isabel heard this, her complexion turned deathly pale.
She stared at Kalen with an expression of disbelief, yet could say nothing. She merely hid her clenched fists within the folds of her dress.
But ultimately, she could not endure it and blurted out a single phrase.
“…I do not wish to enter with Kanna sister.”
“Neither do I. Kalen, if you insist on this, we shall go separately.”
With Orsini joining in, Isabel’s face brightened considerably.
Yet Kalen had never cared what they said from the start.
“Do as you wish. I shall accompany Kanna sister.”
Thus Isabel and Orsini departed first, and Kalen settled onto the sofa to wait at leisure.
During that time, he thought of Kanna Adis.
The number of parties Kanna Adis had attended thus far could not have exceeded five.
Father’s command to remain inconspicuous was one thing, but she had never been fond of mingling among crowds from the beginning.
‘It is only natural. The negative perception surrounding black is so strong.’
Kalen exhaled a sigh.
It had already been two weeks since Kanna Adis had secluded herself.
For the past two weeks, I had not caught a single glimpse of her face.
She had never once crossed paths with me, yet she visited Lucy Adis for her medical appointments without fail—timing them perfectly to coincide with my training hours or my administrative duties.
‘Could it be that she is avoiding me?’
So I have no idea whether the banquet preparations are proceeding properly.
I noticed that Maid Lea Marwin seemed busy preparing various things, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask about any of it.
If Kanna discovered that I was investigating behind her back, she would grow even colder. And she’s already sufficiently frigid as it is….
That glacial Kanna.
That icy sister.
‘What does any of that matter?’
Recently, my mind had become terribly turbulent. And I couldn’t comprehend why.
Was it guilt over my childhood misdeeds? Was it because of Kanna, who wouldn’t even listen to an apology?
If it were merely that, there would be no reason for me to feel this unsettled.
I knew perfectly well that I was neither particularly affectionate nor virtuous. In fact, society regarded me as cold-hearted, bearing a striking resemblance to Alexandro Adis.
Besides, I had never harbored any interest in Kanna to begin with.
So why now…?
My gaze grew increasingly barren and rigid. The more I dwelled on it, the more displeased I became.
‘Why am I wasting time on such trivial thoughts?’
Questioning myself, entertaining thoughts beyond my control.
I despised such things.
Once I finished this escort duty, I resolved to give her not even a shred of attention.
“Kalen.”
I jerked my head up from where it had been resting on my hand. And I froze.
“Have you been waiting long?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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