My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone - Chapter 87

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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 87
* * *
‘So Kalen was the type to become utterly fixated once something caught his interest.’
I had just discovered this new truth about him.
Because the thing he had become fixated on was me.
‘I feel like a child being fussed over.’
All of his attention seemed focused on “cheering Kanna up, keeping her entertained.”
On top of that, he had even assigned me a personal guard knight.
“It is my honor to make your acquaintance, Duchess. I am Claude Azel.”
He was a cheerful young man with rich golden hair.
“Kalen, I don’t need a guard.”
“What if something happens to you while I’m away from the estate?”
Kalen was resolute.
“You may summon me only when you feel you require protection. Otherwise, you need not concern yourself with my presence.”
….
That was actually quite reasonable. I finally relented.
“I look forward to working with you, Sir Claude.”
“The honor is mine, Duchess of Valentino.”
He smiled so brightly that he looked boyish. I studied him intently.
‘He reminds me a little of Seon-hong.’
Not his features, but his eyes.
Those clear yet sharp eyes resembled my younger brother’s.
Beyond this, Kalen poured out countless other things. The shopping spree at Andwa Boutique was merely the beginning.
Kalen swept up jewelry, accessories, and all manner of luxuries. Thanks to him, my once-empty dressing room began to overflow with no space to spare.
“Are you displeased?”
“Hm? No, I’m pleased. Of course I am.”
I gave Lea an awkward smile. It would have been better if these things hadn’t come from Kalen.
‘Yes, the items themselves are blameless.’
Still, the fact that Kalen had chosen them was unpleasant, so I would convert them all to cash later.
‘I’m relieved Kalen has left.’
Just before departing, Kalen had suggested, “Do you enjoy horseback riding? Shall we visit the stables tomorrow?”
But I was reaching my limit.
While my wealth was gradually increasing, spending entire days constantly with Kalen was causing me significant mental stress.
‘I feel like I can breathe now that I don’t have to see his face.’
Kalen departed for Venice.
The coastal city where I had stayed not long ago, and where Father still remained.
The Black Mist had appeared there, and a massive swarm of monsters had emerged. With the number of monsters reaching unprecedented levels, I heard that Silvien Valentino had also departed leading his knights.
‘I hope Silvien and Father return quickly. Only then can I proceed with the divorce.’
Once Silvien and Father returned, then….
Then I would proceed with the divorce.
‘Yes, regardless of what the future holds, I must divorce Silvien Valentino first.’
I can accumulate enough power within House of Adis anyway.
After the divorce, I’ll attach myself to Adis and squeeze out every benefit I can, then branch off on my own.
Thinking of that day made my heart race with anticipation.
Yet my mind remained perfectly calm and composed. If everything went according to plan, I’d want for nothing, but….
‘The world has “what-ifs,” after all.’
I had to prepare for the possibility that, by sheer misfortune, everything might fall apart.
‘If both the divorce and the branch-off fail to materialize, I activate Plan B immediately.’
Creating a false identity and relocating to the Yalden Kingdom.
It was insurance against the worst-case scenario.
‘Just to be safe, I should prepare Plan B in advance.’
Over the following days, I remained quietly at the Valentino Estate, observing the staff.
First, there was my personal maid, Lea.
She was remarkably competent, as befitted someone Kalen Adis had assigned to me.
‘But ultimately, she’s Kalen’s person.’
So she was disqualified.
‘I need someone more cunning, more base, and motivated solely by money.’
Fortunately, I knew of such a maid.
The maid Eriel.
Thirty-five years old this year, she had once been Ju-hwa’s personal maid.
Her father’s gambling addiction had left her drowning in debt, and with a younger sibling to support, she’d always taken on extra shifts.
As for how Ju-hwa came to know such intimate details about the maid—
‘Eriel was caught stealing a gold button from one of Ju-hwa’s dresses.’
She then begged Ju-hwa to keep the matter secret, weeping and pleading.
Young Ju-hwa, having only recently inhabited my body, had simply let the matter slide.
But did Eriel repay that kindness? No. Instead, she viewed Ju-hwa as holding leverage over her and actively contributed to isolating her.
‘No conscience, no integrity.’
Perfect. Exactly the talent I was looking for.
* * *
“You called for me, madam?”
Eriel was visibly tense.
“It’s been so long, Eriel.”
“Yes, madam.”
“How long has it been since we last spoke like this? Nearly ten years?”
“Yes, madam.”
“Oh my, ‘madam’ is so formal. Just call me Kanna Adis. We share an uncommon bond, don’t we?”
“….”
“How is your father faring these days?”
At those words, Eriel’s face drained of all color. The old Kanna Adis wouldn’t have needed to do this, but I was entirely different now.
‘My personality, my circumstances—everything has changed.’
Unlike others whose personalities had shifted, Kanna now enjoyed the protection of Kalen Adis. Because of this, no one in the Valentino Estate dared to treat her with disrespect.
What had become of Isabel, who had once treated her so carelessly?
Ruin.
‘Why on earth did she return to this estate?’
Kanna was a tremendous liability to Eriel. If Kanna were to expose her past thefts—
‘Lord Kalen would certainly cast me out.’
And naturally, I would never receive a letter of recommendation.
‘I can’t allow that. Father still owes so much debt.’
Eriel gripped the hem of her skirt tightly between both hands.
Kanna observed Eriel’s distress while leisurely savoring her tea.
There was no need for further words. The subtle smile and her gaze alone were sufficient threat.
‘But I’m not here to punish Eriel.’
Rather, I need to make her my instrument. Kanna gestured toward the velvet box resting on the table.
“Open it.”
“Pardon?”
“Open it, I said.”
Eriel hesitantly opened the box.
“…!”
Eriel’s pupils trembled. A sapphire necklace wrought in platinum gleamed brilliantly.
“This is….”
It was the finest piece Kalen had gifted me not long ago.
From a perspective of saving money, each jewel was precious, but when investing in people, one must not be stingy.
“As you know, I am a married woman. I remain here as a guest in this estate.”
“….”
“Therefore, finding someone trustworthy enough to entrust with responsibilities is not easy.”
Eriel grasped Kanna’s meaning immediately. Yet she did not ask directly. Seeing caution and suspicion flicker in Eriel’s eyes, Kanna smiled gently.
“Would you return it?”
“Pardon?”
“The necklace.”
“Ah, yes.”
Eriel extended the box back to Kanna. Her fingertips trembled faintly with greed and hesitation.
“So, I was hoping you might recommend a good maid to me.”
For a moment, Eriel doubted her own ears.
Recommend a maid? Why? Hadn’t she been about to ask her to do something?
“I need a maid I can trust and command as my own limbs.”
“….”
“A maid who will follow my words as if they were her life. And to that maid….”
Kanna tapped the box containing the necklace.
“I will give this necklace as a gift.”
And Eriel would never be able to let that necklace, that opportunity, slip away to someone else.
Kanna waited patiently for Eriel to make her choice.
“There is no need to save anyone else, madam.”
The internal conflict did not last long.
Eriel bowed deeply, as though she were the maid who had served faithfully her entire life.
“I shall do whatever you command.”
* * *
The task I assigned to Eriel was to investigate the Information Guild.
‘I cannot move about carelessly in the Capital.’
Plan B.
I intended to fabricate a false identity and locate a broker capable of facilitating asylum in the Yalden Kingdom.
Thus, I ordered Eriel to find the largest and most resourceful Information Guild in the Empire.
‘I cannot reveal my plans to Eriel.’
A guild of that magnitude would surely have connections to identity laundering brokers.
‘Still, it will take some time. Eriel is merely an ordinary maid, after all.’
Yet since this was not urgent, it mattered little.
This was merely a contingency—a backup should my primary plan crumble entirely and my life here become untenable.
‘For now, I should set this matter aside and focus on my present circumstances.’

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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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