Beatrice Hartwell absentmindedly picked at her ear with her right hand, then tilted her head as if telling Clyde to repeat himself.
“I said I’ll be heading to the western border with His Highness the Crown Prince soon.”
“Why are you going?”
“Why else?”
He raised his eyebrows as if she had just asked something absurd, then smiled and continued.
“Did you already forget our bet?”
“Oh.”
“Ah… judging by that reaction, you really weren’t thinking about it at all, were you? Lady Beatrice Hartwell. Winning a noble title must be very easy for you.”
While punching Clyde lightly for acting like he had already won the bet, Beatrice pieced together the scattered information.
‘So Clyde is going to the western border to fulfill the bet—basically to gather “our side”—and since he’s worried that Valoa and Duke Alex might cause trouble while they’re separated, he convinced the Crown Prince to take them along?’
But why the western border in particular?
Beatrice blinked rapidly, searching her memory.
‘What happened there again…?’
If she had known she would end up reincarnated like this, she would have written everything down like a chronicle!
Unfortunately, she only remembered major events she had personally experienced or ones big enough to be reported in newsletters.
‘Western region… monster attacks and famine… the Crown Prince… ah!’
As she listed the keywords, something suddenly clicked.
‘The cursed Downer Marquessate.’
The Downer territory, located at the border, was like a gateway to the Empire. On one side lay a harsh foreign land with a severe climate, and above it stretched the Dark Mountains teeming with monsters.
Because it was directly tied to the Empire’s safety, the Imperial Family paid close attention to it, granting the marquessate special support, resources, and joint training with the Imperial Knights.
It was not a fertile land and was frequently a battlefield, so it had always had cold, harsh nicknames…
But the label “cursed” only appeared after that incident.
People who entered the Downer territory stopped coming back.
At first, there were reports saying conditions inside were worsening, but soon even letters stopped arriving.
Even the couriers delivering letters and telegrams disappeared after entering the marquessate, as if they had simply vanished.
And not long after that, the territory was sealed off.
‘Yes… I remember my mother sighing and saying the Imperial Family kept trying to contact them but got nothing.’
While high society grew restless over the incomprehensible situation, only one survivor finally emerged from the marquessate.
A man, pale and covered in scratches, trembling violently, immediately began speaking frantically to investigators and reporters.
“T-the Downer Marquessate is cursed! It’s already over! Dolls are everywhere in the villages, and they keep multiplying!”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying it’s not a place where people live anymore! I stayed at an inn, but there were almost no residents… and in the end, I was the only one left! Food was delivered warm as if someone was still there, but there was no one! Notes were full of strange warnings, and at night I heard screams—AAAH!”
The man eventually collapsed mid-sentence, unconscious.
And the reporter did not miss the story.
And so…
‘The rumor spread that the Downer Marquessate was cursed.’
After that, Beatrice only remembered how Clyde and Kaelen had become extremely busy.
Later, it was confirmed that the territory had already changed completely, and another noble family had been assigned to manage the border region.
Rumors spread that black magic was involved, and traditionalist nobles who opposed magic grew more confident.
‘Wait a second… that means—’
Ignoring Clyde, who was complaining in pain, Beatrice lightly kicked his shin and pulled him closer by the collar.
Glancing around cautiously to make sure no one was listening, she lowered her voice and asked in shock.
“Don’t tell me… that cursed Downer Marquessate incident… was something that that person orchestrated? So you’re saying the Downer Marquess was affiliated with your… uh, your boss?”
“Not exactly. He was neutral but favorable to our side. And based on circumstantial evidence, it’s probably that person’s doing. After the Downer family disappeared, nobles aligned with that faction handled the aftermath and governance of the region.”
“...That’s insane. There’s no end to this, is there?”
Feeling goosebumps rise, Beatrice rubbed her arm.
Then she suddenly spoke.
“I’m going too.”
“Huh?”
“I said I’m going too. To the western border.”
At Beatrice’s firm declaration, Clyde’s brow rarely furrowed.
“No. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Why not! You’re calling it the western border, but it’s basically the Downer Marquessate, isn’t it?”
“……”
“And you said there’s magic involved—since traditionalists are involved too. I’m not a mage, but I can still help.”
It was true.
In the past timeline, the main cause was monster attacks and famine, but no one had sent a magical specialist.
On the other hand, Beatrice’s father, Zedric Hartwell, was an outstanding alchemist in their homeland.
If Beatrice, trained under him, went along, she might offer a new perspective.
But—
“Shall I repeat what I said earlier, Lady Beatrice Hartwell? Is earning a noble title really that easy for you? Or are you trying to provoke me? Helping your rival in a bet?”
“Hey.”
“Thanks for the information. I’ll inform His Highness the Crown Prince and make sure specialists are included in the expedition.”
“……”
“So you stay here. Don’t go wandering into dangerous places.”
Especially since the group also included Duke Alex, whose intentions were still unclear, and Valoa Crawford, who was already at her breaking point.
Even if they couldn’t act freely, they couldn’t afford to be careless.
“By the way, do you have any plans? At this rate, you’re really going to lose to me.”
“What are you talking about? I’m busy too. I already have an appointment with Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Fast mover. Then you’ll really be busier than me soon. Let’s both do our best.”
“……”
Clyde neatly cut off the conversation without leaving any room.
Something about his tone, like he was drawing a line, made Beatrice feel a little irritated.
‘What is this déjà vu? It feels like… the masked ball again.’
Beatrice knew Clyde well. When he acted strangely like this, there was always a reason.
But understanding it logically and accepting it emotionally were two different matters.
She did not hide her dissatisfaction, staring at him with suspicion and even raising her brows.
Yet Clyde ignored her gaze as if he noticed nothing.
Instead, he casually picked up a strawberry with his fork and held it near her mouth, smiling playfully.
“What is it? Don’t you trust your big brother?”
Trust him?
He was only one year older—what “big brother”?
She had let it slide that day, but the more she thought about it at home, the more irritated she became.
And she decided:
‘Fine. If that’s how it is, I’ll go to the Downer Marquessate out of sheer stubbornness.’
But Clyde Dalton—with his dark mind—and the Crown Prince who was clearly on his side would not make it easy.
Then…
“Lady Beatrice! The gift you requested is ready. Should I bring it now?”
“Yes, I’m about to leave.”
“Yes!”
“Let’s go. To Her Majesty the Empress.”
Then she would just have to aim higher.
‘Just wait, Clyde Dalton.’
I’ll show you exactly how shamelessly I can cling and act cute in front of someone truly powerful.
The youngest daughter isn’t some easy position you can just sit comfortably in.
