Chapter 35: Stealing Yeoju's First Love
The problem was that I still didn't know how similar the system-recognized ending had to be to the original ending. For now, I decided to make it as similar to the original as possible.
Her partner was the same, and she succeeded in the same business. However, there was no guarantee that this luck would last forever.
I wrote a letter to Daniel first. The reason was that Daniel's ending, like Wilhelm's, ended with success in a different business.
"I need to secure a partner and land."
I couldn't remember who I had built the hospital with, but there was a good chance Daniel could help. It turned out that the anger I had shown him at the ball yesterday could now be useful.
"As they say, life is full of unexpected turns."
Thinking about it, I felt quite wronged. My official engagement breakups were only two, and the first one was with Daniel. Raymond and Andrew were just scandals because the engagement documents were never officially signed.
"It's late, but I should still get the breakup compensation."
At the time, Daniel offered to pay compensation, but I refused because it felt like selling my dignity for a few coins. Now, things were different. There was something I wanted from him.
In the original story, Daniel and Tatiana built the hospital on a piece of land. I wrote a short letter stating my request and the meeting place, sealed it in an envelope, and handed it to Lily.
"Send this to the Malphiron family."
Lily, with a disgruntled look, took the letter and left the study.
"Wilhelm really did a great job."
After Wilhelm's forceful intrusion, the servants' animosity towards my ex-fiancés increased. They were so sensitive even to sending a letter.
Lily returned with a stiff expression after passing the letter to the servant.
"Miss, Sir Raymond has sent flowers."
It seemed Raymond was trying to prove his sincerity by sending flowers and gifts. At first, he sent jewels and dresses, which were easy to return because they were too expensive and burdensome.
The problem started after that. He began sending items that were hard to refuse, like flowers and light gifts that considered my tastes.
"If I refuse, it will only spread rumors."
People might say I was ignoring his sincere apology. But if I kept accepting, they would say I was accepting gifts just to hear his apology. It was a headache either way.
"Really, he's such a useless person."
Soon, workers brought in a small hydrangea pot and left. The flowers were beautiful, but my mood was not.
It was better to give up on Raymond's ending. Getting his loyalty and making him give up the position of the tower master was impossible unless he went insane.
The hunting festival was coming up soon. Men would catch the biggest prey to show their affection and give it to their lovers.
"Even if it's a bit different from the original."
The event of confessing one's feelings while giving a gift was similar to loyalty in a way.
I didn't believe Raymond truly wanted to apologize. He was definitely approaching me at Tatiana's request, possibly to gather information or harm me. To do that, he needed to get close to me.
If I pretended to go along with it, I could get what I wanted in return. After writing the letter, I called a servant again.
"Take this to the Academy's Department of Magic."
I didn't know where Raymond was currently living, but as an assistant professor at the Academy, he should receive the letter.
"Even though he seems free and uninterested in power, he's the opposite."
People often think Raymond has no desire for wealth. They believe he only shows affection to Tatiana.
I used to think the same.
"Why didn't I realize that those who claim to have no interest in power are the ones obsessed with it?"
At least, the Raymond I saw was not uninterested in such things.
Now, all the bait was set. All that was left was to wait.
Daniel's reply to my letter came quickly. He seemed deeply moved by my words and filled his letter with apologies.
"What's the point of these apologies now?"
It was unpleasant to see his heart change so easily just because he felt repulsed by Tatiana. The fact that he had manipulated my life with such a shallow heart was frustrating.
Even though I knew it was all over, the bitterness in my mouth was unavoidable. A few days later, I headed to the meeting place.
The location was a high-end café in the heart of the capital, a place where privacy was strictly maintained due to the frequent visits of nobles. Each table was separated by flower pots and lace curtains, making it impossible to see who was coming and going.
Of course, when meeting someone as clueless as Daniel, such precautions were unnecessary. I sighed inwardly, stood up, and walked to Daniel, who was at a loss.
We sat down, receiving the intense gazes of the surrounding people. Ignoring the fidgeting Daniel, I called a waiter.
A waiter in a colorless uniform and a blank expression approached, dressed as if to say, "Pretend I don't exist."
"What tea would you like?"
"I'll have Earl Grey. What about you, Duke?"
"Ah, I'll have the same..."
"I'll bring it in ten minutes."
The time mentioned was a signal that if it was an important conversation, it should be started after ten minutes. Fortunately, Daniel seemed to understand and asked about my well-being.
"Did... did it go well that day?"
"Haha, that's good. I'm glad."
His cheerful response was absurd, considering how coldly he had treated me a few years ago, as if we would never see each other again.
I closed my mouth, not wanting to respond. An awkward silence filled the air between us.
The waiter brought the tea on time, closing the curtain in the corridor so that the outside couldn't see inside.
"I assume you know why I called you here."
"Huh? Oh, I read the letter."
Daniel looked troubled. I had a bad feeling.
"Actually, I sold that land to Tatiana recently."
It was unexpected. His approach to Nivea and the purchase of the land seemed like he knew the original ending.
"Maybe Tatiana is also a reincarnated soul."
If that was the case, it would explain why she had the same bracelet as me and why she approached Andrew, who had nothing.
"Perhaps she realized that the original's influence decreases when an ending is reached."
It seemed she bought the land to cut off the possibility entirely.
"Why did you choose that specific land when there are many better options?"
Daniel rarely refused anything Tatiana wanted. However, I also had land. Unlike the newly established Malphiron family, the ancient Pioneira family owned land throughout the capital.
Even if we didn't build the hospital in the same place, if we built it in a similar way, the outcome might be different.
"In that case, I have another request."
The hospital director in the original epilogue was Daniel's friend. I remembered he had developed a groundbreaking treatment by combining magic and medicine, though I couldn't recall his name.
"Do you remember a friend who studied both magic and medicine? Can you introduce me to him?"
Daniel was silent for a moment, then seemed to recall someone and spoke up.
"Are you talking about Robert?"
"Yeah, the weak-looking one."
It sounded about right. My heart raced with the desire to meet him.
"Um... Robert's in a bit of a state."
Daniel's voice was filled with regret.
"He wasn't in good shape around graduation due to various issues. Moreover, he's been disowned by his family, and I don't know where he is."
Daniel's words made me realize that, like Nivea, he might have gone through a similar ordeal in this cruel world for those not chosen.