A Possessed Person Lives in My Doll

“What did you say?”

I covered my mouth with my hand and smirked. It was an unfortunate accident, but we would never get married.

And for once, my future husband actually agreed with me, telling me not to get married.

Blue must have thought so, too, because he twitched in my arms.

readonlyatsalmonlatte.com

Titus raised one eyebrow. His face flushed red with embarrassment at his own words. Avoiding eye contact, he said bluntly.

“If you’re planning to marry a boy like that, don’t.”

“We haven’t even talked about it, and you’re already thinking about it? Marriage is more urgent for you than for me.”

He stared at me in silence for a moment, his lips pressed together in a grim expression as he thought about what to say.

How could anyone look at him and think he was the head of the Aether Knights, when he looked like an immature child throwing up?

‘You want me to marry you?’

What did I have to do with Titus’ marriage? The nuance was subtle. If I told him not to, would he really choose not to get married?

“You have to do it for your family, don’t you?”

“Well, I’ll do it when I have someone to do it with.”

He leaned back in his chair, his face steaming. I couldn’t believe he was acting this way; he’d always been so nonchalant about marriage.

I looked at him disgruntled. As if that wasn’t terrible enough, Titus pointed at Blue with his chin tip.

“You seem to see that doll a lot lately. I didn’t think you’d bring a stuffed animal here. Do you like bunnies?”

Blue left in the carriage, thinking it would be weird to carry it around. I didn’t expect Titus to see it again.

I turned my head and avoided eye contact.

“I like it because it’s cute, and it’s soft and soothing to the pet.”

As he spoke, he stroked the fluffy blue in quick bursts. Blue’s head tilted dynamically.

He stared at me for a moment, then smiled.

“Hmm, yeah, that’s good.”

I don’t know why he’s glad I like my doll.

I narrowed my eyes. Titus felt better.

Had he drunk at the party? I couldn’t fathom his mood swings.

As we sped along toward home, we were engrossed in our strange conversation.

Titus pursed his lips in silence.

“I’m glad you don’t seem too frightened……..”

He muttered something that sounded like a sigh before dissipating. I blinked.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

They arrived home soon afterwards. Titus stepped out of the carriage like it were his own home.

The hired men, seeing us get out of the carriage together, naturally greeted us. None of them found it strange that he had come in a carriage with me.

The blue hand was clenched tightly.

Shouldn’t they all be worried that a grown-up young lady was in a confined space with a strange man?

It was a common reaction because of our families’ closeness, but even knowing that, I still felt pretty down. He brazenly invaded my home, my family.

I said hello and turned away.

“Well, have a safe trip home. Thanks for the ride.”

Titus’ playful voice poked me in the back.

“If you’re grateful, you can walk me home next time.”

“…….”

I stomped out of the room, looking like I’d heard something unheard. Stars followed me until I was inside the mansion.

readonlyatsalmonlatte.com

* * *

When I got home, Blue and I had a lot to discuss. I told him everything that happened at the party.

“I’m sending you an invitation soon,” Blue said, “and I’m planning to buy the land the Esna family owns. If we can develop the mana mines there, we can survive this winter’s famine. We could even sell the mana for a profit.”

Besides, he doesn’t realize how prestigious the title of mana stone producer is. It would raise the profile of the Northwest, a region looked down upon for its harsh lands and rampaging beasts.

It would also solve the problem that my research and crafted goods have not spread far and wide due to mana stones prices.

How could I not seize this golden opportunity?

My heart pounded at the thought of people using my creations and spreading my name far and wide.

As Blue listened to my story, he paused to consider.

“It’s going to take a lot of upfront money to develop a mine. Do you have the money?”

“Well, I’ve got a little money coming in from all the stuff I’ve made, and research funds. All I need to do is get started and find a mana stone vein. Then I’ll have tons of people wanting to invest in it.”

You don’t even have to ask. You’ll be swarmed by people who want to invest and get a piece of the action. You just need to pick the right people and hold hands with them.

“No one will blame me if I take it alone in Ufetera, but I have to give back what I put in. Isn’t it a waste?”

“Greed will get you in trouble, and a mana stone mine is likely to catch the imperial family’s eye. They’ll interfere if we take all the shares alone.”

“Ah, that’s right, the imperial family’s eyes must be considered.”

readonlyatsalmonlatte.com

Blue pounded my palm with his furry knuckles, then looked at me and asked, “What is it?”

“So we’ll survive this famine, but is it enough?”

“Of course it is. More than enough.”

My stomach churned at the thought of this profit. I smiled roundly.

I didn’t realize how helpful Blue’s story was. Knowing what the future held was as good as it got.

I stared at Blue, still, and then slipped the corsage I’d untied around Blue’s ears.

Blue nudged the flower-shaped corsage in my ear, and then he opened his mouth to speak, his voice high and raspy.

“Ancestor, why don’t you ask me anything?”

“Like what?”

“Now that you know who you’re going to marry and how you’re going to die, don’t you want to know what kind of life the future you had?”

“I’m curious, but I’m not asking.”

I remembered he called me Mrs. Valenti when he called my name.

“I’m Mrs. Valenti…….

A thin, bitter smile tugged at the corners of my mouth for a moment, probably to tell me I hadn’t inherited the Countess of Eupiter.

He cupped his chin with one hand and blew out a long breath. A string of words, some heavy, slipped between his lips.

“I want to make a name for myself on the continent by creating lots of things that make people’s lives easier, and I’m sure my future self has created lots of things. You could tell me what your future self has created, but then I might think, ‘I’m famous anyway,’ and stop trying. That demotivates me.”

Blue reached across the table and touched my arm. It wasn’t warm, but it was comforting.

“I’m sure everyone in the Empire has heard your name at one time or another.”

“Yeah? So you’ve made it that far, at least, and that’s nice.”

At least I’ve made it that far. I’ve worked hard, and the future won’t betray me.

I felt lighter. My gaze met Blue’s, who looked at me.

Suddenly, another question dangled from my lips, despite my promise not to ask about my future. Once it came up, I couldn’t resist asking.

“I have a question. How do you see my family and the Valenti family in the future? Will it be the same as it is now?”

How would those around me fare?

I didn’t particularly want to know about House Valenti’s future, but since my family was a vassal of House Valenti, I couldn’t think about it separately.

Blue spoke as if he was waiting for my question.

“House Valenti supported the Second Prince, and all the estates in the northwest followed suit, which is why the Second Prince became Emperor.”

This was not what I thought it was. My eyelids fluttered in embarrassment.

“Really……? I thought you would stay neutral. I mean, you’ve already pretended to be with the First Prince. I guess you have no choice but to support the second prince.”

Blue shook his head. His toyish voice contained a hint of regret.

“But the House Ancestor is a shell.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it just came to me the other day……. I’ve been trying to figure out when to tell you this.”

I knew he would say something bad. My face stiffened unbearably. I straightened my hand cupping my chin and staring at Blue.

Despite my piercing stare, Blue opened his mouth to speak.

“The Second Prince is a frightening man. He crushed the neutral lords of the northwest and put his own people in charge of Gaju. His family has been on the rise ever since, but not in the way you think.”

readonlyatsalmonlatte.com

“Tell me a little more. What about my father? What’s going to happen to him?”

“That’s right, Count Eupiter will be killed in an accident next year, and Titus will be murdered less than a year after the child is born. This is as well as the other Lords you know, and you’ll be alone.”

What is coming up?

A dark cloud hung over my family’s future like I had never imagined.

If I’m caught up in an imperial power struggle, how can I……. What do I do?

I pursed my lips in despair. I tried to say something, but my breath caught my throat.

Blue stared at me, and then his tiny hands squeezed mine. I didn’t know where the doll got its strength from.

I looked at Blue with a trembling gaze. I could see my own pale face in those two round eyes.

“Run, Ancestor,” he said, “as far northwest as you can.”