A Seven-Year-Old's Retort
“H-Hey, you little squirt! How dare you…!”
Idel stared at the trembling man before her, surprised this was her first time facing such mockery. It didn't make sense on a logical level.
‘Not even a clever comeback, just parroting something obvious. Why is he this furious?’
After all, what else could she expect from someone who casually doused a child with water and argued with a seven-year-old with genuine conviction?
‘If I think about it more practically, I should wrap things up here… but…’
The “Second Clementine in the rumors” refused to back down, no matter how much she tried to bend rules first.
Unable to watch the situation drag on any longer, Master stepped forward to Farel and spoke carefully.
“Excuse me, guest. Why not end the conversation here? If we keep going, the other customers will be affected.”
“Master, why are you telling me this? I told the cafe staff to deliver the note right from the start and said I would compensate. I tried to keep things as nice as possible. Who escalated this anyway?”
“But…”
Master opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it again, awkwardly. He couldn’t point out that the one who started it was the other side.
Instead, he deliberately rolled his eyes, rubbed his chin with his fingers, and showed his helplessness. In other words…
‘Hey, look around. Everyone’s saying you’re weird.’
He had cleverly phrased the rebuke like this.
Fortunately, Farel noticed enough to glance around. He let out a small cough and continued.
“But, out of respect for Master’s reputation, I’ll step back this time. Of course, as a noble of great lineage, I must still impart guidance to this foolish child.”
“…” Ah, guest…”
“Which family are you from?”
Farel’s haughty tone made Master’s expression harden again. He knew the full story, so this was expected.
“You’re speaking to me right now?”
“Then who would be asking about Ivan Earnest’s household? What family teaches their children like this? Such rude behavior that grabs at the opponent’s words…”
Idel could guess it was the “famous line” from her previous life without thinking of her younger sister. This was the exact moment to deliver that iconic quote, the highlight scene of the drama with the highest viewership ratings.
Idel, having perfectly understood what she needed to do, placed one hand on her hip and nodded.
“Since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you. My name is…”
And just as that line was about to fall from her lips…
“What kind of trick is this, Farel Underwood?”
Another famous line from the “second female lead” of the original interrupted Idel’s words. Idel reflexively turned toward the voice.
A charming voice, tall stature, and a dazzling appearance with silver hair and blue eyes.
Even someone who knew nothing would assume she was the protagonist. Idel folded her arms, half-expecting to feel annoyed, but instead…
‘…Deja vu?’
Like the name Ivan Earnest, the thought that had been hovering at the edge of her mind for a while now.
“Vivian? How did you…”
“Countess Bright.”
At the two men’s exclamations, Idel couldn’t help but let out a small gasp. Why did that name feel so familiar?
‘Ivan Earnest.’
The journalist who noticed Idel’s suspicious behavior in the latter half of the original story and prevented Ji-Ana’s death.
‘And after that, he remained an ally to Ji-Ana?’
Moreover, the newspaper he worked for, Shell Ami, was secretly founded by the male lead’s father under a pseudonym.
Having recalled the setting, Idel decided to watch the situation unfold from Sigmund’s side, where he seemed disinterested.
Even though he was acting wild, she couldn’t ignore someone with such significant presence.
‘I never expected even an ally to be the main character.’
Idel’s gaze landed on the three figures standing in a triangle. Vivian Bright had pushed Ivan behind her and glared coldly at Farel.
“I told you not to contact Ivan.”
“You’re siding with that guy in front of me? The fiancé chosen by the family isn’t this guy, it’s me!”
“It’s merely a formal engagement.”
Farel clenched his fists at the firm response from the countess. The one who started it all, he narrowed his eyes and pointed at Ivan with his finger.
“You, a nobody who only just received the title of viscount in the previous generation, expect the Bright family to recognize you?”
“It’s only you who dares to spray water in a public place without thinking.”
“You’re saying it was water? Haha, this is all just a self-sabotage act by Ivan Earnest. He’s trying to evoke sympathy!”
Contempt flashed in the countess’s eyes at Farel’s outburst. She let out a small snort and slowly spoke with disbelief.
“Farel, are you seriously claiming Ivan poured water on himself? Do you really think that’s believable?”
“Not believable? Do you have proof that I sprayed water on Ivan Earnest? There isn’t any. Even Master here can’t prove it.”
“Th-That…”
Master, suddenly shouldering the blame, trailed off with a troubled expression.
While Idel briefly pondered what to do, Sigmund’s rebellious voice suddenly rang out from where he had been standing silently.
“You’ve been noisy since earlier.”
“What? Who’s talking now…!”
“Hey. You’re dragging this out? I’m getting bored.”
Ignoring Farel completely, Sigmund fixed his gaze on Idel. He looked like he was warning that if she didn’t handle it, he would make her pay for the water herself.
Idel caught the signal and nodded calmly.
“Nah, I was starting to get bored too.”
Accepting the gazes directed at her like flowing water, Idel twirled a strand of her hair with one hand and smiled. Of course, that was clearly meant to look uncooperative.
With one hand on her hip and her body slightly tilted, she spoke in a sweet, childish voice.
“I saw that uncle there playing with water.”
Farel flew into a rage at Idel’s arrogant words.
“How dare you spread such a blatant lie right in front of me? Even if I disciplined you, that was something an adult should have done. How dare you make up false stories out of spite!”
“Eh? That’s weird?”
Hearing Farel’s words, Idel pressed her index finger to her lips as if she didn’t understand.
After that, she continued with a mischievous little smile, the kind a kid would make while playing a prank.
“What about you? Do you have proof? Is there anyone who can prove I made up lies out of spite?”
“Y-You really…!”
Farel’s taunt made Idel realize her own words had only amounted to begging.
But just like when she forced Diane to take responsibility, Idel decided to wield the privilege of a seven-year-old properly.
“No proof, right? You can’t prove it, can you?”
“You, you really!”
“Wow, is this a lie? My dad said lying is bad. Eh? Wait a second, isn’t this… What kind of family teaches their children like this…”
Farel’s face turned bright red at Idel’s giggling. His voice rose in the midst of the stares and the mood not going his way.
“Shut up!”
“It’s you who should be quiet, young master Farel. What kind of act is this toward a child?”
“Ivan Earnest, you still don’t get it…! Ah, fine.”
After Ivan’s calm rebuttal, Farel’s composure snapped. He took a deep breath, ran a hand through his hair, scanned the surroundings with fierce eyes, and spoke.
“It seems everyone wants to paint me as the villain. Do as you wish.”
“Why, Farel? Are you giving up?”
“I don’t want to stay in such a low place.”
Farel scanned the area with contemptuous eyes, adjusted his cravat, and walked toward the door.
Holding the doorknob with a crumpled face, he pulled one corner of his lip and sneered softly.
“I won’t forget today’s events. Watch and see.”