Kill the Author, Then to Hell - Chapter 16.2

Having picked up bits and pieces of magical knowledge from family conversations around the dinner table, I knew that each person’s magic had a distinctive color. This color, called ‘aura,’ is determined by a mix of one’s innate nature, education received, skills accumulated, and personal character.

Every mage’s aura was different from each other. Even among siblings raised in similar environments, their auras aren’t completely identical.

Indeed, the auras of Simon, Johan, and Peter were all in the blue spectrum, but Simon’s was a dark blue, Johan’s was turquoise, and Peter’s was closer to sky blue.

I confirmed this through the numerous times they killed me with their magic.

‘Hiding an aura is considered advanced.’

Even Johan got scolded by father multiple times because he couldn’t conceal his aura.

However, the blade that swiftly killed Jane was wrapped in a dull scabbard, showing no color at all.

‘It’s definitely not just anyone.’

If not a robber, was it a retaliatory murder driven by vendetta?

But whose vendetta?

Apart from attending a ball once, I hardly ever left the house. There was no way I could have incited a vendetta.

<Oh, but Lady Delia, that wicked girl! Like a vixen!>

While Delia, whom everyone cursed, did cross my mind, her elegant demeanor seemed too bold for such actions.

Then perhaps Simon, Johan, or Peter had incurred someone’s wrath.

Could it be that someone targeted the powerless women in the house instead of confronting those guys directly? Killing the daughter as a form of revenge and feeling triumphant?

It was entirely plausible.

Simon had recently gained the emperor’s trust rapidly, even having his daughter’s betrothal to the crown prince nearly secured.

If someone envious sought to interfere…

Killing that daughter would have been the easiest solution.

‘The problem is, who would that be…?’

Regardless, that was the limit of what I could deduce with the information I had.

‘First, I need to get out of here.’

“Our gracious and heavenly Father Marsh, watching over us, the beloved of the deceased have gathered here. Grant them the blessing of oblivion….”

The priest was concluding, and I, not wanting to stay here a moment longer,

‘Fast Forward.’

Murmured internally, and the world before my eyes began to whirl, fast-forwarding like a video sped up dozens of times.

“It’s time for… bridal training for our Edith.”

In the blink of an eye…

From a dinner where I had barely managed to say I wanted to help, only to get nothing in return,

“There are domains exclusive to women. For example… pleasing a man!”

To my first lesson with Jane, my governess,

Rumble— 

Crash— 

“Edith, my Edith! Come out. I have good news!”

Through the thunderous night when I heard I was to marry the Crown Prince,

“I’ve made my choice.”

And even past my first encounter with the Crown Prince, who picked me like selecting some fruit at the market.

‘Stop here.’

The point I chose to halt the [Fast Forward] buff, after much deliberation, was right here.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has expressed his regret over not being able to put this on your finger himself, given his hectic schedule of official duties. He asks Your Ladyship to wait just a bit longer.”

One week before the assassin appeared.

The moment I received the engagement ring.

From my memory, there was a family dinner that evening to celebrate the engagement’s official announcement.

And I planned to reset from here.

The grand marble dining table of the summer residence was filled to the brim with food.

Lobster cream soup, fresh salads, meat pies and turkey roast, salmon steaks…

Of course, my partaking was more akin to tasting than eating.

“Haha, Edith? You wouldn’t want to burst your wedding dress, would you?”

If I tried to take a bit more food, Johan by my side would create a fuss.

“Even if you gain weight, you’d still be cute to me, but think of what others would say.”

“Yes, Brother.”

I smiled, putting the deliciously browned potatoes back into the bowl.

‘I don’t have an appetite anyway, you prick.’

If the conversation I’m about to have doesn’t work, I’d end up with a sword rammed into my back again in a week, so there’s no way I could taste the food.

When the atmosphere was ripe,

“Father, may I ask for just one wish before getting married?”

“Hoho, of course! I’m all ears!”

Simon, almost a bottle into the wine, his face flushed, seemed unusually cheerful today.

“Having had my debutante ball and now being betrothed, I see no reason to stay at the capital’s residence anymore.”

I never thought I’d say this, but after much thought, the only way I felt safe was this.

“So, I wish to return to the estate and stay there until the wedding—to spend time with you, Father. And Brother as well.”

Whether the assassin was targeting the entire household or not, it seemed unlikely they’d dare enter the heart of the Dayton Marquisate’s domain and kill me in front of Simon and Johan.

In short, if I just stayed put in the estate until the wedding, I could survive.

“Hoho, Edith. Do you mean it? This is your last chance to enjoy high society as an unmarried woman. Won’t you regret it?”

Married, unmarried, or single, none of that mattered to me.

Survival was my one and only priority.

“Yes. We are family, aren’t we?”

‘Keyword activated.’