Chapter 13

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Invitation
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Ugh, how unpleasant!

“Th-that’s not true. I’m happy when my friend receives good service.”

A moment later.

Serapina forced a smile and spoke.

“Anyway, you didn’t come alone, did you? Lari, you don’t know much about high-end places like this.”

Her dark green eyes looked at me, feigning pity.

“If you wanted to come to a place like this, you should have told me. I would have brought you here sometime...”

*You don’t know anything.*

*You can’t do anything without my help.*

Beneath her patronizing attitude lay a clear, hidden malice.

In the past, I would have been hurt and frightened by that attitude, and I would have tried my best to please Serapina.

Now, I was simply composed.

“Well, I never said I came alone, did I?”

“What?”

For a moment, Gregory's eyes shot open.

“You have a companion?”

What’s with him? Why is he suddenly so worked up?

I looked back at Gregory, bewildered.

“What in the world are you talking about? A lady with a fiancé, acting so immodestly...!”

“...”

Excuse me, but it’s been days since I sent the annulment.

Are you still going on about me being your fiancée?

“And why haven’t you replied to my letters? I sent you so many!”

“...”

Staring blankly at Gregory, I sighed and answered.

“Oh, those? They were full of such long-winded nonsense that I didn’t see any need to reply.”

“Lalitt!”

Gregory yelled.

“You'll regret this! Who else would marry you if not me?!”

“No, why would you think I'd be the one to regret it?”

As I asked this, I carefully observed the atmosphere around us.

I could see people starting to pay attention to us.

And the customers in a high-end establishment like this were mostly ladies and gentlemen from noble families.

‘This is actually for the best.’

It would be better to make it clear in front of all these witnesses that I sent Gregory the annulment.

Having come to that conclusion, I deliberately continued, speaking even more clearly.

“If I were going to regret it, I wouldn't have sent the annulment in the first place.”

“What?!”

“Honestly, I have no reason to regret it. I'm the heiress to a viscounty, while you're the second son of a count, aren't you?”

Gregory's face flushed crimson with shame and anger.

I watched his face, which looked like a ripe tomato, with a sense of satisfaction.

“In the future, I'll be Viscountess Ansi, but you'll just be someone with no title at all, right?”

“You, you! Are you finished?!”

“I was just stating the facts. Why are you so angry?”

I retorted cheekily.

As I learned from the Duchess, there's nothing more painful than stating the facts.

But just then.

“What is all this commotion?”

*Click, clack.*

With the light sound of her heels, the Duchess approached us.

Then she tilted her head askew.

“From what I hear, Lady Ansi has already sent the annulment. Doesn't that mean the two of you are no longer engaged?”

“Th-that's...”

“Then why are you clinging to Lady Ansi like this?”

The Duchess looked Gregory up and down as if he were an insect, then spat out her words.

“How pathetic.”

Duchess, you're amazing!

I clenched my fists tightly.

But the Duchess's assault by facts wasn't over yet.

“From where I'm standing, it looks like Lord Gusto is the one who still has lingering feelings for Lady Ansi, doesn't it?”

“H-how could I!”

“Oh, really? That's great.”

The Duchess scoffed and shot back.

“Then would you mind shutting up and getting out of the way? I'd like to have a quiet meal.”

“...”

Gregory looked like someone who'd been hit with three uppercuts and was on the verge of collapse.

That's how out of it he was.

Meanwhile, the Duchess, having effortlessly crushed Gregory, turned to me and smiled confidently.

“Lady Ansi.”

“Yes, Duchess.”

“You'll be receiving an invitation from me soon.”

“An invitation?”

“Yes. It's for a salon I host regularly...”

For a moment, Serapina's eyes wavered violently.

The salon of the Duchy of Claudius.

Traditionally, the Duchess of Claudius hosts a salon, inviting and sponsoring the empire's emerging artists and writers.

Since the current Duke is still unmarried, I believe his younger sister, the Duchess, is hosting it in his stead...

Above all.

‘It's the very place Serapina has always coveted an invitation to, but never received one.’

The Duchess raised her chin haughtily.

“When you come, be sure to wear the dress I bought for you. Understood?”

Duchess, you must have really hated my clothes...

After a moment of feeling awkward, I,

“Yes, Duchess.”

soon broke into a wide smile.

The faces of Serapina and Gregory soured.

* * *

Serapina and Gregory fled the restaurant without even properly eating their meal.

Putting Lalitt aside,

it was because they couldn't bear the Duchess's sharp, chilling gaze.

‘Since when did Lalitt become close with the Duchess?’

Serapina nervously chewed on her lip.

She had never doubted that Lalitt would always be beneath her.

That firm belief was now wavering.

...It was incredibly irritating.

Just then, Gregory started whining beside her.

“Sera, what if Lalitt really annuls our engagement?”

“Ah, be quiet! Honestly!”

Serapina, having snapped, suddenly froze.

“S-Sera?”

Gregory was staring at her, his eyes wide like a startled rabbit's.

Flustered, Serapina quickly put on a bright smile.

“It's nothing. You know how much Lari likes you.”

“R-right?”

“Of course. She's probably just upset this time. Don't worry too much, okay?”

Even as she soothed Gregory,

Serapina's eyes glinted coldly.

‘I'll have to pay Lalitt a visit.’

* * *

A few days later.

I was lounging on my bed, leisurely reading a letter from the Duchess.

[To Lady Ansi,

It's Evanjeline.

Did you sleep well last night?

Are you wearing the clothes I bought you?

I trust you've thrown away all those beggar-like clothes, of course.]

Huh, does this letter have a voice-over feature?

I feel like I can hear the Duchess's prim voice.

I chuckled without realizing it.

[So, when are you going to come visit the townhouse?

If we made a friend contract, I believe you should honor it properly.

I'm definitely not sending this letter because I'm waiting for you.

It's because contracts are very important.]

Really, how many times is she going to emphasize the word 'contract'?

I clicked my tongue and read the next sentence.

[Oh, and when you visit, wear the dress I bought for you.

The, uh, sky-blue one with the lace hem?

It's not like I was paying close attention, but that dress looked quite good on you, Lady Ansi.

The sun is quite strong during the day lately, so be sure to use the matching parasol, too.

And make sure you do your hair.

If you come with your hair hanging down like a ghost again, I'll be genuinely angry.]

...Did she even pay close attention to which dress suited me?

My heart warmed a little.

[Well then, I'll be waiting for your reply.

I'd appreciate it if that reply included when you plan to visit the Claudius townhouse.

Or you could just come see me instead of sending a reply.

—Duchess Claudius, Evanjeline]

The letter ended there.

With a pleased expression, I folded the letter and slid it back into its envelope.

‘I should visit the Duchess soon.’

Just then.

I became a little puzzled.

‘But why is the Duchess so relaxed?’