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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Tables Have Turned
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Serapina gave a small nod.
“It’s embarrassing, but yes.”
There was a time I believed those words were sincere.
That Serapina truly cherished me.
That she was my only true friend.
But…
“What if you attend the salon, and the Duchess decides to make a laughingstock out of you?”
Her voice was so tender, as if she were genuinely worried about me.
“You know how she is, right? How she doesn’t even treat nobles of a lower station like people.”
Right, this is how you sow discord.
I marveled inwardly.
Starting with that rumor in the first place.
You were the one who secretly orchestrated it to ruin the Duchess’s reputation, weren't you?
Meanwhile, misinterpreting my silence, Serapina’s silver tongue moved effortlessly.
“She went out with you this time, which was unusual, but the truth is, the Viscounty of Ansi isn’t quite in the same league as the Duchy of Claudius.”
Ah, there it is.
Serapina's specialty—putting people down as naturally as breathing!
“I’m just so worried you’ll get hurt associating with the Duchess. So…”
Serapina looked at me, her face a mask of earnest concern.
“Why don’t you speak with the Duchess and ask if I can attend the salon with you?”
Her tear-filled green eyes glinted insidiously.
“That way, if the Duchess tries to bully you, I’ll be there to help.”
I let out a short, dry laugh.
Aha, so that was it.
This was your goal all along, wasn't it?
“Sera cares for you so much, and you’re still going to be this stubborn?”
Baroness Bentner wasted no time chiming in.
“Enough of this. Take Sera and Gregory to the salon with you. What are friends for?”
Hmm.
There was no need to raise my voice and fight a difficult battle here.
Instead.
Pretending to ponder it, I opened my mouth.
“Thank you so much for worrying about me, Serapina.”
For a moment, Serapina’s face lit up.
*‘See? That stupid girl is wrapped around my little finger.’*
...That's probably what she's thinking, right?
Facing her, I offered a bright, smiling gaze.
“However, since I’m merely an invited guest myself, I’m not in a position to bring anyone else.”
“Lari!”
Serapina, incensed, forgot all pretense of kindness and raised her voice.
“Did you not hear me? Without me, you could be humiliated…!”
“But, Serapina.”
I cut her off sharply.
“According to you, there’s no way the Duchess could be sincere with a mere lesser noble like me, right?”
For an instant, Serapina’s face twisted in a scowl.
*‘How does it feel?’*
To have the words you used to put me down turn back on you like a blade.
Inwardly savoring the moment, I asked her again.
“Even if I were to ask the Duchess, what good would it possibly do?”
“Lari, that’s…!”
“I’d be lucky not to anger her. Wouldn’t you agree?”
I let out a delicate sigh, making sure they heard it.
“So it would probably be better for you to ask the other people who cherish you. For example…”
I narrowed my eyes and glanced over at Baroness Bentner.
“You could ask for help from Baroness Bentner, who’s right beside you.”
“What?!”
Baroness Bentner’s eyes bulged.
I asked leisurely.
“Why not? Surely you can do that much for Serapina, can’t you?”
“Why, you…!”
The baroness’s face turned crimson, and her shoulders trembled with rage.
The truth was, the Barony of Bentner wasn’t prominent enough to receive an invitation from the Duchy of Claudius.
But her pride wouldn’t allow her to admit it.
*‘At best, the County of Gusto might have a sliver of a chance.’*
But an invitation that might barely be extended to the current count would never go to Gregory, who had no chance of inheriting the title, would it?
In other words.
Whether it was Gregory or Baroness Bentner.
No matter how much she fawned over them, she wasn’t getting an invitation!
I spoke calmly.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave. I must go see the Duchess.”
“And why on earth would you be seeing the Duchess? How presumptuous!”
Having lost her composure, Baroness Bentner shot back sharply.
I beamed, my eyes crinkling into a smile.
“As you well know, Baroness, the salon is being held soon, isn’t it?”
The very salon you lot weren’t invited to.
As I deliberately mentioned the word ‘salon,’ Serapina quietly gritted her teeth.
“She seems to be quite busy with the preparations, so I thought I’d offer my humble assistance.”
I gave a vexing little shrug.
“Please have a safe trip back. Emily will see you out.”
“That… that insolent brat!”
The baroness looked as if she might clutch the back of her neck and collapse.
“Aunt, please calm down. Getting angry is bad for your health.”
Serapina struggled to soothe the fuming baroness.
But I saw it.
The look Serapina shot me was so vicious, it was as if she wanted to tear me to shreds on the spot.
She looked like a viper, filled with venom.
Well, it was impressive how she managed to maintain her composure through it all…
Regardless, just as I was about to leave, I paused with my hand on the doorknob and glanced back.
“Oh, by the way, Serapina. You said you think of me as your closest friend, right?”
At my words, Serapina conjured her signature benevolent smile and met my gaze.
“Lari, have you finally realized my true feelings?”
Hmm, it seems she hasn't given up hope just yet.
I was more than happy to crush that expectation.
“If you’re so worried about me, you’ll get an invitation and come to the salon, won’t you?”
“…”
What kind of nonsense is this?
Her expression seemed to ask just that.
Serapina’s pretty face hardened ever so slightly.
“I mean, you have so many people who care for you, Serapina. Getting an invitation should be easy.”
I smiled brightly.
“I feel so reassured knowing you’ll be there. I’ll be waiting for you at the salon, alright?”
With that.
I walked gracefully out of the drawing room.
* * *
Since things had turned out this way, I decided to visit the Duchess earlier than planned.
“Lalitt Ansi, here to see Duchess Claudius.”
“Ah, you’re here?”
The Duchess acknowledged me with a prim expression.
“Sit.”
After gesturing for me to take a seat, the Duchess immediately scrutinized me from head to toe with the eyes of a hawk.
“Hmm.”
I-It’s okay, right?
I swallowed hard.
I was dressed exactly as the Duchess had chosen for me, in a sky-blue lace dress and even holding a parasol.
After a meticulous inspection, the Duchess finally smiled in satisfaction.
“Good. You pass.”
Phew.
I breathed an inward sigh of relief.
At the same time, the Duchess propped her chin on her hand, a sullen look on her face as she posed a question.
“By the way, what’s with the formal greeting?”
“Pardon?”
“W-We…”
The Duchess trailed off for a moment, subtly averting her gaze.
“We are friends, aren't we? Even if it’s just for now.”
