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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Letter
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Evanjeline von Claudius.
A noble lady, lofty and arrogant, like a magnificent rose blooming on a cliffside.
Her status as the Empire's sole duchess made her unapproachable.
And Evanjeline herself did not particularly enjoy mingling with others.
And now, Lady Ansi had been linked to such a duchess.
The heir to the Viscounty of Ansi—though somewhat known in the provinces, she was still not part of the central aristocracy.
The Duchy of Claudius and the Viscounty of Ansi were, metaphorically speaking, like the sun and a firefly.
The difference in their statuses was just that vast...
‘And besides, there was everything Lady Ansi had done until now, right?’
The way she had willingly acted as Lady Lopes's handmaiden, servilely waiting on her as if it were only natural.
So naturally, they had expected the Duchess to fly into a rage.
But far from it...
“Did the Duchess really become friends with Lady Ansi?”
One of the noblewomen muttered doubtfully.
“Who can say.”
“I’ll have to check if the sun rises in the west tomorrow.”
The noblewomen simply shook their heads.
* * *
Afterward.
Having parted ways with the Duke, I was standing by the wall, taking a short break.
Perhaps because he was such a famous figure, and because his attendance at the salon was so unexpected.
“Your Grace, it’s been too long!”
“I never expected to see you here, Your Grace...”
There were many people eager to exchange even a single word with him...
“I should escort you a little longer, my lady.”
“Please, don’t mind me.”
I magnanimously sent the Duke on his way.
We had fulfilled our social obligations to each other, and it wasn't right to keep taking up a busy man's time.
‘Really, it must be tiring to be so popular.’
Left alone, I took a drink from a passing servant.
After taking a sip, my eyes widened.
‘Ah, this is almost like juice.’
I had advised that it would be best to serve drinks with the lowest possible alcohol content to avoid any unpleasant incidents.
It seemed the Duchess had taken that advice to heart.
“Lalitt, what do you know?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you just stayed quiet?”
...Unlike Gregory and Serapina, who had always ignored me.
The Duchess listened to my advice seriously and tried her best to implement it.
It felt quite unfamiliar, but it wasn't a bad feeling.
To be more precise...
‘It feels good.’
I took another sip of my drink, feeling pleased.
The sweet yet slightly bitter liquid flowed coolly down my throat.
But just then.
“Lady Ansi!”
The Duchess suddenly popped up from behind me!
“Cough!”
I nearly spat out the drink I had in my mouth.
The Duchess glanced around before turning to me with a glare, bombarding me with questions.
“Why are you alone? Where’s my brother?”
“He, uh, went to speak with some other gentlemen. He said there was something urgent to discuss about business...”
“Oh, honestly! What could be so urgent?”
Hearing my answer, the Duchess stomped her feet as if dying of frustration.
“They just want to get on my brother's good side and maybe get an investment! And you just let him go?”
Ugh.
I gave an awkward smile.
The truth was, the Duke had tried to be courteous to me until the very end.
“Are you quite sure it’s all right for me to go?”
“Yes, of course!”
But I, feeling burdened in many ways, was the one who had pushed him away.
“I can't possibly disturb a busy man. In fact, thank you for escorting me until now.”
I mean, let’s be honest.
The Duke is the male lead of this world, destined to one day fall madly in love with Serapina.
Is there really any need to build a friendship with him?
“Don't you worry, I'll have a firm word with my brother after the event!”
“Ah, no, you don't have to do that...”
“What do you mean I don't have to!”
The Duchess, who had been clenching her fists, turned to me with a serious expression.
“You're my fr-frien... temporary friend! You shouldn't be treated poorly anywhere!”
...Uh, I was never treated poorly in the first place, though.
Just then, the Duchess gave me a curious look and asked a question.
“By the way, did something good happen?”
“Pardon? Why do you ask?”
“You've been smiling this whole time.”
Oh, have I?
I felt a little awkward.
“I just posted a letter before coming to the salon.”
“A letter? Is it important?”
“Well, not exactly important.”
The smile on my lips deepened slightly.
“But I'm rather... looking forward to the reply.”
* * *
Meanwhile.
Serapina sat in the drawing room of the Bentner barony, her nerves completely on edge.
Across from her sat Gregory and the Baroness, and Serapina felt as if she were sitting on a cushion of thorns.
It was no wonder, as the gaze of Baroness Bentner, who had always looked at Serapina so warmly...
“Serapina, dear. Is it because of you that we weren't invited to the salon?”
...was now colder than a winter blizzard.
At that, Gregory shot up from his seat and raised his voice.
“Aunt, how can you say such a thing?!”
“How dare you raise your voice at an elder?!”
Baroness Bentner glared.
“What, did I say something I shouldn't have? It's a fact that Lalitt and Serapina have had a falling out recently!”
Her words were petty, conveniently excluding her own nephew, even though Gregory had also been treating Lalitt like a handmaiden.
At the same time, Baroness Bentner's arrow was aimed at Serapina.
“It's true that girl Lalitt is being petty, but you shouldn't have given her a reason to, Sera!”
“...”
Instead of answering, Serapina bit her lip and cast her eyes down pitifully.
Gregory quickly came to her defense.
“Sera, don't be too upset. My aunt, really, does she have to speak like that...”
But contrary to her pitiful appearance, Serapina's mind was a whirl of complex thoughts.
‘That girl Lalitt, does she really intend not to invite me to the salon?’
Unable to overcome her anxiety, Serapina gripped the armrest of her chair.
‘How can this be?’
Serapina felt a thick sense of defeat wash over her.
That fool Lalitt was probably at the salon right now, making an impression on the Empire's most prominent nobles.
And here I am, stuck between the insignificant Gregory and Baroness Bentner, sipping tasteless tea...!
On top of that.
‘I'm about to lose all the goodwill I've built up with Baroness Bentner!’
From her attitude and actions earlier, openly blaming Serapina.
The Baroness seemed determined to pin the blame for all of this on Serapina.
But just then.
“Lady Lopes, a letter has arrived.”
“A letter? Who is it from?”
“It is from Lady Ansi.”
What? From Lalitt?
Serapina blinked blankly.
“My goodness, it seems that girl Lalitt has finally sent an invitation, albeit late.”
“Of course! There’s no way our Sera wouldn't be invited!”
Upon seeing the letter, Baroness Bentner and Gregory were the first to make a fuss.
Serapina's expression, however, darkened.
‘What on earth is she scheming?’
Lalitt had been nothing but cold, even when Serapina had gone to the townhouse herself.
And now that same Lalitt had personally convinced the Duchess...?
After a moment of suspicion, Serapina shook her head.
‘No, Lalitt can't do anything without me, can she?’
Drab Lalitt.
Lalitt, who was ignored everywhere she went.
There was no way that crow-like girl would fit in at a glamorous place like the Duchy of Claudius's salon.
‘She must have attended the salon only to feel intimidated and unable to mingle with the other guests.’
Looking at the ornate envelope, Serapina felt her chest swell with anticipation.
