Chapter 60

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: A New Member's Suggestion
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‘Huh?’

Pulled along, I took a couple of steps in a daze and looked up at the person, bewildered.

It was the Duchess.

"How long are you going to stand out here chattering?"

At the same time, the Duchess snapped at Lady Sanchez in a sharp voice.

"We need to go inside. Don't you know the other ladies are waiting?"

"Oh… I apologize."

Lady Sanchez apologized awkwardly.

The Duchess paid her apology no mind, tightening her grip on my arm.

Then, she spoke to me in a voice dripping with ice.

"What are you doing? Let's go in."

"Ah, yes."

Caught in the middle, I broke into a cold sweat.

*Seriously, why is the Duchess in a bad mood again?!*

***

"Starting today, Lady Sanchez will be joining our club."

Lady Sherwood began, her smile strained.

"It seems Countess Sanchez spoke directly to my mother."

Having said that, Lady Sherwood shot a sidelong glance at Lady Sanchez.

"I'm so surprised that Lady Sanchez has shown such interest in our club… I'm delighted."

But it was obvious she was just being polite rather than genuinely happy.

*Well, that's to be expected.*

The members of the book club weren't fools.

The club Lady Sanchez had belonged to until now, ‘Peony,’ was undeniably the most popular group in high society.

The ladies in that group were, without exception, excessively arrogant.

Which meant…

*They subtly looked down on all other clubs.*

But Lady Sherwood was serious about the Watkins Book Club and had put in a lot of effort to grow it.

Enough to courageously send me an invitation.

So, for Lady Sanchez to join the book club using her parents' connections…

*It was bound to be irritating.*

But it must have been difficult to refuse.

Personal feelings about Lady Sanchez aside, she was one of the more influential ladies in high society.

"From now on, please make Lady Sanchez feel welcome."

Lady Sherwood concluded with a half-dead expression.

"A pleasure."

"I never expected to see you here."

The other two ladies, while offering polite greetings, also seemed somewhat reluctant.

Meanwhile, the Duchess didn't seem to care whether the ladies were greeting each other or not, refusing to leave my side.

"Come and sit here."

She personally designated the seat next to her as mine.

"Ah, these madeleines are delicious."

And she personally placed a plate of refreshments from the table in front of me.

She resembled a cat, warily guarding its owner to keep them all to itself…

*No, what a disrespectful comparison to make about the Duchess.*

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

Just then.

"Um, may I recommend a book this time?"

Lady Sanchez asked with a bright smile.

"…"

In that instant, Lady Sherwood's gaze turned cold.

Usually, a book club would first discuss their thoughts on the book they had just read, then select a new one through discussion.

Therefore, Lady Sanchez's suggestion was tantamount to completely ignoring the club's rules.

However.

"Fine. What book would you like to read?"

Unable to voice her displeasure outright, Lady Sherwood nodded with a disgruntled expression.

Lady Sanchez smiled radiantly.

"I'd like to read '101 Easy Bible Stories'!"

*101 Easy Bible Stories*.

It was a book that simplified anecdotes from the scriptures, famous enough to have once been a bestseller in the Empire.

However, the book's fame wasn't due to its high value as a humanities text.

It was more that the author was so famous that the book gained popularity along with him.

Isaac Evans.

The heir to the Marquisate of Evans, a collateral branch of the Claudius family, and an elite who held a key position in the Grand Temple.

Despite his young age, his abilities were recognized, and he was promoted to Head Priest—the position just below the High Priest—only three years after becoming a priest.

For reference, there were only two Head Priests who directly assisted the High Priest out of all the priests.

And Isaac was the youngest Head Priest in history.

In addition, he was neat and handsome, and since the temple actually encouraged priests to marry…

When it came to popularity among the ladies, Head Priest Evans was undoubtedly number two.

Of course, number one was the Duke…

But the reason I remembered his name was because of the special position Head Priest Evans held in this world.

It was because…

*I'm hearing the name of the second male lead here.*

Isaac was also one of the male leads who would become entangled with Serapina.

"Well, that's a good book too."

Meanwhile, proving herself a true book enthusiast, Lady Sherwood rattled on.

"It simplifies the stories of the scriptures, which can seem a bit stiff to the general public, right? That in itself is wonderful. And…"

At that, Lady Sanchez rolled her eyes as if frustrated.

"Oh, that's not what's important!"

"Pardon? Then what is important?"

"Head Priest Evans, of course!"

Lady Sanchez's eyes sparkled like stars.

"I hear Head Priest Evans is *so* handsome, you know?"

"…"

At her words, Lady Sherwood's gaze grew frosty.

I was a little dumbfounded myself.

*Isn't she making it a little too obvious that she has no interest in a book club?*

Even the Duchess diligently writes her impressions for every meeting.

Regardless, Lady Sanchez's face was flushed with excitement.

"He rarely appears in public since he's at the Grand Temple, but they say that whenever he does go out, people flock to him like clouds!"

Then, clenching her fists, she made a suggestion.

"So, what do you say we all go to the Grand Temple for our next meeting?"

"…The Grand Temple?"

"Yes! Who knows? We might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Head Priest Evans, even from a distance!"

Lady Sherwood, looking frustrated, moved her lips slightly.

It seemed she wanted to stop Lady Sanchez.

"…"

But seeing how quickly she shut her mouth, it appeared she didn't have the courage to speak up.

Unlike Lady Sherwood, however, the other two ladies in the club seemed a bit curious.

Well, I could understand how they felt.

All the members of the book club were young ladies who had just made their debut in society.

An age where even a single leaf rolling on the ground could be exciting.

Besides, the topic of conversation was the rumored Head Priest Evans.

"It's true, I've also heard rumors that Head Priest Evans is incredibly handsome."

One of the ladies casually added.

"My older sister says the services aren't boring at all. She said it's fun just to look at the Head Priest's face."

The other lady quickly agreed.

"Excluding the Duke, the Head Priest definitely stands out among the young lords."

"It's not just that he's handsome; it's so cool that he's exceptionally capable, too."

Well, I really didn't like Lady Sanchez's pushy behavior, but.

*The second male lead.*

Feeling a little curious, I subtly joined the conversation.

"Is Head Priest Evans really that amazing?"

"Of course! Not only has no one else been promoted so quickly, but I've also heard he's trusted both inside and outside the temple."

Lady Sanchez passionately sang Head Priest Evans's praises.

The Duchess, on the other hand, kept her lips tightly sealed.

She kept looking back and forth between the ladies and me with a sullen gaze… But why?