TESWKM 4

chapter 4

After that, I chatted lightly with Perre unnie and parted ways.

Although my request to become her right hand had been casually brushed off, today’s events definitely brought us a step closer.

In any case, the plan to become close with Perre unnie and turn her path of despair into a path of flowers was off to a very successful start.

On the way out, I followed Perre unnie and handed drinks and cakes to the maids who were guarding the carriage with the coachman. I also placed some latte and cake inside the carriage for Perre unnie to enjoy at home.

Seeing Perre unnie’s eyes widen at my thoughtfulness, I silently muttered “lucky.”

Thanks to that, I left a good impression on her maid, and Perre unnie, excited to enjoy the delicious coffee and cake at home, even gave me a careful “take care” in return.

I stood at the café entrance, smiling contentedly and waving until her carriage disappeared from sight.

After returning home, I pulled out my communication orb and contacted a journalist I had already bribed.

The communication orb was expensive, containing a special gem, so most people preferred letters—but as a nouveau riche, I didn’t mind spending the money.

“Have the photos been taken?”

[Yes, we captured several shots very well.]

“Then please make sure tomorrow’s newspaper highlights it on the front page. I’ll send the rest of the payment after checking the paper.”

[Of course. I’ll just confirm once more. The front-page title is: ‘Perioze Princess Shows Mercy to Oswald’s Nouveau Riche Daughter, Ellinea,’ correct?]

“No, the correct title is: ‘Perioze Princess Extends Mercy to Ellinea, Daughter of Oswald’s Nouveau Riche House.’”

The article’s content described my terrible behavior at the tea party—insulting the princess, getting slapped, and even coaxing her to visit the café again—but highlighted the kind and saintly princess forgiving me. So the word “mercy” in the title was appropriate.

[Ah, understood. We’ll go with that.]

“Good. Thank you.”

After ending the call, I considered contacting Perre unnie but decided against it.

One must play hard to get. By not contacting her today, she would see the front-page article tomorrow and contact me first.

Patience is truly an important virtue.

Having restrained myself from contacting her yesterday, I received a message from Perre unnie first thing in the morning.

She wanted to meet, so I immediately set an appointment with her.

“Why does this young lady like me so much?”

I felt lucky to meet her so early.

On my way to the duke’s residence, holding the ice latte and salted bread I had bought, I asked with a silly grin why she couldn’t understand my happiness.

Of course, I was completely focused on the drinks and bread I had brought, but she found it cute, so it didn’t matter.

She had likely called me because of the front-page article: [Perioze Princess Extends Mercy to Ellinea, Daughter of Oswald’s Nouveau Riche House].

“Do you need a reason? Then why do you like the Crown Prince?” I asked.

“What?”

“Do you think you’d answer immediately if I asked?”

Seeing her frown, I tactfully rephrased my question.

For a young noble like me, asking a princess directly would be rude. One must approach politely and indirectly.

Perre unnie’s eyebrows, raised high, slowly lowered into place. She really does have beautiful eyebrows.

“Anyway, blindly liking someone this much is more irritating than pleasant.”

“I’ll try to hide this blind affection so it doesn’t upset you.”

When I retorted without backing down, Perre unnie let out a long sigh, signaling she wanted me to stop.

“Hurry and drink it. It’ll taste bad if the ice melts.”

She glanced at me, took a sip of the iced latte, and asked,

“You read the article, right?”

Finally, she revealed the real reason she invited me to the duke’s residence. I nodded casually.

She stared at me, checking if I was okay.

“Okay with what?”

I was genuinely fine, so I asked, puzzled. She fiddled with the straw of her latte with her delicate fingers. She really does have beautiful hands.

“The article said I showed mercy to you, but I never actually did.”

Her tone was slightly indifferent but tinged with a bit of guilt. Somehow, I felt I could understand her feelings just by looking into her eyes.

“Who says? It was mercy. You clearly showed mercy! Even now, you’re humoring a brash nouveau riche like me!”

“You do realize your family is the most influential in the Empire’s port business, right?”

“Of course. And the daughter of that influential family is on your side.”

“…You’re really strange, you know that?”

“Even if I seem strange, my feelings for you are sincere, genuine, and pure.”

Perre unnie chuckled lightly at that. Her smile is so beautiful… I murmured, “Ah, she smiled.”

Immediately, she reclaimed her usual elegant, cold expression. Truthfully, this face is my favorite.

“Anyway, I’m glad you didn’t misunderstand the article.”

“Misunderstand?”

“Yes. Like thinking I made you arrange it.”

But I had arranged it…

“Since I didn’t, any silly misunderstandings…”

“Wait… unnie, did you call me to prevent me from misunderstanding?”

“Because I didn’t do it.”

“Of course, I know. I swear, you’re innocent.”

“Why stake your life on my innocence? …Still, why trust me so completely? How can you be sure I didn’t do it?”

Because I did do it, of course.

“I can’t explain, but I believe you. Even if you had killed someone, I would trust you.”

She has used people to kill before, so…

“You really are strange.”

“But don’t dislike me.”

“What? How could I dislike you…?”

She realized what I meant, bit her lip, and I grinned, saying,

“No matter what happens, don’t forget I’m on your side.”

Back home, Gemma entered my room carrying a pile of invitations.

Gemma had been my nanny since childhood, caring for me after I lost my mother.

“What’s all this?”

“These are invitations from young ladies of various families.”

“Oh, really?”

I lazily opened them one by one. Each invited me to a tea party.

“Whoa…”

Surprised at the sudden flood of invitations, Gemma smiled warmly.

“Everyone clearly recognizes your charm.”

She even teared up, saying everyone would like me. It felt a little overwhelming.

As I awkwardly smiled at her joy, I cut my hand on the sharp edge of an envelope.

“Ah.”

“Oh my! Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine…”

“Davi! Davi!”

Gemma called out urgently as our freckled peer Davi ran in, seeing a little blood.

“Lely! Medicine box! Quickly! The young lady is hurt!”

The overreaction of the two left me blinking in surprise.

I cautiously asked Gemma if, in the original story, Ellinea had been harsher to her staff than even the villainous Perioze.

“Really? You’d hurt us?” Both Gemma and Davi froze, astonished.

‘Oh… really?’

Just as I wondered how to improve my relationship with them, they both burst out laughing.

“You really are unpredictable, Miss.”
“You would hit us? Hahaha, I’d love to see you angry just once.”

I realized the original Ellinea wasn’t a bad person at all.

“I can get scary if I’m angry,” I said playfully, recalling my notorious deeds in the other world.

They, along with Lely, now looking at me with adoring faces, were clearly charmed.

Gemma applied medicine to my cut and praised me, saying a young lady this lovely would never be seen again.

I felt reassured, thinking the original Ellinea must have lived well and probably gone to heaven.

“So that’s why you’ve received so many invitations,” Davi said with a smile.

She meant that nobles who knew me wouldn’t be able to resist my charm.

It’s natural for attendants to flatter their mistress, but being praised this much felt a little embarrassing.

“You’re charming too.”

I meant we might as well all be charming together. Gemma, Davi, and Lely smiled in delight.

“Anyway, answering all these invitations will take all night.”

I murmured, looking at the mountain of invitations.

They likely wanted to confirm the truth behind the newspaper article. Even Perre unnie worried people might misunderstand that she wrote it, so naturally everyone would have questions for me.

I decided to attend them all, planning to share stories of how well Perre unnie treats me. To do that, I needed to create a few anecdotes about her kindness.

Knocking at the door.

“Miss Ellinea, a letter from Miss Caroline has arrived.”

Becky, my personal attendant, handed me a letter marked urgent.

Instead of contacting Perre unnie, I opened the letter.

It was short, simply requesting me to come to the baron’s residence quickly—no pleasantries, no warm words.

“Prepare a carriage, Becky. I need to go to the baron’s.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The urgency indicated a reason I couldn’t ignore. Caroline is the original protagonist, and I need to subtly manage her personality so she doesn’t conflict with our beloved Perre unnie.

For now, I put the anecdotes about Perre unnie on hold and headed to the baron’s residence.