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Chapter 5
“Anyway, you’re too weak. From now on, exercise regularly and build your stamina.”
“Why did you put strange pressure on the kid by saying she’ll have chances to attend a duke family party soon?”
Simon’s scolding toward me was immediately rebuked by Count Brante.
“She was the one who said she wanted to go first. And it’s true. It’s the birthday party of the future Duke Dierne.”
“It’s not too late to attend after a debutante ceremony.”
“It’s good to build connections early.”
Instead of arguing between the two, I quietly watched them.
The existence called “family,” which I didn’t have in my previous life, slowly felt warm and round in my chest.
Even though this body lost its mother early, I still have a father and an older brother. A family that takes care of each other, even while bickering.
“Would you still say that if you see this?”
Simon took out an invitation.
The sealing wax pattern on the envelope was clearly the Dierne family crest.
“I want to see it!”
I snatched the envelope and opened it.
It was an invitation.
“Next Thursday, 3 PM. Simon Brante, young Count Brante, is invited to afternoon tea. If Lady Ries Brante wishes, she may accompany him. This will be a light greeting meal, so please don’t feel pressured. — Violet Dierne.”
Seeing my name written in elegant handwriting, I secretly cheered.
Darius really invited me too!
“This came by messenger this morning.”
Simon snorted proudly.
Wait, but the sender was… Violet Dierne?
Count Brante moved closer and glanced at the invitation.
“Ries, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“I want to go.”
“What?”
“I want to go too!”
“Why?”
As I kept begging, the count’s eyebrows curved into a worried shape.
“…The food in the duke’s house was all really delicious.”
Instead of telling the real reason, I made a random excuse.
Simon snorted as if it was nonsense.
“Lying. You’re interested in Darius, right?”
“No.”
I shook my head firmly to calm the shocked Count Brante.
“Don’t keep trying to match me with Darius just because of your brotherly fantasies.”
Actually, I was very interested!
I even planned to sacrifice myself for his happiness!
But I still believed Darius’s partner was Adele.
“Honestly, I want to get close to his younger brother, Kylerus.”
So I dropped the poor excuse about food and created a legitimate reason to cling to Kyle.
Simon, who was coughing, slammed his teacup down.
“Hey. That kid is…”
He stopped speaking for a moment, cleared his throat, and lowered his voice.
“…Probably the duke’s illegitimate son. Everyone keeps quiet about it, but it’s an open secret.”
“I see. What’s the problem with that?”
I asked boldly.
Simon avoided my eyes and coughed awkwardly.
“Cough. Leaving birth aside, that little kid has a nasty personality. He’s not someone you should hang around with.”
“I think he’s a little sharp, but he didn’t seem like a bad kid.”
“When did you even talk to him?”
“When I was lost in the maze garden of the duke’s house, he guided me.”
“When did you sneak into a place like that? Anyway, you should socialize with young ladies your own age.”
Stupid adults. What crime did the child commit just by being born?
Even if he becomes a villain later, right now he is just a hurt child.
“I like Kyle. I’ll decide who I become friends with.”
“What, kid? We’re giving you advice for your own good…”
“Stop, stop! Don’t fight.”
Count Brante stepped between us as we growled at each other.
“Ries, your brother has a point. There’s no benefit in associating with a child who has a bad reputation.”
“Anyway, I’m going to the tea party.”
Faced with my stubborn will, the count hesitated.
“Do you really want to go?”
“Yes!”
“…You were never this assertive before. You’ve changed, Ries.”
“Yeah. I guess I’ve gotten stubborn. But it’s better than staying at home and reading gloomy books all the time.”
Simon’s sharp criticism was met with a warning glance from the count.
It seemed the original Ries was quite an introverted, quiet child.
“Alright. Then go. Don’t push yourself.”
“Thank you!”
Seeing me happy, the count smiled and patted my head.
“Then I’ll write a reply saying we will both attend.”
Simon took the invitation and stood up. The physician came to check me and confirmed there was nothing wrong. After that, I ate a simple meal prepared by Millie.
While eating soup, I remembered something.
There was someone I must conquer first if I wanted to stick to the Dierne family.
Time passed quickly as I spent it cramming for memorization.
Finally, the day of the decisive visit to the duke’s house arrived.
Feeling the full spring air on my skin, I rode the carriage.
Simon, sitting across from me, adjusted his clothes while nagging me.
“Today’s event is basically a test to see whether we are suitable children to associate with the Dierne family. Be polite and follow etiquette…”
“Ah, I know.”
How many times had he repeated the same thing like a parrot?
I also planned to leave a good impression.
Come to think of it, isn’t the older brother in reincarnation romance novels supposed to be kind and doting? Why is my family member like this?
While I was complaining about my very realistic siblings, the carriage reached its destination.
In Graydon Town, the wealthy district where central nobles of the capital of Pellen lived, stood the grand mansion of the duke.
Simon got off first and helped me down.
Following the footman and butler’s guidance, we entered the central hall of the mansion.
Soon, Darius came down the stairs after hearing about our arrival.
“Simon!”
Seeing him wearing simpler, more comfortable but still neat clothes than last time filled my heart with emotion.
Ah. The white formal suit he wore at the previous party was beautiful, but today’s outfit is also so good.
Is there anything more exciting than watching my favorite character change outfits in real life?
The half day I spent grooming myself before coming here doesn’t feel wasted at all.
“Lady Ries came too. Thank you for making time.”
You’re welcome. I have plenty of free time.
He smiled with his eyes and slightly lifted the pin brooch attached to his jacket collar.
Oh my god. That is!!
It was the men’s pin brooch I gave Darius at his birthday party before.
If I had more time, I would have checked what kind of art or sculpture Darius liked. But I had to order it quickly right after possession, using the money the original Ries had saved.
I had put my name inside the gift card in the box, but I never expected Darius to check it personally.
And even wear it today to match my visit!
“I really like it. Thank you.”
“P-Please don’t mention it…!”
It looks so good on you! It wasn’t even custom-made, just a ready-made item, but why does it fit so perfectly? Is it because the wearer is so handsome?
Ah… my heart is aching.
If I keep doing this, I might die young again from using up all my life luck.
“Ries, did you give him that? As a birthday present?”
Simon raised one eyebrow and interrogated me.
At that moment, the sound of steady, elegant footsteps echoed.
Looking far ahead, I saw a graceful lady with an appearance similar to Darius.
The subtle charisma around her made the temperature feel like it dropped by five degrees.
“Welcome. I have been looking forward to meeting the Brante Count family. I am Violet Dierne.”
Her dignified smile contrasted with the sharp, piercing gaze that made my back straighten.
Indeed, the duchess is different.
From her attire, speech, and gestures—nothing was lacking or excessive.
‘The time has come.’
The mountain I must cross to approach Kyle and Darius—
It is time to攻略 (conquer) Violet Dierne.
