TVWD 10

Chapter 10

The things sold at the café were rather expensive, so it was never a particularly crowded place. Now, with the recent fire nearby, it was practically deserted.

Cash and I sat by the window inside, and Lady Mary stood steadfastly behind me.

“Lady, if you stand there like that, it makes me uneasy. Please, have a seat.”

When I urged her again, Mary—her short hair neatly framing her face—sat down beside Cash. Soon, a waiter came and unfolded the menu in front of us.

“Order whatever you like, Cash. You too, Lady.”

“My lady, I couldn’t possibly—”

“I’d like a berry parfait and vanilla ice cream.”

Cash ordered without hesitation, leaving Mary looking flustered.

“Lady, this isn’t an everyday opportunity. Go on, choose something.”

I smiled as I encouraged her again, and only then did she order ice cream.

I chose the green tea ice cream, made with tea said to have been brought from the East.

“Oh my, how pretty. Thank you for the food.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“Enjoy.”

Cash kept exclaiming in delight, and even Mary, who was usually so composed, looked a little excited.

I should treat them again next time.

“Miss Cash, you seem quite used to this sort of thing.”

“When I accompany my lady, opportunities like this sometimes come up.”

“Really? I can see now why everyone’s so eager to become the lady’s personal maid.”

I half-listened to their chatter as I organized my thoughts.

A fire that burns only the target without spreading—that must have been magic.
Then, why burn down the information guild?

Probably because it held information someone didn’t want exposed.

Could it have been something connected to the Tower Master? Maybe that man who smelled of ashes was the one who burned it down.

If so, why did the Tower Master try to kill me?

“My lady, would you like anything else?”

“No, I’m fine. Do you two want more?”

They waved their hands no, and together we returned to the carriage.

“I thought I only needed to avoid one person…”

“Pardon, my lady?”

“I’m just tired. Wake me when we arrive.”

One way to prolong my life was to avoid getting entangled with the male lead.

And among all my many lives, the one I’d gotten involved with most often was Duke Liscianthus.
I must never get involved with him again.

Then what about the Tower Master?

Is he someone I can use—and be safe using?

* * *

The day of the Duke of Liscianthus’s party came—the day the moon wanes, the middle of the month.

I went to where the information guild once stood, but of course, the building was just ashes now.

That made it harder to uncover information about Blue Bird.

I had expected as much, but the disappointment still hit hard.

With a pounding headache, I returned home, only to be dragged straight to the bath by Cash and the other maids.

“Make her beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!”

“Our lady must be the most beautiful in the world!”

Burning with an odd sense of mission, the maids poured all their energy into polishing and adorning me.

“You prepared the showiest dress, right?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Dressed in a bright yellow gown, with a necklace of linked topaz and thick silver bracelets, I looked even more arrogant than usual.

Whatever the Duke was thinking, surely he’d tire of such a peacock-like appearance. He must.

“What if he doesn’t?”

The words slipped out, and I startled myself, shaking my head quickly.

Please, Duke.

I was satisfied with just that one dance. Don’t get any closer.

But as if to mock my wish, Cash brought shocking news.

“My lady, a carriage has arrived from Duke Liscianthus’s estate!”

“What?”

The fan in my hand creaked as my grip tightened.

“They said it’s for his partner—you, my lady!”

Partner?

I felt the blood drain from my face.

“At the last tea party, the Duke came himself, and now he’s invited you as his partner for tonight’s event!”

“It’s clear the Duke’s interested in you, my lady. Well, who wouldn’t be?”

I denied it, but the maids were already gossiping happily.

Still—what was the Duke plotting, to go so far as this?

He was always so transparent, so easy to read. For him to act strangely now sent a chill down my spine.

Would it be wise to go?

“Oh my, Roa. So you’ve agreed to be the Duke’s partner without telling me?”

Then even Mother joined in, cheerfully encouraging me, leaving me no choice but to board the Duke’s carriage.

“Mother, you’ll be coming soon too, right?”

“What are you talking about?”

She took a few steps back after finishing her own preparations.

“You’ll represent our family tonight. Give the Duke our regards.”

“You’re not coming? But yesterday you said you would—”

“Hoho, I can’t possibly interfere with my daughter’s romance. Off you go.”

Before I could protest, she smiled and retreated inside, and the carriage set off.

* * *

The Duke’s mansion, usually defined by solemn simplicity and grandeur, was tonight adorned with unexpected brightness. Lilies, in particular, were arranged beautifully everywhere.

“Lilies…”

My favorite flower.

It was the season when lilies bloomed abundantly, so it might mean nothing—but still, my chest ached faintly.

Tearing my gaze from them, I looked around.

Parties at the Duke of Liscianthus’s estate were so rare that nearly every noble of standing seemed to have attended.

The moment I stepped into the ballroom, people swarmed to greet me as if they’d been waiting.

“Good evening, my lady.”

“Lady Levian! How wonderful to see you here.”

The cloying perfume and shrill voices made my headache worse, but I forced a bright smile.

Damn that Duke—after sending a carriage and calling me his partner, he can’t even come to greet me?

“Lovely to see you, yes. Excuse me, please—I must pass through.”

I’d arrived early, yet the place was already packed.

My nausea worsened, so I slipped out into the quiet garden.

Leaning lightly against a tree, I felt the cool bark soothe my overheated body.

The sky was clear, the breeze gentle.

If only I could enjoy such peace for a long time.

Rustle.

A sound disturbed my rest. When I turned, it was Merina.

“My lady, may I have a word?”

“Lady Ichel, I have nothing to say to you.”

“But I have something to say to you. At the last tea party, you embarrassed me, didn’t you?”

I knew this was coming.

“And the Duke is a special person to me. Please, stay away from him.”

“Lady Ichel, you told me yourself the Duke and you weren’t involved.”

“That’s—”

“Shall I ask the Duke again tonight, in front of even more people, what kind of relationship you two have?”

“What—what did you say?”

Merina looked utterly stunned. My headache grew worse.

If I stayed with her, another malicious rumor would surely start. I needed to get back to the ballroom.

I hadn’t slept properly for days; my vision blurred, but I bit the inside of my cheek and forced myself forward, step by step. The pain of torn flesh was familiar, though still unpleasant.

“My lady, I haven’t finished speaking!”

Oblivious as ever, Merina followed me, needing to have the last word.

“There you are.”

A voice cut through the night, and I turned toward it like a drowning person seeing a lifeline.

“The party is about to begin—Lady? Are you all right?”

Ah. Duke Liscianthus.

You’re always like this.

You appear like a savior when I’m at my weakest.

“My lady? You look pale. What’s wrong? Lady Ichel, have you been tormenting Lady Levian again?”

“Wha—me? Your Grace, you misunderstand, I—”

I bit my tongue to stay conscious, but even pain no longer registered.

My body was giving in, demanding I acknowledge how exhausted and broken it was.

“Lady Levian, are you… coughing blood?”

“Your Grace, please, listen to me—”

“Silence!”

The Duke’s roar cut her off. I could imagine the look on her face; I’d seen it many times before.

“My lady, please stay with me. I’ll call a physician immediately. Just hold on!”

His voice blurred, fading. Darkness swallowed everything.

“Lady Levian!”

Ah… please.

Don’t call me like that.

That voice, so desperate and gentle, makes me believe—
just for a moment—
that we’re back in those countless, happy days long past.