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Chapter 42
Howell appeared at the perfect dramatic moment.
Elysia didn’t miss her chance and quickly grabbed his arm.
“W-what are you doing?”
Ding!
Howell’s wariness has increased by 10%!
Wariness 230% → 240%!
Howell is frozen with tension!
Howell stiffened in surprise at Elysia’s sudden action. Maybe it was unpleasant to be touched by someone he wasn’t close with. Or perhaps, having witnessed her break a fork last time, he was now worried his arm would be next.
Before he could start nagging, Elysia spoke first.
“Yes, brother. I’d better get going before I get in trouble, right?”
“…Yeah! Father’s really angry, you know?”
Exactly the response she was hoping for. Elysia turned back to the High Priest and bowed her head.
“I’m sorry. As you said, I’m just a delinquent noblewoman who already caused trouble today. I really need to get scolded and reflect on my actions. I’m a bit busy.”
“Busy…?”
The High Priest furrowed his brows slightly, as if he couldn’t believe she was calling that ‘busy’. But Elysia paid him no mind, bowed gracefully, and left with Howell.
Let’s go. Out, out.
As she quickened her pace, Elysia glanced back. Thankfully, the High Priest didn’t seem inclined to follow.
What an unpleasant man.
From blatantly looking down on her, showing obvious suspicion, staring into the camera, that weird [??-stat], and going out of his way to find her—everything about him felt off.
She had plenty of questions and things she wanted to argue about, but Elysia chose not to.
I don’t even know what that guy really is yet.
She didn’t know what kind of powers he had. And he held a high status. If a fight broke out and she somehow won, it would still turn into a scandal about a villainess daring to strike a holy High Priest.
Hmph. I’ll let it slide this once.
Just as she gave a snort and flicked her head, a voice interrupted her.
“Wait a minute! Stop! Why are you dragging me around like this?!”
It was Howell, being forcibly led at Elysia’s brisk pace. Though he couldn’t shake off her grip, he was struggling to keep up.
Oh. I forgot.
Elysia belatedly let go of his arm. Howell rubbed it with a disgruntled expression.
“…Hey, just a question. That conversation you had with the High Priest—was that for real?”
“What part?”
“Did he really call you a ‘delinquent noblewoman’?”
“Oh.”
Elysia recalled her exact words:
‘I’m sorry. As the High Priest said, I’m a delinquent noblewoman who already caused trouble today.’
It was only natural that Howell would assume the High Priest had said something to her.
Elysia nodded quickly.
“Yeah. Though honestly, most people say stuff like that behind my back.”
It wasn’t like being labeled a villainess was new. And the High Priest was a clergyman—maybe preaching disguised as nagging was just his habit. But Howell frowned.
“Saying it behind your back and saying it to your face are two totally different things!”
That’s what bothered him?
Elysia squinted at him in disbelief. Honestly, she didn’t see the difference. Both felt equally unpleasant.
But Howell wasn’t done.
“Sure, you cause trouble wherever you go and you’re often too embarrassing to be taken out in public, but—”
“Sorry, could you stop trash-talking me to my face?”
Elysia scowled at him as he openly insulted her.
“Anyway… regardless of what’s true, someone like the High Priest saying that out loud is just…”
He trailed off, clearly frustrated and unsure how to articulate his thoughts.
Just then, a cold voice cut through the air between them.
“There you are.”
Elysia looked up.
Before she realized it, the Duke was standing right in front of them.
The Duke’s disappointment has increased!
The Duke’s disappointment has increased!
The Duke’s disappointment is…
Ding-ding-ding!!
Alarms rang wildly.
As if all the pent-up disappointment was now being released in full force.
He’s mad.
No need for a system notification to see it. The Duke was clearly furious.
But upon closer inspection… his eyes looked slightly sunken under his brows.
Wait… is he tired?
Come to think of it, Jerome had tried multiple tricks to keep the Duke from finding her.
He must have been wandering the ballroom all night. Even the mighty Duke was probably exhausted by now.
Feeling a pang of guilt, Elysia cautiously opened her mouth.
“Father? I know you’re probably misunderstanding things, but I swear I didn’t come here to see the Crown Prince. I was just really curious about the prophecy…”
“…Hah.”
The Duke opened his mouth to scold her, then let out a heavy sigh. He strode over and grabbed her arm.
“F-Father? Wait, let go—!”
Dragging her along as if she were under arrest, the Duke showed no sign of letting go, gripping her arm firmly. Perhaps afraid she’d bolt again, he marched briskly toward the exit.
“We’re going home. Now.”
“…I’m surprised you got in the carriage without a fight.”
The Duke’s sharp voice cut through the air as she climbed in.
Elysia climbed into the Duchy’s carriage, enduring his scolding. The ball was still in full swing, but their family had left quite early. It seemed the Duke had been so drained from chasing her down that he’d lost all desire to remain.
Staring out the window of the fast-moving carriage, the Duke murmured absently,
“By the way… how did you even get here?”
“I ran.”
Elysia answered solemnly. Howell looked at her, incredulous.
“Liar! There’s no way you ran all the way here! You always insist on taking the carriage!”
“What was I supposed to do when there wasn’t one?”
“…”
Unable to respond, Howell fell silent.
Then, squinting at her suspiciously, he muttered,
“How can you look that fine after running all that way? Did you get help from the palace staff?”
“I did it myself.”
“Yourself?”
“I mean I did everything on my own.”
Doing her hair, changing clothes, putting on accessories—easy stuff. Back when she was a modern person, she did all that herself every morning. But Howell didn’t look convinced.
“Liar! No way you’re that good with your hands!”
“Do you think I’m good at anything?”
“…”
While the two sulked and glared at each other, the Duke spoke.
“So you ran here… The reports from the house were true. And the part about escaping through the window… must be true too.”
Apparently, he’d been informed of her every move. Elysia was impressed.
“We should seal the window…”
The Duke muttered lowly.
What?!
Elysia whipped her head up. Seal the window?! That would turn her room into a prison with no escape! Just as she was about to protest, the Duke added,
“You might’ve gotten hurt jumping out. See the physician as soon as we get home.”
…Wait, was that concern?
Elysia studied his expression, trying to read his intent. Sealing the window was extreme, sure—but jumping from high places really was dangerous, and any normal parent would be worried.
But.
The Duke’s tone was clearly irritated.
“Elysia Sempérion. Listen carefully.”
He shot her a look of pure exasperation.
“Do you know how disappointed I am in you over this?”
…Yeah, I know.
Her disappointment stat was off the charts. She hadn’t even dared to look.
Elysia quietly kept her mouth shut. The Duke continued.
“What happened tonight doesn’t seem like it was entirely your doing. His Highness seemed to be involved as well, so I’ll let it slide—for now.”
He must’ve seen the Crown Prince take her side and grab her hand in front of everyone. That probably convinced him it wasn’t all her fault.
“But this is the last time. If you have even a shred of intelligence—and if you remember you are a Sempérion—then do not ever run away from home again.”
“…”
“This is your final warning.”
A clear declaration.
He’d gone this far—maybe she should actually promise not to run away anymore. As Elysia hesitated,
Ding!
A choice menu appeared before her, for the first time in a while.
Choice: <The Duke’s Final Declaration>
He seems to have been holding it in for a long time.
How will you respond?
-
Yes, Father. I truly won’t run away again.
(Warning: Choosing this will lock you inside the house for a full week, system-enforced.) -
“Warning, huh? And why should I care?” (You roll your eyes defiantly.)
-
“Absolutely not! I’ll live my own life!” (You clench your fists and shout with resolve.)
…Is this really meant to be chosen?
