ITIEUPCML 18

~Chapter 18~

The Rovellito Duke’s mansion was busy getting ready for their guests.

Orland directed the servants, and the head chef worked hard preparing a grand dinner.

Because of this, the mansion felt lively, almost like there was a small party.

“Our young lady is the prettiest in the world… and her dress, too…”

Even Emily joined in, so Astia became like a dress-up doll.

“And your hair is so beautiful, my lady…”

Thankfully, since Astia didn’t have much strength, they didn’t spend too long picking out outfits.

She changed into a light purple dress with frills on the sleeves and hem and let out a small sigh.

‘This is exhausting…’

She hadn’t even started, but already wanted dinner to be over.

“Ruby, don’t you want to come too?”

“Pyu pyu!”

Astia could forget all her worries just by hugging Ruby.

Maybe it was thanks to him, but she hardly ever had nightmares anymore.

She loved Ruby even more because of that.

“Yeah. It’s a shame… I’ll finish quickly and come back! Don’t worry.”

“Pyu…”

Seeing Ruby’s droopy ears, Astia knew waiting was hard for him.

Still, she had to leave him behind. She wanted to bring Ruby with her, but it wouldn’t be proper for a dinner like this.

“Ati, aren’t you a little too cute tonight? Just thinking about others looking at you makes me angry. Should I really let you go like this?”

“Of course!”

Astia quickly cut off Damian’s words.

She worried he’d do something if she didn’t stop him, especially when he smiled coldly and played with his sword hilt.

“Fine. If Ati says to let you go, I will.”

Damian’s face softened instantly.

“You’re so kindhearted, it’s a problem. Who did you get that from? Must be me.”

“Haha…”

Damian ruffled her hair, and Astia relaxed her eyes.

“Master, Viscount Castea and Lady Raniel have arrived.”

“Is that so?”

Damian’s expression darkened at the servant’s news.

“Ha…”

He sighed deeply. Astia, worried he might snap, sent the servant away and gave Damian a big smile.

“It’s just for a week, so don’t worry, brother.”

“Hmm… right? I think so too.”

With Astia’s words, Damian’s mood improved as if nothing happened.

Astia giggled quietly as Damian escorted her.

“Good evening, Duke. I am Viscount Castea.”

Their guests were already seated in the dining hall.

Viscount Castea stood and smiled brightly.

“As a vassal, I can’t express how honored I am to be here. This is all thanks to your grace, Your Excellency.”

“…Welcome.”

“Thank you. My daughter is here with me as well. She’s been wanting to meet you for so long…”

Viscount Castea glanced at Raniel, who sat demurely.

Raniel stood up gracefully and greeted Damian.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I am Raniel Castea.”

Astia was quietly impressed. Raniel’s manners were perfect, not the slightest bit off.

Of course, Astia didn’t know Raniel had practiced her manners all day.

“Lady Astia and I are about the same age. Perhaps we can be friends.”

Raniel glanced at Astia and smiled.

“Yes. We’re only two years apart.”

Astia answered, though she didn’t know why that smile seemed so annoying.

Maybe it was just her imagination?

Viscount Castea clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Oh dear. I must be getting old and forgetful. Who do we have here? Lady Astia! You look so healthy now.”

He put on an exaggeratedly surprised face.

“Hello, Viscount Castea.”

“Oh, I’m so happy I could cry. I hope you and Raniel get along well.”

“Yes, of course.”

Astia nodded like it was nothing. Raniel, who had been standing proudly, bowed again.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Astia. Let’s get along well.”

Before Astia could reply, Damian looked down at Raniel and spoke coldly, almost biting his words.

“…Let’s enjoy dinner.”

“Ahaha, yes, let’s talk while we eat.”

The maids bustled around, and with a gesture from Damian, dinner began.

‘Wow…’

Astia was amazed by the feast before her but tried to look calm as she started eating.

She had thought she’d just eat quietly, but Viscount Castea never stopped talking.

“Our family has served the duke’s house for generations…”

He went on and on about their history and praised the duke’s house.

Astia frowned at his endless chatter.

“Ati.”

But Damian ignored Viscount Castea completely. His eyes never left Astia.

Whenever food was too far from her, he served it to her himself and looked at her, as if wanting her praise.

“Ati, isn’t this delicious? I asked the chef to make it just for you.”

Astia could almost see the chef, Jeff, trembling in the kitchen.

She was sure Damian had threatened him rather than asked nicely. Astia felt like she had to protect the staff herself.

“Yes, it’s delicious! Jeff is such a good cook… Brother, you’re the best!”

“Right? I knew it. Haha.”

Thanks to that, Jeff’s life was spared—at least for now.

Astia breathed a sigh of relief as she ate.

Even if she did nothing, more food kept piling up on her plate.

Raniel frowned a little at this, but Astia didn’t notice since she was focused on her food.

With all the attention on Astia, Viscount Castea started to get anxious.

“Your Grace, you have no idea how much Raniel admires you…”

Suddenly, Damian’s knife stopped moving.

The knife gleamed dangerously, and Viscount Castea swallowed hard.

“I hate too much talking during meals.”

“…”

With that warning, Viscount Castea fell silent.

Raniel also began to watch Damian carefully.

“S-sorry! I was rude. Ha ha!”

Feeling even a slight sense of danger, Viscount Castea started sweating.

“It’s fine, as long as you know.”

“Yes, yes…”

Viscount Castea quickly quieted down.

“Ati, do you need help?”

Right away, Damian’s attention returned to Astia. His gaze was so gentle it felt like honey might drip from his eyes.

“No, I can eat by myself…”

“But I want to help.”

This strange dinner ended with the clinking of dishes and Damian’s sweet efforts to serve Astia food.

After dinner, Astia enjoyed the lively party mood for the first time in a while.

At least, she did—until Raniel came to bother her.

“Lady Astia, I hope we can become friends during this visit.”

“Ahaha… me too.”

Raniel looked around Astia’s spacious room and smirked.

“I didn’t realize the duke cared so much for you, Lady Astia.”

“My brother always cherishes me.”

“Well, it’s only natural to treat a lady kindly when you don’t know how long she’ll live. Otherwise, he might regret it later.”

“…Excuse me?”

Astia’s eyes widened at the sharp remark.

What did she just say? Did I hear that right?

Astia let out a disbelieving laugh.

Raniel, ignoring her, stood tall and fiddled with her fancy dress.

“Oh dear. How sad. The duke must worry about you so much…”

Raniel glanced around the room. The soft sound of her dress brushing against things followed her movements.

“This room doesn’t really suit you. Did you pick it yourself? Maybe you should study more to match the duke’s family name.”

She started criticizing everything.

“Looks like I’ll have to teach you a lot while I’m here.”

As Astia sat in silence, Raniel smiled, satisfied.

“I can teach you proper manners if you like. Since you’ve been sick so long, you probably don’t know much. I’ll help you.”

She looked at Astia like she was looking down on a servant.

Astia just stared back in disbelief.

She remembered mastering etiquette as a child and being told there was nothing more to learn. Even most things she learned just by reading books.

‘She has no idea how smart Astia is.’

Being in the body of someone so intelligent had its perks.

Now Raniel was looking down on her for etiquette?

Astia could barely stop herself from laughing.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. I’m just trying to help as a vassal, so don’t misunderstand. Anyway… I look forward to our week together, Lady Astia.”

Raniel finally left the room with elegant steps, still annoying until the end.

Astia was left alone, tilting her head.

“…What was that?”