LMTM 15

Episode 15

Selena tilted her head.

“Yeah, the knight order has been a bit busy lately. Since there are about two months left until the Founding Festival, they seem to have tightened security. There are more patrols too — looks like they’re really busy. And apparently the work schedule for the day of the festival has already come out. You know how the knights have events that day as well. They have to practice for those. Thanks to that, the training intensity went up, so he hasn’t been able to come by for quite a while.”

The Founding Festival?

If it’s the Founding Festival, then the charity ball must be coming soon too. I think that’s where Grace and Cesar started getting tied together. And in the original story, that was when Selena, jealous of Grace, began bullying her.

So it’s finally starting — the original plot.

I pulled my thoughts back from the scenes I had read before and focused on the problem right in front of me.

Other people’s romances weren’t my concern. What mattered was what was happening to me right now. As long as I didn’t get in the way, that side of the story would move along on its own. But the stalker in my house? I had to deal with that myself. Why was Rochester always home? They said the knights were busy. Doesn’t he go on patrols? Doesn’t he have preparations to do?

“If they’re so busy… why does it feel like my brother is home every single day?”

“…Well, I’d ask him myself, but it’s been ages since I last saw his face.”

“…I’d like to see it too. Anyway, if a decent girl happens to come to mind…”

“Yes. I’ll let you know, Reina.”

Even after hearing Selena say that, I couldn’t relax. I’d have to find one myself. This was no time to be leisurely choosing a man for myself. Maybe if Rochester fell in love, got married, and had kids, things would calm down. His attention would finally be divided. How could he keep chasing only me when he had a whole family?

Honestly, why didn’t our parents just arrange a political marriage for him? I was going to lose my mind.

I sighed automatically.

＊ ＊ ＊

We were chatting and coloring pictures when it happened.

“His Highness Prince Cesar has sent a letter, my lady.”

“Me?”

Selena tilted her head.

And in that instant, I realized it: what was meant to happen had finally arrived. It had to be an invitation from the imperial family. Ever since we’d talked about the Founding Festival, I’d known the story would begin soon — but apparently, “soon” meant today.

“Yes, my lady.”

Selena unfolded the letter the maid handed her.

“What does it say?”

Grace, now looking more relaxed than before, asked. Selena raised her brows.

“Hm. Her Majesty the Empress Consort, Lady Viviana, is inviting both you and me, Grace. She’s hosting this year’s charity ball and says she needs our help.”

In truth, Empress Viviana didn’t have many close noble ladies. She preferred spending time alone. Even in the original story, that was why she asked Selena and Grace for help.

I just hoped they wouldn’t fight this time. In the original, they fought badly while preparing for the charity ball. Their relationship shattered, and it was Cesar who comforted the heartbroken Grace afterward.

And that charity ball was also crucial for me. Reina dies in an accident after that event. I absolutely had to stay far, far away from it.

My heart pounded the moment I heard the words “charity ball.”

I spoke as calmly as I could.

“Oh my, looks like things are going to get busy. When are we supposed to go?”

“…She says we should come tomorrow. The charity ball is next week. Apparently this one is especially important.”

I already knew that.

It was a fundraiser to establish a new orphanage and a free imperial clinic. That was why Empress Viviana cared so much.

Grace came up with a great idea in the original and left a good impression on the Empress. I wondered if things would unfold the same way this time.

“Congratulations — it’s wonderful that you two get to be part of something so meaningful.”

“…But—”

“Yes?”

“She says she wants you to come as well, Reina.”

“…Huh?”

I was so startled my tongue twisted. Me? Why me? Why would I go there? I’d been planning not to set even a toe inside that charity ball. Reina wasn’t part of that storyline originally. Completely bewildered, I fumbled for words.

“I… um…”

I couldn’t bring myself to say it would be difficult to attend. How could I, when the two noble girls with not a single friend in society were looking at me with hopeful eyes? They were my friends — and on top of that, beautiful ones.

Fine. I’ll go. As long as I don’t chase after Cesar when he leaves the charity ball, I should be fine. I won’t follow him.

And besides, this was a request from the Empress.

No matter how high-ranked I was, I couldn’t refuse a royal request without any reason.

Come to think of it, it might actually be safer to stick with them. There had to be some kind of protagonist’s aura around Grace. If I stayed by her side and guarded her, maybe I could handle the dangerous accident too. To do that, I needed to help prepare for the charity event. So I spoke up carefully.

“…Starting tomorrow, you said?”

“Yes. It’s going to be so much fun, right?”

Selena smiled brightly.

Don’t smile. I was a bundle of nerves.

＊ ＊ ＊

On the day we were supposed to meet Empress Viviana, Cesar himself came to pick me up. If this had been the real Reina, she probably would’ve fainted from happiness. But to me, it was just uncomfortable. He had never shown Reina this kind of kindness before — so why now?

“Thank you for coming to get me, Cesar. Really, you didn’t have to.”

“…No. My mother insisted I bring you personally. Since you’ll be helping her, she said you should be treated accordingly.”

Inside the carriage, Grace and Selena waved at me. Well, at least Grace was here too.

Let’s just think positively.

Honestly, Selena worried me too. Maybe it would be better to keep an eye on both of them like this.

Cesar didn’t get into the carriage himself. Of course not — he wasn’t the kind of man to squeeze into a carriage full of ladies. He did at least have basic manners. Well, except when it came to Reina. She was the only one he treated coldly. Cesar remained on horseback as our group set off.

Selena let out a deep sigh. It looked like she wanted to continue the conversation from before I’d boarded. I pricked up my ears to listen. What had they been talking about?

“Whew, Grace. This is a really important opportunity.”

Selena spoke in a more refined, “social” tone. Which meant she’d gotten much gentler than before. Previously, she would’ve said, “Only a parasite would fail to seize this kind of chance, Grace. Just do as I say.” Grace, now used to Selena’s softened manners, tilted her head. Looking at that innocent face, it wasn’t hard to understand Selena’s feelings. You just wanted to protect her.

“As you know, you’re from some backwat—”

“Selena?”

I grabbed her arm firmly. Come on — we worked so hard on this! That’s not it!

“Ahem. Forget what I just said. Anyway, the problem isn’t you — it’s this society. You’re of ducal blood, after all, but those arrogant brats—”

She clamped her mouth shut again. It was as if something inside her automatically hit the brakes whenever harsh words slipped out. Honestly, thank goodness.

Grace smiled softly.

Her reactions weren’t as dramatic as before. It seemed she could finally understand the sincerity behind Selena’s roughness. All those days of hard work were paying off. I really went through a lot. Coloring books were a brilliant idea. As expected — some relationships only mend when forced to spend time together.

Having come to know Selena’s gentleness, Grace smiled and replied,

“Yes. I understand what you mean, sister.”

“If Her Majesty recognizes you, they won’t be able to look down on you anymore, Grace.”

Grace listened earnestly, while Selena continued in a calm tone.

“She’ll definitely ask us for our opinions. And when she does, Grace — you should speak up. Suggest organizing a bazaar as part of the charity fundraiser. The imperial family and high nobles love collecting antiques, you know. Our vaults are full of them. But not everything is worth auctioning. There’s a market in the middle — that’s what we can target.”

“…But that idea is yours, sister.”

At that moment, the original story overlapped perfectly.