THSDR 41

Chapter 41

At the same time.

On the opposite side of the market, at the second floor of Beltria Textile Shop.

Countess Caslit had arrived first and prepared two cups of tea, waiting in place. Duchess Petunia removed her hat and sat across from her.

“Did things go well?” she asked.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t they?” Petunia replied. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Yes. We can depart whenever you wish tomorrow. Everything has been prepared.”

“Good work.”

As Petunia and Countess Caslit spoke, Linen’s gaze moved back and forth between them. She bit her lip.

We’re leaving tomorrow? Isn’t that too fast? Ah, I still haven’t even bought all my snacks…

Pouting, Linen decided she should at least meet Lady Yurein once more before leaving—to eat sweets and get some pocket money.

She glanced between the two adults, rolling her eyes.

“And Morigan?” Petunia asked.

“He has not returned yet.”

“He’s late. Tch.”

Petunia let out a tired sigh.

“He’ll return soon.”

“Most likely.”

But that prediction was wrong.

Even as the sun tilted outside the window, Morigan still had not returned.

Petunia’s eyes narrowed. Morigan had never once been late before.

Moreover, with Bereidan actively putting pressure on her now, there was no way he would leave her alone.

The sky darkened. A maid entered to light the candles, but left silently after seeing Petunia’s expression.

Morigan still had not returned. The longer the absence stretched, the more an unknown tension and fear filled the space.

Her chest grew cold. So this was the source of the discomfort she had been feeling all day. Petunia scratched the table with her fingernails.

“That damned savage bastard!”

The next day.

As Chloe had said, Aisen’s carriage arrived. It was a carriage covered in excessive pink ribbons.

That gaudy, princess-like carriage—what on earth was that…?

I was horrified, but Chloe looked extremely proud. I worried about Aisen’s sense of aesthetics for gifting such a thing.

I really didn’t want to ride that carriage…

“It’s so pretty, right? I don’t think there’s another carriage like this in the South. I’m letting you ride it specially, Roana!”

How could I say no with that face staring at me?

Keeping Chloe as an ally was beneficial in many ways.

With no choice, I awkwardly climbed into the carriage. Chloe nodded with a satisfied expression.

This is already exhausting…

Countess Caslit’s tea party was held at her estate slightly outside the city center. There weren’t many attendees—about thirteen people.

The atmosphere changed the moment Chloe arrived. In other words, it became noisy.

“Hello everyone! I’ve brought someone special today!”

She grabbed my arm and declared it as she entered. Her sharp voice echoed through the quiet tea room, drawing all eyes onto us.

“This is the Duchess of Bereidan. She’s my close friend!”

Close friend? I do NOT want to be called something that creepy! No—no, I agreed to be her ally.

Chloe moved without hesitation.

Countess Caslit quickly approached, hiding her confusion. She looked to be in her mid-forties, smiling, but her eyes were not. She seemed displeased by the unexpected guest.

Her gaze locked onto me. Did she know? That the Duchess of Hejest intended to kill me?

Then, suddenly, Caslit brightened her smile.

“Oh my, even the Duchess. What an honor. I thought you wouldn’t come since there was no reply.”

“I apologize. Chloe recommended this gathering, so I came upon her suggestion.”

“I see. You are welcome.”

Her words did not match her expression. Still, she couldn’t turn away a duchess at the door.

As soon as Chloe sat down, she began spilling stories about her engagement. The surrounding ladies responded with polite nods. Whether they were truly interested or not, Chloe didn’t care.

She was an excellent attention magnet.

While Chloe drew all attention, I looked around the tea room.

Found her.

A woman sitting alone at a corner table. Countess Yotlrey. She looked different from before—thin, almost gaunt, nervously watching others.

Judging by how persistently she kept glancing at Countess Caslit, there was clearly some kind of relationship between them.

Chloe was actively draining the energy of everyone present. They all looked like introverts…

Just relax for a bit.

I stood up and walked toward Countess Yotlrey.

“May I sit here?”

She looked up and her eyes widened. She seemed to want to avoid me, slightly turning her head away.

“Y-yes, of course.”

I sat beside her, who clearly didn’t want me there, and casually took a sip of tea.

“You seem close with Countess Caslit.”

Her gaze dropped to her teacup.

“…Yes. We became acquainted when she moved here.”

Not that close. One side clearly clinging, the other clearly avoiding. Anyone could see it—unrequited attachment.

It looked like Countess Yotlrey had been discarded.

“Do you come to these tea parties often? It’s quite cozy.”

“Yes, sometimes…”

“Do people from the North attend as well? I heard many have moved to the South.”

Her teacup clinked slightly.

“…I’m not sure.”

She did know. She was lying out of habit.

What should I say to pull her in?

If our assumption was correct, this woman was one of my mother Hejest’s subordinates. And now she was probably abandoned.

Then naturally, she would want back in.

How do I use that desire?

Hmm, maybe this.

“What is Countess Caslit interested in these days? I’m thinking of getting closer to her.”

Countess Yotlrey lifted her head, surprised.

“…What?”

“I keep forgetting I’m the daughter of Hejest.”

Her eyes changed.

As expected, she had no idea the Duchess of Hejest was trying to kill me.

The words “daughter of Hejest” clearly shifted something in her mind.

That gaze—hope. The hope that she might be able to return to the inner circle.

She looked around nervously. Chloe’s loud laughter filled the hall. No one was paying attention here.

Chloe really was an excellent distraction.

For the first time, I felt grateful for her existence.

Countess Yotlrey leaned closer and whispered.

“…Countess Caslit has recently been interested in the church.”

“The church?”

“Yes. She frequently accompanies priests for volunteer work. Almost every week. More than she attends tea parties.”

She glanced at me, as if checking whether this information was useful—and what she could get in return.

Pathetic. She had helped starve and abuse Hayden, and still she was trying to climb back into a faction.

“Thank you, Countess Yotlrey. I’m sure this will help me.”

I smiled.

There was no way Caslit’s “volunteering” was sincere.

“Something good will come of this, I’m sure.”

At my words, her face brightened.

Pathetic hope.

I returned to Chloe, who was now talking about wedding bouquets instead of flowers from Aisen. The ladies around her looked half-dead.

Tsk.

But I had no intention of saving them. The longer Chloe talked, the longer this gathering would last—and the more time I would gain.

I checked the time and nodded along.

“I’ve heard Aisen is truly a remarkable man. So devoted to you, Lady Chloe. What was that love poem he sent recently? I’m sure everyone here would be curious about it.”

“Oh my! I forgot that part!”

Listening to Chloe’s rising voice, I nodded.

Good job today, Chloe.