TRST 29

Chapter 29

“Master, the banquet invitation has arrived. And there’s a letter too.”

After finishing mana training with Master Cesare, I entered the study to check the mansion’s finances. Rivet, as if waiting for me, handed me an invitation.

It was the banquet invitation for the Goddess of Capeleid I had discussed with Master Cesare a few days ago. As usual, the banquet was to be held in the palace gardens.

I took the invitation with an indifferent look and handed it back to Rivet.

“You know I’m not going.”

“Of course,” Rivet replied, taking the invitation back with a disappointed expression. After examining it for a while, she smiled.

“Then I’ll discard this one.”

“Please do. But what about the letter?”

Rivet next handed me a white envelope sealed with blue wax. I recognized the sender’s name immediately.

My eyes widened, and Rivet, checking the sender with me, spoke.

“It’s a letter from the Moldovan estate.”

I turned the envelope over, then used a letter opener to carefully open it. Inside was a beautifully handwritten letter.

The letter, filled with elaborate expressions, invited me to the upcoming banquet for the Goddess of Capeleid. To be more precise, it stated that he wanted to escort me to the banquet.

“What will you do?”

Rivet asked cautiously. I studied the letter for a while, then took a piece of paper from the drawer and began writing a reply.

I thanked him for the invitation but explained that I would not be attending.

Even if I went, I’d probably just feel isolated, so why bother? It was more beneficial to spend that time practicing how to sense mana without Master Cesare’s help.

Moreover, after listening to Ains, I had done some research on Kadiya. Just as Ains feared, I discovered that he and his friends were involved in some shady dealings, so I wanted to keep my distance.

After finishing the letter, I sealed it in the envelope and handed it to Rivet. She took it and immediately left the study.

Left alone in the study, I reminded myself of my original purpose and spread out the documents detailing the mansion’s finances.

I was meticulously checking each number when:

“Master! May I come in? It’s me, Rivet!”

Rivet had briefly stepped out to deliver the letter to the Moldovan estate and was now knocking to get my attention. Normally, she would have come in chattering about what had happened outside.

“Come in.”

“Yes!”

She entered quickly and approached me.

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s a guest outside.”

Rivet hesitated, looking troubled.

“A guest?”

No one had informed me of a visit. Who could it be?

The first person that came to mind was Ains. He had shown up at the mansion unannounced before.

Next was Master Cesare. Perhaps he had left something behind and had come back for it. That would have been understandable.

But the guest Rivet mentioned was completely unexpected.

“Count Moldovan is here. I’ve seated him in the parlor for now.”

I tilted my head, trying to understand.

Count Moldovan? Kadiya showed up without any prior notice?

Unable to make sense of it, I got up. I needed to meet Kadiya first.

I descended to the first-floor parlor, where servants who appeared to be Kadiya’s attendants were waiting at the door. Seeing me approach, they bowed and stepped aside.

I inspected them briefly before moving to the door. A small knock sounded, and Rivet introduced him.

“Count Marbes is here.”

The door opened, and Kadiya, who had been sitting on the sofa drinking tea, stood up with a bright expression.

“Long time no see, Cecilia.”

I stepped back slightly to avoid what seemed like a hug. Kadiya scratched his cheek awkwardly and smiled.

“Long time no see, Kadiya. But… how come you came without any notice?”

Since I had just sent a letter, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had scheduled a visit in reply. But showing up unannounced made me uncomfortable, and my voice rose slightly.

Although we had met once at a ball and once in the plaza, we were not close enough for impromptu visits.

Sensing my discomfort, Kadiya looked apologetic and spoke.

“Ah… I’m really sorry for coming without contacting you, Cecilia. But I couldn’t not come after seeing the letter you sent—I was shocked.”

“…Please, have a seat. Let’s talk more comfortably inside.”

I sat, curious about what he wanted to discuss beyond the banquet invitation.

“So, what brings you here?”

“It’s nothing serious. I just heard you wouldn’t attend the banquet. Is there a reason?”

As expected, Kadiya’s visit was about the banquet. Even though this could have been addressed in a letter, he came in person, which felt a bit presumptuous. I responded calmly but firmly.

“There’s no special reason. I just want to rest. Is that all you came for?”

“Yes. I was worried something serious might have happened, so I rushed over. But… are you mad at me?”

His voice trembled slightly. I took a slow breath and nodded.

“I’m a little disappointed. I didn’t expect you to come unannounced like this. Kadiya, even though you suggested we be friends, I hope you respect boundaries.”

Another person had already shown up at my mansion uninvited—Ains. I had felt uncomfortable with his impudent visits.

This mansion should be my sanctuary. Yet one by one, people appeared without notice, making me realize how little they took me seriously.

“Cecilia…”

“This isn’t a difficult request. We’re not close enough to drop by unannounced repeatedly.”

Kadiya looked at me with a complex expression. While I couldn’t read all his emotions, it wasn’t a pleasant one.

I glanced at the servants nearby, making sure they were close in case he became upset. Thankfully, they were within sight.

Kadiya seemed to want to speak but stopped, taking a deep breath. After a while, he nodded and spoke.

“I understand. I can see why this could be uncomfortable. I may have overstepped. I apologize. I’m sorry, Cecilia.”

The conflicted look in his eyes faded, replaced with genuine remorse. I accepted his apology; it’s hard to stay angry at someone acknowledging their mistake.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“No, it’s my fault.”

Kadiya smiled awkwardly, and I smiled back.

“So, shall we go now? Should I send a letter and return later?”

This time, with a playful tone, I shook my head.

“No need. Since you’re here, have some tea.”

“I’ll leave after finishing my tea then.”

Kadiya finally relaxed and took a sip, watching me closely.

“So, you really won’t attend for no reason? It’s only once a year…”

I shook my head again.

“Not this year. I’ll attend next time if I get the chance. This year, I just want to rest.”

“I see… what a pity. I wanted to enjoy the banquet with you. Well, maybe next time.”

Satisfied with himself, Kadiya finished his tea in one gulp. When Rivet moved to refill it, he waved her off.

“I think I should leave now. No more tea needed.”

“Yes, understood.”

Rivet stepped back. Kadiya smiled warmly at me.

“I’m really sorry for today. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again, so please forgive today’s rudeness.”

With that, he stood. I rose as well to see him out, but he waved it off.

“I’ll come properly next time, and then you can greet me. That’s all.”

And with that, Kadiya left the parlor.