~Chapter 11~
I casually followed behind Cedric.
Even inside the carriage, Cedric didn’t say much. Other than the occasional rustle of clothes as we moved, the carriage was completely silent.
Clatter—!
The carriage shook roughly for a moment.
While I struggled to keep my balance, Cedric remained perfectly composed. I thought he only knew how to hold a pen, but apparently, he’d trained in keeping his posture, too.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
“…Who?”
I looked around the carriage and answered nonchalantly,
“Who else is in here? Of course I mean you, Cedric.”
Cedric stared at me intensely.
Did I come off too sarcastic?
I just rolled my eyes a bit, and Cedric finally replied quietly.
“…So you knew I’d be participating in the hunting competition.”
“Isn’t that obvious? You’re the one representing House Roygin.”
He must really be doubting my intelligence at this point.
“…I see.”
He looked like he wanted to say something. His lips parted slightly, and he glanced briefly at my hand, as if looking for something.
Uh oh, did he notice?
I gave an awkward smile and pulled a piece of chocolate from my pocket.
“Want one?”
“…No, thanks.”
Cedric turned his head sharply with a look of disbelief.
Too bad. It’s really good.
I popped the chocolate into my mouth. A burst of orange flavor spread inside.
Mmm, so good.
Made me want to go to the supermarket right away.
The hunting competition was being held in the Helios Forest. It was located on the outskirts of the capital and had beautiful scenery.
But there were way too many people for me to enjoy the view in peace.
Ugh, I’m already exhausted.
I trailed over to the Roygin family’s designated tent.
I really needed to start looking for Peril.
I checked the participant list the attendant had brought me, but there was no name like Peril Edwin on it.
I expected that, but it still felt disappointing.
If he is here and in disguise…
Where would a sub-male lead like Peril go?
Right—he’d be near the heroine, Idette.
It was a pretty convincing theory.
Actually, it wasn’t even a theory. Based on the situation, it was pretty much a given.
If not by her side, I couldn’t imagine where else he’d be.
So I should start by finding Idette.
“Lady Bianca, it’s Johanna.”
Just then, I heard Johanna’s voice outside the tent.
…Oh no.
How could I forget?
When the competition starts, the ladies who aren’t participating gather for a tea party.
Just thinking about it made me feel suffocated.
“Miss Johanna, just a moment please.”
I grabbed the handkerchief on the table and quickly wiped off the lipstick I had carefully applied. I dabbed some powder over my lips too, just to look extra pale.
Where’s my eyeshadow…?
I found a brownish one and applied it under my eyes.
When I looked in the mirror, I saw a sickly-looking face—like I could drop dead at any moment.
I finally smiled in satisfaction and gave a little cough.
“Cough, cough… Please come in…”
“Excuse me, I’ll come in now!”
As Johanna entered the tent with a cheerful voice, she was startled when she saw my face.
“Oh my, Lady Bianca! What happened to you?”
“I-I’m not feeling well…”
“Shouldn’t we call the royal physician or something instead of letting you stay here?”
Johanna looked completely flustered, shifting from foot to foot in panic.
“It’s just indigestion, cough, that’s all. Anyway, what brings you here?”
“Well, actually… Her Highness the Princess sent an invitation.”
Worry lingered on Johanna’s face. The golden invitation fluttered in her hand.
I opened my mouth in a dying voice.
“Thank you for the invitation, but as you can see… I’m not in the best condition.”
“Okay, okay! Just please, don’t say anything more and just lie down and rest!”
As I tried to approach her, Johanna flinched and quickly stepped back.
“I’ll explain everything to Her Highness! Please get some rest!”
And with that, she rushed out of the tent without waiting for my response.
Yes!
Having successfully avoided the tea party, I left the tent to find Idette.
After thoroughly searching the Helios Forest, I finally spotted her.
“Lady Idette!”
Panting and sweating, I grabbed her. She looked confused and flustered.
“Lady Bianca…?”
“Wh-where are you going?”
“I’m not going anywhere… But Lady Bianca, are you feeling unwell? Your complexion—”
“Ah, no! I’m perfectly healthy! Too healthy, really!”
Even so, the concern didn’t disappear from Idette’s eyes.
When I unknowingly tightened my grip on her hand, she seemed to misunderstand and quickly spoke up.
“I-I haven’t seen the Duke today! I swear I had no intention of giving him a handkerchief!”
“I-it’s not about that nonsense!”
I carefully let go of her hand.
“It’s just… I was bored. Rayla didn’t attend today, and aside from her, I don’t really know anyone else.”
Idette looked a bit surprised by my words.
Was she shocked that a noble lady like me admitted to being a social outcast?
Well, yes. I am an outcast!
Soon, Idette looked troubled and said,
“Th-thank you, but… actually, Princess Hestia sent me an invitation. I think I have to go see her when the competition officially begins.”
“Just say you’re sick. That’s what I told her. I said I wasn’t feeling well and planned to rest in the tent.”
Hmm, maybe that was asking too much.
It must’ve been, because Idette’s face darkened.
But only for a moment. Then, she looked at me hopefully and asked cautiously,
“Is… is that okay?”
“Of course! The Princess isn’t the type to force a sick person. Just tone down your lip color and add a little shadow under your eyes.”
This is honestly a genius trick.
I whispered to her,
“Just sit quietly by her side, then say you’re really not feeling well.”
“Th-thank you!”
Idette grabbed my hand like she’d just met a savior.
See? I’m not the weird one here.
Everyone secretly dreads tea parties.
For some reason, I felt really proud—like I had just saved someone.
“Well, go on. I’ll be resting, so when you’re done, let’s have a cup of tea together.”
“Sounds good.”
Idette smiled brightly.
As I chatted with her, I looked at the faces of the maids standing beside her.
But no one stood out.
…Was my guess wrong?
Even if Peril was in disguise, I thought I’d still be able to tell.
Even on the way back after seeing Idette off, I didn’t see anyone who looked like Peril.
Ugh, this is driving me crazy.
Is Peril even really attending the hunting competition today?
The competition hadn’t even started yet, but I was already feeling anxious.
“Bianca!”
Just then, I heard Leon’s voice behind me.
“Oppa?”
Leon, who had approached with a warm smile, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“…Are you sick or something?”
Only then did I remember how awful I looked.
I quickly rubbed my lips with the back of my hand.
“I discovered a new makeup technique.”
“…Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem like a very good one.”
Wha—really?
Well, I guess I was going for that look.
Leon frowned and said firmly,
“You look like a corpse.”
“…”
Even kind Leon saying that meant it must be serious.
I stared at him with a resentful look, and he waved his hands, saying it was a joke. Then, acting innocent, he stepped closer to me.
“Ahem, anyway. Don’t you have something for me?”
“…Me?”
“Think carefully. I’m sure you have something.”
Leon lifted one corner of his mouth in a sly grin.
I had a feeling I knew what he meant, but I pretended not to.
“Hmm, I’m not sure. Maybe if you’re more specific?”
“You’ve gotten pretty cheeky while I wasn’t looking.”
“Isn’t that something you say too often?”
“Hey, what’s wrong with that? Being chill is good!”
Leon laughed heartily. I couldn’t help but smile, and then pulled a handkerchief out of my pocket.
…Wait, where’s the chocolate I brought?
I quickly searched my pocket, but the hidden chocolate was nowhere to be found.
Leon, looking puzzled, called out to me.
“Bianca? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. You were talking about the handkerchief, right?”
I handed him the handkerchief, and he accepted it with a pleased smile.
But then, smirking, he said,
“Is it okay for me to accept this, Cedric?”
Cedric?
Surprised, I turned around—
And sure enough, Cedric was standing right there.
