Certainly, Ares and I were initially ‘friends’ addressing each other by name, but that was just a formality forced by Lea Saturanos. In reality, the intimacy I felt towards the Ares and Lea couple fell far short of being called friendship.
So, I spoke to him with a somewhat indifferent tone.
“You seem to talk as if I need to know your true self.”
“We are friends, aren’t we?”
Chuckles. Friends, really? You don’t actually think of me as a friend, do you?
I looked at Ares, who was driving the carriage, after suppressing my laughter.
“I don’t think we’re that close yet.”
“You are the one who allowed me to call you by name.”
“That’s right. Thanks to Lea, my dear.”
He let out a deep sigh.
“It’s her again.”
I sighed along with him.
Honestly, if it weren’t for Lea Saturanos, would I ever have a reason to sit side by side with you and drive a carriage alone?
In truth, considering it, it was undeniable that all of this was thanks to Lea. It was due to her somewhat reckless and friendly nature that I had become closer to Ares to this extent. I couldn’t help but admit that her appearance was the reason for this.
The carriage slowed down a bit. Naturally, the loud noise of the carriage and the sound of horse hooves became a bit quieter. Because of that, Ares’s voice echoed in the now completely dark surroundings.
“Bianca, could you tell me why you always associate me with Lea?”
I chuckled softly at his question.
Well, you two are the main couple in this novel!
The reason to answer him was so clear, but I couldn’t be straightforward about it. Instead, I decided to express it in a roundabout way.
“Ares, do you believe in fate?”
Suddenly bringing up the topic of fate, his face contorted.
“Of course, I believe. I still do, but that doesn’t seem like an answer to my question.”
“I see. ‘I believe in fate’ then.”
I gave him the brightest smile I could muster.
“Well, it will happen according to that fate.”
I genuinely wished for his happiness.
Fortunately, the ‘author’ had gifted him a happy ending. Despite enjoying the grim aspects, it was truly fortunate that the main couple had a happy ending. I was angry at how my destiny had been shaped, but at least I was grateful that it didn’t mess up the destinies of others.
So, am I unhappy? Isn’t it unfortunate that I’m set up to leave the world quickly, all alone?
No, I don’t think so. Happiness and unhappiness don’t depend on the length of life. It’s about making the time given to me happy.
Ares’s expression as he looked at me was complicated.
Oh, this person. What’s there to worry about? It’s your destiny to be happy.
Finally giving up on probing further, he shook his head with a wry smile.
“Sure. As you say, it will happen according to fate.”
The carriage soon arrived at my family mansion. The street was so dark that it was difficult to see without magical light, so I arranged for my family carriage to take him back.
“The dark night road is not necessarily dangerous only for women. It’s a reward for accompanying me.”
“You’re too kind. It was my pleasure.”
Ares said with a gentle smile.
It was time to gradually wake up from the dream. According to the custom, he took my hand and kissed it on the fingertips.
“I hope we can be together like this again next time.”
“If the opportunity arises, I’d gladly do that. Take care on your way back.”
The carriage with Ares on it moved away.
I sighed softly and returned to reality.
Let me be honest. I don’t want to be friends with him. I don’t want to awkwardly watch him loving Leia under the guise of being ‘friends’.
While I do wish for his happiness, I hope he finds it somewhere else, not right in front of me. Just enough for me to occasionally hear about it.
Is it because of a stomach ache? No, it’s because of a bitter feeling inside.
Even if I had a long-standing crush on him, I know well that I can’t be his fated love. If that were the case, do I have to have fated love with several immortals! There are so many immortals who confessed their love to me!
Still, I hope he didn’t sweetly love his lover in front of me. If he truly cares about me, he must not do that.
Thankfully, I was scheduled to bid farewell to this world before witnessing that bitter scene. The ‘author’ said so. I die just before their happy ending.
Anyway, today was truly a happy, dream-like day.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next day, after sleeping and waking up, perhaps due to the long-lost physical labor, there was no pain in my shoulders and arms! Well, considering I peeled all those potatoes without any pain, it’s more surprising that everything is intact!
During breakfast, one arm felt heavy as if a heavy boulder were placed on it, making it difficult to lift the spoon. It seemed like today was definitely a day for rest at home.
Since most of the blossoming March had passed, the breeze was incredibly warm. I opened the windows and terrace all day, feeling the spring breeze while lounging around my room.
Thinking about the time left for me, I should probably go around meeting people. Ah, but my arm hurts. What can I do? I should take a break too. It’s not like anything will happen if I laze around for a day. The romantic relationship between Ares and Lea doesn’t seem to have matured yet, so I have some room to spare.
However, at that moment, a public carriage clattered its way into the mansion.
What’s this? Why is a public carriage coming inside the mansion?
Since the window was open, I could see the situation at the mansion’s main gate, and my face involuntarily frowned at this unusual sight.
“It seems like a visitor, but a public carriage all the way to the entrance; are they unfamiliar with the etiquette?”
Tongue-tied, I watched as the public carriage stopped to let the guest off.
The coachman of that carriage or the mansion’s gatekeeper might not be well-versed in noble etiquette, so they probably let the person pass without much hassle. Even among commoners, there were those skilled in noble etiquette. Miss Mimas, who often visited noble houses to request sponsorship, was one such person.
According to noble etiquette, when arriving in a public carriage rather than a personal or family carriage, it was customary to alight at the main gate and walk to the entrance. If you had taken a public carriage, especially if you were invited, you were supposed to identify yourself to the gatekeeper and wait for a servant to escort you to the mansion. Roaming freely inside the mansion without revealing your status was a breach of etiquette.
I widened my eyes and watched to see who was getting off.
Oh my goodness, it’s Lea Saturanos!
The possibility of her being my guest was almost 90%! She came to Uranos Viscount’s residence, and the only person she could be here to meet is me!
But she didn’t give me any prior notice. What if I had gone out instead of taking a break at home!
I don’t even know where to start pointing out the etiquette; it’s truly pitch-black. Even if she lived in the provinces and recently made her debut in society, she should have mastered some etiquette, right, the heroine!
…Or maybe that’s also a setting by the ‘author’. They might have intentionally made her clumsy in etiquette. If I randomly pick up one from the pile of romance novels still piled up on my desk, nine times out of ten, such a heroine will appear.
Well, our ‘author’ seems to be a typical romance novelist. I wonder why they created such a heroine who gradually grows from an innocent country girl to a sophisticated noblewoman.
When I asked the ‘author’ about their age, they endlessly said ‘Old 3,’ so I don’t know exactly how old that is, but it was clear that they liked the type of protagonist who is naive and innocent, gradually growing into a refined noblewoman.
Surely, Lea Saturanos won’t be unable to learn etiquette and have a happy ending?
That would be an impossible setting for happiness in the capital society! Moreover, her husband is the heir of Duke Eupheter!
Sigh, let’s stop thinking about it here.
I sighed deeply and quickly fixed my appearance. In any case, since it’s certain that she’s my guest, I should prepare to receive her. Fortunately, my appearance wasn’t in complete disarray to the point where I needed to change clothes separately, so I finished my preparations by roughly combing my hair.
At that moment, along with a knock, the voice of my steward reached me.
“Miss, a guest has arrived to see you. How should we proceed?” Unannounced visitors could choose not to meet, depending on the circumstances. Rudeness was on the part of the one who first committed it.
However, Lea Saturanos didn’t seem to do it maliciously, so I decided to forgive her breach of etiquette by calling her attention and informing the steward that I would meet her in the reception room.
After deliberately waiting for a bit, I slowly left the room, passing through the hallway with silent, graceful steps to reach the reception room.
Knocking on the reception room door with a rhythmic beat, I heard the sound of a chair being pulled along with an innocent voice.
“Bianca?”
Sigh. Where should I start with this? I’m sorry, but I really don’t want to play the role of a true governess. I felt a desire to send a fantastic etiquette teacher to the Saturanos Viscount, even if it meant showing mercy.
After opening the door quietly and entering without making a sound, I heard the sound of chairs and a cheerful voice.
“Bianca?”
Ugh. Where should I even begin with this? I’m sorry, but I really don’t want to play the role of a true governess. I felt a desire to send a fantastic etiquette teacher to the Saturanos Viscount, even if it meant showing mercy.
I quietly opened the door and entered. Upon seeing me, Lea almost rushed towards me.
“Just stay there, Lea.”
I raised my hand, firmly stopping her. I wonder if my tone came off a bit cold, as I heard her stop abruptly with a squeak-like sound.
“Uh… Yes…”
Her dejected appearance was like a puppy with its spirit broken. But she was going to be the mistress of the Eupheter family eventually. I should endure this without making a fuss. Tsk tsk.
Quietly, I pulled out a chair and sat across from her. With a kind smile, I spoke to her.
“Please have a seat. I’ll make tea for us.”
Lea sat back down somewhat awkwardly.
“Um… does my visit bother you?”
Oh my. She started talking before I even had the chance to offer tea. Unless it’s an urgent matter, she shouldn’t have done that.
I responded to her question by treating her question with silent dignity and served tea. After carefully placing the teacup in front of her, I opened my mouth to answer her.
“Lea, if I were to answer your question first, I would say it’s not bothersome, but rather perplexing.”
“Why?”
“When visiting nobility, it is proper etiquette to announce the visit in advance through a servant. What if I had been out today and unavailable?”
“Oh, I just… I just wanted to see Bianca. I didn’t intentionally mean to break etiquette.”
I let out a short sigh. I knew there was no malice in her rudeness.
I decided to stop lecturing her at this point. Well, just one more thing!
“Is the Saturanos Viscount’s finances not in significant trouble?”
“Our family? As far as I know, there’s nothing major. But…”
She trailed off with uncertainty. Well, as long as it’s not something she personally feels burdened by, it’s fine.
“Then, I’ll write an introduction letter for you. Be sure to welcome that person as your etiquette teacher. It will be essential for you to endure and navigate high society in the capital in the future.”
