Eks was confused about whether today was a lucky or unlucky day. He had tried to avoid meeting Seraphie as much as possible due to Orkis’s eerie analogy but ended up running into her almost immediately. At the same time, he felt a tinge of curiosity.
“Oh gosh, I’m sorry for being so clueless.”
Lunie laughed awkwardly.
“Sera.”
But when did these two become so close? Eks hid his surprise and waited for an introduction.
“This is Lord Ester, the third prince of the Ortus Empire.”
Seraphie was equally surprised. Not having guessed Eks’s identity, she couldn’t hide her wide-eyed shock. But soon, she quickly composed herself and greeted him with proper etiquette.
“This is my first time meeting you.”
The manners learned from Grand Madam Vallidus were impeccable.
“Seraphie Vallidus greets Your Highness, the Third Prince of the Em—”
“Why so formal?” Eks interrupted before the greeting was finished. “Just greet me comfortably.” He flashed a smile at Seraphie. His friendly demeanor made him instantly likable.
“His Highness is always like that.” Lunie quickly whispered to Seraphie.
Seraphie nodded. Since she already knew the original story, she already had a rough understanding. She was also relieved because it was tiring to always be so formal or polite.
Of all people, to meet this prince…
But it wasn’t really fortunate. Of all people, it had to be the third prince who would lead a rebellion with the Felicia family in the original story.
“Is there anyone in this empire who doesn’t know Countess Vallidus?” Eks praised Seraphie with flattering words.
“There must be someone out there.”
“You’re more humble than I thought.” Eks laughed heartily.
Seraphie really meant her words. No matter what, there would be people somewhere who didn’t know her. Actually, there are plenty of people who look down on and ignore me. For example, the Catio family who sent a marriage proposal this morning.
“But since when did you two become so close?” Eks remembered that Lunie had called Seraphie ‘Sera’ a little while ago. As far as he knew, there was no reason for the two to be that close.
If there’s a common point, it’s probably Carl. Carl, Lunie’s fiancé, had stood as a witness for Seraphie. But that alone wasn’t enough for Eks to be sure.
“Actually, we met by chance at a boutique before.”
Lunie smiled brightly at Seraphie. The slightly upturned eyes made anyone who saw them feel refreshed.
“We’ve been close since then. Oh, and Peni was with us too.”
“Peni too?”
Seraphie nodded at Eks’s question.
“We’ve run into each other a few times in the plaza since then.”
“That’s right. And today, I promised to show Sera a good place.”
“I asked Lady Mars for a recommendation…”
“Oh, come on,” Lunie pouted. “I told you to call me Lu! We’re friends now, remember?”
“It’s still a bit awkward…” Seraphie let out a weak laugh. Thanks to Lunie’s incredible sociability, they had become friends unexpectedly, but it was still hard to get used to the situation.
“There’s nothing to be awkward about! You were the one who first said to call each other by name, Sera.”
“Countess suggested it first?”
Eks showed a more intrigued look. It seemed he had completely forgotten about Orkis’s ‘like a dog’ analogy.
Dog, my foot. Eks thought, watching Seraphie’s eyes dart back and forth between him and Lunie as if she were a puppy in a difficult situation. I shouldn’t trust that guy in the first place. Orkis, who always found the world boring and bothersome, would never use proper expression for someone.
“Just, well…” Feeling increasingly burdened by the intense gazes from both sides, Seraphie let out a short sigh and explained the situation. “I’m still uncomfortable being called Vallidus.”
At that response, Lunie and Eks’s expressions subtly changed.
Seraphie, hiding the fact that this was expected, calmly continued. “It reminds me of my father.”
“Ah…” Lunie let out a sympathetic sound.
“Goodness.”
Eks felt equally awkward. He recalled the inappropriate comment he had made about Seraphie at the Felicia mansion earlier. “I’m sorry,” he apologized sincerely.
“It’s okay.” Seraphie comforted the two. “It’s all in the past.” Although Seraphie didn’t hold any particular grudge against them, there was an invisible line in the gentle voice.
…Am I being too petty? Seraphie suddenly wondered if she was being narrow-minded. No, that’s not it.
The two in front of Seraphie were clearly not bad people. Though one of them had the potential to start a rebellion later, but for now, they seemed kind. But even so, Seraphie didn’t want to be pitied for her past misfortunes. She had overcome them, so she was no longer pitiable.
But there’s no need to say that out loud. It was bothersome, and saying it out loud would make Seraphie seem petty.
Fortunately, Lunie and Eks didn’t ask any more questions about it. They seemed relieved instead. It seemed like they thought Seraphie was being considerate of them. Lunie was touched by Seraphie’s kindness, and Eks was impressed.
…Let’s think positively. Seraphie didn’t bother to clear up the misunderstanding. If they were going to think well of Seraphie on their own, why bother correcting them?
“In that case, may I call Countess by your name as well?”
As Seraphie and Lunie stepped out of the shop, Eks naturally followed them.
“Don’t call me by a nickname,” Seraphie said sternly.
Eks widened his eyes and then burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. “Have you started talking like Kis after hanging out with him?”
“Wow, that just gave me chills.” Lunie rubbed her arms as if she was creeped out.
“Am I not better?” Seraphie tried to lighten the mood with a joke. But the responses were harsh.
“Where does that baseless confidence come from?”
“No matter how you look at it, Lord Orkis is much better.”
“Can I cry for a moment?” Seraphie stared ahead with dry eyes, not a tear in sight.
“I didn’t realize Countess had such a talent for jokes.”
To Eks, Seraphie had become a likable person. He felt proud of his decision not to return to the imperial palace immediately. It seemed like today would be his lucky day.
On the other hand, Seraphie felt like things had been off since this morning. At least I learned something. The fact that Orkis seemed to be highly trusted by those around him. He’s not a bad person. Having experienced it firsthand and seeing others acknowledge it, Seraphie felt more certain Orkis was truly a good person. It was hard to understand why he was depicted as a villain in the original story.
The original story is really… strange indeed. However, Seraphie tried hard to ignore the unsettling feeling that resurfaced.
Naturally, Seraphie’s gaze turned to Lunie and Eks, who were walking a bit ahead of her. They were getting along so well now, but in the latter part of the original story, they would turn their backs on each other. Eks would start a rebellion with the Felecia family. Meanwhile, Lunie and Carl would side with the crown prince.
In the original story, Eks was portrayed as someone who desired the throne. But now, Eks showed no sign of such ambition. His desire for the throne emerged in the middle of the original story.
Seraphie desperately wanted peace. She needed to eliminate any obstacles that would prevent her from returning to her original world. Among those, the rebellion in the latter part of the original story was the most dangerous.
But why did he start the rebellion? The sudden question stopped Seraphie’s steps.
The Eks in front of her was a carefree man with no lust for power. Yet, in the middle to the latter part of the story, he completely broke away from the crown prince and, after the crown prince abandoned Peonia, started a rebellion with the Felicia family.
The more Seraphie adapted to this world, the more she noticed the oddities in the original story. Why did the Felicia family, who were loyal to the imperial family, start a rebellion? Was it just because their daughter didn’t end up with the crown prince? Then why did the third prince, Eks, suddenly desire the throne?
“Sera?” Lunie’s voice pierced Seraphie’s ears as she stood there blankly. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” She approached Seraphie without her noticing and looked at her with a worried expression.
“I’m just a bit tired.”
“Should we stop somewhere to rest for a while?” Eks looked around, searching for a place to rest.
“It’s not that bad. I’m sorry for worrying you.” Seraphie, who had barely regained her composure, started walking again.
…This won’t do. Seraphie thought it was necessary to seriously consider this uneasy feeling about the original story.
* * *
The place the three of them arrived at was the famous gallery.
“So, what brings us to the gallery?” Eks asked while admiring the displayed paintings.
Since they visited early in the morning, the only guests were Seraphie, Lunie, and Eks.
“Sera wanted to buy a painting.”
“Are you very interested in paintings?”
“Not particularly,” Seraphie replied while looking around the interior. The white wallpaper and the soft rug that absorbed the sound of footsteps made it easy to focus solely on the exhibited works.
“This is the most prestigious place in the empire,” Lunie whispered. “Not only my family, but the Felicia family also visits here often.”
Indeed, the exhibited works were of such high quality that even Seraphie, who was not well-versed in art, was left in awe.
“Are you buying a painting for the mansion?” Eks picked up a thin booklet from the entrance and handed it to Seraphie. It contained descriptions of the currently exhibited works.
“I’m thinking of changing the atmosphere of the mansion,” Seraphie answered while carefully reading the booklet.
“Well, it’s not something you can leave entirely to your servants.”
“Finding good art is important for nobles.”
My goodness, Seraphie quietly marveled. I wish someone would take care of it for me. However, she somewhat agreed with Lunie and Eks’s opinions from earlier. Finding good art was important for nobles. That’s why Seraphie visited the gallery.
Art was the best means to showcase a noble’s aesthetic sense while elegantly and beautifully enhancing their wealth. In that sense, this place, the Gallery, was a suitable starting point to restore the honor and reputation of Vallidus.
Seraphie, who was looking around at the artworks, stopped in front of a particular painting.
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