Episode 49

 

“Miss, try this one as well.”

Marie handed me a new pair of leather gloves.

They were made of deer leather, a gift from Countess Claire.

“I overheard that Lady Helena is planning to send you riding attire.”

“Rumors spread quickly.”

“That’s because you’ve been the center of attention in high society lately, Miss.”

“I’ve always been at the center of attention.”

“Oh no, Miss, it’s different now.”

I smiled bitterly at Marie’s words.

‘That’s right. It is a bit different now.’

The notorious reputation I once had in social circles has slowly started to change since the communion and the incident at Aria’s debutante ball.

From being the troublesome lady who caused havoc wherever she went…

To someone who faces crises with unexpected wisdom, all while embroiled in a grand romance with a sworn enemy of her family.

In summary, people were starting to say that I was smarter and braver than they had thought.

‘At least that’s a relief.’

The worse my reputation was, the more Chris was criticized just for being associated with me.

On the other hand, if my reputation improved, Chris would be spared from unnecessary slander.

‘I had originally planned to bear it all on my own.’

I had intended to appear as the one-sided admirer of Chris.

However, things had taken a turn, and now Chris was actively responding, making it impossible for me not to care about my reputation.

I couldn’t allow people to think Chris was some foolish man.

‘And, right on time, there have been several tea parties since then.’

Most were hosted by Countess Claire, who wanted to test me, or Helena, who had begun to see me as an ally. Or by those in their close circles.

Thanks to that, I’ve started investing in a few of the business ventures Countess Claire suggested.

I poured all the money from selling my villa into these investments, except for the part I saved for purchasing information, but I wasn’t too worried.

‘The dress fabric industry, led by patchwork from Orlande, was a guaranteed success even in the original story.’

That’s exactly why Countess Claire had taken notice of me.

 

‘When you helped resolve Lady Aria’s dress issue, I thought you had quite an eye for this sort of thing.’

‘Did you?’

 

The funny thing was that even a casual remark like that from Countess Claire led to a reevaluation of the flashy and extravagant clothes I used to wear.

People began to say I was ahead of my time in fashion.

‘I don’t really care either way.’

Of course, Countess Claire’s belief that I had a sense for fashion was a misunderstanding. But at least I could tell which of her proposed business ventures would succeed or fail.

‘I can feel secure knowing there are investments guaranteed to succeed for the next few years.’

As I thought about this, I slipped on the leather gloves. Marie tilted her head.

“Come to think of it, the gifts you’ve been receiving lately are quite practical.”

“The hunting festival is just around the corner.”

“Oh! It’s that time already.”

Every summer, the Empire hosts a hunting festival.

It’s an event to pray for the bounty of autumn and celebrate the most active season for both people and animals.

‘Although, calling it hunting is a bit of a stretch… they just release tame animals into the royal forest and conduct a controlled hunt.’

It’s nothing like real hunting or fighting fierce beasts. To me, it was more of a boastful competition among mediocre noblemen.

“What about His Grace?”

I asked Marie, who was well-informed about the affairs of the Grand Duke’s household. There was no better person to ask about Chris.

Since the debutante ball, we hadn’t had much time to meet due to our busy schedules.

I was occupied with business, while Chris was handling important matters coming from the North, traveling back and forth between his northern estate and the capital’s outskirts.

“He’s doing well. Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any major issues in the northern territories.”

“So, he’ll be staying in the capital for a while?”

“He might even participate in the hunting festival.”

“…I wonder if His Grace would even consider the capital’s hunting festival as real hunting.”

I said this sincerely. After all, Chris was a war hero who had fought off the monsters that descended from the North.

Marie smiled softly.

“Well, yes, that’s true.”

Her lack of denial was a reminder that Marie was also from the North.

Smiling back at her, I glanced out the window and saw Servi walking by with a stern expression.

‘These days, that guy doesn’t seem to be meeting with the Oracle as often.’

Even the documents he used to hide in the library hadn’t been updated recently.

‘Has he decided to lay low for a while?’

There hadn’t even been any signs of him meeting with the Crown Prince. Probably because the Crown Prince’s behavior at the debutante had lowered his standing among the nobles.

“This is troublesome.”

“What is, Miss?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

From my perspective, Servi needed to move a bit more aggressively. The more active he was, the longer his trail would become, making it easier for me to catch him.

Still, one good thing about Servi and the Duke being cautious was that it kept Chris relatively safe.

‘They won’t stay quiet for long.’

I knew better than anyone that they wouldn’t just sit still. If they were the type to do that, I wouldn’t have died three times and returned to the past each time.

“Marie, keep an eye on the maids on Servi’s side.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“And send some fruit to Aria. If they know it’s from me, the maids will likely hate it. So make sure to eat a few slices in front of them to show that it’s not poisoned.”

“As you wish.”

Servi would definitely take action soon, especially with Aria cooped up in her room under the pretense of health issues since the debutante. He might even be planning something for the hunting festival.

I watched Servi’s figure disappear into the distance with a careful gaze.

* * *

Crack!

A loud snap echoed as the whip lashed fiercely against the ground. The sound was violent and sharp.

The merchant flinched and backed away at the sight of Seth’s whipping.

“……”

Though the merchant had encouraged Seth to try out the whip, he clearly hadn’t expected him to use it so aggressively.

The horses nearby neighed, shaking their heads and stomping nervously.

Seth looked at the whip with a crooked smile.

“You’re supplying these for the hunting festival?”

“Yes, that’s correct…”

“Good. I’ll buy one.”

“But, young master…”

Vermont, the head butler standing nearby, stammered.

“You purchased another whip just yesterday…”

“Are you trying to tell me what to do?”

“But, young master, the young lord…”

“Are you bringing up my brother now?!”

Crack!

The whip was swung toward Vermont, narrowly missing him but still grazing his skin.

“Argh!”

“Go now and sign the purchase contract!”

Vermont left the scene, clearly frustrated. Seth was annoyed. At least the previous butler, Harold, had known when to keep his mouth shut.

“This damn world. No one pleases me anymore.”

After what had happened at Aria’s debutante, Seth had planned to teach Mindia a lesson.

As usual, after roughing her up a bit, she would’ve learned her place. His father had forbidden him from laying a hand on that woman, but as always, once it was over, he could just toss her a vial of medicine that would heal her wounds.

However, unexpectedly, it was Servi who had stopped him.

 

“Remember, Seth. If you mess with Mindia now, it will cause all sorts of trouble. She’s under the spotlight.”

“Have you forgotten why she’s in the spotlight, brother?!”

That despicable woman had used Aria as a pawn to gain attention.

Seth had clearly seen Mindia pin that brooch onto Aria. There was no doubt that the woman had done it with malicious intent.

Seth had told Aria the truth, but that kind, naive girl had only been hurt by it. She couldn’t even consider punishing someone for doing something wrong. So, as her older brother, it was up to Seth to deliver the punishment.

He believed it was his responsibility as a man to discipline the wicked woman. After all, if a man couldn’t properly control the women of his household, what kind of man was he?

“You’re not entirely wrong, but the brooch was a gift from the Crown Prince. It’s not enough to accuse her of anything.”

“So you’re just going to let her get away with it?!”

“We’ll let it go for now. If something happens, we’ll be the ones in trouble. You always act without thinking.”

 

Seth gritted his teeth, thinking about Servi. How dare he say he wasn’t thinking things through.

‘That man has always been a coward.’

Seth had never liked Servi. His father always compared the two of them, as if Servi, born just a year earlier, was somehow superior. What made him so special?

Crack!

Seth swung the whip again, causing the merchant to shrink back with a pale face. Seth gripped the whip tightly and smiled viciously.

“If you’re too scared to handle it, I’ll do it myself.”

It wasn’t just Servi who could use the Oracle. As the second son of the duke’s household, Seth also had his own connections. And it wasn’t only the Oracle he could rely on.

There were many useful guilds in this world—ones Seth had become familiar with through his drinking companions, who would be quite helpful now.

“They’ll have no choice but to recognize me this time.”

If he could successfully punish that wretched Mindia, his father’s opinion of him would change. Besides, the chances of her ending up with that damn Grand Duke were slim to none.

Mindia Reinhardt couldn’t leave the house. She had to stay, forever bearing the brunt of his anger. He couldn’t let her go to another man.

Mindia Reinhardt would remain his doll, always.

“Just wait and see.”

Seth smiled darkly.

Crack!

The whip snapped again. The horses neighed loudly, trembling in fear at the sound.