Chapter 63

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Chapter 63

* * *

Kate sighed slightly as she sorted out all the invitations.

Half a year ago, she didn’t even get a single invitation to a tea party. Things have changed dramatically since the banquet hosted by Laria at the Icard villa.

Hello, Miss Kate.

The first time she saw Laria was before the banquet.

“My name is Laria Rose Icard, who will come once every three days to receive instruction from the Marchioness.”

Kate was indifferent when she heard her lovely greetings.

She pretends to be close because she doesn’t know anything now, but as she became a socialite, it was obvious that she would distance herself from Kate.

If one gets along with her, they’ll end up falling out of love with Vietti, and they’ll be isolated throughout high society.

In fact, many of her close friends turned their backs on her. However, even after learning the whole story, Laria said, “What’s the big deal?”

[ “In the past, you were the center of society with young lady Vietti. You’re the daughter of the Marchioness, if you want, you can press the young lady in an instant.” ]

[ “…The issues in social circles can’t be solved just by pressing someone.” ]

[ “Hey, you’re not alone. I’m here. But what is this? Why is the letter crumpled…?” ]

[ “Ah. It’s a letter from a madman named Bern.” ]

Everything has really changed since then.

After the breakup between Bern and Vietti at the banquet, things moved quickly.

Laria hosted a tea party by gathering only those who were helpless. It seemed like an invitation, though it was a composition that stood out with great insight. Then, she left Kate floating and made her the main character.

It must have been because she had been marginalized in the meantime, so it was Kate that was unparalleled as a family in the southwestern region.

Nonetheless, the rumor that she was associated with the young lady of Icard has become overwhelming.

[ I’ve been neglecting our relationship. I would like to invite you to a picnic as a token of my regret. ]

Eventually, Kate took Vietti’s place.

It was easy for her to adapt because she was considered the center of society together with Vietti from the beginning. Of course, she didn’t forget that it was all thanks to Laria.

“What do you mean thanks to me?”

Laria still came to the Marquis once every three days to quietly attend classes.

“It’s all because Young Lady Kate found her place.”

Everyone actually thought so.

After the banquet, Laria’s existence was just blurred. Even though she hosted a tea party, in the end, Kate got the attention.

Laria was very ill, and when she got well, she would one day go up to the Capital. She thought that if anyone touched it like at a banquet, she would just live like a painting.

“Even so, Miss Laria was my lucky charm.”

“I’ll accept that. As for horse racing, I’m a bit lucky.”

Laria smiled beautifully and spoke humbly.

“If that’s the case, lady Kate is my lucky charm, too. Thanks to you, it was comfortable for me to stay here.”

Naturally, Kate and her solid friendship was famous, so everyone was respectful to Laria. Even if Vietti showed signs of wriggling, a strangely appropriate incident would occur and it would be cut off in the middle.

That’s how Kate was able to keep winning.

“By the way…”

Laria, who came to take a class at the Marquis, drank tea with Kate as usual and said as if passing by.

“I heard that Young Lady Olride said this from behind the scenes.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I die, the position as the companion of Young Lord Evan will be vacant. What do you think? And, she said while laughing that she’s better than me, who only had debts.”

“Really?”

“It sounds like a taunt, but…”

As Kate’s eyes flashed, Laria sighed as if upset and continued.

“…Actually, it is a taunt.”

“Don’t worry.”

At that, Kate nodded vigorously.

“I’ll humiliate her many times at the upcoming picnic.”

Cute and docile-looking round features and adorable pink hair. Even with a timid voice that had never made a loud noise, Kate thought of small animals such as rabbits and squirrels when she saw Laria.

But, how dare you insult Laria, who is so cute that you want to protect her?

As Kate snorted, Laria added subtly.

“I heard from somewhere that she confessed to young Count Midod, but she was rejected… If necessary, touch it gently and let the story spill.”

“Yes? Very good. Thank you.”

Looking at her slender wrist, Kate felt somewhat heartbroken.

“Cough, cough.”

Whenever she coughed, Kate felt the urge to do anything for her.

No matter how painful it was, she even had to hear those words from behind her back.

The person who reached out to Kate when she was lonely and helpless, and helped her regain her position as the center of society in the end.

Because of that, she vowed once again that she would never leave Young Lady Olride in peace.

How easy it was since Laria even taught her how to do it.

“Oh, and…”

As Kate recalled all kinds of insults in her mind, Laria changed the subject lightly. “Did you happen to receive an invitation?”

“What? What invitation?”

“An invitation from Baron Kyle Dart Lavonis.”

At Laria’s words, Kate blinked, startled.

Kyle Dart Lavonis was the new owner of half of the Hanua estate.

A person who bought Hanua a long time ago, but almost completely neglected it and didn’t even show his face.

Kyle didn’t do anything while the other half’s owner, Seymour, made a name for himself in the Southwest as a result of the Madeleine incident.

Even the baron began to build it only after Laria came down to recuperate.

No one knew what kind of person he was, so everyone wanted to know if he actually existed.

“I’m from the Capital, so it seems like it was only sent to me. He must be a shy person to exchange letters with anyone blindly?”

Laria said with a gentle smile. “After I meet him, if he’s a good person, I’ll also arrange tea time with lady Kate. Otherwise…”

She continued over teacup.

“Would you sneak into Lavonis’ tea party? Just to take a look at how he looks. You can bring some friends who are bored these days.”

“That sounds fun, too.”

Kate nodded without much thought.

* * *

“It’s difficult if you keep calling me like this.”

Marcel grumbled as soon as he arrived.

“I only call you in the temple, through priests usually though?”

Indeed, even though Duke Icard called him to do a blessing, it was quite unusual for him to come to Borotna.

“It’s far, Borotna, really far…”

“Ugh, stop being sarcastic.”

However, I ended up saying a word to his continuous complaints.

“You’re here for the money anyway.”

“No, I’m not. This is true. I really want you to go to the temple.”

“No, the High Minister probably also gave permission,” I replied with a bit of annoyance, but Marcel didn’t stop.

“It’s hard, so hard. You’re so cruel, I can’t believe you’re annoyed.”

“…Cruel? Did you just say ‘cruel’ after seeing this cute, innocent face? Are your eyes functioning properly?”

“I know, ever since you threatened me…”

His black eyes glimmered.

No, I would come to Borotna often in the future, but it was very difficult from the beginning. It seemed that I had to change his habit.

“I’ll pay you for everything, and it’s already agreed upon, aren’t you whining too much?”

“But…”

“I sincerely apologize and I promise that I won’t do it again right now.”

“What the hell! I—”

Marcel started to whine about it with unpriestly expressions, but I continued right away.

“Then, I’ll give you twice the original promised donation.”

“I’m really sorry. I’m weak and it’s my first time on such a long trip, so I was being reckless. I sincerely regret my rudeness, and I will never let this happen again.”

It was a well-mannered and elegant answer. Although the double donation was a waste, it was the best way to keep his mouth shut.

“I don’t need a blessing.”

“Pardon? Then, why did you call me…?”

“Because I can improve even if I don’t get that. But, I want to know what I asked you about last time.”

I spoke haughtily.

“How could there be such a body that repels blessings?”

“There is. Well, there could be.”

“Don’t forget that the terms of my contribution also include answering my questions.”

“I’ve been working hard to find out.”

Marcel put his hands together and spoke fluently.

“It seems that blessings do not come to those who go against the laws of this world. This is a very difficult story, but perhaps the ancient manuscripts say that this is not the only world inhabited by humans.”

I swallowed dry saliva.

‘The laws of this world…’

If so, the reason why I cannot receive a blessing is because I possessed this body…?

‘Because it’s against the rules of this world?’

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