Chapter 66

Chapter 66

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AD

After drinking tea with Marchioness Eldspi, Kate was waiting.

“Miss Laria, are we really not going to see each other for a month?”

“Yes, I can’t help it.”

I sat in the garden with Kate and chatted in the cool autumn breeze.

“This time, I’m going to attend the founding festival.”

The foundation day was right after Evan’s birthday. As I insisted that I was feeling better, I was going to attend.

With my own eyes, I wanted to make sure that Princess Elanie wore ruby ​​accessories.

‘How much is the investment…’

“The foundation festival? I heard it wasn’t much fun…”

“That’s why only the nobles in the capital usually attend, but in any case, the Duke of Icard is also a capital noble.”

“Capital…”

Kate murmured a little and asked cautiously.

“Have you ever met Baron Lavonis?”

“What?”

“As Young Lord Orian said, Baron Lavonis says he’s from here but usually stays in the Capital.”

All rumors about Kyle Dart Lavonis came from me. However, the rumors spread like wildfire, and the source became unknown.

Of course, the people of the Bestian Information Guild spread the word while pretending to work for the Baron.

“We’re not that close to each other… We don’t have that kind of relationship. But, why?”

At that, I gazed at Kate with an expression that said I didn’t know anything.

Kate hesitated for a moment, then sighed.

“No… So, many people saw the two of you together back then, so it’s not a big deal, but there are some strange rumors.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, that Baron Lavonis was looking at Miss Laria with such affectionate eyes.”

Rather than me, he must have been looking at the donation envelope with fond eyes.

“Ru…mors?”

When I asked in a trembling voice, Kate quickly shook her head.

“It’s nonsense. Though there are so many people here who want to make up their own stories.”

The rumors Kate was talking about were more inflated than I thought.

There was even a rumor that although we had been fond of each other since the beginning, I was forced to go to the Duchy because of my father’s debt.

“In particular, Vietti is amplifying the rumor…”

I put on a face close to astonishment, but I smiled inside. It was for this role that I didn’t completely step on Vietti since she was the best hand to push Kate’s buttons.

No matter how much Kate liked me, the public enemy always increased the bond.

“What should I do? It’s so unfair. If the Duke knows, I…”

Kate snorted as I wiggled my fingers.

“Vietti, she’s very vicious. I was also involved in a lot of strange rumors once. I think she’s trying to wriggle again, but I can’t let it be like that.”

“Then… what should I do?”

“I shall say I met Baron Lavonis once.”

Bingo.

I hid my inner cheers and gave her a worried look.

“I’ll invite the two of you to the Manor. If meeting alone is a problem, they will have nothing to say since you met me.”

“Oh my, really?”

“Yes. Who would say anything different if I claim I met you two in person and things were different from rumors?”

I immediately grabbed Kate’s hand.

“Thank you, Kate. Really.”

“This isn’t much…”

Kate shyly patted my hand.

“The reason I have this kind of influence again is because of the banquet hosted by Miss Laria. Even after that, you hosted a perfect tea party and…”

How much I had studied for that ‘perfect’ tea party.

Nevertheless, the results were worthy since Kate had a magnetic and haughty charm.

It was clear that Vietti was a good close friend, but suddenly realized she was more like an opponent and stabbed Kate from behind. After a little bit of help, it was too easy for her to start to dominate the social circle among her peers again.

Obviously, I just had to be comfortable behind her, saying what I wanted in small ways so she could be seen as the strongest person of this Southwestern socialite.

“Go to the capital without any worries.”

Kate smiled brightly and said,

“In the meantime, I will do everything as if I had met Baron Lavonis.”

“Thank you so much, Miss Kate.”

“If it wasn’t for Miss Laria, I would have still been living isolated and lonely without being invited to any tea time. So, you don’t have to be grateful for this.”

I nodded my head bewildered.

Perhaps after returning from the Capital, the image of a man named Kyle Dart Lavonis would become more concrete.

Now that Kate, who has the most powerful influence, met him, who would doubt his existence?

‘If I repeat this operation, change it a little and use it for several years…’

Later, when I disappear, no one will think that Kyle Dart Lavonis was my borrowed name.

Seymour, who seemed to have doubts that Kyle was me, seemed to have been completely deceived, too.

And so, I headed to the Capital with a very light mind.

“Miss Laria!”

But, on the way up to the Capital, something unexpected happened.

“I just heard some great news!”

As soon as Serena received an urgent call from a guild member, she said in amazement. “Duke Icard has been awarded this year’s Medal of Honor by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Sitting in a wagon heading to the capital, I was stiff.

“A medal… of honor?”

“Yes, it is said that it’s going to be awarded directly on the foundation day.”

The Medal of Honor, awarded directly by the Emperor every ten years, was given to those who made great contributions to the Empire.

‘In the original story, there was no mention of Duke Icard receiving the Medal of Honor.’

“Father…? Why the hell…”

It was truly unexpected since he didn’t do anything special for the Empire.

“That’s…”

Serena said with a bewildered expression.

“You have donated a huge amount of academic material to the academy…”

Unbelievable…

My mouth opened slightly.

It was only a few years later that the books were discovered by Seymour. And since the medal is given every ten years, of course, it was not possible to receive it at the time of the original story.

‘Though that was such a huge thing that he was awarded the Medal of Honor…’

The Medal of Honor meant considerable recognition from the Imperial Family.

“Isn’t that Miss Laria’s plan? Did you expect this much?”

“No, of course, I didn’t. How can I even know the mind of His Majesty the Emperor?”

I crossed my arms and fell in thought.

“First of all, when you go back to the capital, I think the Duke will cherish you too much. It’s a Medal of Honor, so you’re the first one from Duke Icard!”

“Right.”

I nodded slowly at Serena’s fuss.

“He’ll be really fond of me…”

That was correct.

‘In particular, Olivia, who loves the Duke, probably wants to kiss me.’

“Then, why don’t you look happy?”

It was because things were different from the original story I knew.

‘Originally, Duke Icard took me as a daughter-in-law and lost the limitations set by Duke of Orlando a little bit.’

However, if he received the Medal of Honor, he would probably receive serious limitations. The Duke of Orlando was a cruel and despicable man, and he did not hesitate to use violent and heinous measures to keep Duke Icard in check.

It was not for nothing that Duke Icard had persuaded me to avoid a head-to-head match with Duke Orlando.

‘You must be really determined. I’m sure he’ll be at the center of it.’

I was the one who started all this. It was like a red light on my not-too-distant future.

‘Duke Orlando often gets rid of those who offend him! It’s also super fast and accurate…!’

Now, I must be a very annoying kid to him.

Already from the moment of marriage, there was a mystery that even Sven left out!

His henchman, Medor, was wicked, sharp, and was very good at settling things. Due to his nature, Duke Orlando would definitely not let it pass, and now was the right time if he wanted to kidnap or attack me.

This was because, while moving, there are fewer eyes and the escort becomes loose.

He was originally a person who handled everything fast and neat.

So, I guess he’d try to take care of everything before I grow up and make proper use of my influence as Icard Princess.

‘Right now, my situation is… my family has collapsed, and I had no position in the Capital’s social circles, and Evan is still young, so it won’t be any burden for him to handle it.’

Of course, I was a good self-reflective person.

Since I took away all the things that would have been other people’s achievements, of course, I had to pay the price.

I calmly thought.

‘Even if unexpected trials come… I won’t ever accept it humbly if someone tries to mess me recklessly.’

I spoke in a serious voice.

“Serena, I have something to do right now.”

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