Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Translator: wuttisyun

Three days later, we were almost ready for the tea party. Rebecca and I were carrying out the final inspections. Then, in the midst of our conversation, she suddenly changed the topic.

“We have two days till the Founding festival.”

Blinking, I stared at Rebecca who seemed ill at ease.

“… Were we not just talking about the tea party?”

“I’m only bringing this up because you’re already prepared to some extent. Mistress. I’m talking about your patronus. It’s already too late to find another one.”

She stared down at me with her back straightened as she gave me a cool warning.

A week ago, Rebecca had casually asked me who I was going to choose for my patronus while telling me about the Founding Festival.

I had never thought about it so I told her I would think it over but she was asking me once again. It was so sudden.

“Do I need it now?”

Staring meaninglessly at an open book, I asked her.

“A decent man will not be able to remain till the end.”

“I wouldn’t know if you say it like that.”

“You don’t have to think so hard. You’re just choosing someone to have fun with through the night.”

Was Rebecca not at least two years older than me? For just a moment, she was emanating the scent of a true woman.

“Wow. If you put it like that…”

After being imprisoned in the palace for 17 years, I wondered if there were any other nobles the princess was friendly with. However, Rebecca had a grim expression on her face.

“I have yet to ask you, but do you already have your eyes set on someone else? I’ve heard that the Soletorium has a lot of young and talented officials.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t tell me there aren’t any?”

She seemed to think that I travel to the 4th Administration because I was interested in the officials there.

‘Well, she’s not wrong…’

The problem was that the people I knew there did not know my true identity. The only possible people I could ask would be Penne or Soricks. And they were quite decent. But Rebecca’s standards were high.

“To be worthy of your status, he’ll need to be a high-ranking official of a templar with a spectacular profile. Even if he’s not well-known, it’ll be okay if he has the skills to support himself. Do you really not have anyone in mind?”

“… Granius?”

I thought he would be a good choice but Rebecca’s reply erased that mere thought.

“Sir Granius?” She asked before gasping and continuing, “You mean the Aedile Curules? You must be kidding! You can easily choose from men within their 20s! Aren’t you going too far by choosing him?”

Ah, she was talking about the age difference. This would be trickier than I thought.

“Is Sir Granius not good enough?”

“No! It’s not about the age difference, I’m talking about the marriageable age…” She trailed off before sighing, “Enough. Please don’t make me feel sorry for you, mistress.”

Her head seemed to be throbbing as she pressed on her temple.

“The problem is not whether I like him or not. A person with the Aedile’s position is perfect for you but can you choose someone you’re more likely?”

“More likely?”

“More likely to be wedded to.”

“Wedded? A marriage?”

I could not believe that I was going to live the rest of my life with a person whom I did not even choose. I already knew my situation but at times like this, I simply could not get used to it. I felt like I had been just struggling to stay afloat in the Amazon river before I had been suddenly transported into the Palace of Versailles.

Moreover, I was in danger of dying at any moment. My feelings were complicated.

“Hm, a patronus…”

As I mumbled to myself, someone suddenly said something unexpected.

“What, why are you thinking so deeply? You have the duke.”

“… The duke?”

Rebecca murmured to herself.

I hurriedly turned my head towards the sofa. Sure enough, there Fleon was, lying crookedly on the sofa. I mouthed the words ‘Shut up’ at him.

“You. Are you dating the duke?”

If he had been someone with the least amount of wit, my brother would not be still sitting here.

“Ah, so you’re not officially together?”

“No!”

He was not helping me at all! I clenched my jaw before speaking through gritted teeth. Fleon tilted his head and spat out thoughtlessly.

“But isn’t that what it meant to go on dates?”

“This. What is he saying! Mistress!!”

Shocked, Rebecca raised her voice. Realising she would not be able to get the answer she wanted from me, she turned towards Fleon. Tilting his head, Fleon raised his hand.

“The Duke of Devolo. He likes you.”

Rebecca had narrowed her eyes before they widened and narrowed again. That only signalled to me that her misunderstanding only grew deeper.

“Mistress?”

“Huh? No. I don’t! Brother’s just talking nonsense!”

“What. Then what happened that day? He was chasing you so blatantly.”

“You, shut up.”

Shut up. He stared at me as if there was no one else here. Even Hannah who was standing by the side quietly was expressing her silent affirmation. I mean, hold on. After sweeping my face down in response to Hannah’s betrayal, I lifted my head as I lowered my gaze.

Rebecca pursed her lips before slowly speaking.

“I’m going to ask you once. Did you promise to marry him?”

Pressing down on her temple firmly, she voiced out her suspicions.

“Nonsense. You with the duke? No, it can’t be. You just met a few times and that’s the end of your relationship.”

“Were you just playing with him?”

“No!”

This brother of mine!

“I’m begging you, please just tell me if you’re already engaged.”

“I’m already saying I’m not.”

Only after explaining to her for a long time and getting rid of her misunderstandings and delusions, I was able to resolve Rebecca’s deep doubts.

I sighed. This was all because of my brother’s big mouth.

“Patronus. Will a brother be alright?”

“… Yes. That’s fine but… Are you sure you don’t mind a prince? This is a great opportunity.”

Rebecca then went on to explain that this good opportunity could lead to a groom with better prospects, a better family and better abilities. The dance with the prince as per tradition. That was what it meant to be the first on the dancing stage during the Foundation Festival.

‘A fascinating proposal that no one could resist.’

I shook my head gently.

“No. It’s too early for me to discuss such things.”

After slowly shifting my gaze, I closed and opened my eyes.

‘Banquets’. ‘Secret meetings’, ‘relationships lasting for one night’…The sweet taste on the tip of my tongue and this sweet feeling.

Traditional Imperial banquets were meant to be fun, indigenous and also promiscuous. The Empire had owned fertile land for the past 2000 years and the crops grown were always healthy and plentiful.

We had a culture of using anything we had in surplus for pleasure. All kinds of grains, fruit liquor, especially wine, was being cultivated and crafted all across the Empire. One day, alcohol had become an essential part of Imperial feasts.

‘But soaking gold in wine is too far.’

Going against such an extravagant way of life, Walter’s culture on the other hand was about being modest and neat.

Instead of wine, there would be teacups filled with red tea. Simple refreshments instead of ripe grapes. Such tea parties have become quite popular amongst the young ladies here as the younger generation gradually became accustomed to this new culture.

It was as if there was a clash between the ideals of the younger generation who had been enticed by the variety of new words and emerging cultures like from the smartphones of my previous world and the older generation who were unfamiliar with the latest devices. The Empire was currently being ruled by an emperor who was more open-minded.

“Hoho. 10 years after he ascended the throne, he has finally acknowledged Walter’s culture and is pursuing cultural harmony. Members of the court who opposed such a decision no longer tried to stop the assimilation. Since then, newspapers have been introduced into the imperial banquets. So, there have also been many changes in the administration.”

Penne explained slowly as he pointed at the dress I was wearing.

“The clothes pipio is wearing are what we consider traditional clothing.”

“Yeah.”

Walter’s dresses that puffed up like a budding flower had already spread amongst the young aristocrats, threatening the position the flowy traditional greek dresses held in our society.

“Traditionally, we hold symposiums where men and women of all ages gather together. Walter’s culture, on the other hand, leaned towards smaller gatherings.”

“On the other hand?”

“Yes. Similar to how we hold symposiums, male aristocrats will socialise with other male aristocrats while aristocratic ladies will chat with each other and share what they have learnt over tea time. You said you’ve been invited to a tea party, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, I have. It’ll be my first time wearing a dress from Walter so I’m worried.”

“I think it’ll fit pipio well!”

Soricks interrupted out of the blue.

“Even now, you’re still so cute!”

“Thanks, Soricks.”

Seeing my smile, Soricks frowned.

“Hm, I’m not just telling you for the sake of it. Right, duke? The duke agrees with me, don’t you?”

Then, Hernandez raised his head and looked this way.

“What clothes do you think pipio look good in?”

The expression he was wearing when he was looking at Soricks melted like ice on a sunny day.

“Anything. There’s nothing that doesn’t suit you.”

His clear sky blue eyes crinkled beautifully. Slightly biting my lips with a frown, I turned my head away, I did not really want to look at him.

Just as he promised that day, Hernandez continued to guard my surroundings.

He did not touch me unnecessarily and consistently maintained our distance.

I could not believe he was the same man that stared at my death so coldly.

He acted gentlemanly. At a glance, his expression was gentle, almost making me wonder whether his vow had been a dream.

‘Are there really ‘suspicious forces’ at play here?’

I really did not know. He did say he would protect me but I could not believe everything he said.

The problem was that even after deciding to take advantage of him, I still did not trust him. Because I did not know what he was thinking.

After learning math for a while, Garnius called out to me.

“Child.”

Seeing as how he was calling me by a pet name while speaking informally, he must be wary of Soricks.

“Are you going to the tea party soon?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it might sound strange but…”

He hummed before whispering in a way that did not suit him.

“Are you really going to a tea party? Are you sure it’s a tea party and not a ‘banquet’?”

“Yes, it’s a tea party. Is there a problem?”

I asked him nonchalantly. He shook his head as if to say it was nothing. He then rubbed his face as if he had just gotten himself in trouble.

“The duchess, I mean, someone I know said it would be a small party. ‘For friends only’. They said there will be no more than five people. If you’re worried I’ll make a mistake ,rest assured. As you already know, my friend is someone you know well, Aedile, right?”

“Right… I must be worrying too much.”

He looked relieved. But it was not long before he was gritting his teeth again. Then, as if he was asking me for a favour, he asked me not to attend any banquets.

“Only attend tea parties. Okay? Be careful and stay home if you can.”

“Yes, alright, Don’t worry.”

Nodding, I got curious. Even if he had not asked, I would not be able to attend banquets even if I wanted to because I was an imperial member who had yet to have her coming-in-age ceremony.

‘And it’s not as if anyone else had invited me.’

T/N:

There might be some mistakes here as my draft was not transferring properly so let me know if you spot any!