MMLC 61

Chapter 61

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

Mia nodded with a startled expression.

The count, who had realized early on that Linva was a strange one, had fiercely opposed the engagement.
But because he doted excessively on his only daughter, he ultimately couldn’t win against her.

Completely smitten with Linva, Mia went ahead with the engagement without even realizing she was being deceived.

Once he felt secure, Linva finally revealed his true nature. And somehow, the starting point of that was me.

‘Once I become count, I’ll take you as my concubine. So how about tonight? Ah, don’t worry. After you become my concubine, I’ll watch for the right moment and give you the position of wife too. The woman who’s supposed to be my wife is incredibly stupid.’

The way Linva had snickered and whispered those words was so repulsive I didn’t even want to recall it.

The body that had experienced it firsthand must have felt that even more strongly.

‘So that’s why my hand flew out like that.’

Ahem. Of course, as a Confucian-minded person, I can’t say violence is ever justified—but even now, thinking back on it felt pretty satisfying.

This body has a bit of a girl-crush streak, you see.

“T-that’s… so he really said that…?”

“Yes. I guess he thought I was completely out of my mind. Otherwise he wouldn’t have said something like that so confidently.”

As I spoke, I gently tidied Mia’s disheveled hair.

“And the reason he broke off the engagement with you and ran away was probably because I punished him and then threatened him. I told him I’d expose everything.”

“……!”

“So this isn’t your fault, Miss Mia. And it’s certainly not mine either. Honestly, this turned out for the best—so take it as a chance to make a fresh start.”

With that, I stood up from my seat.

As I slowly put some distance between us, a small voice came from behind.

“Th-thank you.”

And… I’m sorry.

Her voice trembled, heavy with guilt.

I gave a light shrug and crossed the banquet hall.

I looked perfectly fine on the outside, but inside, I felt incredibly greasy and uncomfortable.

‘Ugh. What was that cringey line just now?’

I’d gone along with the mood and said it, but it felt like something straight out of a hero movie.

And I’d drawn way too much attention in front of so many people.

Thinking I needed to hide somewhere no one could see me, I hurried my steps.

Tap tap tap.

I’m faster than light. Fast!
Fast!

I muttered ridiculous affirmations to myself, walking as quickly as possible—so fast my legs were practically invisible—while still maintaining enough elegance not to attract attention.

‘Phew.’

At last, I reached a corner of the banquet hall.

Thanks to the earlier commotion, no one was paying attention to this area.

Relieved, I casually picked up a glass of wine from the nearby table.

And at that very moment—

“As expected of you, Silia.”

An unexpected voice rang in my ears.

Startled, I nearly dropped the wineglass.

Creaking stiffly, I turned my head.

“……Cedric?”

Cedric was standing there with his usual gentle smile.

“I saw everything earlier. You were quite impressive.”

“Uh… yeah……”

For some reason, that was not something I wanted to hear from you.

“How is it? Coming to a banquet after so long—doesn’t it loosen you up? Get your body moving a bit?”

Cedric’s face was kindness itself as he smiled, but the hidden meaning in his words made it impossible for me to smile back easily.

He said he saw everything.
That my ‘performance’ was impressive.
That my body felt loosened up.

Ah.

So that’s what he meant—did it feel good to come and beat someone up.

‘Of course he thinks I come to banquets to hunt people.’

I looked at Cedric, who was grinning brightly, with a sullen expression.

This guy is really strange……

‘No—wait.’

Wasn’t it this body that made Cedric think that way in the first place?

The weight of a crime I hadn’t committed settled heavily on my shoulders.

“Silia? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

When I shook my head, Cedric came to stand beside me, holding a wineglass of his own.

Hey, hey.

Aren’t you the chancellor? I’m already trying to hide—don’t come over here and draw attention.

When I took a step away from him, he stepped closer by the same amount.

After sidestepping like that for a while, I finally relaxed and opened my mouth only after half-hiding myself behind a window curtain.

“So. What brings you here all of a sudden?”

“What do you mean? Do I need a reason to come see a friend?”

“You’re the chancellor. Aren’t you supposed to show up with His Majesty the Emperor?”

According to this body’s common sense, that should have been the case.

Sure enough, I could see people here and there noticing Cedric with surprised expressions.

Then, once they noticed me, they hurriedly turned their heads away……

‘This jerk isn’t trying to use my bad reputation to hide like Dazar did last time, is he?’

Like, stepping out first because he has reasons, then hiding behind me because dealing with others is annoying.

“It’s not like that, Silia.”

Cedric spoke as if he’d read my thoughts, smiling gently.

“I guess we really are friends. Sometimes I can tell exactly what you’re thinking.”

“…….”

What kind of creepy thing is that to say?

Ugh.

When I twisted my lips into a weird expression, Cedric let out a soft chuckle.

“Honestly, I came because I was worried about you. Up until now, you always came to the ‘Hall of Rest’ with Sylvestain. You’ve never come alone before.”

“That’s… true.”

According to Silia’s memories, she’d followed behind Sylvestain like a duckling chasing its mother.

Wait—then how did Cedric know that, when I don’t remember ever meeting him at the Hall of Rest?

That question briefly crossed my mind.

‘Ah. Right. He’s the chancellor.’

Of course he’d know the participants of the Hall of Rest.

And as for why I’d never encountered him there—

‘…Did he actually avoid me all this time?’

I vaguely remembered hearing that they’d reunited after seven years.

Maybe he’d been deliberately avoiding the Hall of Rest so he wouldn’t run into Silia.

Considering Silia and Cedric’s past, it wouldn’t have been strange.

Unaware of my thoughts, Cedric began explaining the schedule.

“So I came to share the itinerary with you. First, today, His Majesty will give an opening address for the ‘Hall of Rest’ along with the banquet.”

Honestly—no wonder he’s the chancellor, bringing even a neatly packed schedule sheet to explain things.

“And tonight, there’ll be a ball, followed by a presentation.”

“A presentation?”

“Yes. I heard Duke Ciaster will also be announcing news from House Ciaster at the presentation. Didn’t you hear?”

Nope. Didn’t hear a thing.

‘I was too busy fighting on the way in.’

If I hadn’t been fighting, I might’ve had some productive conversations.

But honestly, it was rarer not to fight when I met Dazar. Normal communication with him was the exception.

“What kind of news?”

“Most likely, he’ll announce that Lady Vanilla has become a new member of House Ciaster.”

“Isn’t that already known?”

Cedric nodded.

“True. But the presentation at the ‘Hall of Rest’ is where each house officially reports what happened over the past year. Duke Ciaster probably leaked the information deliberately when he brought Vanilla into the family—but this time, he’ll formally declare that she’s his daughter.”

So he’d deliberately let the rumors spread.

It must have looked strange for Vanilla to suddenly appear at the ducal house, after all. Dazar had spread the story himself.

“Don’t you have anything to announce? Officially, you’re the head of the house now. Evanroir.”

“……Hmm.”

Up until now, Sylvestain must have attended the Hall of Rest and reported the past year’s matters as head of the house.

I thought it over briefly at Cedric’s words, but no matter how I looked at it, I didn’t have much to say.

‘Axion being my son is still a secret……’

But—

‘How long can that stay a secret?’

And was it even right to keep it hidden?

Kal had said it wouldn’t be too late to announce it once Sylvestain returned, but I didn’t even know when that would be.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to announce it when Lord Sylvestain is present? That way, Lady Silia would at least have some protection.’
‘Protection?’
‘Yes. Nobles love to tear others down. If Lord Sylvestain takes the lead in blocking them, Lady Silia would be hurt less.’

It’s not like I’d actually be hurt.

Still, announcing it while the true head of the house was present would be better for the family’s reputation than me doing it alone, given how little trust I had.

That’s why I’d stayed silent so far—but it still felt unsettling.

‘Dazar has it easy. He can proudly acknowledge Vanilla as his daughter.’

Maybe that was why, for once, he’d brought Vanilla to the banquet without a fuss.

While I was quietly lost in thought about Axion, the doorkeeper suddenly shouted loudly,

“His Grace, Duke Dazar Ciaster, enters!”

Everyone’s attention turned that way.

Then the doorkeeper called out once more,

“Lady Vanilla Ciaster enters with him!”

All eyes widened.

It made sense—this was Vanilla’s official debut into high society.

Holding what was clearly a lollipop Dazar had given her in one hand, Vanilla walked in while constantly looking around in curiosity, fascinated by the dazzling banquet hall.

I could hear people whispering that she resembled Dazar.

Holding Vanilla’s hand as he walked in slowly, Dazar wore the dignified expression of a great noble, carefully hiding his usual rotten scowl.

Watching him, I felt a strange bitterness rise in my mouth.

‘Where is Axion?’

The plan had been for me to enter the banquet hall first, and then for Kal to bring Axion in separately through the room prepared for the children.

There was a different entrance on that side.

I’d meant to go straight to Axion after entering, but that plan had been derailed by the traffic-light sisters earlier.

Now that everyone’s attention was elsewhere, I decided to go to Axion.

“Cedric. I’m going to step out for a bit.”

“Hm? Ah, Silia. Then take this with you.”

Cedric handed me the Hall of Rest schedule.

I looked at the densely packed list with a tired expression, then accepted it silently.