Chapter : 39
“Hmm? What’s this? Is it something related to me?”
I slightly raised my eyes, and Arkas let out a sigh before speaking to the butler.
“Bring the tea to the study.”
“Yes, sir.”
Arkas extended his hand to guide Baron Calrat and spoke to me.
“Wait here for a moment.”
Baron Calrat glanced back and gestured subtly to Eloi. Receiving the Baron’s look, Eloi gave a small nod.
Indeed, Eloi’s demeanor was unusual today.
While I observed Eloi’s expression, Arkas and Baron Calrat walked past the hall toward the study.
“How long am I supposed to wait?”
Left alone in the hall, I looked at Eloi who was sitting in the guest waiting area.
Eloi, who usually chattered away first, was now sitting silently, staring at the floor.
It felt awkward to see her quiet because whenever we met, she was always the one to start talking.
“What should I do…?”
I couldn’t just leave her standing here and go in… and I also didn’t know when Arkas would return, so I had no choice but to speak to Eloi.
“Shall we go to the parlor instead of staying here?”
Eloi nodded and followed behind me. I gestured to a maid walking down the corridor.
“Could you prepare some tea in the parlor?”
“Yes, Miss.”
After walking to the parlor and sitting on the sofa, we waited for the tea, the silence between us becoming almost unbearable.
“Was Eloi always like this? Is something wrong?”
She was the kind of person who always felt like sunlight itself whenever you were near…
“I guess there’s no helping it…”
I barely held back a sigh and reluctantly spoke.
“Did you get home safely yesterday?”
As soon as I spoke, Eloi, who had been sitting like a doll in silence, lifted her head.
When our eyes met, her expression changed as if she had swapped faces—she suddenly started chattering brightly.
“Yes! I was so tired when I got home. I wanted to sleep immediately, but… my older sisters had a pajama party, so I ended up losing sleep!”
“Oh, really?”
I was slightly surprised by Eloi’s sudden change in demeanor and looked at her carefully.
Right, she’s the heroine in the original story, isn’t she?
I recalled the contents of Elle’s letter. If she’s an important character like the original heroine… could she remember the person who previously possessed her?
“You also came up from the countryside, right, Eloi?”
“Yes, that’s right. So city life is really exciting.”
“Do you happen to know any other young ladies who came up from the countryside besides me?”
“Hmm…?”
Eloi put her fingertip on her chin and seemed lost in thought. Slowly blinking, she turned her head toward me.
It wasn’t a look of thinking about people from the countryside—it was more like she was observing me, testing the waters.
“What’s this? Is there something going on?”
“Tea is ready.”
As the maid placed the tea on the table, Eloi spoke again in a cheerful voice.
“Well, I don’t know anyone except me and Miss Selene! And it’s not even the social season, yet we happened to meet after coming up from the countryside at the same time. Don’t you think it’s fate?”
“Yes… I suppose so.”
Was my earlier impression just a misunderstanding? Her eyes had definitely seemed like she knew something…
I took a sip of tea and thought carefully about what to say next.
“Did Miss Selene get enough rest? Also, have you thought more about what we talked about yesterday?”
“No, not yet. I haven’t thought about it at all.”
Fortunately, Eloi seemed to have fully recovered her usual energy and continued speaking as she drank her tea.
“It would be wonderful if I could accompany you.”
“Oh… you want to go?”
“Yes! I really want to go. I can do so well. Didn’t I help a lot when we went to the Prophet’s mansion?”
“Yes, you did.”
I nodded, and Eloi’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me.
“Could you please convey my message well to His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Me?”
I wondered if there was anything I could actually do. Still, Eloi’s expression looked so earnest, so desperate…
She wants to go this badly—surely someone like her should be chosen.
It’s not like speaking up will cost me anything, so…
I smiled reassuringly and said,
“If I get the chance to speak, I’ll make sure to convey it. You’ve been such a great help, Eloi.”
Eloi’s expression softened slightly at my words. Pressing her lips together, she whispered,
“Miss Selene, you’re really kind. I wish you were my sister…”
I remembered Eloi mentioning her sisters earlier. I subtly shifted the topic in that direction.
“Do you have older sisters?”
“Yes, I have both an older and younger sister.”
“Wow, did they all come from the countryside together?”
Eloi shook her head slightly.
“No, I came alone from the countryside. My sisters in the mansion have a different mother…”
“Oh…”
Accidentally bringing up sensitive family matters, I rolled my eyes and tried to think of another topic. Luckily, Eloi changed the subject first.
“I haven’t been in the city long, so I don’t have friends. I’m not close with the young ladies my older sisters socialize with.”
“Hmm, yes. It’s usually hard to get along with your sister’s friends…”
I nodded, and Eloi looked at me intently.
“I also want to have fun with friends… like a pajama party…”
“Ah…”
“I’ve heard they’re really fun… Pajama parties. I wonder what kind of party it is?”
“Hmm… I don’t know.”
“I want to go. A pajama party…”
Clearly, she’s inviting me to join!
We’re not even in Korea, so I couldn’t casually say something like “let’s eat together sometime” as empty words…
I knew I’d regret it later, but… I was weak against a pretty face.
Sigh… I guess I have no choice.
I reluctantly spoke.
“Then, let’s play together… sometime.”
Eloi jumped up, clasping her hands in front of her mouth, her pink eyes sparkling as she looked at me.
The pajama party is at a house, right…?
“When, when shall we play together?”
“When we have time…”
“Shall we set a date?”
“Shall we decide after the Demon King is sealed?”
“Perfect, perfect!”
Eloi nodded enthusiastically. At that moment, Arkas and Baron Calrat entered the parlor.
“So you were here?”
“Did you have a good chat, Eloi?”
Baron Calrat looked at Eloi, who nodded and stepped forward.
“It’s an honor to meet you today.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
Baron Calrat bowed slightly to me. I responded with a light smile, and I noticed him glancing at me briefly.
His gaze didn’t feel particularly pleasant, but I couldn’t say anything.
The members of the Calrat family exchanged greetings with Arkas and left the mansion.
For me, there was something more important than Baron Calrat’s glance or the items Arkas had received.
Finally, I could return to my room. Come to me, sweet bed…
I hurried to my room before anyone could stop me. Arkas followed slowly and called out.
“Celi, let’s talk for a moment.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll have tea prepared. Shall we go to the parlor?”
I shook my head without looking back and stepped onto the stairs.
“I’ve already had enough tea, and we can talk in my room.”
I really just needed to lie down.
Arkas obediently followed and sat beside me on the sofa as I lay down.
“Baron Calrat brought a letter from His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I see.”
I was thinking about changing into my indoor clothes and lying on the bed properly when Arkas continued.
“He wants to hear your story regarding the Demon King’s sealing.”
Here it comes.
I let out a deep sigh.
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“What?”
The thought of such a cruel schedule made my head spin.
Three days in a row of going out? Are they trying to kill me?
“Tomorrow, the heads of influential families will gather in one place. As I mentioned earlier…”
“…”
“Do whatever you want, Celi.”
The thing I want to do is not go there.
The next morning, Ruri came to wake me up and was surprised by the bright sunlight in the room.
“…Miss, are you feeling unwell?”
“Huh? No?”
I tilted my head as I sat on the chair, and Ruri, still looking surprised, said,
“Then did the curtains… open by themselves?”
“I opened them.”
“…Why?”
Why? Sometimes I just want to enjoy the morning sun.
When I gave her a dumbfounded look, Ruri pinched her cheek slyly and said,
“Did you wake up so early because you’re going to the palace today?”
“Yes.”
Thinking of it as going to work made me open my eyes…
“Even though I didn’t wake you?”
“Yes…”
“Oh my, you should go to the palace every day then. That way, you’ll always wake up early.”
Wasn’t that a bit harsh?
With her innocent face, Ruri left the room to fetch the bath oil she’d use today.
