I Don’t Run a Romance Fantasy Horror Advice Office
CHAPTER 68……………………………..
So Yujire probably wanted to make sure that Laseil wouldn’t get caught up in any trouble, no matter what.
“Though the people actually getting engaged don’t seem to think about any of this at all.”
Still, from an observer’s perspective, it was entertaining.
“By the way, once Laseil moves out… does that mean the seat next to the young lady is automatically mine?”
Maybe that thought made it even more amusing.
Quickly brushing away the thought, Lujea looked out the window.
Today, as always, various supernatural occurrences were unfolding.
Alisa Gielea’s days were always the same.
She woke up at the same time, had the same breakfast as yesterday, went for a short walk, and returned to her bed.
After that, her morning routine was over.
“How long do I have to keep living like this?”
It sounded like a comfortable life, but it wasn’t.
The only place she could move freely was inside the mansion.
Even the occasional walks outside were cut short with the excuse that it wasn’t good for her to be exposed to the cold wind for too long.
“What era are they talking about?”
The period when her body truly had been weak had ended in her childhood.
Now, even her doctor recommended going for walks.
Being unable to move freely seemed to make her symptoms worse.
“…Maybe this was fine when I was a child.”
But not now.
The Count was just indulging in the idea of “overprotecting his younger sister.”
So he never considered listening to Alisa’s opinions.
He even went as far as turning everyone around her into villains according to his own whims.
“Miss, you went out again?”
A maid’s voice came from outside.
She was a nurse-maid assigned under the pretext of taking care of Alisa’s weak health.
Alisa’s protests that she didn’t need such a maid were ignored.
“Don’t go out in the cold wind, it’s bad for you!”
She had been hearing the same words for ten years.
If the Count wouldn’t trust what the doctor said, why even call a doctor?
Alisa forced herself to calm her increasingly frustrated mind and replied:
“I just went out for a bit. Is there something wrong?”
Unless something special happened, the maid wouldn’t have come at this time.
She only appeared occasionally at lunchtime.
“A letter has arrived.”
“A letter? Oh, Ortega-ssi!”
Ortega was always a good companion to talk to.
Perhaps it was because they both shared the situation of being stuck in the mansion.
Alisa opened the door, her voice much brighter than before.
“You said you went down for rest? How’s your health?”
“Worry about Miss first, not that woman!”
The maid replied curtly.
Her tone still didn’t recognize Ortega as the Countess.
“Watch your words. No matter what—”
“That woman is treating Miss poorly!”
“That’s never happened!”
“Miss is far too kind. She doesn’t need to cover for someone like that.”
“……”
The mansion staff seemed determined to ignore Alisa.
No matter what she said, they interpreted it to suit themselves, and no conversation could get through.
“The letter?”
“Here it is.”
The envelope had already been opened.
Probably for the reason that she might injure herself with a knife.
“Make sense for once.”
It was practically the same as saying they would monitor the content of her letters.
Since it had arrived, it probably didn’t contain anything particularly important.
Alisa swallowed her curse as best she could and read the letter.
“It’s not a letter… an invitation?”
It was an invitation to a social gathering.
A social gathering Alisa had never attended.
Because going somewhere crowded with people could be dangerous.
“How on earth…?”
The letter was clearly from Ortega.
But she probably didn’t have enough authority to invite Alisa on her own.
Only after reading the entire letter did Alisa understand why the invitation had arrived:
[…Lord Jaen and Lord Siren will also attend.
With two Swordmasters present, there should be no problem.]
“Lord Siren… he was the commander of the Imperial Knights.”
At that time, the Gielea Count family was causing a stir due to problems with demons or spirits.
The 3rd Order of Knights handled precisely such issues.
Their goal would likely be to check whether there were any other problems in the Count’s household.
“But Lord Jaen…”
The name sounded familiar.
Laseil Jaen, Commander of the Duchy of Lesean’s Knights and Swordmaster of the Imperial Union.
“Would he even attend something like this?”
She couldn’t find any reason he would attend a social gathering.
“He is acquainted with Lord Siren.”
She had heard rumors more than once about a complicated relationship between the two.
Irenes’ unrequited love was already common knowledge among the nobles.
“And that sometimes led to strange stories.”
Mostly scandals about Laseil.
Those who spread such rumors were soon warned… but, like most rumors, they didn’t disappear immediately.
“Could you bring me the calendar?”
Alisa checked the letter again.
The social gathering was about a week from now.
The schedule was tight, so preparations needed to start immediately.
“And also, make reservations at the dressmaker and jeweler. Right now.”
One of the few things Alisa could do freely.
It wasn’t likely anything would go wrong at the dressmaker or jeweler.
“By that logic, walking around the mansion should be fine too.”
In any case, the Count’s standards were incomprehensible.
Swallowing her curses again, Alisa moved forward.
The only comfort was that she would soon be able to go out.
“Is this okay?”
Laseil checked the mirror again.
Even though she had worn the dress recently, moving in it still felt awkward.
“The size isn’t wrong.”
She had only worn the dress once since it was tailored last year.
It was practically brand new, which might be why it felt uncomfortable.
“Hmm…”
She adjusted the dress once more.
At least in the mirror, she looked fine.
“It shouldn’t be improper etiquette, right?”
Her long lavender hair was adorned with small white ornaments.
She hadn’t forgotten the earrings she received from Irenes a few days ago.
The dress, with its slightly exotic elegance, matched perfectly.
The brooch at her chest even seemed tailored to match the dress.
“I thought it wouldn’t suit me since it was from the market.”
Being adorned with proper jewels, it actually enhanced the dress.
Thinking that Irenes would wear the same brooch made her feel a little embarrassed, but she quickly collected her thoughts and hurried downstairs.
It was about time Irenes would be waiting.
“Lord Siren…”
Laseil stopped mid-call for Irenes.
She noticed the people gathered around her.
“Long time no see, Lord Siren. Dressed so nicely, who are you escorting?”
“Surely not our precious youngest?”
“Ha, of course not.”
They were the Knights of the Duchy of Lesean.
Among them, the most excited was Vice-Captain Berua.
“Everyone, step aside.”
Sighing, Laseil pushed through the crowd.
Soon, she saw Irenes’ embarrassed face.
“Don’t tease innocent people.”
“Innocent people?!”
“It’s not a ball, we’re attending as partners at a social gathering.”
“Shouldn’t we at least look at the face?”
“…Let’s go, Lord Siren.”
Laseil lightly took Irenes’ wrist.
Ignoring the nearby whispers entirely.
Perhaps embarrassed, Irenes’ face flushed bright red.
“Uh, Lord Jaen? The carriage is over there…”
“Oh.”
Focused only on leaving the spot, she nearly went too far.
Laseil finally stopped and properly looked at Irenes.
Her elegant jacket matched the brooch at her chest.
Her neatly tied hair looked like silk.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes, thank you.”
After admiring Irenes for a moment, Laseil snapped back to reality and got into the carriage.
It had been a long time since she had received an escort, so everything felt awkward.
