Chapter 27
“Why did those two come together?”
“Didn’t they get close after Miss Rubelia became the Forecast Team Leader? It would benefit the Mage Tower, after all.”
People began whispering about Eloise and Gerard.
As Natalija listened in silence, cracks appeared on her face.
“Everyone, please be quiet. Gossiping where others can hear is quite unbecoming.”
At Natalija’s words, everyone shut their mouths.
As expected of a duke’s daughter, they thought inwardly.
“Um, Lady Natalija.”
Natalija turned her head.
The person speaking to her was Anna, a black-haired B-rank healer of commoner origin.
Ugh, what’s that smell? The smell of poverty.
Natalija forced the corners of her mouth upward.
It was unpleasant that Anna, who wouldn’t even dare meet her eyes if she weren’t B-rank, was speaking to her, but she needed to appear cordial in front of others.
After all, Anna was B-rank.
“Go ahead, Anna.”
Every time Natalija called her by name, Anna beamed brightly.
Today was no exception.
That smile looked to Natalija like a lost dog wagging its tail, begging for a single bone.
“Is Miss Rubelia Lord Gerard’s partner today?”
A muscle beneath Natalija’s eye twitched.
Does she think I’m a fool? She can see perfectly well, so why ask?
Maintaining her smile with difficulty, Natalija replied,
“Why would you ask me something like that?”
“Ah… I don’t really know how things work among people of high status, but I thought Lord Gerard’s partner would naturally be Lady Natalija. There’s no one who suits him better than you.”
Through Natalija, the healers dreamed.
Since they could never be paired with the continent’s hero Gerard themselves, it was a kind of vicarious satisfaction, or projection.
“Thank you for thinking so. But I declined.”
Because of her pride, Natalija said something she didn’t mean.
“Today is a banquet. I should be forming connections with many people. I already spend plenty of time alone with Lord Gerard in everyday life.”
And for the same reason, she lied.
“Ah, so you are the one healing Lord Gerard, Lady Natalija.”
Natalija flinched.
Only then did she realize the consequences of her lie.
What if rumors spread and reach Gerard? What if he denies it?
Her reputation would be ruined.
She had to prevent that at all costs.
“Let’s keep this a secret between us.”
A shiver ran through Anna’s body.
A secret exchange behind a fan, just like in novels about noble ladies.
Natalija truly was an amazing healer. She was nothing like the count’s daughter Anna once served.
Anna became firmly convinced that she had become friends with a duke’s daughter.
Without realizing it, she pledged loyalty to Natalija in her heart.
One’s position is something one creates for oneself, yet Anna had once again lowered herself.
Natalija noticed the change instantly.
A meaningful smile appeared on her lips.
“But it does make me feel upset.”
Anna immediately understood her intent.
“Exactly! Just look at how arrogant Miss Rubelia is acting!”
Even though Eloise was merely standing there, she had become, in Anna’s eyes, a woman abusing Gerard’s favor.
“A mere Forecast Team Leader, acting as if she can do something special for Lord Gerard!”
Anna fell into the delusion that Eloise had stolen what healers were supposed to enjoy.
Her hostility toward Eloise surged.
“I’ll go over there and give her a piece of my mind! I’ll tell her not to get so full of herself!”
“Don’t do that, Anna. Miss Rubelia has the right to enjoy the banquet too.”
Pretending to stop her, Natalija subtly pushed Anna forward.
Focused entirely on Eloise, Anna didn’t notice the touch and stepped ahead.
“If you really want to say something, I won’t stop you. Anna’s will deserves respect too.”
With Natalija’s encouragement, Anna felt fearless.
She swung her arm forcefully and advanced toward Eloise.
***
Oh…!
Wow!
About thirty minutes after arriving at the banquet hall, Eloise alternated between gasps of admiration.
A massive chandelier made of thousands of crystals.
The finest Persio-made carpets.
Marble statues so lifelike they seemed to breathe.
Delicately woven lace tablecloths.
From the floor to the ceiling, from spoons to decorations, everything in the hall was among the finest on the continent.
How much did all this cost?
Without realizing it, Eloise began calculating the budget and clicked her tongue.
This costs more than a year’s welfare budget for healers.
Some items would remain, of course, but judging by the Imperial Family’s extravagant lifestyle, many would probably never be used twice.
If they donated them at a charity event and sold them, it’d secure plenty of funds.
She was lost in thought when—
“Eloise, I’ll be going over there for a moment.”
You could’ve just said that standing up straight, you know…
Ever since entering the banquet hall, Gerard leaned in close every time he spoke, whispering.
Like lovers sharing secret words no one else should hear.
Eloise subtly stepped back and rubbed her ear.
“All right. Go ahead.”
The direction Gerard indicated was where the Imperial Family was gathered.
There sat Emperor Calix, Crown Prince Noah, and Empress Laila.
Seated on a raised platform, they gracefully extended their hands to those who approached.
Though no one had instructed them to, countless mages and healers lined up to greet them.
It was amusing to see everyone bowing to the Imperial Family on a day meant for healers.
Money really is king.
Eloise had no desire to join that line, and as if reading her mind, Gerard didn’t invite her along.
Once alone, no one approached Eloise.
She had lived her life as a background extra of background extras.
A low-ranking civil servant.
Her position had changed, and she was now Gerard’s partner, but people’s perceptions didn’t shift so easily.
They still thought it more beneficial to befriend high nobles, A-rank healers, or skilled mages than Eloise.
Thanks to that, Eloise was able to look around leisurely and naturally step outside.
Her heels had been hurting for a while, and she wanted to sit somewhere quiet to check them.
As the Mage Tower Master’s official partner, she had to maintain propriety and couldn’t just sit anywhere barefoot.
Sometimes I think it was better when I was a low-ranking civil servant.
Being in a high position didn’t come with only good things.
With no other choice, Eloise headed to the garden.
But there were people there too!
Young men and women had claimed secluded corners, whispering sweet nothings.
“Oh, the moment you opened that door and walked in, I thought I could die happy today.”
“I feel the same. Let’s die here together today!”
Mmm, smooch, kiss, chuup.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!”
Eloise covered her eyes with both hands and ran.
How embarrassing.
Still… youth really is youth.
To be so bold as to engage in passionate displays where anyone might see!
Wait—where was that man’s hand just now?
Blushing, Eloise suddenly frowned.
Her heel, which had been bothering her, now stung sharply, as if the skin had finally broken.
“I can’t walk anymore.”
She looked around for a place to sit.
Just then, she spotted a small fountain.
“That’ll do.”
It was far from the banquet hall, and the area was well lit. No couples would likely come this far.
Eloise perched on the fountain’s edge and took off her shoes.
“Oof, my heel.”
Blood had seeped through.
“It’s really torn. And there’s nothing to clean it with.”
Muttering, Eloise rubbed her foot.
“Whenever you do something unfamiliar, trouble always follows. I should’ve just worn my usual shoes.”
The thought of putting her heels back on and returning to the banquet hall was dreadful.
“I don’t want to go back.”
The moment Eloise spoke her honest thought—
“Then don’t go.”
A tightly restrained voice sounded, and someone shoved her.
Caught completely off guard, Eloise’s body tipped backward.
Splash—
A column of water burst upward.
