IWPVD 31

– Chapter 31

After yesterday’s events, I felt that the way people looked at me had changed. It didn’t seem like my imagination.

Before, people approached me cautiously because I was the Lady of House Rosahil. But now, their eyes held an expectation—as if they believed I could always come up with something fun or exciting.

It was a welcome change. After all, getting closer to people was never a bad thing.

So, surrounded by people once again, I spent the whole day playing games with them until evening.

The hunting results were, unsurprisingly, led by Tealoha. His score was far beyond anyone else’s, not even comparable.

Prince Alteo still held second place, and Lord Lucuran was in third. Lady Ivharun seemed quite satisfied with maintaining her ranking again today.

That evening, I attended the banquet once more and found myself talking with Ivharun again.

She had just told me a story about eliminating an autumn pest infestation in the Peregrin territory, and I was genuinely impressed.

“That’s amazing.”

Ivharun not only fulfilled her duties as a noble lady but also handled territorial and household affairs like my brother Eddie. From just the few examples she shared, I could tell she was an exceptionally capable person.

Truly, a role model for any noblewoman. Smiling, I asked,

“Then, will you be the next Duchess of Peregrin?”

It seemed only natural for someone so outstanding.

“….”

“…?”

But for some reason, my words seemed to freeze the atmosphere. I felt Lord Lucuran’s gaze fixed on me.

I was still trying to figure out why when—

“Haha, Lady Rosahil. That’s quite an amusing thing to say.”

Someone approached us.

It was Alteo.

“Greetings to the Empire’s little sun.”

By the second day, Alteo had recovered somewhat from the shock of our first meeting and had gone back to his usual ways of winning over the nobility.

So why was he stepping in now?

“A duchess? That could never happen in Peregrin,” he said firmly.

I blinked in surprise. But the others didn’t seem shocked at all—they nodded as if it were only natural.

At the center of it all, Ivharun’s expression was calm… yet somehow different from usual.

After that, Ivharun excused herself, saying she wanted some fresh air.

Her expression had lingered in my mind, so I brushed off the people trying to hold me back with a smile and followed her.

I found her on the terrace.

When I quietly opened the door, I saw her back, bathed in moonlight, as she gazed at the sky.

“Um… Lady Ivharun?”

“Lady Laila?”

She turned to me, looking slightly surprised. The moon’s golden light fell over her hair, making it gleam smoothly.

Gathering my courage, I said,

“I… I think I made an unnecessary comment earlier, so I came to apologize.”

“Apologize? For what, exactly?”

“For speaking carelessly about the next Duke of Peregrin. I’m truly sorry.”

I bowed my head.

“Oh, not at all.”

Her voice came from above me.

“Shall we sit?”

Since she gestured toward the chairs, I hesitated briefly before sitting down. The wood was cold against me.

“I understand what you meant. The Rosahil family has a rather free-spirited atmosphere, after all.”

“…?”

She continued,

“Rosahil in the central region, Peregrin in the north. Since Peregrin is a northern house, it tends to be more conservative. Because of that, not once has a woman inherited the dukedom.”

“What…!”

No duchess, ever? In Rosahil, there were certainly fewer female dukes, but they did exist. I had been taught that anyone with the ability could become a duke. Ivharun gave a faint, bitter smile.

“Different from Rosahil, isn’t it? That’s what my cousin Alteo meant when he said it was impossible for a duchess to come from Peregrin. He knows the house well.”

“….”

I was at a loss for words.

But wasn’t that unfair?

Just because she was a woman?

I adjusted my collar. I wanted to comfort her somehow, but since her situation was so different from mine, I worried my words might carelessly touch a wound.

“Don’t make that face.”

Her voice made me lift my head.

“Ah…”

She was smiling peacefully.

“I never really intended to become duke. My younger brother Lucuran has great talent and a sharp mind. I’m sure Peregrin will flourish under him.”

“I… see…”

“Come on, let’s go back. If the two of us disappear for too long, people will start looking for us. Showing our faces is part of our duty, after all.”

With that, Ivharun opened the terrace door first.

I rose from my seat and followed, watching her back as she stepped into the bustling banquet hall.

The next day was perfectly clear again.

But regardless of the weather, my mind was full of thoughts about what Ivharun had told me.

“…so, what do you think?”

I heard voices chattering in the distance.

Thinking they might be talking about today’s game, I turned my head.

“How about a treasure hunt today?”

All eyes turned toward the speaker—Lupe, with her burning red hair and eyes.

She looked full of confidence.

When Rosahil and Peregrin were playing together yesterday, there had been another group whispering behind us—Lupe’s group. Whenever our laughter grew louder, they glared at us in annoyance.

“We’ll have our attendants hide slips of paper, and whoever finds them will receive a treasure. We can even rank people by how many they find. What do you think?”

I thought about it.

It wasn’t a bad idea. The grounds were spacious enough for such a game. But…

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous if we go deeper into the forest?” one lady asked cautiously.

She had a point. The forest where the hunt took place was full of wildlife, and there were people shooting arrows and throwing spears. If someone mistook us for game…

But Lupe remained firm.

“The forest entrance should be safe. Besides, my attendants are already preparing the slips. I’d be grateful if you’d join in.”

The ladies hesitated. Still unsure. That’s when another voice joined in.

“It sounds fun. Why not try it?”

It was Ivharun.

At that, agreement spread among the group. After all, Lupe was a marquess’s daughter, and Ivharun’s word carried even more weight.

With two leaders agreeing, hardly anyone declined. I nodded quietly as well.

And so, the treasure hunt began.

“Nothing here either…”

I saw one lady mutter in disappointment as she pushed through the bushes. A few others had already found slips and were delighted.

There were ten slips in total, and the more you found, the better the prize. Naturally, everyone wanted to find as many as possible.

But it was difficult.

The forest was simply too big.

By the time lunch had passed and the light was starting to fade, the slips still hadn’t all been found. Exhausted, some ladies rested under the shade.

I felt the same way. I just wanted it to end already—I had no desire to keep wandering around.

What’s Lupe’s angle?

I glanced at her in the distance. Knowing her personality, she must have some scheme in mind to trip me up. But with so many eyes here, it would be hard for her to act openly.

“Found many yet?”

Ivharun suddenly peeked over at me, startling me.

“Not a single one. How about you, Lady Ivharun?”

“I found one.”

She smiled and showed me her palm. Resting there was a slip of paper with the number “3” written on it. So that’s what they looked like.

“You’re lucky.”

“Not exactly.”

After glancing around, she whispered to me,

“Actually, Lady Lupe just told me where some of the treasures were hidden.”

My eyes widened.

The treasure hunt might have been Lupe’s idea, but the prizes had been contributed by everyone. Telling someone the locations was outright cheating.

Ivharun didn’t seem like the sort to do that. I muttered in surprise,

“…Others would be upset if they knew.”

“That’s why I’m only telling you.”

With a sly smile, she added,

“It’s just that the hunt isn’t ending. Lady Lupe felt bad because her attendants hid them too well.”

Well… I could understand that. Still, rather than cheat, wouldn’t it be better to just end the game without awarding all the prizes?

Ivharun went on,

“Don’t you want to finish soon too? The gentlemen will be back any moment now. Lady Lupe wanted to give one to me, but since I already have one, I’ll give the hint to you instead.”