Chapter 7
Time flew by, and the day of the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet finally arrived.
I wasn’t the main star of the day, obviously, but I still had a mountain of things to do the moment I woke up—washing, grooming, and getting dressed like a proper noble lady.
By afternoon, the maids had polished me up so much that the reflection in the mirror looked noticeably prettier than usual.
The layered lavender dress—like overlapping tulip petals—fit me perfectly, as if I were born wearing it.
The light amethyst jewelry on my ears and wrist wasn’t too flashy and added just the right finishing touch.
“You look absolutely stunning today, my lady.”
“That’s right. It’s such a shame the young master isn’t here to see you!”
The maids acted as if it was a tragedy that Bannon couldn’t see me, but honestly, I couldn’t relate.
In the real world, friends with older brothers always said:
No matter how much effort they put into dressing up, their brothers still say they look like a well-groomed orangutan.
But the Arnstadt siblings were supposed to be extremely close.
Acting like a modern Korean woman with no attachment to her brother might raise suspicion about being a possessed invader.
“Whatever. I’ll just dress up nicely again the next time I go visit Bannon.”
As I was choosing my perfume, a servant approached.
“My lady, the young master of House Cloud has arrived.”
It was Sergei—the guy I’d run into a few times during ShashaMo gatherings.
He offered to be my escort today, and I had agreed since I had no other options.
If Bannon hadn’t gone back to the territory, I wouldn’t need this man at all…
I entered the drawing room reluctantly. He was already sitting casually on the couch.
“…Sir Sergei.”
“Oh, Lady Sera.”
His eyes widened when he saw me. I ignored the way his gaze traveled down my figure and didn’t even sit before saying bluntly:
“Thank you for coming. Let’s leave right away.”
“It seems Lady Sera is very excited for the banquet today. The sun’s high, yet you’re already eager to go.”
He didn’t seem bothered at all by my cold tone. Smiling brightly, he offered his arm.
I pretended I wasn’t touching him—but rather petting a cute animal—and lightly placed my hand on his.
But as we walked, he suddenly said something ridiculous:
“The other ShashaMo members might get jealous if they see me escorting you. Haha! I hope no one challenges me to a duel.”
“…What are you talking about? ”
My reply came out sharp. Sergei seemed amused by my irritated face and smirked.
“Well, women do like to pretend. Surely you know already? Lady Sera is the flower of ShashaMo.”
I froze.
“…Excuse me? That’s the first I’m hearing of this. Since when am I the flower? ”
It was so absurd I didn’t even know where to begin.
Sergei just laughed like he was watching something funny.
“You’re the only woman in ShashaMo. It’s only natural everyone calls you that.”
“…If I’m the flower, then what is Lady Charlotte supposed to be? ”
“Hm? Isn’t it obvious? Lady Charlotte is an untouchable goddess.”
“…Well, that’s true.”
Through this nonsense, I finally understood his intention.
Ah… since Charlotte is too precious and unreachable, he’s going after me as the “affordable substitute.”
No offense to Charlotte, but being used as some kind of spare version of the heroine pissed me off.
Scowling internally at Sergei’s smug face, I climbed into the carriage quickly.
Once inside, he spoke first, smiling like nothing was wrong:
“We’re heading straight to the palace, right?”
“No. We’re stopping by the Schweiden Ducal Estate first.”
“…What?”
His smile cracked.
I smirked back sweetly.
“I’ve been getting closer to the princess lately. I already promised we’d go together.”
***
A little later, after picking up Angela, our carriage followed the grand ducal carriage toward the palace.
Sergei’s face looked like he’d bitten into poison.
“How—how could this happen?! You befriended Angela Schweiden, the greatest enemy of ShashaMo?! Are you betraying us?!”
He looked betrayed, but I didn’t care at all.
“Betrayal? No, I simply like both Lady Charlotte and Lady Angela. There are so many gorgeous women in this world—how could I devote myself to just one?”
“You should never have accepted a scout offer from another fan club! I’m extremely disappointed in you, Lady Sera!”
I clearly saw a -2 reputation drop.
Whatever. Between Sergei and the world, Sergei was definitely the more annoying one.
If you’re so disappointed, drop out as my escort. But nooo, that you won’t do.
We eventually reached the palace banquet hall. The moment the carriage door swung open, I bolted out and looked for Angela.
“Princess!”
“Sera.”
Angela emerged from her grand carriage, looking even more beautiful than usual.
I suddenly felt embarrassed thinking I’d looked pretty earlier.
Naturally, I showered her with praise.
“Princess, you looked stunning before, but today you’re outrageously beautiful! Truly, this is what it means to be the authority of women—no, the woman of all women—the ultimate form of femi—”
“What are you even saying? Your nonsense gets worse every day.”
Angela looked at me with a helpless expression—
then turned her head toward Sergei.
And her body stiffened ever so slightly.
“You… you’re Sera’s escort today.”
“…Yes, Princess. Sergei Cloud.”
“…”
Sergei bowed awkwardly. Angela simply stared at him, saying nothing.
To others, she probably looked intimidating and cold.
But I knew the truth:
She was overthinking her words again and didn’t know what to say.
Of course, the world didn’t know this.
An awkward silence followed.
Sergei straightened up, clearly uncomfortable.
“Sera, shall we head inside first?”
“Huh? No, let’s go in together with the princess.”
I said this cheerfully, ignoring Sergei’s face darkening.
Just then, a man approached—a young man with black hair resembling Angela’s.
“Looks like my sister has gained many friends.”
It was Corbyn Schweiden—the princess’s younger brother and today’s escort.
He glanced at me and Sergei before leaning toward Angela and whispering:
“But aren’t these people a little too… low-grade to be your friends? The girl I can understand, but that man—”
We can all hear you. Every word.
I watched Sergei’s face contort.
Angela jabbed Corbyn’s ribs with her elbow.
“The girl is Lady Sera Arnstadt. At least remember my friend’s full name.”
“…Yes, sister.”
The only one she successfully defended was me.
Before Sergei exploded, I grabbed him and dragged him toward the entrance.
“Lady Sera Arnstadt, Sir Sergei Cloud. You are cleared for entry.”
Thankfully, birthday banquets didn’t require announcing guests loudly.
I had zero desire to broadcast that I arrived with this man.
“It seems we really are early,” Angela murmured as she followed us.
The enormous hall was nearly empty—only a few nobles and some palace workers preparing decorations.
The orchestra was still warming up.
Then Sergei opened his mouth again:
“Well then, since we’re early and it’s boring, Lady Sera, shall we take a walk together?”
NO.
I wanted to cling to Angela to avoid him, but she was busy talking to Corbyn.
I needed an excuse.
“Ah, sorry. I’m going to touch up my makeup.”
Escaping successfully, I hurried toward the resting lounge.
My plan was simple:
Stay there until Charlotte arrived.
Guide Angela to her.
Mission progress.
And since Angela was a woman, she could come into the lounge at any time, so she wouldn’t panic if I vanished for a moment.
I grabbed the doorknob of the lounge and turned it.
Then—
“…!”
Something felt off.
I didn’t open the door all the way.
Inside the lounge stood Charlotte…
and a man I didn’t recognize.
The two were kissing passionately.
Wh—what—
I was so shocked I forgot to even shut the door.
The man had his back toward me, and as I stared at that back—
A familiar window popped up.
✦ Deverick Rodrigo Tripoli ✦
Affection | 0%
Status | Unaware
Romance Target? | Yes
Related Quest | X
Description | Crown Prince of the Tripoli Empire. Today is his birthday. Congratulations.
Charlotte… and the Crown Prince…
Are they already lovers?
