Chapter 84……………………………………..
“Now that I think about it, you participated in the last hunting festival, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
Evelina nodded with a shy smile.
At that, the other ladies wasted no time and eagerly began speaking up.
“Oh, yes! I was so surprised!”
“I never imagined that Your Grace could use magic!”
The ladies who hadn’t attended the festival widened their eyes at the mention of magic.
“Magic?”
“Yes! Your Grace used magic and won first place at the hunting festival!”
The ladies squealed like young girls, chattering excitedly.
“Really? Your Grace, that’s amazing!”
“I’ve always wanted to learn magic if only I had the mana… You’re truly incredible.”
Evelina didn’t know how to respond to the direct praise ringing in her ears.
“Y-you flatter me too much…”
“Please tell us how you managed to get first place at the hunting festival! I’m so curious.”
Unable to resist the surrounding excitement, she finally began to speak cautiously.
She tried her best to explain everything coherently, from the first moment she encountered the giant bear to the moment she struck it down with lightning magic.
Fortunately, her efforts didn’t go to waste; the ladies’ expressions were not displeased.
When she mentioned using lightning magic, their eyes sparkled with interest.
When Evelina finished her story, the ladies clapped lightly, praising her.
Then, the Marchioness of Monterie spoke up carefully.
“Um… Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you perhaps show us a little bit of magic? I’m so curious after hearing your story.”
“Ah…”
Evelina glanced around.
At the Marchioness of Monterie’s words, everyone’s eyes lit up with anticipation.
Even the Countess Rikel, who had tried to provoke her earlier, looked at Evelina with curiosity.
Since using magic was neither illegal nor time-consuming, Evelina readily nodded.
“Yes, I’ll show you.”
“Oh, really? Thank you so much!”
The ladies squealed again, their eyes filled with eager anticipation as they watched her.
Evelina paused briefly, thinking about what kind of magic to show.
She decided it would be better to demonstrate a pretty, sparkling spell rather than a dangerous offensive one.
“Then just a little…”
She smiled gently and raised her hand.
A faint silver mana flowed from Evelina’s hand, and the ladies let out small gasps.
“Is that mana?”
“It’s amazing. The color is beautiful too.”
Evelina scattered the mana into the air, and sparkling stardust rained down.
They instinctively reached out as the glitter fell.
The stardust shimmered for a few seconds before vanishing as if breaking apart.
The Marchioness of Monterie stared at the stardust, mesmerized.
“It’s so beautiful…”
“Do you like it?”
“Very much. I’ve never seen anything so pretty.”
At her words, the others nodded in agreement.
When the brief moment ended, they couldn’t help but look slightly disappointed.
Thanks to the magic, the atmosphere had become lively.
They chatted for quite some time, only leaving after several hours.
“See you next time.”
“Today was really enjoyable.”
Laughing together, they left the garden.
The Marchioness of Monterie hurried to Evelina.
“Thank you for accepting today’s invitation.”
“I should be the one thanking you for inviting me.”
“May I send you another invitation next time?”
Evelina’s eyes widened briefly, then she smiled softly.
“Of course. Though I’ve been staying in the north rather than the capital…”
“In that case, send me a letter when you come to the capital. I’ll send a tea party invitation.”
“Alright, I’ll be sure to contact you.”
Evelina nodded.
As they left the garden together, the ladies who had gone out first were whispering while looking at something.
Evelina tilted her head in curiosity and approached the carriage, only to see someone standing beside the Duke’s carriage.
That was whom the ladies had been whispering about.
Someone looking off into the distance noticed Evelina and smiled brightly.
Evelina muttered softly, bewildered.
“Arsen?”
The person standing by the Duke’s carriage was none other than Arsen.
He had come to pick her up personally.
Evelina approached him hurriedly, her expression flustered.
“Arsen!”
“Evelina.”
When she stood before him, Arsen did not hesitate to embrace her.
“Ahh!” the surrounding people murmured, and Evelina’s face flushed red.
As she thumped her chest to signal him to let go, he let out a low chuckle and released her gently.
Evelina couldn’t bring herself to look around.
She whispered to Arsen, asking,
“What brings you here?”
“Of course, I came to pick you up. I simply couldn’t wait any longer.”
At the sweet display of affection, Countess Rikel gritted her teeth.
She was certain he had been called to embarrass her.
Though she hadn’t seen him contact Evelina, using magic, he could have sent a message secretly.
Countess Rikel turned sharply, weaving through the crowd toward her carriage.
She inadvertently turned her head and caught Evelina’s eyes.
Evelina smiled lightly.
“Do be careful on your way back, Countess Rikel.”
“…Yes.”
The Countess answered coldly and boarded her carriage.
She knew it was rude, but her jealousy couldn’t be helped.
From what she overheard of the Marchioness of Monterie, Evelina would soon return to the north, yet envy still bubbled up.
In truth, she wasn’t on good terms with her husband, which made Evelina’s situation even more enviable.
Countess Rikel let out a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, Evelina gave an awkward smile as she watched the carriage drive away.
Unintentionally, she had directly disproven Countess Rikel’s earlier statement.
The Countess would surely assume Evelina had done it on purpose.
It wasn’t intentional, but Evelina didn’t feel the need to explain and simply let it be.
The Marchioness of Monterie approached, laughing warmly.
“You and the Duke seem very close. I’m envious—he even comes to pick you up personally.”
Evelina just smiled quietly in response.
“Take care on your way back.”
“Today was wonderful. See you next time.”
Escorted by Arsen, Evelina got into the carriage.
In fact, it wasn’t only Countess Rikel who felt envious; others did as well.
The ladies who returned to their mansions urged their husbands to come pick them up.
As a result, for a while, tea parties became spectacles where husbands fetched their wives personally.
Today was a party for couples.
It was the last party they would attend before returning to the north.
Since it was a couples’ event, they wore matching outfits.
Arsen was very pleased to attend this party with her.
Karina, unable to attend the party, had gone out for an evening engagement.
The party was held at the Moray Marquis’ residence.
While riding in the carriage, Arsen spoke.
“Evelina.”
“Yes?”
“Our wedding anniversary is approaching, isn’t it?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
“Then how about a trip to the seaside villa with my mother for the anniversary?”
Evelina smiled broadly and nodded at his suggestion.
“That sounds wonderful. I’ll tell my mother.”
“Very well.”
As they discussed the trip, the carriage soon arrived at the Moray Marquis’ residence.
Arsen got out first, and Evelina followed, taking his hand as she stepped down.
Guided by the attendants, they entered the hall, drawing everyone’s attention.
As Evelina appeared, people whispered, speculating whether she was beginning her social life in the capital in earnest.
Those observing the crowd quickly approached Evelina and Arsen, competing to speak to them.
Among them were some who had slandered her in the past.
Without guilt, they smiled and tried to network with her, hoping to catch some favor.
But Evelina, while polite, cut them off decisively.
“Please invite me to the north sometime. I’d love to visit.”
“I’m sorry, Madam, but the north is far, and you’d likely tire. When I next return to the capital, I’ll host a tea party and invite you.”
“Ah… thank you for thinking of me. I’ll wait for the invitation.”
Evelina smiled softly.
Arsen conversed with the nobles about business matters, staying a short distance away from her.
Yet he kept checking on her from time to time.
One noble noticed and laughed, jokingly saying,
“Ha, aren’t you paying a little too much attention to the Duchess? Someone might think she has you completely under her thumb.”
Arsen responded nonchalantly,
“How did you know? I suppose I’ve been too obvious.”
“Eh?”
“As you said, I am completely under my wife’s control. Since she seems tired, I’ll leave it at that for now.”
“No, Your Grace!”
The man leapt up.
He hadn’t yet received a definite answer about collaborating on a business.
“Your Grace, I need a clear answer—”
“Ah, you should revise the business plan and bring it again next time. Then we’ll discuss it further.”
It was a clear rejection.
Ignoring the man’s disappointed expression, Arsen returned to Evelina.
