Chapter 21
“Hohoho, Marquis, you are too kind. By the way, I heard that your wife is organizing a large charity event this time. Would it be possible for me to attend?”
“Has that news already reached the provinces?”
“Well, how could a noble who aims to advance to the capital not know?”
“Haha. You have an ambitious fiancée. I quite like that. I’ll be sure to pass your request to my wife regarding the charity event.”
“It is an honor that you think so. But, Marquis…”
“Hm?”
“Our region may be small, but it is sometimes famous for producing very rare gemstones from the sea.”
As I spoke, I handed Marquis Soboron a small box I had prepared in advance. Karlcia glanced at me with a clearly bewildered expression.
“This gemstone is…!”
“It’s the blue pearl your wife has been searching for.”
“Hahahaha! And what is the reason for giving me something like this, young lady?”
I put on my brightest business smile.
“Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful event. I also happened to overhear that your wife was interested in this pearl, so I thought it appropriate to present it.”
“Red and pink pearls are common enough, but a blue one is truly rare. Does this pearl come from your land?”
Marquis Soboron turned to Karlcia. As expected, he was sharp. I couldn’t help admiring his deft handling of the situation.
“Of course. If you were to sponsor and assist us in our advancement to the capital, we could provide even more valuable items. If you wish, I could also offer you the beach where these pearls are found.”
“Quite an interesting proposal. I’ll personally relay this to Marquis Belua. And I must say—you truly have an excellent fiancée.”
Marquis Soboron looked at me with clear satisfaction.
“You flatter me, Marquis.”
“Well then, Baron, I shall take a moment to look around the ballroom and speak with the ladies.”
I withdrew gracefully, keeping my smile intact as I blended in with the other nobles, feigning idle conversation so Karlcia wouldn’t grow suspicious. Thanks to the list of names Maya had drilled into me, it was easy enough to strike up conversations.
Meanwhile, Karlcia—apparently suspecting nothing—continued speaking with Marquis Soboron to gather information on the noble faction’s movements.
The gemstone hadn’t been meant as a bribe, though if it worked out that way, all the better. In truth, I had hoped it might draw Osborne Luciela’s attention, but with that radiant saintly aura of hers, she was bound to attract eyes simply by standing still.
“Oh my, Lady. Your eyes are so beautiful~”
See? Just like a villainess and a protagonist.
Osborne had approached on her own.
“Ah, it’s a pleasure, Lady Osborne Luciela. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I saw you speaking with Marquis Soboron~ How can you be so bold and admirable? I wanted to be like you!”
So you were watching. Thanks for the compliment. If you were watching that closely, you could have helped me.
Originally, I was supposed to torment Osborne in front of Karlcia. But if Karlcia noticed, she’d surely stop me.
As I was thinking that, a young lady approached Osborne and began chatting with her. Without hesitation, I merged into their circle, pretending to converse while searching for an opportunity.
“By the way, Lady Osborne, I heard His Majesty personally invited you to dine at the palace?”
“Ah… Lady Marizen. Yes, that’s correct. His Majesty invited me himself.”
“Of course. You must be special. You suit His Majesty far better than the villainess, Elizabeth Arlesia.”
“Lady Arlesia isn’t as terrible as people claim.”
“But there was that compensation incident… and I heard she was expelled after claiming illness.”
“She truly is in critical condition. She was worried she might catch a cold from me, so she asked me to come in her place.”
Wow. Saint Sister indeed. It’s because she’s like this that Elizabeth once hurt her.
More importantly, the noble faction was openly calling me an “evil woman.”
They say walls have ears and mice hear whispers—but now that I’d become the mouse, it felt unsettling.
“But still, you’re amazing, Lady Luciela. I just arrived from the countryside, so I know nothing of court life, yet His Majesty personally invited you…!”
I casually took Osborne’s hand as if to move closer—and lightly stepped on her foot.
That was the most I could do for now.
No. Wait. If I used Marizen or Mijansen, I could handle this without the Emperor as witness.
“Oh—my apologies, Lady. I didn’t realize I stepped on your foot.”
“…Ah. It’s fine.”
Osborne flinched, her face briefly twisting in pain. Marizen shot me a sharp glare.
“…You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
“I only wanted to come closer because you’re so impressive…”
“Lady Marizen, I’m truly fine. But weren’t you surprised?”
“Ah… how kind of you… yes, I too…”
That should have been the end of it.
But suddenly, something felt wrong.
My lips moved on their own.
I tried to step back in shock, but my body refused to respond.
What’s happening… all of a sudden?!
I couldn’t control my mouth. Panic flooded me as my consciousness remained intact while my body betrayed me. It felt as though something else had seized control.
Was it Elizabeth’s soul? Or someone else—someone angered by my actions?
When I looked at Osborne, her face had gone deathly pale. Her body trembled in visible horror.
That terrified me even more.
I couldn’t hear what I was saying. I didn’t know what words were leaving my mouth. But judging by her expression, it must have been something dreadful.
Minutes later, control returned.
“Ah—ah…”
“Lady Luciela…?”
Osborne waved her hand hurriedly when Marizen tried to call for help, muttering that she felt unwell before rushing out of the ballroom. Marizen followed, offering support.
Tomorrow’s rumors would be a nightmare.
But more than that—
What was that?
I had been conscious. Someone else had spoken through me.
Whether it was Elizabeth… or whoever sent me here… or even the dark figure from my dream, I couldn’t tell.
“…I never want to experience that again.”
I whispered it to myself.
Before I realized it, Karlcia had returned and spoke curtly.
“Let’s go.”
I followed him out quickly. He must not have seen what happened—if he had, he would have rushed to Osborne, checked her condition, and blamed me for everything.
Once we were inside a secluded carriage, Karlcia spoke cautiously.
“How did you know the Marchioness wanted the blue pearl? And what was that charity event about? I warned you not to interfere.”
“You told me not to interfere. You never said anything about not giving a gift.”
“…Is that really what you’re saying right now? What if something had happened to you?!”
“…Huh?”
Did I hear that correctly…?
“…Anyway, I told you not to cause trouble!”
“Well, everything worked out, didn’t it? There’s no way Marquis Soboron would invite us again.”
“…He did.”
“…Ah—right—what?!”
“You did such a good job that now you have to disguise yourself again and attend as my fiancée.”
“……”
This is insane.
Pretending to be engaged to that damned Emperor—again?
For once, it wasn’t Karlcia’s expression but mine that twisted in disgust. Noticing it, he sighed as if he shared the sentiment.
“Ha… at least we obtained useful information.”
Useful information, my foot. This madness would only repeat.
“More importantly,” he added, “how did you even think to memorize the list of nobles? That wasn’t required.”
“If I showed up as a rural noble who knew nothing, it would’ve been obvious I was hiding information.”
“…I didn’t realize you were that smart.”
“What a compliment. Thank you very much.”
I scowled as the carriage came to a stop at Count Arlesia’s estate.
I expected servants or knights.
Instead, a hand extended toward me.
“…Duke Rath Arahan?”
“…Arahan?”
Karlcia’s surprise made it clear this wasn’t planned.
I knew he’d softened his attitude—but not to this extent.
“Welcome, Lady Arlesia.”
“…Ah. Yes.”
“Are you injured anywhere?”
“No… nothing of the sort. Hahaha…”
Why is he suddenly this kind?
Does he want something?
Something the Emperor doesn’t know about?
With unease creeping in, I prepared to ask him.
