TNCFO 55

~Chapter 55~

Noxian laughed quietly.

It wasn’t just small things he wanted to know.

He wanted more. Deeper.

He wanted to know everything, to teach, to show, to give it all.

“I prefer to know everything about my people.”

He swallowed down the words he really wanted to say to “Shasha.”

That he hoped she would find the things she had never known, never had, never enjoyed, never even realized existed.

If she could rebuild a new castle over the ruins—
since he could not force the dead wretches to spit back out what they had already stolen.

Hailey’s Tea Party Day

Because Nixia truly couldn’t go, Shariette ended up going alone.

Well, not entirely alone—her new escort, Sir Janet, went with her.

Still, there was one person who stubbornly refused to let her go without complaint—

“My personal doctor wants to go out without me?”

“It’s a ladies-only gathering. How could you go?”

“Then what is Nixia doing, letting you go alone?”

“You’re the one who told me to try new things.”

“…That was supposed to be just… Hah. Very good initiative. I should learn from you.”

—Yes, this was Noxian Rubellot, sulking.

Shariette thought: He’s so back and forth these days, saying strange things… Is this a side effect of the medicine?

While she pondered the connection between his mood swings and the sleeping pills, they arrived at the Count’s mansion.

The tea party was held in the outdoor garden.

“Lady Shariette! Welcome! Have you been well?”

Today Hailey wore a soft pink dress and greeted her warmly.

“Hello, Hailey.”

Shariette recalled the nobles she had seen with Blanche, Nixia, and Hailey in the tearoom, and imitated their average manners.

‘After greetings comes a compliment.’

“Your dress suits you well today. Like an evening primrose.”

Hailey didn’t know what flower that was, but she understood it was praise, and smiled brightly.

“Oh my, thank you! You look like a fairy yourself, Lady Shariette.”

Hailey affectionately linked arms with her and whispered as she led her toward the group.

“Nixia sent me several letters saying I must take good care of you. Don’t worry, just trust me.”

As the hostess herself welcomed her, even strangers treated Shariette kindly, and the atmosphere flowed warm and pleasant.

“Is it true that Lady Shariette saved the Countess of Genoa’s life? The ‘Miss V’ from the newspaper article?”

Everyone already knew the answer. It was more a way to praise her and satisfy their curiosity about the details.

“Yes. I was lucky.”

“And I heard the young Count of Genoa personally visited the Duke’s house to thank you?”

This was the fourth time Shariette had heard that story. She nodded.

“Yes. He offered to escort me, but I refused. I already have someone I must escort.”

“…Escort? Must escort?”

The nobles, puzzled by the odd wording, quickly interpreted it themselves.

“Oh, she must be the leading type.”
“She’s much bolder than she looks.”
“No wonder Lady Nixia calls her a friend.”

They were clearly misunderstanding—but since Shariette couldn’t explain without saying “I’m a physician,” she just left it.

Then one noblewoman with watery-blue hair, in a violet dress, casually spoke:

“I heard Lady Verdette’s late father was a loyal vassal of House Rubellot.”

(So—you’re living off your dead father’s merit?)

Another lady in a cream-colored dress added:

“Oh my, yes, that’s why you’re connected with Rubellot, isn’t it?”

(You know you’re out of your league, right?)

Those women!

Under the table, Hailey clenched her fists while keeping a smile. To bring up family on a first meeting—how rude!

She was about to step in and smooth it over when Shariette calmly sipped her tea, then smiled.

The face that had been meek and polite suddenly looked completely different.

A tense silence fell. The two ladies who had spoken quickly picked up their teacups.

Sip. Sip.

All around, only the sound of people drinking tea filled the air.

Shariette tilted her head.

Did I do something wrong?

Actually, this was perfect. She had been wondering how to handle the rumors Noxian warned her about, but now those women had already spoken them aloud. She only needed to nod.

But then she remembered Noxian’s advice—

“If the answer is vague, just smile. Everyone will interpret it however they want.”

So she copied his exact expression—
a Noxian Rubellot smile.

And instantly, everyone at the table thought the same thing—

“She’s telling us to shut up.”

“Yes, she definitely means shut up.”

“It’s a warning.”

The air froze.

Hailey, as hostess, quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, did you hear the news about the epidemic in the South? His Highness the Crown Prince himself went there to resolve it.”

Everyone jumped at the chance to follow the hostess’s lead.

“Yes, Miss Perez, I heard! But was it really so serious that His Highness had to go himself? I thought it was just a small area.”

“They say he was farsighted. The Council praised him, saying he prevented greater spread early. His insight was admired.”

Shariette nodded.

Yes, for contagious diseases, finding the source early and isolating it was most important.

This one admires the Crown Prince. That one doesn’t care.

She quietly sorted people by their expressions.

The topic shifted to the upcoming royal birthday celebration.

“Oh, I made a reservation at Minette’s atelier a year and a half ago, but I still don’t know if they’ll accept me this time.”

“The designers there are too stubborn. I had my dress made elsewhere this time.”

If she hadn’t gone shopping with Nixia, Shariette wouldn’t have even understood the conversation. Soon all she heard was “dress, dress, dress.”

“Lady Verdette, you must have ordered your dress at the same atelier as Lady Nixia. How lucky.”

The watery-haired lady jabbed again.

(As if you’re worthy of Madame Celine’s atelier.)

Shariette simply nodded.

“Yes. Nixia said if I buy one in advance, the right occasion will come later.”

Accidentally, it sounded like—

(You struggled to get your dress for the ball? I just bought mine casually for fun.)

The sharp contrast left her opponent speechless.

Hailey had to pinch her thigh under the table to hold back laughter.

“So much for me worrying! She’s handling herself just fine!”

And then Shariette, unaware of the tension, added innocently:

“Lady Raymond, your dress today is beautiful. Like a purple hydrangea.”

“…Thank you.”

Lady Raymond, suppressing her temper, could only answer politely.

The others, entertained by the subtle battle, began asking Shariette too:

“Lady Verdette, what about me? What flower do I look like?”

The young woman in a dark-pink dress leaned forward.

“Cyclamen.”

“And me?”

A lady in a white dress smiled.

“Marguerite.”

“And me, too!”

The one in pale yellow.

“Primrose.”

Everyone liked being compared to something lovely.

The walking flower encyclopedia’s answers charmed them all, and the atmosphere quickly warmed again.