Chapter 29
Thanks to the marquess’s daughter Selgionel, the countess’s daughter who got to wear Perroce’s custom outfit was Estain, the first daughter of the Landrian Count family. Together with Selgionel she had joined Liriope’s side and had been one of the girls who belittled and tormented Rosearin.
“Today you’re absolutely beautiful as always, Your Grace.”
Estain smiled brightly and showered Liriope with flattery.
She was ecstatic, as if she might float away—finally able to wear the Perroce outfit she had dreamed of thanks to the marquess’s daughter.
Indeed, ever since Liriope had worn the friendship dress with Rosearin, other noble daughters seemed to have started hoping they might also get to wear Perroce’s custom clothes.
And since only people with the right to order Perroce’s custom pieces—from Marquess Selgionel up to the royal family—could place such orders, many noble daughters who found it easier to approach Selgionel than Liriope tried to win Selgionel’s favor.
Because of that, Selgionel seemed more popular than ever among the noble daughters.
“Liriope is always beautiful, of course. Madam Perroce made a riding habit that suits you perfectly. It really suits you.”
Selgionel also smiled and spoke to Liriope.
She glanced once at Liriope, then once at Rosearin beside her, and immediately made a displeased face.
But she quickly forced a smile and addressed Rosearin.
“Lady Rosearin, it suits you well, too.”
It sounded like a perfunctory remark to anyone listening, but Rosearin smiled politely and expressed her gratitude as best she could.
“Thank you. Selgionel, you’re beautiful today as well.”
“Oh, Madam Perroce’s clothes never fail. Lady Rosearin must be thrilled—thanks to Liriope, you’ve gotten to try on Perroce’s garments.”
“Yes, I always thank Lirio for that.”
At that moment, Estain butted in.
“Gratitude alone won’t do. I’m so happy I got to wear Madam Perroce’s clothes because of Selgionel. If I could, I’d give Selgionel everything I own.”
“Ah—really?”
When Rosearin nodded, Estain knit her brows and said.
“Oh, so you’re not like that? You were given Perroce’s clothes that you’d never otherwise be allowed to wear, and all you have is that much gratitude?”
It seemed Estain wanted to put Rosearin down to curry favor with Selgionel.
Selgionel would dislike Rosearin at least as much as the original Liriope did, after all.
So it made sense that Estain, who had received favors, would act so forwardly.
“Madam Perroce would be pleased to hear that.”
Liriope, who had been listening quietly, raised the corner of her mouth slightly and said to Estain.
“Are you saying that you’d give away all your possessions because Madam Perroce makes such fine clothes? She made the clothes, so the honor belongs to her.”
Estain, who had been momentarily taken aback by Liriope’s words, quickly smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Y-yes. Haha.”
Honestly, Liriope hated the petty power plays among noble daughters and didn’t want to spend any more time exchanging words here, since she had other things to do. But she couldn’t just leave Rosearin here by herself and slip away—she had no idea how much the two girls would torment Rosearin after she was gone, so she couldn’t move alone.
“Rose, want to go see the barracks I set up at the entrance?” Liriope asked Rosearin, who nodded as if she’d been waiting for that.
“Yes!”
Because they needed to be ready in case monsters attacked, Liriope couldn’t afford to move around with Rosearin at her side. Still, getting Rosearin out of this place was the priority, so Liriope gave Selgionel and Estain a slight nod in lieu of a farewell and left with Rosearin.
“Lady Rosearin!”
Just then, Meradot—who in the original story had been Rosearin’s close friend—called out to Rosearin. Liriope took advantage of the opportunity and called to Rosearin.
“Rose, I’ll be back soon. Stay and talk with Lady Meradot.”
“Oh, I’ll come along—”
“I’ll be right back.”
“Hello, Your Grace!”
Meradot swiftly bowed and greeted Liriope and Rosearin.
Liriope gave her a quick smile and then hurried away.
This was her chance to quickly walk around the tents and set up the fire defense barriers.
If she set the tents up with fire defense barriers in the three sections, then even if monsters charged in they wouldn’t be able to attack the people inside.
Of course, barriers alone wouldn’t be enough to completely stop a monster attack, but the best she could do for now was that.
Liriope quickly headed for the leftmost of the three divided tents.
“Li-fe.”
At that moment, a familiar voice called to Liriope from behind.
Any time she heard it, her heart fluttered—the low, pleasant voice made Liriope involuntarily sigh.
Although the voice was pleasant, she was furious inside because he suddenly appeared and interrupted her when she was so busy.
Still, she couldn’t show dislike, so she forced a smile and turned; when she saw Teo, her eyes widened.
“Where are you off to?”
Teo wore a black riding habit and looked absolutely stunning.
The habit fit his thighs and calves, showcased his broad shoulders, arms, chest, and abs so snugly you could tell their shape even without seeing them—he looked incredible.
She knew this already, of course, but somehow the black suited him more than usual today.
Liriope was so dazzled by his appearance that she was a bit dazed.
But Teo’s languid chuckle snapped her back to reality.
“What are you staring at? Like you’re in love or something.”
Teo’s remark made Liriope flinch.
‘What a ghost of a man.’
She shot him a scowl and responded sulkily.
“I fell for you a long time ago.”
“It’s a pity you remember that.”
“What’s pity got to do with anything?”
“It’s a pity I haven’t forgotten the lie you told me.”
“What lie?” Liriope played dumb even though she knew exactly what he meant; Teo tilted one corner of his mouth.
“It shouldn’t be hard to understand.”
“Hard, actually.”
“You once told me you’d fallen for me to use me, but now I’m thinking maybe you truly have fallen for me.”
‘…This…this guy really is uncanny.’
“Anyway, I don’t have much time right now.”
“Why?”
“Why—well, the hunting festival is soon—”
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Liriope’s mind: Teo could probably help her.
He would likely agree to help without hesitation.
No matter what nonsense she asked, he wouldn’t care.
So, for reasons she didn’t know—pure, baseless confidence—she felt certain Teo would comply.
“Teo, could you help me?”
“No—first raise the fire defense barrier, then layer wind attribute around it.”
Teo pointed at the tent and said.
“My wind magic will strengthen your fire barrier a bit.”
“Ah.”
Liriope nodded and scanned the area around the tent, and Teo watched her.
As she suspected, he didn’t probe or ask questions; he simply agreed to help her erect barriers around each tent.
She was curious why he would help without asking anything, given her prior confident hunch. So after they finished placing barriers around all three tents, she asked Teo.
“Why didn’t you ask?”
“Ask what?”
“Why we did it this way.”
Teo looked at her with a strange expression.
Everything about him looked good, but especially the black habit he wore today—it was almost unbearable to stare at him—so Liriope instinctively looked away.
But when he spoke, she looked back.
“It’s not like I’m doing it because I’m bored. Though it’d be fine if I were.”
He met her gaze and continued.
“Whatever you do is fine by me—whatever it is. So if you need my help in the future, tell me.”
His words made her face heat up intensely; Liriope covered her cheeks with both hands before she realized it.
‘Isn’t that too unfair?!’
Teo chuckled lowly at her reaction.
She was convinced he was deliberately trying to charm her.
There was no other reason he’d act in ways that made her heart pound so hard.
Liriope looked up at him, half-drowsy, and asked.
“Even if I do something bad?”
Teo’s mouth curled up in a way that made her think he found her adorable.
“Of course.”
“What kind of bad thing are you imagining?”
“Anything.”
Narrowing her eyes at his answer, Liriope asked.
“Then—what if I kill someone?”
“I’ll handle it for you, so you won’t have to get your hands dirty. But if you insist on doing it yourself, I’ll take care of the aftermath.”
He said it without blinking, and Liriope’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.
