She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 98

Oh, it’s Sigmund.

Only then did Idel realize she hadn’t yet replied to him.

‘I meant to reply a little later, but then I forgot.’

As she blinked and picked up her pen, the artifact spat out another note. It seemed the other party’s patience had completely run out.

[Did you die?]

[If you died, contact me]

How can I contact you if I’m dead? Is he crazy? Idel gave a short, incredulous chuckle and quickly moved her pen.

[The Duchess was here, so I was busy. Seriously, you don’t usually care, so why are you rushing my answer like this? Does the situation change just because I reply?]

[What, you’re alive.]

The grumpy note arrived briefly, and then the raven artifact opened its beak repeatedly.

[Yes, the situation changes when you reply. You remember selling me off the other day, right?]

Selling him off?

Idel blinked at Sigmund’s note and let out a small gasp.

‘Ah, does he mean that time I pretended he was my closest childhood friend?’

Idel was beginning to understand why Sigmund was bringing this up.

‘For whatever reason, the Imperial Palace keeps trying to set him up with noble ladies, so he needs an excuse; is that it?’

Idel’s contemplation was short.

[Yes, sell me off too. I don’t care.]

[What? Really?]

[Yes. Whether it’s a childhood friend, saying there’s someone you promised to marry as a child, or saying we’re in love, do whatever you want.]

It’s only pretending for a little while, after all.

After I save the Duke on my birthday, there won’t be any reason for us to be involved. I won’t be a duke’s daughter anymore, either.

‘The Imperial Family wouldn’t care about someone who isn’t a noble lady, so by then, I’ll just be someone in his memories.’

So, selling herself off to avoid a current crisis was not a big deal.

Perhaps surprised by Idel’s readily given answer, the raven artifact still had its beak closed. It meant he hadn’t sent a reply yet.

As the silence grew longer, Idel raised an eyebrow and picked up her pen.

[What is it? Don’t you like it? You asked me to do it, and I allowed it, so do you have a complaint…]

[Hey, I thought about it for a moment, and saying we promised to marry when we were kids seems to be the most effective. Then the old folks will shut up.]

Idel immediately crumpled the note she was writing when the message arrived. His reply was full of traces of serious contemplation.

‘I’m glad the reply came before I sent mine.’

Just as he said, her face was practically burning as if she had acted like a toddler who couldn’t even be weaned yet.

“Ahem.”

“Hmm? Is something bothering you, Lady Idel?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that… Diane, could you go get me something cool to drink?”

“Of course! I’ll be right back.”

Idel nodded to Diane, who thought the room temperature seemed a bit high, and pressed the back of her hand against her face, which was flushed with embarrassment.

Then, she sent a reply in a tone as if nothing had happened.

[But what good is it to sell me off? The Imperial Family isn’t asking you to date a noble lady; they’re just asking you to attend classes together.]

[I’m taking pre-emptive action. Against the old folks, and the girls.]

Ah, so he’s going to make a scene everywhere by claiming pure devotion?

She somehow felt like she could see Sigmund, frowning deeply and being annoyed, right in front of her eyes. More accurately, the image of him fiercely insisting that he didn’t need any other girls because he had a close friend he had promised to marry.

While Idel was tapping the desk with her finger, imagining Sigmund’s actions, the raven artifact opened its beak wide.

[Anyway, as a comrade-in-arms, don’t go back on your word, alright? You said I could sell you off, didn’t you?]

[Yes, go ahead. Enjoy it. Because it’ll be short.]

[What’s short? Oh, never mind. If I ask, you’ll just say it’s nothing. You’ll bear the consequences even if it becomes annoying later, right? Since we’re comrades-in-arms.]

That darn ‘comrade-in-arms.’

Idel shook her head and casually scribbled a circle on the note and sent it.

It was a form of assurance that there wouldn’t be any trouble.

“Lady Idel, here you are! I happened to have strawberry juice, so I brought it along with cold water.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Idel lightly shrugged her shoulders while drinking the juice Diane brought just in time.

‘Come to think of it, it feels like a limited-time fiancé.’

Well, even so, it would be a fiancé who would genuinely sparkle and disappear.

She organized her thoughts with a faint smile and got up from her seat, stretching fully.

‘I’ve solved my friend’s problem lightly, so shall I go back to work?’

It was about time to head to the training grounds for physical conditioning. Whatever Melisa ordered her to do, physical strength was essential to resist and stop her command.

Idel’s eyes shone clearly.

And at the time Idel left, shouting, ‘Down with Melisa,’ one final note belatedly popped out onto the table.

[Oh, come to think of it, you’ll debut soon, won’t you? I’m going to insist on attending that day.]

[There won’t be any hand-holding or silly fun, but people will only believe it if I attend.]

It was a valid point.

It was only natural to invite a friend with whom one had locked pinkies and promised marriage to one’s birthday.

However, the person who could tell him that a disaster would unfold that day was already gone.

The person who could tell him that his quaint first love story would quickly be buried under the shock, horror, and amazement caused by Melisa’s twist was also gone.

* * *

On a day that was incredibly bright and sunny.

The Clementine Ducal House was bustling with guests who had visited the family after a long time.

They were all there to meet the birthday protagonist, who would be making her debut in society for the first time today.

The utterly magnificent hall was decorated in colors that perfectly matched the day’s protagonist. These were the fabrics and decorations that Rowena had personally selected and moved to prepare for today.

In a space where gold, red, and pink were harmoniously blended, people gathered from all over the Empire were engaging in light conversation.

“The Ducal House has truly put a lot of effort into this event. The flower arrangements and the musicians are all perfect.”

“The food as well. That means the Ducal House cares deeply for their second daughter, who is the protagonist of today. Both now and in the future.”

That was a quite important point for the nobles attending this event. The way the Ducal House treated Idel Clementine would immediately become the attitude they would adopt toward Idel.

Even if today’s protagonist had a background full of scandal and was a child full of bad rumors.

People who quickly exchanged glances naturally smiled and continued their conversation.

“Children of that age are naturally prone to causing trouble in various ways. I also used to fight with my younger brother, grabbing his hair, before my debut.”

“The dignified Sir Edward was such a troublemaker? Good heavens!”

“Ah, speaking of which, I heard His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also be attending today. Did you hear about it? I heard he doesn’t show his face at official events…”

“Indeed? Hmm, perhaps the two of them know each other…?”

“Oh, come on! It must just be a matter of timing. It’s natural for him to show his face starting with an event hosted by the Ducal House. Besides, the Young Master of Knightley is also attending today. It’s a suitable place to exchange greetings with peers.”

The people kept their mouths tightly shut, as if they had never spoken bad rumors about Idel. And the same was true regarding former Countess Melisa Lopez.

People’s gazes turned toward her, who was drinking champagne in the center of the hall.

She should have felt uncomfortable with the glances that were subtly thrown her way, but Melisa did not mind it at all. As if today’s event were a stage meant for her.

“…Though it’s a sensitive thing to say, isn’t her dress a bit too flashy? Although officially she is no longer a child of the family, considering she is still the mother of the debuting daughter, wearing such a noticeable dress…”

“It is a bit excessive. Even though she is wearing a large shawl that covers her body, I wonder if she needed to wear such a revealing dress when it’s not even an evening ball…”

The blood-red dress, the white shawl, and the glamorous necklace themselves attracted people’s attention.

She took another sip of champagne and slowly curved her lips into a smile.

‘Soon.’

Soon, Rowena, the one she had yearned for so much, would fall into her hands.

The Duke would disappear, and she wouldn’t have to maintain this wretched appearance anymore.

Melisa lightly bit the inside of her cheek from the shuddering excitement caused by the mere thought.

In the distance, the figure of Idel, who was making final adjustments to her dress before entering the hall, came into view.

The child, who looked quite nervous, was wearing a magnificent and pretty ornament in her hair.

It was the hair ornament she had handed to her yesterday, telling her to lightly prick the Duke with it.