“Yes, Your Highness. Since you were completely ignoring everything I said, I briefly wondered whether you’d forgotten I existed. But it seems you still remember me after all. Please speak.”
“Didn’t you just say what you were thinking out loud a little too easily?”
“No, Your Highness merely imagined hearing things.”
“Imagined hearing things, hm.”
“Haha… Please give your orders.”
Lucian muttered something about truly cutting him down before letting out a sigh.
“I think it’s about time I changed.”
“If you become any more troublesome than you already are, there’ll be no fixing it. If that’s your intention, then cut off my head first.”
When Lucian actually looked willing to draw his sword to grant his loyal retainer’s request, Haston hurriedly pulled back the neck he had offered and stopped him.
“I only said cut off my head—I don’t actually want it chopped off. It was a metaphor.”
Ahem.
After clearing his throat awkwardly, Haston looked toward his lord’s face.
Blue eyes silently stared back at him.
As though he could read the thoughts flickering within those eyes, unease spread across Haston’s expression.
“Your Highness.”
“The place where I gathered information betrayed me. No matter how carelessly I acted, nowhere ever became a place where I could breathe easily. Instead, I’m only being cornered further and further. Silence isn’t protecting me anymore.”
Haston’s face twisted with anxiety.
Lucian smiled gently as he brushed a hand over the corner of his eyes.
“It was never something that could truly remain hidden. I was discovered in the most absurd way possible. She calmly asked me whether changing my eye color for too long would damage my vision.”
“If someone dares investigate Your Highness, simply give the order. I’ll ensure the secret remains a secret permanently.”
Killing intent surfaced beneath Haston’s gentle gaze. Seeing such unwavering loyalty, Lucian smiled with satisfaction.
“No. Somehow, I…”
At that moment, Flotie’s violet eyes crossed his mind.
We shall meet again before long.
“Your Highness?”
“I feel like the time has finally come.”
After all, he had known from the beginning that he could not run forever.
* * *
After spouting all those absurd arguments in front of Lucian, I only regained my composure once I returned home.
“Ah… but after talking so confidently, what exactly am I supposed to do from now on?”
I felt completely lost.
House Rosena’s power was immense, but it wasn’t something I could personally wield however I pleased.
Still, I couldn’t rely entirely on my sister and Minabel forever either.
They would help me with everything they could, but there were limits. My sister was not a perfect duke, and Minabel would not inherit her marquisate either.
And if I didn’t move on my own, then I’d simply become an irresponsible person causing chaos without any plan.
As I scribbled letters onto parchment, I began muttering out loud while organizing my thoughts.
“First, I need connections. Honestly, that’s all the nobility really is.”
“Connections?”
“Yes. House Rosena itself is powerful, but… that power isn’t something I can freely use. And besides, we need other families who can strengthen the prince’s authority too.”
If I—a mere youngest daughter with no title—wanted to become a force of my own, then I needed far greater fame and influence.
And the first place someone like me could build connections was…
Right. The social circle.
At most, I could participate in gatherings of young noble ladies, but behind them stood enormous noble houses.
“Bel, you’ve basically already conquered high society anyway. You’re the most famous lady there.”
“It’s a little embarrassing hearing myself called famous directly… but I had to raise friendship points to use the shop, after all…”
Though Minabel looked shy, she also blinked with slight confusion.
“Then… could I come with you next time? Maybe somewhere like a charity banquet or a concert. Preferably somewhere attended by neutral families.”
“What even is this storyline anymore? Uh, anyway—I’ll look into it! Rphina unni, are you coming too?”
After that day, Minabel seemed to have grown much more attached to my sister.
“I want to follow Tie anywhere she goes, obviously, but social gatherings are really…”
For the first time, my sister looked genuinely reluctant about accompanying me somewhere.
“But I understand what you mean about needing allies. I can’t just sit still either.”
She spoke in an oddly solemn voice.
What exactly was she planning now?
“Lady Cherita, while I’m away, please take good care of Tie. If anything happens, tear this handkerchief. I’ll come running immediately.”
My sister pressed a pale lavender handkerchief into Minabel’s hands.
Not long ago she practically treated Minabel like a potential assassin, so this was honestly tear-inducing progress.
“Tie, I’ll give you a magical artifact that can immediately kill your opponent if something happens. I’ll place a curse powerful enough that no ancient magic could block it, so make sure to carry it with you.”
Apparently Minabel was simply a special exception; my sister’s distrust toward others had not actually faded much at all.
Still, at least she wasn’t opposing the plan.
* * *
“Now then, Tie. Remember what I told you, right?”
“If you nod, people will think you’re impressed by their wisdom. If you take a sip of tea, give a small smile afterward. If you brush your hair behind your ear, just follow everyone else’s reactions. And if none of that works, maintain a blank expression and blame your poor health…”
Minabel nodded seriously.
Rumors that I—who had barely appeared in society since my debutante—was finally returning to the social scene spread in an instant.
To be fair, half of those rumors existed because Minabel personally ran around spreading them herself.
Thanks to that, invitations flooded in from every direction, all hoping to secure the honor of hosting my historic return to high society.
I never imagined this many people would care about me.
Sometimes I feel like you seriously underestimate your family’s influence.
No, that’s not what I meant!
You can’t separate yourself from House Rosena. You’re trying to conquer high society because you want access to the influence of other noble families too, aren’t you?
I realized once again that Minabel possessed a frightening ability to silence me with a single sentence.
Well… that was probably why she ruled high society so effectively.
As she carefully sorted through the overflowing invitations, Minabel offered practical advice.
Going to a charity party would look good, but those events require standing for a long time, which would be too hard on you. If I dragged you somewhere like that, Pina unni would probably cut me down with a sword immediately. So I picked somewhere smaller, more exclusive, and somewhere you can stay seated most of the time.
Exclusive?
Mm, I mean somewhere worthwhile. A win-win situation, good for everyone involved—ah, never mind. Just ignore me.
The place ultimately chosen was Lady Paneschula’s book club.
A book club? That sounds like the kind of place where people only have proper, constructive conversations. It doesn’t seem ideal for building connections.
There is absolutely no gathering in this world where people only engage in constructive conversation, Lady Rosena.
Minabel grinned as though she were sharing an incredibly secret piece of information.
Ah, although whether those “constructive conversations” are morally upright is another matter entirely.
Is this perhaps a place where people commit terrible crimes? I’m still inexperienced when it comes to political schemes.
If you ask me, it’s the birthplace of countless terrible deeds. But it’s a place where words—not actions—hold power, which means it’s also the place where you can exert the greatest influence.
Minabel briefly explained the true nature of the gathering.
Officially, it was a book club.
In reality, it was where all kinds of dreadful gossip first began.
And the standards depended entirely on the whims of the club’s host, Lillian Paneschula.
Still, earning her favor apparently guaranteed extraordinary treatment, so people were desperate to join the club. Its current members were said to be extremely prestigious as well.
The fact that such a gathering sent an invitation first really shows how incredible House Rosena is.
I didn’t want to hear my family called incredible in that sort of way.
While I wondered whether Count Paneschula’s family dealt in information networks too, Minabel let out a quiet laugh.
They’re exceptionally skilled at spreading false information. And Lady Paneschula absolutely loves questioning young ladies she dislikes.
