Chapter 83
The next morning, I headed to the Easley Count’s estate to meet Failie.
Seriously, I don’t even have time to breathe.
In all the regression novels I’ve read, the returnees knew the whole story, lived comfortably and leisurely, then executed their revenge cleanly.
But me? I end up hopping from one book world into another. Isn’t that too much?
Yes, Lady Renata, I’ll take care of the letter for you.
Good, thank you.
Oh, Lady, Lady Easley asked to see you tomorrow morning.
What? Tomorrow won’t work. I have to go to His Grace the Archduke by 11.
Should I tell her it might be difficult then?
Do you know why she wants to meet?
I’m not sure about that.
Sigh… of all people, Failie.
Why not stop by briefly on the way to the castle?
…That might be better.
I couldn’t just ignore her invitation.
According to Jerelac’s letter, the “original me” who belonged to this world was either already dead or trapped somewhere.
The most suspicious person was, of course, Failie Easley.
When I went to Viscount Shrain’s estate last time, I could tell again—she clearly likes Jerelac. Maybe what’s happening now is because of her feelings for him.
Aside from disguising myself as an astrologer to uncover the old woman’s identity, I also needed to figure out what happened to the me of this world.
And for that, observing Failie—the prime suspect(?)—was necessary.
“Welcome, Lady Bernadette. But your outfit…”
Failie couldn’t hide her surprise when she saw me.
Well, of course—since I had to go straight to the castle afterwards, I wore black slacks, a jacket, a white shirt, and tied my hair up high.
Ellome had nearly jumped in protest when I said I’d go to Cygnus Castle dressed like this, but I didn’t budge.
“Ah, pants are so comfortable. You should try it sometime, Lady Easley.”
“No, I’ll pass. But you do look energetic today—almost boyish, in a good way.”
Was that… a compliment?
“Thank you.”
I was about to make some polite conversation when—
“Hello, Lady Bernadette.”
Someone else had arrived at the estate before me.
“Hello.”
Sitting gracefully in the drawing room was none other than Grania.
Wait, then is Ellome here too?
Just then, Grania rose from her chair and approached me.
“Oh my.”
She, too, seemed surprised by my outfit.
“Let’s call it a compliment, then. Thank you.”
I brushed it off casually, and Grania smiled gently.
“It suits you well, Lady Bernadette. Are you trying to start a trend with slacks this time?”
“…What?”
I blinked at the random remark, but Grania only smiled sweetly and changed the subject.
“I’ve felt guilty about last time. It wasn’t my intention to exclude you.”
She must be referring to the party she held without inviting me.
“What trend did I ever start?”
“No, forgive me. That slipped out.”
Failie, standing nearby, looked at Grania with a sly expression.
“Lady Easley, why not just be honest?”
“Well, the truth is…”
Grania’s cheeks turned slightly pink, though she didn’t seem very flustered. If anything, the way she met my eyes felt rather bold.
“Honestly, you and I haven’t had much connection. But you and Lady Easley have been friends for a long time. Why don’t we also try to become close?”
Uh, that’s… sudden.
The one person I wanted to approach me had been so awkward before, yet now Lady Shrain of all people comes out with this?
“…Sure, I’d like that.”
Becoming closer to Grania was not a loss, anyway.
I had many questions I wanted to ask Ellome, but ever since coming to this world, I hadn’t had the chance to see her.
If I befriended Grania, that might give me an opportunity.
“Why don’t we all sit down and talk? Lady Bernadette, how long do you plan to stand there with that puffy face?”
At Failie’s remark, I smiled faintly and moved closer to the table.
“Thanks to Lady Easley, I might gain a good friend.”
“I’m glad you know it’s thanks to me. Let’s meet more often from now on.”
…Was I really that close to Failie?
I barely kept my facial muscles from twitching as I reached for a cookie.
“Lady Bernadette.”
Failie spoke before I could even finish chewing.
I hadn’t planned to linger long anyway, so better if she got to the point.
“About the gentleman who came with you to Viscount Shrain’s estate last time.”
“…The gentleman? Ah, yes.”
Meanwhile, a maid poured hot water into my empty teacup.
“What exactly is your relationship with him?”
“…Relationship?”
“I know he’s an old friend of your brother’s. But is that really all?”
Her face looked tense as if she was waiting desperately for my answer.
What was with this atmosphere?
“As I said before, that’s all. Why—should there be more?”
My sharp reply made Failie pull back slightly.
“No, Lady Bernadette, you misunderstood. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“…?”
She smiled with crescent-shaped eyes and continued.
“I’m thinking of arranging a gathering. Would it be possible for you to bring Sir Watford along?”
“…A gathering?”
“Yes. I’ll be direct—I don’t like beating around the bush.”
Somehow her straightforwardness sounded more threatening than refreshing.
“The truth is, we all admired His Grace the Archduke. Me, Lady Shrain here… Honestly, I’d say nearly every woman in the Empire did.”
…Well, that wasn’t exactly wrong.
“But whether it was pity on his part or something else, the fact is, you are the one at his side now, Lady Bernadette.”
I didn’t like her phrasing, but I let it pass.
“…Yes, you could say that.”
“Up until now, I wasn’t interested in anyone besides His Grace. But then…”
Oh no. Don’t tell me—
“For the first time since him, I’ve met someone intriguing. I’d like to talk with him… in a natural way.”
Something felt off.
By my reasoning, it should’ve been Failie harboring feelings for Jerelac, scheming behind the scenes.
But here, if she so easily gave up on Jerelac and turned to Adrian instead, something didn’t add up.
As I hesitated silently, Failie frowned.
“Lady Bernadette?”
“…Ah, yes. I understand.”
“Really?”
She wanted me to help her talk with Adrian Watford naturally.
Like arranging a meal together, perhaps?
But knowing that Failie wasn’t exactly a good person, could I really involve Adrian?
Wait. In the original world, wasn’t it Leoni who liked Adrian? I wonder how it is here.
Since Adrian appeared only after I came to this world, I had no idea what Renata’s feelings toward him were supposed to be.
I wavered, unsure of what the right action was.
“Lady Bernadette, could you tell us what kind of person Sir Adrian Watford is? Lady Easley’s been curious for some time.”
It was Grania who asked what Failie clearly wanted to know.
“…What kind of person?”
Adrian was kind and upright.
Though he sometimes teased, he was warm-hearted and a wonderful conversational partner.
Regardless of Renata’s feelings, Adrian was far, far too good to be wasted on someone like Failie.
Of all people—Failie Easley?
“…Well? What kind of person is he?”
“He’s a good man.”
I couldn’t speak ill of him.
“But…”
Better than drawing closer to Failie, maybe I could say this.
“Yes?”
“He has… unusual tastes. For example, he enjoys cucumber cake.”
I couldn’t slander him, but this much was harmless.
Not outright bad, but just odd enough to make someone hesitate, right?
“…What? Cucumber cake?”
“Yes. Taste compatibility is just as important as personality, don’t you think?”
“My goodness.”
Grania covered her mouth in surprise, but Failie’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“As I thought!”
“…?”
“Come to think of it, that sounds refreshing and delicious. I’ll have one made for dessert at lunch.”
“….”
“And if you know anything else, please share.”
“Ah… sure, if I remember.”
Ugh. Too soft.
She really thinks cucumber cake would be delicious? I should’ve said herb cake instead.
Either way, it meant what I wanted to confirm about Failie was gone.
Her interest had shifted entirely to Adrian.
“By the way, Lady Easley.”
“Yes?”
“I know this may be rude, but…”
“Go on.”
“What about His Grace the Archduke now?”
At my hesitant words, Failie lifted her chin with an annoyed expression.
“Truthfully, I never liked him that much.”
“…Really?”
“I simply coveted the seat beside him. As the most beautiful woman in Myuton, I thought it fitting that I should sit at His Grace’s side.”
“….”
“But now, what’s the point? My beauty is already known to all. Why bother?”
“…I suppose that’s true.”
Strangely, she felt both the same and different from the Failie I knew.
The arrogance was the same, but she didn’t seem like the obsessive woman who kidnapped me over Jerelac.
So… maybe it wasn’t Failie after all.
“Lady Bernadette.”
“Yes?”
“This time, I have a request.”
It was Grania who spoke, careful yet clear, her gaze fixed firmly on me.
