Chapter: 06
Seraphina’s expression turned grim.
“Lari, stop joking.”
“I really don’t know.”
Honestly, it’s not like I could see through the envelope. How was I supposed to know?
To begin with, I’d assumed my letter would never even reach the young lady.
‘M-Maybe it’s a complaint telling me never to send such a rude letter again…’
A cold sweat ran down my spine.
Judging from the way both of their faces had twisted, though, they seemed to be letting their imaginations run wild.
For example, maybe they thought the young lady and I had some sort of personal relationship.
“Lari, you really…!”
“What on earth did you say to the young lady?!”
Watching their anxiety-filled faces felt very, very satisfying.
‘Since it’s come to this… should I put on a little show, no matter what’s inside?’
Deliberately moving at an unhurried pace, I opened the letter.
All while enjoying the sight of the two of them staring intently at it.
‘Huh?’
I definitely hadn’t expected this.
To Lady Ancy,
This is Evangeline.
You certainly have an interesting way of speaking.
What you said has piqued my interest. If possible, would you be willing to visit the Claudius ducal family’s townhouse today?
I’ve already sent a carriage for you.
I sincerely hope to meet Lady Ancy as soon as possible.
—Evangeline Claudius, Daughter of the Duke
“…Amy.”
I stiffly turned toward Amy.
Then, lowering my voice, I whispered into her ear.
“Did the ducal family… happen to send a carriage?”
“Yes!”
Amy nodded vigorously.
‘Aha. So that’s how it is.’
My eyes sparkled.
“Hmm…”
After leisurely folding the letter and slipping it back into the envelope, I looked back and forth between Seraphina and Gregory.
Then I smiled brighter than ever.
“The young lady has invited me to the ducal family’s townhouse. She says she wants to meet with me alone.”
“What?!”
Gregory’s eyes widened in utter shock.
“No way! Even I’ve never been invited by the young lady before!”
Seraphina cried out in disbelief.
“Honestly, Lari, there’s no reason the young lady would send you a letter!”
Ah, so that was it.
Why would someone like you receive the young lady’s attention instead of me?
I gave Seraphina a sideways glance before graciously nodding.
“I don’t know either. But what can I do? That’s just how things turned out.”
I answered indifferently as I rose to my feet.
“So, would you two mind leaving now?”
“W-What?”
“I have to go meet the young lady.”
It was an unmistakable order to leave.
‘Ha… this feels amazing.’
After all, those two had thrown me out countless times.
But I’d never dared do the same to them.
“I’m visiting the ducal family’s townhouse, after all. I have a lot to prepare.”
“But Lari, aren’t you sick?!”
Seraphina glared sharply at me.
I deliberately shrugged.
“I am… but this is an invitation from Lady Claudius herself.”
“B-But…!”
“You’re not telling me to ignore the young lady’s invitation, are you?”
Without batting an eye, I looked straight at Seraphina.
“Seraphina, I appreciate that you’re worried about my health… but I don’t think it’s right to encourage me to be so disrespectful to the young lady.”
“N-No. That’s not what I meant…”
Seeing the usually eloquent Seraphina at a loss for words, I rewarded her with the smile of a victor.
“I’m glad that’s not what you meant.”
“Lari!”
“Then would you mind leaving now? I need to wash up and change clothes, so I’m rather busy.”
But Gregory and Seraphina didn’t budge.
Clicking my tongue briefly, I turned toward Amy.
“Amy, Young Master Gusto and Lady Lopes are leaving now. Please escort them out politely.”
“Yes, Miss. Right away.”
As Amy rolled up her sleeves, the muscles in her arms—honed through years of hard labor—bulged impressively.
“W-Wait! Let go of me!”
“Eek!”
And so, before they knew it, the two of them were dragged out of my bedroom.
“Take care on your way home!”
Cheerfully waving goodbye, I shut the door right in front of their thoroughly distorted faces.
Bang!
After taking a deep breath, I clenched my fist tightly.
‘This feels incredible!’
..Just a little while ago, I’d felt as refreshed as if I’d downed an entire bottle of sparkling water.
‘W-What do I do?’
Now, however…
I was sitting inside a luxurious carriage bearing the crest of House Claudius.
Shaking like a baby rabbit staring down a wild beast.
‘Am… am I really going to the Claudius ducal family?’
The reality hit me all at once, and it was almost suffocating.
It was the ducal family.
A house so powerful it could make even birds fall from the sky.
…And on top of that, I was about to meet the duke’s daughter—the villainess of this world.
She isn’t actually as awful as she was in the original story… right?!
‘Am I insane?’
Unable to calm my nerves, I kept biting my lip.
‘I’m really going to have a private meeting with Lady Claudius?!’
I-I’m sure it’ll be fine.
At least… she didn’t seem angry in her letter, so…
As I desperately tried to calm my racing heart, I suddenly came back to my senses.
Before I knew it, the carriage had already passed through the gates of the ducal family’s townhouse.
“Welcome, Lady Ancy.”
A maid of the ducal household bowed respectfully to me.
“The young lady has been waiting for you.”
And so…
In the blink of an eye, I found myself alone with the Empire’s one and only daughter of a duke—Lady Claudius.
“Oh, so you’re Lady Ancy?”
In a garden overflowing with blooming roses,
stood a young woman even more beautiful than the flowers themselves, looking directly at me.
“I-I am Larrit Ancy. It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Claudius.”
I hurriedly offered her a proper greeting.
With an unreadable expression, she gestured to the seat across from her.
“Sit.”
“Y-Yes.”
I reflexively took my seat.
She carried the overwhelming presence unique to someone born into the highest ranks of nobility.
“Well, I do apologize for inviting you so suddenly. Were you surprised?”
“N-Not really…”
My voice trailed off without my realizing it.
Honestly, given the enormous difference in our social standing, I’d thought it only natural if she looked down on me.
But somehow…
She actually seemed… kind?
“That’s good, then. Would you prefer Darjeeling or Earl Grey?”
“D-Darjeeling.”
The moment I answered without thinking, it felt as though someone had struck me over the head.
Because I suddenly realized…
Not once had Seraphina or Gregory ever asked about my tastes or preferences.
And yet here was the villainess from the original story, showing consideration for me.
‘Oh no… I think I’m going to be touched.’
Just as my nose began to sting with emotion,
the young lady personally poured a cup of tea for me.
The fragrant aroma of black tea gently spread through the air.
Startled as if waking from a dream, I hurriedly tried to stop her.
“M-My lady, you shouldn’t be pouring tea yourself for a low-ranking noble like me…”
She shot me an irritated sideways glance.
“Are you always this annoying?”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s just a cup of tea. Why are you suddenly putting yourself down?”
I froze.
She was right.
Why was I like this?
If I had to give a reason…
It was because Seraphina and Gregory had always told me things like this.
“You should be grateful I’m willing to stay engaged to someone as gloomy as you.”
“If it weren’t for me, who would ever want to be your friend?”
I knew it in my head.
Their usual treatment of me had been rude, while the young lady was simply treating another person with basic courtesy.
But…
‘This is… the first time anyone has ever treated me like this.’
A lump rose in my throat for no reason at all.
