Despite making that resolution, for a while Lelia found it difficult to visit the cottage.
This was because starting from the very next day after Emperor Perseus's visit, a maid from the main castle began coming and going.
With a sour expression, the maid brought food once a day.
It was things like hard bread and soft fruits, but still, it was better than nothing.
It was fortunate, given the situation where it had become difficult to gather emergency rations at the cottage.
However, since the maid came at unspecified times every day, she couldn't leave the tower.
'Perhaps Emperor Perseus sent her to monitor me...'
If the tower happened to be empty when the maid arrived, she would immediately report to Emperor Perseus.
For that reason, Lelia had no choice but to wait all day for the maid who might come at any time.
Then one day came.
"Tomorrow there's a banquet so I won't be able to come. So I brought tomorrow's food in advance, just so you know."
The maid explained as if she were thoroughly annoyed, but for Lelia, it was a good thing.
Given the situation, she wanted to tell her to keep coming only once every few days from now on, but she held back.
If she did that unnecessarily, it might arouse suspicion, or she might be forgotten entirely. She at least needed to receive this food every day.
'Could they be doing this on purpose to see if I go to the cottage?'
Lelia suspected it might be a trap.
However, unfortunately contrary to Lelia's expectations, the maid's mission was from the beginning simply one thing: 'prepare meals.'
There was no mission to monitor Lelia.
Not knowing this fact, Lelia had no choice but to always be cautious in her actions.
Soon the next day dawned.
Lelia wandered near the main castle from early morning. Fortunately, what the maid had said didn't appear to be a lie.
It seemed a banquet was really taking place, as servants and attendants were moving about busily.
'It must be a banquet to help Juriana make friends.'
After the doll incident occurred, Juriana's birthday was coming up soon.
And before that, a banquet was held so that Juriana could become familiar with children her age.
Among the noble children who participated, an incident would occur where one boy pushes Juriana.
'It was quite a huge incident in its own way.'
Because Juriana got a scratch on her palm, that boy would face tremendous misfortune.
Because Cedric and Damian, who were deeply devoted to Juriana, did not forgive that child.
Around this time, Cedric and Damian protected and doted on Juriana as much as Emperor Perseus, perhaps even more than him.
Since it was their first younger sister, how fascinating and adorable she must be to them.
And it was also the banquet where the original male lead would have his first reunion with Juriana.
The two would become close friends after today's banquet, and would develop into lovers in the future.
'That's none of my business.'
For Lelia, it was a day of opportunity.
The chance to freely explore the cottage.
Emperor Perseus would be focused on Juriana's banquet, and since Lelia had been behaving well for a while, he would be off guard.
'I must find it today no matter what.'
And so Lelia waited until evening, until the banquet began.
Soon when the banquet was about to start, faint music sounds drifted from the direction of the main castle.
'Now's the time. I should set off.'
Lelia packed her bag and slowly left the tower.