Gabriel sent an urgent dispatch. Making a knight deliver a letter, even if he is the captain? Impressive.
Raphaela looked terribly exhausted, however fast she must have ridden. No, wait. It was the horse that ran. By the way, Melek skillfully persuaded the horse Raphaela rode and took it back to the stables. That one is a beast person, so why is he friendlier with horses?
"Hah, hah...."
"Sir Raphaela, have some water."
"Th-thank you."
When Hena handed her water, Raphaela gulped it down. Wow, how can she make water look that delicious? She could do a mukbang.
While Raphaela calmed down, I finished reading the letter Gabriel sent. We parted on bad terms last time so I was worried, but if he cares enough to look out for me like this, Gabriel must like me quite a bit. Whew. I feel a bit relieved now.
I returned the finished letter to Raphaela. It's too scary to keep, so handle it yourself.
"Is Bishop Malik a dangerous person?"
"He is very kind to the faithful, but of course he is dangerous to you, my lady."
Surely not an exorcist? So if he discovers I'm possessed, he'll try to perform an exorcism, which is basically torture, right? I really need to be careful. If my possession is discovered, I'm done for. Gabriel wasn't making a fuss over nothing. But looking at the letter now... am I in big trouble?
"That kind of person is going to be my chaperone?"
"Nothing is confirmed yet. There's also Marchioness Toten...."
"The Crown Prince's birthday is in two days. Will contact from Marchioness Toten come within that time?"
Raphaela must have never dealt with someone going off the grid. As someone with more life experience, let me tell you, Raphaela. Whether it's lovers or team projects, people who ghost never reappear. That's why it's called ghosting.
"Or perhaps my mother could help. If the other party is a duke, even Bishop Malik couldn't do anything."
"Didn't you say you were disowned?"
"No! That's just words. Actually, she worries about me greatly. I'll grab onto her pant legs and beg her to be your chaperone, my lady!"
Raphaela shouted desperately. Is she worried I might be in danger? She does have some loyalty, I suppose. I was a bit moved.
"And it seems we're being watched."
What? That wasn't in the letter. Surely they're not tailing me because of the rumors? But I don't leave the house, so how would they even watch me?
At those words, Jelly, who had been picking and eating grapes from behind, responded indifferently.
"Ah, that guy who kept hovering around the house? Already dealt with him."
Dealt with? Wait, Jelly. Have you been secretly patrolling and playing dark hero while I thought you were just lazing around? And here I was scolding you for always loafing about!
"How could you just dispose of him! When the eyes on the mansion disappear, they'll find it even more suspicious!"
But apparently that was wrong. It seems like something worth scolding. Raphaela snapped in anger without even knowing who was speaking, then belatedly looked at Jelly with an awkward expression.
"My lady.... Come to think of it, who is that person?"
Are they meeting for the first time?
"Me? I'm Jelly."
"I asked the lady, not you."
A subtle battle of nerves ensued. Gasp, did they realize they're love rivals over Daisy? Since Daisy likes Raphaela now, I should take Raphaela's side.
"Jelly is.... my dog?"
Oops. Trying to explain our relationship without any connection to Daisy, I ended up just saying 'dog.' Now they'll think I'm discriminating against beast people again.
"Ah, I mean, a subordinate I treat like a dog."
I quickly added. But isn't that something only an evil employer would say? Raphaela thumped her ears as if she'd heard nonsense. I'm, I'm sorry.
Meanwhile, Jelly quietly wagged her tail without any complaint at being called a dog. What is this, my imagination? She's in human form now, so I must be seeing things.
No. It wasn't my imagination. A tail was sticking out from Jelly. There are even ears. When the ears on Jelly's head perked up, my hand twitched involuntarily. I didn't missee earlier either! Why do they pop out when she usually hides them so well?
Fortunately, Raphaela was still thumping her own ears and seemed not to have noticed. Put those away! Hurry! When I frantically signaled with my eyes, Jelly retracted her ears and tail.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah. This? You like this kind of thing, don't you, Master?"
"I like that kind of thing?"
What nonsense is she spouting? Why would I like that?
"Yes. Isn't that why you always only pet Pudding?"
Ah ha. It wasn't about preferences, she just meant I like animals more. I see. Jelly must be burning with rivalry against Pudding, that's why she keeps calling me Master. Wait, you need to compare comparable things. Pudding is still young. Of course I need to take care of her more?
I was about to tell her to act maturely when Raphaela looked at Jelly with an expression of not knowing what to say. Did she see Jelly's ears and tail? Raphaela spoke to Jelly in a much softer voice than before.
"Um, excuse me...."
"Calling me?"
"If there's undue pressure, please report it."
"What?"
What is she saying! Undue pressure? Does she think I'm some perverted beast person slave collector? With all the rumors, another line is about to be added. How should I explain? I don't like beast people? No! That makes me look more suspicious! Trying to hide your preferences actually makes you look more like a pervert!
Jelly also seemed dumbfounded, then soon burst into laughter, rolling around.
"Hey, you're really funny. Are you telling me to report Master now?"
Don't call me Master! You've never called me that even once, so don't suddenly raise suspicion!
"If I report her, who could catch her anyway?"
Jelly giggled while continuing to pick and eat grapes. Apparently wanting to show off tricks in between, she even tossed some for Pudding to catch. Of course, our haughty Pudding caught the grapes and threw them right back at Jelly's face with full force.
Getting hit with fruit by a cat, Jelly just laughed and rolled around again. Where exactly does she look like someone suffering from unfair labor? She just looks like a bum with a good guardian. When I glared unfairly, Raphaela avoided my eyes.
"Hahaha. Of course it was a joke. You know that, right?"
No, I don't? I was going to protect Daisy and your relationship, so who are you seeing as an evil employer? When I glared, Raphaela hurriedly gathered her things.
"Then, in case of unforeseen circumstances, I'll go find my mother."
Raphaela attempted to flee. Where are you running off to?
"Forget it."
"Excuse me?"
Common sense-wise, would begging at the last minute work?
If I were in her shoes and a son who cut ties with the world and entered a monastery came back after years, whining that he has a crush on a girl there and asking his mother to chaperone her, I'd kick him out by the butt. I'm sorry, Duke, but let's give up.
"Is Bishop Malik someone who would readily step forward as a chaperone for a lady he doesn't know?"
"No. He's kind but has clear boundaries. Even if asked, he wouldn't comply."
For someone like that to step forward, he must think I'm very suspicious. Hearing the rumors about Evangeline, there are so many dangerous details that anyone would think an evil spirit possessed her.
"If Marchioness Toten doesn't come, I'll accept Bishop Malik's offer."
"But Bishop Malik is dangerous...."
"If I refuse desperately, I'll only look more suspicious."
Regardless of genre, when someone runs away, the characters who chase suspicious people have a habit of catching first and asking questions later. The more you hide and avoid, the more suspicious they find you and the more they cling.
They'll dig everywhere, investigate thoroughly enough to be called a nuisance and a cancer, interfering in everything. I'd bet a hair on my head that Bishop Malik will do the same. So rather than running, facing it head-on would be better.
Above all, I'm not who I used to be! The days when I acted so poorly I got caught being possessed everywhere are over. I haven't just learned etiquette and dancing. Allow me to introduce the renewed 'Evangeline,' completed with Dorine's delicate instruction and the memories Daisy implanted about Evangeline!
Now I'm confident I can fool even Count Rohanson. I don't know what wind blew, but the count suddenly asked to have lunch together on the day of the banquet, so I should test it then. By the way, isn't fasting standard on banquet days? No consideration at all. Well, that's why he's still neglecting his daughter whether she becomes a villain or someone possesses her.
"Please let Marchioness Toten come...."
This kid. Raphaela seems dissatisfied with me. Or perhaps Bishop Malik is a truly scary person. He wouldn't actually beat me with a World Tree branch for exorcism, would he? That is a bit scary.
I tried to respond composedly, but seeing Raphaela's state, I also thought it would be nice if Marchioness Toten came. But it's shameless to insist she come when her child is sick. I should have just told Raphaela to take this opportunity to reconcile with her estranged mother. Raphaela looked at me with moistened eyes.
"Since there's no contact yet, she probably won't come, right?"
Seeing Raphaela so frightened, a sudden urge to tease arose.
"Want to make a bet?"
"Excuse me?"
Sure enough, Raphaela narrowed her brow as if asking what nonsense this was.
"I'll bet that Marchioness Toten comes."
Raphaela looked puzzled. Probably because I, who was certain she wouldn't come, was now betting the opposite.
" Won't she not come? Her child is sick, you said."
"Well. Circumstances might change."
Tsk. That's why amateurs. Don't you know reverse betting? That's the thrill of gambling.
Of course, my true feelings were different. I don't want to be hit with a stick made from a World Tree branch! Please come!