"...."
"...."
Wow.... So this kind of exquisite silence can pass between father and daughter while eating. Nothing but the clattering of silverware can be heard.
Right now, I'm eating with the Count because he said he had something important to discuss before going to the banquet. So I took time out from preparing for the debutante, and what is this? I feel like I'm going to choke.
The Count possessed excellent table manners, at least to my eyes, having just started learning etiquette. No wonder Evangeline's mother fell for him. Sigh. What you see isn't everything about a person.
Without realizing it, my mood soured and I abandoned all the etiquette Dolli had taught me, stabbing into the steak repeatedly. Whether it was cooked rare, blood seeped out and spread across the white plate. Ugh, my appetite is gone. I'm a well-done person. My taste completely vanished, so I just minced the meat without eating it.
Since I was making it blatantly obvious that I was in a bad mood, the Count finally put down his silverware. Why? Is it uncomfortable for you, uncle, because your daughter's table manners are like dog shit? Well, do you think I'm comfortable?
Of course, the ones who suffered the most shock were the kitchen staff who were panic-stricken hearing that they would be dining in the dining room. The person serving the courses was trembling, and when our eyes met, they almost spilled the wine. Since I'd been watching today to see what accidents the frightened servants might cause, I agilely caught the tipping glass and set it upright. Whew, not a drop spilled.
"You need to be careful."
"Yes, yes. Sorry, so sorry."
After that, all my dishes were served by Yulma pushing them in. They said Yulma used to handle cooking at Daisy's orphanage, and she was working in the kitchen here too. I wondered why they were making a kitchen assistant do the serving, but apparently they sent her because Yulma would be relatively safe from the back.
"Yulma, you're the only one who won't shake in front of the Lady."
"Hope of the kitchen! Go!"
"We're so happy you came to the kitchen."
"It's not like the Lady kills people for making mistakes, so why is everyone so afraid?"
"What kind of heart do you even have?"
If you're going to talk behind someone's back, do it quietly. The sound was so loud I had to desperately pretend I couldn't hear it. I glanced over and the Count was also pretending not to hear, eating calmly. Well, pretending not to see what you see and not to hear what you hear is a virtue of nobility.
Yulma finished serving and bowed deeply. It feels like it's been a while. Actually, since I have no reason to come to the dining room, it has been a while. Still, since she's a child I rescued, I wanted to ask how she was doing.
"You seem to be doing well."
"Yes. Thanks to you, my Lady."
Still, it was good that since Yulma came out, I didn't have to see other people breaking plates and begging while crying, or bowing their heads.
"Did the food not suit your taste?"
Yulma asked while glancing at the steak I'd destroyed. Oops, I was being a picky eater in front of the cook.
"I don't like things with blood flowing."
"Pardon?"
"Why? Did you think I would like it?"
Why, what? Is there some rule that villainesses have to eat meat dripping with blood?
"No. I'll make sure to tell the head chef about the Lady's taste."
Yes, yes. Please do tell them. Every time meat came up, Kanna or Jelly ended up dealing with it because it was all rare. Come to think of it, I should have told them to change the cooking method sooner. Instead of throwing my weight around, I couldn't break the habit of a subordinate who just ate what was given.
"How about coming down to eat here often?"
Are you serious? Don't you know how much commotion occurs every time Evangeline appears in the kitchen? You're saying that because you didn't see the sight of a maid kneeling and begging for her life, not caring even when glass shards embedded in her. By the way, that maid was treated well with holy water and had her assigned area changed.
And you want me to see that sight every day?
"It's uncomfortable for you all."
"That way those people will adapt too. How can a chef not know the Lady's taste?"
"I'll consider it."
Already overflowing with professional spirit, Yulma grumbled. But I couldn't really blame the chef - the reason they don't know my taste might be because I'm a possessor. Evangeline was a real villainess, so she might have liked rare meat. Since I usually eat with others, plates always came back empty, so they probably thought I enjoyed it.
After giving Yulma vague agreement and sending her off, the Count, who had been watching that sight absently, finally opened his heavy mouth.
"You've become quite presentable, as Plox said."
What does that mean?
"You've become human-like."
Aha. I wondered what he meant - he's saying Evangeline has shed her beastly shell. Evangeline, how overflowing with rebellious spirit were you before I possessed? Even I'm acting arrogantly right now, yet the Count is saying I've become human.
You say things like that just because I caught the almost-spilled wine and had a little chat with a maid? I can't even imagine how bad her temper must have been. No wonder everyone figures out I'm possessed.
"If you go to the banquet today, I hope you'll behave yourself. Just doing as you are now is sufficient."
The Count finally got to the main point. I wondered what he was talking about, and it was a warning about the Crown Prince's birthday celebration today. Seriously, this Count fellow. The thing he has to say to his daughter after finally seeing her is to behave herself?
"Isn't asking how she's been the first thing you say to a daughter you haven't seen in a while?"
With a dad like that, Evangeline went astray and evolved into the century's villainess. Even the well-behaved me wanted to cause trouble after hearing that. If I look at the estimate, the Count can't be saved even with a family regret story. To make a family regret story, you'd have to go to the maternal family now.
"Right... how long has it been?"
"Probably since my funeral, I think."
So isn't that exactly two months? You left your child alone for two months? But thinking about Evangeline's age, she's not really a child. Then let me correct it to daughter. Huh? You left your daughter alone? And you call yourself a father?
"Right. It's been a while."
The Count seemed to realize I wouldn't back down easily, so he averted his eyes and acted like he was yielding. Either way, I don't like it.
"Did you call me here just to say that? Making me share a meal for no reason?"
Kanna and Misha were so sad when they heard I had to eat with the Count. Of course, Kanna was sad she couldn't eat with me, and Misha was crying about fasting, asking why eat when there's a banquet.
"No. There's something more important."
The Count paused dramatically like he was advertising. Ugh, just say it quickly.
"Duke Hosqueen will be attending the banquet."
Duke Hosqueen. The father-in-law and son-in-law have an amazingly awkward relationship too. Well, since he's the reason for the estrangement from his daughter, the relationship couldn't be good even if they wanted it to be.
"You should strengthen your relationship with the Duke."
What? You're the one who got estranged, so why are you telling me to clean up the mess? You should handle your own cleanup. Heol. Is this the flow entering a family regret story? But Evangeline is all grown up?
"Now? Why?"
It's too late for a parenting story now, isn't it? Unless there's regression, there's no answer.
"He's said to be in poor health. According to circulating rumors, his days are numbered."
Tsk. Why is this uncle's ears so thin? If I only listen to rumors, I'm a demon who makes dresses out of human skin. If you actually see the Duke, far from being on his deathbed, he'd be incredibly hale and hearty.
"People become emotional when they age. Enough to miss their dead daughter. Your face is exactly like Amaranth's, so if the Duke sees you directly, he'll be quite shaken."
Amaranth? Where had I heard that before?
"Amaranth is Evangeline's, that is to say, your mother."
The Count added an explanation, apparently belatedly remembering that I had amnesia.
Aha. So that was her name. Something about it felt familiar, like I'd heard it somewhere.
Come to think of it. Thinking back to the portraits I saw before, her face was somewhat similar to Evangeline's. Of course, Evangeline's mother had a warmer impression. If I had to compare, her atmosphere was similar to Kanna, who had a gentle impression like a heroine.
"Even if not the title, you have the right to inherit the estate."
The Count finally revealed his true intention. In other words, since the inheritance would soon be distributed, he was telling me to go butter him up and bring back some money.
Wow, trash. Truly befitting a villainess's father.
While I was internally jeering, a thought suddenly flashed. Is this an event too? Probably in the original work, Evangeline received these instructions too.
So Evangeline approaches the Duke. The grandfather, knowing Evangeline is shady, rejects his granddaughter and instead adopts someone else to inherit the estate. That's Kanna! Even if she doesn't look like Amaranth, the atmosphere is similar.
Our Kanna lacks nothing, but among romance fantasy heroines, her background is rather thin, and the Duke fills that gap by taking her as an adopted daughter! And then he can perfectly get revenge on the villainess! Isn't this a totally satisfying episode?
Suddenly I became a bit interested. While I was hesitating, the Count added weight to the scale.
"If my proposal doesn't appeal to you, you can think of it as making a deal with me. Is there something you want from me?"
"A deal...."
Hmm. What should I ask for? There's nothing material I particularly want? There's also the money Evangelin's mother left. If I had to name something, I'd want a peaceful future without execution, but I don't think the Count can achieve that. In my view, the Count looks like he'll run away alone on the day the villainess is executed, only to be caught later and summarily judged.
I don't need anything, but I can't just approach the Duke empty-handed. Of course, I have no intention of inheriting the estate or giving it to the Count.
"I hope it's within my ability to grant."
The Count added a condition, perhaps thinking I'd ask for something outrageous. I do have common sense, you know? But I understand why the Count felt the need to add that. Evangeline might have lacked some common sense.
Something I need.... Something I need.... Ah. Looking at the Count, one thing I could ask for came to mind.
The diary. Since I'd been tearing out the parts where Evangeline's mother cursed the Count whenever I sent letters, it had become quite thin. Since they were people who originally wrote diaries, they probably wouldn't have written just one, but no matter how much I searched the mansion, there weren't any. So maybe they're in the territory?
Besides, who knows if another summoning circle like the spirit one might pop up from another diary.
"The Lady's presence clouds the painting's influence."
Gabriel's firm words to me suddenly came to mind. Of course, I'm someone the male lead himself certified as having bottomless affinity, but there could be summoning circles that can summon other beings besides spirits!
"I'd like to visit the Count's territory once."
"The territory?"
The Count furrowed his brows slightly and asked about the timing. After today's debutante ends, I'll have to participate in social events in earnest, so at least one or two months later?
"One month, or if you need time to prepare, about two months would be good."
"Very well. I'll send word in advance."
When I conveyed that, the Count nodded and soon fell into thought, muttering to himself.
"Did Evangeline have a room in the territory?"
Huh? What does that mean? Why wouldn't Evangeline have a room? Does Evangeline have some kind of birth secret? Well, she looks too much like her mother for that. Then was she abused?
"Why wouldn't I have a room?"
If they really did abuse her, I won't let the Count get away with it.
"You may not know, but Amaranth disliked going down to the territory and always stayed in the capital with Evangeline. Only I went to the territory."
Again, the Count explained, considering my memory loss. Aha. She just disliked country life. That can happen, sure.
"I'll have them prepare a room. One or two months should be sufficient."
If possible, I wanted it decorated in a cozy wood tone.... But asking for that would make the servants suffer, not the Count, so I didn't bring it up.
"Is that all you want from me?"
"Of course not. If I need more, I'll write to you."
You think I'd be satisfied with just that? I'm a woman who knows no satisfaction.
"Do that. Just don't send those vile curses."
Heh. I will, though? It's my heart, you know?
"Why? They're heartfelt love confessions Mother left behind. I only found and sent the parts where Mother called for Father. Since Mother couldn't come herself, she had no choice but to send letters. Or do you want her to really come visit?"
Sipping the tea that came for dessert, the Count shivered as if he'd caught a chill. Is he afraid a ghost might appear? Heh. Serves you right.
"You're quite attentive for someone who didn't even know Amaranth's name."
"It's natural I didn't know. I have amnesia."
Besides, the diary is written in first person, so names don't appear! It's not like Evangeline's mother wrote 'Amaranth' on the cover!
"Are you going to keep acting like that?"
"Don't worry, Father. I'll behave myself at the imperial palace as you said."
The Count, who was about to say something, fell silent at those words.
"Father should be careful too. You should show some sincerity pitying your daughter who has amnesia and is sickly, shouldn't you?"
In my opinion, the Count is more problematic. Because he has no interest in his daughter at all, he's letting strange rumors circulate. Then among people, rumors that she's a villainess whose own father cut ties with her will spread even more rampantly.
The Count said nothing, apparently struck to the core.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
There was nothing more to discuss with the Count, and Misha told me to come early to prepare for the debutante, so I should go back.
And immediately after returning, I regretted it.
"You're late!"
Misha was waiting with eyes blazing.
As soon as I arrived, I was captured and subjected to management from head to toe. This really can only be described as being subjected to it! Since being possessed as Evangeline, no one has ever handled me like this! I haven't even held hands or kissed the back of the hand with the male protagonist Gabriel! I don't know how much aromatic oil they poured in during the massage, but my body smells like flowers to the point of being dizzying.
The makeup and hair styling were completed under Misha's supervision with Daisy and Hena working on them. Kanna wasn't very dexterous, so she was chased out by Misha and just kept her place in the corner.
My hair was fixed with gold and silver powder dusted on and the natural curl brought out - it didn't clump together but rather felt like it would dissolve smoothly if touched, which was amazing. Is this the skill of a master?
The dress also underwent slight alterations. I thought everything was completed before, but after the fitting, they said they saw more things to modify. It was like 'final_of_final_of_final_of_final.'
The detailed alterations were hard to notice, but there were parts that were clearly different at a glance. The dress had red rubies attached. Not just regular rubies, but ones crafted in the shape of flowers. Originally, debutantes carried bouquets, but these days it's simplified, and wearing floral decorations as corsages or hair ornaments is in fashion.
"In particular, wearing fresh flowers is trending."
Since flowers naturally wither if left out for a long time, they say there's even a dedicated servant who carries extra flowers to replace them.
"Of course fresh flowers suit the Lady well, but since you're more mature than other young ladies, I tried to create a point of differentiation."
Misha euphemistically said I was mature, but she was really talking about my age. Usually, debutantes are around sixteen, so Evangeline is four years past the ideal age. It feels like a senior preparing for graduation is mixed in among fresh freshmen. Then absolutely shouldn't wear flowers like the other kids.
Fortunately, jewelry-crafted flowers suited Evangeline much better than fresh flowers. The bright red color was somewhat similar to her eye color. As I was admiring and touching the jewels, Misha smiled wickedly and winked.
"And about the jewels, it wasn't me, but Sir Gabriel who prepared them."
Gabriel? Suddenly the jewels felt incredibly heavy. No, he's someone being managed by me, why is he preparing things like this too? Making people feel embarrassed....
And putting on white lace gloves completed the preparation. The gloves felt strangely warm, and it turned out Kanna had been holding them to warm them up. Kanna added the reason, extremely shy.
"It's raining outside. What if the young miss gets cold and catches a cold."
"The Lady catching a cold?"
"Yes! The young miss is sickly, after all."
"Ah... Kanna really worries about the Lady a lot."
Misha admired. My shoulders straightened. There's no sunshine heroine at your house? This is what a sunshine heroine is. Rain or snow, she only worries about me. Outside was full of dark clouds, but it felt like sunshine was beaming in my heart. I diligently pulled down my uncontrollably rising lips and thanked her.
"Thank you."
"Not at all. Young miss, you're really pretty!"
As Kanna said, dressed up like this, I was really obscenely pretty. The cascading hair was like silver silk, and with more color in her lips and cheeks than usual, she looked like a living doll. That's right. To be a romance fantasy villainess, you need this level of impact. Indeed, an appearance that could mesmerize the heroine and make the male lead stupid.
Is the preparation all done? Misha, after looking me over once, closed her eyes in satisfaction. Not figuratively, but she actually swayed.
"I now have no regrets..."
"What? Lady Artemisia? Get a hold of yourself!"
Daisy barely caught the collapsing Misha. Did she really faint? I worriedly checked, and I could hear small snoring sounds.
"She seems to have collapsed from exhaustion."
How exhausted must she have been to suddenly fall asleep while standing. It was a dress I requested quite urgently, and she suffered not being able to sleep all this time, so the fatigue must be tremendous. I really need to give Misha a hefty bonus....
"We can't leave her like this, so we'll have to move Misha to a room."
"Yes, my Lady."
Hena and Daisy supported Misha on both sides and left the room. Since Misha was taller than the two, her feet dragged on the floor. Shouldn't they support her differently?
"A body was found in the Lady's room...!"
"She's still alive, though."
But unfortunately, there were other people outside. The door was still open, so Hena's explanation could be heard all the way here. Th-that... Hena, saying "still" implies Misha will die someday, doesn't it? Of course all humans die eventually, but....
"She fainted from exhaustion, so could you take her to her room?"
"Yes, y-yes..."
Since the two couldn't manage to carry Misha alone, they asked the servants. Tomorrow, another rumor would probably spread through the mansion that I made Misha faint. Strictly speaking, it's not entirely wrong since she fainted from overwork making my dress.
So another rumor is added. While I was holding my head, the two who had finished handing over Misha returned. Misha was asleep, and preparation was done. Can we leave now?
"My Lady, shall we depart right now?"
"When does the banquet start?"
"It starts at 8, so there's still about 3 hours of leeway."
"Really? Then... ask the Count about the departure time."
I've never been to a banquet, so I don't know when it's appropriate to go. Should I have gone a bit early and done some socializing? Tsk, I don't think so... the protagonist should appear late.
While I was diligently recalling romance fantasy cliches, one maid cautiously spoke up.
"M-my Lady, they say the Count has already departed."
What?
The preparation time wasn't even that long, and he left without the decency to wait? There's still plenty of time before the banquet starts, and he meanly went first? I didn't intend to ride in the same carriage anyway, but I felt annoyed for no reason.
Whatever. Then I'll go slowly. Since Mrs. Toten hasn't contacted me yet, Bishop Malik would be my chaperone, but if I go early, I'll just be nervous in front of an exorcist.
I was trying to pass time as much as possible, playing with Pudding, when Jelly, who had been looking out the window, suddenly called me.
"Master."
That "master" thing. Since Jelly used that to tease me in front of Rapahella last time, she's been insisting on the title "master." I tell her to just call me Evangeline, but she absolutely won't listen.
"Someone is coming."
"Who?"
There shouldn't be anyone coming? In the first place, with rain pouring like this, would anyone come? Maybe Gabriel?
I went to Jelly's side and looked out the window. I couldn't see anything but rain.... Come to think of it, Jelly is a beast person, so she has good eyesight. It's natural I can't see yet.
Looking in the direction Jelly was watching, after a while, a swaying figure appeared, then a horse suddenly popped into view. Ah, one look and it's not Gabriel. The horse Gabriel rides is a black famous horse that resembles its owner.
A person wrapped in a soaked cloak jumped down from the horse, and seeing the main gate was closed, stopped outside, unable to come in.
"An unfamiliar presence.... Seems to have business with the Master. Should I bring them?"
Since she got scolded for arbitrarily handling the surveillance that was on me before, Jelly asked my opinion while glancing at me. When I nodded, Jelly wagged her tail excitedly. It felt strange, like playing "fetch." Is Jelly actually a dog, not a wolf?
"Don't hurt them, bring them carefully."
In case she breaks something, I hurriedly added a condition. If someone was secretly watching me, they wouldn't reveal their identity like that. Whether it's a knight sent by Gabriel or purely a guest looking for me, I shouldn't let them get hurt.
"Yeees...."
Jelly answered, dragging out the end of the word as if complaining, then teleported away, and before I could blink once, she appeared right in front of me with the cloaked person.
No, Jelly! I meant go down and escort them, not use magic to skip the process and bring them right before my eyes...! Just write "wizard" on your forehead and walk around!
"I brought them safe and sound as you said."
"That's not what I meant... no, good job, Jelly."
What more could I expect from you. Ignoring my throbbing head, I focused on the unidentified cloaked person. The person Jelly brought was so soaked from the rain that their cloak was drenched. From the wet cloak came an unexpected voice.
"Lady Rohanson...."
"Mrs. Toten?"
When I carefully removed the hat, the face revealed was someone I hadn't expected at all. Why is Mrs. Toten here? No, there was no contact all this time, and she suddenly appears dramatically right before the banquet? Are you filming a movie? Ah, it's a romance fantasy, so dramatic appearance is along similar lines.
Mrs. Toten's complexion was pale blue, probably from coming in the rain. No matter how much she wore a cloak, fabric can't completely block a downpour. The distance from the Toten Marquis residence to our house by carriage was quite far, but she came running on horseback through this rain, so there's no way she'd be unharmed.
Mrs. Toten, who had been muttering incessantly to herself, seemed to come to her senses at my voice, looked around, then opened her eyes wide as if puzzled.
"How is this possible, I was outside just now?"
"...I brought you here because you said you were looking for me. Is that not it?"
I don't know. I'll just go out shamelessly too. Mrs. Toten also seems not fully sound of mind and confused from rushing through heavy rain, so I should pretend I don't know about Jelly's teleportation.
Mrs. Toten held her head, looking bewildered.
"That's... right. I came to find the Lady."
Fortunately, she did have business with me. Maybe she came to be my chaperone?
"Let's go by carriage. You're very wet."
"Well.... I was afraid the Lady might have already gone to the imperial palace first, so I had to rush and couldn't take a carriage."
So you rushed through the rain, afraid I'd leave first and you'd get scolded? How harshly do you view me?
Out of consideration for the soaked lady, Daisy added more wood to the stove. Meanwhile, Hena, who had gone out to get towels, returned and handed one to Mrs. Toten. It seemed like they gave it to dry her soaked body, but Mrs. Toten only wiped her tears. No, you'll catch a cold like that.
But Mrs. Toten didn't look well enough to attend a banquet. She was so soaked from the rain that water dripped from her head to her face, looking exactly like someone who'd been crying. Her eyes were red too. Did she come to tell me she can't be my chaperone after all?
She'd been avoiding contact until now, maybe her conscience pricked her and she came even if late.
"It's too late to make any decision either way."
Whether to cancel or permit, it would have been nice if she'd contacted me a bit earlier. Oops. I didn't mean to complain, but I ended up speaking sarcastically without realizing.
"That's right. I was too late...."
Mrs. Toten's face contorted, tears welling up in her eyes at my question. She seemed to regret and apologize tremendously. Oh dear, I made a slip of the tongue. People can be late.
"I was waiting."
I took the towel from Mrs. Toten's hand and wiped off the moisture myself. Her eyes rounded in surprise at the sudden skin contact. It wasn't my intention to do this with someone looking like a drowned rat in front of me, but having barely escaped the situation where Bishop Malik would be my chaperone, Mrs. Toten felt like a knight in shining armor. Of course, the horse Mrs. Toten rode was just a brown one.
"You'll be my chaperone, right?"
Under these circumstances, even if Mrs. Toten refused, I'd have to beg on my knees. As long as Mrs. Toten agrees, I no longer have to tremble in fear in front of an exorcist.
"I need someone who will care for me sincerely after seeing me as I am."
"Alright, I'll do anything. Anything."
Did it hit home that she's the only suitable person to take responsibility for me? Mrs. Toten agreed without hesitation. Hooray! It was good I waited at home instead of going out right away following the Count. Mrs. Toten came, so I have grounds to refuse Bishop Malik.
My mood felt like flying at the thought of avoiding the dangerous escort with an exorcist and the exorcism ending. The romance fantasy almost became a spirit exorcism story. I put on a brave face with Rapahella, but actually I was a bit scared. But thinking about medieval torture methods, isn't being scared natural? Isn't being calm what's strange?
"Did you... know I would come?"
"No. I'm not a god, how would I know the future."
"I suppose...."
Honestly, I didn't expect it either. Rapahella should have been here! It's a shame Rapahella couldn't feel the thrill of betting on the right horse too.
"I thought the Lady would know that I'd eventually come looking."
Mrs. Toten became dejected. Heol. Is she hurt because I didn't believe in her? No, but you went no-contact and want me to believe in you? Isn't that a thief's mindset?
"Rider has been sick all this time."
Of course, if her son was so sick she couldn't even find time to contact me, she's innocent. Not a thief, but a righteous bandit.
"The fever was so high, I only thought of you today. I came too late, but... Lady Rohanson, do you remember what you said to me before?"
"What words?"
What did I say? I only remember praising the butler grandfather at the Marquis residence. Mrs. Toten raised her lowered head and met my eyes, hesitating.
"You told me to rely on you."
"Me?"
I said that?
"You definitely said it. That I could rely on you."
Mrs. Toten said with conviction. Her eyes were blazing, looking impossible to be a lie.
S-so I did say that. I probably said it while comforting her somehow? I must have said all sorts of things to get on her good side back then. This is why people shouldn't say insincere things even moderately.
"If those words are still valid, please. I beg you, help me."
Mrs. Toten leaned toward me, her face suddenly close. It was uncomfortable, so I pulled back slightly and lifted my face, ending up looking arrogant with my chin tilted up. Couldn't you just move back a little?
Tha... since you said you'd be my chaperone, I can listen to your request, but shouldn't I hear what it is first? I also have a limit on funds I can use.
"Is it because of Rider?"
"Yes. You're the only one who can bring that child back."
Aha. Hearing Mrs. Toten's words, I could guess the whole story. Her son was terribly sick, and while distracted, she realized today was the debutante and rushed over. But Rider is still very ill, so Mrs. Toten came to me desperate enough to clutch at straws.
"...I dare to ask you. Please, return Rider to normal."
Mrs. Toten's eyes became moist again. I had definitely said before that there was no other way to save Mrs. Toten's son, speaking as if the rumor was true, so I didn't expect her to ask. That's why I thought Mrs. Toten was just avoiding me.
"If this continues, exactly as the butler intended, the Marquis residence will be taken by Diez."
"The butler?"
Is she talking about that butler grandfather with amazing loyalty?
"Just as the Lady said, the butler was deceiving me. Taking advantage of my child's illness to bring in the husband's younger brother who can continue the succession...."
Wait. I don't quite understand the situation? That butler grandfather is trash? And I said that? I only praised the butler grandfather!
Mrs. Toten briefly explained the family situation. To summarize, the butler grandfather and the husband's younger brother joined forces and plan to kill Rider and swallow the Marquis estate.
The situation is much more serious than I thought? It's not just asking to cure a sick child, but asking to support a succession competition involving the Marquis estate. So the butler grandfather didn't tell me the treatment method out of consideration, but for his own benefit.
Mrs. Toten bit her lip and clasped her hands as if pondering something. She watched my expression and moved her lips.
"Please help. You're the only one I can ask for help."
Right now, Mrs. Toten could do nothing, and the only way to resolve this situation was for Rider to be completely cured and establish his position. She must have thought I'm the only one who can achieve both. Evangeline has notoriety, funds, and a record of being sickly then becoming healthy.
But is there anything I can do? Evangeline's recovery only looks that way because I possessed. After struggling a bit watching Mrs. Toten looking at me desperately while silently crying, I reached a conclusion.
"Hena, how much time do we have?"
"It's enough to stop by the Marquis residence briefly."
Hena checked the time and played along. Did you hear? She said it's enough to stop by briefly.
Although I may not be as all-powerful as Mrs. Toten wants, I wanted to at least listen to the story and share some of the burden. Even if I can't cure the child, I can at least use the villainess's reputation to help protect Rider from the butler grandfather or the Marquis's brother-in-law who've taken over the Marquis estate.
I couldn't ignore it. Right, this is give and take. Mrs. Toten is the one who became my chaperone despite Evangeline's notoriety. She did go no-contact, but she had circumstances with her sick child, and she rushed over even on the day, afraid she'd be late.
"Sir Gabriel said that Mrs. Toten is renowned as a model for noble ladies."
Mrs. Toten was puzzled by the sudden preamble.
From running through the rain, her hair was flattened, her makeup mostly smeared, and her dress torn here and there. Quite disheveled compared to her reputation as the perfect model of a noble lady in society.
"I can't take my chaperone in a rain-soaked state. Unfortunately, there are no clothes for you at the Rohanson mansion, so we'll have to go to the Toten Marquis residence."
Mrs. Toten's eyes rounded.
"I can't send you alone in this heavy rain. I'll accompany you."
Besides, Mrs. Toten rode a horse to the Rohanson mansion. Since we have to attend the banquet too, we have no choice but to stop by the Marquis residence first and then head to the banquet hall together.
"Thank you. Thank you, my Lady."
Mrs. Toten was moved to tears. Between the Count saying I'd become human at lunch and Mrs. Toten like this, everyone is so shaken by just a little kindness from me. How garbage was Evangeline's character really?
"Then let's hurry to the mansion- ah!"
Mrs. Toten, lost in joy, took a step and limped. Looking closer, her shoe heel had come off. No, there's no part undamaged. How roughly did you run here?
My shoes probably wouldn't fit Mrs. Toten.... Ah, there's one that looks similar in size.
"Daisy. Could you bring Mother's shoes? The ones Misha fixed."
"Yes. I will."
Daisy went out and brought the shoes.
"How is the size?"
"It fits well. But... can I wear the Lady's mother's keepsake?"
The shoes Mrs. Toten is wearing now were excavated from the storage room. While Evangeline's mother's belongings were mostly well-organized downstairs, one pair was stuck in the storage room next to my room.
Except for the stains, they were fancy women's shoes, and I immediately noticed from the foot size that they weren't Evangeline's. When discovered, they had dark red stains, so maybe they were going to throw them out and forgot?
I didn't want to throw away someone else's things, so I left them, and Misha mistook them for my shoes and fixed them nicely. She said she worked hard removing the stains, but since the size didn't fit, I couldn't wear them, so I just left them.
"Yes. It's fine."
So wouldn't it be okay for Mrs. Toten to wear them?
It was abandoned anyway, so you can't really call it a keepsake. I couldn't have Mrs. Toten walk barefoot, so it worked out perfectly.
With Mrs. Toten wearing the shoes, we went out to take the carriage. I told them to prepare in advance since we'd stop by the Marquis residence and go straight to the imperial palace.
Mellock, wearing a heavy blindfold, brought out a carriage pulled by black horses, and I somewhat understood why the Count left first. Because of the rain, the bottom was hazy, looking like the horses had no feet. It was a carriage straight out of a horror movie. Actually, since a ghost is driving, it's about half right. At this level, even if I died, I wouldn't want to ride together.
"Are we taking this...?"
"Yes. Please get in quickly."
Mrs. Toten also hesitated briefly. Of course, she didn't have the strength to resist and quietly got into the carriage and settled across from me.
"I'm thinking of stopping by the Toten Marquis residence and going straight to the imperial palace."
"Yes. Please be careful on your way."
Daisy bowed her head in greeting, and Kanna waved a handkerchief regretfully. I patted her shoulder roughly and boarded the carriage. Since Hena had learned imperial palace etiquette the most, she accompanied us to the imperial palace.
And Jelly also boarded the carriage under the pretext of being an escort. Escort was the word, but she was a secret weapon who would use magic to suppress the situation if something happened at the Marquis residence. Sitting arrogantly with legs crossed and whistling, Mrs. Toten furrowed her brow looking at Jelly.
"That man is...."
"I'm the Master's dog."
"He's my limb."
Jelly was about to spout nonsense in front of Mrs. Toten, so I hurriedly redirected the conversation. You should joke according to your audience! Are Rapahella and Mrs. Toten the same?
"I see, the Lady's...."
"Then we'll depart."
Mrs. Toten seemed to be thinking something strange, but without time to correct it, Mellock moved the carriage. Even in this rain, it didn't shake once - truly driving skills are exceptional. I want to use him as my driver for life.
It didn't take long to reach the Toten Marquis residence. Before long, the carriage's speed slowly decreased. Have we arrived? I pulled aside the carriage curtain and looked out. Through the glass, the Toten Marquis residence was visible. The Marquis residence looked gloomy and depressed, different from before. Probably because of the rain?