~Chapter 8~
Lari proposes a plan that not only improves Lady Evangeline’s reputation but also undermines Seraphina – a perfect two-birds-one-stone strategy.
While desperately persuading the lady with words, I quickly calculated in my head.
My advantage right now was that the lady didn’t particularly dislike me yet.
Because, at this point in the story, Seraphina hadn’t had much interaction with the Claudius siblings.
Naturally, today was also my first time meeting Lady Evangeline.
If the original storyline played out, I would’ve angered her by siding awkwardly with Seraphina.
‘Right… getting slapped, insulted, and even drenched with water…’
I sighed deeply inside and continued,
“Just people speculating about us will damage Seraphina’s image. She has such a sweet and innocent reputation, after all.”
The lady stared at me as if telling me to continue, and I gladly complied.
“Besides, if I become your friend, Seraphina will be so shocked. Won’t that feel satisfying in itself?”
“Hm. And?”
“If we keep chipping away at her like that, eventually she’ll slip up.”
I smiled wickedly like a little devil and drove in the nail.
“Don’t you want to see her mask fall off and her true face exposed?”
At that moment, the lady’s blue eyes sparkled.
After a short pause, she nodded nonchalantly.
“Well, your words aren’t without reason.”
Then she straightened her back and looked directly at me.
“It’s true that I need to restore my reputation first.”
At the same time, she gripped her teacup tightly, so hard the veins stood out on her pale hand.
‘S-Scary…!’
“I really don’t understand why such rumours suddenly spread…”
She gritted her teeth and continued.
“My brother was very angry. For the family’s honour, he ordered me to resolve these rumours quickly.”
With that, she drooped her shoulders and sighed.
“Well, it’s not like they’re completely baseless.”
‘Hm?’
“I know my personality is a bit sharp. I’m sensitive and prickly, that’s true.”
What? She told me not to belittle myself, but now she’s doing it…
Watching her sullen face, I suddenly replied.
“No? I actually like that you’re straightforward.”
Surprised, she blinked her golden lashes prettily.
“What? What did you just say…?”
“I said I like how straightforward you are.”
“M-Me?”
“Of course.”
Hearing my words, she bit her lips hard.
“But everyone tries to avoid me. Whenever I speak, they flinch like I’m terrifying…”
“That’s just because they misunderstand you.”
I shrugged lightly.
Because I knew the truth.
Seraphina had subtly guided people to avoid the lady!
Sure, the lady had her flaws, but from what I’ve seen so far, they weren’t nearly enough to deserve this criticism.
After hesitating for a while, she asked cautiously.
“Do… do you really think so? That my personality isn’t such a big problem…?”
“Of course. Honestly, I wish I could be more like you. You’re amazing.”
I nodded firmly.
Her cheeks flushed pink.
But it was only for a moment.
Suddenly her eyes narrowed sharply.
“…Then it’s my brother who’s petty after all.”
‘Huh?’
Duke Claudius…?
She slammed both hands on the table with a loud bang.
“He threatened to cut my dignity allowance just because of some silly rumours! Isn’t that so petty?!”
My eyes widened.
‘Oh, the dignity allowance issue… This part is exactly like the original.’
In the novel, while society only gossiped about her arrogance, the issue of her allowance being cut wasn’t openly mentioned.
But here, it matched perfectly.
‘Maybe the events will unfold similarly, even if their personalities differ… This original knowledge might really help me survive.’
Meanwhile, after fuming for a while, she chugged her half-cold tea to calm herself.
“Anyway, as you said… you’re Seraphina’s close friend.”
Leaning back leisurely, she asked,
“How can I trust you?”
Her sapphire eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“For all I know, Seraphina could have sent you to spy on me.”
Her intimidating pressure was immense.
In the past, I would’ve folded instantly under it.
But now—
‘It’s okay.’
I calmed myself down.
Until her reply arrived, I had spent nearly a whole day simulating every scenario in my head.
Including this exact question.
“Of course, it’s only natural you can’t trust me.”
I took a short deep breath and smiled brightly.
“Then how about this? We can set a trial period as temporary friends.”
“Temporary friends?”
A new emotion flickered in her suspicious eyes – curiosity.
“What exactly does that mean?”
“Like how shops have probation periods for new hires, I’m suggesting the same for our friendship.”
“Hm…”
She kept a bored face, but I could tell.
She was intrigued.
‘How do I know? Because I’ve spent years reading people like Seraphina and Gregory.’
I sighed internally.
“We can spend time as temporary friends, and if you’re satisfied, we can sign an official friend contract.”
Honestly, I understood her position.
It was hard to trust someone like Lari, who’d been Seraphina’s servant until now, suddenly asking to be friends.
‘Of course she’d doubt me.’
But at the same time, it’d be a waste to reject my offer completely.
Because my status as “Seraphina’s best friend” was a double-edged sword.
If I convincingly cut ties with Seraphina and sided with Lady Evangeline, it would severely damage Seraphina.
‘So giving her a trial period with the final choice in her hands was the best approach.’
Creating this safety net would ease her mind too.
I won’t deny I got the idea from romance fantasy clichés like “contract relationships.”
‘Who says only love can be contractual? These days, friendships are too.’
And in the end, my calculation was spot on.
