BGFV 90

Chapter 90

“No matter how much we act like we’re on good terms, no one’s going to believe it at face value.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s a position everyone would want. People will think we’re secretly wary of each other, trying to monopolize the role of guardian.”

People always see what they want to see.

 “More people will try to stir up trouble between us. Actually, I’ve already…”
Hestia trailed off, and Luciard frowned.
“Someone approached you too?”
After a brief silence, Hestia nodded, making Luciard look incredulous.
“They even dared to approach you…?”
“I guess I seemed easier to target than you.”
“…What?”
“I told you, to others, we look like a tempting prey.”
People would approach whoever seemed easier to manipulate or use.

“It’ll be a problem if this keeps happening.”

 “There’s even a chance their schemes could actually drive a wedge between us.”
“That won’t happen.”
Luciard’s serious tone made Hestia chuckle.
“You can never be sure. Even minor misunderstandings have led to wars in history.”
“…Then we need a solid plan. We can’t just sit around doing nothing in this situation.”
Hestia’s indifferent attitude only frustrated Luciard further. It felt like she didn’t care at all.
“I think it’s better to stay as we are for now.”
“What? You’re seriously saying we should just…!”
“That way, we can see what kind of pests would crawl out.”
Luciard froze at her next words.
“You said before that there were factions trying to use you to replace the duke. I believe those factions are still around.”
If opportunists arose now, wouldn’t the groups targeting Winston in the past seize this chance as well?
“Even if it’s not them, this is a good opportunity to figure out who’s an ally and who’s an enemy.”
“By enemies, you mean…”
“People like Baron Harbor, obviously. And anyone trying to harm the young master. Their real target will always be Winston, not us.”
To them, a young lady or an illegitimate child would only be disposable pawns or tools. Which means…
“We can lure them into letting their guard down.”
Who would ever expect the bait to strike back?
“Being underestimated isn’t always a bad thing. If we use it right, we can make a fool of them. Remember how Count Humphrey thought I was just a naïve girl and ended up like that?”
Her cheerful expression looked downright wicked.
“…You’ve got one terrifying personality. I wouldn’t want you as an enemy.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Luciard shook his head at her shamelessness.
“Oh, but we shouldn’t drag this out too long. Let’s watch who approaches during the festival, and then act.”
“So… we don’t have to pretend to be close for now?”

 “For the moment. At the end of the festival, we can find a way to show them there’s no rivalry between us.”
“And how do we do that? Should we announce that you’re stepping down as guardian? That’ll only make people more suspicious.”
“Hmm… You’re not wrong.”
No matter what they did, there would always be people who would come up with new schemes.
‘Is there a way to convince everyone without having to explain too much?’
She needed to think this through.
“Well, I understand your point now. I didn’t think that far ahead.”
Hestia snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Luciard.
“Let’s see who dares mess with our little Leon…”
Luciard, the self-proclaimed doting uncle, was practically on fire, and Hestia couldn’t help but laugh.

That’s when Luciard noticed something in her hair.

 “There’s a bug on your head.”
“…What?!”
Hestia froze a moment late, eyes wide with terror.
“A b-b-bug? No! Get it off me, now!”
The composed Hestia from earlier vanished, replaced by someone who was panicking and shouting.

“…So you have a weakness, huh?”

“Shut up and get it off! Is it big? Is it crawling into my head? Ugh, nooo!”

 Hestia clung to him, almost in tears, flailing wildly.
“Alright, alright! Hold still so I can get it off.”
“Ugh… Hurry up…”
Seeing her trembling and practically leaning into him, Luciard chuckled. This unexpected side of her amused him.
“It’s gone. All clear.”
“Really? Are you sure? Double-check, please.”
“It’s fine. It was just a tiny little caterpillar.”

 “Ugh! Just thinking about it makes me itchy.”
“You’re hundreds of times bigger than it, you know.”
“That’s not the point!”
“Luciard, are you inside?”
Someone abruptly entered the tent.
At that moment, Hestia, still clinging to Luciard’s sleeve and looking up at him, froze mid-motion. Luciard, who was smiling, also paused.

To the uninvited guest, it looked like they were in the middle of an intimate moment.
The man, with a strikingly noble appearance and piercing violet eyes, stopped in his tracks.
‘That must be…’ Hestia thought.
“Gabriel.”
Luciard stepped back as he greeted the newcomer. The man was none other than Gabriel Florence, the eldest son of the Florence duchy.
“Ahem. My apologies. I thought you were alone… Carry on.”
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Gabriel stepped back toward the entrance, leaving Hestia and Luciard flustered.
“It’s not what it looks like!”
“There was a bug in her hair, and I was just helping her get it out!”
Blushing, the two hurried to explain, but Gabriel, half out of the tent, looked at them with suspicion and stepped back in.
“…Really?”

“Of course. But didn’t you come here for a reason? Come in and take a seat.”
“Ah, right. I’ll take my leave now. I need to find my parents. Please, carry on with your conversation.”

Blushing, Hestia quickly left the tent, leaving Gabriel and Luciard alone. Gabriel stepped inside once Hestia had walked far enough away, while Luciard, still slightly flustered, cleared his throat and gestured toward a seat.

“So… what brings you here?”
Though they were acquainted, Gabriel and Luciard were far from close friends, much less the kind to casually visit each other’s tents. Gabriel, carrying a bottle of wine, approached with a smile.

“I thought we didn’t get a proper chance to talk yesterday. We’re not close, but we’re at least familiar enough to exchange greetings, aren’t we?”

He uncorked the wine, poured it into two glasses, and handed one to Luciard.

“I heard you missed the graduation ceremony and even disappeared for a while. I was curious about how you’ve been doing.”

Luciard hesitated for a moment, eyeing the glass Gabriel had handed him.

‘Curious about me? He always thought I was beneath him. What game is he playing now?’

Gabriel smiled warmly, showing no sign of malice, but Luciard couldn’t shake his suspicions. He recalled Hestia’s words from earlier.

“This is a good chance to identify who’s a friend and who’s an enemy.”

She had a point. For all Luciard knew, Gabriel might be one of those people. Smiling faintly, Luciard took the glass and sat down.

Meanwhile, outside the tent…

“Phew, it’s so hot. Why is it so warm today?”

Hestia, having hurried out of the tent, fanned her flushed face. It wasn’t the heat of the sun that was bothering her but the heat rising from within her.

‘What a misunderstanding…’

Gabriel’s poorly-timed entrance had turned a harmless situation into something awkward. All Luciard was doing was removing a bug from her hair, but the way it looked…

‘Were we… too close?’

The moment Gabriel walked in, she had been tilting her head up, almost nose-to-nose with Luciard. His clear blue eyes had filled her vision, leaving her momentarily dazed.

Slap!

Hestia smacked both of her cheeks with her hands, snapping herself out of her thoughts.

“Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing.”

Determined to move on, she walked forward.

As she strolled, a voice called out to her.

“My, isn’t that Lady Frost?”

Turning, Hestia saw Lady Karin, the wife of Marquis Oz, surrounded by a group of notable noblewomen. They were seated at a table, with a familiar item lying on the table.

Hestia quickly calculated her approach and decided to act. She walked over gracefully, lifting the hem of her dress slightly in a curtsy.

“It’s been a while, Lady Oz. I hope you’ve been well.”

“Ho ho, the last time we met must’ve been about a year ago at the palace. Back then, you were accompanying your father. But now, you’ve grown into a fine young lady.”

“Oh my, more than just a fine lady—she’s the famous guardian of House Winston!”

“Indeed. Taking on such a role at her age is no small feat. Has it been challenging for you, my dear?”

The ladies’ words were sweet, but their sharp eyes told Hestia they were judging her.

‘They’re curious about my situation.’

Their half-hidden gazes reminded her of predators sizing up their prey. If that’s what they wanted, she would play along.

“Of course, it’s a great responsibility, and at times it can be overwhelming. But I’m doing my best.”

“Managing the affairs of a ducal house must be exhausting. Isn’t it a bit too much for someone so young?”

‘An untrained girl like you couldn’t possibly handle such work, right?’

“I was fortunate to have assisted my father with his duties since I was 15. Thanks to that experience, it’s been manageable. Without it, I’d surely have struggled more.”

“But you’re still so young! And I hear you’re not even engaged yet. Isn’t it a pity to spend your prime years like this?”

‘You would not be able to get married at this rate.’

“While such things are important, I’ve been entrusted with a greater mission. Destiny works in mysterious ways—Fate comes and goes. It’s not something that can be chased recklessly.”

“Still, timing is everything. I happen to have a distant relative, Baron Lomin. He’s a good, dependable man. Shall I introduce you to him?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. I don’t have the time or capacity to pursue such matters right now.”

‘Baron Lomin? Isn’t he over 40 and still single? Who are you trying to fool?’

The noblewomen continued their subtle attacks, but Hestia stood firm. She replied with grace and composure, deflecting their barbs while maintaining her dignity.

Despite being pressured by the noblewomen around her, Hestia handled their inquiries with grace, remaining calm and composed, unlike most young women who might fluster or blush.

Her poised demeanor made Karin narrow her eyes for a moment.