TCBCVF 106

~Chapter 106~

At that time.

Seraphina’s eyes shone brightly as she looked at the man before her.

“Is… is that really true?”

Her voice trembled with excitement.

“You’ll take me as your partner to the charity party?”

The man, Isaac, nodded with a graceful smile.

“Yes. Of course, only if Lady Lopez agrees.”

Of course I’ll agree!

Seraphina held back the urge to shout and instead nodded elegantly.

“I’m really happy to hear that.”

Her cheeks flushed lightly.

“I would love to go with you.”

“Thank you. And if possible, I’d like to ask for Lady Lopez’s help with this charity party… would that be alright?”

Seraphina’s eyes flashed like a hawk. But as soon as Isaac looked at her, the sharpness disappeared, leaving her with a gentle expression.

“And what do you mean by help?” she asked softly.

Isaac scratched his cheek with a slightly embarrassed face.

“In fact, I’ve been given the role of hosting the charity party…”

…Hosting the charity party?

A ladder straight to the highest circles of society stood right before her.

If she climbed it, her reputation would soar immediately.

Gulp. Seraphina swallowed dryly.

Isaac smiled awkwardly.

“Since I’m a man and a priest tied to the temple, I’m not skilled at party preparations.”

“Ah…”

“But Lady Lopez is praised as the lily of the social world, isn’t she?”

Glancing at her, Isaac continued, “You must have attended many social gatherings, so if it’s not too much trouble, could I ask for your help?”

Seraphina nearly fainted from joy.

‘This means I’d be almost like the host myself!’

She was already rebuilding her reputation by appearing close to Isaac, but she needed one decisive strike.

And this was it.

‘I have to grab this chance!’

She almost nodded eagerly but stopped herself.

‘No, I must not look too desperate.’

To gain Senior Priest Evans’s trust, she had poured far more effort into her image than with any other gentleman before.

‘Yes. I worked so hard to create this pure and kind image.’

She couldn’t ruin it with one mistake.

So again, she had to look humble, without greed—so Evans would trust her more, and keep giving her such chances.

“I’m truly grateful and honored that you’d trust me with this, Senior Priest Evans,” she said, lowering her eyes modestly.

“But… am I really suited to help?”

“What do you mean?”

“I worry that, if I am too inexperienced, I might trouble you…”

For a moment, Seraphina widened her eyes.

Because Isaac’s lips had curled into a faint smile—sharp, almost mocking.

But when she blinked, it was gone.

“Of course. Who else could I trust but Lady Lopez?”

…It must have been my imagination.

Pushing down her unease, Seraphina smiled shyly.

“In that case… I’ll do my best, even if it’s small.”

“Thank you. I’ll rely only on you, Lady Lopez,” Isaac answered kindly.

“Truly, if not for you, I’d have been in big trouble.”

Seraphina hunched her shoulders as if embarrassed.

“Oh my, that’s such a heavy responsibility…”

Isaac gave a short laugh inwardly as he watched her smile.

‘Ridiculous.’

‘She acts so innocent, but she clings desperately to every chance to stand out.’

Still, he thought, her greed and vanity would make her easy to use.

One time hailed as the pure lily of society, Seraphina had fallen step by step.

Now, she could only rise again thanks to Isaac.

Which meant—Isaac was the only rope she had left.

So she would do everything to support him, to share his shine.

And the more she relied on him, the more bound she would be.

Thus Isaac let her flaunt their closeness in society, even giving her subtle support.

The brighter she shone, the more influence she gained—

‘The more useful she’ll be when I decide to use her.’

Isaac’s gaze swept over Seraphina like a predator eyeing prey.

It was far from the look of a priest serving a goddess.

A few days later.

News spread that a charity party would be held at the Grand Temple.

It was the annual year-end event, raising funds to help the poor.

“…I never thought an invitation would come to me,” I murmured, staring at the card in my hand.

“Well, maybe it’s meant as reconciliation,” Lady Eva said, sitting right beside me with a shrug.

“This time, that bastard Gusto Jr. caused a marriage scam.”

Grinding her teeth, Eva bit into a cookie as if it were Gregory himself. Crunch, crunch, crack!

The sound was almost frightening.

After swallowing, Eva continued, “And our family supported Lady Ansie’s innocence.”

“Ah, I’m very grateful for that,” I said.

“No, no thanks needed.” She waved her hand.

“Because of that, relations between the Duke’s house and the Grand Temple have been strained. This is probably their way of mending it.”

“I see.”

“And by inviting Lady Ansie, the victim, they’re showing sincerity in reconciliation.”

After sipping warm tea, Eva added slyly, “Of course, we can’t ignore the practical side. Every year our family donates a large sum at the party. They wouldn’t want to lose that.”

Well, I wouldn’t want to lose that kind of money either.

I nodded.

Clink.

As she set her cup down, Eva frowned.

“But what bothers me is that the one in charge of this charity party… is Lady Lopez.”

“Exactly. Why Seraphina of all people…”

Both our expressions darkened.