AMLA 33

Chapter 33

“It’s just… I don’t have much time…”

Using “I don’t have time” was the best excuse in situations like this.

“But I heard you’ve just been staying at the mansion lately…”

The problem was that the other person’s intelligence network was just too good.

Caught in a lie by Troy almost instantly, I gave an awkward smile.

“Haha, right. I’ve been busy taking magic lessons at the mansion lately.”

“You can skip a day of lessons. If not, I’ll ask Count Luchellonia myself.”

Troy’s words blocked all my arguments. I was truly at a loss for what to say.

“…”

‘I have to say no quickly.’

But contrary to what I was thinking, no words came out, and I ended up biting my lips anxiously.

“If you’re busy because of that information, I’ll take care of it for you. I’ll soon figure out why you’re looking into it and what you plan to do with it.”

‘This is a threat.’

He smiled like he was doing it for me, but it was a clear threat.

If I didn’t go to the theater with him, he’d investigate the information I’d purchased.

‘I can’t let him find out about Abel.’

If Troy found out about Abel, he would definitely interfere between us.

So my answer was obvious.

“No, it’s not because of that. It’s just that the Imperial Tea Party is in a few days, so I have a lot to prepare.”

At my reply, Troy’s eyes lowered in a frown.

“I’m sorry. You must be busy too, since you’re still unfamiliar with the Imperial social circles. I wasn’t being considerate enough. I just got impatient.”

Just moments ago, Troy had been looking me in the eye while talking, but now he lowered his gaze as if feeling sorry.

“It’s okay.”

“Then, after the Imperial Tea Party, when you’re free, we’ll go to the theater together, right?”

I had no intention of ever going to the theater with Troy, but for now, I had to postpone this promise.

“Yes…”

At my answer, Troy lifted his head and smiled again.

“I’ll wait until then.”

“Are you attending the Imperial Tea Party as well?”

Troy had never attended the Imperial Tea Party in the game, so I asked just in case.

“No, I have some matters to attend to at the Totrun Kingdom branch, so I won’t be able to make it.”

Hearing his disappointed voice, I inwardly cheered.

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

“Instead, I’d like to gift you a dress. That’s why I took over this boutique.”

“What? It’s okay. I can pay for myself.”

“No, I already spoke to the manager. Take any dress you like. It’s from my heart.”

For a moment, I could almost see a little puppy wagging its tail behind him, hoping for praise.

“Lady Luchellonia. I’d love to shop with you, but I must be going. See you next time.”

Troy waved warmly and left the salon with his secretary.

“Phew…”

Now that the storm had passed, my nerves slowly began to settle.

“I feel completely drained…”

Suddenly overcome with fatigue, I slumped onto the sofa—but another voice calling me forced me back up.

“Lady Luchellonia.”

Once Troy had left, Talin and a group of young noble ladies approached me in a flurry.

It seemed that just glaring at me from a distance when I entered hadn’t been enough for them.

“It’s been a while, Lady Talin.”

“Yes. The last time we met was at the Bayron Marquis’ banquet, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. Have you been well?”

Talin scoffed as if she couldn’t believe what I’d just said.

“Well? You’re really shameless.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

‘Probably couldn’t get over her frustration.’

I already knew the reason, but I asked with an innocent face.

“You’ve got some nerve. How many men are you dating exactly?”

“Pardon? Me?”

“Yes, you. Lord Cainis Spencer, Lord Dustin Spencer, and now Lord Troy Bayron.”

“Lady Luchellonia, do you know how many young ladies have been hurt because of you? Lady Nezwin can’t even come out of her room right now because of you!”

Even Karen joined in, and murmurs spread among the other ladies.

“How is that my fault…?”

“It’s your fault. You stole Lord Dustin from Nezwin. That’s why he rejected her.”

“…”

Looking at Talin, who genuinely believed I stole Dustin from Nezwin, I suddenly felt a bit sorry for her.

‘It’s not even your fault… This is all because the game is so badly written.’

I took a deep breath, trying to understand them.

Then it happened.

“Lady Luchellonia, if you can talk, then explain yourself.”

Talin, who was in front, pushed my shoulder with her finger.

‘Okay, enough is enough.’

Even if I wanted to understand them because of the game’s setup, her behavior was crossing the line. I finally let my pent-up thoughts spill out.

“You’re saying it’s my fault that Lord Dustin rejected Lady Nezwin?”

“Exactly.”

“What did I do?”

“Ugh, really…”

Talin was so dumbfounded that she just fanned herself without replying.

“You stole Lord Dustin from Lady Nezwin.”

Karen spoke up in her place.

“You’re saying I stole him? Were they even dating?”

“Well… not exactly… but they used to date. And she still loves him. Someday—”

“Someday, he’ll come back to her?”

“Yes. Lady Nezwin is the one he’s been with the longest.”

“Then she should keep waiting. Until he comes back.”

“What?”

“If their bond is that strong, he’ll come back eventually.”

“That’s not the point. He’s never properly rejected her before…”

“Then maybe their relationship wasn’t that strong to begin with.”

My clear and direct replies left the noble ladies speechless and fuming.

‘Ugh, these petty squabbles are getting tiring.’

Until I built up more social prestige, I’d be dealing with these types of conflicts everywhere I went.

In the game, I sometimes used these kinds of quarrels to raise favorability, but now it was just exhausting.

‘Maybe I should start by lowering their reputations.’

If the girls spreading rumors about me lost reputation, it would make it easier for me to raise mine.

An idea came to mind, and I spoke up innocently.

“Ladies, have you all chosen your dresses? I need to pick mine now… Is there a dress that looks like a pink hyacinth, by any chance?”

I deliberately asked the store clerk in a voice loud enough for the ladies to hear.

Their eyes began to sparkle one by one.

“Pink hyacinth?”

“Yes. Her Majesty the Empress especially loves that flower… I thought I could score some points with her by wearing something like that. And since I’m in talks for a potential marriage with one of the Spencer lords, I really need to make a good impression.”

As I ended my sentence with careful enunciation, the ladies began glancing at each other and slowly backing off one by one.

“Ahem… Clerk, I’d like to change my dress…”

“Mine’s too dull. I think I’ll choose a different color…”

With these thinly veiled excuses, the noble girls returned to their tables.

Only Talin—still fuming—and Karen—trying to read her mood—remained.

“Oh dear… Lord Bayron said he’d buy me a dress. How awkward.”

Putting on an awkward face, I looked at Talin. Her fists clenched tightly, and it looked like she might charge at me any second.

Karen grabbed her arm and whispered just like she did in the game.

“Talin, hold it in. I’ve got a plan. I’ll make sure she’s properly humiliated at the Imperial Tea Party.”

Unaware that I heard everything, Karen smirked wickedly and left with Talin.

‘So it is going to happen, huh.’

Seeing the fury burning on Karen’s face, I was now certain that the event I was expecting would indeed take place.