Chapter 55
“Yes…”
I had no choice but to reluctantly nod at Troy’s question.
“When?”
From his words, I could feel Troy’s determination to fix a date today no matter what. Six pairs of eyes were also watching me, and I let out a deep sigh.
“Tomorrow. I think tomorrow is the only day I’ll be free.”
Please. Tell me you’re busy tomorrow, Troy.
Desperately, I stared at his lips, chanting silently in my head.
But the answer I so desperately wanted never came.
“Alright. Then tomorrow I’ll send a carriage to the Count of Luceronia’s estate.”
Troy, having steered the answer the way he wanted, smiled like the happiest man in the world. The Marquis and Marchioness watched him with affectionate eyes.
“Viscount Fronstern and Viscountess Fronstern are entering.”
“Baron Parat and Young Lord Simon are entering.”
As the banquet was about to begin, nobles started filing into the grand hall one after another.
Why are there so many nobles…
In the game, this whole scene was skipped. Experiencing it in real time was making my neck stiff.
Of course, it was mostly because I kept staring straight up at the staircase, trying to avoid looking at Troy who was stuck to my side saying strange things.
“Lady Felice, you didn’t wear a blue dress today. It’s your favorite color… I even wore this blue jacket to match with you.”
Troy smoothed out his blue jacket.
I desperately ignored his nonsense and pretended to focus on the nobles entering.
“Viscount Hampters, Viscountess Hampters, and their young ladies are entering.”
Hampters.
At that name, my eyes—hazy from boredom—sharpened instantly.
The doors of the grand hall opened, and four members of the Hampters family entered.
Although it was known their household was struggling financially, the viscount, his wife, and their eldest daughter appeared dressed in dazzling, extravagant clothing.
“They don’t even have money. If they cut back on such luxuries, things would be much better…”
The nobles in the hall shook their heads at the sight and quickly turned their eyes away.
Yet despite the critical stares, the Hampters family walked down the stairs with their chins held stiffly high.
Behind them trailed a woman in an old dress so outdated it was impossible to know when it had ever been fashionable.
With plain wheat-colored hair and brown eyes, she seemed ordinary at first glance.
That woman was Rubion Hampters—the one destined to become the Saintess.
“His Excellency the High Priest and the priests are entering.”
Before the Hampters family even finished descending the stairs, the herald’s voice rang out, and every noble turned their gaze toward the grand entrance on the second floor.
“I’ve heard divine healing from priests is extremely effective these days.”
“Yes, they say it’s the only cure for the plague.”
“Then we should build ties with them quickly.”
The whispering nobles began moving toward the stairs.
Pushed aside by the crowd rushing toward the priests, the Hampters family was shoved awkwardly out of the way. Annoyed, they brushed off their expensive dresses with sour expressions.
Fools… They can’t even recognize a true gem.
The heavens had chosen Rubion to receive divine power.
She would be the saintess who could cure the plague with her holy power, and yet everyone simply walked past her.
This is my chance.
The divine revelation would descend soon, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to befriend Rubion beforehand.
If plague patients ever appeared in the mercenary corps, I might be able to ask her for help.
I spotted her standing quietly by herself against the wall of the hall and turned toward her.
“Lady Felice, where are you going?”
Troy’s voice stopped me. He would follow me unless I gave him an answer.
“I’d like to speak with the Hampters young lady. I heard she only recently came to the capital after convalescing.”
“As expected. Lady Felice, you truly have a warm heart.”
“Ah, well… yes.”
I nodded vaguely.
“But I’m still Lady Felice’s friend, right?”
Troy smiled brightly as he spoke those chilling words. Without answering, I walked straight to Rubion.
“Lady Hampters?”
Even when spoken to, Rubion’s face remained expressionless.
“……”
“Ah, I am Felice of the House of Luceronia. I heard you were unwell for some time and only recently came to the capital…”
Rubion only stared blankly at me with lifeless eyes.
This person is supposed to be the Saintess?
She was nothing like the impression I had of her in the game.
Her vacant gaze made it clear she had no intention of replying.
“Now, we begin the inauguration of the 21st Duke of Snakeo. Representing the great Spencer Ducal House and the Madonia Ducal House of the Anisto Empire, Young Duke Kainis Spencer and Count Oliver Luceronia will now enter.”
Instead of the upper-level doors where the nobles had entered, a side door on the first floor opened. Out walked Count Luceronia and Kainis.
The nobles parted to give them space.
I quickly slipped into the crowd to avoid Kainis noticing me.
But despite my efforts, his gaze somehow found me at once.
He frowned, displeased, and with a dark expression full of irritation, he walked forward.
What? Is he angry at me?
I hoped so…
For reasons I couldn’t understand, I sincerely wished he would be disappointed in me—angry enough to lower his favorability.
I stared at his tightly pressed lips and prayed his anger would indeed cut down that affection meter.
“Now entering is Lord Ferendo Snakeo, the 21st Duke of Snakeo.”
The announcement echoed across the hall.
But instead of the Duke—the star of today’s ceremony—my eyes were drawn to Rubion.
What’s with her…?
The lifelessness that had filled her gaze until now suddenly vanished. Her eyes began to sparkle.
What…?
Her expression was so transformed, it was hard to believe she was the same person from moments before.
A faint smile tugged at her lips, her eyes glittered, and her gaze followed the Duke wherever he went.
It was an emotion that couldn’t be hidden, no matter how hard she tried.
She likes the Duke…?
Well, Duke Snakeo was young and handsome, even among nobles.
If not for his family’s exile from the capital, countless young ladies would have adored him.
But isn’t Rubion supposed to marry the Crown Prince?
Then was she destined to suppress her secret love and marry under the command of divine prophecy?
Even for Rubion—just an extra in the game—there was clearly a much deeper story here than what I’d seen while playing.
“We now begin the celebratory banquet for the inauguration of the 21st Duke of Snakeo in the Anisto Empire.”
As the ceremony proceeded, tedious formalities dragged on endlessly.
At the end, Kainis opened a sheet of paper and read aloud before the gathered nobles:
“The results of the 32nd Central Nobles Assembly are as follows: The Duke of Snakeo’s family is permitted to reside in the capital once more. Furthermore, they are reinstated as members of the Central Assembly.”
It was the announcement that the punishment which had tormented the Snakeo family for the last five generations was finally lifted.
Applause thundered through the hall.
“Duke Snakeo isn’t married yet, is he? If someone marries him, she’ll become the Duchess, right?”
A young lady’s voice, nearly drowned out by the clapping, drifted from behind.
Rubion turned at once, glaring daggers at the one who had spoken.
As I thought, she really does have feelings for Duke Snakeo.
Her reaction was so obvious it was almost painful. I couldn’t help but pity her for a love doomed to fail.
