Chapter 62
To be honest, Elizia wasn’t all that afraid of the Duke’s opposition.
Even if he stationed guards at the windows, the rooftop, and the front gate—so what? Not the least bit threatening. With her illusion magic she could deceive them all, and with her quick agility she was confident she could shake them off in an instant and escape.
But this time, she had a hunch that such a method wasn’t the right way to approach things. After all, the Duke had spoken only on the assumption that she might try to slip out secretly.
In other words, if she could negotiate here, there would be no need for either side to waste energy on such a pointless tug-of-war.
Besides, Elizia herself was curious about why her father was acting this way. And… he hadn’t actually issued an expulsion order yet, which meant there was still room for conversation.
Right…?
Since she hadn’t been driven out, she might as well ask what she wanted to know. Without hesitation, Elizia opened her mouth.
“No, Father. I don’t want to trouble the household staff either. Even if I somehow make it to the ball, I’ll run into you there anyway. That’ll just get troublesome all over again.”
“Exactly. Try exercising that thing called thinking before you act.”
“Hah, I do think a lot…! No, that’s not the point. Anyway…”
She shut her mouth quickly. If this turned into a petty emotional squabble, nothing good would come of it. She almost snapped just now.
Hold it in, Elizia. You have to endure. Hasn’t Father always had a talent for getting on your nerves? He’s practically a walking case of hypertension—let’s be charitable.
Deep breath. Self-control.
Wearing a sweet smile again, Elizia carefully continued.
“Anyway, Father, why can’t I attend the banquet? This time I’ll behave properly, ride in the carriage, and come back without incident. Besides, it was the Saintess herself who invited me. Don’t you think it would be rude to refuse her invitation?”
She had her own grounds to stand on.
This wasn’t just anyone’s summons—it was from the Saintess herself. She had personally requested Elizia’s attendance. Refusing without a good reason?
“If anything, wouldn’t it look as though our house is slighting the temple? Surely you wouldn’t want that.”
Elizia glanced toward the office door. Thankfully, ever since she’d entered, it had been firmly shut. The soundproofing was excellent; nothing they said would leak outside.
She studied her father’s expression. His sharp hostility hadn’t intensified—perhaps her words had struck a chord. But his voice remained hard as stone.
“You needn’t worry about that, Elizia. Have you forgotten? Until yesterday, you were a seriously ill patient.”
The Duke’s gaze sharpened, pensive and severe.
“That means it would be entirely reasonable to say you should focus on recovery instead of rushing to attend a banquet. No one could fault you for that. And if they did? That would be an overstep on the Saintess’s and the temple’s part—choosing authority over the well-being of the sick, which would hardly be fitting of them.”
…He has a point.
Elizia blinked in surprise at the logical retort. Still, there was a gap in his reasoning.
She steadied her voice.
“But Father, that may explain why I don’t need to attend. It doesn’t explain why I must not attend. If you’re opposing me solely because of my health, I assure you I’m fine now—”
“You may look fine at the moment,” he cut her off coolly.
“But the fact remains—you were nearly poisoned to death. That means there is indeed someone out there targeting you.”
“…”
“In such a situation, what need is there to expose yourself? There’s no reason to risk it.”
“But still…”
Why does he have to be so damned persuasive?
Elizia bit her lip in frustration. His arguments were all sound. She hadn’t expected this. If he’d been obstinate and unreasonable, she could’ve countered with obstinance of her own. But of course—he was the Duke. You didn’t hold the position of the Empire’s foremost noble for nothing.
She closed her eyes tightly. At this rate, there was only one way forward—speak plainly.
After a slow exhale, she met his gaze.
“…But Father, am I supposed to hide forever?”
“What?”
“Yes, there are people who want me dead. I’ve realized that now, and it was a shock. I learned even this mansion isn’t truly safe.”
“…!”
For the first time, his expression faltered. Seizing the opening, Elizia pressed on.
“Yes. Even the ducal house isn’t safe. Don’t you see? Whether I stay here or go outside, my life will still be targeted all the same.”
“That’s… that won’t happen again. As long as we’re careful—”
“Careful? Am I supposed to just keep defending, hiding, being careful forever?”
Her words poured out unchecked now.
So much for holding back. The dam had broken.
“Be careful. Don’t draw attention. Preserve dignity. You’ve always told me to endure for the sake of the family’s prestige! And what did it bring me? I nearly died, poisoned in my own home!”
“…”
“How can you still believe hiding is the answer? If anything, the opposite is true!”
Bang!
She slammed her hand on his desk. Staring straight into her father’s eyes, she declared:
“The only reason I stopped that beast in the hills, the only reason I grew close to the Saintess—was because I stepped forward instead of hiding. It was because I took the initiative that she tried to cure my poisoning. Rather than waiting around for the next attempt on my life, I should be learning more, finding more cures, strengthening my ties. That’s why I have to attend this banquet—to gather information, to build trust with the Saintess—”
“There is no need for that!”
Her fiery speech was cut off with a blade-sharp retort. His expression had darkened; anger tinged his voice.
“Even without your efforts, if the ducal house requested it, the temple would have sent the Saintess. You don’t need to risk everything alone.”
“That’s…”
“Elizia Semperion. You do not understand the full situation.”
The Duke sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead, his tone hovering somewhere between fatigue and exasperation.
“All this time at banquets, among your peers, you’ve held the highest status. But now, the Saintess has appeared. What do you think people will say?”
“Hm… that Elizia Semperion has finally been knocked down to second place?”
She answered lightly, unbothered. That much was already written in the story, wasn’t it? This world’s true heroine was Frillien. In the original, at her very first banquet, she outshone Elizia with divine beauty and the title of Saintess.
So what?
“…What’s with this sudden calmness?”
Even if she was overtaken by the Saintess, the infamous Elizia Semperion showing no anger—that was unexpected enough to make him pause.
After a brief silence, he spoke again, his words edged.
“At this banquet, people will compare you with her openly. Do you not see what a laughingstock you’ll become? With the excuse of your recent illness, wouldn’t it be better for your honor to stay away entirely?”
“…Huh?”
The more he spoke, the more her face twisted in disbelief.
So, to sum it up:
Because she’d inevitably be outshone by the Saintess and humiliated, she should stay home quietly.
Elizia let out a sharp scoff and folded her arms, one brow arching in derision.
“Father… are you ashamed of me?”
“What?”
“Are you afraid I’ll embarrass you at the banquet?”
The crooked smile she’d been wearing vanished.
A troublesome daughter too disgraceful to show in public. One he wanted to keep hidden away.
That’s how he saw her. That’s how he’d always seen her.
“You assume I’ll lose to the Saintess no matter what, don’t you?”
“…Isn’t that obvious? Few in this Empire can rival her position.”
Of course—no comforting lies from him. Not even a token “you’re better.” He was nothing if not consistent.
She gave a dry laugh.
“So what you’re saying is, even if I lose, it wouldn’t be strange at all. It’s simply the inevitable, isn’t it?”
Her voice was calm.
“Then why would that be shameful? If it’s inevitable, then it’s just what was bound to happen.”
“…”
“So you’re embarrassed… that I’ll be laughed at for something that isn’t even my fault? Embarrassed enough to keep me locked away?”
“That’s not it.”
But his face darkened further with each word. Avoiding her eyes, he muttered:
“The rumors circulating in society right now… ah, forget it.”
He waved it away, irritated.
“Enough of your nonsense. You’re done throwing tantrums. Besides, you don’t even have a dress for the banquet, do you? While you were bedridden, no one thought to order one.”
“My room is full of dresses.”
Couldn’t she just pick one and wear it?
Her casual reply caught him off guard.
“What? Are you serious? At an ordinary banquet, fine—but at the first official appearance of the Saintess? If you show up in an old dress, what do you think people will say?”
…Really? That’s an issue too?
Not knowing the finer rules of high society, she couldn’t argue. She was still turning this over when—
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone rapped at the office door.
“What is it?”
It was the Semperion butler. He stepped in, then faltered at the sight of Elizia standing there.
“Speak.”
“Well, sir, it’s just that…”
The butler hesitated, glancing between master and daughter, reluctant to deliver his news.
“A package has arrived from the Magic Tower. It is… a dress. A gift for Lady Elizia.”
“What?”
“A gift, my lord.”
For a moment, stunned silence blanketed the room.
Elizia’s expression slowly shifted from scowl to astonishment. What miraculous timing! She beamed and looked back at her father.
“Oh my! I almost couldn’t go because I had no dress—!”
“Elizia, wait—”
“But now I do! Trust the Magic Tower to work wonders!”
She flashed him a wicked grin.
“It’s mine, so don’t touch it. I’ll be off to collect it!”
Bang! Tap-tap-tap!
She darted out of the office at lightning speed. Behind her rang the Duke’s bewildered, furious shout—
“Stop right there, Elizia!”
