IRFVTS 65

Chapter 65

From the start, Elizia hadn’t been surprised to learn that Frillien and Leonard were partners. She’d known for a while. And, truth be told, she didn’t really care.

The Crown Prince’s letter said he was sorry, that she shouldn’t be startled—but it was obviously just a courtesy. She could picture it vividly without even being there: his blank face, pen moving briskly across the page, eyes glazed with that same unchanging indifference.

“Honestly, he’s pretty dedicated,” she muttered.

Sending such long letters to someone he wasn’t even interested in… Perhaps that was what it meant to be Crown Prince—having to play the part. He must have his share of burdens up there. Clicking her tongue, Elizia flipped through the pages.

By the end, the letter wrapped up with:

I hope the palace physician will be able to help you…

Apart from that, I didn’t know what words of comfort I could offer, so I prepared a gift.

If by chance you recover and attend the ball, I hope you’ll wear this hair ornament. I chose it imagining how it might suit you.

“Oh, so that’s what this is.”

Just a token of consolation for an invalid, nothing more.

The rest of the letter wasn’t much different—still waiting for her reply, regretting that he hadn’t cherished their exchanges of letters, all polite but ultimately hollow words. With a grimace, Elizia folded the page in half.

“…Surely he doesn’t actually expect me to reply? I told him not to wait. I’ve got the handwriting of a criminal. One letter and he’ll know instantly that I’m not Elizia Semperion.”

Writing like a noble lady? She had no such skill.

So, more likely than not, she’d never bother writing back. His line about waiting for her reply was probably just lip service anyway. With that thought, she set the letter aside without regret.

“Now then, let’s take a look at the Saintess’s letter.”

She’d done her part slogging through the Crown Prince’s lifeless words. Time to move on. Unlike his letter, perhaps this one would contain something useful. She picked up the blue stationery lying beside it.

It was a letter from Frillien, sent from the temple.

Hello, Lady Semperion.

I wasn’t sure if it was right to send a letter like this. You must have been surprised, receiving another letter after our last meeting.

I don’t even know if it will reach you in a single day… Still, I asked someone from the temple to deliver it right away.

So, even though both had sent letters, they weren’t written at the same time. Unlike Leonard’s, this one had been dispatched in haste, arriving within just a few hours. Estimating the time, Elizia kept reading.

And… writing a letter can be a way for us to speak privately, without anyone else around.

“…How naïve.”

Elizia couldn’t help murmuring under her breath.

Did Frillien really think no one would read it along the way?

Letters pass through many hands. The temple alone had plenty of ways to intercept her correspondence. And once it reached the duke’s house, it could just as easily end up in Howell’s or even the Duke’s hands.

“Besides, everyone, take a look—this wasn’t even sealed properly.”

She held the envelope up to the camera. Nobles usually used wax seals to prove authenticity—any tampering would leave traces. Leonard’s had been tightly sealed with the Crown Prince’s emblem.

But Frillien’s? Nothing but a pretty ribbon tied around it.

Anyone could have opened it, read it, and tied it back again.

Didn’t they teach her this in the temple? Even if she knew, perhaps she simply lacked the materials to do it. In any case, Elizia read on.

The next lines were shaky, hesitant, as though the writer had agonized over every word.

I… I don’t know how to say this, but…

I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince will be my partner at the ball.

But… I also heard that you were supposed to be his original partner!

“No!”

Elizia shouted at the page.

Who on earth was spreading this nonsense?!

She had said it again and again—the original partner had been Finn! Finn Ende, not her!

Jerome, the Crown Prince, even Frillien, and now even the duke’s household—why was everyone drawing their own wild conclusions?

From Jerome’s reactions, and Leonard’s brazen fabrication the other day, it was obvious who had started this rumor. Leonard again. She was certain. Though she had no proof, only suspicion.

Grumbling, she shook her head and read on.

So I feel so guilty. I don’t even know if I deserve to stand in such a place… And yet, not knowing that, I even asked you to attend the ball. I must look terrible to you. You must hate me.

But Lady, I truly am always grateful to you.

My kindness and gratitude toward you are sincere. I absolutely don’t want our relationship to be ruined…

“…Huh.”

Elizia raised an eyebrow.

The wording was oddly similar to Leonard’s. Both were apologizing to her about the two of them attending the ball together.

But why?

She didn’t care! They could do whatever they wanted.

“Ugh, I need a smartphone! A smartphone!”

If only this were modern times. She could have just texted: ‘No, really, it’s fine. Have fun. I’m not involved with the Crown Prince. Also, palace food is delicious, so go hungry and enjoy yourself.’

But no, she was stuck writing letters. Maddening.

She rubbed her forehead and kept reading.

Lady, I feared my sincerity might not reach you, so I prepared a gift.

This necklace is said to mark one as a guest of the Saintess. If you show it at the temple, you’ll always be granted entry.

Please, one day, come to me. I would love a chance to speak with you honestly, face to face.

“…What?”

Elizia tore the wrapping open.

Inside was a silver-crafted pendant shaped like a diamond, set with a small blue gem. It was a little tarnished, but clearly special.

Item: Pendant for Guests of the Temple of Prinis

Granted to those permitted by the Saintess. Holds a trace of holy power.

Allows legitimate access to the temple.

“Oh! Now that’s a find!”

She had never expected to get an official pass into the temple. With its fearsome reputation—and even the High Priest avoiding attention—she had assumed she’d never have reason or excuse to set foot inside.

But with this, she could.

“Well, maybe misunderstandings aren’t so bad after all.”

The Crown Prince and the Saintess had both apologized to her—and given her gifts! Smiling, Elizia stroked the pendant.

“Thank you, Frillien! You really didn’t have to apologize, but I’ll gladly accept the gift. What a true angel you are!”

She hummed happily, admiring it under the light.

Not that she planned to use it anytime soon. She wasn’t eager to poke the hornet’s nest—the temple was full of eyes and ears. Still, not being allowed in and simply choosing not to enter were two very different things.

Better to have it and not need it than the other way around.

Just as she was about to tuck everything away—

Ding-ding!

A clear chime rang out, and a system window appeared before her eyes.

!! Unexpected Surprise Choice Appears !!

Surprise Event: “The Choice of Gifts”

Elizia has received three gifts before the ball!

But not everything can stay in the villainess’s possession.

One gift must be discarded, its properties nullified forever.

Choose the one you won’t use:

The new dress from Finn.
The golden hairpin from Leonard. (Raises Leonard’s Affection significantly when worn.)
The Temple Guest Pendant from Frillien. (Allows entry into the temple.)

If you choose nothing, all three will be destroyed. Please select within 1 minute.

“…What?”

She stared.

One gift had to go?

Typical of this cursed status window. Every time something good happened, it found a way to ruin it.

And look—the system even spelled out the effects. That hairpin would raise Leonard’s affection? Just by wearing it? Unbelievable.

“Which should I give up?”

A high-quality hairpin that raised affection, a temple pass pendant, or a new dress.

The pendant was valuable, but even without it she could always sneak in if necessary. And it wasn’t like she planned to visit anytime soon. The dress, meanwhile, could be swapped out, no matter what the Duke said.

‘Still, if I have to choose…’

She picked up the hairpin with its ruby gleaming in the light.

“It’s a nice gift, sure… But.”

Beautiful though it was, she smiled faintly and declared:

“I won’t be using this one.”

Ding!

You have chosen Option 2! This item can never be equipped.

“Nn, fine, fine.”

She tossed it into a drawer.

Truth be told, that had been her plan all along. She’d never intended to wear the Crown Prince’s hairpin to the ball.

“If I did, he’d just misunderstand again.”

Just like last time, when she’d dressed up a bit and he’d assumed it was all for him. Smiling smugly, as though she’d done it to impress him. Ridiculous.

Worse, others might think she was competing with Frillien, or trying to flaunt herself. She had no interest in fueling gossip.

“And besides, the most important reason of all—”

She chuckled.

“…It doesn’t match the dress.”

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Ah, the importance of matching gear.

A dress you can run in >>> affection-raising hairpin.

“Sorry, Leonard. Blame the system, not me!”

She shut the drawer with a decisive nod.

‘Besides… even without such trinkets, he probably won’t care anyway.’

Probably.