RYL Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Today was the day I was supposed to meet Lady Simona at a coffee shop. Originally, it was just the two of us, but Lilianne insisted on coming along because she was worried. After getting Simona’s approval, we decided to meet as a group of three.

“You two seem to be very close,” Simona remarked with a confident smile.

Lilianne responded with an elegant smile of her own.
“Of course! Claire and I are very close friends.”

Huh? Lilianne is in her Ice Queen mode today.

For some reason, sparks flew between Lilianne and Simona as they locked eyes.

“Oh my, should I be jealous?” Simona teased.

What? Jealous of what?

Why does Lilianne look like an angry cat with her fur standing on end?

Hmm… if I think about the original story, this is a meeting between the male lead’s first love and his future fiancée. Maybe that’s why Lilianne is acting this way? Even though their relationship would become meaningless once the female lead appeared…

Come to think of it, that male lead acted all devoted but was actually tangled up with so many women. He even flirted with me!

Wait, this isn’t the time to think about that.

Feeling awkward between the two, I subtly poked Lilianne’s side, signaling her to calm down. She pouted but stayed quiet.

As I sipped my tea, I glanced at Simona and slowly started speaking.

“Do you happen to know about social clubs, Lady Simona?”

She looked at me with curiosity.

“I heard they are places where people hide their identity and status to exchange hobbies and information. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?”

My casual words piqued her interest, and she rested her chin on her hand.

“Are you interested in social clubs, Claire?”

“I’m curious. But since they’re secretive, I feel a bit nervous about them…”

“Is that so? If you’d like, I can go with you,” Simona said proudly, crossing her arms.

I secretly smirked but put on a touched expression.

“Really? Neither Lilianne nor I have any experience with those.”

“Of course. I don’t go often, but I get invited to various social clubs quite frequently.”

Hmm, Simona’s kind of cute when she brags.

Holding back a smile, I pulled out a few invitation cards from my pocket.

“I actually have an invitation to a newly established social club. It’s called Clina Salon.”

I handed her the invitations.

“Feel free to share the extra invitations with your acquaintances. You’re more connected in these circles than I am.”

I didn’t want anyone other than Lilianne and Sabrina to know that I was the owner of the salon just yet. If word got out, people’s perception of me could affect business.

Simona read the invitation aloud.

“Clina Salon? I’ve never heard of it before. And… Madame Clina? I suppose that’s a pseudonym (A false or fictitious name).”

Wow, she’s sharp. No wonder she has a villainous reputation.

While Lilianne and I tensed up at her keen observation, Simona simply smiled.

“I was actually thinking of leaving my current social club since it’s becoming… impure. This is perfect timing.”

I tilted my head at her choice of words.

“Impure? What do you mean?”

She sipped her tea before replying nonchalantly.

“There are more and more people spreading baseless rumors.”

She continued with a sly smile.

“In places like that, gossip is usually exaggerated. But lately, there are people spreading outright lies with no evidence.”

Then she smirked.

“That’s actually how I first heard about you, Claire.”

“Huh? About me?”

I widened my eyes in surprise.

“Can I ask what kind of rumors?”

Simona chuckled.

“They say you tried to steal the spotlight at my banquet and become the ‘star of the party.’ And recently, there are even rumors that you’re empowering your stepmother and stepsister to take over the Count’s household.”

Lilianne slammed the table in anger.

“That’s ridiculous!”

Simona simply smiled.

“I didn’t believe the rumors entirely. That’s why I tested you at the party. But you turned out to be completely different from what I expected… and rather interesting.”

She even winked playfully.

I forced an awkward smile.

Wait, does she like me more than I thought? Is this okay…?

“I hope this new salon carefully selects its members,” Simona mused as she tucked the invitation away.

Her words made me think. I really should be selective about who gets invited if I want to keep the salon’s reputation clean.

But who would spread such ridiculous rumors about me?

Lately, Lilianne, Sabrina, and I have been the talk of high society, attracting jealousy.

One thing was clear—the person spreading the rumors knew about my invitation to the Duke’s banquet and wanted to turn Simona against me.

And most importantly, they didn’t want me to become the heir to the Count’s family.

As I thought about it, a certain someone immediately came to mind.

* * *

At the Count’s Dining Room

Dinner was unusually quiet.

As always, the Count was away on business, leaving only my stepmother, my stepsister Sophia, and me at the table.

To be honest, I usually avoided eating with them. But tonight, I made sure to be there on purpose.

Even though I had enough evidence to tell the Count and drive them out, I hadn’t done so yet for one reason.

Divorce was not easy unless there was a major fault. It always came with a price—compensation.

Such a pathetic and incompetent mother and daughter—why should I share the wealth of the Count’s estate, which I will inherit in the future?

That’s impossible.

So, I’m just waiting for the right moment.

Waiting for the day when these useless parasites, driven by hunger, fall into my trap…

“Was everything alright at the Duke’s banquet?”

Stepmother awkwardly smiled as she asked.

“There was nothing for you to look forward to, so don’t worry.”

I had deliberately not taken my stepmother and Sophia to the Duke’s banquet.

It served as a reminder that I held a higher position in the Count’s household than they did.

Ophilia was probably hoping I’d make a mistake at the banquet.

“Oh dear, what do you mean by that? It’s not like I was expecting anything to happen….”

Ophilia avoided my gaze as she spoke.

‘Was Ophilia the one who spread those ridiculous rumors?’

She was the person most displeased with me becoming the Count’s heir.

But she also understood better than anyone that I now had the upper hand in this household.

With the Count on my side, she knew that opposing me would be foolish.

My gaze shifted to Sophia, who, for once, was keeping quiet.

I recalled the argument we had over the Duke’s banquet.

She had wanted to attend so badly, and I told her that if she begged me properly, I might consider it.

But Sophia, whose pride was higher than the sky, refused to come to my room and ask.

She must still be fuming with resentment.

Thinking about it, I naturally suspected her of spreading those rumors.

Calmly, I cut a piece of bacon and spoke.

“Sophia, were you upset that I didn’t take you to the Duke’s banquet?”

At my question, Sophia flinched and glanced at me before replying.

“Not really.”

I couldn’t accuse her without proof. If she denied it, that would be the end of it.

So I smiled sweetly and continued.

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might have taken it to heart. By the way, have you been attending any salons lately?”

Hearing me speak in the gentle tone of the old Claire, Sophia frowned in irritation.

“What does it matter to you whether I go to a salon or not?”

Annoyed by her sharp tone, Ophilia gave her a warning look.

But Sophia only grew more frustrated.

“Mom, why are you acting like this lately? What’s so important about the heir position?!”

“You foolish girl! Stop speaking without thinking!”

Unlike the empty-headed Sophia, Ophilia at least had enough experience to be quick-witted.

Looking at the two of them, I smiled.

“Actually, I got an invitation to a newly opened salon. But as you know, I’ve been too busy with my duties as the heir to attend such places.”

Hearing that, Sophia’s eyes lit up with interest.

“A newly opened salon…? Are you talking about the Clina Salon?”

Gotcha. She took the bait.