TCBCVF 20

~Chapter 20~

“Oh, right—I’m with the Duke right now!”

What I meant to say in my head ended up blurting out of my mouth.

I gave an awkward smile.

“I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

“No, Lady. It wasn’t thoughtless at all. Nor was it inappropriate. Why would expressing your opinion be out of line?”

His blue eyes stared directly into mine.

“I simply… wanted to hear your thoughts.”

I felt my mouth dry up.

After a moment’s hesitation, I spoke carefully.

“Maybe the nymph wanted to live on her own terms.”

The Duke raised his eyebrows, surprised.

“On her own terms?”

“Yes. Maybe she did love that god at first, but who’s to say that love stayed the same forever? We can’t know how she truly felt.”

The female lead of this world—Seraphina.

And Larit, who adored Seraphina so much she gave her body and soul to serve her.

But admiration doesn’t have to last forever, does it?

“When she turned into the birch tree, how do we know she was only sad? Maybe she finally let go of that exhausting one-sided love and felt free.”

I finished my thought carefully.

“You could say the nymph finally found freedom.”

Just like how I, after long years of devotion, finally let go of my admiration for Seraphina.

How I chose to go against the heroine and stop being her doormat.

Wait— I snapped back to myself.

Was I getting ahead of myself just now?

Had I just given a full speech in front of the Duke…?

Luckily, he didn’t seem displeased at all.

“That’s a unique interpretation. Very intriguing.”

His eyes sparkled with interest, and he nodded lightly.

“I’ve never thought of it that way before. But it makes sense.”

…If anything, he actually seemed to be enjoying this conversation.

Then he added softly:

“Now that I think of it, ever since Eva started spending time with you, she’s become more proactive.”

“The Princess?”

“Yes. Honestly, I didn’t expect her to start studying to take on the role of lady of the house.”

A small smile lifted the corners of the Duke’s eyes.

“I suspect she’s been influenced by your intellect, Lady Ansi.”

…Compliments still felt so unfamiliar.

This odd fluttering sensation.

Get a grip, Larit.

Trying to hide my awkwardness, I quickly smiled.

Don’t get too excited and mess things up.

Thankfully, at that moment, the Duke turned his gaze toward the Princess standing far away.

“Personally, I’m glad. Eva seems much brighter these days.”

Warmth flickered across his icy blue eyes.

Still gazing at his sister, the Duke spoke calmly.

“I’m truly happy that she’s made such a good friend.”

He looked like a genuinely caring older brother.

It made me feel… strange.

A man this kind, who’d one day fall for Seraphina and send his sister to a convent?

I just couldn’t imagine it.

“It’s all thanks to you, Lady.”

“Not at all.”

I quickly shook my head.

Maybe it had just been too long since I’d been recognized like this.

…My heart thudded without reason.

Huh?

Elsewhere, Evangeline, who had been greeting guests, turned her head.

Her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Lady Ansi and my brother look really close, don’t they?”

Her gaze lingered on Larit and Dietrich, walking side by side and observing artwork.

They didn’t look like people meeting for the first time—they seemed quite familiar already.

They chatted, exchanged glances, and even smiled at each other.

“What’s going on?”

Truthfully, Dietrich was the type to keep people at arm’s length.

Polite on the surface, but rarely opening up to anyone.

Seeing him smiling so openly in front of others—it had been a long time since that happened.

What’s more…

“Oh my, the Duke and Lady Ansi are together?”

“Who knew the Duke could look so relaxed?”

“I thought he was always strict and composed…”

Apparently, Evangeline wasn’t the only one who thought they looked close.

She perked up her ears.

Just then, the conversation turned toward her.

“Come to think of it, didn’t the Princess and Lady Ansi seem very close too?”

“Yes, I saw that as well!”

Another noblewoman chimed in.

“The Princess even linked arms with Lady Ansi, can you believe it?”

“They looked quite friendly.”

Hehe.

Evangeline felt a surge of pride.

“See? I do have friends!”

The noble ladies continued chatting in low tones, covering their mouths with fans.

“Honestly, it was surprising. I thought the Princess didn’t associate with anyone.”

“Turns out she’s more approachable than we thought.”

To summarize the chatter: “We’re seeing her in a new light.”

Oh?

Evangeline blinked.

“So Lady Ansi’s advice is really working?”

Excited, she slowly approached the group of noble ladies.

She nearly burst out with:

“Really? Do I really look close with Lady Ansi?”

But she caught herself just in time.

Wait—can’t let them see me too excited.

After all, she was the hostess of the salon, the Empire’s only princess, and the lady of House Claudius.

She had to maintain a certain grace.

Putting on her most composed face, she spoke with poise.

“What are you ladies chatting about? I thought I heard Lady Ansi’s name…”

The noblewomen, startled, quickly turned to her.

“P-Princess, we…”

Caught off guard, they glanced at each other in panic before bowing deeply.

“We’re so sorry!”

“We shouldn’t have spoken about Your Highness so casually…”

Evangeline narrowed her eyes.

Seriously. Do they think I’m going to bite or something?

She knew her reputation in social circles wasn’t the greatest.

But still—was all this fear really necessary?

“I’m not angry, you know.”

“We’ll be more careful in the future… Pardon?”

The noblewomen looked up, stunned by her unexpected response.

Evangeline shrugged.

“You were right. Lady Ansi and I are super close.”

“P-Princess?”

“So there’s really no need to apologize like that.”

She flashed a sweet, charming smile.

“Did you know? When I was preparing this salon, Lady Ansi helped me a lot.”

“S-She did?”

The noblewomen stared at her in confusion.

Evangeline lifted her chin proudly.

“The layout of this venue—isn’t it quite easy to navigate?”

“Ah, yes.”

“It’s pleasantly simple.”

They nodded cautiously.

Evangeline couldn’t hide her satisfaction.

“Right? You all think so too, don’t you?”

She became so excited, she forgot all about grace or composure.

“It’s all thanks to Lady Ansi’s detailed advice. And the flower decorations too…”

She went on and on—whether it was praise or bragging or trying to show off their bond was anyone’s guess.

Eventually—

“Anyway, I’m off to find Lady Ansi now. Please enjoy the rest of the event.”

With a lively farewell, she strode off confidently.

“……What just happened?”

“I… I really thought she was going to explode.”

The noblewomen looked at one another like they had seen a ghost.