TCBCVF 60

~Chapter 60~

‘Huh?’

I was pulled forward a few steps and looked at the person with a surprised expression.

It was the princess.

“How long are you going to stand out here talking?”

At the same time, the princess’s sharp voice lashed out at Lady Sanchez.

“We need to go inside. Don’t you know the other ladies are waiting?”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Lady Sanchez apologized awkwardly.

The princess barely acknowledged the apology and tightly grabbed my arm.

Then she turned her cold voice on me.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going in?”

“Ah, yes.”

Caught in the middle, I broke out in a cold sweat.

‘Wait, why is the princess upset again?!’

“From today, Lady Sanchez will be joining our club.”

Lady Sherwood spoke with an awkward smile.

“Countess Sanchez personally spoke to my mother about it.”

She glanced sideways at Lady Sanchez.

“I never imagined Lady Sanchez would be interested in our club… but I’m happy.”

It was clear her words were just polite formality.

‘Well, of course.’

The reading club members weren’t fools.

Until now, Lady Sanchez had belonged to Peony, the most popular social group in society.

And the ladies in that group all looked down on other clubs.

Lady Sherwood, however, had always been sincere about the reading club and worked hard to grow it—even sending me an invitation herself.

In that situation, Lady Sanchez had suddenly joined through her parents’ connections…

‘Of course they’d be annoyed.’

But it would be difficult to refuse.

Whatever their personal feelings, Lady Sanchez was still an influential lady in society.

“Please, everyone, take good care of Lady Sanchez from now on.”

Lady Sherwood finished with a half-dead expression.

“Nice to meet you.”

“I never expected to see you here.”

The other two ladies gave polite greetings, though their faces were also reluctant.

Meanwhile, the princess refused to leave my side.

“Sit here.”

She personally directed me to the seat next to her.

“Ah, these madeleines are good.”

She even pushed the plate of snacks toward me.

She was acting like a cat guarding its owner from others.

‘No, what a disrespectful thought to have about the princess…’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

Just then—

“Um, can I recommend a book this time?”

Lady Sanchez asked with a bright smile.

“…”

Lady Sherwood’s eyes immediately turned icy.

Normally, the club members shared impressions of previously read books, then discussed together to choose the next book.

Lady Sanchez’s suggestion ignored the club’s rules.

But…

“Sure. What book would you like to read?”

Lady Sherwood nodded reluctantly, unable to openly refuse.

Lady Sanchez beamed.

“I’d like 101 Easy Bible Stories!”

It was a simplified book of Bible stories, once a bestseller in the Empire.

Not because it had great intellectual value, but because its author was famous.

Isaac Evans.

He was the heir to the Evans Marquisate, a branch of the Claudius family, and an elite priest in the Great Temple.

At a young age, he had been recognized for his ability and was promoted to High Priest, second only to the Grand Priest, just three years after receiving his priesthood.

Only two High Priests existed at any time, and Isaac was the youngest ever.

He was also handsome, and since priests in the temple were encouraged to marry, he was extremely popular among the ladies.

Of course, the most popular man was still the Duke.

But I remembered Isaac for another reason.

‘So I hear the name of the second male lead here.’

Isaac was one of the male protagonists who would become involved with Seraphina.

“Well, that book is a good choice.”

As expected of a book lover, Lady Sherwood started to explain.

“It explains the Bible stories in an easy way for the general public… that’s impressive in itself. And—”

Lady Sanchez rolled her eyes impatiently.

“Ugh, that’s not the important part!”

“Huh? Then what is?”

“Obviously, High Priest Evans himself!”

Lady Sanchez’s eyes sparkled like stars.

“I heard he’s so handsome!”

“…”

Lady Sherwood’s gaze turned even colder.

I was also a bit speechless.

‘Isn’t she making it too obvious she doesn’t care about reading?’

Even the princess wrote reviews for every book!

But Lady Sanchez was practically glowing with excitement.

“He rarely leaves the Great Temple, but whenever he does, people flock to see him!”

She clenched her fists and made a suggestion.

“So, how about we all go to the Great Temple for our next meeting?”

“…The Great Temple?”

“Yes! Who knows? We might get to see High Priest Evans, even from a distance!”

Lady Sherwood looked frustrated and opened her mouth slightly, as if to stop her—

But she quickly closed it again.

She didn’t have the courage to object.

The other two ladies, on the other hand, seemed curious.

Which was understandable.

They were all young debutantes in society, easily excited by little things.

And the topic of conversation was none other than the rumored High Priest Evans.

“Well, I’ve heard he’s very handsome too.”

One lady cautiously added.

“My sister says services aren’t boring at all. Just looking at the High Priest makes it fun.”

Another quickly agreed.

“Aside from the Duke, he’s the most outstanding young man out there.”

“He’s not just handsome; he’s also extremely capable. That’s so attractive.”

I didn’t like Lady Sanchez’s pushy behavior at all, but…

‘The second male lead, huh.’

Curious, I quietly joined the conversation.

“Is High Priest Evans really that amazing?”

“Of course! No one has ever been promoted that quickly, and I hear he’s trusted both inside and outside the temple.”

Lady Sanchez continued to gush over High Priest Evans.

Meanwhile, the princess kept her lips firmly shut.

She alternated her sulky gaze between the ladies and me…

‘Wait, why is she looking at me like that?!’