TCBCVF 63

~Chapter 63~

“Ah, Lady Claudius, is it?”

The priest quickly bowed politely.

“Thanks to the Claudius ducal family’s regular donations, our temple was able to open more orphanages even in the provinces. We’re truly grateful.”

The other young ladies widened their eyes and stared at the Lady.

Lady Claudius looked a little embarrassed.

“You may enter freely, my Lady. Flowers are placed here every day in the name of the Claudius family.”

“Thank you.”

“No, we should be the ones thanking you.”

After exchanging polite words with the priest, we all entered the chapel.

Far away, we could see the altar holding the goddess statue. Surrounded by vases filled with white flowers, the figure of the goddess was sculpted in the image of a loving mother.

It looked truly sacred.

The most eye-catching spot was, of course, the front of the altar, closest to the goddess statue. And among the many vases there, one stood out the most.

“Ah, look at that.”

One of the ladies whispered, her eyes wide.

“That’s the Claudius ducal family’s vase!”

The large vase overflowing with gerbera flowers had the name ‘Claudius’ engraved beneath it.

The ladies looked at Lady Claudius with sparkling eyes.

“The ducal family even excels in charity…”

“So amazing.”

At that moment, Lady Sherwood, the bookworm of the group, suddenly added,

“The Claudius ducal family is famous for faithfully fulfilling their moral duties as well as their noble rights. This is well explained in the book Royal Blood…”

“Th-that’s enough, you’re making me embarrassed.”

Lady Claudius waved her hands in fluster, her cheeks turning red.

The other ladies widened their eyes, surprised by her shy reaction.

Oh, she must be starting to warm up a little.

At first, she had kept her distance with a sharp attitude. But now, it seemed she was slowly blending in with the other ladies.

I smiled happily.

We each offered our tributes one by one.

But among us, there was still one lady who hadn’t given up on High Priest Evans.

“Um, my Lady.”

Lady Sanchez looked at Lady Claudius with a desperate expression.

“May I ask you for a favor?”

Lady Claudius turned to her with a clearly displeased expression.

But Lady Sanchez didn’t back down.

“Y-you’re related to High Priest Evans, aren’t you?”

“So what?”

“The book we selected this time… the High Priest is the author. If we could hear an explanation from the author directly, we’d understand the book much better…”

She tried to give excuses, but it was obvious she was just asking for a meeting with High Priest Evans.

What the heck is she even doing?

I was just… dumbfounded.

How could she ask something like that?

A person of the High Priest’s position isn’t someone you can just meet without an appointment!

Lady Claudius is definitely going to refuse, right?!

With that thought, I turned to Lady Claudius—

Huh?

I blinked in surprise.

Lady Claudius was quietly looking at me.

After a brief hesitation, she asked me in a complicated tone,

“Lady Ansie, do you also want to meet the High Priest?”

“No, not really.”

I shook my head firmly.

No matter how talented or handsome he might be, I didn’t want to meet someone like Seraphina.

Besides, you don’t even like High Priest Evans, right?

Even if I was curious about the male lead, Lady Claudius was far more important to me.

As soon as I gave my answer, Lady Sanchez glared daggers at me, but…

Not my problem.

I simply ignored her.

Lady Claudius looked troubled, glancing between me and Lady Sanchez.

“Fine. I’ll at least send a message to the priest.”

Of course, she would refuse—wait, what?!

“But I should warn you, there’s a high chance he’ll refuse.”

“Yes, of course! Thank you so much!”

Lady Sanchez’s cheeks flushed with excitement.

Lady Claudius shot me a brief glance before leaving the area.

I was left feeling dazed.

What was that?

Did she really agree to Lady Sanchez’s ridiculous request?

Normally, Lady Claudius would have refused outright…

Could it be… because Lady Sanchez seemed upset after hearing my answer?

Did she do this… for me?

I bit my lips tightly.

I knew this already, logically.

Because of the successful salon, the southern social event, and her regular attendance at this book club…

Lady Claudius’s arrogant reputation had softened a lot compared to before.

But it wasn’t completely gone.

Until now, we’d tried to keep things smooth and peaceful, but…

Lady Sanchez crossed the line first.

She barely even interacted with Lady Claudius, yet she dared make such a rude request out of obsession with a man?

Is she out of her mind?

I shot Lady Sanchez a sharp glare.

❖ ❖ ❖

At that time.

Seraphina stepped into the temple’s chapel.

She had heard that Lady Claudius was visiting the temple with the book club members and rushed to follow, hoping to create some connection.

But she couldn’t stop her pride from feeling wounded.

No, I’m here to make an offering to the temple. I didn’t follow them here…!

Seraphina reminded herself firmly.

At the entrance, she was about to sign the guest book when she suddenly froze.

[Laritte Ansie.]
[Evangeline von Claudius.]

Seeing the names written side by side annoyed her.

Seraphina glared at the names for a moment before forcing a sweet smile and calling a priest.

“Excuse me, priest. Did Lady Claudius offer flowers or a vase today?”

“Pardon?”

The priest looked at her as if she had asked something strange.

“Lady Claudius doesn’t need to bring separate offerings. There is always a vase placed in the goddess’s name on behalf of the Claudius family.”

“……”

Seraphina’s face stiffened slightly.

I really hate this.

Every time she was reminded of the overwhelming gap between herself and Lady Claudius…

It felt like Lady Claudius was a towering wall she could never surpass, no matter how hard she tried.

“Lady Lopez?”

The priest looked at the suddenly silent Seraphina with suspicion.

Seraphina quickly smiled sweetly.

“Then please, give me a vase as well.”

“A-ah, yes…”

The priest looked confused but handed her a vase.

Seraphina froze when she saw the price.

Oh no…

The smallest, most modest vase cost nearly a week’s worth of her living expenses.

Laritte had stopped supporting her long ago, and recently, Gregory had grown cold toward her as well.

I really need to cut down on living expenses somehow…

The heavy weight in her hands suddenly felt burdensome.

But…

I can’t let anyone see me discouraged.

Seraphina straightened her back and walked confidently, no matter how she felt inside.

Then…

Hm?

She stopped in her tracks.

From afar, she noticed a young lady hiding behind a pillar.

Her glittering golden hair and the most expensive-looking designer dress made her stand out.

From head to toe, she looked like a porcelain doll…

Lady Claudius?