TCBCVF 65

~Chapter 65~

“Of course, the Lady has become much softer than before. But from our side, we wish the Lady would open up to us a little more.”

Lady Sanchez spoke skillfully, using the word ‘we’ to pull the other three ladies in the book club to her side.

“That way, we can clear up the misunderstandings we have about the Lady, right?”

“Do you really think so?”

I asked back, shrugging, and looked at the other ladies.

“Lady Sanchez just said ‘we’, so let me ask the other three of you.”

“Huh?”

“Us?”

The startled ladies looked at me like frightened rabbits.

I tilted my head casually.

“Do you three still have misunderstandings about the Lady?”

Honestly, it was a little cheap of me.

Who would dare answer, ‘Yes, we misunderstand the Lady!’ right now?

But then again…

“Lady Sanchez was the one who started this sly tactic first, wasn’t she?”

The ladies looked at one another nervously.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“That’s…”

One lady hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.

“To be honest, it is a little difficult to approach her. But that’s only because she’s so noble, I’m afraid of making a mistake.”

“I never thought the Lady was being harsh to me either,” another lady added.

“Huh?”

I blinked.

Their faces were very serious.

It wasn’t like they were forcing themselves to answer just to avoid upsetting the Lady.

They really meant it.

“Of course, she doesn’t treat me as warmly as Lady Ansie, but that’s only because you two were close before.”

“That’s right. She’s actually much more approachable than I expected.”

The first lady who spoke continued carefully.

“You know, I’m a bit on the chubby side, right? But the Lady told me this…”

She hesitated, then looked down shyly.

“She said that if I manage my weight for my health, that’s my choice, but I shouldn’t do it because of what others think. She told me I’m already fine the way I am.”

The lady’s cheeks turned red.

“To be honest… I was really touched.”

Lady Sanchez flinched.

No surprise.

I had seen her give that same lady subtle glances many times before, as if to say, ‘Should you really be eating snacks when you’re that chubby?’

But Lady Sanchez’s problems didn’t end there.

“Actually, we’re thankful the Lady and Lady Ansie joined our book club,” Lady Sherwood spoke up, siding with us.

“You know our club isn’t exactly popular in high society, right?”

Her words had a sharp edge, and she even glanced at Lady Sanchez like she was criticizing the Peony group.

“But after the Lady and Lady Ansie joined, other ladies have started showing interest in our club.”

Lady Sherwood smiled brightly.

“So we owe the Lady and Lady Ansie a lot.”

“….”

Lady Sanchez bit her lip, cornered.

“Huh?”

At that moment, I noticed something unexpected.

A familiar piece of dress fabric was sticking out from behind a pillar.

It was a blue dress, the same color as the Lady’s eyes.

And today, the Lady was definitely wearing…

“The Lady?”

I widened my eyes.

“Why is the Lady hiding over there?!”

“I didn’t know Lady Ansie thought so seriously about me.”

Evangeline clenched her fists.

‘I didn’t even realize… I was just jealous that she had made other friends.’

Guilt washed over her like a tide.

Just then—

“Oh my, Lady?”

Someone suddenly spoke loudly to Evangeline, making sure everyone could hear.

“That voice… could it be?”

Evangeline frowned and turned around.

It was Seraphina, dressed extravagantly, like she was ready to attend a party at any moment.

‘It’s fine. Today, I won’t lose to the Lady.’

She had dressed up carefully, both to cheer herself up and because she expected to meet gentlemen.

It seemed to be a good idea.

Seraphina, holding a heavy vase in both hands, walked over gracefully and smiled brightly.

“Hello? I’m so glad to see you by chance like this. How have you been?”

“….”

“….”

The atmosphere fell silent.

Evangeline pressed her lips tightly together.

‘She did this on purpose, didn’t she?’

Seraphina’s goal was obvious.

She wanted everyone to realize Evangeline had been secretly listening to the ladies’ conversation, making things awkward for her.

Evangeline instinctively turned around.

‘Oh no.’

She realized Seraphina’s plan had worked perfectly.

The ladies looked at her in shock.

Lady Sanchez looked like her face had turned completely white.

‘What about Lady Ansie?’

Evangeline looked at Laritte in panic.

Laritte’s face was complicated.

‘What should I do?’

Feeling cornered, Evangeline tightly gripped her dress.

‘Lady Ansie… She defended me so sincerely.’

Guilt weighed heavily on her again.

‘I didn’t even know… and I was secretly eavesdropping…’

But then, something unexpected happened.

“Ah?”

Seraphina staggered, looking surprised.

Her high heels, matched with her dress, made her lose her balance for a moment.

But the problem was the vase in her hands.

The heavy vase full of white gerbera flowers and water shook violently as Seraphina wobbled.

Water splashed out of the vase.

“Lady!”

Laritte shouted loudly at Evangeline.

SPLASH!

The loud sound of water splashing echoed.

Evangeline squeezed her eyes shut.

But no matter how long she waited, she didn’t feel wet.

‘Huh?’

Evangeline slowly opened her eyes.

She gasped in shock.

“L-Lady Ansie?!”

Laritte, now soaked like a drenched rat, looked back at Evangeline urgently.

“Are you hurt? Did you get wet?!”

She only relaxed after checking Evangeline’s condition.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Evangeline was completely fine, except for her hem getting slightly wet.

“….”

Overcome with emotion, Evangeline bit her lip so hard it almost bled.

Her shoulders trembled, and then she suddenly raised her voice.

“Is that what you have to say right now?!”

“L-Lady?!”

Why was she suddenly angry?

Laritte’s eyes widened in confusion.

Evangeline quickly pulled out a handkerchief from her bag.

“Look, you’re completely soaked!”

She gently wiped Laritte’s face with the pure white handkerchief.

“What should we do now…”

Evangeline, almost in tears, kept wiping Laritte’s drenched dress.

Then, she whipped her head around and glared at Seraphina.

“Lady Lopez!”

At Evangeline’s sharp cry, Seraphina froze like a mouse facing a predator.