Episode 37
“I didn’t think we would actually win.”
“You didn’t believe in me?”
“I believed you… halfway. You could’ve failed.”
This was our plan: First, Pides would lose on purpose over and over again, so people would start looking down on her. I would also bet money on the person going against her, pretending I believed she would lose.
Once no one wanted to bet on her anymore, I would suddenly bet a huge amount on Pides and win big when she finally won.
The young lady (Pides) originally wanted to raise the bet on the last game and take all the money for herself, but I convinced her it would look better if she had a partner in crime. Even though she saw through my plan, she agreed to share.
I wasn’t sure she could really win, but since she did, I was glad I trusted her. Honestly, if she had lost, I was planning to blame her and ask for the money back.
“So, did you earn a lot?”
“A scary amount.”
We both giggled like con artists. If someone found out how much we made, they might think we were professional scammers.
‘I came here to observe the atmosphere, but ended up just playing around with Pides.’
That thought crossed my mind briefly, but I quickly pushed it away. The more money we had for the army, the better.
“When are you going to stop with that annoying polite speech?”
“How could I speak casually to a noble lady like you?”
“Oh, come on!”
Even when she lowered her voice, she still sounded annoyed. She was like a sulky little sister, which made it fun to tease her.
“How long are you going to stay mad?”
“I’m not mad.”
“We didn’t used to be like this.”
Not that I knew what kind of relationship they used to have. I was an only child and didn’t know anything about making up with a sibling you fought with.
“Fine. Stay grumpy then. So childish.”
“I was going to anyway.”
I shrugged, and Pides laughed. She looked more relaxed than before. Maybe this was how sisters made up.
We slowly walked around and checked out the game tables. After watching a few games, I had a good idea of who would win.
“I think the person on the right will win this round.”
“Sir Tellia? Yeah, even if he’s bad at the game, he’s great at psychological battles. Must be a knight thing—he keeps a good poker face.”
Pides looked closely at the person I mentioned and said, “You’re really good at reading people.”
The king once said Carla wasn’t good at reading people, but her sister thought the opposite. It made me laugh to hear two different opinions from people close to Carla. I guess it made sense—everyone sees things differently.
“Or maybe the heavens finally gave you the ability to read people, since you’ve had such a hard life.”
That comment had a sharp edge. She might want to make up with Carla, but she still didn’t like the count. I felt the same, but I couldn’t say that out loud.
I looked away like I didn’t hear and started scanning the crowd. Since I was thinking about him anyway, I decided to check where the count was.
‘Huh?’
But he was nowhere to be seen. I looked around the entire hall, but still couldn’t find him. As I searched, Theodore quietly asked,
“Are you looking for someone?”
“I don’t see the count.”
Before I even finished my sentence, Theodore scanned the hall.
“He’s not in here.”
He must have good eyesight. But if the count really wasn’t in the hall, did he leave already?
We only brought one carriage. If he left first, I had no way to get home. While I stood there thinking, Theodore asked gently,
“Shall I go bring him?”
“Who?”
“You’re looking for the count, right?”
“There’s no need.”
I answered with a scoff. Theodore looked confused.
“Didn’t you want to speak with him? I can bring him.”
He offered kindly. I wondered if Theodore was worried about the count, but I replied a bit coldly,
“Of course not. I just wanted to make sure he didn’t leave without me. Since we only have one carriage.”
Then I turned my attention back to Pides. She was smirking like she was enjoying the show.
“Don’t worry. If he left, I’ll give you a ride in my carriage. Though I won’t guarantee the destination.”
“Wow, how thoughtful,” I replied sarcastically.
We both laughed and turned back to the games. Most of the matches were wrapping up, and the results were just as I had predicted.
Pides looked bored and swayed slightly. I pulled her away from the crowd and lowered my voice to ask something I’d been curious about.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Since when do we ask permission?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You won the last game. How did you do it? Was it just luck?”
Pides shrugged like it was nothing.
“Of course not. I memorized the card order.”
“What?”
I was shocked, but she casually explained.
“When the cards run out, the servant shuffles and puts them back. But they don’t shuffle randomly. There’s a pattern. So the order stays kind of the same.”
Memorizing all the cards sounded impossible. A deck had 52 cards, and even if each player had 10, that was a lot.
“You really memorized them all?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
She tilted her head like I was the weird one.
“You taught me how to do it.”
Should I be shocked that Carla taught her this trick, or that Pides actually managed to do it? I just blinked in silence. She sighed.
“Knew it.”
I couldn’t say anything. Even the king had threatened to kill me when he found out I wasn’t Carla. I didn’t want to imagine what family would do.
“You don’t remember, right? Anyway, you said if luck wasn’t working, there were other ways.”
Luckily, Pides didn’t press. Then she leaned in and said,
“You helped me win big. So now, tell me the real reason you came.”
“I already told you.”
“That lie? Come on. Atlas isn’t even worth befriending. Tell me the truth.”
She was suspicious and kept digging. But I couldn’t tell her Baron Yvonne’s secrets so easily. When I stayed silent, she crossed her arms and asked,
“Is the count giving you too little for your expenses?”
I didn’t know what others got, but Carla used to save the money and return it to the count. So, yes—it was like receiving less. My silence gave her the answer.
“Oh no… what about your dowry?”
That was definitely Carla’s fault. She got one mine back, but the rest was still with the count. I still didn’t speak, so Pides held her head and groaned.
“No wonder you dress like that.”
To be fair, I had decent taste. The fabric was good, and I tried to keep up with fashion. But Pides clearly didn’t approve.
“The sleeves are made from whale bone!”
I tried to defend myself, but she ruffled her hair in frustration.
“That’s not what I meant!”
She hit her chest like she was holding back a scream and yelled,
“You’re pretending not to know the things you taught me! Like what to wear to a party, what colors mean what! You said the social world gives meaning to even a breath!”
Her voice kept rising, and I grabbed her arm. People were starting to glance over.
“Please calm down, Lady Pides.”
“How can I? You were perfect before marriage, now you act like a fool. Something must have happened, and you won’t tell me!”
It was clear she really admired Carla. Even while shouting, she praised her. It wasn’t a bad feeling. Maybe all older sisters got this kind of treatment.
She then started listing things she learned. Navy blue meant “I’m tired, don’t approach me,” which explained why no one talked to me. Yellow meant happiness.
‘I didn’t know even dress colors had meaning. I really know nothing.’
Even if this world came from a book, it had its own rules. Especially the noble society Carla belonged to. It made me realize just how much I didn’t know.
“I’ve been living outside the social world for a while, so it makes sense you don’t like what I wear.”
But I couldn’t let her drag me into her anger.
“But Lady Pides, I’m a countess now. I have to listen to my husband. I’m not free like you.”
I subtly blamed the count, trying to say I wasn’t being stupid on purpose.
If she thought highly of Carla, I didn’t need to break that image. Her eyes lit up.
“Ah, I thought something was weird last time too. Carla would never greet guests in such poor clothes. It’s all that idiot count’s fault, isn’t it?”
She clenched her teeth. The nobles near us began to slowly move away.
“I should’ve slit his throat when he proposed! I’ll challenge him to a duel!”
She looked around furiously. Theodore quietly asked,
“Lady Carla, should I stop her?”
“Leave her. She’ll calm down.”
“Lady Pides is quite skilled. If she’d joined the Holy Knights, she could’ve been a good match…”
I couldn’t tell if he was worried for the count or just disappointed he couldn’t fight her. I grabbed her arm before she ran off.
“Stop. Sir Atlas is coming.”
Pides grumbled but quickly changed her expression. Just like that, she looked like a proper noble again.
