Chapter 52:
“Lady Vercia.”
Sue deliberately approached Vercia when she was alone. There was only one situation where the popular Vercia would be by herself.
“Lady Byron? What is it?”
Vercia, who had just come out of the restroom, stared at Sue blankly.
Is there even anything for us to talk about?
That was the look on her face.
Sue fidgeted, clenching and unclenching her fists, as she stood before Vercia, who was waiting for her to speak. The restroom was chilly, but she was sweating profusely.
She had known this day would come, but she hadn’t expected it to be today.
“Well? If you have nothing to say, I’ll be going.”
Vercia turned to leave, her voice laced with annoyance. Sue quickly composed herself and spoke in a sharp, stern voice.
“Aren’t you being a little too close to Master Fritz?”
It was a classic third-rate villain line.
Sue forced an even more malicious smile, overwhelmed by a surge of shame.
“…What?”
Vercia frowned, as if she had misheard. But Sue just shrugged, her expression brazen, confirming that she had heard correctly.
“What do you mean ‘what’? Didn’t you hear me? I think you’ve been getting a little too close to Master Fritz lately.”
“…Hah.”
A dark shadow fell over Vercia’s face. Sue groaned inwardly in fear.
Vercia, fooled by Sue’s well-practiced expression and tone, instinctively stepped back. But her face flushed red with indignation and humiliation at being reprimanded by ‘Sue Byron’. She clenched her fists, unable to contain her anger.
“Why should I listen to you, Lady Byron?”
“What do you mean ‘why’?”
“Huh?”
Sue retorted, holding out her hand as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Master Fritz is Lady Enzhe’s fiancé. You know that, right? Then why are you acting so friendly with him? You’re the one being strange. Why are you acting like this? Huh?”
She rattled off her lines, her voice sharp and mocking, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. She felt like an actress in a play adaptation of ‘Beyond the Tiny Droplet’. Vercia scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“Lady Byron, what right do you have to say that to me?”
“I’m saying it as the daughter of the Byron family, who always looks after Lady Enzhe.”
“Looks after her? Please…”
Vercia sneered, twisting a strand of her wavy brown hair around her finger. She looked down at Sue with a condescending gaze.
“I’m simply following Master Fritz as a temporary member of the September Festival committee.”
“……”
“Is it a crime to admire someone from the Fritz grand duke family? I assure you, I have no other feelings. You’re overreacting, Lady Byron. Lady Enzhe hasn’t even said anything.”
“……”
“Lady Byron, tell me again what’s wrong with my behavior.”
Vercia, while defending herself, seemed to be convinced by her own words, her shoulders straightening with confidence.
Sue didn’t say anything. Not because she had nothing to say, but because she didn’t want to.
‘What admiration? Please.’
But there was nothing wrong with Vercia’s slightly embellished words. Even if they were true, it wouldn’t change anything. As she had said, there was no reason for Sue to threaten her.
But Giona Vercia, who was looking down at her arrogantly, didn’t know that the truth didn’t matter.
A smug smile spread across Vercia’s face as Sue remained silent, convinced of her victory.
Sue finally had to say something she really didn’t want to say, just to make her back down.
“You need to know your place, Lady Vercia.”
“…What did you say?”
Sue looked down at her now. She widened her eyes to make it seem that way. And she smiled serenely. Like a third-rate villain.
“It’s pathetic for someone like you to admire the next head of the Fritz grand duke family. You’re making Master Fritz look bad.”
“…!”
Vercia, understanding what Sue meant, couldn’t contain her anger. But she gritted her teeth and endured it. She calmed herself down, her expression becoming composed. Then, she started to sneer at Sue.
“Lady Byron, I’ve always thought this, but aren’t you being a little too preachy for a Skia?”
“…Do I seem that way?”
“Yes. Didn’t you know?”
Vercia said, her voice firm. But her smile was strained, unlike before. Sue looked down and spoke slowly,
“…So you’re saying you won’t listen to a Skia, Lady Vercia?”
Vercia pretended to laugh.
“Hahaha! Oh my, if it was anyone else, I might take them seriously, but when Lady Byron talks about being a Skia, it’s just hilarious. I’m sure the other students feel the same way! Didn’t you know?”
No, I know. But they had been pretending not to.
They might both be viscount’s daughters, but their social standing was completely different. One was the daughter of a Lopetrefer ally, living in the capital, and the other was just an ordinary girl from the provinces who had gotten lucky and been admitted to Full Bloom.
But Vercia, no, none of the students at Full Bloom treated Sue like a Skia. They all knew how the Byron viscount family was treated in the capital. But only inwardly. They might have been subtly ostracizing Sue, but they rarely dismissed her ‘Skia’ status.
‘Well, it’s understandable.’
But someone’s personal opinion didn’t matter in this situation.
Sue didn’t care and looked back up at her, asking directly,
“So you’re saying it’s fine even if something happens later?”
“Ha…”
Vercia was speechless, even though she tried to act indignant. She must have heard a few rumors about Sue. No, she would know even better, having been in the same class for years.
Sue sighed inwardly, thinking it was finally over. But unfortunately, Vercia chose to continue her bluff. She laughed awkwardly.
“Haha… Haha! … This is ridiculous! Lady Byron, what do you think would happen if I went out right now and told the other students or the teachers about this?”
“I wonder?”
“What…!?”
She was being serious.
It wasn’t like it was a secret. Everyone already knew about Sue Byron bullying others, cursing at them, and even threatening teachers with her Skia status.
It wouldn’t be surprising if a few more incidents were added to the list. And if Enzhe was involved, she would make sure the details were kept vague.
‘I wonder what would happen if Noel found out…’
The image of the blue-haired boy flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
Vercia, feeling completely ignored, flew into a rage, pointing a finger at Sue and shouting,
“Lady Byron! You should spend more time reflecting on yourself instead of giving advice to others! I pity Lady Enzhe for having a maid like you!”
“…Ah, is that so? Thank you for the advice. I’ll keep it in mind. So I hope you’ll take my advice to heart as well, Lady Vercia. Please.”
“…! Stop interfering…! I’ll do what I want!”
Sue ignored Vercia’s grinding teeth and continued to persuade her calmly.
“I would prefer it if your admiration ended as soon as possible.”
“Really! Stop interfering! Do you think I would listen to someone like you?!”
Vercia threw her used handkerchief on the floor and stormed out of the restroom.
Class had already started, but Sue leaned against the wall for a while, trying to calm down.
***
The Noel count residence.
The deciduous trees lining the garden were ablaze with autumn colors, the leaves dancing in the wind. The mansion, seemingly basking in the beauty of autumn, was slowly being consumed by the color of death.
The flowers in the untended flower beds were wilted and faded, countless branches grew unchecked from the neglected tree trunks, and fallen leaves and trash littered the ground.
Even a child would know that the Noel count family was in a state of crisis.
Raines, leaving the deserted garden, stopped at the gate and looked up. The vast blue sky stretched out before him. It was a perfect autumn sky, ideal for the National Founding Festival.
‘Is it finally over today?’
But Raines’ mind wasn’t blue or clear.
He closed his eyes slowly. A heavy feeling lingered in his chest. But he didn’t care. Everything would be over today.
It was the night Leo had returned from his last meeting with Sue Byron. When Raines had spotted the sword he treasured on Leo’s right hip, he had lost his patience and practically shouted at him. Leo, unfazed, had stared at him intently, then smiled wryly and said,
‘I’m going to end it on the day of the National Founding Festival.’
Raines had felt a chill run down his spine the moment he heard those words.
‘Your wish will finally come true.’
The strangely deep voice still echoed in his ears.
‘On the day of the National Founding Festival… It’ll finally be over.’
Raines swallowed dryly. He knew exactly what would be over.
‘Am I happy?’
He had been asking himself that question over and over for the past few days, his hand in his pocket. But the answer, which he already knew, refused to leave his lips.
Today, Raines Noel Delpheman’s wish would finally come true. And the fulfillment of his wish meant…
‘Sue Byron’s death.’