Episode 74
He had been so annoying before, indifferently refusing to help. Now, seeing him worriedly telling me not to do anything dangerous, it seemed like we had become closer.
“A tired bird being eaten by a hungry snake is just the law of nature.”
“No! You should save a poor bird like that!”
“If it were the aggressive bird that suddenly stomped on my face, I would gladly save it.”
I had no retort to that.
“Hmph. Whatever.”
I had come all this way and waited, only to waste time with pointless banter and gain no useful information.
‘But will it really be alright? The time and the feeling of Prea’s invitation to the exhibition are unsettling. I feel like something bad will happen.’
Seeing my deeply furrowed brows, Heron replied,
“Don’t worry. I’ll have a spirit watch over her. And you, too, Valerie.”
I saw Sylphs and Undines fluttering around me. It put me slightly at ease.
I was worried about Sylvia, but this exhibition was clearly targeting me. Something could happen to either of us.
The evening of the exhibition finally arrived.
Just in case, I had written a short note about today’s events and sent it with the cat that visited my window in the late afternoon.
‘I wonder if it arrived safely. He must be busy trying to find where the Second Prince’s funds are coming from.’
The Empress, who had taken control of the Imperial Palace and planted her people everywhere, was losing her grip as Aaron, the Crown Prince, started to take charge.
He would need a lot of political funds to secure military funds and sway nobles to his side, and the extravagant Empress probably wouldn’t have enough to cover it all.
‘There must be a connection somewhere. The novel wasn’t very detailed about this.’
“Lily, what are you thinking about again?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
I smiled and shook my head, and Sylvia gently took my hand.
“Tell me if anything’s bothering you. We’re friends.”
The word “friends” warmed my heart. I was keeping secrets from her because I didn’t want to worry such a kind person.
‘Prea has already approached me. She’s definitely planning to use me to do something to Sylvia.’
The only way to prevent harm to others and accurately understand her intentions was to get close to her, despite the danger.
I had thought it would be simple since she was just a character in a novel, but Prea, in person, was intelligent and difficult to read. If I wasn’t careful, Sylvia might get hurt.
“Sylvia is a precious friend to me.”
So please forgive me for keeping secrets from you.
With those unspoken words, I looked at the spirit fluttering around me. Since it was a spirit summoned by Heron, he would know if anything happened.
Feeling slightly reassured, I got out of the carriage with Sylvia and headed towards where Prea was waiting.
“You’ve arrived, Lady Veronica.”
“Thank you for the exhibition tickets. I’m looking forward to it. Is Lady Cartlow not coming today?”
“She said she wasn’t feeling well. And she seemed busy with her upcoming wedding.”
“Ah…”
“Since it can’t be helped, Lady Veronica, let’s enjoy the exhibition together. And behind you…”
Prea’s smile widened.
“Hello, Lady Seirthe. Thank you for including me.”
“You’re Lady Veronica’s cherished maid. It’s only natural to include you.”
It wasn’t a kindness I appreciated. It was the reason I was wearing this uncomfortable dress.
I couldn’t refuse since it was a gift from Sylvia. Despite me saying it was too much for a maid, Sylvia, seizing the opportunity, had dressed me up like a doll.
‘Just thinking about it makes me tired.’
“It seems you’re mindful even of the maid, considering the occasion. It’s a bit excessive, but it’s better than disrupting the atmosphere. And,”
Prea scanned me and smiled brightly.
“That dress suits you. You’re cute.”
Sylvia, forgetting her wariness, smiled and said,
“Right? She’s so cute that even I was surprised.”
I felt awkward, being complimented by the two most beautiful people in this world. I hoped no passersby would overhear and laugh at us.
“I’m so flattered to be complimented by such beautiful ladies.”
As I smiled and replied, Prea, unfolding her fan, coughed. Sylvia, placing her hand on my head, stroked my hair.
“Valerie, how about you stay at the mansion dressed like this all the time?”
“That’s too much, I’ll have to refuse, Miss.”
I didn’t budge, despite Sylvia’s instantly dejected expression.
“Then shall we go inside? The paintings are wonderful, but the jewels on display are truly rare, even at auctions, so they’re worth seeing.”
My eyes sparkled at the thought of seeing jewels. I enjoyed looking at the brilliance of jewels. Even when I was a bird, one of my small hobbies was watching the jewels I collected sparkle in the light.
After becoming human, I would also observe the mana stones I received from the Tower Master when I was bored.
“You seem excited.”
At Prea’s sudden words, I pressed my flushed cheeks and nodded. I had been wary of her before coming here, but now, anticipating the exhibition, I had completely forgotten about it. I was so simple-minded.
“You won’t be making that excited expression once you can see these every day.”
‘What does she mean?’
I looked at the spirits fluttering around me, wondering what she meant. But they were low-ranking spirits, so they couldn’t talk.
I played along with them as they playfully tugged at my hair and then carefully stepped back.
I felt uneasy, like I was missing something.
It was supposed to be a famous painter’s exhibition, but all I remembered was the dazzling brilliance of the jewels.
‘It was fun. I forgot all about being wary and just enjoyed myself.’
If I had been reincarnated as a rich noble lady, I would have been happy, collecting jewels and admiring them every day.
‘Reincarnated as a bird, threatened, struggling after leaving my nest, accumulating debt, practically bound to the Imperial Palace, and now, voluntarily becoming a maid.’
My life was quite a story. I patted myself on the back, feeling sorry for myself, and looked ahead.
Prea was talking to Sylvia, a kind smile on her face.
‘Seeing her like this, you wouldn’t think she dislikes Sylvia at all.’
She hadn’t done anything particularly strange today. It seemed like we could just get in the carriage and go back to the mansion.
But just as we were about to leave, the expected accident occurred.
“I apologize, Miss, but the carriage wheel is damaged…”
“That’s troublesome. There won’t be many carriages for hire at this late hour.”
As if waiting for this, Prea made Sylvia an offer.
“How about you take our carriage? It’s spacious enough for your maid as well.”
I lightly tugged on Sylvia’s hand, which was about to reach for Prea’s. And I smiled gently and replied,
“It’s alright, Lady Seirthe. We’ve already arranged for another carriage.”
“Is that true?”
I snorted inwardly. I had read romance fantasy novels for years. I had anticipated the cliché of a broken carriage.
“Yes. It will arrive soon.”
I had asked a spirit summoned by Heron to deliver a message, so it should be arriving soon.
Prea touched her chin with her left hand. Her raised eyebrows were sharp, as if displeased.
“I see. You’re well-prepared.”
Her cold voice didn’t match the heat of the summer night.
I desperately wished for the carriage to arrive quickly. Her piercing gaze was uncomfortable.
After waiting a little longer, the carriage finally arrived. Sylvia tilted her head.
“Valerie, is that… the Duke Clovis’ carriage?”
“Yes. I told him I was worried about traveling late at night, and he gladly offered to send a carriage. You two are close, after all.”
I deliberately called Cesar to appease Prea, who was wary of Sylvia’s closeness with the Crown Prince.
The carriage door opened, and Cesar stepped out. His eyes crinkled softly at the corners.
I felt his gaze on me. His lips parted slightly, and a sharp smile spread across his face.
‘See you later.’
I turned pale, understanding his unspoken words. I knew what I had done wrong.
I had ignored Cesar’s request to visit the Dukedom and sent a message asking him to come here, assuming the worst.
‘I should have phrased it more gently. But…’
It wasn’t a lie.
And at that moment, I could only think of Cesar, so I had to see him.
‘Is that a threat of retaliation…?’
Whenever Cesar exuded a menacing aura, his threat to throw me into the monster cage would come to mind, making me shudder.
Seemingly done talking to me, he finally turned his gaze to Sylvia.
“Sylvia, did you enjoy the exhibition?”
“I didn’t expect you to be here. My carriage broke down, and it was quite troublesome.”
“Really? Then that’s good. I received a message that you were traveling late at night while I was working nearby, so I brought another carriage.”
I tilted my head at his words.
If it were me, I would have brought only one carriage to be with the person I liked. Why would he bring two?