Chapter 09
While briefly hearing information about a recently victimized young lady, I was also given details about the reading circle.
“The regular attendees are the host, Lillian Parneshula, Hailey Ginebra, April Lency, and me. Depending on the guests chosen each time, two or three additional people are added.”
“The regular members are quite few. How did you even get into something like that?”
“I’m pretty good at figuring out how to win favor with younger girls.”
Minabel spoke in a weary tone, as if she were much older than us, but then quickly changed her expression.
It seemed that talking about age was a sensitive topic for her.
“You’re the daughter of Rosena. When I said I brought you along because you received an invitation, everyone was shocked and immediately started saying they desperately wanted to host you.”
“I’m not exactly in a position to be ‘hosted’…”
“What are you talking about? If you want to build connections, you have to step into the center of things yourself. Don’t forget that.”
Minabel stayed up all night, explaining in detail the relationships between noble families, the personalities of various ladies, and their house dynamics until her eyes were bloodshot.
‘I don’t really understand why the emperor in this world must have red eyes. I also don’t fully understand why you’re so fixated on it, or even the nobles’ minds. But I do know that Parneshula is jealous of things she can’t have. The Rosena family has everything that would naturally provoke her.’
‘Oh, I see.’
‘So once you get what you need, you can end the reading circle there. Tia, what does the prince need most right now?’
That was when we decided on our target.
“Today, the person you should aim for is Lady Hailey Ginebra. Her family owns the largest mana stone mine, has strong ties with the Magic Tower, and is deeply involved in military supply businesses through generations of knightly marriages. And Lillian Parneshula… is simply someone you need to be careful of. She’s… skilled.”
Judging by Minabel’s uncertain expression, even calling her “skilled” didn’t seem sufficient.
Was this event really the right choice? I felt a bit uneasy, but it was too late to turn back now.
I had to trust Minabel!
“Don’t worry. Tia, as long as you keep a blank expression, people will automatically create stories about you.”
“Um… what do you mean?”
“It’s fine. Not knowing is better for you anyway! Yes, that’s the face. If anything, just keep that expression. That noble, slightly displeased look.”
“I was just confused. I didn’t understand anything you just said, Minabel.”
* * *
“Lady Rosena, thank you so much for visiting. I was worried our humble family might be lacking in hospitality.”
Lillian Parneshula was, at first glance, a beautiful girl.
It was hard to believe that the countless rumors and gossip that had sprung from her lips had ruined so many prestigious families.
But I knew better than anyone—based on my sister’s life and suffering—that people are never what they appear to be.
“Even if our Parneshula hospitality is 부족… I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Ah, Lady Cherita! Thank you so much for bringing Lady Rosena here!”
Lillian was excessively courteous toward me. Was it to show others her attitude?
Or to create the impression that I was the one pressuring her?
“You tend to look somewhat cold and noble when you stay quiet,” I had heard since childhood.
I relaxed my expression as much as possible.
“I heard it was difficult to be invited here, so I’m grateful you made space for me. It has been quite a long time since I’ve attended a gathering like this, so I hope I will not cause any inconvenience.”
“An inconvenience? Just your presence is an honor! There are so many who would give anything just to receive a reply from you, Lady Rosena!”
Ah. So that’s how it is.
They were trying to paint me as a cold woman who rejects everyone. And yet they couldn’t completely hide their own hesitation either.
She probably just couldn’t respond to letters because her wrist got weak and she fainted after writing five replies.
Of course, a lady of a count’s house shouldn’t treat the daughter of a duke’s house carelessly—but there was no need for such excessive deference either.
“May Parneshula flourish. As a small token of gratitude for the invitation, I brought a modest gift.”
It felt suspicious that the host alone came to greet me, but I didn’t show it and followed her inside.
“Everyone, this is Lady Flottie of House Rosena, from the ducal family. Thank you for honoring us with your presence.”
“I’m pleased to meet you. I’m honored to join such a fine gathering. It’s thanks to Lady Cherita here.”
Since Lillian showed no intention of properly acknowledging Minabel’s contribution, I directly pointed her out.
“If it weren’t for Minabel, I wouldn’t have had the courage to come at all.”
So don’t ignore my friend.
Ignoring Minabel’s emotional reaction, I took my seat, and the reading circle began with light refreshments.
At first, it proceeded like any other reading group, with simple discussion about books.
I had prepared for potential hostility or rapid-fire questioning, but they didn’t seem confident enough to challenge me, so only minimal responses were exchanged.
There was no need to use the signal Minabel had taught me, which was actually a relief.
“Ah, speaking of the magic tower mentioned in this heroine’s story, Lady Violet, your territory is near a magic tower, isn’t it? I heard you often interact with them.”
“Huh? Ah, yes.”
If only it had stopped at normal conversation.
With April’s remark, the topic subtly shifted.
The young lady sitting in the corner, who had been glancing at me repeatedly, lifted her head in surprise. Her voice sounded both nervous and slightly pleased at being addressed.
She looked very young—no more than thirteen.
Why was someone who hadn’t even had a debutante ball sitting here?
And come to think of it, she hadn’t had much chance to speak either.
Even if she couldn’t question me directly, she wasn’t even being given the chance to answer properly. That bothered me.
“Yes, yes… relatively speaking, there are many magical tools, and so…”
“I’ve heard there are those in the Magic Tower claiming that the sun rises incorrectly recently. But I lack insight, so I cannot understand what that means.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“The sun rises incorrectly?”
April’s exaggerated reaction, Lillian’s ignorant agreement, and young Violet in between.
And Hailey, sitting slightly apart, wearing an uncomfortable expression. It felt like watching a third-rate play.
The “sun” here referred to the imperial family.
In other words, the crown prince.
A statement that could be understood as denying the current crown prince—something any noble of age would recognize immediately. But the young lady likely didn’t fully grasp its meaning.
It wasn’t necessary for me to intervene, but I couldn’t just ignore a child being cornered like that.
“Lady Parneshula, it seems you have great interest in the Magic Tower.”
The Magic Tower was one of the factions that did not support Prince Vincent, so getting nobles entangled and accused would be troublesome.
Besides, it was the same place my sister had once belonged to… so perhaps I felt a slight sense of familiarity.
* * *
Hailey was the third daughter of House Ginebra.
She had grown up loved, independent, and mature for her age, admired endlessly by young men of her generation.
Most of it was due to her family background, but many were also drawn to her intelligence and admirable character.
Without a doubt, until then, Hailey had no intention of attending such a low-class reading circle.
However, everything began to unravel when a marriage proposal from Parneshula was sent to her childhood friend and fiancé—an engagement that had been made since childhood.
“I already met the lady and clearly told her it couldn’t be broken since we are already engaged, but she keeps sending threatening letters implying she knows the ‘secret’ of House Delphoi.”
“A secret?”
“I don’t even know what it is. My father also has no idea. It feels like they’re trying to fabricate one if it doesn’t exist.”
Her fiancé, Jaden Delphoi, a knight from a prestigious family, told her not to worry and that he would handle it.
But Hailey knew. She knew how many people had been destroyed by Parneshula’s schemes.
And she also knew that she was next.
