“…”
“Lady Cecilia.”
Harken grabbed Cecilia’s shoulders and shook them as she stood there dazed.
Cecilia looked as though she were in shock at my calm voice, which held no hint of accusation. I couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
“Liana… you…”
I waited for Cecilia to finish her sentence, but a shrill voice cut through her words like a blade.
“Oh my! Liana!”
“?”
I heard the sound of hurried footsteps, and suddenly, two figures appeared.
It was Margareta and Evan.
Margareta’s hairstyle was as extravagant as ever today. It was tied high with a large ribbon, while her side hair was intricately braided.
Dressed in a light outing gown with a shawl draped over her shoulders, Margareta was naturally linking arms with Evan. Evan, too, seemed to find it natural, as he didn’t pay any mind to her arm at all. Since marriage talks were underway, this was likely a normal sight, but it felt strange to me because I had never seen them like this before the regression.
“What brings you two here?” I asked, a bit taken aback.
The suffocatingly heavy atmosphere was broken by Margareta’s appearance. The air instantly felt lighter, and the tension in my shoulders dissipated. I must have been nervous without realizing it.
It was almost the first time I had seen Evan acting so affectionately with Margareta. And right in front of Cecilia, at that.
However, that was all in the past now. I had to be careful not to be disrespectful to Margareta, who was currently in marriage negotiations with Evan.
“We just came out for a short stroll. Well, the weather is so nice that we could even go further. Right, Evan?”
“That sounds fine.”
When Evan gave a vague answer, Margareta’s eyes, which had been soft and affectionate, turned sharp.
‘He could have just said he liked the idea. Why speak so ambiguously and risk upsetting Lady Margareta?’
I unconsciously narrowed my eyes at him, causing Evan to let out a short, dry laugh.
“What? Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”
It was Margareta who felt better thanks to that small laugh. Her grumbling voice was now tinged with a smile.
“By the way, what are you going to wear to the welcoming party?”
“The freshman welcoming party?”
So even Margareta was concerned about that. I didn’t want to go because I was already getting a headache thinking about what would happen there. Why are you so certain that I’m going!
“Hmm. Well, everything would suit you. Since it’s spring, maybe pale yellow? Or light green? I think one of those two would be good.”
“I don’t really have a preference for colors. As long as it’s not a very dark color… no, more importantly, I haven’t decided yet. I might not even go…”
“Why? Why wouldn’t you go? You must go. The principal will be there, so wouldn’t it be easier for everyone to greet each other then? Otherwise, you’ll have to greet him separately. You know you can’t just ignore these things because of the Duke.”
Margareta had a look in her eyes that asked, ‘Why would you do something so troublesome?’
Well, Margareta was right.
“She’s right. If you don’t have a specific reason not to go, wouldn’t it be better to attend?” Evan added.
“See? So, have you not even commissioned a dress yet?”
Margareta wore a serious expression.
Cecilia stood still, watching us. She looked like a ghost because her face was exceptionally pale. Harken was also glaring at me with a grim face. It was an expression that seemed to ask, ‘Is this what you call manners?’
If Evan hadn’t been here, he probably would have asked exactly that. Or he would have grabbed Cecilia’s wrist and left the scene.
If I cut off the conversation here, I would be the one being rude. Lady Margareta doesn’t leave any openings. ‘Don’t you two know etiquette?’
We were inside the Academy, but it wasn’t class time… If we assumed this was private time, Margareta was a noblewoman rather than just an Academy student. If she was treating me as a noble, it was proper etiquette to show her respect first.
Because Margareta was the precious only daughter of the Torento Duchy.
“It’s a casual event, so I was planning to dress modestly. In fact, even the school uniform wouldn’t matter.”
If I was just going to show my face, the attire didn’t matter.
And if I went wearing an expensive dress… Ugh, what was it like before the regression? I think I was scrutinized quite a bit. Without even having to look back, it was the same this time. Since whispers followed even somewhat fancy outfits, the welcoming party’s outcome was obvious.
‘This was my own negligence. I should adjust my outfit from now on.’
Naturally, wearing a dress would highlight a severe difference in wealth. Memories of being hurt by people saying I didn’t know how to be moderate resurfaced vividly.
—
‘Wow… is it because she’s from a ducal family? Her wealth is on another level.’
‘Well, I admit our ranks are different, but is it really necessary to act like that even at the Academy?’
‘I know, right? Seriously, she’s so obnoxious.’
‘Forget it. She’s doing it on purpose, so it’s better to just ignore her. Is it something to be proud of, wearing such an over-the-top dress to a welcoming party? Lady Cecilia, who dressed modestly, is much more beautiful.’
‘You’re right. Really. Aren’t those two friends?’
‘I heard they’re best friends.’
‘Then why did she have to wear a dress like that? Honestly, how would Lady Cecilia feel, let alone us? It’s embarrassing. What family did you say Lady Cecilia was from? A Viscount? Where was it again?’
‘I don’t know. How could I memorize every single lower noble family? Hoho.’
‘Since her estate is tucked away in some rural corner, she’s staying at Lady Liana’s mansion. Then Liana could have at least provided her with one good dress.’
‘Don’t the wealthy always act like that?’
‘Hoho. That’s true too.’
—
“Liana?”
Wow. I didn’t realize I remembered it so clearly. The sound of their gossiping felt like it was drumming against my head.
Back then, after hearing those whispers, I felt both sorry for Cecilia and embarrassed. I didn’t want to go through that again.
“What’s wrong? Do you have a headache?”
Evan furrowed his brows.
Margareta unlinked her arm from Evan’s and strode toward me. She examined me up and down.
“No. I was just taking a moment to think of a suitable dress. I’m sorry.”
I needed to stop getting lost in thought while in front of people, but I had been doing this frequently since the regression.
“Are you really okay?”
Her genuine concern felt strange and unfamiliar. When I stepped back, Margareta tilted her head.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly fine.”
“Never mind. Don’t apologize. More importantly, what do you mean by a school uniform? No matter how minor the event is, you must dress according to your status. Do you want to go with me? Oh, you have a place you go to separately, right?”
Margareta lightly clapped her hands together.
“Of course! I’m sure there’s a renowned tailor at your mansion. There’s no way there wouldn’t be, considering it’s a Duke’s house. Right?”
Margareta seemed excited for some reason.
For a moment, I felt guilty as I recalled the salon I had visited in the capital with Cecilia, Evan, and Harken.
“That is true.”
“Then what’s the problem? Just get one made.”
“Margareta, why are you so obsessed with a dress?”
“Evan. If you don’t know anything, stay out of it. This is a matter of a woman’s pride.”
“Pride over a mere dress.”
When Evan chuckled softly, Margareta turned serious.
“Isn’t it much better than men throwing punches over nothing?”
“I don’t throw punches. That sort of thing is just vanity.”
Perhaps he said that because he was Evan, who had grown up seeing only the most expensive things in the Imperial Palace.
“There are times when vanity and ostentation are necessary.”
“I don’t know. In the end, it’s just outward appearance. What matters is what’s inside.”
How did the conversation about dresses lead to this…
Evan seemed to be talking about something else entirely by himself. His eyes were deeply sunken. The atmosphere became incredibly heavy.
Margareta’s lips trembled.
It felt like there was a story known only to the two of them. Margareta, catching her breath, suppressed her anger and forced a smile.
I wanted to praise her, saying, ‘Well done, Margareta!’ It seemed that since our tea time together in the dormitory room, she had been trying to restrain her fiery temper.
“Any…”
“Master Evan, hello!”
“…way, think about it carefully, Liana. It could be a fairly important issue.”
An awkward silence followed.
Cecilia was smiling brightly as if a refreshing breeze were blowing, and Margareta… had an expression of absolute fury.
Cecilia… she hadn’t listened to a word I said earlier. Her timing for jumping in was the worst. What was even more stifling was her innocent smile that seemed to ask what was wrong.
“Ce…”
“Thank you, Lady Margareta! I’ll think about it carefully. Um. Can I ask you more about the dress next time? I have some concerns.”
I stepped forward and gently took Margareta’s hand. As I held and patted her trembling hand, she seemed to gradually calm down.
“…Fine.”
‘Well done!’
Her voice was strained, as if she were speaking through gritted teeth.
‘Yes, yes. You’re doing a great job holding it in!’
I smiled brightly and nodded toward her. The heat in her amber eyes seemed to slowly fade away.
‘Evan. I’m sorry for cutting you off, but if I hadn’t, a fight would have broken out.’
“Since our conversation got long, we didn’t get to greet each other. I was having a light tea with Cecilia and Harken.”
“I see. Well, nice to meet you.”
Margareta greeted them reluctantly.
“Greetings.”
“…Hello.”
Harken and Cecilia greeted them in turn.
Margareta only twitched an eyebrow.
“Cecilia. You’re dressed quite thinly.”
“Yes. But I’m okay! Master Harken lent me his coat, and Liana even brought me a blanket.”
‘You didn’t even use that blanket.’
Cecilia held up the blanket she had tossed onto the chair as if boasting about it.
At her childlike behavior, a smile flickered across Evan’s face. It wasn’t the usual mask-like smile, but a warm, relaxed one.
Margareta likely felt the same way.
With her face distorted in extreme displeasure, Margareta crossed her arms and glared openly at Cecilia.
“Harken. I was wondering what you were doing.”
“Did you not say the same, Master Evan? You told me to look after Lady Cecilia from time to time.”
Oh my god.
My mind went blank at Harken’s words. Did I really just hear that with my own two ears? Didn’t you just say earlier that I was right and that you would take my advice?
“What? You. What did you just say?”
*Snap.* I felt like I could hear the faint thread of reason and self-control remaining in Margareta’s mind finally snapping.
“Harken.”
Evan called his name as if to reproach him, but Harken seemed to have no intention of keeping his mouth shut.
“It is exactly as I said. Master Evan told me to take care of Lady Cecilia.”
“Take care? Who? Of whom?”
Margareta tilted her head as she uncrossed her arms from Evan’s. Her gaze was chilling.
“Master Evan told me to take care of Lady Cecilia.”
‘Harken, you’ve lost your mind. Can’t you see that look in her eyes? You’re pouring oil on a burning fire.’
Margareta’s face turned beet red. It looked like she was about to explode.
“Ha, Harken… Master Evan, is that true? Why would you…”
Cecilia’s blue eyes blinked. I realized for the first time that her blushing cheeks and moved expression could drive a person crazy in a different sense.
However, Evan was looking at me, not Cecilia. His face didn’t look like he held any personal feelings for Cecilia. He looked troubled, as if he were contemplating something.
But if he didn’t have feelings for Cecilia, there was no reason for him to make such a personal request to Harken.
“Cecilia. Why don’t you talk to Master Evan a bit later?”
‘No, let’s just end this gathering first.’ I tried to change the subject.
I needed to send Evan and Margareta away separately too…
“Master Evan… was it a ‘secret’?”
“…Ha!”
Cecilia’s last words must have been the trigger.
Exhaling a sharp breath, Margareta…
“Wait! Margareta…!”
Before I could stop her, she walked toward Cecilia without hesitation.
‘I don’t know what it is, but stop!’
“Margareta Torento!”
Evan also rushed to stop her, but…
“Eek!”
It was a movement that couldn’t be blocked even though we saw it coming.
The hem of her skirt flared out wide to both sides as she strode. Margareta sneered as if Harken, who stepped forward to protect Cecilia, were pathetic, and she kicked him hard in the shin.
“Ridiculous.”
Margareta, who muttered as if whispering, took advantage of the moment Harken faltered and raised her hand as high as she could.
The large gem on Margareta’s ring sparkled in the setting sun.
*Slap!*
A tremendous impact sound, like water being splashed and then skin being lashed with a whip, echoed through the garden.