Chapter 36
On the day of the social party hosted by Patrick,
Lucy headed to Patrick’s mansion with Bartholomew.
The moment the two of them entered the mansion’s banquet hall—
Ding!
[Social Party Revenge Quest Start!]
[Escape from human Durian and raise affection with the male leads.
Good luck.]
Seeing the system window pop up, Lucy couldn’t help but feel nervous.
She worried that, like last time, the “Mouth of Disaster” skill might activate.
“Are you alright?”
Bartholomew noticed Lucy’s tension and asked.
He himself remained calm, having already fallen for Lucy.
Lucy, already the center of attention due to her previous misdeeds at the last social party, naturally drew gazes wherever she went.
The attention toward Bartholomew, whom she had brought as her partner, was so intense it was almost painful.
Despite the obvious stares, Bartholomew paid no mind.
Lucy’s nerves eased slightly at his indifference.
Yes. This time, it’ll be fine.
Just as Lucy thought this, someone approached her.
It was Cecil.
“Princess Lucy.”
He greeted her first.
Ding!
[Talk to Cecil Auden (1/3)]
[Conversation time: Free]
Seeing the system window, Lucy’s face brightened.
This time, there was no “random response” option.
Bartholomew watched her quietly from the side.
Though he couldn’t see the status window, it appeared to him that Lucy was genuinely happy to see Cecil.
For a brief moment, Bartholomew felt a tightness in his chest, though he didn’t understand why.
“How have you been, Cecil?”
“Thanks to your concern, I’ve been well. And Princess Lucy, how have you been feeling lately?”
Cecil politely asked about Lucy’s condition.
“As you can see, I’m healthy.”
“I see.”
Cecil nodded and briefly shifted his gaze.
Where his eyes landed was on Bartholomew.
Noticing Cecil’s gaze, Lucy spoke up.
“So you two aren’t meeting for the first time.”
“Lord Bartholomew, this is Cecil Auden.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Bartholomew shook the hand Cecil offered.
Cecil looked at Bartholomew with a questioning expression.
He had no idea why Bartholomew was here.
A few days ago, Bartholomew had left the temple for the mansion but had since returned.
Cecil had assumed Bartholomew’s health had worsened when he returned so soon, unaware that his condition had actually improved.
He never imagined seeing him at Patrick’s social party—let alone as Lucy’s partner.
“How is your health?”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
Bartholomew released Cecil’s hand.
Cecil then looked away from Bartholomew and back at Lucy.
His gaze seemed to silently ask how the two ended up accompanying each other, but Lucy interpreted it differently.
“I apologize for my rudeness last time.”
Since this was a revenge event, Lucy spoke to raise Cecil’s affection.
“Not at all. I’ve not taken it to heart.”
Lucy’s eyes widened at Cecil’s response.
She had expected him to be displeased, but he showed no such indication.
As if nothing had happened, he asked about her health just like he had at the temple.
“Are you using the Holy Dumbbell?”
“Yes. It’s helping me improve my stamina.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Bartholomew silently listened to their conversation.
Worried that Bartholomew might feel left out, Lucy spoke again.
“Cecil. I know Lord Bartholomew isn’t your patient, but…”
She gave Bartholomew a glance and continued.
“I hope you can also pay attention to his health.”
“….”
“Would you please?”
Lucy finally asked Cecil something she had wanted to for a while.
Though curious why Lucy entrusted Bartholomew’s health to him, Cecil nodded.
“If I can be of help, please come to me anytime.”
Bartholomew lightly nodded and took a sip from his champagne glass.
“Cecil, haven’t you been suffering from headaches lately?”
Lucy wished she could give him a gift now but had nothing to offer.
“I wonder if you’ve finished the medicinal tea I gave you.”
“Thanks to your concern, I’m fine. I drink the tea as needed.”
Bartholomew furrowed his brow at their conversation.
He had never heard that Lucy had given Cecil medicinal tea.
Moreover, she even cared about his health.
Bartholomew felt strange.
Until now, Lucy had always been attentive to Bartholomew’s health.
It made sense that she would ask Cecil for help in supporting him.
Yet seeing her kindness also extend to Cecil gave Bartholomew a faint sense of discomfort.
Why do I feel like this?
He couldn’t understand his feelings.
Was it really so upsetting that Lucy paid attention to someone else?
Cecil then asked, showing interest in their relationship.
“How did you two come together?”
“Lord Bartholomew is my friend.”
“….”
“We became friends through meeting at the temple.”
Lucy said it casually.
Ding!
[Affection Change Detected!]
[Cecil’s affection has decreased.]
[Affection: ?? → Affection: ??]
Lucy was flustered.
She had no idea why Cecil’s affection had dropped.
This party was meant to raise the male leads’ affection, so she couldn’t just watch it decrease.
Anxious, she spoke quickly.
“Cecil, if it’s alright, how about having tea with me sometime?”
“Are you formally inviting me?”
Cecil asked, looking surprised.
Lucy nodded.
Ding!
[Affection Change Detected!]
[Cecil’s affection has increased.]
[Affection: ?? → Affection: ??]
This time, his affection went up.
Though Lucy couldn’t fully read Cecil’s mind, she was relieved that his affection had risen.
At least he’s willing to get closer to me.
At that moment, Patrick spoke.
“May I join that tea time as well?”
Lucy didn’t notice when he had arrived, but Patrick had been intending to speak to her since he appeared.
Since he was hosting the party, he wanted to introduce her to the other nobles.
Though Cecil had initially tried to speak first, Patrick found the right moment to interject.
Ding!
[Talk to Patrick Helio (2/3)]
[Conversation time: Free]
“Thank you for inviting me today.”
“It is I who am honored by your attendance, Princess.”
Lucy looked around.
“Where is my sister?”
She assumed Elisha would have been invited too.
“Princess Elisha was not invited.”
Lucy’s eyes widened at the unexpected reply.
The discarded princess among the two sisters was invited instead.
Had Patrick acted with foresight, knowing what effect this would have?
Lucy couldn’t understand him.
Seeing the confusion on her face, Patrick smiled knowingly.
Ding!
[Affection Change Detected!]
[Patrick’s affection has decreased.]
[Affection: ? → Affection: ?]
What?
Lucy was incredulous.
Of course.
She shouldn’t have been fooled by that smiling face.
The unpredictable Patrick smiled while his affection dropped.
Did I do something wrong?
Does Patrick have a bad relationship with Elisha?
Or…
Did he think I liked him just because I didn’t invite Elisha?
His affection dropped simply because events went as he expected?
Such a twisted personality.
Lucy thought this as she looked at Patrick.
“Patrick Helio is truly a unique person.”
“Are you speaking of me?”
“Normally, Princess Elisha would have been invited first.”
“……”
“Perhaps you considered me a more interesting companion, Patrick Helio.”
Patrick laughed.
“That’s correct.”
Ding!
[Affection Change Detected!]
[Patrick’s affection has increased.]
[Affection: ? → Affection: ??]
Lucy was overwhelmed by the constant alerts from the system window.
With such unpredictable men, the system window was very busy.
Patrick then turned his gaze to Bartholomew.
“Would you introduce this person?”
