Chapter 69
The day of the banquet arrived.
Lucy went to the temporary residence of the Duke Faraday family in the capital.
This was her second visit, and the mood was completely different from the first time.
She wondered if this was really the same mansion she had seen before.
The place that had once smelled of blood and felt silent was now brightly decorated and full of people.
Lucy lightly shook her head, trying to erase the scene she had seen on Bartholomew’s birthday.
The moment she entered the banquet hall, she made eye contact with someone.
It was Elisha.
It was the first time Lucy had seen Elisha since the hunting competition.
Lucy remembered the moment when the horse ran wild and her life was in danger, and she naturally became cautious.
Why did she come this time? What is she planning to say?
Elisha usually approached Lucy first with a kind face.
But unexpectedly, Elisha looked away from Lucy.
She turned and continued talking with the nobles beside her.
Lucy narrowed her eyes slightly.
Elisha’s face looked calm as usual, but her lips were stiff and tense.
It was as if she disliked this place and felt uncomfortable.
Why?
Elisha had attended countless social parties.
She cared more than anyone about how others saw her, and she always wore a polite smile.
Even at the party where Lucy caused trouble, Elisha had smiled and apologized to everyone.
Today’s banquet was an important event, a chance to meet the new head of the Faraday family and build connections.
It was not a light occasion at all.
That was why Lucy found it strange that Elisha could not control her expression today.
In the end, Lucy could not hold back her curiosity and walked over to her.
“Good afternoon, sister.”
When Lucy greeted her, Elisha could no longer ignore her.
“Lucy.”
Elisha slightly curved her lips and returned the greeting.
She signaled to the nobles she had been talking to, asking for their understanding, and then walked with Lucy toward the window.
The two stood with their backs to the crowd and looked outside.
Now that her expression was hidden, Elisha spoke in a cold voice.
“I knew you would come.”
“I received an invitation.”
At Lucy’s answer, Elisha shook her head slightly.
Her eyes darkened as she looked back out the window.
“Did you know it would turn out like this?”
Lucy’s eyes widened a little.
What does she mean by that?
“I’ll admit it.”
Elisha’s lips twisted into a slanted smile.
“I won’t see you as just a simple annoyance anymore.”
Elisha turned her gaze to Lucy.
Her eyes were cold, without any warmth.
She stared at Lucy silently for a moment, then turned and left.
Left alone, Lucy fell into thought.
Elisha’s words sounded like a declaration of war.
Does Elisha dislike that Bartholomew inherited the title of duke?
Why?
Now that I think about it, she stared at Bartholomew during the dinner with the emperor too.
So much that Lucy almost thought the two of them knew each other.
Lucy did not know the reason, but Elisha was clearly conscious of Bartholomew.
At the time, I couldn’t tell if it was positive or negative interest.
Looking at Elisha’s attitude now, it was probably negative.
Lucy could not understand why Elisha disliked Bartholomew, someone she had no connection with.
Just then—
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Someone suddenly spoke, making Lucy flinch.
She turned her head and saw Patrick.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. I called you a few times, but you didn’t respond.”
Patrick examined Lucy’s expression.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No.”
Lucy shook her head.
Patrick handed her one of the two champagne glasses he was holding.
Lucy accepted it without refusing.
“You were close with Baron—no, Duke Bartholomew, weren’t you? I imagine this banquet feels especially meaningful to you.”
Lucy nodded slightly instead of answering.
Patrick took a small sip of champagne and spoke again.
“There’s something I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“The gift you gave me at the tea party.”
His voice lowered.
“How did you know to give me that?”
Lucy widened her eyes on purpose.
“What do you mean? Did my gift make you uncomfortable?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then I’m glad. I thought about your gift the most. I figured Logan and Cecil would like practical gifts, but you didn’t seem like that type.”
Patrick smiled lightly, showing that he agreed.
“I thought you probably already owned most luxury items too. So I decided to give you something you would never expect. That’s why I chose that toy.”
Lucy could not say that she knew the toy was special to Patrick because of her experience in a previous life.
At her explanation, Patrick quietly nodded.
“It was a very interesting gift. That was—”
Just then—
“Princess Lucy.”
Someone approached them.
It was Cecil and Logan.
Lucy was curious about what Patrick was about to say, but she had no choice but to greet them.
“It’s nice to see the three of you together again.”
They agreed with her.
“Thank you for the gift you gave me before.”
Cecil added that it was very helpful for making the medicinal ingredients he was researching.
Logan also expressed his thanks.
“If you wish, Princess, I can teach you how to use a dagger.”
Just as he had taught her horseback riding, Logan wanted to repay her by teaching swordsmanship.
“That would be an honor.”
Logan’s lips curved faintly.
Lucy was briefly distracted by his rare smile.
“Did you like the herbal tea I blended for you?”
Cecil asked.
Lucy had not actually tried it, but she nodded anyway.
“When I gave you flowers before, I thought you liked them.”
This time, Patrick spoke up.
“Next time, I’ll give you even more beautiful flowers.”
“That’s unfortunate. Flowers wither quickly.”
Cecil answered in Lucy’s place and looked at Patrick.
Patrick raised one eyebrow.
“Even if it’s brief, if it makes someone happy, I think it has value. Herbal tea can be stored for a long time, but it doesn’t bring joy.”
Cecil’s expression hardened.
“Compared to flowers or tea, swordsmanship that can be used for a lifetime is more important.”
Logan joined in.
What is going on?
When Lucy fell silent in confusion, an awkward silence settled over the four of them.
The three men looked at Lucy, each lost in thought.
Lucy felt uncomfortable.
She felt like she had to say something.
Whenever she was with these three men, she felt pressure to raise their affection toward her.
The person who saved her from this situation was Bartholomew.
“So this is where everyone is.”
The main guest of the banquet had arrived.
Lucy suddenly felt her cheeks sting.
Standing with four men, she could feel the gazes of people around them.
Lucy already looked close to the three men, and now that Bartholomew had joined them, curious looks poured toward her.
“What were you talking about?”
Bartholomew asked Lucy politely.
Lucy, who had grown used to his casual way of speaking, found his formal manner unfamiliar.
Bartholomew in full formal attire also felt fresh.
He really is handsome.
Maybe he looked even better because his complexion had improved.
Thinking that his improved health was thanks to her, Lucy felt proud.
“We were just asking how everyone has been.”
Lucy also spoke politely to Bartholomew.
“Congratulations on officially becoming the head of the Faraday family.”
As Lucy offered her congratulations, the three men did the same.
“You don’t need to be so formal with me, Princess.”
Bartholomew smiled slightly.
“After all, we’ve seen each other naked, haven’t we?”
