WHTL 08

“Haeston.”

“Yes, Your Highness. You were ignoring everything I said, so I wondered if perhaps you had forgotten me entirely. But it seems you still remember. Please, speak.”

“Didn’t you just say what was on your mind a little too easily?”

“Not at all. Your Highness merely heard things.”

“Heard things, hm.”

“Haha, please give your orders.”

Lucian, who had been muttering about whether he should really cut him down, let out a sigh.

“I’m thinking it’s about time I changed.”

“If you become any more of a troublemaker here, it’ll be impossible to clean up after you. If you truly intend to do that, then cut off my head first instead.”

Seeing Lucian readily draw his sword as though willing to fulfill his loyal retainer’s request, Haeston hurriedly pulled back the neck he had thrust forward and stopped him.

“When I said cut off my head, I didn’t mean I actually wanted it chopped off. It was a figure of speech.”

Ahem.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, he looked at his lord’s face.

Blue eyes stared at him in silence.

As though he had read the thoughts flickering within those eyes, agitation spread across Haeston’s face.

“Your Highness.”

“The place where I gathered information betrayed me as well. No matter how carelessly I acted, there was nowhere I could truly breathe in peace. Instead, I’ve only been cornered more and more. Silence no longer protects me.”

Haeston’s expression twisted with unease.

Lucian gently smiled as he brushed the corner of his eye.

“No matter how much I hid it, it was never something that could stay hidden. I was exposed in the most absurd way possible. They casually asked me whether changing my eye color for too long damaged my eyesight.”

“If someone dares investigate Your Highness, just give the order. I’ll make sure the secret remains a secret.”

Murderous intent surfaced within Haeston’s gentle gaze. Looking at such unwavering loyalty, Lucian smiled in satisfaction.

“No. Somehow, I just…”

At that moment, Flotie’s violet eyes flashed through his mind.

‘I shall see you again before long.’

“Your Highness?”

“I feel like the time has come.”

Because from the very beginning, he had known he could never keep running forever.

After spouting all that sophistry in front of Lucian, I only regained my composure once I returned home. Then I found myself faced with a very practical concern.

“Ah… but even though I sounded all confident, what exactly am I supposed to do from now on?”

It was overwhelming. Rosena’s power was immense, but it wasn’t something I could personally wield at will.

And I couldn’t rely entirely on my sister and Minabel either.

They would help me to the best of their abilities, but there were limits. My sister wasn’t a perfect duchess, and Minabel wasn’t even going to inherit the marquisate.

And if I didn’t start moving on my own, then I’d just be an irresponsible person causing trouble without any real plan.

As I scribbled letters onto parchment, I began muttering out my plans.

“First, I need connections. Honestly, for nobles, that’s basically everything.”

“Connections?”

“Yeah. Rosena’s influence itself is powerful, but… it’s not something I can freely use. And besides, even aside from me, we need families that can support the prince’s authority.”

If someone like me—not even a young duchess—wanted to become a power unto myself, then I needed far greater fame and influence.

And the very first place a mere youngest duke’s daughter like me could build connections was…

“Right. The social circle.”

The most I could join were gatherings of young ladies, but behind them stood enormous noble houses.

“Bell, you’ve basically already conquered high society, haven’t you? The most famous lady around.”

“It’s a little embarrassing to call myself famous with my own mouth, but… well, I had to collect friendship points to use the shop.”

Though she looked bashful, Minabel blinked as if slightly puzzled.

“Then could I come with you next time? Charity banquets or concerts should be manageable. Preferably places where the attending families are politically neutral.”

“What even is this plot progression? Uh… sure, I’ll look into it! Maybe Ruphina unni will come too?”

Ever since that day, Minabel seemed to have grown somewhat attached to my sister.

“I’d love to follow Tie anywhere she goes, but high society is…”

For the first time, my sister showed a faintly reluctant expression about accompanying me somewhere.

“But I understand what you mean about needing allies. I can’t just sit still either.”

She spoke in an oddly solemn tone.

Just what was she planning?

“Young Lady Cherita, please take good care of Tie while I’m away. If anything happens, tear this handkerchief apart. I’ll come running immediately.”

My sister placed a pale violet handkerchief into Minabel’s hands.

Until recently, she had practically treated Minabel like an assassin, so this was genuinely tear-worthy progress.

“Tie, I’ll give you a magical tool that can kill your opponent instantly if anything happens. I’ll place a curse on it powerful enough that not even ancient magic could stop it, so make sure to carry it with you.”

Apparently Minabel was simply a special case—my sister’s distrust toward other people hadn’t really faded at all.

Still, at least she wasn’t opposing the idea.

“So, Tie. You remember what I told you, right?”

“If you nod, people will admire the young lady’s wise insight. If you take a sip of tea, laugh lightly. If you brush your hair behind your ear, just vaguely follow the crowd’s reaction. And if none of that works, stay expressionless and pretend your health is poor…”

Minabel nodded seriously.

The rumor that I—someone who had barely appeared in society since my debutante—was returning to the social scene spread in an instant.

Well, half of it was basically because Minabel personally ran around spreading the word herself.

Thanks to that, invitations poured in from all directions, each trying to secure the honor of hosting my commemorative return to society.

‘I never imagined this many people would care about me.’

‘Sometimes I think you seriously underestimate your family’s influence.’

‘No, that’s not what I mean!’

‘You can’t separate yourself from House Rosena. You’re trying to take over high society yourself by targeting the influence of noble families, aren’t you?’

Every now and then, Minabel had an incredible ability to shut me up completely with a single sentence.

Well… that was probably why she had managed to dominate high society in the first place.

As she carefully sorted through the flood of invitations, Minabel offered some practical advice.

‘It would look good to attend charity parties, but those events usually require standing around for long periods, so they’d be too much for you. If we went somewhere like that, Pina unni would immediately slice me apart with her sword. So I picked a place where you could stay seated most of the time, with fewer people, but still full of worthwhile connections.’

‘Worthwhile?’

‘Mm, basically somewhere efficient. Kill two birds with one stone, everyone benefits, the sister’s happy and the brother-in-law’s—… never mind. Just ignore that.’

And so the chosen destination became Lady Panesula’s book club.

‘A book club? That sounds way too wholesome to build proper connections. It feels like people would only discuss constructive things there.’

‘In this world, gatherings where people discuss only constructive things simply do not exist, Lady Rosena.’

Minabel grinned as though she were revealing some deeply confidential secret.

‘Ah, though if “constructive” doesn’t necessarily have to mean moral, then it’s actually an extremely useful place.’

‘Is it some kind of den for terrible crimes? I’m still inexperienced when it comes to political schemes.’

‘If you ask me, it’s the birthplace of countless terrible deeds. But because words—not actions—hold power there, it’s also the place where you can exert the strongest influence.’

Minabel briefly explained the true nature of the gathering.

Officially, it was a book club. In reality, however, it was where all kinds of dreadful gossip began.

And apparently, the standard for everything depended entirely on the whims of the book club’s host, Lillian Panesula.

Still, if one managed to gain her favor, extraordinary treatment was guaranteed. That was why people were desperate to join the club, and why its current members were all exceptionally high-ranking.

‘The fact that such a book club sent you an invitation first really shows how incredible Rosena is.’

‘I didn’t want to hear that my family was amazing in this particular context.’

When I wondered whether Count Panesula’s family also dealt in information, Minabel let out a small laugh.

‘They’re exceptionally skilled at spreading false information. And Young Lady Panesula absolutely loves questioning young ladies she dislikes.’