Seraphina's expression darkened immediately.
“Lari, stop joking around.”
“I really don't know, though?”
Honestly, it wasn't like I could see through a sealed envelope.
How was I supposed to know what was inside?
To begin with, I hadn't even expected my letter to reach the young duchess at all.
Maybe... maybe it's a complaint telling me never to send such an impudent letter again...
A cold sweat ran down my back.
Judging by the way both of their faces were twisting up, however, they seemed to have already begun imagining all sorts of things.
For example, that the young duchess and I had some kind of special relationship.
“Lari, you really...!”
“What exactly did you say to Her Ladyship?!”
Seeing the anxiety written all over their faces felt incredibly satisfying.
Since things have turned out this way, why not put on a little show?
Deliberately moving at a leisurely pace, I opened the letter.
And enjoyed watching both of their eyes become glued to it.
Huh?
This wasn't what I'd expected.
To Lady Ansi,
This is Evangeline.
You certainly said something interesting.
I find myself intrigued by your words. If possible, would you be willing to visit the ducal townhouse today?
I've already sent a carriage for you.
I sincerely hope to meet Lady Ansi as soon as possible.
— Evangeline Claudius
“...Amy.”
Turning stiffly toward Amy, I lowered my voice and whispered into her ear.
“Did the ducal family send a carriage?”
“Yes, Miss!”
Amy nodded vigorously.
Ah, I see.
My eyes sparkled.
“Hmm...”
Carefully folding the letter and slipping it back into its envelope, I glanced between Seraphina and Gregory.
Then I smiled brilliantly.
“The young duchess has invited me to the Claudius townhouse. She says she wants to meet me privately.”
“What?!”
Gregory's eyes widened in shock.
“That can't be true! I've never even been invited by the young duchess before!”
Seraphina practically shrieked.
“Honestly, there's no reason for Lady Claudius to write to you in the first place!”
Ah.
So that was it.
Why would someone like you receive attention instead of me?
I looked at Seraphina sideways before magnanimously nodding.
“I don't know either. But what can I do? That's just how things turned out.”
I answered indifferently and rose from my seat.
“Anyway, would you two mind heading home now?”
“W-What?”
“I need to go meet the young duchess.”
It was an unmistakable dismissal.
Ha. This feels amazing.
After all, those two had thrown me out countless times before.
But I'd never dared do the same to them.
“I'm visiting the ducal townhouse, after all. I'm sure I have a lot to prepare.”
“But Lari, aren't you sick?!”
Seraphina shot me a sharp glare.
I deliberately shrugged.
“I am, but... this is an invitation from Lady Claudius.”
“B-But still!”
“Surely you're not suggesting I ignore an invitation from the young duchess?”
I asked without batting an eye.
“Seraphina, I appreciate your concern for my health, but recommending that I commit such a discourtesy toward Her Ladyship seems a little inappropriate.”
“I-I didn't mean it like that...”
Seeing Seraphina, who was rarely left speechless, I rewarded her with a victorious smile.
“I'm glad that's not what you meant.”
“Lari!”
“In that case, could you leave now? I need to wash up and change clothes, so I'm quite busy.”
Neither Gregory nor Seraphina moved.
Clicking my tongue softly, I turned to Amy.
“Amy, Young Master Gusto and Lady Lopez are leaving now. Please escort them out.”
“Yes, Miss. Certainly.”
As Amy rolled up her sleeves, the muscles she'd developed through years of hard labor bulged impressively.
“L-Let go of me! Will you let go?!”
“Kyaaah!”
And just like that, the two of them were dragged out of my bedroom.
“Travel safely!”
I cheerfully waved goodbye before shutting the door right in front of their thoroughly distorted faces.
Bang!
After taking a moment to catch my breath, I clenched my fist.
This feels incredible!
...Just a little while ago, I'd felt as refreshed as if I'd downed an entire bottle of sparkling water.
But now—
W-What do I do?
Seated inside a luxurious carriage bearing the crest of House Claudius, I was trembling like a baby rabbit facing a predator.
Am I... am I really going to visit the House of Claudius?
Now that reality had finally caught up to me, I felt like I was being crushed under its weight.
This was a ducal house.
One of the most powerful families in the Empire.
...And on top of that, the young duchess—the villainess of this world.
She's not actually as awful as she was in the novel, right?!
Oh my god. Am I insane?
Unable to contain my anxiety, I chewed nervously on my lower lip.
I'm really going to meet Evangeline Claudius face-to-face?!
I-It's fine.
She didn't seem angry in the letter.
So it'll probably be okay... probably!
I struggled desperately to calm my pounding heart.
Then, before I knew it, the carriage had already passed through the gates of the ducal townhouse.
“Welcome, Lady Ansi.”
A maid of the ducal household bowed politely.
“Her Ladyship has been awaiting your arrival.”
And so—
In the blink of an eye, I found myself about to meet the one and only young duchess of the Empire.
“Aha, so you're Lady Ansi?”
Inside a garden overflowing with blooming roses,
stood a young woman even more beautiful than the flowers themselves.
“Larit Ansi greets Lady Claudius.”
I hurriedly bowed.
The young duchess pointed to the seat across from her with an indifferent expression.
“Sit.”
“Y-Yes.”
I sat down automatically.
The oppressive aura unique to high nobility weighed heavily on the air.
“Well, I apologize for inviting you so suddenly. Were you surprised?”
“No...”
My voice trailed off.
Honestly, the difference in our social standing was so enormous that I'd assumed she would look down on me.
But somehow...
She actually seemed kind?
“That's good, then. For tea, would you prefer Darjeeling or Earl Grey?”
“D-Darjeeling.”
The answer slipped out before I could think.
And then it felt as though someone had hit me over the head.
Because I'd suddenly realized something.
Seraphina and Gregory had never once asked about my tastes or preferences.
Not even once.
Yet here was the villainess of the original novel, asking what tea I liked.
Oh no.
I think I'm getting emotional.
Just as my nose began to sting—
the young duchess personally poured tea for me.
The fragrant aroma drifted softly through the air.
Startled as if waking from a dream, I hurriedly tried to stop her.
“Y-Your Ladyship is personally pouring tea for a low-ranking noble like me...”
At that moment, the young duchess looked at me crookedly.
“Are you always this irritating?”
“...Pardon?”
“It's only a cup of tea. Why are you suddenly putting yourself down?”
I froze.
Come to think of it...
Why did I do that?
If I had to give a reason, it was because Seraphina and Gregory had always told me things like:
"You should be grateful I'm willing to stay engaged to someone as gloomy as you."
"If not for me, who would even be your friend?"
I knew it.
Logically, I knew it.
The way those two treated me was rude.
The young duchess was simply treating me with basic human courtesy.
And yet...
This kind of thing...
It's the first time anyone has ever done it for me.
Suddenly, emotion surged in my chest, and my eyes began to sting.