Sylvia and Philia moved to the lounge in the corner of the hallway. While her escort, Jeffrey, was guarding the door, Sylvia said that since she was the one who invited Philia, it was only right that she should treat her as well, and poured herself some tea from the lounge.
“You are very skilled.”
“Well... I’m glad you see it that way.”
At Philia's surprised muttering, Sylvia shrugged off her ignorance and pushed the teacup in front of her. Philia relaxed a little when she saw that Jeffrey, who was smiling brightly at Sylvia, was no longer there. She took a deep breath of the tea and asked.
“You said you had something to say. What is it?”
Sylvia considered her words for a moment, then opened her mouth with a serious tone.
“Lady Seicrine.”
"Yes."
“To put it bluntly, I know that Young Lady has feelings for my husband.”
“Pfft.”
Philia, who had just poured her tea, spit out the tea. She asked back with a face so shocked that she didn't even realize that her chin was soaked with tea.
"...Yes?"
But Sylvia continued speaking in the most polite tone possible, like an old man consoling a child.
“Of course, I appreciate you stopping the scandal involving me this time. However, Randall and I are already married, and while I cannot stop you from having feelings for him, it would be unwise for either of us to have feelings for a married man while reaching out to an unmarried young man.”
At this point, Philia was on the verge of losing her mind. She was so shocked that she barely managed to pull herself together, which had collapsed to the bottom of Kalvetia, and jumped up from her seat. Then she shouted under her breath.
“What are you talking about! I like Jeffrey?!”
“Cough.”
This time it was Sylvia's turn to be confused. She was taken aback.
***
Sylvia and Philia barely managed to clear up the misunderstanding and had a moment of self-reflection.
'I can't believe I'm being misunderstood as liking that kid...'
Philia was distressed by the fact that she had been misunderstood so terribly, even just imagining it.
'You didn't like Randall....'
Sylvia regretted her previous actions, which had been rash and misleading. After a long silence, Philia took a deep breath and asked with determined eyes.
“I will definitely ask you this opportunity. What does Madam think of Jeffrey?”
Sylvia dismissed the question firmly.
“It’s like seeing my cousin.”
“I understand that you don’t have any cousins of the same age...?”
“...That’s what the expression means.”
Sylvia momentarily forgot about her kinship and then quickly mumbled something. Finally relieved by that answer, Philia sighed heavily and slumped limply on the sofa.
“I’m the same. Randall, the Duke is like my blood relative. And he’s my older brother, who’s almost like an enemy...”
Philia stopped talking and shook her shoulders with an angry face. This made Sylvia completely forget her mistake. She coughed and apologized politely.
“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Young Lady.”
“I’m sorry for making you feel bad for no reason. I’m sorry for making you feel bad.”
Philia clasped her hands together with a face that had softened. Her affection for Sylvia, which had been lost to jealousy, was growing inside her.
'Then I can like him without worrying about it?'
In fact, it was a little different because of her feelings for Jeffrey, but Philia had a crush on Sylvia since she first saw her. In addition, it seemed that Sylvia had some feelings for Randall. Judging from her actions so far, she didn’t seem like a lackey of the royal family. Philia’s eyes, which had been clasping her hands together in front of her chest, gradually sparkled. In the end, she couldn’t hold back her joy and raised both hands in the air, cheering.
“Wow! Finally! Until now, no one would hang out with Seicrine’s name, or that unlucky woman.”
“Unlucky woman... Are you talking about Countess Glever?”
“As expected, you understood right away. That’s just how she is.”
Philia badmouthed Rubia in a sarcastic tone. But soon, as if nothing had happened, she changed her expression and smiled brightly.
“I’m so happy to finally have a new friend in the North. If it’s okay with you, can I visit you often? Then I can see Jeffrey too...”
In fact, the latter part seemed to be the main topic. Philia blushed and looked embarrassed, then her eyes lit up.
“Yes? Yes? Can’t I? I want to be friends with that woman!”
'...Cute.'
Philia, who had taken away all the hostility towards Sylvia, was like a puppy at first glance. Sylvia caught up in her liveliness and cuteness, could not help but nod her head.
'I can't believe I'm being misunderstood as liking that kid...'
Philia was distressed by the fact that she had been misunderstood so terribly, even just imagining it.
'You didn't like Randall....'
Sylvia regretted her previous actions, which had been rash and misleading. After a long silence, Philia took a deep breath and asked with determined eyes.
“I will definitely ask you this opportunity. What does Madam think of Jeffrey?”
Sylvia dismissed the question firmly.
“It’s like seeing my cousin.”
“I understand that you don’t have any cousins of the same age...?”
“...That’s what the expression means.”
Sylvia momentarily forgot about her kinship and then quickly mumbled something. Finally relieved by that answer, Philia sighed heavily and slumped limply on the sofa.
“I’m the same. Randall, the Duke is like my blood relative. And he’s my older brother, who’s almost like an enemy...”
Philia stopped talking and shook her shoulders with an angry face. This made Sylvia completely forget her mistake. She coughed and apologized politely.
“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Young Lady.”
“I’m sorry for making you feel bad for no reason. I’m sorry for making you feel bad.”
Philia clasped her hands together with a face that had softened. Her affection for Sylvia, which had been lost to jealousy, was growing inside her.
'Then I can like him without worrying about it?'
In fact, it was a little different because of her feelings for Jeffrey, but Philia had a crush on Sylvia since she first saw her. In addition, it seemed that Sylvia had some feelings for Randall. Judging from her actions so far, she didn’t seem like a lackey of the royal family. Philia’s eyes, which had been clasping her hands together in front of her chest, gradually sparkled. In the end, she couldn’t hold back her joy and raised both hands in the air, cheering.
“Wow! Finally! Until now, no one would hang out with Seicrine’s name, or that unlucky woman.”
“Unlucky woman... Are you talking about Countess Glever?”
“As expected, you understood right away. That’s just how she is.”
Philia badmouthed Rubia in a sarcastic tone. But soon, as if nothing had happened, she changed her expression and smiled brightly.
“I’m so happy to finally have a new friend in the North. If it’s okay with you, can I visit you often? Then I can see Jeffrey too...”
In fact, the latter part seemed to be the main topic. Philia blushed and looked embarrassed, then her eyes lit up.
“Yes? Yes? Can’t I? I want to be friends with that woman!”
'...Cute.'
Philia, who had taken away all the hostility towards Sylvia, was like a puppy at first glance. Sylvia caught up in her liveliness and cuteness, could not help but nod her head.
***
“Ha, damn it...”
Meanwhile, in the northern outskirts, deep in the forest, in a cabin. There, Bella, who had reverted to her original form as the potion wore off, was swearing harshly. She sat haphazardly on a pile of firewood, chewing her lip. For days, all she had been preoccupied with were questions for which she had no answers.
'What the hell was that guy?'
The human wizard who helped her escape from the unmarked shop. After being pushed in the shoulder by him, Bella came to her senses and found herself standing in a forest on the outskirts of Belfort territory.
'And what does it mean to aim for a Duchess instead of a Duke?'
In fact, the most suspicious thing was that phrase. 'Target the Duchess, not the Duke.' The purpose of the Crown Prince, Bella's master, was to destroy Randall and the North. Of course, this time, the Duchess also became a victim of the scandal. In any case, the original purpose was Randall Belfort. But targeting the Duchess, not the Duke?
“It’s clearly bullshit, but I don’t know why it makes me feel so uncomfortable.”
Bella muttered, rubbing her forehead. It was clearly nonsense, but perhaps it was because of the aura of the person who said it was so strange. Bella shook her head to shake off the words that would not easily disappear from her mind. Then, a dull noise was heard from the floor in the corner of the cabin, and a hidden door was revealed. A mean-looking man climbed up the ladder and greeted Bella politely.
“Lady Bella.”
The man's attitude was like that of a subject to a King. It was understandable because Bella was a demon. To the 'dark bugs' who worshipped the demons, she was no different from a God. In contrast, Bella nodded roughly and asked.
“Uh. What about the communication port?”
“I’m sorry. I’m trying my best to find it, but magic tools are expensive and not common...”
The man trailed off in an awkward tone. The forest where Bella had fallen was where the dark bugs that were hiding in the Belfort territory had their hideout. As soon as she made contact with the dark bugs, she demanded that they find a communication port to contact the Crown Prince. The orders of the demons were no different from the will of the Gods, so the dark bugs, including the man, did everything they could to follow the order without asking for anything in return.
Meanwhile, in the northern outskirts, deep in the forest, in a cabin. There, Bella, who had reverted to her original form as the potion wore off, was swearing harshly. She sat haphazardly on a pile of firewood, chewing her lip. For days, all she had been preoccupied with were questions for which she had no answers.
'What the hell was that guy?'
The human wizard who helped her escape from the unmarked shop. After being pushed in the shoulder by him, Bella came to her senses and found herself standing in a forest on the outskirts of Belfort territory.
'And what does it mean to aim for a Duchess instead of a Duke?'
In fact, the most suspicious thing was that phrase. 'Target the Duchess, not the Duke.' The purpose of the Crown Prince, Bella's master, was to destroy Randall and the North. Of course, this time, the Duchess also became a victim of the scandal. In any case, the original purpose was Randall Belfort. But targeting the Duchess, not the Duke?
“It’s clearly bullshit, but I don’t know why it makes me feel so uncomfortable.”
Bella muttered, rubbing her forehead. It was clearly nonsense, but perhaps it was because of the aura of the person who said it was so strange. Bella shook her head to shake off the words that would not easily disappear from her mind. Then, a dull noise was heard from the floor in the corner of the cabin, and a hidden door was revealed. A mean-looking man climbed up the ladder and greeted Bella politely.
“Lady Bella.”
The man's attitude was like that of a subject to a King. It was understandable because Bella was a demon. To the 'dark bugs' who worshipped the demons, she was no different from a God. In contrast, Bella nodded roughly and asked.
“Uh. What about the communication port?”
“I’m sorry. I’m trying my best to find it, but magic tools are expensive and not common...”
The man trailed off in an awkward tone. The forest where Bella had fallen was where the dark bugs that were hiding in the Belfort territory had their hideout. As soon as she made contact with the dark bugs, she demanded that they find a communication port to contact the Crown Prince. The orders of the demons were no different from the will of the Gods, so the dark bugs, including the man, did everything they could to follow the order without asking for anything in return.
However, magical tools were very expensive, and communication ports were particularly difficult to obtain. They had enough money, but there were no communication ports for sale on the black market. However, it was dangerous to try to find a communication port publicly, as the Duke of Belfort was looking for them with his eyes wide open.
“Fine. It was my fault for expecting anything from you guys who hung out with that idiot, Rapold.”
Bella clicked her tongue in disapproval. The man bowed his head as if he were sorry and disappeared out of the cabin. Bella, who was left alone again, flopped down on the woodpile and became lost in thought.
'Oh, what should I do? Since I'm wanted, I can't go out and get medicine. And if I lose my store and get chased, and I can't achieve anything, there's no way the Prince will accept me back.'
The Crown Prince was a cruel person. He must have been upset because the store he had set up with the money he had given her was completely destroyed. How much more resentful must she have been to have caught Randall’s eye and given her that order?
If she wanted to go back under him, she had to bring him a proper result. For example... Yes. He could offer Randall, who had been brainwashed and turned into a doll, as a slave to the Crown Prince.
'But there's no way that a big-headed person would be brainwashed as easily as an old man. We need to create a gap in his mind... '
Bella wrapped her head around herself and tried to figure out a way to shake Randall, then she suddenly sat up and let out a gasp.
"Ah!"
She smiled brightly, applauding herself for coming up with such a brilliant idea.
'Yes, that's it!'
The day she first met Duchess Sylvia Florette Belfort. Randall, who had come to the store to look for Sylvia, was worried that she might be hurt. In contrast, Sylvia looked detached. Just looking at that, the difference in the size of their hearts was clear.
'I'm going to seduce the Duke and force him to take the Duchess' body. How shocking would it be for the woman he loves to look at him with eyes of disgust?'
Bella also could brainwash others using scent and darkness. However, her true nature was that of a dream demon, a succubus. It was easier to charm people through dreams than to brainwash them.
'Of course I don't understand.'
Bella could sleep with anyone she didn't like as long as it gave her pleasure, but she heard that humans aren't like that. If Sylvia, who slept with someone she didn't like, looked at Randall as if he were a horrible person, he would definitely not be able to endure it and would break down from the inside. Even if he didn't, he would waver for a moment.
'But there's no way that a big-headed person would be brainwashed as easily as an old man. We need to create a gap in his mind... '
Bella wrapped her head around herself and tried to figure out a way to shake Randall, then she suddenly sat up and let out a gasp.
"Ah!"
She smiled brightly, applauding herself for coming up with such a brilliant idea.
'Yes, that's it!'
The day she first met Duchess Sylvia Florette Belfort. Randall, who had come to the store to look for Sylvia, was worried that she might be hurt. In contrast, Sylvia looked detached. Just looking at that, the difference in the size of their hearts was clear.
'I'm going to seduce the Duke and force him to take the Duchess' body. How shocking would it be for the woman he loves to look at him with eyes of disgust?'
Bella also could brainwash others using scent and darkness. However, her true nature was that of a dream demon, a succubus. It was easier to charm people through dreams than to brainwash them.
'Of course I don't understand.'
Bella could sleep with anyone she didn't like as long as it gave her pleasure, but she heard that humans aren't like that. If Sylvia, who slept with someone she didn't like, looked at Randall as if he were a horrible person, he would definitely not be able to endure it and would break down from the inside. Even if he didn't, he would waver for a moment.
Then, I'd take advantage of that gap and brainwash him...!
Bella hummed, feeling thrilled just by imagining it.
“Huh, good. The northerners don’t seem to be swayed by rumors anyway, so why don’t we just cut off the leader’s head first?”
If the Crown Prince had heard, he would have sighed and said, "What kind of stupid thing is this?" But since Bella had no way of contacting him now, she was excited to bring both Randall and Sylvia to misery, and she jumped around the cabin.
“Huh, good. The northerners don’t seem to be swayed by rumors anyway, so why don’t we just cut off the leader’s head first?”
If the Crown Prince had heard, he would have sighed and said, "What kind of stupid thing is this?" But since Bella had no way of contacting him now, she was excited to bring both Randall and Sylvia to misery, and she jumped around the cabin.
***
At the now familiar breakfast table of the Duke and Duchess, Randall chewed loudly.
“So, you know, uh! Are you saying that Philia...likes me?”
“....”
Sylvia avoided his eyes, unable to answer out loud due to embarrassment. Randall, barely able to suppress a cough, rubbed the back of his neck, where goosebumps were forming.
“How could you imagine such a horrible, absurd thing....”
“I know full well that I was mistaken, so let’s stop. Anyway.”
Sylvia quickly changed the subject and ended the conversation on a topic that was not favorable to her.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to use separate rooms.”
"...Yes?"
Luckily, as she had intended, Randall was distracted by the new topic of conversation and froze in his tracks as he reached for his glass of water. Sylvia muttered nonchalantly, stirring her salad with her fork.
“Well, it’s cold... I guess I got used to my old bedroom, but I can’t sleep well in the new bed.”
In fact, her plan to approach Bella also went awry. She was sleeping alone, but the bed felt strangely empty, so she did that. But Sylvia's face, which made a well-packaged excuse, was shameless.
“Of course, if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to use the master bedroom...”
“No, no. I also found the bed too small and uncomfortable. Starting tonight, I will go back to the master bedroom.”
Randall, who had come to his senses late, answered with the most serious attitude in the world. Satisfied with the quick and accurate answer, Sylvia felt good and held out the fork with the meat stuck in it.
“Would you like to eat this? It’s delicious.”
“Doesn’t it look delicious?”
“Should I just go back to using the separate rooms?”
“I was wrong.”
“So, you know, uh! Are you saying that Philia...likes me?”
“....”
Sylvia avoided his eyes, unable to answer out loud due to embarrassment. Randall, barely able to suppress a cough, rubbed the back of his neck, where goosebumps were forming.
“How could you imagine such a horrible, absurd thing....”
“I know full well that I was mistaken, so let’s stop. Anyway.”
Sylvia quickly changed the subject and ended the conversation on a topic that was not favorable to her.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to use separate rooms.”
"...Yes?"
Luckily, as she had intended, Randall was distracted by the new topic of conversation and froze in his tracks as he reached for his glass of water. Sylvia muttered nonchalantly, stirring her salad with her fork.
“Well, it’s cold... I guess I got used to my old bedroom, but I can’t sleep well in the new bed.”
In fact, her plan to approach Bella also went awry. She was sleeping alone, but the bed felt strangely empty, so she did that. But Sylvia's face, which made a well-packaged excuse, was shameless.
“Of course, if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to use the master bedroom...”
“No, no. I also found the bed too small and uncomfortable. Starting tonight, I will go back to the master bedroom.”
Randall, who had come to his senses late, answered with the most serious attitude in the world. Satisfied with the quick and accurate answer, Sylvia felt good and held out the fork with the meat stuck in it.
“Would you like to eat this? It’s delicious.”
“Doesn’t it look delicious?”
“Should I just go back to using the separate rooms?”
“I was wrong.”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment