TPITT - Chapter 107

I expressed my feelings as I watched the back of Phelios running away.

“If the Marquis of Limitiello does not want to go bankrupt, it would be better to pass the title of Marquis to another child.”

It was nothing but a slick outer skin. It was shallow and ridiculous to try to win the favor of both sides, weighing me and Rosenite.

'I think he would suit Rosenit well, though.'

Phelios believed that he was the best grooming candidate and tried to cross the line while treating me.

Looking back, the Imperial White Rose resembles Rosenite very much, full of pride. 

They seem like a good match, but Phelios will soon lose his position as successor.

I was disappointed that I could not get along with Rosenit.

Michael said quietly.

"He was the most intrusive of the warblers twisted by Her Royal Highness today."

“Most? It’s still too early to rank them. Another tough guy is coming up.”

From that direction I smiled and winked, another rich-blonde handsome man was approaching, it was Calix.

He was just about to start talking to me as he paced around me from the moment I appeared in the banquet hall. So he looked so tired.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Your Highness.”

“Brothers greet each other with the same words.”

Calix furrowed his brow at the mention of Phelios.

“Did my brother commit any rudeness to Your Highness?”

“She wanted to call me Count Evienrose Serenita.”

“That bird... No, my brother decided to destroy the Limitiello clan. I apologize on behalf of the family for his rudeness.”

I was astonished inwardly, for it was a word that implied that I had the power to crush the Marquis of Limitiello.

Because it was a suggestive statement.

It seemed like calculated sweet talk, but Calix, who was actually speaking, was gritting his teeth as if he was excited.

'Hmm. '

I became a little curious. I guided Calix towards a less crowded place and spoke in a lowered voice.

“Come to think of it, Young Master and I have a story we haven’t told each other yet. On the day of Rosie’s birthday party, I’d like to hear what you wanted in return for accepting the drink.”

“I think it’s too late to tell you that now.”

“That’s for me to decide.”

Calix opened his mouth as if he had no choice but to look embarrassed. Certainly, he was more perceptive and responsive than Phelios.

No, I thought it was good...

“I tried to ask you out on a date.”

"What?"

I, who was flustered, unknowingly spoke informally. I quickly covered my mouth.

Calix continued speaking as if he was truly sorry.

“And I was going to ask if you were interested in becoming the hostess of the Marquis of Limitiello.”

The person whose face was the hardest at that moment was Michael. Fortunately, no one noticed because of the lace blindfold.

I, on the other hand, noticed that Calix's tone was bland, belying the shocking content.

I asked back, pretending not to know.

“Are you trying to introduce me to your brother?”

“No. This is my story.”

“Oh, my. You’re acknowledging my ambition without even trying.”

“I originally liked things to be straightforward."

I smiled brightly.

“I’m not very good. I didn’t know that the first proposal I received would be this easy.”

“I’m sorry. I thought you would have received a lot.”

“Let’s stop joking. The position of the next mistress of the Marquis is probably already decided by the Imperial White Rose.”

“Your Highness the Eighth Princess is not my cup of tea. I am not joking, I am being serious. When I see Her Highness the 8th Princess, I get angry because I think of my older brother.”

“Oh, yes..."

I felt a deep sincerity in the reason.

At that moment, Calix cleared the awkward atmosphere with a cough.

“I know that on the day of the birthday banquet, Your Highness approached me first with political intentions.”

“Oh, did I get caught?”

“Have you ever been the only woman to approach our alumni group?”

“Oh, man. I got stabbed in the back.”

In social circles, the more awkward the situation, the more likely it is for me to smile like a flower. I also smiled like a flower in my past life.

I covered my mouth as I had learned and smiled with my eyes wide like crescent moons. For a moment, Michael and Calix flinched slightly.

Calix, who soon came to his senses, said.

“I had a gut feeling when I saw Your Highness. Your Highness believed in my worth and ambition. You are a person with the insight to recognize things and the ability to take bold action. I thought that a woman like that would be enough to support me as a hostess, even if she didn’t have a family background.”

“Yes. So you planned a date and proposal right then and there... You really are a brilliant strategist.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

I declared bluntly.

“Unfortunately, I have no intention of discussing marriage with you.”

“Yes, I know.”

His attitude was neat. Actually, he said before revealing all these facts.

Didn't you draw the line and say that it was already too late?

What Calix wanted to discuss with me now was politics.

“The reason you approached me that day, not my brother, is interpreted as Your Highness's support for me as the next Marquis of Limitiello."

“I won’t deny it.”

“Then please give me a high position.”

“Interesting. Please continue.”

“Your Highness, you will also know the situation in Limitiello. Even though my brother and I have very different qualifications, the elder members of the family are sticking to the eldest son's succession because they are such a conservative family. I have decided that it would be wise to win the support of a higher man than to win the support of my own family to reverse this dreadful practice. The support of a higher like Your Highness.”

It was a way of speaking that supported my power just like before. I asked carefully.

“Does Young Lord know what you're saying right now?”

“Of course.”

Calix placed one hand on his chest and bowed politely.

“I wish to become Your Highness’s subject.”

It was no different from declaring that they would support me as the Emperor.

In the past life, most nobles would have been okay with just going with the flow and having Brigitte become the Crown Princess.

But in this life, some people were actively seeking out other options and possibilities.

A smile appeared on my face.

The current situation was what I had hoped for all along. And the time had come sooner than I had expected.

“Lord Callix Limitiello.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I had a short time to figure out how to make the most of my current situation.

There happened to be a wine table next to them.

The act of handing over a glass of wine is a reward for loyalty and a gesture of affection towards the opposite sex.

It meant a positive response, such as "thank you," "reconciliation," and "our friendship will last forever."

I was happy to take advantage of this social body language.

I filled the empty glass with wine, and then mixed in a generous amount of strong brandy.

I smiled brightly and held out thr glass.

“This is my answer. Of course, you will accept it, right?”

"...Ha, Your Highness is a mischievous lady."

It was also revenge for what happened at the last birthday party.

Calix said, looking embarrassed, but he was glad that he could at least clear up his mistakes this way.

He felt refreshed. He willingly poured the poisonous cup I had given him into his mouth.

A small murmur spread through the banquet hall. The nobles who were watching me and Calix's meeting wondered what the wine glass meant.

It was interpreted as ‘a liking for this surname’ and there was a stir.

Phelios in particular was very upset, thinking that Calix had stolen what was his.

He had an indignant expression on his face. The more I looked at him, the more he resembled Rosenit.

“I will leave aside what happened on Rosie’s birthday.”

"Thank you..."

“Hmm, it looks difficult.”

“Yes, a little..."

“You may leave now.”

“Oh, thank you..."

Calix seemed to have difficulty even standing upright due to the rising intoxication.

I mercifully did not torment him.

At that time, Michael looked around at the nobles who were just standing far away and asked quietly.

“Your Highness, did you give the glass to him on purpose?”

“Did you notice?”

I smiled mischievously. I pretended to be interested in Calix, who was quite handsome and had a good family background.

It was a strategy to chase away other flying insects.

“Answer, revenge, and bug extermination, you’ve done three things at once.”

“Yeah. It’s annoying. Did I do well?”

“Yes. Very much.”

No matter how many handsome men approached her, whispering sweet nothings, she remained calm.

It was Eve. Seeing that, Michael felt a sense of relief.

For the first time since entering the banquet hall, it seemed as if the surroundings of I and Michael had become deserted.

I was thinking of taking a break and turning towards the pearl oyster room.

It wasn't over yet. There was still someone left to mix in the words of the costume.

A beautiful girl in a light blue dress approached, escorted by a silver-haired knight.

“Sister Eve.”

“It’s been a while, Rosie.”

“Yes. I’m glad you came back safely, sister.”

"Thank you."

In the time since I last saw her, Rosenite's mood had changed considerably.

Should we really say that she is the one who created the masculine trend and contributed to the corruption of the royal society?

The Imperial White Rose began to bloom with a richer glow than before.

"I didn't see it because I arrived late, but I heard you received a huge award from Father."

“Yes. I have been given the decree of Serenita and the title Countess.”

“Ah, so that’s why the nobles are showing interest in you. Somehow... Anyway, congratulations.”

I almost burst into laughter at Rosenite's honesty.

It seemed that she had been keeping an eye on my sudden rise to fame in the social world.

It must have been very uncomfortable.

Of course, there are the insignificant noblemen, but also the powerful ones of Rosenite.

Even Phelios, who was being mentioned as a possible fiancé, would have witnessed him approaching me.

Rosenit must have felt threatened by now as the Empire's White Rose, the flower of high society.

So it was clear that my popularity now was not because of the power of society, but because of the spirit and title.

'That was Rosie's way to survive.'

She separates politics and social life, and focuses only on social life while completely excluding politics.

Rosenit had neither a family background nor any alchemical talent.

It was obvious that if she tried to meddle in politics, she would become a laughing stock and be looked down upon.

So she chose to hone her position only in the social world. Dare I say it?

To become such an overwhelming presence in society that no one can judge you politically.

That was also the reason why she chose white, which didn't go well with the many different colors of roses.

It is said that she is a pure flower that has not been tainted by the dark politics of the palace.

Rosenit seemed impatient as I did not respond as I was lost in thought.

She said things she didn't have to say.

“It is cowardly to buy the favor of the nobles with titles and fiefdoms.”

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