Chapter 35

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 41

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"Got it."

He extended his right arm gracefully, like a peacock unfurling its wings, and Luciana, positioned at the tip, spun around to gaze at where Richt stood.

"……!"

Sure enough, the moment she looked, their eyes locked—just as if he were admitting he'd been staring at her all along.

He quickly turned his head away like a thief caught red-handed, feigning innocence.

'People are watching right in front of him! Why's he been acting so weird since earlier?'

Does he have something to say or what?

Richt's inexplicable behavior was making her more and more uneasy by the second.

Thinking he was just a guy whose only redeeming feature was his face, Luciana wished she could hurl her shoe straight at his chest.

Luis might think Richt disliked her right now, but if things kept going like this, she had no idea when suspicion would turn her way.

It pained her for Luis's sake, but for her own safety, Luciana decided she needed to redirect his attention.

"No way. Why would he hate you for no reason?"

"Sis, can't you feel that stare?"

"The Duke just has a... not-so-gentle look about him. That's probably it."

"……Even if it were the good kind of attention, I'd pass at this point."

Luis still looked uneasy, but he didn't press further.

Once the dance session wrapped up, the sweet atmosphere melted into something downright syrupy.

'Come to think of it, in the original story, Luciana made the shortlist for Spring Goddess too. Though Deborah snagged it thanks to protagonist privilege.'

It was also the trigger for Luciana's full-on villain arc.

'She watched the protagonists dancing to everyone's adoration and felt this unbearable jealousy.'

But Luciana had no intention of chasing Spring Goddess status like the original or hovering around the male lead.

Instead of parading her beauty through the ballroom, she lounged at a tea table tucked in the shade, enjoying light chatter.

'Luis went off to catch up with friends after so long. Can't be helped.'

Leaving a lady all by herself.

He was a partner with zero manners, but she'd never expected that level of etiquette anyway, so she let it slide.

'Richt... just ignore him.'

He wasn't sneaking glances anymore, but like some shadow, he stayed within a fixed radius no matter where she went.

'No way he's following me on purpose.'

She couldn't even go over and say something. Just thinking about Richt made her stomach twist with anxiety.

Luciana shook off the nagging unease and soothed her throat with fragrant flower tea.

"Ah! Lady Hailey!"

One of the ladies mid-gush about dresses suddenly lit up at someone approaching from afar.

"Everyone, it's been ages!"

"Oh my, that cat..."

"Ah! Her Highness the Second Princess said it was fine to bring a dog or cat, so I did."

Hailey settled into the one empty chair, stroking the haughty feline like a finicky young miss, and launched into her bragging.

'Wow, a cat after all this time? Too cute.'

The cat, elegantly named Elise, had striking blue eyes and a coat blending gray and white fur just right.

"Meow!"

"Eek! Behave yourself!"

Maybe annoyed by the petting, Elise hopped from Hailey's lap onto the table like she owned it.

"What's the harm? She must be itchy just sitting still—let her be!"

"Is that okay? Well, excuse me for a moment then."

As the ladies wished, Elise claimed her spot on the tea table like a mascot.

"How old is Elise? She doesn't look like a kitten."

"About a year and a half. When I first brought her home, her fur was so fluffy..."

The cozy table talk swiftly filled with stories of their adorable feline guest.

'Her tongue's tiny.'

Luciana, quietly listening, couldn't help stealing fond glances at the cat.

"Mee-ow!"

Unlike her affectionate gaze, the adorable Elise seemed none too pleased by the attention.

'Hmm... Looks like Elise doesn't like me.'

Luciana knew zilch about cats, but the intense stare and tail-flicking didn't feel friendly.

No pet bonds in her past life, and now this one too? Smacking her lips in mild regret, Luciana awkwardly looked away.

"……."

Glance.

But it didn't last a minute.

She found herself peeking back at the cat almost immediately. Pretending to admire the scenery, she felt a persistent prickling on her cheek from those eyes.

As expected, Elise's blue eyes remained fixed on Luciana.

'......It's fine, right?'

Doesn't seem like she likes me.'

Suddenly uneasy, Luciana glanced at the owner, Hailey. But Hailey was now deep in gossip about handsome young lords and had forgotten all about Elise.

'Beats me. Cats are mysterious creatures, they say.'

Her throat felt dry again—maybe ask for more tea?

The moment Luciana raised her left hand toward a nearby servant...

"Mrow!"

"Ah!"

"Oh my god, Elise!"

Out of habit, Luciana rested her right hand on the table, and Elise—who'd been zeroed in on her—flashed her claws and swiped nimbly.

"Lady Leslie! Are you alright?"

"Ow..."

Sharp claws shredded the delicate lace. Feeling the stinging pain, Luciana clutched her heating hand and winced.

"I-I'm so sorry."

Hailey, pale as a ghost after rushing back with the cat in tow, apologized profusely.

The skin was just scraped, but her cat had undeniably injured Luciana. Plus, those pricey lace gloves were ruined.

"What am I to do..."

Hailey kept apologizing, her face etched with fear.

They were casual acquaintances who chatted now and then, but Luciana's status was undeniably higher, and its influence couldn't be ignored.

If Luciana pressed the issue, who knew how far it might escalate.

Scratching a noble lady was especially touchy. And Lady Leslie, with her family's fierce protectiveness, was infamous for it.

If it blew up into inter-family strife, her father would have a fit later. Worst case, bad rumors could derail her marriage prospects.

"Sh-she's never scratched anyone before... I'm truly sorry."

Hailey clamped her trembling fingertips over her lips.

'Oh no. She's shaking.'

Luciana eyed Hailey, whose face had gone sheet-white with guilt and dread.

She knew the brutal realities of their class-ridden society all too well.

'Seeing her this scared... I don't even know what to say.'

It'd be a lie to say she wasn't startled by the sudden attack, but this was minor enough for a touch of leniency.

A little ointment would fix the scratch, no scar even, so no need to make a fuss.

Smooth.

Collecting her thoughts, Luciana rose silently.

"I'm fine. Just a little scrape on the skin... It'll heal quick with some ointment. Oh, and don't worry about the gloves—my maid brought spares."

"But..."

Hailey teared up, touched by the clear consideration.

"I'll gift you even better ones to replace them!"

"No, really, that's not necessary..."

Luciana waved her off repeatedly, but Hailey's stubbornness won out, forcing her to concede.

Not content with that, Hailey even tried to escort her to the lounge, so Luciana had to calm her frantic apologies three or four times before finally slipping away.