Chapter 101

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 101

Chapter Title: Selective Gifts

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Camilla Godmother's expression was icy cold as she regarded the noble ladies who had returned the invitations.

"What business do you have here?"

"Godmother, please forgive our previous rudeness. We knew it was improper, but we simply had to come apologize to the young lady in person."

Lady Georges, who wielded considerable influence in high society, spoke in a wheedling tone. She kept stealing glances at me the whole time.

'The Georges family has quite the power struggle between the second son and the family head.'

The late Count Georges had left a will bequeathing the family headship and title to his second son, but the current Count had ignored it, backed by his vassals and Duke Marsch's influence.

The second son, exiled to the borderlands with the Noxstone, had built up an army there that now formed a top-tier mercenary band. To the Count and his wife, a long-distance teleportation scroll was a desperate necessity.

They never knew when, where, or how they might be attacked.

"If you knew it was improper, you should have restrained yourselves."

"Godmother, surely you understand our situation..."

As Lady Georges reached out with a troubled expression to grasp the godmother's arm, Camilla sharply slapped her hand away. Lady Georges's face darkened like a thundercloud.

"You showed no regard for my dignity in front of the young lady, so why should I show any regard for your situations?"

"B-but...!"

"Begone. And don't let so much as a single hair be seen around here for the foreseeable future."

It was a clear warning not even to attend social parties.

The noble ladies clung to her, wailing "Godmother!", but Camilla Godmother's expression didn't soften a whit.

'Of course not. They returned the invitations.'

It was an unprecedented rudeness in high society.

They had planned to ruin my first tea party from the start, never intending to face the godmother.

If I hadn't had a long-distance teleportation scroll, they probably never would have apologized at all.

"Young lady, what happened the other day was truly inexcusable...!"

When apologies failed with the godmother, they turned to begging me directly.

The godmother shot them a piercing glare before gently taking my hand.

"Spring brings out all the flies, doesn't it? Come, let's go inside."

"Yes, Godmother!"

I beamed innocently, like a child oblivious to everything, without sparing the noble ladies a glance as I followed her.

Once inside, we passed people peeking around on the first floor, pretending to search for the venue of my tea party. Naturally, some of them were among those who had returned their invitations.

The godmother and I entered the hall calmly, and the invited guests who had arrived early rose to their feet.

"Good day, Godmother."

"Good day, Godmother."

And well they might—these were people who had accepted the invitation despite knowing it would anger Duchess Ballua.

Some had deep ties to the godmother, while others were simply kind souls who didn't want a young lady's first tea party to end in failure.

"Thank you all for coming. I won't forget your kindness."

"You're too kind. I've always wanted to visit the second floor of the Robte Salon someday."

"Come, dear, greet your honored guests."

The godmother lightly patted my back, so I grasped the hem of my skirt and curtsied.

"Pleased to meet you! I'm Leblain Reset Duvered!"

I spoke brightly, and the guests chuckled, introducing themselves one by one.

"Candira Demonte, little miss."

"Col Siacote here."

From elderly noblewomen to young ladies still in their debut years, they were all pleasant people.

The selection had filtered them perfectly.

And it was all thanks to Duchess Ballua's pettiness.

'Thank you, Duchess Ballua!'

They were all considerate folk. The matrons from prestigious houses steered conversations to make it easy for those from humbler families or young ladies to join in.

The atmosphere stayed warm and cheerful throughout. Once the conversations had ripened, I instructed Laura, who had come with me, to fetch the box.

"Um, Godmother."

"Yes?"

"Auntie said we should prepare little gifts for everyone attending my first party. So I did... may I give them out?"

I asked shyly, and the godmother chuckled warmly. "Of course, dear."

Laura handed out the envelopes from the box, one to each guest.

The most ornate one she brought to me, and I clutched it tightly, blushing as I looked up at the godmother.

The noblewomen who opened their envelopes first gasped sharply.

"This is...!"

I nodded and explained.

"Daddy says even the family has to share usage rights for long-distance teleportation scrolls. So these are special gift versions limited to 20 kilometers!"

The faces of the noble ladies who received them stiffened.

Even the faces of those who had originally been invited but stayed away turned pale. I caught a glimpse of Lady Georges clutching her mouth, trembling.

I smirked inwardly.

The plan to gift teleportation scrolls to all the guests had been Henri's idea.

[What if we gifted them teleportation scrolls?]

[Can we just hand those out? You said we have to tell Daddy when using them... Long-distance ones are dangerous just to possess.]

[We can limit the range.]

Henri had added with a bright smile.

[Sometimes you have to share what's in your hand to make even the greediest vermin grovel at your feet.]

Ishak had burst out, "As expected, brother looks coolest when he's rotten to the core!" only to get smacked.

In any case, that's how I'd asked Veronica to make modified versions.

"We can't possibly accept something so precious."

Lady Demonte tried to return the scroll with trembling hands.

"Auntie said gifts to cherished connections are never a waste."

The godmother smiled gently, chiming in.

"It's the child's heartfelt gesture—don't refuse."

"...Then we'll gratefully accept."

Even though they'd tried to refuse, considering a standard 5-kilometer scroll cost 300,000 francs, these were enticing gifts that had everyone buzzing with excitement.

I handed the godmother the most luxurious envelope Laura had brought.

"This is my gift to you, Godmother."

"Thank you... Oh, dear, this is...!"

The godmother's face hardened as she pulled out the scroll.

It was a full long-distance teleportation scroll capable of 8,000 kilometers.

Having seen the design at the First Prince's birthday from the teleportation card, her expression turned rigid. Those who had also seen it there cried out as if in scream.

"A long-distance teleportation scroll...!"

"No way, is that really...?!"

I nodded delicately once more.

"Veronica tested it—it went 8,035 kilometers. Use it whenever you need to."

The godmother seized my hands.

"Dear, you mustn't give something like this to just anyone. Put it away now."

"It's not 'just anyone'... It's for you, Godmother!"

At my words—that she was Camilla Godmother, someone I trusted—her expression grew complex.

A mix of bewilderment and emotion.

"But..."

"Daddy said it's fine if it's a gift for my godmother. And you just said not to refuse a child's sincerity..."

I deliberately drooped my brows as I spoke, and she cupped one cheek.

"This is why you have to watch your words."

Laughter erupted from all corners of the party hall.

I grinned broadly and hugged her waist.

"Please accept it! Huh? Pretty pleeease?"

"Really now... Being the godmother to such a remarkable child is wearing my heart out."

The guests chimed in, "You're so blessed, Godmother." She gently stroked my cheek.

"I'll accept it gratefully. Then we can go wandering together next time."

"Yay!"

I giggled and glanced at the people outside the door, their faces ashen like corpses, frozen stiff.

Soon, those clutching their mouths began to scatter.

'Bet your stomachs are killing you, huh?'

With that thought, I snickered inwardly.

Go on, roll around in agony and spread the word across the capital that Duvered is handing out teleportation scrolls like candy, you migratory birds.

Duchess Ballua bit her lip, staring at the empty garden.

"Brother, is no one coming to our party?"

Nils looked at his older brother Hayton with a bewildered expression. Hayton scowled fiercely.

"Shut your mouth."

"But..."

As Nils mumbled, a sharp crash! echoed through the air.

"M-Mother...!"

"Mother!"

Duchess Ballua swept the vases and tea set off the table with both arms, groaning "Urgh..." Blood trickled darkly from her hands.

"That bitch... I'll tear her apart...!"

It was all that damned orphan girl's fault.

She was the reason she and Nils had faced interrogation at the Security Bureau, the reason Nils had his admission to the Imperial Academy revoked.

And the reason the mid-range teleportation scroll loaded with 300 million francs in Gagai funds had been reduced to scrap paper...!

"P-please calm down, Mother."

"Where is your father?! What is that man doing while I'm suffering like this?!"

"He's at the central council meeting..."

"He squanders my family's fortune and clings to useless teleportation scrolls—what the hell is he doing?!"

Duchess Ballua's shouts echoed through the garden.

At that moment, in the Central Tower.

All eyes among the nobles turned to the strikingly handsome man seated near the head of the table.

Theodor Duvered didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow under the scrutiny of these eminent nobles.

"Um... Duke Duvered. If you're free after the meeting, perhaps we could have a word...?"

"Hey now! I was here first, waiting for my chance!"

"What's all this commotion in the council chamber? Don't disturb Duke Duvered's peace."

The meeting was forgotten; everyone was on edge about the long-distance teleportation scrolls' availability or sales start date.

Even Duke Marsch, chairman of the central council, waited tensely for Theodor Duvered to speak.

The duke, who had been languidly tapping the armrest, finally opened his mouth.

"I hear some people returned my daughter's tea party invitations."

"...!"

"...!"

"...!"

As several nobles paled, Duke Duvered continued in a flat tone.

"If that sounds like you, follow quietly after the meeting ends."

The hands of those who fit the bill shook uncontrollably.

At that moment, a knock echoed in the council chamber.

"Pardon the interruption."

A man in a robe emblazoned with the Duvered crest entered the heavy silence.

He approached Duke Duvered and whispered.

"We've found the one who made contact with Mireyu and the innkeeping couple."

Duke Duvered's eyes turned chillingly cold.

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