Chapter 205: The Otome Game 5

Margrave Beverly Calvert, with Emilia in tow, headed toward three robed figures. One appeared to be an adult, but the other two were still young. They seemed to be even younger than Emilia, but their faces were so well-formed that Emilia found herself captivated.

The boy was earnestly pleading with the older man about something. His voice reached Emilia’s ears midway through.

“—...know she’s coming to the mansion? When can I see her?”

“Muirulainen is a busy woman. But what’s with the sudden interest?”

To the young man’s suspicious question, the boy lowered his voice slightly.

“Something’s been bugging me. It’s about that monster attack we got caught up in.”

The young man’s eyes darted around instinctively, and spotting the approaching Beverly and Emilia, he cut the boy off.

“We’ll talk about that later.”

“Aw…”

The boy looked disgruntled but didn’t argue. He fell silent, his face a perfect picture of dissatisfaction. Seizing the opportunity, Beverly addressed the young man.

“Forgive me for interrupting your conversation, Lord Ben Draco.”

“Not at all, please don’t mind us. It’s been a while, Margrave Calvert.”

The young man called Ben Draco smiled. But the plastered-on smile was clearly not genuine. Beverly’s was much the same. Emilia felt her cheeks twitch, but the two children with the man, whether because they were used to it or simply didn't care, seemed unconcerned.

“I am relieved to see you have safely returned to the Ministry of Magic. I was quite worried for the future of our country, wondering what would become of it if you were not to return.”

From Beverly’s words, Emilia deduced that the young man worked for the Ministry of Magic. A moment later, she realized that there was no one matching his description among the royalty and nobility that Beverly had drilled into her. But no one other than nobles should be here. So who, then, were these three?

Unaware of Emilia’s confusion, the two continued their smiling conversation.

“My, my, it seems you hold a mere sorcerer such as myself in rather high esteem.”

“Whether it is an overestimation is for others to judge. Besides, for the heir of the renowned Draco clan to call himself a ‘mere sorcerer’ is so modest it borders on sarcasm.”

It wasn't often that a smiling exchange felt so utterly terrifying. Emilia already wanted to retreat from this place. But she couldn't put that thought into action.

At the same time, Emilia remembered. There was one other family in the Kingdom of Slibegrad that held power besides the royalty and nobility. It was the Draco family, which continued to produce talented sorcerers. She seemed to recall learning that they were descended from one of the three great sages who founded the Kingdom of Slibegrad.

So that’s why they can be here, Emilia thought, finally understanding. Just then, Beverly glanced at Emilia over her shoulder.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to a young lady I am fond of, which is why I approached you.”

After repeating it so many times, she was finally getting used to it. Emilia stepped forward before Beverly could prompt her.

“My name is Emilia Navy.”

The Draco family did not hold a title, but in terms of service to the country, they were likely of higher standing than Emilia’s own family, the Navy barony. With that judgment, Emilia curtsied in the same manner she had to the other high-ranking nobles. At the sight, Ben’s eyes widened in momentary surprise. But he quickly adopted a vague, unreadable smile.

“I am Ben Draco. I hold no title, so there is no need for such formality, my lady.”

“Um—yes, thank you.”

Even if he said there was no need for formality, Emilia wasn't quite sure how much she could relax her demeanor. But she felt it would be rude to refuse, so she thanked him honestly. The corners of Ben’s mouth lifted in a small smile, and he called out to the boy, who was staring at his feet looking bored, and the girl, whose eyes were glued to the sweets on the table.

“This will be your first time meeting Margrave Calvert as well. This is Belasta, my youngest brother, and Tania, my youngest sister. Both of you—Offer your greetings.”

Prompted by Ben, Belasta and Tania said, “A pleasure to meet you.” It was brief, but Ben didn't scold them, and Beverly just smiled cheerfully.

“Are they both, though still young, talented sorcerers?”

The moment Beverly spoke, Belasta and Tania visibly turned their gazes to their brother. Their eyes were shining with expectation, and Emilia felt her own tension ease.

But Ben Draco was by no means a kind man to his siblings.

“They seem to have an interest in magic. In that respect, I can certainly feel the blood of our clan in them.”

At once, the boy and girl’s expressions fell. They had probably wanted to be praised for their magical talent in front of others. Emilia smiled, finding their reaction cute.

Perhaps because she had been greeting so many high-ranking nobles with dazzlingly handsome faces, the rather cute appearances of the Draco siblings were a calming sight.

As she watched them with that thought, her eyes met Belasta’s as he looked up. As she found herself unable to look away from his beautiful purple eyes, Belasta suddenly spoke.

“—Hey, you can use magic, right?”

“Huh?”

What is he talking about so suddenly? Emilia wondered, blinking. Not only Emilia, but Tania and Beverly as well seemed surprised, for they fell silent and stared at Belasta. And Belasta’s guardian, Ben, gave his brother a look of exasperation.

“Belasta, such a question is impertinent. Refrain from it.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No ‘buts.’”

Rebuked by Ben, Belasta fell silent. But his face clearly showed he was not convinced. When his brother called his name again, more sharply this time, Belasta said curtly, “I get it!” and turned away. He’s quite childish in some ways, Emilia thought, turning to Ben.

“Thank you, but it’s all right.”

“—Is that so.”

Then Emilia turned to Belasta and answered.

“Lord Belasta. Yes, I can use magic. But I am still in training, so I am not allowed to use it unless my master is present.”

At that, Belasta looked up. He stared at Emilia intently and opened his mouth. “In that case,” he said.

“My brother’s here, so it’s fine, right? Show me, I’ve never seen it before. You—”

“Belasta.”

Ben cut off the excitedly blushing Belasta once more. His voice—though Beverly and Emilia wouldn’t know it—was uncharacteristically stern. Belasta’s body instantly stiffened. Beside him, Tania looked up at the sky with a look of utter exasperation.

“That is not for you to decide. If this girl’s master has decided it so, then no one has the right to overturn it. I acknowledge your passion for research, but learn to read the time and place.”

A blush of shame spread across Belasta’s cheeks. Seeing this, Ben turned his face back to Emilia. He then offered an apology with a troubled look.

“I apologize for my foolish brother’s repeated transgressions. I will have a stern word with him again later.”

“Oh, but—it’s really—”

Beverly cut off the flustered Emilia, who was about to shake her head, with a bright smile. She then gave a magnanimous nod.

“Thank you for your consideration. There is no need for worries on this joyous occasion. I would be delighted to have your continued friendship.”

“I am grateful for your generous heart. We, too, pray for the continued prosperity of the margraviate and the barony.”

The two adults exchanged greetings calmly, and the matter was settled. Ben turned his gaze to the wide-eyed Emilia and, with a “Well then,” gave a bow and departed. As they passed each other, Belasta, biting his lip in frustration, glanced at Emilia. But Emilia thought she heard him say, “Sorry,” in a voice that was barely audible.

＊＊＊＊＊

As she casually tuned out the greetings of the nobles, Liliana used wind magic to pick up the voices in the hall. She planned to check the records from her curse magic rats later for the details, but she still wanted to keep an eye on the ongoing conversations.

She occasionally felt the Crown Prince’s gaze from beside her, but she handled it with a casual air. He seemed to be worried about her health, but the reason for her near magical overload was unknown, and she hadn't fallen ill again since. She thought he was being a bit overprotective, but even after saying so several times, Riley’s concern showed no signs of abating.

—She seems to be smoothly clearing the encounter events.

Emilia, who was attending this tea party, would be introduced to various nobles by Margrave Beverly Calvert, who wanted to find a fiancé for her. The plan was for the love interests to be among them. But at this point, Emilia had no romantic feelings, or even feelings of goodwill, towards any of the love interests. All she felt was a sense of longing for beings beyond her reach.

But as incidents occurred and she solved the mysteries, her relationships with the love interests would begin to change. And in the end, she would achieve a happy ending with just one of them.

—Still, to go and talk to my brother right after finishing her greetings.

In the otome game Liliana had played in her past life, the order in which you spoke to people at the tea party could be freely chosen. Depending on the order, the first incident that occurred would change. This time, the greeting to the royal family was first, but Liliana had hijacked the lines that Riley was supposed to say. So, Riley’s incident might not be the first. However, Austin’s incident would occur even if they didn't speak directly, as long as she spoke with Riley.

But at this stage, she wouldn't be locked into an individual route. The first incident simply made it easier to raise affection, and she could still pursue other love interests’ routes after that. However, considering the later developments, she remembered that many players chose to trigger the incident with the character they wanted to pursue first.

(If Will and Austin’s incident doesn’t happen because I said Will’s lines, then the most likely is Prince Roland, followed by my brother.)

But that was only if the condition of “the heroine did not speak with the Crown Prince” was met. Liliana had said the lines directed at Emilia, but it couldn't be said that Riley and Emilia hadn't spoken at all.

Furthermore, the common route for Riley and Austin was long. The other love interests branched off into their individual routes relatively early on, but even if Austin’s incident occurred, it was impossible to tell whether it would lead to Austin’s route or Riley’s.

(In other words, no matter whose incident occurs at this stage, the route the heroine takes is not yet determined.)

For Liliana to avoid the path of ruin, she needed not only to confirm what kind of incident Emilia would encounter after this tea party, but also what kind of conversations she would have with the love interests. Naturally, she would have to keep a close watch on Emilia’s movements from now on.

In Liliana’s ear, at a volume only she could hear, the conversation between Clyde and Emilia’s party was audible. Since Ben and the others were also in the hall, she was using the minimum amount of mana so as not to be noticed, but it was no problem to listen in on the conversation of a small group.

‘I am Clyde, the Duke of Clark. It is a pleasure to meet you.’

At her brother’s words, Liliana resisted the urge to furrow her brow. It was exactly as she remembered from the otome game.

At these words, the surrounding crowd would be surprised that Clyde, who had never been swayed no matter how beautiful a woman spoke to him, had taken an interest in a mere baron’s daughter. At first, most would think he was just being considerate of Margrave Calvert. But as the game progressed, they would learn that Clyde’s affection for Emilia was genuine. Even if she didn't pursue Clyde’s route, Emilia would build good relationships with the love interests.

Liliana let out a small sigh. As she smiled to reassure Riley, who had shot her a concerned look, she plunged into her thoughts behind her smile.

From her attitude towards them and her conversation with Clyde, she could confirm that Emilia Navy’s personality was exactly as it was in the otome game.

(The fact that she doesn't seem to be the type to scheme is a fortunate thing, but in terms of avoiding my own ruin, her personality may be unfortunate for me.)

Even as she thought that, the conversation between Clyde and Emilia’s party continued.

‘If I recall correctly, it was in the Calvert margraviate, but was there not a village where the Black Death broke out some sixteen or seventeen years ago?’

(This, too, is just like the game.)

Managing to suppress the bitter grimace that threatened to form on her face, Liliana smiled at the low-ranking noble’s daughter who was blushing nervously before her. Like a machine, the words “What a lovely girl” escaped her lips. As she felt the gaze of the smiling young lady and the amused, yet somehow entertained, gaze of Riley on her cheek, Liliana strained her ears to hear the conversation of Clyde’s group.

‘Actually, there is a convent near this girl’s—the Navy barony. I have heard that they had some dealings with it before the Black Death broke out.’

‘—A convent, you say?’

‘Yes, I think it would be a good idea for you to visit. I believe His Highness the Crown Prince, the Duke of Clark’s daughter, and His Highness the Prince also stopped by for an inspection, as they mentioned earlier.’

For a moment, Liliana felt her cheeks twitch.

—What did she say?

There was no such line in the otome game.

(That convent?)

It had been four years since the inspection, but Liliana remembered.

At that convent where they had seen the patchwork, hadn't the abbess explained?—This is a work called patchwork, taught to us by someone who was previously at a convent in the Calvert margraviate.

—-

Toc

Chapter 206