22. Eventful Party (Part 3)
While everyone around them—except for those who were visibly relaxed—watched with bated breath, Carter and his men arrived. They were dragging a cart with a heavy rattling sound.
On top of the cart were buckets of mud and oil, along with a coil of beautiful ropes.
“Feast your eyes! This is the proof of Lady Eleonora’s crime!”
Carter declared proudly.
Eleonora let out a yelp as the color drained from her face.
When Eleonora was resigned to her fate, a silvery voice rang out.
“I’m a third-party, but may I ask you something? Why would the highest quality beauty products be evidence of a crime?”
The owner of the voice was Adelaide, the Prime Minister’s daughter.
She, who had once tried to humiliate Eleonora, became her secret admirer after being bestowed mercy (misunderstanding).
At that, everyone shifted their attention to Adelaide.
“Everyone, if I may? This is Crell Oil from the Kingdom of Utentos, made of Crell Fruit. Due to how difficult it was to make, one vial costs ten gold coins. Even in Utentos, only the royal family and their fiancées can use it.”
Adelaide glanced at the bucket of oil and laughed.
“Because of the exorbitant price, it’s generally used in cosmetic, but it’s actually quite versatile. When applied to the floor, the oil permeates into the material, making it durable and long-lasting. Of course, it’s safe to eat. It has a sweet, fruity scent, so it can be used as scented oil at room temperature. Oh, it can also cure throat diseases.”
Adelaide went on.
“This is sea mud from the Kingdom of Kuzuf. It’s rich in ingredients that are beneficial for beauty, and is effective against skin diseases. However, just like Crell Oil, the mud is very time consuming and taxing to refine. Not to mention, the distribution is reserved for the Kuzuf royal family, and the price rivals that of Crell Oil.
Adelaide patiently and specifically explained how high-end the evidence was.
Apparently, even the rope was a masterpiece made by a purveyor of the royal family.
“Although you presented these as evidence of a crime, think about it. Why would anyone misuse something that costs an arm and a leg to aid? Such priceless items, I’d rather use it myself.”
Adelaide’s words were persuasive.
After all, the mud was pale gray and had a mild fragrance, like bath salts. The oil also had a pleasant smell like that of cosmetics.
Even Carter couldn’t refute Adelaide’s words. He was a simple man.
“…You’re right. I only realized it now. The smell is clearly different. I’m such an amateur. It’s highly improbable that this will be used to commit crime…”
Mara screamed at Carter, who was impressed by Adelaide’s explanation.
“—Hold on! She’d fling mud at someone she dislikes, and splatter the oil to make them fall! As for the rope, uhh…”
Mara tried her best to remember the contents of the otome game.
The villainess, Eleonora, would harass the heroine and her friends in various ways.
In the game, didn’t Eleonora fasten the string to a pricey vase and stretch it over the path that the heroine usually took? Afterwards, the heroine would trip on it and break the vase. However, Mara recalled that instead of an ornamental rope, Eleonora would use a fishing line…
Mara was at a loss for words, and Adelaide burst out laughing.
“That’s enough from you! By the way, I heard that you were disparaging Lady Eleonora lately. Lady Eleonora is kind, so she endured it, but I’m different.”
When a pretty woman got furious, it actually looked scary.
Mara flinched, while Carter scrunched his nose.
Lydian couldn’t stay silent after hearing Adelaide’s words.
“…Disparaging Eleonora? Is that true, Ms. Adelaide?”
Lydian asked with a surprised look on his face.
…As for Eleonora, she went pale. She wondered how much was revealed to the world. Did everybody know she bribed the professor or tampered with the guest list?
While Eleonora clutched her head, Adelaide answered chirpily.
“It’s true! To my horror, they were trying to sully Lady Eleonora’s reputation! However, a certain brave student gathered the evidence and brought it to me. After all, my adoration towards Lady Eleonora is pretty much known by everyone!”
Lydian looked at the proud Adelaide as if she was his comrade.
“I see. Then I have to reward that student. As you can see, this is a serious claim. Would you like to refute?”
Lydian smiled cheerfully. He was glad that someone took Eleonora’s side.
Carter realized that he was on the losing side.
Ever since Eleonora “saved” him, Baldi had been skeptical towards Mara, so he simply watched from the side. He was calm, ready to accept his sentence.
Mara’s anger sizzled at Adelaide’s objection.
“Why are you treating me like a villain!? You! What did you do!?”
Lydian and Adelaide’s expression turned barbaric when Mara chastised Eleonora.
However, Eleonora was different.
‘Ohohohoho! How the table has turned! C’mon, dig a deeper grave so that I can pin the blame on you!’ (Eleonora)
Eleonora smiled at Mara, who was cursing her.
“You’re Mara, right? Your utter disrespectfulness towards me, the daughter of the duke, is unforgivable. In the name of the duke, I shall punish you for lèse-majesté. If you come quietly, no harm shall befall you.”
That’s a lie, by the way.
Eleonora would restrain her and put her on a horse without a saddle, humiliating her in public.
“You’re lying! You’re definitely plotting something! You’re the villainess, after all!”
Mara hurled curses at Eleonora. Evil knows evil. It could be said that Mara, among all people, knew Eleonora best.
‘Damn, did she read my mind…!? Scary…!! If I don’t get rid of her right away, everything will be a mess!!’ (Eleonora)
Eleonora’s smile twitched, but those around her interpreted it as ‘the duke’s daughter who concealed the pain in her heart with a smile.’
By the way, Lydian’s standards were too far out there, no matter what kind of gruesome methods Eleonora was devising, he’d still be like ‘Eleonora is so kind. Even though the other party wronged her, she still spared their life…’
…Even now, Eleonora’s purity still left a deep impression in him.
The black-bellied Eleonora, who was the complete opposite of the word ‘pure’, immediately planned to eliminate that threat. As such, her expression turned grave.
“I can no longer tolerate your disrespect!! I will—huh?”
“Lady Eleonora! It’s all right now!! I called for the professor!”
But a cheerful voice interjected. Charmia appeared, smiling brightly.
Behind her, stood the infamous Mrs. Mintil, with a stern look on her face.
Eleonora frowned.
‘Tch! This is no good. That professor doesn’t take bribes…!! Charmia, what on earth did you do…!?’ (Eleonora)
Mara also became pale.
‘What is a FEMALE professor doing here!? If you’re going to call a professor, at least make sure that it’s a male professor who’s on friendly terms with the heroine!!’ (Mara)
“Everyone, be quiet. Let me preface by saying that I don’t accept bribes. Your tears are also wasted on me, Mara Gramvar.”
Mintil’s sharp gaze was directed at Mara. Mara tensed up at the mention of her name.
‘W-why are you blaming me!? Shouldn’t you be denouncing Eleonora’s wicked deeds first!?’ (Charmia)
“Haa… Think about it for a second. You keep saying that you’ve been harassed by Lady Eleonora, but when or how would she find the time to do that? As far as I know, she’s never alone. Furthermore, on top of receiving the queen’s education, she’s also swamped with her duty as the student council president.”
Mintil tilted her glasses.
“—On the contrary, not only did you try to besmirch Lady Eleonora’s name, you also flirted shamelessly with men in committed relationships. Come with me. I shall thoroughly discipline you and address that loose moral of yours!”
Mintil grabbed the flustered Mara by her arm and dragged her away.
As she left, Mintil nodded to Eleonora.
“Lady Eleonora, you’re a wonderful person who has never flaunted your status. As a student council, you performed your duties seriously. All the professors, including me, had seen you work hard from early morning until late at night. Don’t give in to the negative rumors and keep up the good work.”
Despite her strictness, Mintil wasn’t stingy with her praise.
She was especially generous to hardworking students.
At the scary professor’s unexpected compliment, it was Eleonora’s turn to tense up.
‘I’m glad I did my best at work… But if my misdeeds were uncovered, it’d be over for me. I won’t be satisfied until I put Mara to rest with my own two hands.’ (Eleonora)
Eleonora was restless, but the audience, who had no clue about it, gave her a round of applause.
Not knowing the actual story, they saw her as a determined young lady who didn’t give in to bad rumors and was acknowledged by the strict professor for her steady efforts.
Berthold and Theselius also sincerely applauded her.
Lydian smiled with satisfaction. Adelaide and Charmia stared at each other, beaming.
…In the corner, Baldi and Carter were desperately begging Mellia and Dellyrud for forgiveness.
“Now, Lady Eleonora! Let’s restart the party! After all, Lady Eleonora took the trouble to plan it for us!”
Adelaide extended her hand to Eleonora, offering to escort her.
“If possible, I want to dance with Lady Eleonora, but I’m wholly terrified of His Highness Lydian, so I’ll just watch!”
Acting like the princess; knight, Adelaide led Eleonora to Lydian.
Adelaide’s straight and graceful figure made her even more suitable for a queen than Eleonora. Utterly terrified of Mintil, Eleonora was hunkering down the whole time.
“I’m glad you know, Ms. Adelaide. Now, can you please let go of my beloved Eleonora? You might bewitch her with your beauty.”
“Oh my, what a thing to say.”
As Adelaide and Lydian talked cheerfully, a mysterious space spread between them.
Eleonora arrived safely at Lydian, and they proceeded to dance to the orchestra music. However, she was beside herself with fear.
‘What should I do if Mrs. Mintil finds out? As expected, I have to do something about those I removed from the guest list…’ (Eleonora)
After the party, Eleonora said, “I’m not feeling well, so I’m going home!” Eleonora waved off the concerned Lydian, Berthold, and the others, before rushing to the mansion of the ladies in question.
Because she was a duke’s daughter, at the moment of her arrival, all the servants were assembled to welcome her. However, Eleonora immediately dismissed them.
“Ahem… You see, there was a gala today, right? Because of me, you weren’t invited, but…”
When Eleonora began her speech, there was a thud.
The young lady, Benrelia, was kneeling.
“W-what are you doing!?”
“Thank you…!! I was so terrified of His Highness the Crown Prince!! Had I been invited, I’d be forced to go! But thanks to Lady Eleonora, I can spend my time in peace. I’m utterly grateful!!”
Benrelia looked straight into Eleonora’s eyes, her gaze brilliant and pure.
“Lady Remidafa and Lady Greenora share the sentiment. They were glad they didn’t receive an invitation. It’s all thanks to Lady Eleonora’s consideration!! Thank you so much!!”
Benrelia spoke without a pause, leaving no chance for Eleonora to speak.
Her father was the secretary of the Council of Ministers. He was there when Lydian threatened to summon a fire dragon. His body language successfully conveyed the horrific scene to his family.
Thus, as a result, Benrelia was terrified.
When Eleonora insisted that it was all a misunderstanding, Benrelia misunderstood and said, “You’re trying to act like the bad guy, right…?”
Due to her exhaustion, Eleonora didn’t have enough energy to argue, so she went home with a throwaway line, ‘I’ll let you off the hook for today!’
…As a side note, other ladies were also showering her with letters of appreciation and bouquets of flowers, which added to her exhaustion.
In the end, Adelaide and the others held a tea party, in which Eleonora almost toppled over.
Translator’s Note:
Yep, Eleonora is still a wannabe villainess hahahaha
Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa
Have a Japanese story or the like (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commissions!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d
Previous | Table of Contents | Next
Leave a Reply