Chapter 10

Lance looked surprised. His eyes were wide all of the sudden.

"It seems you tend to keep up with the rumors a lot! I just want to know if there's anything going around about Isadora." I tried to clarify to Lance. To him, that question probably came out of nowhere. 

He pauses, resting his hands on his lap. "The rumors spoke about Viscountess Evora taking in an orphan commoner not long after her husband's death." 

The way that's phrased, while sad, is true. 

To everyone, it probably seemed like the decision was made on a whim.

"Word around town talks about her beauty. She was supposedly very beautiful, more beautiful than some- no… most of the nobility." Lance paused.

Ah, yeah that seems like Isadora alright. Perfect in every way. As if an angel sent from the heavens. 

"It makes people wonder if she really was a commoner or not," He said.

Huh? That's… quite interesting. 

Now that I think about it, Isadora's past never got explained in the novels. It was all about her present life as the adopted daughter of the viscountess. I guess it is irrelevant, though I could try to ask Isadora about it. She might know something about it.

"Isadora never talked about her past, but I doubt she is a mere commoner too,"

One thing I know that no one currently knows yet is Isadora's magic. Light magic. It's rare, the rarest of all the 6 elemental magics in this world. Of course, it could just be a coincidence.

But for the protagonist like her, anything goes.

Once she turns 18, she'll be able to use her light magic. Being able to use magic at a premature age is another exception. Normally, she should be older, but of course being the protagonist gives her special treatment. However, from the point of view of reality, something would be amiss. It would get heads raising.

Naturally, being the main character she would be special in every way. But the answer Lance gave seems a bit too vague. I was expecting a different answer from that question. I guess it's because they don't know each other at all at this point. Practically strangers.

"Thank you for your insight my lord," I smile, "You are very knowledgeable," He seems to enjoy our conversation so far. And it seems like he knows a lot.

"I also have another question I would like to ask," I'm not sure how much he knows, but any information is very useful to me. I think back to the suggestion Ayame gave me.

"The Duchess, Marian Xipil… What exactly is she like?"

Lance was taken back by the sudden question.

Asking this question might be a bit of a bad idea. The Scylla household and Marian have some sort of rivalry going on. I'm not sure if it's the best to ask Lance of all people, but now that I'm here, I might as well ask.

He went stiff, his strawberry blonde hair falling on his forehead. "I've heard rumors about her. She's said to be cruel, rude, arrogant," You got that right Lance "I've never met her personally. Though, the way my parents speak about her is enough to discourage me." 

He rests his chin on his hand "My mother especially…" 

Marchioness Haleigh Scylla? His mother? That's interesting. I do remember in the novels, those two didn't have good chemistry. Their interactions were always sour.

"My mother and her seem to… really dislike each other," Lance sighs.

Does she have a personal grudge against Marian?

That does make sense. From the novel, Marian would often be seen belittling other nobles. It only makes sense if no one likes her too. Especially ones who hold a significant influence already and see her as their rival.

"Personally, I wouldn't want to commune with her," Lance crosses his arm under the table.

"I-I don't want to either!" I awkwardly laugh, "I'm really only asking just in case I bump into her again," I definitely will bump into her again, knowing my luck.

Lance nods "In that case I would suggest ignoring her. She seems to target those who actively engage her."

Well shit. That goes against everything Ayame wanted me to do.

Avoiding her won't change anything, but getting close to her is not something I want to do.

God, what advice do I follow?

"After what happened at the ball, you must not want to face her again." Lance is not wrong with that statement.

"It's fine. Eventually I'll run into her. I'm trying to look at the bright side. Perhaps the next time we meet, I'll try to strike up a conversation with her." I laughed it off as a joke. Looking at Lance however, it seems he didn't take that very lightly.

He continues crossing his arms. But he was averting his eyes from me.

"After the events at the ball, you still have the courage to go up to her…"

It took me out of my thoughts. I shook my hands "No no, I was only making a joke I swear," I began blinking repeatedly. I wasn't. However, I didn't want it to seem like I was ignoring Lance's advice.

Lance tightened his lips "I suppose. Still, it takes a lot of courage to talk to someone who has wronged you…" His blue eyes light up. He gave a light chuckle, it seems he was relaxing a bit. Looking at his calm face…ah, it's nice.

Step step step

We hear someone approaching. Looking to the source of the footsteps, we see a young man approaching us. He wore the Scylla Estate's servant uniform. "Master Lance, Lady Haleigh calls for you," He said.

Lances look over to me. There was a hint of disappointment on his face.

"Very well. Would you escort Lady Violette out, Yoan?" Lance stands up from his seat. The servant nods. Ha, I guess it's time to leave. That's a shame, we were getting along so well too.

Before Lance left, he turned to me with a small smile on his face. "I'm glad I had a chance to talk to you today, my lady." I couldn't say anything in return as he rushed off. I sigh, picking up the basket of sweets. Following the servant through the garden. This conversation between me and Lance will be the blueprints for our relationship though. I just know it. If I can get closer to him, I know I can make him my lover.

As I walked down the path, I never noticed a pair of eyes looking at me from a window.

With a closed fan in hand, they watch over me as I leave the estate. They stood tall, observing me and my manners. Even though I left their sight, they still kept me in their interest.

Knock knock

Someone came by their door. 

The woman's pink hair flows as she turns around. Her piercing blue eyes looking at the door as it opens.

"Mother, you called for me?" Lance enters the room, closing the door behind him.

"Who was that girl just now?" She lowers her fan, revealing a smile.

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