Chapter 11

My grip on my pen was tight. The room was filled with nothing but the sound of nervous tapping. I've been staring at this piece of paper for several minutes now. The top part of the paper wrote: How to befriend the Villainess?

I've thought of many different possibilities to appease her. I thought about being her yesman, but I'll probably want to die if I do that.

There are infinite possibilities. Yet at the same time, there are so few options.

Giving her gifts doesn't seem very effective either. She's filthy rich, she can get anything she wants. Ah, my head hurts!

It's like doing a college assignment. But instead of failing, I get killed.

Tiredly, I rest my head on my desk.

If I was in a safe position like the main characters, I wouldn't be so worried. Oh, even if I was a powerful magic user that would be good. But no! I'm a magicless, clueless person!

Knock knock

"Huhh…? Come in," I looked up from my desk. Entering my room was my trusted butler "Elliot, is there something?" I rest my chin in the palm of my hands. Elliot took note of my mood. 

"Have I entered in a bad time?"

"No, it's alright," I gestured to him to come to my desk. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out an envelope. Looking at the wax seal on it, take it from his hand and inspected it. The wax seal was red in color with an orchid symbol.

"Hm, another invite?" I opened up the envelope.

"Yes, this is an invitation from the Xipil Duchy."

"EH?! An invitation from Duchess Marian Xipil?!" I screeched. Elliot seems frightened by my reaction. Quickly, I read the contents of the letter. My eyes scanned each word. 

This is an invitation to…a tea party?

A tea party being held at Marian's estate. The invite didn't go into details why it's being held. Just stating that anyone with an invitation is more than welcome to come.

My hands suddenly begin to clutch the paper "I-I see, it's just a simple tea party. Ahaha,"

Elliot looks at me, opening his mouth "A 2nd invitation was sent too," He brings out an identical envelope. 

Another one? Was it meant for Evora? No, it can't be. Marian knows Evora isn't available right now. That invitation isn't for Evora, but who?

The only other person who would be given an invitation is-

"She's inviting Isadora too?!"

Wait wait wait wait! Isadora never went to any tea parties in the novels! Much less one that Marian is hosting! How am I going to plan what's going to go wrong if I don't know what's going to go wrong?!

This is bad. If those 2 are in vicinity with each other, what kind of trouble would come along?

"Should I give this to Miss Isadora?" He asked before putting the envelope back in his jacket.

I bit my lips "Just why would Marian want to send her an invitation?" 

"I am unaware as well." Elliot responded nonchalantly. 

God, do I tell Isadora to not go?

Elliot opened up the envelope to read its contents.

Isadora cannot go! I can't let her go near Marian. If Marian harbors any hatred for Isadora, it's doomsday for me.

"Ah, I have mixed up the envelopes."

"Hm?"

Elliot hands the open letter to me. Grabbing the paper, I read its contents in silence.

'Dear children of the Itzal household,

It seems that the events of the ball have left our relationship sour. 

That is why I am personally inviting you two to my Estate for a tea party.

If this letter ends up finding Lady Violette, let her know that I have not said all that I want to say. I would like to discuss it in person if I could. You can bring that girl if you wish, I'm sure having someone there will bring you comfort.

Sincerely, the future Empress of Cresia. Duchess Marian Xipil'

I wanted to faint.

It feels as if reading took a decade out of my life. Like a piece of my soul left my body. Marian is speaking to me directly.

Ahhhh, I shouldn't go!

"Elliot, what happens if we don't attend?!" I ask, my voice frantic.

"Lady Marian Xipil has a lot of say in many political stands and businesses. I do believe someone like her will pull some strings. As a Viscounty, we are in no position to reject a personal request from the duchess,"

Ah, right…

We're a Viscounty. The 2nd lowest ranking of nobility. Marian is a Duchess, the highest ranking noble right under the Imperial family. Normally we might be able to get away with denying a request. But Marian is a different case.

She is the most powerful Dukedom in the nation. Her influence far exceeds any of the other noble houses. She alone is the most powerful individual after the Imperial family. Not to mention the fact she will soon marry the prince. Making an enemy of her will not go unpunished.

It's happened before, just not in this reality.

God, I want to cry.

Will there be any good to come out of this? Think, me! Think!

If making an enemy of Marian means death, then…

Why don't you try to befriend her?

I remembered Ayame's words. When Ayame told me that, maybe she knew. This could be her really looking out for me.

This change could help me.

I want to see what happens if we diverge from the novels. Isadora making amends with Marian can be my salvation. Maybe there, Isadora can try to befriend Marian alongside me!

Though, after what happened at the ball, it'll be hard to make repairs. 

Maybe Elliot knows how "Elliot," I pause.

"Yes my lady,"

"If someone has everything in the world, what kind of gift would they want?" The only way I can think to repair our relationship is to give Marian something. It may not work, but I cannot see an alternative.

"I suppose it depends on the person," Elliot responded. "If that person can have the most lavious things in the world, then that is all they will have. They may forget the simple joys of life,"

Hm, that sounds interesting.

I guess Elliot has experience with this kind of stuff. I'll take his words for it. Something simple that one can enjoy.

"If I know what I want to give the Duchess, then I shall call for you," I smile. Elliot bows "Of course, will that be all?"

I pause. Elliot could be a lot of help. He seems experienced with how nobles work. 20 years of experience in the Itzal household and it shows.

"Can you come too?" I ask, hopeful yet nervous. "To accompany me and Isadora I mean," A sweat dripped down from the side of my face as Elliot paused.

"It says you can only get in if you get an invitation. I'll send a letter to the Duchy requesting one for you!" As long as he has an invitation too, it should be alright. But, I can't be sure that Elliot would even want to go. But it'll be very helpful if he was there, to look over Isadora and give me advice.

"It's not that I-I'm scared or anything-"

"Of course,"

"You sho- Huh?"

"I'll make preparations," He smiles. I let out the biggest sigh of relief when he said that. Thank goodness.

"That's good, you can leave now Elliot," I dismissed him.

Slowly the anxiety in my heart faded away. It's reassuring knowing someone I trust will be there. I certainly feel better if other people I know will be there.

I'll just have to wait and see.