I Became a Leader in a Wretched Prison - Chapter 222

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story Episode 8

I only responded to his question, so why is Oppa raising his voice?

How should I have answered for it to be a normal reaction?

I had traveled around various places to fulfill Mama’s will, but ordinary communication was still difficult.

The more I thought about it, the more my head hurt and I became somewhat unpleasant, so I decided to stop thinking.

‘I’ll just deal with it as it comes.’

“…Where is your lover who should be stopping you?”

“He went to work. Do you think our guy is as idle as Oppa?”

“I’m not idle either!”

Come to think of it, I had come here with business, but Pontos was dressed as if he was about to go out somewhere.

“Where are you going?”

“Right. I’m planning to go out.”

“Where to?”

“…The temple.”

I tilted my head. Did they coat it with honey there, or did he lend them money?

‘Don’t they only receive donations?’

I imagined my gentle-looking Elder Brother causing a ruckus demanding they cough up the donation money.

I gave up.

He could do that if he felt bad about the money.

“…Younger Sister, somehow it seems like you’re having very unpleasant thoughts about me?”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

Pontos made an uncomfortable expression.

“So I just need to invite only the Young Ladies from friendly noble houses? Anything else?”

It was amazing.

Pontos would nag me saying I shouldn’t do this, I shouldn’t do that, that’s against common sense.

But in the end, he would grant everything I wanted. Are all families like this? I asked Helios, but he said he couldn’t be sure since he didn’t have family either.

“But I can feel that Marquis Limnades really cherishes Master.”

“Hmm, are you jealous?”

“…I’m not a madman who gets jealous of family… Um, I don’t want to be.”

Pontos let out a deep sigh.

“Fine, I’ll contact them to see if there are people we can gather by today. Wait for an hour.”

“Good.”

“Hm? Where are you going?”

When I suddenly got up from my seat, Pontos looked at me puzzled.

Well, it’s because I have things to prepare.

“Think about it, I came here as an illegitimate child before and learned etiquette in my own way, right?”

“…Can that even be called learning?”

“Why, I acted the timid young lady well.”

“…Timid, I’m not sure if that can be called timid. Anyway, so what?”

I smiled slyly.

“‘Minte Limnades,’ the Young Lady of Limnades, has never officially debuted. But if she suddenly holds a tea time, who would come?”

Pontos’s mouth fell slightly open.

“…What’s with this sensible thinking for once?”

“So, I should welcome them with an identity everyone’s familiar with.”

“I take back my previous statement, younger sibling.”

Regardless of what he said, when the light that finally flowed from me wrapped around my entire body and disappeared.

Shimmer. My hair had become silver like the late Marchioness.

An identity I had used once before, the illegitimate child of Limnades I had created to deceive Helios.

It was the appearance of ‘Rite Limnades.’

“In this form, everyone knows me, so there’s no problem, right?”

Pontos gaped and shook his head back and forth.

“…I’m always compelled to pay respect to your extraordinary methods.”

“? Thanks for the compliment.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”

And so I came to welcome the noble young ladies in the appearance of an illegitimate child.

* * *

Young Lady Riley Stratton was the daughter of House Stratton, and when I was actively working as an illegitimate child.

We had even gone out together after I rescued her at a banquet, which started our connection.

‘Though I haven’t seen her since then….’

When I asked oppa to invite friendly houses, she came to mind so I asked him to include her.

And she was the first to arrive at this place.

“It’s really been so long, Young Lady Marquis!”

Even though it had truly been a while since we met, she welcomed me with a face that seemed very happy to see me.

It was a curious thing.

“Indeed it has. It’s been so long, thank you for not forgetting me.”

I smiled slightly.

Then Riley flinched.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, no! It’s just, um, you seem a little softer than when I last saw you.”

Riley laughed cheerfully.

Looking at her again, she had a cute impression.

“Oh, and I heard from the Marquis. You said you’d like to visit the salon!”

And the plan changed slightly.

Originally I had tried to hold a tea time, but after confirming it would be difficult to do so today.

Pontos had suggested that I try going to a salon.

“I love going to salons too, I’m so happy to go with you, Young Lady!”

Usually, a salon refers to a social gathering privately hosted by nobles.

But in the capital, salons operated like private cafes had appeared and were becoming trendy.

Just by going there, you could socialize with various Young Ladies who were there.

‘How convenient.’

I thought that way I could meet more ordinary Young Ladies.

How efficient.

“Yes, thank you for guiding me. Shall we go then?”

The salon we arrived at shortly after definitely felt similar to a cafe.

Except it was quieter and felt more like a private space where privacy would be better protected.

“We were worried since there was no news at all… I’m glad you’ve recovered.”

Riley said this just before entering the salon.

In fact, it had only been a month since I dealt with Deflon. Since I hadn’t properly sorted out the Illegitimate Child’s status yet.

For now, we had spread rumors that the Illegitimate Child Rite Limnades was recuperating, using health as an excuse.

I nodded calmly.

“Thank you for worrying about me. I’m glad you’re healthy too, Riley.”

“…! May I, may I call you by your name too?!”

“? Yes, of course.”

Riley nodded with an excited expression.

“Please, please trust only me!”

It felt like a small Pomeranian puppy barking excitedly while leading the way, but I left her be.

Unlike the cafe-like exterior, the salon’s interior was similar to the atmosphere of noble banquets I had rarely attended.

Except there was no dancing, just soft music playing in the background and pretty, delicate snacks placed on expensive-looking tableware everywhere.

‘Sweet smell.’

The difference was that everyone was sitting in small groups chatting or standing around talking.

“Hello, Young Lady Limnades. I’m Amanda from Silverwood County.”

“I’m Henna from Birdmonst Barony.”

Riley’s words about trusting only her weren’t an exaggeration, as I was smoothly introduced to a table.

There were three Young Ladies sitting there in total.

Like the elegant and graceful Young Ladies filling this place, they were holding fans in one hand, or someone was laughing while wearing a shawl.

‘Since my goal is to observe ordinary Young Ladies, this is perfect.’

I smiled slightly.

“As you all probably know, I’m Rite Limnades. Nice to meet you.”

Then the Young Ladies briefly looked at each other. The glances they exchanged were meaningful.

‘What’s this about?’

For a while, ordinary conversations took place. Talk about lunch they had today or trendy dresses these days.

Then someone couldn’t contain their curiosity and spoke up.

“Um… this would be really rude of me to say, but.”

If it’s rude, then I just won’t do it, right? While thinking this, I nodded.

People commit rudeness while living. No matter how rude, could it be worse than the Prisoners?

“We heard that you have no interest in people at all and are very ill… But seeing you now, it doesn’t seem to be the case.”

I tilted my head.

It’s true that I have no interest in others. But how did that spread?

Originally, the character I acted was an extremely timid Young Lady who couldn’t even greet people?

“Please don’t misunderstand, we have no intention of disliking or bothering you at all!”

“Oh, that’s right. Actually, we’re really very interested!”

“…In me?”

“Yes! Actually, there’s something we’ve been really, really curious about.”

Could they be curious about someone who hasn’t even shown her face a few times in High Society?

As my acceptance fell, the Young Ladies looked at each other. Is it because I’ve been watching Prisoners for so long?

It felt like harmless rabbits whispering and plotting while reading the mood.

“Um… then if it’s not rude! Which one of you is engaged to Duke Alpeion…?!”

I blinked my eyes.

‘What is this about?’

“Um, sorry if this was rude. But we’re curious about which one between you and the other Marquis Limnades’ Daughter is engaged…!”

…It’s both of us though?

‘It seems like rumors have spread, but how did such rumors start?’

If I had to guess, it seems like rumors spread that Helios was engaged or married to Limnades’ daughter.

But it seemed unknown which daughter it was. It was a bit absurd.

‘Then I should just say the real daughter is the fiancée.’

Anyway, once this role is over, this Illegitimate Child identity will disappear.

It was the moment I was about to answer with a light heart.

“Kyaak.”

An exclamation mixed with admiration and nasal sounds came from behind.

“It’s Duke Alpeion!”

“My goodness, why is the Duke here?”

When I quickly turned my head at the sound I couldn’t ignore, surprisingly, I saw Helios striding toward us.

How exactly… well, he would know my location.

But somehow, he had a terrifying expression.

As if he had come to catch a cheating lover?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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