Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 135

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

Chapter 135

“Ha ha. I shall never forget your concern, brother!”
Ha ha—what a dog spouting dog talk. No, I owe dogs an apology for the comparison. I kept smiling brilliantly at Brian as he receded into the distance. The moment he vanished from sight, I smoothly adjusted my skirts and dragged my gloved hand across the blade near my leg with a soft swish.
‘Will this do?’
-It’s an incredibly faint blood droplet, but yes! Just give me a little time! ◡( ╹◡╹ )◡
‘All right, all right. I’m counting on you.’
The Banquet Hall, which had been in disarray the moment Brian appeared, grew warm and lively again in the next breath, as if nothing had happened.
Guests flocked around Brian, asking after him—saying they never expected to see him at an occasion like this. He handled them with practiced ease, offering pleasantries about how fortunate he was to have received the forgiveness of the Grand Duchess, and so on…….
“Are you all right?”
I laughed a little sheepishly when I saw Raymond looking at me with obvious concern.
“I’d prepared so much for today, but things have gotten rather tangled, haven’t they?”
My original objectives were
1. Leave a shocking first impression on everyone by holding my debutante ball at the Orland Count’s estate
2. Expose the strings Empress Cleo pulls—her poor grasp of the situation—while testing who sides with me indirectly to see Adrian’s support
3. Land a big fish
Three in total.
I managed the first somehow. The second, well—I was trying to pull it off when Brian showed up and upended the board. However much someone might wish to side with Adrian, they can hardly pretend to be close to me in front of the firstborn heir of the Emperor, who is smiling while showing at least some sign of reformation. It was the perfect move to ruin the game.
But since the former Crown Princess Valentina is handling things with her own cunning, I should be able to filter people to some degree later.
So what remained was objective number three.
“Well, since things have come to this, I ought to land at least one prize.”
“A prize?”
“Yes. I thought I could draw out Mercury somewhat, since we’re at odds with Countess Gordian.”
“If you mean Mercury, he left without even greeting the Young Duke during the commotion and went out to the Terrace over there.”
“Did he leave the Terrace to go outside?”
“It would be a grave discourtesy to abandon the banquet itself without greeting the host, and he is not possessed of the physical condition to leap down from a second-floor terrace. He is still there. Shall we go?”
“Mm…. Yes, let’s.”
I followed Raymond’s guidance toward the terrace in a curtained corner. On the surface, I merely appeared to be stepping out for some air, yet the gazes of people desperately trying to speak with me remained uncomfortably sharp.
“Your Highness Princess Titania, congratulations on your debut. I am Maribelle of House Zaigar.”
“Thank you for your congratulations!”
I deliberately affected a bright, cheerful voice. The young lady with striking violet hair and eyes addressed me in a rather provocative tone.
“I ask this in all sincerity, but I am an old friend of House Orland, and I believe I understand the weight of the loyalty that House Orland has shown to House Castrain. You would know that when my friend held her debut, she danced the opening dance with the Young Duke of Castrain. Was there a particular reason you chose this venue for your own debut?”
The Countess of Orland and my friend never opened their mouths about that matter to me. Rather, they maintained a certain distance beside me to prevent trouble. Yet her close friend openly bristled at me. Particularly, she stared at the space between Raymond’s arm and me with blazing eyes…….
‘…Ah, so she thinks I picked this place deliberately as revenge against a rival who tried to drown me, since things have gone well with my betrothed.’
Rather than angry, I found it endearing and amusing. What passionate friendship indeed…….
Since the Imperial Family itself was entangled in the matter, the Countess of Orland and my friend had both been quite thorough in keeping those around them silent about it. Though, we ourselves had no small intention of spreading rumors either.
Seeing her indignant expression, it seemed she had rejoiced alongside her friend, hoping she might become the future mistress of House Castrain. How nice to have such a friend, my dear.
“…Where in the world do you get the audacity to say such things?”
Just as I was about to respond appropriately, Raymond delivered words as sharp as a knife.
“The selection of venue and the preparations are not the responsibility of the debutante herself, but of the Chaperone and her parents, are they not? I was under the impression that House Zaigar has no connection whatsoever to House Castrain. So why does House Zaigar presume to lecture the betrothed of House Castrain? And furthermore, what standing does an outsider to House Orland have to speak about the loyalty that house has shown? I fail to see it.”
“…Lord Raymond, that is—I didn’t mean that. Young Duke! I…….”
“Well, let me make sure I understand what you’re really trying to say. Your betrothed was such a poor match that she asked someone else to dance the opening dance with her, yet you’re lecturing my friend about renting this hall for her debut? Something along the lines of, ‘How dare you humiliate someone who wanted to marry you,’ yes?”
“Y-Your Highness, your tone is……!”
Facing Maribelle, whose anger had flared up, I laughed with relative composure.
“If she’s truly a dear friend, why don’t you trust her?”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“I’ve heard that your friend is the eldest daughter of House Orland, and despite being a woman, her parents are considering making her the heir over her younger brother—she must be someone of considerable talent. Surely the Countess would not hold such a significant family matter without taking her daughter’s wishes into account?”
…Of course, the retainers of House Castrain possess remarkable loyalty, so even if the beloved daughter were somewhat displeased, they would have handled it if necessary. But I swallowed that remark and continued.
“If today’s event had been held with the sole intention of insulting someone, then your friend’s debut would have been conducted solely to trample her own pride and expose the emptiness of a betrothal, would it not? If that were the case, then she would merely be striking back at someone who struck first……. It’s rather strange for you to attack me.”
“That—that’s not it. My friend, she……!”
“Did your friend personally come forward, tears in her eyes, appealing that today was unfair and that the event was held to humiliate her?”
“She said to pay no mind to her since she’s nothing at all, but logically…….”
Maribelle’s voice slowly lost its force. Then she suddenly lifted her head and spoke to Raymond, her tone pleading.
“…You two were so wonderfully suited to each other. I thought that surely you must harbor at least fond feelings toward her…. You would understand the meaning of the opening dance…….”
“…….”
Raymond’s brow furrowed sharply. His voice emerged thick with wounded pride.
“To begin with, it is absurd to explain to a stranger the details of what has transpired between House Orland and House Castrain, who are retainers of House Castrain.”
When Maribelle heard Raymond’s ominous warning, her shoulders trembled. Under ordinary circumstances, Raymond would never have emanated such menacing energy toward a lady, but today he seemed quite agitated in every way.
Well…. If one were to think about it, from the moment Brian appeared and everyone’s faces grew grave, my debut ball became a stage where multiple people betrayed their true hearts—a veritable den of demons. But the fact that Raymond and I are walking arm in arm being enough to provoke her reaction…. Well…. That’s just endearing. Though I must admit it feels somewhat like the accused becoming the accuser.
How fortunate you are, my friend. Parents who trust you. A house whose power doesn’t fall too far behind. And friends who can stand before a princess and ask, ‘You didn’t hold your debut to humiliate my friend, did you?’ Judging by her good fortune, Titania’s is several times worse.
“Maribelle! Good heavens, what were you thinking!”
Late to the scene, my friend came rushing over and seized Maribelle’s forearm in front of Raymond, her expression frozen stiff. Seeing how she hurried over while catching her breath, it appeared she came in haste the moment she spotted Maribelle standing before us.
“Your Highness Princess Titania. Whatever Maribelle may have said, it was merely misunderstanding and mistake. She is my friend, and while she tends to be forthright in all matters, occasionally she speaks without proper discretion. If your feelings were hurt…….”
My friend’s gaze traced over my calm eyes and lingered on Raymond’s golden eyes, which emanated a menacing aura in contrast.
“My feelings were not hurt. You have a good friend, don’t you? It makes sense that you came running like this to protect her after the fact.”
“……Your Highness.”
“I’m not being sarcastic. I’ve heard that you are a wise person. Even if your friend has rather casual speech habits, if you hold her dear and she holds you dear, then…. That mutual care is real, is it not? Yes, I never had a single female peer my own age because of my unfortunate upbringing, which everyone knows about. I think that’s something good.”
Perhaps it was my imagination, but Raymond’s gaze pierced toward me. My friend’s eyes trembled like aspen leaves. Her expression was one of someone who had heard something entirely unexpected. Maribelle, too, clung to her friend’s side with a bewildered look.
Why does everyone look at me as if I’m some strange creature? Ah, perhaps because I’m proudly proclaiming my lack of friends? Ha ha, that could be it.

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