Surviving as a Terminally Ill Heiress - Chapter 78

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

Chapter 78

I felt my face cool as I asked flatly, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“What?”
“Why did you think I wouldn’t be able to come?”
When I asked so directly, both young ladies looked flustered.
But sensing they were losing ground, they drew up their courage and stepped forward.
“Well… your family has been quite troubled lately, hasn’t it?”
“That’s right. You must have been under such stress all this time.”
They were well-matched as a pair.
I swirled my glass—still half-full of its drink—and spoke with practiced grace.
“True. It was quite the spectacle. Even Ambrose has become a marketplace.”
….
“Especially since I was dragged about like some stray dog in my nightclothes at dawn. You saw it in the papers, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yes…”
Siena’s fan fluttered a beat too late.
Kate’s round eyes only darted left and right.
Both bore the look of people who knew this wasn’t what they’d meant to say.
Regardless, I shrugged and pressed on.
“Well, of course you saw it. You seem so interested in me. Even if you hadn’t, with how famous it became—anyway, thanks to that pitiful spectacle, I became an even bigger topic of conversation, and then public opinion did a complete reversal. Very convenient, really. Of course, it was all calculated. Feel free to spread that around, though I doubt anyone will believe you. Hehe.”
Both young ladies’ lips trembled slightly.
They seemed unable to judge whether I was joking or not, and thus whether they should laugh along.
I explained to them as though teaching children still finding their way.
“Still, it was fortunate. The truth came out in the end, after all. Though naturally, I was the one who brought it to light. Don’t you agree?”
“Y-yes, of course…”
“Which is why people shouldn’t commit wrongdoings. You’ve heard the story of Olson’s daughter taking her own life and Scott the congressman retiring to his homeland like a recluse?”
“Yes…”
“Well, since you’re both from the Eastern Region too, you couldn’t possibly have missed it.”
At that, both young ladies’ expressions hardened noticeably.
Ah.
It seemed these young Eastern Region ladies thought I’d made a mockery of their homeland in recent times.
‘I’ve heard that among provincial nobles, the wealthy Eastern Region in particular holds many gatherings and tends to be tightly knit.’
Yet both Olivia and Scott—from wealthy Eastern families—had fallen because of me.
Or more accurately, they’d thrown themselves at me and failed. But children always see only the result.
Both young ladies bit their lips firmly.
I thought they might back down at this point, but they showed more spirit than expected.
“You’re truly remarkable, young lady.”
“In what way? There are so many possibilities I’m confused—could you spell it out for me?”
“…Your life from birth until now has been fraught with hardship, yet here you stand so dignified and composed. I truly wish to learn from you.”
An illegitimate child of ill repute, yet you speak with such shamelessness.
Hmm, that was rather convincing socialite patter.
I tilted my head and countered smoothly.
“By all means, learn away. Though it won’t be easy to replicate.”
…
“Here’s a tip: instead of wasting time blaming yourself for things you didn’t do, just blame others. I go through life thinking—did I cause this mess, or did my parents? Frankly, they did.”
And gradually they’d realize I don’t employ those socialite courtesies at all.
Which is why Clara’s blood pressure keeps rising every time.
I could picture Clara about to shout ‘Shameless!’ at the very thought.
Wait, she should be coming back around soon.
If she catches me this time, she won’t let me off easy.
I glanced around, and sure enough, Clara’s mouth was smiling politely toward Spencer in the distance, but those sharp eyes were fixed on me.
Right. Time to escape.
I vowed it to myself with a murky smile.
It was then that the stiff Siena flinched.
Perhaps she’d misread my smile as mockery, for her expression suddenly cracked like something snapping.
And by terrible luck, she happened to be holding Pomegranate Juice in her hand.
I watched it tip sharply toward me.
‘So slow…’
She’d apparently wanted to make it look like an accident and dump it gracefully, but a noblewoman raised in comfort had reflexes that were merely adequate.
Whereas I was tempered by hunting hornets with my two younger brothers.
‘Should I dodge, or shouldn’t I?’
I hesitated for a moment.
A red stain on a white Dress.
If on my one and only Debutante day I had to go home early looking like that…
‘…Not a bad outcome, actually.’
Perfect. I’d take the hit and head straight home.
While I was at it, I’d bill them for the dress and emotional damages, and teach them a lesson about how life is learned through experience.
I felt sorry for Johanna, who’d so carefully made the dress, but with the money I squeezed out of them, I’d have a new one tailored instead.
Just as I was closing my eyes in virtuous resignation—
“Ahhh!”
The scream wasn’t mine.
I cracked open one eye and saw a Dress stained deep red.
Of course, it wasn’t mine.
“S-Siena! Are you all right?”
“Ah, my Dress… Kate pushed me!”
“What? No, I didn’t do anything!”
“Liar! Then why did it spill on me instead of that way?”
The situation had escalated.
The smart move was to slip away quietly.
I swiftly distanced myself from the two young ladies, who’d gone from soulmate allies to sworn enemies in an instant.
Though it was strange. I could’ve sworn I saw it tipping right toward me.
I glanced down at my dress hem curiously.
Not a single drop stained it.
As if by magic.

* * *

On the ride home, after enduring all of Clara’s reproaches, I reclined against the carriage seat.
I leaned back into it wearily.
‘…Now that I think about it, something was odd.’
At the Ballroom.
There were people like those Eastern Region ladies who challenged me, and others who asked for dances without tiring—but every time, something strange happened.
Their shoes suddenly broke, they collided with each other and fell together, and one time a tower of Champagne glasses even toppled over without anyone touching it.
I clicked my tongue.
“Cursed luck, perhaps.”
At least Matilda and Juliet came away unscathed. They left wearing faces of pure delight.
There was, however, one disappointment shared by all the young ladies in attendance that evening.
‘Neither of the princes showed their faces.’
But what could one do about the indisposed?
I exhaled a long breath. Though I’ll admit I would have liked to see them at least…
We arrived at the Mansion at quite a late hour.
The moment I stepped through the dark gate, exhausted, I saw three men.
One tall. Two small.
All dressed in nightclothes.
“…What are you doing?”
“We waited for you.”
Hui hurried over to me first.
Dido sauntered after him more slowly, followed by smaller, quicker footsteps.
Shasha buried his head against my legs enthusiastically.
“That’s right, did you wait for me too?”
“Meow.”
As I smiled down at my younger siblings, my gaze then shifted, somewhat dryly, toward Grandfather.
“Why?”
“Come home early.”
I’d known he’d say that.
Whenever I came back late, that was his automatic remark.
I clicked my tongue in annoyance and looked away.
“Anyway, it’s late—why didn’t you all go to bed instead of waiting?”
“Today is important for you.”
“Who said that?”
“Everyone. They said Debutante or something.”
I asked as though charmed by their knowledge.
“You learned what a Debutante is?”
“Yeah, you dance and… anyway, you’re supposed to dance a lot.”
That’s exactly what Clara said.
Hui asked as I chuckled softly.
“Did you dance a lot?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Because I was bored. Because I didn’t feel like it. Because I wanted to avoid getting tangled up with some random man.
Various reasons came to mind, but if I had to name the biggest one—
“…Because I didn’t find a suitable partner.”
Hui and Dido tilted their heads in confusion.
“Well, who would you like?”
Who knows. Maybe…
Lately, I kept thinking “maybe” about someone I don’t even like.
I shook my head and spoke playfully.
“Hmm… you two? Hui and Dido?”
“Then let’s dance with us!”

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