Chapter 229: Buried Alive (9)

I had expected a peaceful tea party, but the mood was completely different. The shy, innocent-looking girl had deliberately placed a seat in an odd spot. She kicked out the girl who had been calmly sitting in the position of honor and seated Rubia there instead.

It felt unusual, but I had no idea how to intervene, or if I even should. If someone directly threatened Rubia, I considered using the Fear skill, but in this situation, I couldn't determine a clear target.

Brrr...

The noble girls' eyebrows trembled with tension.

Gulp.

The sound of someone gulping was loud enough to be awkward. Sisel Ridbaren had been sitting confidently, but now she had a nervous twitch in her forced smile. It wouldn't be surprising if she burst into tears and ran out right now.

This felt dangerous. Rubia was getting too deeply entangled in the battles among these young nobles. Despite the harsh treatment, Sisel Ridbaren remained firmly in her seat. Naturally, she must have harbored serious resentment toward Marquis Ivote's daughter. A good portion of that resentment would likely be directed at Rubia as well, standing at her side.

Just as my skull began to throb, Rubia lowered her head slightly and whispered, "Please make a promise."

The golden-haired girl flinched and softly said, "Pardon?"

I had pushed my Detection skill to the max, so Rubia's whisper sounded clearly if she had spoken right beside me.

"If I play along with you for this little scenario, please grant me access to the Ivote family's library."

The Ivote family's library? Well, Rubia does love books, and her class status clearly labels her as a librarian

.

Is she trying to use this opportunity to access rare and interesting volumes?

"That's...

um

..." The golden-haired girl seemed entranced for a moment, her eyes blank, before she quickly nodded. "I promise."

Hmm...

Why does it feel like Rubia is the one in control? She said this was her first tea party.

Tap.

Under her false name, Rubia took her seat. Though the golden-haired girl's expression had briefly wavered from Rubia's whisper, she quickly recovered and smiled demurely again.

What's going on here?

Even at a glance, it was clear how important and sensitive seating arrangements were at this tea party. By using Rubia, the daughter of Marquis Ivote had executed a brutal attack.

From what I could glean, it looked like she deliberately placed a no-name girl from the countryside in the prime seat, one previously occupied by someone she wanted to humiliate.

Sisel Ridbaren quietly cleared her throat.

As if she couldn't possibly leave without saying something, she made a pointed remark. "I'm worried Marquis Ivote's daughter may have made a mistake."

Using the word "mistake" was basically throwing down the gauntlet. All eyes turned to her instantly.

"

Oh

my, a mistake?"

"Careful seat planning reflects a noble's attentiveness. I'm afraid it would be disgraceful if such an oversight were traced back to the renowned House of Ivote."

Is she too young?

Sisel lacked composure and did not have a good choice of words. She had just stabbed not only the host, but also Rubia who was seated beside her.

Ivote Sena Erengaede smiled shyly and responded, "

Oh,

dear. Was there a problem? I'm so grateful you all came after such a long journey. Please, do sit and rest from your tiring journey."

Maybe it was because my Detection skill was still active, but I could read all the subtle shifts in expressions and postures. By emphasizing the long journey, Lady Ivote had given a clear reason for seating a far-off noble in the place of honor. There wouldn't be any family farther away than the made-up Gratie estate, whose name Rena had chosen precisely for this reason.

Several girls nodded. Judging by their glances, Sisel Ridbaren probably lived closest to this estate.

"But still!"

Sisel tried to protest, but no one looked pleased. They saw her as petty. She had no allies now.

***

At least they had some sense. After a few rounds of small talk, the girls naturally gravitated toward the host and the impressive newcomer by her side.

"

Wow

, I heard the Gratie estate is full of gemstones."

"I heard Lady Blackberry personally selected her dress. She must have serious influence."

"I'm so jealous!"

From the flow of conversation, I could sense that some girls had been friendly toward the Ivote daughter from the start, and others had just been curious to observe the girl hosting her first tea party. Now, most seemed to have formed the same opinion. This curly-haired blond girl may look underdeveloped physically, but she was no pushover.

"The flavor is so dreamlike!"

"The cream is so rich... I can taste the rose. It's like I'm dreaming."

"I can't believe chocolate can taste this good without being too sweet."

Interest shifted toward Rubia as well. The girls gathered around her, eagerly asking questions, while their eyes sparkled and heads bobbed. Some clapped their hands and chimed in with theatrical excitement.

"Lady Gratie, if I may ask, what kind of person do you like?

Oh

dear, was that too bold of me?"

Even I was a little curious about that one.

"I..."

After a brief pause, Rubia's eyes flickered faintly and she carefully said, "It doesn't have to be a person."

The other girls tilted their heads at the odd answer.

"

Oh

! Not a person... then perhaps someone angelic?"

Rubia smiled faintly. Her eyes seemed to soften with emotion.

"This must mean there's someone. Right?"

"It might be rude to pry, but now I'm curious, too."

"At least tell us what kind of person he is."

Rubia answered, "Someone who makes me feel anxious when I can't see them. Someone I feel connected to... someone who protects me..."

"As expected! A guardian angel type?"

"Maybe... although it might be a bit different from that. I only came to the capital because of him."

A slight blush spread across Rubia's cheeks. If she came to the capital because of him...

Wait, is she talking about me?

Clatter.

I was just starting to feel a little flustered when Sisel Ridbaren slammed her teacup down at the far end of the table. Everyone who had been trying to pretend she didn't exist couldn't help but look her way. The shattered teacup had left a shallow cut on the back of her left hand. Blood trickled from the wound.

Staring at the bleeding hand, Sisel muttered bitterly, "If it's not a person or an angel, then are you seeing a demon?"

"

Oh

, my..."

"How could she say that!"

Yet, no further uproar followed. Sisel Ridbaren turned and began walking out, without even a goodbye. She glanced briefly at Rubia, but her expression didn't change.

A demon, huh?

If Rubia was indeed talking about me, then maybe that girl's comment wasn't entirely wrong.

I had fought on the front lines of a Demon King's army. Even now, if the Demon Kings were to descend again, I doubt I'd be on the side of humanity.

The atmosphere settled quickly, and the broken teacup was cleared as if nothing had happened.

Sena lightly twirled a lock of her curly, golden hair and softly said, "Please burn that one."

***

After the tea party ended in a grand success, most of the girls returned home.

"Lady Gratie, this way please."

Still cloaked in stealth, I followed Rubia into the mansion. Maybe it was time to speak up. Watching her from the shadows like this didn't sit well with me.

"Rubia."

"Ah! Huh? Where are you? Where..."

She was more startled than I expected.

"Pretend I'm not here."

"

Ahem! Hm!

"

"Lady Gratie?"

"No, it's nothing. Let's go on."

"Since when were you here?"

"I just arrived. I was worried."

If I told the whole truth, she'd probably be flustered. Especially since the earlier tea party conversation might have been about me.

"I'm sorry! I took too long, didn't I?"

"Did you enjoy the tea party? Nothing too unsettling?"

I asked half to test the waters.

"There were a few incidents, but nothing unexpected. It was all enjoyable! Thank you so much for letting me attend."

So it was all within her expectations. Rubia was becoming a bit frightening.

"Do you need any help?"

"No! I'd prefer to handle this myself."

Her cheeks flushed red.

The girls were guided to a luxurious parlor. The antler-decorated table added to the elegant atmosphere.

After they sat down, Sena bowed slightly to Rubia. "I'm sorry. As you probably noticed, I... used you."

Sena looked genuinely restless, her gaze cast downward with guilt. In contrast, Rubia appeared perfectly composed. It seemed knowing I was nearby helped her maintain that calm.

"I already knew."

"Before you resent me, please let me explain my situation first." Sena explained, "Our family is one of the founding noble houses. Though we haven't produced any famous mages or swordsmen, we've survived this long by aligning ourselves well."

A founding noble house?

That meant they probably didn't earn their marquis title through politics alone. However, that term, founding noble, felt familiar.

After thinking for a moment, I remembered where I'd heard it.

Lime had once told me,

"Kevin Ashton is the eldest son of a founding duke's family, and the most powerful figure in Azure."

Could there be a connection to Kevin Ashton? Maybe I should ask Rubia to find one of his books.

Sena continued her explanation. "Because of that... our family has been against the recent push for war."

Rubia's expression softened. "That's a good thing."

Her father had been murdered for opposing the war. She couldn't help but sympathize.

"The adults say they're concerned about lives being lost, but truthfully... they just know there's no profit in war. They live comfortably among the capital's elite."

Hearing that her family opposed war put Rubia more at ease. Maybe that was why Sena kept talking.

"The Ridbaren family is a major pro-war faction. Sisel's father is a well-known inquisitor."

An inquisitor.

I vaguely recalled such types. Inquisitor or commoner, they were all the same humans who'd consider me a heretic.

"They're even planning to spread the Empire's religion in alliance with Ember."

So what happened in that little garden was basically a clash between the flagship families of the pro-war and anti-war factions.

"If I hadn't pushed her out, Sisel definitely would've caused a scene! She would've ruined my very first tea party!" Sena exclaimed!

In the end, she was still a child as well, but a noble nonetheless. Though she was talking about politics, her true fear lay in things like this. Out there, countless people were still starving to death, while nobles raised in a sheltered world worried about tea party drama.

Rubia gave a wry smile. "All I ask is that you keep your promise."

Sena looked like she was about to cry. "Then... you won't hate me?"

Rubia nodded. "A contract relationship doesn't really involve love or hate."

The moment she said that, Sena instantly wiped away her teary expression.

So that was an act, too?

"But... did you know from the start that I approached you like that?"

"I had a hunch, more or less."

Rubia's demeanor felt new to me. Back at the graveyard, she seemed like such a clumsy necromancer. Now, she was showing insight and even political finesse. Maybe traveling with me had helped her grow. After all, not many nobles had crossed deserts or witnessed massive beasts and humans dying en masse.

"

Ah...

"

Sena looked at Rubia with wide eyes, as if in awe of how easily her mask had been seen through.

"This way. Let me take you to the library."

The sharp clack of two girls' footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"Are you looking for a particular book?"

I was about to mention Kevin Ashton myself when Rubia said, "I'm looking for a book by an author named Kevin Ashton."

That surprised me.

"What did you just say?"

"Ivote House is one of the founding families. They've always prioritized literature over warfare. I've heard that their mansion library is massive."

I wondered when she had learned that.

"Still... Kevin Ashton?"

"You were looking for his book, weren't you? I was planning to sneak it to you as a surprise, but I guess I failed."

I wondered if she had imagined this entire scenario from the start. Just as we passed a carpeted hallway and reached the library, I sensed someone inside.

"

Oh

? The door's open," Sena said.

An elderly man sat in the library. He didn't seem to be an apparent threat.

The marquis's voice was low and warm. "You're here."

"Father? Are you here alone?"

"It's late. I sent the staff home. And the young lady beside you?"

"

Hehe

. She's a friend from the Gratie family I got close to today."

Rubia politely lifted her skirt and curtsied. "Greetings, marquis."

The older man chuckled softly, his light blond hair a bit tousled. "

Ahaha

. No need for such formalities. You're my daughter's friend."

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Sena seemed excited, glancing between the two. "Perfect timing! Father knows more than any librarian."

"Sena, don't exaggerate. I just sit around reading because I'm useless at everything else."

"Come on. You even know the tiniest differences between editions..."

"That's nothing to brag about."

"Anyway, Lady Gratie is looking for a particular book. Can you help?"

"

Oh

? Of course. She certainly looks well-read, unlike our Sena, who only likes picture books. What a pleasant surprise."

The man's laugh deepened. He looked too delicate to hold the title of marquis in the imperial capital. It didn't seem like he needed watching.

"So, which author are you looking for?"

"I'm searching for works by Kevin Ashton."

"That's right! That was the name!"

"..."

"Father?"

The man's face twisted sharply.