Just as Mia was about to make her exit, dress gripped in her hands, Selina—who had been silently watching with that same indifferent, unreadable expression—finally spoke.
“You came to look at dresses, didn’t you? Since we all know each other, we might as well shop together. That’s fine with you, isn’t it, Lady Mia?”
Ah...
She’s insane.
Mia blinked rapidly, having lost the timing to leave.
Her lips twitched as she forced a smile and nodded stiffly.
Her trembling mouth corners exposed her true feelings.
“Of course, Lady Selina.”
Judging by how things were going, it seemed that Vivian had won this round against Mia.
Was I the deciding factor in this ridiculous little war of theirs?
I felt like a gambler with a 100% win rate—like a seasoned con artist who always knew which hand to play.
More importantly, having these two around would be complete chaos.
Normally, I would hate being caught in such an overwhelming situation, but...
For today’s plan, this level of chaos was useful.
And besides, before I died, I had one last thing to say to Mia.
“For now, let’s take a seat. Madame, is there a parlor in the salon?”
“Yes, of course, Lady Selina.”
Still looking dazed from earlier, Madame finally pulled herself together and led the way.
As I followed behind, she whispered in a small voice, “Thank you, my lady.”
I gave a small nod in response.
The parlor was larger than expected.
Considering its prime location close to the capital and its clientele of wealthy nobles, it made sense that the interior was lavishly decorated to maintain its refined atmosphere.
“What would the ladies like for tea?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to me. Hierarchy dictated social etiquette.
“Do you have rosemary tea?”
“Yes, of course. And for the others?”
As Madame’s gaze swept over us, Vivian immediately leaned forward and answered.
“I’ll have the same! Rosemary tea!”
“...I’ll take the same as well.”
Mia, half a second too late, grumbled with a frustrated expression.
It seemed their battle of nerves was far from over.
“Very well. I’ll bring the tea along with the catalog.”
As Madame left, silence settled over the parlor.
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The cycle repeated.
Petty mind games.
Tense silences.
Pointless waste of time.
In the midst of it all, I suddenly remembered something I had to say.
“Speaking of which... Lady Vivian. My mother asked me to send you her regards.”
“...Oh my. The Duchess?”
Vivian’s eyes widened in shock.
“She sent... a message for me?”
Her lips parted in disbelief, then slowly curled into a delighted smile.
Even as I turned away, I could still feel her glowing with overwhelming joy beside me.
Honestly, I didn’t care how Vivian reacted.
I had delivered the message.
And I had no intention of passing back any reply.
Now, it was time for our dear attention-seeker Mia.
The moment our eyes met, Mia’s lips curled up—but she failed to completely mask her distaste.
The corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily.
How pitiful.
“...What is it, Lady Selina?”
She emphasized my title, putting unnecessary weight on the last syllable, as if unwilling to address me properly.
Ah.
She was about to start another one of her theatrical performances.
But that was fine.
I happened to know the perfect casting partner for her little musical.
“Lady Mia,” I asked, tilting my head. “Have you ever met a noble who resembles a peacock?”
“...What?”
Mia’s face twisted in sheer bewilderment.
Her expression screamed: What kind of nonsense are you spouting now?
But I was completely serious.
I was determined to introduce her to that man.
If they met, a truly grand stage production would be born.
“In that case... do you have a godfather?”
“...What?”
Mia blinked, then answered stiffly, “Yes. I do.”
“...Ah. I see.”
Damn.
There goes that plan.
I sighed, disappointed as I imagined a sorrowful peacock of a nobleman, twirling his cane in despair.
He would have been perfect as Mia’s godfather.
“...Why are you asking about my godfather?”
Mia’s sharp gaze was practically piercing through me.
The way she was looking at me, you’d think her godfather was the Emperor himself.
“Well, I just happened to know a certain peacock-like noble who would make a great godfather.”
“...A peacock nobleman. As a godfather.”
Mia scoffed.
Then, suddenly, her face turned red.
“...Ha!”
She sprang to her feet.
She must have actually imagined it.
Did she really think I was suggesting she formally adopt a peacock as her godfather?
It seemed figurative language didn’t exist in Mia’s vocabulary.
Or maybe, metaphors were banned in the Lascelle family.
Then again...
Thinking about it now...
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
A peacock as a godfather actually wasn’t a bad idea.
Considering Mia’s love for attention, wouldn’t it suit her?
Imagine.
“My dear godfather!”
And in response, a majestic peacock spreads its resplendent feathers, capturing everyone’s gaze.
Wouldn’t that be perfect?
Of course, Mia wasn’t thinking about it that way.
Her anger boiled over, her body trembling as she spat out:
“...I’m leaving. I don’t even feel like looking at dresses anymore.”
Without hesitation, she whipped around and signaled to her attendants.
Two large knights immediately flanked her, following closely behind as she stomped toward the door.
And at that very moment—
Knock.
The door swung open.
“Your tea is ready—”
Madame froze mid-sentence.
Her face paled as she locked eyes with Mia in the middle of her angry exit.
A beat of heavy silence followed.
Then—
Without another word, Madame backed out of the room and shut the door behind her.
Click.
The moment the door closed, suppressed laughter erupted throughout the room.
Soft snickers.
Barely contained giggles.
Vivian, failing to hold back, pressed her lips together, her shoulders shaking.
Even the knights standing behind me let out muffled chuckles.
Mia, seething, turned sharply.
“...You all think this is funny?”
Mia, unlike the others who were laughing at the situation, was shaking for a different reason.
She turned her head toward me and Vivian’s attendants with an almost violent motion.
Her red hair swung dramatically as she moved, causing the servants who had been stifling their laughter to immediately lower their heads.
Even Aiden, who had remained stone-faced, followed suit.
A world where you can’t laugh even when something is funny...
A world where tea is ready but must remain undrunk.
What a cruel, cruel place.
“Lady Mia, that’s Aiden.”
I stated calmly as I rose from my seat.
My goal?
To see off the poor Madame, who had prepared tea only to be forced back into the hallway.
“Aiden... yes. Aiden.”
Mia repeated his name, rolling her large eyes.
Her expression practically screamed:
So what if he’s Aiden?
It seemed that being a former villainess, I had mastered a new skill.
The ability to hear thoughts without words.
Her meaning was clear despite the silence.
As I passed by her, I placed my hand on the door handle.
We were close enough that I could hear Mia’s ragged breathing.
“I’m the only one allowed to be angry at my people, Lady Mia Lascelle.”
Ha!
A sharp laugh rang in my ears just as I turned the doorknob.
Beyond the door, Madame stood frozen, holding a tray of tea and the catalog.
She looked like she had zoned out completely.
“Madame, is the tea ready now?”
“...Y-Yes! Lady Selina!”
Behind me, Mia’s face burned red and white in turns.
Her lips twisted, and her nose wrinkled in frustration.
She looked moments away from kicking the door open and storming out.
But while one could enter as they pleased...
Leaving was another matter entirely.
“You heard her. Since the tea is ready... why don’t you stay and enjoy a cup, Lady Mia?”
Mia was perfect for my plan.
She craved attention and naturally attracted it.
Her personality and talent aligned beautifully—she was a true prodigy in the field of attention-seeking.
“How about this dress? It would suit your hair color well!”
“I don’t like it. Something flashier.”
Yep.
Wherever Mia spoke, people stole glances in her direction.
Even strangers couldn’t help but notice her.
It was almost impressive how she had managed to be raised with such little manners.
And the thought that Selina had been even worse than her...
That realization made my chest feel strangely heavy.
But at least Selina never committed sexual harassment.
Yes, of course.
Selina was still rude, but at least there were some lines she didn’t cross.
“Oh! This dress would look lovely on you, Lady Selina!”
Vivian, who had been waiting for her chance, pointed excitedly at a light pink dress.
“Hmm... I think this one would suit her better!”
Mia, refusing to lose to Vivian, immediately pointed at the complete opposite choice—a bold, fiery red dress.
Oh.
Both of those were too much.
Neither pink nor red were colors I was familiar with.
Ever since coming into Selina’s body, I had worn mostly simple, comfortable indoor dresses.
Even on the day of the engagement, the blue dress I had worn had been a simple, well-fitting design.
But now, being suddenly presented with a ruffled pink gown and a striking red one...
It felt so unfamiliar that I got goosebumps on my arms and rubbed them absentmindedly.
“My lady.”
Aiden, who had been standing at a distance, quietly approached me.
“...What, Aiden?”
The moment I spoke, all eyes turned toward us.
Unwanted attention.
I flipped through the catalog once, making sure their gazes shifted elsewhere.
Fortunately, everyone here was sharp enough to catch subtle signals.
They quickly turned back to their own affairs.
“...Are you still unwell?”
Unwell?
Oh.
Now that I thought about it...
I had been feeling chills and soreness over the past few days.
I felt a bit better today, but there was still a faint ache in my limbs.
So I was sick.
Huh.
It was almost funny how I hadn’t even realized.
Then again, in my past life, I had never been allowed to be sick.
I always had to endure it alone, pretending nothing was wrong.
Maybe I had simply... forgotten what it meant to be sick.
But that wasn’t the important part.
The important part was how Aiden noticed it before I did.
How...?
I decided to set the question aside.
Or rather, I didn’t really care to find out.
I already knew what life as a servant taught people.
There was no need to ask.
Instead, I thought of something better.
“Aiden.”
“...Yes?”
“I don’t feel too well...
Could you go buy me some medicine?”
A brilliant excuse to send him away.
“...Medicine? I already prepared some in advance.”
Aiden wasn’t so easily fooled.
Spending ten years by Selina’s side had honed his instincts.
Of course, he was prepared.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small paper pouch.
Inside were round, green herbal pills.
“...No, not this.
I want a potion.”
“A potion?”
Aiden hesitated.
“...I don’t have one on me right now, but these pills should be fine for today—”
“No.
I want a potion.”
“...But...”
Aiden trailed off, glancing around the room.
It was clear that he didn’t like the idea of leaving me alone.
After all, I had only brought him along today—no other guards.
And now I was asking him to step out.
I grabbed his sleeve, pulling him closer and whispered.
“Don’t worry.
I’ll be right here with Lady Vivian and Lady Mia.
What could possibly happen?
Besides... those two men Lady Mia brought seem to be her bodyguards.”
Aiden glanced over at the two towering knights.
He let out a small sigh and forced a reluctant smile.
He knew that no matter what he said, I would throw a fit until he left.
Sending him away was the real victory.
“...Understood, my lady. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Not exactly what I wanted.
Him coming back quickly wasn’t ideal.
“Oh, Aiden—get me a strawberry-flavored one.”
With that extra request, he paused for a moment...
Then let out a small, awkward laugh before bowing his head and heading out.