CHAPTER 020
“Gosh, I got so nervous for no reason. I came because Croft invited me, but it’s just like any other noble party, isn’t it?”
“It’s not just similar, it’s far more impressive.”
Of course, considering how much effort everyone put into this.
The Duke planned it, and Michael personally supervised the party preparations.
However, Bella’s influence in enlarging the party’s scale wasn’t directly visible.
That’s probably because Bella’s ideas are just too unique...
Instead, I took on the task of refining Bella’s concepts to fit the party theme.
As for what Lewis did?
He didn’t do anything special for this party. But he played a significant role in his own way.
“Lady Pattinson won’t be able to show her face in society for a while!”
Lady Horse’s words were right on point as she grabbed my arm to talk.
During that time, the scandalous behavior of Lady Pattinson and her friends had spread throughout the social circle.
Considering how much attention it garnered in the nobles-only café, it’s no wonder it caused such a stir.
If Lewis hadn’t cast his magic, the rumors might have just ended with me and those ladies having a verbal spat.
“I never liked those ladies. Just because their family has some power, they look down on others like that.”
Lady Horse, who was never close to them, was criticized harshly.
“From what I heard, they did such shady things when they were young? How can someone be rotten from such a young age?”
Lady Horse wasn’t the only one.
Even as adults, they were being criticized for mocking Bella for past events they should have reflected on by now.
The Duke had already withdrawn from a deal with their family.
“It’s truly shocking. To think Lady Croft went through such a thing...”
Charlotte, standing next to Lady Horse, was also on Bella’s side.
Soon, Bella came over to us with a drink in her hand.
“Selina.”
“Ah, Bella!”
Since we had talked before, Bella joined the conversation with the ladies without difficulty.
“I came with high expectations, and it’s beyond that!”
“This party is to celebrate Selina joining us.”
We chatted for a bit until I noticed Lewis.
Just a moment ago, he was with Michael, but now he was standing alone, away from the crowd.
He looked completely isolated.
I glanced at him, and as if he felt my gaze, Lewis looked back at me.
Oops.
I quickly averted my eyes but then looked back again. Lewis was still watching me.
He never misses once he spots me. Why did I look at him...
Feeling awkward under his gaze, a thought suddenly struck me.
Come to think of it, isn’t this the first time I’ve seen him since that day?
We parted ways without a proper greeting after following Bella, and he didn’t call for me separately either.
I hadn’t had a proper conversation with him due to the busy party preparations. We only exchanged brief thanks through the communication sphere in the evening.
But wouldn’t it be better to thank him properly in person?
I pointed upwards, indicating the upper floor while looking at Lewis.
‘Shall we go upstairs?’
He seemed to understand as he nodded.
Lewis and I headed to the terrace on the second floor.
He sat in a chair placed for guests to rest while taking in some fresh air and asked,
“Why?”
“I didn’t get to thank you properly that day. You helped out a lot, Marquis.”
As I answered while sitting opposite him, he briefly said,
“Would I stand by when someone insults my cousin? It was only natural.”
“You seem to bicker with Bella often, but you do care about her.”
“It’s not like that.”
Lewis denied it with a reluctant face.
A pleasant breeze passed by, and he said offhandedly,
“If you’re thankful?”
“Pardon?”
“When you express gratitude, there should be a return. Are you just thankful with words?”
Even at this moment, he’s looking for compensation. Lewis is indeed someone who can’t be let off guard.
“Just with words? I’m already paying you back!”
“What?”
“I’m clearing up the complicated thoughts in the Marquis’s mind right now, aren’t I?”
Lewis let out a small laugh at my words as if hearing something amusing.
It felt a bit like cheating, but it was true. Yet, feeling somewhat indignant, I silently protested at Lewis.
Of course, all I did was stare at him intently.
Then Lewis suddenly spoke.
“Your lips are sticking out.”
“Pardon? Ah!”
When did my lips start pouting? I quickly covered my protruding lips with my hand.
Lewis didn’t miss that.
“Even if you don’t say it, you seem indignant.”
He’s sharp about things like this! Indeed, he’s someone who catches onto complaints instantly.
“No, that’s not it!”
I fiercely denied it. I couldn’t avoid Lewis’s suspicion, though.
“That makes it seem more like it.”
“Oh, there’s no way. How could I have any complaints against the Marquis!”
The person I respect the most is you, Marquis!
Jingle jingle. I flattered him, and Lewis showed a haughty smile.
“I get it, so relax.”
“Pardon?”
“You always get nervous over little things.”
He looked at me with a curious gaze and tone.
How can I not be nervous when the other person isn’t just anyone? I rolled my eyes sideways instead of replying.
Soon, I heard him muttering across from me.
“With you getting scared so often, I don’t think you’ll live long.”
What an ominous thing to say...
Feeling unjustly accused by his strangely realistic words, I turned my gaze back to him.
Huh?
Lewis was smiling.
Well, he was smiling a while ago too, but this smile felt different...
Instead of his usual mischievous smile that indicated he enjoyed troubling others, this one seemed more genuine.
His relaxed smile looked oddly comfortable.
The characteristic sharpness in his eyes, which usually revealed his tough personality, was much softer now.
As if he had let down his guard.
This is unusual. I thought as I stared at Lewis.
I found myself somewhat entranced by his mysterious golden eyes, which seemed devoid of their usual intensity.
Another gentle breeze blew, lightly tousling his honey-colored hair.
Usually, he would’ve asked what I was staring at, but he said nothing this time, so I hadn’t realized I was staring at his unusually different demeanor.
A little while later, there was a knock and the terrace door opened.
“Lewis? Are you here—Oh, Selina, you’re here too.”
It was Michael.
I snapped back to reality.
What were we doing just now? It’s not like we were having a staring contest, and why was Lewis just standing there?
The atmosphere on the terrace shifted as Michael entered.
“I was looking for you since you disappeared.”
“She said she had something to tell me.”
“Something to say? Did I interrupt?”
“No! Michael, come in.”
“Shall I, Selina?”
Better to be three than just two.
To erase the oddly awkward feeling rising, I actively seated Michael at the table.
The ‘Selina Welcome Party’ continued until late at night.
Our time on the terrace was brief, and we went back down to chat with Bella and others.
Although this party was to commemorate my living with the Croft family, it had another official significance.
The gates of the Duke’s residence, long closed, were now open!
It wasn’t just a children’s birthday party, but a social event even other nobles occasionally held, making it more significant.
“Bella, how was the party today?”
“It was fun and enjoyable. I think we could hold another one!”
Bella laughed happily with her glass raised.
She was genuinely delighted by the successful party.
Before the party, she was worried about not many people showing up.
Could this party help Bella overcome her trauma?
‘That would be nice...’
I silently wished as I looked at Bella.
* * *
After the party, life returned to normal. Or maybe not quite.
Since Bella and Charlotte talked about sweets, they had become friends and often spent time together.
I had somehow become acquainted with the main character! I was supposed to be just an extra.
Perhaps the days of living quietly ended when I became friends with Bella...
Today, I was heading out with Bella to meet Charlotte.
Charlotte was waiting for us at the square, greeting us with her usual bright smile.
“Here!”
“Ah, Lady Yanils!”
One benefit of being close to Charlotte was that Bella had another person to rely on.
‘I’m glad there’s someone like her.’
“Lady Yanils?”
Huh?
I blinked in surprise at the sight of Philip standing in front of us.
It was really Philip!
With a knight escorting him, Philip was standing in front of a flower shop.
There was an event where we would meet him on the street, but it seemed to be happening now.
How could I have predicted this? There was no scene in the original story where the three of us hung out together.
Suddenly, I remembered Lewis and Charlotte not even speaking to each other at the party.
The original plot is off again...
“Your Highness!”
Charlotte, initially surprised, soon smiled brightly in delight.
Though the sub-male lead’s plot is skewed, the main lead crown prince’s route remains unaltered.
“You three are out together.”
Philip greeted us and then turned his attention to Charlotte.
“You were looking at flowers last time too. You really like them, don’t you, Lady Yanils?”
“Yes. Just looking at them makes my heart flutter!”
Charlotte replied shyly.
Philip asked what she had been looking at and soon bought it for her.
“A gift for you, my lady.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to.”
Charlotte’s face turned bright red.
Wow, I get to see this
in person... But should we stay here?
Feeling like we should give them space, I glanced at Bella, who seemed interested in the scene.
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