Chapter 93: Chapter 89: Night of the Chimera’s Cry – Lillian (2)

When Griselda sat down, she noted the change in attitude from Aurora.

It was not the same bright smile from before or a welcoming expression. Instead, it was a stare filled with indifference. The same look as that scary person from the banquet. Lucius Rizar.

This sudden change caught Griselda off guard.

But Aurora didn't care. She refused to break the ice and start a conversation.

'D-did I do s-something wrong...?'

Griselda was troubled.

Her family business included providing resources for blacksmiths. And the blacksmith guild Anvilus is their largest customer.

Despite coming from a higher-ranked family than Yulia and the other ladies, she has always had to hold herself back, lest she causes problems for her Father.

Including her timid personality and lack of confidence, Griselda rarely stood up for herself.

Tsk.

When Aurora clicked her tongue, Griselda flinched.

Aurora sighed and picked up the book from her next class to read. Griselda lowered her head even further.

For the first time, Griselda truly wanted to get to know a Lady from another family. Unlike how she could not avoid Yulia and her friends due to the business between their parents, Griselda hoped that Aurora would be her friend.

Griselda fumbled with her fingers as she thought about what went wrong.

Usually, the host who invites the guest for tea is the first to start the conversation. It is the norm in social etiquette between nobles and their children. Not doing so meant the host has negative feelings towards the guest. But then why would the host invite someone they despise?

'There must be another reason for her change of attitude towards me...'

Griselda's eyes slightly widened as she came to several conclusions. 'Right!'

Now that she thinks about it, she never apologized for what she did at the party. And then there was that.

"Umm..."

Aurora raised her brows. 'Oh?'

Griselda stood next to the table. "Lady Isla, I apologize for my unbecoming behavior at the Coming of Age ceremony." With her hands folded in front of her, she took a slow and deep bow. "I hope that you can forgive my shameful conduct."

"......"

Aurora stayed quiet. Her expression was still as cold from the start.

"I would also like to take this chance to congratulate your engagement with the Duke!"

Finally, Lady Isla looked up at Griselda with a small smile. “Oh? So, you are aware of your duty as the daughter of a Marquis, Lady Enlil?” Aurora picked up the tea Anya prepared and took a sip.

Griselda blushed in embarrassment.

How could she have been such a fool?

Lady Isla probably did not care about the tea incident. Instead, she already blamed Yulia for it.

Right, rather than anger, she must have been disappointed at Griselda for not fulfilling her duties in high society.

Everyone knows that when a lady gets engaged, the lady with the status just below hers or on equal terms will throw a tea party. She will then invite other ladies from prestigious families.

In this case, while Aurora did come from a baron household, she will become the future Duchess of the Rizar dukedom. Thus, it is only proper for either the daughter of Marquis or another Duchess to complete this responsibility.

“Like the Duke, I am not one to stick with formalities. I just wanted you to understand the power you hold. Do not belittle yourself so much.”

The expression on Griselda brightened.

It was the first time someone acknowledged her!

She quickly recovered from the earlier awkwardness. “Then, I was wondering…” She twiddled with her fingers again. “Do you mind sharing the story of how the Duke fell in love with you?”

“Yes?” Aurora caught off guard, nearly dropped the teacup.

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“There are rumors that the Duke fell in love with you at first sight after meeting again several years later."

Her eyes glittered like the sea beneath the sunlight as she asked questions about their love life.

"Did you also fall in love at first sight?! Is he kind? Is the Duke always like that with you, like he was at the banquet? Were you jealous about hearing his past with Lady Nolbeia?... Oh!” Griselda covered her mouth. “I-I’m so sorry.”

"...It's okay. You seem like a completely different person when it comes to discussions about relationships."

Griselda's cheeks turned into a slight shade of pink. She looked at the Knight standing by her side, but he did not return her glance.

When Aurora saw this, she chuckled.

Aha.

So, that's how it is.

Aurora set the tea down and answered the first question. “I’m not sure.”

“H-huh?”

“Like. Dislike. Resentment. Jealousy. Now, I find such emotions tiring and useless.”

"Yes?" Griselda asked with confusion.

Aurora lowered her head and smirked to herself.

Lucius once asked her if she felt responsible for what her mother did. How did she answer him then? 

Oh, right.

「 It's not about taking responsibility, I just hate the idea of people I don't know dying or getting hurt because of me! 」

Because of her parents many innocent people suffered.

Responsibility? Guilt? How laughable. She didn't really care about such things, did she? 

No. That's not it at all.

But Aurora could not put a word to this feeling that ate her up inside, as if slowly erasing her existence. Like the void that almost devoured her when she died. No, like the void that did devour her.

Unlike Lucius, even if she took off her mask, what was left of her?

"-sla...Lady Isla! Is something bothering you?"

Aurora raised her head and returned her attention to the young lady sitting in front of her. "Ah, I apologize. As for what I was saying earlier, it's a little difficult to explain. You can ignore it."

Griselda hung her head. “A-Are you also someone who can’t be with the person you l-like due to your status?”

"Yes?!"

Oops, she misunderstood.

Lucius spread rumors about their love story to prevent suspicions from rising due to their quick engagement. However, Aurora thought the fastest way to gain her trust is to be as honest as possible.

"I hate the idea of marrying someone I know nothing about." Griselda mixed a few drops of sugar cubes in the tea, enough to make Aurora feel sick. As she continued turning the spoon in the cup, she spoke with a soft voice. “I wonder why it has to be so complicated to be with the person you love?”

"Are you asking me that knowing I come from a poor noble family?”

“Eh??!” Griselda nearly jumped at this. “No, of course not!! Please forgive me for my reckless remark, I meant no offense!!” She said as she waved her hands back and forth.

“Pffft…” Aurora covered her mouth and chuckled.

“I was simply teasing you.”

She looked so enchanting when laughing that both Griselda and the Knight momentarily lost their bearings.

Anya held up a victory sign with her fingers. V!

No one can beat her lady's beauty when she smiles, as expected of her new master!

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