Chapter 80
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I possessed the body of a villainess locked away in a desolate tower.
Chapter 80
"Hmm."
Kaian Blaire furrowed his brow, releasing a low groan.
His evident displeasure caused the aides reporting on budget allocations to exchange nervous glances.
'What's bothering him?'
'Did we make a mistake?'
'Is something missing...?'
The aides rolled their eyes anxiously, lost in worry, but Kaian Blaire paid them no mind.
Ordinarily, he would have concealed his displeasure out of consideration for others, but today his emotions refused to be restrained.
'The Stefan Marquis House.'
A bitter enmity.
There were few people Kaian Blaire could truly call adversaries.
And the Stefan Marquis couple ranked among those rare few he could count on one hand.
That was what grated on him—their willingness to crush anyone beneath their feet for their own advancement.
"Your Grace."
Liam broke through Kaian Blaire's deepening thoughts, speaking with measured calm.
"There are no other reports aside from matters concerning April Salt, but shall I dismiss the aides?"
"Ah."
He then realized he had kept his retainers standing far too long and nodded.
"I know you've all worked hard investigating the budget allocations, amounts, and implementation progress. You're dismissed for the day."
"Yes, Your Grace. Thank you."
Early dismissal was a blessing anyone could appreciate.
The aides, relieved by the Grand Duke's gracious decision, swiftly departed the Office.
Once the chamber fell silent, Kaian Blaire issued his next instruction.
"What's the report regarding the Princess?"
"The Princess is scheduled to attend a tea party in the Imperial Capital, to be hosted by the Embrose Marquise in the near future."
That was something he already knew. And precisely why it troubled him.
The Empire's noble society was far more intricate than it appeared on the surface.
What concerned him was that April Salt, unfamiliar with such complexities, might fall victim to the Stefan Marquis House's schemes.
If the Stefan Marquis House truly was behind this, April Salt would be nothing more than easy prey in their eyes.
"...So the assigned maid requested permission to withdraw gold coins from the Princess's account to purchase a new dress and accessories."
Liam's report was merely a confirmation procedure before authorization.
Under normal circumstances, Kaian Blaire would have ordered Liam to proceed independently.
But.
"I'll prepare it myself."
His decision deviated from his usual course of action.
"Pardon?"
"...In any case, this matter is hardly unrelated to the Grand Duchy. The Princess is stepping forward for a cause that affects the livelihoods of countless citizens."
"...."
"Moreover, the Princess is currently known as a distant relative of mine. So appropriate support is necessary. Wouldn't you agree?"
Liam clearly said nothing and listened intently to his words.
But Kaian Blaire was rambling through excuses as if something had struck a nerve.
Though he himself seemed unaware of that fact.
'I was uncertain before, but...'
Liam's sharp eyes gleamed brilliantly.
Though he too had resolved to burn all his passion and determination in serving the Grand Duke.
In doing so, he had lost his own life and was a lifelong bachelor who had never experienced romance...
'This is a signal.'
He could easily discern when Kaian Blaire behaved differently from his usual self.
In fact, wasn't it frequent that he engaged in bizarre behavior unlike anything before—specifically regarding April Salt?
What he found most incomprehensible was that the Grand Duke was still serving as her personal guard!
He thought it would end with the excuse of doing it moderately and then quitting, but when April Salt fell ill, the Grand Duke even reduced his sleep and secretly handled his office work in front of her chamber while serving as her guard.
Perhaps because of that, even April Salt's maid seemed to have noticed that the guard and the Grand Duke were the same person.
In any case, he had felt something odd then. But to realize it only now!
Liam felt utterly foolish.
"That would be so. Since nobles who fall behind the trends in the Imperial Capital tend to become objects of ridicule, it seems right that we should look after Miss April Salt."
"...So you think the same way?"
Kaian Blaire, who had seemed somewhat awkward after bringing up the subject himself, began to relax as Liam started supporting his words.
"Of course. We shall spare no expense and provide expensive dresses and accessories that do not fall short of those worn by wealthy noble young ladies in the Imperial Capital."
"Good. Place no limits on the expenses."
I had a suspicion, and it proved correct.
Liam could now be certain of his conjecture from the way Kaian Blaire made his decision so readily.
His superior, who had been obsessed with work like a wooden statue, had apparently come to favor a lazy hostage(?) with unexpectedly good fortune in work.
* * *
A few days later.
Upon arriving at the Grand Duke's Private Villa in the Imperial Capital, I hurried to prepare for an outing.
...It was more half-coerced than voluntary.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for a day like this!"
Right on cue, Bonita, seized by what seemed like madness, clenched her fists beside me and cried out.
"W-we're just going to a tea party, what's the big deal."
"No, ma'am, even if it's a small tea party, the hostess is Embrose Marquise. So of course you must dress appropriately for the occasion!"
"Hmm."
Still, isn't this a bit excessive?
Besides, I'm merely one of the distant relatives of Blaire Grand Duke in the public eye.
"Hurry now, or we'll be late."
I, who had been eyeing the burdensome dress before me, eventually gave in to the urging and accepted Bonita's touch.
Someone might say that wearing a pretty dress is the dream of a woman with many aspirations.
But I don't have many dreams to speak of, and this dress I'm wearing now is so extravagant that it wouldn't be strange even if I appeared as the protagonist at a year-end social gathering... in other words....
It was extraordinarily magnificent and beautiful.
"Wow... Young Lady, now that I see it, blue truly suits you wonderfully."
"Is that so?"
"The Blaire Grand Duke certainly has an eye for these things."
As compliments continued to pour in, I leaned closer to examine my reflection in the mirror.
The dress, which grew wider toward the hem, exuded an air of elegance even while standing still.
Moreover, the muted blue dye of just the right saturation further emphasized that graceful atmosphere.
Beyond that, the fabric and texture of the dress were so exquisite that it didn't appear bare even without elaborate accessories.
However, since the Blaire Grand Duke had sent accessories as well, expensive jewels hung abundantly from every part of my body that could bear them—my ears, neck, and wrists.
'Did the Blaire Grand Duke really send all this?'
It was the same when I first received the gift, but I simply couldn't believe it.
(In fact, I'd confirmed with Liam several times whether it might be deducted from my room and board rather than being an actual gift.)
"I'm... a bit embarrassed."
"Embarrassed? You must wear this so the Blaire Grand Duke feels proud!"
"Why would the Blaire Grand Duke feel proud just because I'm wearing this?"
"Oh? Well, that's...."
A moment of silence fell between us.
Bonita, who had been opening and closing her mouth uncertainly, finally burst forth with words once I tilted my head in confusion.
"...Once you go outside, Young Lady, you become the face of the Blaire Grand Duke House! The prettier and more elegantly you dress, the more the Blaire Grand Duke's reputation shines!"
"Is that... so?"
"Of course! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! It's only natural!"
Bonita answered in a loud voice while nodding her head vigorously.
But no matter how I thought about it, I couldn't imagine that my dressing up a bit would have such a significant impact on the Blaire House. Perhaps others saw it differently?
Though doubt arose, I soon concluded that from the perspective of other nobles, it could indeed be so.
The Blaire House still lacked a female noble who could be called its face—a mistress of the household.
"Your preparations are complete."
"Thank you, Bonita."
After one final inspection of my reflection, I carefully descended to the first floor, taking pains not to step on the hem of the expensive dress.
"Please take care on your outing, Young Lady."
Just then, a servant passing nearby bowed respectfully and greeted me.
"Oh, thank you...."
"Not at all. Mind your step, please."
At the kind servant's words, I stepped even more carefully onto the polished floor.
Yet at the same time, I felt puzzled.
'I was told this villa is rarely used, so there's only one male servant and one maid managing it.'
Having heard the head maid's explanation, I had come to the villa intending to handle everything myself.
But what I found contradicted that account—the villa smelled lived-in.
From the well-dressed servants to the kitchen wafting with sweet aromas as if preparing my snacks.
The meals and refreshments that actually appeared were all filled with things I enjoyed.
Somehow, this grand mansion seemed to have been entirely prepared for me alone.
'Why does he seem so concerned about me?'
Was it merely my imagination?
I climbed into the prepared carriage with a bewildered heart.
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