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Episode 13: Northern Social Club
“I know that Miss Furiana is an old friend. I really hope you don’t worry about that.”
“……Everyone was very surprised to hear that Ruby suddenly collapsed.”
“I’m sorry to have troubled you. Foolishly, I didn’t know I would end up like that…….”
“It’s our fault.”
Her strong tone that cuts like a knife is exactly the same as that of Isaac’s. Guess who is truly related to each other?
I smiled awkwardly and picked up the spoon again.
There was a moment of silence.
“It was the first time I had seen him so shocked.”
“I….”
“Even if you get angry, it’s still my fault. Anyway, I’m glad your recovery was quicker than expected. If you’re feeling well, I’d like to ask you to join us for a riding party this weekend.”
Was it the meeting Ellenia and Freya had held every summer for a long time?
Of course I had to go. It’s a great opportunity to build a steady image in the social world here.
“Thank you for asking. Of course I will attend.”
* * *
When it comes to horseback riding in the social world, it didn’t have an intense goal, but more of an outdoor party where young nobles gathered under the pretext of horseback riding to build friendship, gather information, and search for a lover.
I’d say it’s almost like a social club.
Since it is a club led by the daughter of the Duke of Omerta and the daughter of the Marquis of Furiana, it could be said that only the key members of the North gathered.
I left a pretty insignificant first impression at the last royal banquet, so I guess I’ll have to keep pushing.
I only have half a year and I had to use it as much as I could at every opportunity that came to me.
The clothes ordered from the tailor were still far from arriving, so I chose the most modest-looking dress I had brought.
A sky blue dress with ruffled sleeves cut at the elbow. My hair was braided long and tied with a blue ribbon.
“Do you really want it like this, ma’am?”
The hard-looking maid who was touching my hair glanced at the open dressing table drawer.
I left it open on purpose. The hair ornaments brought from Romagna were eye-catching even to me too.
Majority of them were given by Cesare, so it didn’t matter if it was fancy or not.
“Well, why? What do you think would be better?”
“……I don’t think it’s something I can give you an opinion on.”
“Then why don’t you pick one for me? While you’re at it, pick one for yourself.”
The hands that were tying the ribbon stopped. For a moment there was silence.
Doubt slowly spread across the maid’s face, who looked at me with a slightly startled expression.
Yes, that’s natural. Either way, I smiled looking at the mirror.
Acting as the idiot kind person as I could be.
“Do you mean for me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Just. You’ve been taking good care of me the last few days while I was sick. Anyway, even if I have it, I don’t have much use for it, so I wanted to give one as a gift. Choose whatever you like.”
The maid was still looking at my face with wary eyes, but at the same time, her greed dripped as she glanced at the splendid ornaments.
One of my smallest hairpins would have earned her ten months’ wages.
Just pick it up, man.
“By the way, let’s keep it a secret because it’ll be a problem for the other kids if they know.”
With that, the hesitation ended.
The maid, who pretended to hesitate for a moment, picked up the biggest and most colorful ornaments.
It was a comb decorated with emerald butterflies. That seemed to be the most expensive.
As if I were going to take it back, a smile popped up around the dry lips of the maid, who hurriedly hid the decorative comb in her arms.
A familiar expression. That’s the expression when they catch a pushover.
“……Thank you, ma’am.”
“Yes, I look forward to your kind cooperation. How long have you been working here?”
“Three years, ma’am.”
“Then you know the head maid well. How long did the head maid work here?”
When I asked a completely unrelated question, the answer came back immediately.
“The head maid has been here since the young master and young lady were very young. At first, I heard she was their nanny.”
The maid, who added in a polite tone, rolled her eyes quickly from side to side.
Hmm, she didn’t seem to like the head maid very much.
Anyway, I only remembered her as a loyal maid character, but if she was Ellenia’s nanny, her affection for the siblings would be extraordinary.
That’s why she didn’t like me even more…….
It would be funny if the main culprit who turned off my fire on the first day was the head maid. She didn’t do that to the original Rudbeckia.
Is she the type to touch when the opponent is easy?
“Thank you. Then go ahead.”
* * *
“Oh, ma’am. I’m glad you recovered well. You don’t know how worried I was when I heard that you were sick. I wanted to visit you, but I couldn’t because I thought you might feel uncomfortable.”
“Hahaha, what’s the point of being uncomfortable? But thank you for your concern.”
After finishing all the preparations, when we arrived at the stable, Ellenia was waiting ahead with Freya as planned.
Freya, who was petting a white stallion in a lively riding dress that was similar to Ellenia’s, seemed very friendly with the horses here as well.
I couldn’t believe that horses could look like a puppy in the rain, was this the dignity of the main character’s childhood friend?
It was not unreasonable for everyone to think that Freya should be in my place.
Freya, I don’t know what to think about her yet, but…… as long as you spare me, I could transfer this position to anyone at any time.
Ellenia, who looked alternated between me and Freya with that expressionless face, soon put her hand on my shoulder and led me close to the stable.
“They’re all well-trained stallions, so you can choose the one you like. Except for the one in the right section.”
“Oh, the one over there…….”
“They are the ones that only my brother rides.”
I see. I’m not sure whether to say that the rider looks like a horse or not.
Freya burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, that’s right. But wouldn’t the others be a little rough for the madam to ride? You just recovered.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be too much, but if you don’t mind, we’ll pick the most docile, Cedric?”
The most docile guy.  All of them are just horses who look like the master of this house.
Look at all those glib things.
Phew, I’m being discriminated against by horses. I don’t like you guys either. No, I don’t like the stable itself.
“Good morning, Iz. Are you on your way in or out?”
“What are you doing here this morning?”
“Your lovely wife is coming to play with us today. Do you want to join us if you’re lonely?”
“What?”
It wasn’t like I was hiding and spying like last time, but what is this strange feeling of being stabbed for nothing?
When I turned my head secretly, I saw my husband approaching me in a shiny black uniform.
It was my first time seeing him wearing something other than armor, so it felt somewhat unfamiliar.
A strange silence fell for a moment.
In contrast to Freya, who was smiling casually and cheerfully, Ellenia just stared at her brother and said nothing.
And Isaac looked at me, who was standing with a firm grip on the stable fence, and he immediately frowned.
This was just the same situation. Even if you keep coming out like that, I’m always the same.
“Wow, you look so cool today. Where are you going?”
“No. I don’t do anything on Sabbaths.”
What’s this answer? Is he being sarcastic?
“What are you doing here?”
“I was choosing a horse for a horseback riding meeting with these two. Would you like to go with us?”
“I’m busy.”
A little while ago he said he didn’t do anything because it was Sabbath, what a contradictory bastard.
Of course I knew he would refuse, so I smiled unyieldingly.
“Well, can I pick a random horse?”
“Do you know how to do it?”
“I don’t have a good eye for it.”
That’s why I have a crush on you.
Although I’m pretending to be in love. Ho ho.
As I grinned widely at his words, he blinked his eyes slowly for a moment, then turned to the two women closest to him.
Freya opened her eyes wide, and Ellenia opened her mouth without an ounce of distraction.
“Sergey said it was okay. If that’s what you’re curious about.”
“…….”
“If you can’t trust me, why don’t you check it out yourself and take her home? I’ll be with Frey first.”
Huh? Now, wait a minute, Ellen, why are you leaving me like this all of a sudden!
I thought it would be a joke, but Ellenia climbed into her stallion with a quick motion as if she really intended to leave me alone with this monstrous husband.
Not only me but also Freya looked embarrassed.
“Let’s go.”
“But Ellen…….”
To make matters worse, Isaac just stared at me silently instead of trying to stop this situation, which was not even pleasing to me.
There is no other incarnation of Satan in the form of his arms crossed and glaring dignifiedly. Sniff
“I-I’m sorry. Ellen, because of me…….”
“…….”
“Well, I’ll just go and reflect on myself at home.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
The guy, who let out an annoyed sigh, passed through the fence gate and came closer to me.
Then he made a gesture toward the stable keeper, who was carefully looking around nearby.
“Cedric.”
“Yes, lord.”
“Get out.”
“……What?”
“Get out.”
Cedric looked puzzled for a moment, but quickly left with the momentum of wanting to save his life.
No, why is he sending him out?
The sound of the horses snoring their noses dreary. I was overwhelmed with embarrassment.
I hate the stable.
Especially if it’s a stable with a ruthless opponent.
Even more so now that I’ve experienced something horrifyingly similar in my previous life and this life.
The sound of horses crying.
The sound of a horse whip tearing through the air.
My brother’s creepy whispers mixed with my disgusting cry seemed to echo in my ears.
—Do you know what you did wrong?
My breath was trembling.
I shook my head to get myself together.
Don’t get caught up in trauma and ruin things.
I have already passed that stage for a long time. So…
So…