Chapter 57

Chapter 57

A despoiler of farmland.

For that reason, the empire failed to grow Amnesia despite countless attempts having been made. Amnesia’s detoxifying substance was affecting the other plants nearby.

Other plants would decay just being in close proximity to Amnesia. In an empire whose economy relied heavily on agriculture, planting Amnesia was strictly prohibited naturally.

But it was 15 years ago, something that only the previous generation knew….

‘The granddaughter of Marquis Callister knows nothing about Amnesia.’

From the young girl’s perspective, all the flowers except one seemed to be a little wilted.

Anyway, all the credit belonged to Crow for successfully delivering Amnesia to the young lady.

On the first floor, Tidwell was seen walking to Marquis Callister.

‘Should I go back now?’

Ravia took her gaze off the hall. The purpose of her absence was to make Tidwell see Marquis Callister alone, most importantly, the flower on his chest. That way, he could approach Marquis Callister without hesitation.

Tidwell had made his move, so now it was time for her to return.

Of course, she already had an excuse for returning late. Ravia dressed differently from when she first entered the banquet hall a little while ago.

So she could tell him that she bumped into a person when she returned with a drink.

‘In addition, it’d be hard to spot someone whose appearance changes.’

Tidwell mustn’t look for her and leave his spot before he meets Marquis Callister.

That was enough as an excuse.

She pulled the curtain where she was hiding and stepped forward.

After leading Tidwell to Marquis Callister, the only role she had left today was to mingle with the crowd.

No, it ought to be like that.

“Unnie.”

If only a child hadn’t caught Ravia from behind.

A strangely familiar voice and that particular way to address her….she could guess who it was even before turning around.

So Ravia turned around. The light green hair, similar to a sapphire in a water, caught her eyes. The short bob that used to sway around her shoulders was tied neatly, unlike the first time she met her.

The child bowed politely.

“We meet again,”

As their eyes met, Ravia quickly froze upon recognizing the child.

She was the child Ravia saved in Bluewell Street the other day.

Judging from her behavior and the clothes she wore at that time, Ravia didn’t think that she was a child who grew up in the slum.

But why must she meet the child again?

‘I feel a little anxious.’

So Ravia looked down at the hall and noticed that Tidwell had left. It meant that she didn’t have to rush for now. Moreover, she shouldn’t appear too cold in front of a child, so she tried to relax her expression.

However, the child spoke even before Ravia could regain her composure.

“You seem a little surprised. I guess we’re meeting in the wrong place.”

“…No. I’d be surprised no matter where.”

“Why? You didn’t think that we’d meet again at all, did you?”

“I had no idea that you were a noble.”

“Well, I’m not exactly a noble. I’m tagging along with someone to get here.” the child mumbled, touching her ear for no reason.

She had a look of slight embarrassment and hesitancy, as if she was anxious to hide something.

The more they faced each other, the more she felt off about it.

She didn’t want to stay here anymore, but it felt like she would be caught up in a wild fire when she turned away.

It was a different feeling of discomfort from when she dealt with Tidwell.

The plan was almost complete. So what the hell is this now?

Ravia clenched her fist to soothe her rising anger.

‘Let’s not be anxious, Ravia.’

It was too hasty to assume that this was a trap. Maybe she just wanted to say thank you, or she just wanted to meet again.

It might be a coincidence because kids that age tend to bounce in unpredictable directions.

‘….But wait. Was it really a coincidence? But does a kid that age….talk and act like this?’

At that moment, a ridiculous hypothesis crossed Ravia’s mind.

It was utterly ridiculous, but then again she was reincarnated in a book inside a novel.

Ravia’s expression began to match the child’s.

A look of hesitation, of wanting to hide something.

“….But you…”

But even before she finished asking the child’s age, the child burst into laughter.

“I happen to have a question as well. This is great. Shall we go through each question one by one?”

Her laughter itself was an answer to Ravia.

“Let me make it clear. I don’t intend to hurt you. I’m just asking some questions.”

The child raised her hands as she stepped back.

“I’m looking for Ravia Leontine. Do you know who that is?”

As soon as she heard the question, Ravia realized.

It’d be hard to return on time.

***

Rette glanced up, wiggling her fingers behind her.

She was looking at the woman with curly blonde hair and eyes more beautiful than amethyst.

She could tell from a distance. That woman was the angel who saved Rette on the street a week ago.

Seeing her again for the second time really felt like a miracle. So Herod was right, after all.

Any other time, she’d already curl her lips to calm down the rising corners since she was so happy about this situation.

But she mustn’t smile today.

It’d be a mess If anyone found out that she was involved in a very strange relationship with her benefactor.

‘I can’t believe she’s Ravia Leontine.’

Actually, it was hard for her to like someone freely, so Rette closed her eyes sadly before opening them again.

It went back to one week ago.

When Rette asked Herod to find her angel, he told her something completely different.

He told Rette to attend Marquis Callister’s banquet.

This upset her, and she kicked him in the stomach.

“Are you crazy? Why would I go there? I can’t even drink because I’m young!”

“Agh…it hurts like hell…I’m not doing anything wrong, though…..”

As Herod bent over in pain from the kick, Rette jumped out of his arms and perched on the desk.

“So why are you asking me to go with you? You know I hate crowded places.” she asked, hands on her waist.

“No, wait. Think about it, Rette. The woman you’re looking for is a noble, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And Marquis Callister’s banquet is attended by a great number of aristocrats. The woman you’re looking for is probably there, too.”

“That’s why I asked you to find her since I don’t want to go to that place.”

Herod was silent for a moment, perhaps because she hit the nail on the head.

Of course, it lasted for a moment.

“….Right! That’s true, but you know that finding her isn’t everything, right? What do you want me to do after I find her, huh? Do you want me to ring her doorbell with flowers in my hands?”

This time, Rette was speechless. He had a point.

Fortunately, the argument continued because both sides refused to yield even though they each hit the nail on the head.

“So what? Go bring flowers then. It’s not a big deal anyway.”

“Oh yeah? Flowers are not the problem here, it’s you who is too old-fashioned.”

“….That’s what they say in the book.”

“What’s the name of the book? Countess Montre’s secret affairs?”

“What! No! I just find the title amusing. It wasn’t very interesting.”

“Really? Didn’t you read it because it’s a popular mediocre novel?”

“No!”

This time, a hard book flew at Herod.

Herod already was used to her hobby. Rette, who rarely interacted with people, loved to read romance novels. Every week, Herod would get Rette a new romance novel or a book that Rette requested.

But Rette’s preference was very…corny and cringe-worthy.

“That’s not the point! Anyway, the male protagonist manages to find the heroine and visits her with a bouquet! So take back what you said about me being old-fashioned!”

Even though Rette made it as if she won the argument here, deep down Rette admitted that the idea of going with flowers was quite embarrassing.

In fact, it wasn’t important at all to her. Rette wasn’t a tactless person, just someone who hated high society banquets.

Even during their quarrel, she noticed why Herod would try to drag her into the banquet.

Rette removed the smirk on her face and asked.

“Be honest with me, Herod. Why’re you trying to take me to the banquet when I clearly asked you to find that, unnie?”

Herod narrowed his eyes at Rette’s inquiry.

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