Chapter 151

All these circumstances were artificially created, and Helie noticed this and immediately frowned.

The uncomfortable shoes that were the same size as the ones used to torment Harnier.

The intentionally prolonged time to accumulate pain and both physical and mental stress.

Feigning ignorance or making mistakes to subtly step on her feet, bump into her, or interfere, scratching her nerves in the process.

And even knocking her down on stage during the climax of the song, adding insult to injury.

All of this was part of a planned scene.

Just for this moment.

She realized that she had perfectly recreated and conveyed the situation Harnier might have experienced.

But would knowing this change anything?

No, she was certain it wouldn’t.

“…I’m sorry. I guess I couldn’t see clearly because I was so tense.”

Helie held out her hand to me, as if asking for help, while saying this.

“Oh? So you’re trying to smooth things over like that? Clever thinking.”

Indeed, it might be the best course of action. It’s not like I can blame her lack of skill, and she could only use poor condition as an excuse.

But I could vividly see her clenched teeth.

Ignoring her, I grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

The stage ended abruptly due to the sudden incident.

The lights that had been brightly illuminating the people on stage dimmed.

One by one, the nobles began to leave.

Once they were out of sight, whispers filled with silent hostility approached them.

“You think you’ll get away with this?”

As expected, such a vile person wouldn’t have much in their head.

In such a case, I should just scratch at their insides more.

“Huh, what can you do? You’re just the kind who trips and falls on stage.”

“This lowlife…”

“Careful, now. Wouldn’t want any noise to come out, right? If word gets out that Harnie, the young lady, is actually a foul-mouthed old woman…”

“Shut up, commoner! Get on your knees and apologize… no, bow your head in respect. And after you leave here, do as I say! Otherwise, I’ll expose everything!”

Helie threatened me fiercely.

But how could I be scared?

“Not scared at all.”

“What?”

“Why don’t you expose everything? Even if it does, it doesn’t bother me.”

I have nothing to lose.

I was prepared for such things anyway.

“Y-you…! Are you crazy? I know everything! I’m a key witness and a victim in this incident! Do you know what will happen if everything comes out?!”

Helie said this, raising her voice and her anger visibly.

“Starting from the fact that you brought shoes that were too small, you deliberately stepped on my feet, pushed me, and interfered with my moves! And finally, you tripped me on purpose and made me fall!”

Harnier’s distorted expression froze instantly as she poured out her anger.

‘Yes. That’s impossible.’

Even the idea that Carsein brought shoes that were too small.

That he deliberately stepped on her feet, pushed her, and interfered.

Even the hidden truth that Carsein tripped her.

There’s nothing I can say.

Everything happened because of your shallow carelessness.

If I point out Carsein’s mistake, it would negate the fact that Harnier managed to perform the most difficult dance perfectly.

If I feign ignorance again, it would make Harnier’s dancing skills stand out even more.

Worst case scenario, other nobles might question why I don’t think my skills are lacking.

The same goes for the deliberate interference.

Even if Helie accuses me, it would just amount to admitting my lack of skill.

Finally, if she mentions the shoes were too small, the same design would become a topic of discussion.

Considering the nobles’ unspoken etiquette, Helie would face questions about why she ignored the possibility of retaliation, especially given that the opponent was Carsein.

So, there’s nothing Helie can say.

Everything backfired on her.

Except for one thing.

“But if this news reaches the House of Bargrand, you won’t be safe either.”

If this news reaches the House of Bargrand.

This was the exception. If Carsein’s mistake is revealed, it would be exaggerated and distorted, leading to severe punishment.

But even that didn’t scare me.

“Go ahead. I’m not scared of anything like that.”

“Huh…!”

“Why? Surprised I’m not scared? I’m used to being scolded by my family, so it’s not scary at all.”

And you can’t expect me to listen to what a girl like you says.

As I whispered this in her ear, Helie’s face turned red, and she left the stage, saying, “We’ll see.”

-Ding!

▶ All previous schedules for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting and Symposium before the break have been completed. ◀

▶ Emergency mission complete! ◀

▶ Calculating results… ◀

“It seems like it’s finally over.”

I thought it would have popped up sooner, but it looks like the emergency mission delayed the clear window.

“The result is obvious.”

Since I caused trouble in the dance hall, there will likely be a penalty.

Arina will come looking for me regarding this issue.

Arina will create the penalty choices.

Arina will cause a loss in affinity due to the choices.

Because this is a place filled with nobles, Arina is the only one who will come due to the damage to the House of Bargrand’s dignity.

I’ll have to accept the restrictions and the loss in affinity.

It’s the price for foolishly prioritizing emotions.

“This is too similar. Isn’t it a bit too much, damn game?”

I scratched my head and complained.

-Why… did you help me? Doing something like this will only get you in trouble later.

A faint memory from reality.

Yes, I did something foolish like this back then too.

Maybe I took such a drastic stance because I saw someone similar in Harnier.

Ji-eun, my first and last friend.

Her situation was so similar to mine.

-Ding!

▶ The threat level in the dance hall area has changed. ◀

▶ Time limit is now 5 minutes. ◀

“…Guess it’s time to go back.”

If I stay any longer, the penalty will deepen.

It would be nice if I could go back and check on Harnier’s condition and stall for time.

-Klack.

“…”

Returning to the terrace, I suddenly tripped on something.

Curious, I picked it up, and a window popped up.

◆ Sky-blue Button

[A button with two horse illustrations on a sky-blue background.]

“What popping up means I can use it somewhere?”

I don’t know where to use it, but…

I’ll hold onto it for now.

***

In the quiet terrace.

Where the music from the dance hall could still be heard, a calm silence prevailed.

“…”

Harnier looked down at the new pair of shoes she received.

Unlike the shoes filled with malice from the young lady Helie, these were perfect.

The correct size, with a comfortable heel height unlike Helie’s uncomfortable ones, and soft material.

Looking at these shoes naturally made her face flush. She remembered lifting herself and bringing her here earlier.

“Why am I giving meaning to something like this? I’ve really gone strange.”

Fanning herself to cool down, she couldn’t stop the thumping inside her chest. Why is this happening?

“You helped me because of the contract, right?”

Yes, that’s right.

Carsein must have acted because he wanted something out of it.

If it’s a deal, I can make one.

I just need to give him enough compensation.

…Probably.

Why do I feel like he didn’t do it for a reward?

Really, did he do this expecting some reward?

If so…

-Konkon.

-Music plays.

“Aah.”

The music from the dance hall had already changed to the party hall.

Only then did Harnier realize.

“Mmm… Wait, I need to apply medicine, but first, I need to fix my dress.”

She had brought medicine, but if she didn’t apply it, it wouldn’t do any good.

But her clothes were also a problem.

The maid Minah, chosen by the Marquis himself, dressed her and intentionally tightened her chest.

While not as tight as Helie’s shoes, it was still uncomfortable.

If she had taken a moment to adjust her clothes, she could have bent her knees to apply the medicine herself, but now she couldn’t.

A sudden thought came to her.

When Carsein returns, maybe I should ask him to apply it…

“What the heck are you talking about?!”

That’s absurd.

Why should I ask him to apply it?

Harnier shook her head vigorously.

“Yes, yes. I need to ask someone else! There’s no need to ask Carsein specifically!”

She quickly looked for someone else.

Thinking about it, wasn’t there a knight waiting outside, placed by Carsein? Maybe that person would be okay.

-Klack.

At that moment, the terrace door opened.

Harnier welcomed it.

“Just in time, Sir Radiel. I was wondering if you could help me with something. My clothes are a bit uncomfortable, and I need to—”

But her welcome was short-lived.

Instead of Radiel, someone else entered through the door.

“Damn it…!”

Harnier froze, her mouth shut tight.

Just when she had such thoughts, he enters?

“Why haven’t you applied it yet? Is it because of your clothes?”

Carsein, guessing her unfinished sentence, scratched his head and approached.

“Let me help. I’ll apply it for you.”

“No, no! I can do it myself!”

Harnier hastily pulled back her foot, flustered and speaking nonsense.

“You just said your clothes were uncomfortable.”

“That’s…”

“Fine, let me help.”

“Ah…”

Without thinking much, Carsein took the medicine from Harnier’s hand.

Before Harnier could protest, she was left with her heart racing wildly.

“Gah…!”

“You seem to be in a lot of pain.”

“No, it’s not…”

It wasn’t painful at all.

It was just that her finger, which had touched the medicine, had barely brushed against her.

But she couldn’t speak.

She could only retreat backward, clutching her skirt.

Seeing her discomfort, Carsein grabbed her leg.

“Hold still. Not applying this will only make it worse.”

Now, she couldn’t escape.

She had to kneel and wait until he finished applying the medicine.

After applying the medicine, he carefully wrapped it with a bandage.

Why did it take so long? Harnier buried her face in her hands, eyes closed tightly.

As she did this, something was slipped onto her foot.

“What are you doing…?”

“I wanted to check if the size fits. If not, I’ll bring another one.”

Checking the size by slipping on shoes yourself?

What do you think you’re doing?

“Hmm, seems comfortable. I was worried it wouldn’t fit.”

“…”

Harnier laughed bitterly.

“Yes. You wouldn’t deliberately try something like that.”

Other nobles might have tried obvious tricks, but Carsein wouldn’t have.

Such a quick-witted person, who could turn around an entire territory’s situation, knows nothing about this.

Even if he read the etiquette book, he wouldn’t have understood the situation.

“Hey, Carsein.”

“Speak.”

“Can we sit here for a moment?”

Harnier patted the spot next to her.

She had many questions she wanted to ask.

But none of them came out.

“Thank you. For helping.”

Embarrassed,

she leaned slightly on his shoulder, avoiding eye contact.

That was all she could say.

He replied nonchalantly as if it were nothing.

“If something like this happens again, tell me. I’ll help anytime.”

Yes. That’s why she didn’t need to ask other questions.

Perhaps she had anticipated this answer.

-Konkon.

Deep within her chest,

a warm feeling spread.

As if it might leak out, accompanied by the sound of her heartbeat.