Chapter 31: Chapter 31

"Natalie, sister!"

Natalie slowly raised her head. She looked utterly exhausted. Just how many times had she danced? The dance card hanging from her wrist was crammed with names.

"Sister, I made it back safely thanks to you. You’ve worked so hard tonight!"

"…Right."

"…Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened."

I didn’t believe her at all.

Could someone who drinks, dances, and parties until dawn get this worn out from a single family-hosted party?

Ah, I’ll ask her the reasons later.

"Sister, let me escort you to your room. Should I bring you some ice water? Lemonade?"

"No, that's fine. But behind you."

"What?"

As I turned, I was greeted by unwelcome faces: the Earl and Countess Redfield.

They approached Natalie with bright smiles but let out a short sigh when they noticed me.

"I thought you were becoming more ladylike, but you're no match for Natalie. I didn’t even realize you were at the party!"

Well, that makes sense. I really wasn’t there.

Father’s gaze immediately shifted back to Natalie.

"Natalie, you were impressive tonight. Although, I think you may have overdone it… You seemed to have quite a lengthy conversation with the young marquis. Did he say anything about Doris? Between the two of you, who do you think he was more interested in?"

"Can we discuss this tomorrow? I’m very tired right now."

"Of course! You must be exhausted. I’ll call for the maids to escort you. Doris, come along; we’ll guide the remaining guests to their rooms."

Feeling guilty for not contributing to the party, I decided to follow my parents. It was the least I could do.

But then Natalie grabbed my hand.

"Doris alone is enough to escort me. Having maids cling to me would only announce to the remaining guests how tired I am. I can’t allow that."

"Well… if that’s what you want."

"Doris, come here."

Natalie raised one arm and crooked her finger. Dutifully, I slid into position beside her, just the right height to act as her living crutch.

The voices of our parents, maids, and servants faded into the background as we left.

After getting Natalie to her room, I immediately removed her hairpins.

"Do you want to wash your face? Or I can bring a damp towel if washing feels like too much effort."

"No, I’m fine. I was just relieved to see you return safely. I still have the energy to dance three more polkas, at least."

True to her words, as she tossed aside her hair accessories, Natalie looked like a lion ready to go on another hunt. That was reassuring.

"I’m glad to hear that. I was worried something had happened because you didn’t look well earlier."

"Nothing much… though the young marquis has quite the knack for draining people."

"Ah, him. Yeah, he’s kind of like that. Not a bad person, just…"

Completely oblivious.

"By the way, what did you talk about with him earlier? He kept following you around afterward."

"We just ended a very interesting story midway. That’s all."

"Like a thousand-and-one nights, huh?"

Since she didn’t seem keen to elaborate, I didn’t press further. She probably had her reasons.

But then Natalie hit me with an out-of-the-blue question.

"…Doris. Do you think people can change for the better once they’re adults?"

"Are we talking about habits or personality?"

"Everything. Do you think an utterly ruined person can improve?"

"Hmm…"

Why was she asking this?

I didn’t need to ponder long. My parents were prime examples.

The answer came to me instantly.

"If they’re adults, it’s difficult."

"Ha! I knew it!"

Suddenly, Natalie let out a triumphant laugh.

"The only way is to cut them out of your life, right? Who has the energy to fix a person when you can just get rid of them?"

"Why do you sound so excited, as if you have someone in mind? And your tone makes it sound like you’re about to rip their head off!"

"Seeeriously."

Natalie’s eyes gleamed with renewed energy. If I let her go now, she’d probably dance three polkas and five waltzes.

"Haha, Doris, you’ve done well. Now go and get some rest."

"…Alright."

Still feeling uneasy, I turned to leave but stopped before stepping out the door.

Adults rarely change.

No amount of love or effort can fix a fundamentally flawed person.

However…

"…Sister, earlier I said it’s hard for people to change, right?"

"What, are you taking it back now?"

"No, I stand by it. But I do think relationships can change."

Natalie has always been eccentric and self-centered, yet…

Just as I no longer find myself disliking her, perhaps it’s about how we perceive each other.

"To cats, dogs are messy diggers. To dogs, cats are mischievous troublemakers. But some cats and dogs learn to accept that the other isn’t ‘wrong.’"

Natalie frowned slightly.

"That’s a nice thought, but what if the other really is ‘wrong’?"

"Well, I can’t claim to be the ‘right’ one either."

"…You really do sound like you’ve read too many books, little sister."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"It wasn’t meant to be."

"It is to me. That’s just how we’re ‘different,’ sister."

"…Maybe."

Natalie’s lips curled into a small smile.

"I think I get it. A little."

I wasn’t sure what her problem had been, but maybe it was resolved.

"I’ll head to bed now. Rest well, sister."

"You too, Doris."

As I carefully closed her door and stepped into the hallway, I heard her mutter in frustration.

"What do you mean, ‘maybe’? They are wrong!"

What on earth happened at the party?@@novelbin@@

Did she run into someone utterly insufferable?

I didn’t think there was anyone Natalie couldn’t handle.

Oh well. She’s an adult. She’ll figure it out.

Descending the stairs, I found Mother waiting for me.

"Sending you and Natalie to the same party might have been a mistake. Your sister is not only stunning but also so lively."

"True. I must’ve been practically invisible tonight."

"Don’t be discouraged. The more men gather around your sister, the more opportunities you’ll have."

Mother stroked my hair gently.

"You’re lovely too. I’m sorry I couldn’t make you as beautiful as her."

"…"

"Tomorrow, let’s plan your look for the hunting competition. Now go and get some rest."

"Thank you, Mother. You worked hard tonight. I’ll help more at the next party."

"That’s sweet of you to say."

Mother smiled faintly before turning away.

Flawed people rarely change.

The Earl and Countess will continue treating us as pawns for their ambitions, favoring Natalie while belittling me. A kind word or two won’t erase that dynamic.

Still, the warmth of her touch lingered as I walked to my room.

Not everything needs to improve. Sometimes, it’s enough to cherish the rare moments of warmth when they come.

***

I must have said at least a hundred times how much I hate banquets. I don’t like meeting people, and I dislike outdoor activities even more.

But if a banquet is coffee, then a hunting competition is like poison with 0.1% coffee aroma added.

Before the carriage set off toward the royal hunting grounds, Mother tightly clasped both Natalie’s hand and mine.

"Tomorrow, one of you must return home crowned as the Queen of the Hunting Competition, wearing the golden laurel tiara… Not that I’m trying to pressure you, of course."

Then what’s with the iron grip crushing my hand every time you enunciate “golden laurel tiara”? Is this some kind of hand massage?

"Natalie mentioned after the last banquet that the young marquis hasn’t made up his mind yet. During this competition, make sure to tip the scales in our favor!"

Mother’s gaze lingered on me as she continued.

"First, this afternoon, there will be a tea party for the ladies."

"…A tea party? At a hunting competition?"

"It’s how the ladies pass the time while the men are out hunting. If you just hole up in the tents, there will surely be nasty gossip about the Redfield family, so make sure to attend."

"Alright."

Fine. As long as I just sit and drink tea, it should be manageable.

But that wasn’t all.

"The evening banquet is just as important. The dim lighting creates the perfect chance for private conversations. Make sure to draw the young marquis aside for a sweet and meaningful talk! Just be careful not to spark any unsavory rumors. Understand?"

Lure the young marquis into the dark for a one-on-one chat? Hunting might actually be easier than this.

"That sounds… difficult."

"Have confidence! You and your sister are the only ones who’ve managed to get close to him. Spend just enough time with him to make him want more, then part ways leaving a bit of longing. By the next morning…"

Why is there so much to do?

This wasn’t in the original story…

…Oh. Of course.

Maria, the protagonist, didn’t have anyone to guide her through the procedures or tell her how to act during the competition.

She spent her time alone in a modest tent provided as a courtesy by Baron Meyer, torn between yearning for Arthur’s love and fearing its consequences.

I was getting unnecessarily sentimental when Mother snapped me back to reality with a question.

"Now, you’ve both prepared a gift to wish your hunters luck, haven’t you? What did you prepare?"