Chapter 68: Chapter 68

I thought back to the chocolate cake I had eaten a few days ago. Just imagining the smooth, glossy cream softening at room temperature made me feel a little better. I could even feel my mouth watering.

Alright, time to start the nonsense.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’ve been wanting to tell everyone I meet how amazing His Highness was that day!”

“Pardon?”

“Even though he was wearing ceremonial armor, which must have made it hard to move, the way he drew his sword the moment he saw the magical beast was so graceful. No scene from any heroic play could ever compare to how thrilling that moment was.”

“Ah, yes, of course. But I was hoping for something a bit different, perhaps regarding… His Highness’s future plans?”

“His future… Do you mean marriage?”

This was the moment to blush modestly. I didn’t have the acting skills for that, though, so I simply raised my fan to partially cover my face and cast my eyes downward, as if embarrassed.

That should do it.

My mind is completely preoccupied with Tristan! That’s all I can talk about!

“I haven’t heard anything about dates or plans, but I’m simply waiting in silence for His Highness’s decision. Whatever he chooses will bring me joy.”

“Ah, haha. Your devotion seems to grow deeper every day, Lady Doris. It’s admirable.”

“Thank you. Honestly, I’ve been too shy to share this with anyone, but if you’d like to hear more about His Highness’s heroic deeds that day—”

“Oh, no need for that. I’m sure my niece must be waiting for you.”

The baroness, uninterested in hearing more of my ramblings, quickly excused herself. Thank goodness.

Soon after, the one person in this house who was genuinely happy to see me waved her hand.

“Dori! Over here. Was the trip tiring? I’ve got tea ready in my room.”

“Thanks, Maria.”

“It’s a bit dark in there, so don’t be startled.”@@novelbin@@

Of course, I wasn’t startled.

Maria’s room was exactly as described in the original novel—a small, neglected room in a corner of the baron’s estate, one that had once belonged to the baron’s child but had long since been abandoned. Its northeast-facing window allowed little light, and in winter, it was the perfect environment for condensation and mold.

But seeing Maria’s face made me forget all about the lack of sunlight.

“It’s such a cozy room. Thanks for letting me visit today.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. I wanted to invite you to the tea room, but… my uncle said he might have guests over today, so he told me to leave it available.”

The baron wasn’t home today. Maria had specifically chosen a day when he’d be out for meetings to invite me over. As a dependent, it would’ve been awkward for her to host a guest in front of the head of the household.

‘Even if Maria has gotten close to the young duke… that doesn’t exactly benefit the baron, who doesn’t want to get tangled in her marriage affairs.’

The baron had even openly told her around the time of the hunting tournament to “find a man more suited to her level.”

Whatever joy Maria had experienced from the animal gift she’d received from Arthur had likely faded by now.

‘This house must feel like a bed of thorns to Maria.’

At least the room, despite being dark, was well-decorated and cozy. In summer, the northern-facing window wasn’t necessarily a disadvantage.

“It’s fine. Honestly, for friendships, a friend’s room is much better than a tea room!”

“Ahaha, thanks. But Dori, are you eating properly? You don’t look so well.”

“I’ve been busy wrapping up the final revisions. But it’s nothing to worry about. Here, take a look at the script first.”

I handed her the true purpose of my visit while sipping the tea she’d prepared.

It was a revised script and lyric sheet for the performance.

Maria, looking serious, moved to the brightest spot in the room near the window and began reading the script carefully.

“This is interesting!”

She smiled brightly. No sign of a forced expression—thank goodness.

“The lyrics seem like they could’ve been a bit conventional on their own, but with the added stage directions, it all comes to life.”

“Do you think a first-time audience would understand it?”

“I’m sure they will. There are only a few songs left, and ultimately, it’s a love story that anyone can follow.”

She was right. Even people unfamiliar with La Traviata could grasp the drama from a single sentence: “The tragic love story of a naive nobleman and a woman of lower status.”

Maria added a playful comment.

“Though with your touch, Dori, it’s not much of a love story anymore.”

“Ahaha… I just don’t have much confidence in writing love stories—”

“Oh, I’m not criticizing you. Honestly, if people wanted a good love story, they’d go to the theater. For an audience without any expectations, a satire like this is probably far more entertaining.”

“Thanks for the compliment!”

“No, thank you! I get to enjoy the script before anyone else. By the way, what’s your role?”

“Here. Mezzo-soprano. Lady C in the dialogue.”

“Want me to help you practice?”

I hesitated.

Having a third party’s feedback would be helpful.

When practicing with the other ladies, we tended to overlook mistakes, knowing how hard everyone was working.

But outright asking her to watch was a bit embarrassing, so I hesitated, until Maria suddenly remembered the teapot.

“Drink some tea and think about it before it gets cold. And keep in mind, I’m not a harsh critic.”

“Your sense of humor’s improved. By the way, with the script being revised like this, do you think you and the young duke will be okay with it? It doesn’t exactly scream ‘romantic couple-friendly.’”

“Oh, the young duke would definitely want to see your performance. B-but wait. A couple?!”

Maria’s face turned bright red.

“We’re not that close!”

“What do you mean? Didn’t you say you’ve been exchanging letters since the hunting tournament?”

“Yes, we’ve already exchanged three.”

“…Just letters?”

“What else would we exchange?”

“…”

Even if this world is some pseudo-European setting cobbled together from the 17th to early 20th century, isn’t this level of conservatism a bit much?

“Have you met the young duke alone since the hunting tournament? A meal, a performance, or at least a walk?”

“No. The young duke is busy, and the thought of people watching us makes me so embarrassed… I don’t even know how I mustered the courage during the hunting tournament! Just thinking about it now makes me feel like my face is on fire.”

“…Has the young duke ever suggested a date?”

“He did once mention taking a walk together on a nice day. There would be lots of people on the walking path then, so… Maybe in the fall?”

“…”

Damn transmigration novels! They never stick to the original plot peacefully!

‘No wonder their relationship progressed so easily without any major events.’

In the original, their relationship had taken a significant turn during the hunting tournament arc. The male and female leads had spent the night together beneath a cliff, and at least a kiss scene was expected. That atmosphere had brought them closer, but after the tournament, Maria had withdrawn from society out of guilt for defying her uncle’s warnings and embarrassment toward Arthur.

Arthur, left alone to daydream, had realized she was avoiding him and entered a “Why are you doing this to me?!” mode, clinging to her desperately.

And now? That entire arc was gone.

Instead, they were casually exchanging letters.

Healthy relationships are nice, but is this really okay?

After confessing their feelings, how could they say, “We’re not a couple”? If they planned to take a walk in the fall, were they going to hold hands in the winter? By then, the social season would end, and Arthur would have to leave for the north.

Would he propose then and bring her with him? Or would they decide to “get to know each other better” and postpone everything?

I was starting to regret giving Maria the courage during the hunting tournament.

What this couple needed wasn’t a slow build-up of confidence but an unexpected crisis to push them together!

Damn it. No wonder the ladies’ gossip sessions hadn’t mentioned Arthur’s love life. If their relationship was stuck in such a lukewarm state, there wasn’t enough material for gossip!

My mind blanked, and I blurted out whatever came to mind.

“Fall, huh. That’s nice. By then, there’ll be plenty of couples who’ve already agreed on their futures…”

“Walking under the autumn sky among couples who’ve decided on forever… It sounds so romantic. One day, Arthur and I will have that too, right?”

Do it now! At this point, exchanging portraits and planning a wedding would already count as common-law marriage!

The fear that this couple might only hold hands in the winter and part ways drove me to speak.

“Maria. After the charity concert, once I have some free time, why don’t we go on an outing? The four of us.”

“Huh? Four?”

“You, the young duke, and me with my fiancé.”