Lucien spoke no words in return but silently sips her tea before it gets cold.
Cresella neither did expect a confession in return and so she continues, "not everyone here like lady Renee. Some have made a circle on their own to work on their means to gain the emperor's attention."
'Ah, It seems they are creating allies now.'
"I would love to make a proposition, Lady Lucien," Cresella directed towards Lucien with a sharp stare. "I may not offer a promising proposal, however, I can assure you that no harm would come to you."
'Is this a threat? And from who? You or the other?'
Lucien's mind echoed. She wonders if something like this had ever happened in the novel, this was never mentioned.
"Forming allies will enhance sufficient assistance when you are against a foe." Cresella continues while Albia pours more tea into her empty cup. "I am not working independently." She carefully sips her tea without blowing its steam away. "There are five of us and we still have one available spot." Her cup made a clinking sound as she laid it down on the saucer. "So, what will be your answer?"
'My instinct tells me if I accept the proposal, I'll be dead within a month.'
Lucien has carefully thought about it what she would answer.
"I am thankful for the aid you would wish to provide, Lady Cresella." She simply smiles as she always does. "However, I have to apologize for declining your offer."
Cresella's eyes widen when she continues to listen to what Lucien was responding. "Nevertheless, as for me, I do not wish to harm whoever it may be. It would mean establishing more crises and I do not wish to face that. I apologize, Lady Cresella." Lucien stood up and bow lightly, lifting her gown carefully.
"Does that signifies you'll be an opposer by joining hands with Lady Renee?" Cresella spoke halting Lucien's steps.
"Pardon?" Lucien still couldn't understand why Cresella would keep on bringing up Renee like Lucien had known her for a long time.
"Since you will be siding with Lady Renee, we have no option but to put you in the same league as her." Cresella stood up and turn towards Lucien. "Though I've no inkling of what is on your mind, even if it means manipulating Renee to your advantage."
Lucien gritted her teeth, steadying her anger. She was only here for a cup of tea and not to argue with the other person who was spouting nonsense as though Lucien was a hostile person.
"Lady Cresella, have I, perhaps done some improper action towards you? I don't mean to be impolite however, your action of speaking towards me cannot be tolerated. When I confessed I do not wish to join hands with you, I signify it to everyone. So, therefore, don't push me to assume as though I'm siding with Lady Renee. I work alone." Lucien spoke out with an upright face, a tone that signifies the other person to be careful what he/she spoke.
Cresella was left mute making her unable to take a step forward.
"Well then, good day, Lady Cresella." And Lucien left. Rosetta was waiting for her in the other room.
.
.
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.
.
Lucien couldn't help but be worried about what had happened in Cresella's room. 'Dislike Lady Renee?' Her mind repeated the same line again and again. 'How did she know that this character (Lucien) hates Lady Renee from the very beginning? Is she that 'dying lady'?' "Uggg! I need to find her name. Calling her the dying lady feels too impolite more like awkward."
Lucien sighs, 'I couldn't confirm if Cresella is the one. There are many holes indicating she isn't the one but, the lines she told me are making me confused. Only a reader is possible to find out Lucien is the villainess, however, ' *sigh*
She shakes her head, trying to forget about her. Even then she had made up her mind to keep a guard up around.
*tsk*
Lucien was pissed. Her evening mood was already ruined, not even for a second did she regret her action nor did she worry about anyone hearing their conversation. 'Should I've splashed the cup of tea on her accidentally?'
"In my judgment, that's not very ladylike, my lady."
"Ekk!!"
Rosetta suddenly appears again with a silver tray on the balcony. "I've bought your skim milk with honey lemony with fairy winkle petals."
"How can you even explain what I'm thinking about?" Lucien suspiciously asked with narrow eyes.
"Well, my lady," Rosetta frees the lit from the tray and puts down the cup on the table. "You were mumbling a little loud."
"Ah, I...is that so? And what would be more ladylike to take up against a foe?"
"If my lady wished to know, I would rather say, elegantly flipping the table and pouring the tea from the teapots directly in a well-mannered behavior, might make you look more like a noble lady."
"Surely, nothing good comes out of your lips when I raised a question to you. I'm rather glad you are not a Noble lady."
Lucien had to be careful not to open her lips when Rosetta was around. Her tricks were occasionally too tempting, Lucien even had a thought of wanting to give it a try.
She picks up the mug and traces of lemon honey hits her nostril. The honey from this world were found in the inner part of the flowers. Its flavor was different from her world and it was also part of her daily routine to drink every evening.
Lucien smiles after a sip. It always lights up her heavy mood. "Rosetta,"
"Yes, my lady?"
"My first question," Lucien continues liking the drink that was just brewed. "What is the name of your younger brother?"
Rosetta clearly remember her words when she had agreed to answer Lucien's every question. She had no doubt so, without any hesitation, Rosetta answered, "Aristaeus."
"Aristaeus, I see." Impressed that Rosetta didn't back away from her words. She sips more and puts it back on top of the saucer she was holding. "Interesting name," Lucien commented.
'~hmmm~ The names don't ring any bells to me.' Her mind raced through the novel, however, found nothing. Internally, she sighs. 'I guess, he is also just a side character which will never be revealed.'
"Thank you," Rosetta uttered. "My grandmother named him." Her voice softens. As soon as she spoke, Lucien turned towards her hoping for a glimpse of expression however, Rosetta's expression stood as it was. She nodded her head in return.
Lucien pulls out a flower-embroidered pouch bag and stretches her hand towards Rosetta. "Here," she spoke. "You have my word." Rosetta reached out and held the pouch. It had hundred gold coins as Lucien had said.
"My lady," Rosetta called. "You may raise any question to me as you pleased now."
Lucien could see the twinkle across Rosetta's sights. 'She must love money a lot.'
Lucien leans her chin on top of her knuckles, eyes rolling towards her maid. "You sure are in a hurry to earn money, huh?"
"I live for money," Rosetta responded with a straight face. Sure, Lucien couldn't see any changes in her expression however, she somehow noticed the contentment in her eyes.
"Yeah, I can see that."
'Should I ask her more? This is a golden opportunity besides the author never mentions, what her little brother looks like. I bet he is adorable.'
"Alright," Lucien smiles delightfully. "Are you a year apart from Aristaeus?" 'Since Rosetta is 16 I'm sure her brother is around 15 or 14.'
"No, my lady. We're 5 years apart." Rosetta reacted quickly.
'Oh my! Is he 9-10? He is very young. No wonder Rosetta is here to look for her brother. He must be scared.'
"Is this the reason why you came here to look for your younger brother, as a maid?"
Rosetta's body flinch when Lucien suddenly started to utter in a serious tone. She was hesitating as she tightly held her hand.
Lucien continued, sipping her tea till the end, and finally placed it on the table. "If the question was too personal, you don't need to respond, Rosetta."
Rosetta didn't respond but stood silently. Lucien stood up and placed two more embroidery pouch bags on the table. "Here, I asked you two questions and as I've said, I'll pay for every question I asked. Of course, I don't expect every of my question to be answered."
And Lucien left but paused her steps, "Rosetta, I'll be away at the library for a while. Let me know when the next preparation is ready." And walks out of the balcony.
'It's so cringy to act cool. But I'm glad father send me 5 trunks of gold coins. Though I thought it was my clothes and jewelry...he..he... No wonder it was extremely heavy when those butlers tried to carry it on their way in. I could use gold in this kind of situation.'
.
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'Now then,' She stood by the library door. 'I need to finish it by today. It's too bothersome to keep on coming here. It pisses me off to see that person every time I come here.'
"Lady Lucien."
As her hands were about to reach the golden door handle, a sweet voice let her halt.
"Good evening, Lady Lucien." Dorothy appeared. She bowed, holding her gown a little high.
"Good evening, Lady Dorothy," Lucien as well bowed showing her respect. She had to act according to her character. After all, the ladies around here have allied and Lucien was unaware of who was with 'that lady' and who was with her.
"I apologize for suddenly appearing and interrupting your visit to the library," Dorothy apologetically spoke. Anyone who was to stand beside Dorothy would be swayed away by her adorable personality. She was indeed lovely. Someone who looks like she was still 16 but she was 19. The color of her gown fits her mauve-pink hair which was much lighter. If Lucien wanted to describe her, Dorothy was like a real-life barbie doll.
"It's okay lady Dorothy, it can be excused." Lucien gently smiles. In the novel, the author explained that Lucien often smiles however, it was never real. It was just to show her appearance that she stood like a lady and the only daughter of the Valentius family. So, Lucien followed with the flow.
"Thank you, Lady Lucien," Dorothy pleasantly smiles as though flowers were sprouting around her. "If it isn't too much to ask, may I ask you for an evening tea in my chamber?"
'Another evening tea? Is tea the only thing I'm gonna drink until I die?'
"Thank you, Lady Dorothy," Lucien smiles back with a response. "However, it's almost dawn and I avoid drinking tea after sunset."
"Oh, my~" Dorothy's eyes began to glisten with a teary look. "I didn't realize that." Lucien didn't lie about that. Drinking too much tea causes her gastric and she wanted to avoid that. "Would it be okay if I invited you the next day for an evening tea?"
'This little girl isn't going let me off that easily.'
She internally sighs, she gives up. "Certainly, Lady Dorothy," Lucien finally accepts. "It would be a pleasure to sit for an evening tea with a lovely lady like you."
Dorothy cheerfully smiles and happily left to let her know later about tomorrow.
Lucien made her way inside the library. She sighs in relief, there was no one around as usual.
*sob* *sob*
Lucien flinches. She has forgotten how scary the library was when it was too peaceful. And now, she could clearly hear somebody sobbing far beyond the end of the corner.
Her body instantly turns around towards the front door, ready to flee any moment. However, her step held. When she heard the next sound. Somebody was blowing its nose loudly. 'Is somebody crying?'
She could leave when she heard that sound. Leaving that person alone would be the right thing to do however, it didn't feel right. Her mind shouted to leave but her heart spoke otherwise.
.
.
"Renee?"
What she didn't expect was to see Renee with piles of books around her on the table and she was crying. Her cheeks were drenched in tears. Continuously, she keeps on wiping her tears as she flips the pages. Her call made Renee automatically look up to her.
"Lady L...Lucien?"
"Are you okay?"
Lucien walks forward. Anyone would be asking the same question when they were to see Renee in that state. What she didn't expect was for Renee to run forward and hug her tight with a trembling body.
"W...what am...I...I... *sob* supposed to do? *hiccup* My....my...sister...my sister...she is sick...I...I *sob* still can't find the cure... *sob* what...w...what am...I suppose to do?" *hiccup*
"What?"