Chapter 60

Since it got quite long, I split it into two parts!

Part 7 is scheduled to be updated at 7 PM tomorrow.

There's so much I want to write that I'm not sure if I can fit it all in, but I'll do my best, so please look forward to it! > <

※I made a slight adjustment to Gil's line in Part 4. If anyone is concerned, please go and check it out.

I only emphasized his flustered state, so the plot development remains unchanged.

The tea party at Vrouhel Academy is always held in the garden of the school.

With the solemn school building as a backdrop, the lush grass covers the ground. Trees are arranged at equal intervals, and at the feet, cute semi-circular zinnias are in full bloom. In the center, a fountain, a symbol of wealth, sprays water high into the air, and at the ends, two domes for shade and four stone statues are lined up. The figures of the stone statues are probably the successive heads of the Clements family, who have run the school for generations.

Cecilia and Leen move through the crowd of noble apprentices surrounding the round table.

The setup allows for standing and mingling, as this place is not just for enjoying meals and tea, but also for exchanging opinions and conducting business. Indeed, no one is touching the pastries or tea. Of course, chairs are also provided at the edges, but only a few students are using them.

Cecilia looks around to find Aine and Zwey.

"This is my first time, but everyone seems pretty serious."

"Of course. Unlike the smooth-sailing Sylvy family, the other families have a lot on their plates. There are people who want to secure future lords through this tea party, and there are also those who want to find marriage partners here."

"Really..."

Now that she thinks about it, everyone does seem more serious than during class. She had heard that many noble children enroll specifically for this tea party, and it makes sense.

"Heirs can just inherit, so they might be more relaxed, but women without fiancés and second or third sons have a lot riding on their actions here. They must be desperate. ...Look, even Gilbert looks troubled over there."

Cecilia looks in the direction Leen points.

There, Gilbert is surrounded by people. He was caught as soon as he entered the venue. He seems to be answering questions normally, but a discerning eye can see that he looks troubled. Looking around, there are crowds around the heirs of powerful noble families.

"Besides, your stepbrother is also considering returning to the Colson family, isn't he?"

"Eh!?"

"Men with clear connections to two ducal families are rare. Most people don't know about the Colson family's troubles... "

"Gilbert is considering returning to the Colson family!?"

Surprised by the new information, Cecilia leans forward.

Leen blinks at her reaction.

"Oh, you didn't know?"

"I didn't! Gilbert never said anything!"

"Well, you see. We caught Bernard the other day, and that led to Ticky's misdeeds being exposed. He can no longer function as Nicole's backup. So, as a replacement..."

"Backup, Gilbert?"

Leen nods at Cecilia's wide-eyed expression.

"Pretty much. Nicole Colson's frailty is well-known, and so is her excellence. They probably want a backup, don't you think?"

"That's..."

It's such a selfish reason.

To be discarded when not needed and called back when needed is cruel.

"Besides, the Colson family's lady apparently came to the school the other day. She's been coming a few times, and maybe she's trying to negotiate directly. ...Her actions are very similar to Ticky's."

"I didn't know..."

Cecilia is surprised, but at the same time,

(That's why he's been disappearing after school recently...)

she understands.

The day she met Grace, Gilbert had actually invited him too. But he declined, saying he had something to do. At the time, she didn't think much of it, but now, he might have been meeting the lady.

(What will Gilbert do?)

Even though he was neglected, it's a request from his real parents. If he really wishes it, Cecilia's parents would likely accept the offer and support him. So, the decision is ultimately up to Gilbert.

(If that happens, I'll be sad, but...)

Still, she can't stop him. If being recognized by his real parents is his happiness, she should support it. At least, she shouldn't be swayed by the words of a sister with no blood ties.

Cecilia raises her head as if to switch her thoughts.

"Where did you get that information, Leen?"

"Where there's a lot of money moving around, there's a lot of information too."

She smiles cutely.

The person moving a lot of money is undoubtedly Jade. It seems his business is going well.

Jade is currently in the middle of negotiations with the son of a merchant who owns several large ships. He is the heir of a family that has a partnership with the Benjamin family.

Jade is handing him a book written by Leen. He might be thinking of exporting it...

(Scary...)

It's a poison that might be taken out of the country.

Of course, there's no way to stop it.

"So, what are you going to do? Are you going to follow the game and try to bully me here?"

"Eh?"

"You want to meet the twins here, right?"

"Oh, right!"

She had been swayed by all the information and lost sight of her original purpose.

Gilbert's situation and the poison being exported are concerning, but she'll have to deal with them later.

Cecilia changes her focus.

"Well, I think that approach is too risky. We want to build a good relationship, so a bad first impression wouldn't be good!"

"You're right."

"Besides, I don't even know what to bully you about..."

Unlike in the game, Leen is wearing a dress, not a uniform. There's no obvious place to bully her. Plus, Cecilia isn't very good at finding people's flaws.

Leen smiles at the puzzled Cecilia.

"Well, you're the type who can't say bad things about anyone, even if your mouth were torn open. ...But what should we do then?"

"What should we do..."

Just as they both tilted their heads in unison—

"You guys are here too?"

Cecilia's head snaps up at the voice.

Today, the manga adaptation is also updated.

It's serialized on Nico Nico Seiga and Comic Walker, so please check it out!

The second volume of the manga adaptation will be released on December 28th!

Thank you all for your support! > <

(Please rate it if you enjoyed it)