Chapter 86

Ah, of course, I didn’t just sit around doing nothing while Jeanne decided to become a nanny.

* * *

Huangli Medical Center.

Jeanne looked at the more than ten doctors with a bewildered expression.

The small ward was packed with doctors.

“So, all of you are...”

“Yes, attending physicians!”

She had never seen so many doctors at once.

Usually, an attending physician would be an assistant professor.

In Jeanne’s case, it was a resident who was the attending physician.

Jeanne’s sister, Roxanne, was a patient with a rare disease. She should have been managed with great care, but with several months of medical bills overdue, they were grateful just to not be kicked out.

Moreover, since it was a rare disease, the resident, who had not seen many cases, could only prescribe medication to alleviate her symptoms and could not provide more in-depth treatment.

But today, the professors had come.

Roxanne, with a puzzled look, opened her mouth.

“What’s going on all of a sudden...”

“It’s a message from the House of Astra. They said to take special care of the sister of someone important.”

“The House of Astra?”

The sisters looked at each other with wide eyes.

The doctors explained the upcoming treatment process and left the ward.

Thud.

As the doctors closed the ward door and left, Roxanne looked at Jeanne and said,

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know...”

Roxanne held Jeanne’s hand with a worried expression.

Jeanne covered Roxanne with the blanket and said,

“At least it’s a good thing.”

“Yeah, but... I’m scared of this kind of luck now.”

Roxanne let out a low sigh.

Jeanne, a daughter of a humble family and a woman, had been overjoyed when she became a palace knight.

She had considered it a hard-earned stroke of luck after all the hardships.

But five years later, her younger sister became a criminal.

Roxanne thought it was because of excessive luck.

So, she was very worried about this current stroke of luck.

“Did the House of Astra see you well...? Didn’t you go for an interview last time?”

“...”

“But that’s strange too. You went to the House of Astra, but why did the House of Astra contact the medical center?”

Roxanne’s words made Jeanne hesitate.

‘It must be because of him.’

The child who was unusually smart for his age.

Jeanne was a capable and virtuous knight. She still had many admirers, and she heard a lot of news.

Including the news that Eryott was the precious gem of the House of Astra.

The story that even the Duke of Astra had to yield to him was well-known.

The child must have requested it from the House of Astra.

She was very grateful and apologetic to the child who had taken such good care of her.

But the surprising events didn’t end there.

“We will move you to a new ward.”

Roxanne’s ward was changed to a luxurious one used by the highest nobles.

“I am your dedicated nurse.”

The head nurse, responsible for an entire ward, greeted Roxanne.

“I am your caregiver.”

A dedicated caregiver, usually assigned to the highest nobles, was assigned to Roxanne.

“The medical bills have already been settled.”

The medical bills, which would make even a decent noble’s jaw drop, were fully paid.

“I am a real estate agent. I have selected a few houses near the medical center. Just choose one. Money? Ha, the House of Astra will pay for everything.”

“...”

“...”

Roxanne looked at her sister with a frightened face.

“This doesn’t seem like just luck...!”

“...”

“What’s going on! What’s happening here!”

I don’t know...

Jeanne remembered the child’s words.

“If it’s not what you were thinking and you’re surprised, I’ll give you some time. Think about it and let me know.”

Giving her time to think...

This wasn’t time to think; it was time to create a reason for Jeanne to become a nanny!

* * *

House of Astra.

Seeing the signboard up, I barely suppressed the urge to jump for joy.

‘The interior work is done, and the signboard is up.’

Now, the proper life in the capital begins!

I was grinning when Michelan approached.

“The servants from the territory have arrived.”

“Heidi and Betty?”

“They were very happy unpacking their luggage.”

“Hmm.”

The servants were brought from the territory.

I could have hired people in the capital, but I didn’t want rumors about our mansion to spread through the servants.

“Should we prepare for the party?”

“Yeah. Oh, how’s ‘that’ going?”

Michelan looked around and whispered to me.

“We’ve investigated everything, including the basement, but we haven’t found the late emperor’s hidden wealth.”

“Not in any of the rooms?”

“No.”

Could it be hidden here...

But no matter how I think about it, there’s nowhere else it could be hidden.

“Keep investigating for now.”

Saying that, I went inside the mansion.

Today is the day of the Lily Garden Party.

I don’t have much time to prepare.

The Lily Garden Party is a very important event.

There are several reasons why it’s important, but the most important one is...

‘I need to restore Michelan’s status.’

Michelan was completely disliked by the Empress Dowager.

So, he lives in the capital in disguise and under an alias.

Of course, he is still a very capable person even in that state.

But the quality of the information he can provide will be different if he reveals his true identity.

I clenched my fist in front of Michelan and said,

“I’ll make Michelan live with his real name soon.”

“Ah...”

Michelan’s eyes narrowed.

He looked at me with a bewildered expression and then spoke cautiously.

“Is this sudden entry into society because of me?”

Huh?

“Miss...”

“No, it’s not—”

Michelan covered his eyes with one hand and let out a sorrowful sigh.

“How could you do this for a mere servant...”

“It’s not that—”

“How can I repay this favor?”

“No—”

“I will dedicate my life to serving you. Yes, I will dedicate my life.”

“...”

It seemed Michelan didn’t hear what I said.

Of course, restoring Michelan’s status is important.

But it’s not for Michelan’s sake. It’s for my own benefit.

‘Because of the quality of information.’

Moreover, I have other things to do at the Lily Garden.

Eh, whatever.

I gave up trying to explain to Michelan.

‘If he’s loyal, that’s fine.’

As I entered the room, the maids approached.

“We greet the beloved of the House of Astra.”

“We greet the beloved of the House of Astra.”

Betty and Heidi emphasized ‘House of Astra’ with raised eyebrows.

“House of Astra?”

“House of Astra!”

House of Astra!

I laughed happily with the two of them.

Heidi quickly sat me in a chair.

“Now, I’ll make you look beautiful.”

Betty chattered non-stop beside her.

“Of course, Miss is the most beautiful child in the world, but this time, I’ll make you look so stunning that the capital people... I mean, the capital residents will be blinded.”

Everyone started preparing with great enthusiasm.

Heidi brushed my hair with the determination not to let a single strand tangle.

Meanwhile, Betty spread out the dresses and discussed with the other maids which one would suit me best.

“Red.”

“Black.”

“Our Miss is the rose of the Damon territory. Considering the image...!”

“The symbol of Astra is the crow. The image of an elegant leader of a flock of crows—!”

The maids’ heated debate continued.

They had no intention of respecting each other’s tastes.

Regardless, I sat and skimmed through the documents.

These documents contained the personal information of the capital’s nobles, compiled by Conrad.

I had memorized the details of the attendees of the Lily Garden Party thoroughly.

‘Since this is my first time living in the capital.’

In my first life, the capital was a place I visited as rarely as beans sprout in a drought.

Among the other three lives, only Dahlia had come and gone to the capital, probably.

So, my information was very limited.

I only knew the people who appeared in <Bing.Hei.Son>.

Preparing for the party took a full three hours.

In the end, I decided to incorporate all the maids’ opinions.

I wore a dress that graduated from red at the bust to black at the hem.

The voluminous puffed sleeves were embroidered with gold thread, and the gems scattered throughout the dress sparkled like the light of dawn.

My hair was tied up high in a single bun.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I thought I looked pretty good.

“Yeah, it’s good.”

“It’s more than good~!”

“Astra’s rose, a ruby...!”

“Oh, I’m going blind.”

I looked at the maids with a hazy gaze.

They seem to be getting more and more dramatic.

‘Did I give them too many bonuses last time?’

While thinking this, I quietly descended the stairs.

“Wow—!”

It was Balzac’s voice.

Following the voice, I saw the three brothers gathered.

“You look beautiful, Ery!”

Balzac shouted, and Joshua nodded with a pleased expression.

“Really stunning.”

Richmond smiled and stared at me for a long time.

But it was strange.

‘...?’

I know I look good, but why are you dressed up?

You don’t have any plans today.

All three of them were dressed up brilliantly.

They were wearing clothes more splendid than what they would wear for a visit from a distinguished guest at the manor.

Balzac wore a band-collar uniform with a fur cloak draped over one shoulder. His usually messy hair was neatly combed to one side.

Joshua wore a white uniform with a black long coat, which suited his model-like figure perfectly.

Richmond wore an all-black uniform with a red cape, embroidered with gold thread, matching my outfit in its splendor.

“...Where are you going?”

When I asked, the three of them smiled.

“We’re going to your first capital party, so we need to look good.”

“Do you think we’re good enough partners for you?”

Balzac and Joshua answered in turn, and Richmond smiled.

I furrowed my brow.

“I’m going alone today?”

“What?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

I was more curious about their reaction.

If you were going with me, you would have told me earlier and asked to go together.

‘Oh dear.’

I sighed deeply.

“I have to go alone today...”

As I said this, someone walked up behind the brothers. It was Dad.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

Balzac and Joshua looked at Dad with a sour expression. Richmond burst out laughing.

I was just blinking in confusion.

Dad said,

“Shall we go now?”

Dad...

I never asked Dad to go with me either.

Confused, I said to Dad,

“That outfit...”

“I tried to look good.”

“...Not just a little.”

What are you going to do wearing the uniform of Astra!

The cape has the crow emblem of Astra embroidered on it.

This kind of outfit is only worn during triumphal processions or major national events.

It’s like if your dad showed up at a classmate’s birthday party in a doctor’s gown and surgical scrubs!

I put a hand on my hip and sighed deeply.

“I’m going alone today.”

“You need a partner!”

Dad said very urgently.

“I’m going alone.”

There’s a reason I can’t explain.

“If you have nothing to do, change your clothes.”

Dad looked at me with a devastated expression.

The three brothers opened their mouths as if to persuade me, but

“Hurry up.”

I said firmly.

The four men became speechless.

They hung their heads dejectedly, their eyebrows drooping like sad puppies.

“Don’t follow me. I’ll be angry.”

I warned the four men and went outside.

* * *

I arrived at the party venue in a carriage.

Like most parties, the Lily Garden Party starts in the evening.

Since it’s a party for minors, it doesn’t go past midnight.

The party venue was lavishly decorated.

From the entrance, a path was created with lily-shaped lights.

“Shall we go in, Miss?”

At Heidi’s words, I widened my eyes.

“Huh? Ah... I’m a bit nervous. I’ll wait here. Can you get the entry permit first?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Since it’s a gathering of high nobility, the management is strict.

Heidi went to get the permit with my identity badge.

While waiting, I looked around and got out of the carriage.

‘I need to go to the forest near the party venue...!’

Because there’s a meeting there.

I quickly ran to the forest.

Just as I read in <Bing.Hei.Son>, there was a fountain at the entrance of the forest.

‘Good. No one’s here.’

“When are you coming...”

I was impatient and stomped my feet.

I had to go in before Heidi came back.

As I muttered, I heard a rustling behind me.

“I’m already here.”

A man appeared with the rustling sound.

I turned my head to look at him.

“Ah...”

Alexis.

He was looking at me.