Surviving the Saintess (2)
The morning after I'd sorted out Chloe.
I prepared to open the counseling office door, just like always.
Stepping outside, I saw a few maids and ladies in line.
Nothing out of the ordinary for a morning scene…
But then—
Clatter—
A carriage came racing in from the alley entrance in the distance.
It wasn't the one Chloe usually rode in.
This one was bigger, with a heavier, more imposing vibe.
Red embroidery adorned it flashily, like it was showing off.
The door swung open, revealing vivid red hair.
A woman in a jet-black dress stepped out leisurely.
It was my sister, Veronica Sinclair.
…So she's finally coming back.
After that incident, she'd been busy cleaning up the mess.
Looked like she finally had some free time.
One of the maids in line spotted Veronica and tugged at her neighbor's sleeve.
Whether they'd seen her public apology in front of me or just heard the rumors, everyone was giving her a wide berth.
Veronica ignored the awkward atmosphere and headed straight for me.
"I'm here."
She tossed out the words like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I couldn't exactly make her wait in line—that would just spread more rumors.
Sorry to everyone else, but I had no choice but to call it closed for the day again.
"Come on in."
I led her inside the counseling office.
Ting-a-ling—
As the door shut, Veronica naturally made her way to the sofa.
Her posture was different from last time.
Not hunched over like a kid in trouble, but straight-backed and composed.
Her complexion looked much healthier too.
"…How'd that mess turn out?"
It might've seemed a bit callous, but I asked about that first.
I hated the idea of more drama blowing up and causing headaches.
"What do you take your big sis for? It's all handled."
Veronica answered leisurely.
Come to think of it, she was calling herself "big sis" so naturally now.
It was true, so I couldn't really argue.
"No one's been prying into your business since, right? I've made sure they can't. You're safe."
She was right about that.
Even after everything, not a single soul had asked me about the incident.
Even chatty Fleur Viscountess hadn't breathed a word.
"Fine, I'll buy that."
"Heh."
The corner of her mouth twitched up.
She smiled like it was the expected outcome, accepting it as her due.
"…So, what's the reason for today?"
Her attitude didn't scream "client here for counseling."
Most repeat visitors dropped by even without real issues, but Veronica felt… more than that.
Like she had a different agenda from the start.
"I'm planning to come regularly from now on. My headaches are gone, but you never know…"
The excuse was headaches.
But the way her eyes scanned the room made her real purpose obvious.
"There are too many clueless idiots wandering around without a theme. Guess I'll have to manage things."
Was she talking about managing the counseling office? Or me?
Maybe both. A chill ran down my spine.
"Well, it's my office anyway…"
I was about to say I'd handle it myself when—
Ting-a-ling—
The counseling office door opened.
In walked radiant blonde hair and sapphire-blue eyes.
Chloe.
"It says closed, but is something the matter…?"
She'd rushed in.
Mid-sentence, her eyes met Veronica's.
Both their faces stiffened in that instant.
Veronica's relaxed smile twisted into a scowl, and Chloe's perfect one went blank.
But in a blink, their expressions snapped back to normal.
A little too normal—unnaturally so.
"Oh my, if it isn't Lady Sinclair. I never imagined I'd run into you here."
Chloe spoke first.
Perfect high-society etiquette. The angle of her bow, the subtle lift of her skirt—flawless.
"Ah, Lady Levantia."
Veronica didn't even stand, just nodded curtly.
She shot Chloe a leisurely glance, her smile even more smug than before.
"Shall we say it's nice to see you?"
…The air was already turning frigid.
***
The two of them sat on opposite ends of the sofa.
Whenever I tried to pick a side to sit on, the other one's face would darken menacingly, so I ended up just standing there awkwardly.
…I thought two sofas were enough, but apparently not.
Maybe I should buy a third one.
As I stood there feeling out of place, Veronica spoke up first.
"Haven't seen you around here lately, have we?"
Her gaze fixed on Chloe.
She crossed her legs calmly and continued.
"You show up late and kick up a fuss. And with me here, no less."
Her attitude was blatantly hostile. Were they sworn enemies or something?
Truth be told, I had no idea.
I'd never set foot in high society.
"The Levantia family often exchanges with the Holy Kingdom, you see. I just had to step away for a bit."
Chloe took it in stride, picking up on the vibe but responding as coolly as ever.
Then she flashed a smile and added,
"Ah, the Sinclair family only occasionally deals with the northern barbarians, right? You might not be familiar."
I'd been too caught up in Veronica's drama to notice, but Chloe had been absent lately.
Exchanges with the Holy Kingdom, huh.
Then again, it was weirder for a noble to lounge around all the time.
"Barb…arians?"
Veronica's eyes narrowed slightly at the word.
Was Chloe prodding at the family's prestige with that smiling face?
Is this how they fight in high society?
"Oh, Teacher. Shall I prepare some tea? The usual way."
Chloe addressed me, fully aware of Veronica's darkening expression.
She put emphasis on "the usual way," her smile carrying a clear message:
You won't refuse now, will you?
Of course not. Hell, save me.
"Please do. …The usual way."
Chloe let out a soft "hmph" of a laugh and headed naturally to the tea leaf box.
Click— She unlocked it and prepared the tea just like always.
Through every step, she stole glances at Veronica.
Oh my, my tea leaves are right here. Looks like Lady Sinclair doesn't have anything, hmm?
Or something like that.
Veronica's eyes lingered on the tea box and lock for a while.
Her brow furrowed fiercely.
"Setting up house in someone else's shop. Is overstepping your place a Levantia family habit?"
"Housekeeping? It's just a little gift for Teacher."
Chloe pulled out the teacups as she said it.
The ones she and I used—just two of them.
"Lady Sinclair is welcome to have some if she'd like… but it seems you didn't bring anything."
It was vicious enough that even I could tell.
And yet, both of them were smiling.
Their eyes weren't smiling at all.
"Speaking of which, I heard an amusing rumor from high society. Do you know it, Teacher?"
Chloe handed me my cup and changed the subject.
With a quiet smile, she said,
"Something about Lady Sinclair pressing her forehead to the dirt somewhere."
Over the rim of her cup, her smiling eyes turned to Veronica.
"I didn't believe it, of course. But the details were so vivid, like it really happened right around here."
Veronica's ears turned beet red.
"Hah, dragging around baseless gossip and spreading it like wildfire. Is that the extent of the Levantia family's dignity? How utterly vulgar."
"If it's baseless, then all's well. Though no amount of muscle can bury the truth forever."
Chloe wrapped it up like she had no intention of backing down even an inch.
"Ah, but the Sinclair family might not have any other tricks up its sleeve."
A graceful smile hiding an icy blade.
Their conversation ground to a halt, filled only by the occasional sip from Chloe's teacup.
I could sense Veronica's hands clenching tightly in her lap, her face flushed.
But those cool, sunken eyes of hers…
These two are gonna cause real trouble if I don't step in.
The thought hit me naturally.
How to intervene?
I ran a quick mental sim with my imaginary girlfriend and sister.
—Oppa, why are you taking her side?
—Little bro, she matters more than family?
——Tell me. Me or that bitch?
No matter who I sided with, my cheek wasn't safe.
"Ladies, hold on a sec. I need to talk to each of you separately."
Guess I'd have to split them up one by one.
Still, I was confident I could smooth things over.
I knew these two women's weak spots.
Or at least, their attack points.