Journey to Arundel Viscountcy – Day One
Want to sit next to me?
“Perfect!” Marian, now changed into an elegant purple dress and finished with her makeup, flashed a satisfied smile at her reflection in the mirror. Lately, she’d been quite pleased with her face every time she looked in the mirror. Wouldn’t Chloe find me attractive like this? Something along those lines. Of course, Chloe’s behavior over the past week didn’t exactly scream “smitten”...
“Flawless!”
Now she wouldn’t have to be apart from Chloe anymore. From here on out, she could subtly flirt with her, right? That was Marian’s thinking as she shot another triumphant grin at her mirror image.
“Hey, hey, put a little more muscle into it there, Arona.”
“I am—you step it up, Perona.”
Marian and Perona were packing Marian’s travel bag in her stead. Mostly underwear and nightclothes. For formal event attire, it was customary to select one of the host’s recommended designs and have it made on-site. Since we’re at a party anyway, let’s go with a dress code tailored to the host’s tastes! A thoroughly aristocratic tradition.
Anyway.
“All set, my lady.”
“Ready to depart whenever you are.”
Just as the maid sisters finally managed to close the travel bag...
“All packed?”
“Ch-Chloe, ma’am!”
“Y-Yes, done!”
Viola opened the bedroom door and stepped in.
“My lady, the carriage is waiting at the main gate. Shall we go?”
“And Chloe?”
“Waiting outside.”
“Great!”
Marian beamed at the news and bid farewell to her mirror self before striding out of the bedroom, leading the way.
“You lot, grab the luggage and follow. You’re coming too.”
“Pardon?”
“Us too?”
“I can’t serve both Teacher and my lady on my own. And it’s not like you’ll be sharing a room.”
“Oh.”
“Got it!”
Viola and the Arona-Perona sisters fell in behind her. The twins lagged a bit, burdened by the luggage, but they hustled to keep pace with Marian’s strides.
“Whew, made it.”
“Good work, Arona.”
“You too, Perona.”
After what felt like an eternity, they reached the main gate, and the sisters let out sighs of relief.
“That woman...”
But Marian, their actual mistress, ground her teeth with a grind.
She’d spotted Chloe chatting amiably with Brumen.
I haven’t talked to her in a week either...
Marian’s eyes blazed with jealousy.
Sudden chill...
Chloe, feeling goosebumps prickle her skin, glanced toward the gate—and there was Marian, emerging right on cue.
“Lady Chloe?”
“Ah, the lady’s here. I should be going.”
“Very well... We’ll prepare to depart shortly.”
“Much obliged.”
Handing off the rest to Brumen, Chloe hurried to join Marian, who draped her arms around Chloe’s waist and glared at her with a pout.
“Seriously?”
“Huh? What’d I do?”
“Forget it.”
With a huff, Marian climbed into the carriage, her haughty expression unchanged. Chloe could only chuckle awkwardly at how she’d zeroed in on the right one.
“She’s prickly today...”
How was she supposed to fix what she didn’t even understand? Swallowing the bitter taste on her tongue, Chloe directed the maids.
“Arona, Perona—load the bags in the rear carriage compartment and ride there.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Let’s go.”
First, offload those walking disaster sisters.
“Viola, your pick—front or back?”
“I couldn’t possibly ride with you two. I’ll go rear and keep those two in line.”
“Suit yourself. No need to feel burdened.”
“Feels like a third wheel would cramp things.”
“Eh?”
“Happens. Well then...”
Viola bowed and scurried to the rear carriage. Arona yelped “Eek!” before getting scolded and boarding with a glum face. Fair enough—the twins were facing a 30-day round trip crammed in a carriage with their boss-like figure. Shock was warranted. Not that Chloe could do anything about it.
“Ugh, that ill-mannered brat...”
“My apologies, Duchess. I’ll discipline her properly.”
Next, Chloe bowed to Rosetta in apology. Marian had boarded without greeting her elder, so it fell to Chloe to make amends.
“Sorry.”
Marian peeked out from the carriage, lips pursed, and stepped down to apologize to Rosetta too.
“I was distracted and didn’t notice you, Duchess. My deepest apologies.”
“Goodness.”
Rosetta let out a disbelieving chuckle, waved her off dismissively, and turned toward the Grand Duke’s castle with her maids.
“Brumen, handle things without trouble and come back. I’m off.”
“Yes, Duchess! I’ll execute your orders flawlessly!”
No farewell for Chloe or Marian—Rosetta’s petty revenge for Marian’s snub.
And Marian...
“Sorry...”
She tugged lightly at Chloe’s sleeve, apologizing again. She clearly hated making Chloe smooth things over because of her. Even taller than Chloe now, her timidity stemmed from knowing she was in the wrong.
“Why so down? Chin up.”
“Huh?”
Chloe pressed her palms gently against Marian’s cheeks, urging her on.
“Shoulders back, act confident. I’ll handle the apologies—you’re the lady of House Evergreen. Own it.”
“R-Really?”
“Absolutely. Shoulders back, head high.”
“Hehe...”
Marian melted like gooey cheese at Chloe’s voice so close after so long, grinning dopily as she climbed into the carriage. Her pique over that petty chat with Brumen? Vanished. Brumen wouldn’t get this treatment anyway. Perhaps showing clear affection in front of a “rival” solidified her alpha status. Today, Marian’s shoulders sat proudly high.
“But isn’t that mindset a bad influence?”
“What’s that, Sir Brumen?”
“Shoulders back and confident anywhere, anytime... Sounds good, but if Lady Marian’s values skew even slightly, it could invite disaster.”
“Nah, what could go wrong?”
And so Chloe racked up more karmic debt, boarding the carriage with Marian.
“Then we’re off. Lady Marian. Lady Chloe.”
Brumen courteously closed the door for the ladies, mounted the lead horse, took the reins—and the journey to Arundel Viscountcy began.
Journey to Arundel Viscountcy: First Day.
The group hadn’t even left Evergreen territory yet. And Marian...
“Whatcha doing, Chloe?”
“Paperwork.”
“What kind?”
“Guest list for the party—noble ladies and lords attending. Also checking their parents and families on the side.”
Basic groundwork for an assassin’s mission: intelligence gathering. Chloe stared intently as she worked, cherishing the time with her after so long.
“I see.”
“You seem awfully chipper, my lady.”
“That obvious?”
“Think I don’t know you after all this time?”
Chloe peered over her round glasses. Marian’s breathing was a tad quicker than usual, her hips twitching now and then despite sitting in the carriage. Like she was dying to scoot over.
Assassins needed sharp eyes, so reading moods in close quarters was child’s play.
“Want to sit next to me?”
“N-No!”
“Suit yourself.”
“Ah...”
Truth was, Marian’s emotions were usually plain as day. That time she’d lunged with a kiss? Chloe had wondered what the heck was up—but that was a special case.
“Don’t play coy—just come here. I can tell you want to.”
Chloe patted the seat beside her, and Marian slid in.
“Hehe.”
“Not like that—you’ll hurt your back.”
“Won’t!”
“I warned you.”
Now fully honest, Marian looped an arm around Chloe’s waist and nestled her head against those heavy breasts. The ducal carriage was spacious, but this position was awkward for travel—yet Marian seemed over the moon just being pressed close.
“What about this guy?”
“Dunno!”
“Him?”
“Not interested!”
Chloe tried steering Marian’s attention to various noble sons’ profiles...
But Marian’s focus was elsewhere.
I can hear her heartbeat with my ear on her chest!
For Marian, everything about Chloe was perfect.