Revelation - 1 - 82
The CT Club members invited to the count's estate received a special two-day vacation. Since the monster subjugation we had aimed for ended quickly, the other clubs received the same leave, so no one found it strange. We headed into town early in the morning and had formal suits and dresses tailored at a famous shop. Carson, looking awkward, adjusted his sleeves and asked Yvette,
“Is it really all right for us to accept this?”
“Of course. It’s a gift from a respected senior!”
Yvette puffed out her chest and proudly showed off a card gleaming with golden light. So that was the legendary unlimited gold card I had only heard rumors about—the one said to have covered an entire grade’s dinner once. While she generously bought outfits for the club members, I changed into the clothes I had brought with me. I disliked unnecessary waste. Besides, Ruwina’s dresses were far more expensive and luxurious than anything sold here, so there was no need to buy new ones.
I slipped the dress on without much thought, but once I finished adjusting it in front of the mirror, the chest area felt a little tight. The waist fit reasonably well. In the end, I called over a shop attendant and had the lacing at the bust loosened on the spot, rearranged so it wouldn’t look odd. The result was a rather daring dress that exposed more of the upper body than Ruwina would normally wear. I didn’t particularly mind.
After tipping the attendant generously with Yvette’s card for her effort despite the dress not being their merchandise, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. Hmm. The face had become familiar by now, but seeing it this dressed up still felt fresh. It was a little embarrassing to say out loud, but I looked more radiant than any celebrity on TV or the big screen.
When I stepped outside, the other members were already dazzlingly dressed. Everyone looked beautiful and handsome, but Neria in her cute yellow frilled dress and Rane in the elegant navy dress that suited her deep blue hair stood out the most.
The members who had finished preparing and were waiting stared in surprise when they saw me—especially Rendel. His jaw hung open so wide I worried it might actually come unhinged. The first to move was my roommate, Neria. She approached with quick little steps, as if still unused to the dress, and beamed.
“Lu-Luna. You look just like a princess.”
Perhaps because it was the same kind of dress Ruwina used to wear in Karmanu, it carried an unmistakable noble air. For a moment I panicked, thinking my identity had been exposed, but I kept my expression neutral.
“Thank you. That dress suits you too, Neria.”
She looked so much like a little chick that I nearly hugged her on impulse. Yet Rendel’s face, watching our warm exchange, was anything but pleasant. What was with that irritating “I know your secret” expression?
“Hmph.”
Yvette, standing beside him, wore the exact same look. I shot them both a small frown before stepping out of the shop.
“Please wait a moment.”
A servant from the count’s household made a call, and several luxurious limousines soon pulled into the parking lot.
“Whoa.”
Within the CT Club, only Yvette, Mikhail, and I were nobles. The rest of the members—first-years and second-years alike—stared in amazement at the limousines, even though they regularly piloted Aindiums that cost far more per unit.
“Well then, let’s depart.”
At Yvette’s words, we climbed into the limousines one after another.
Inside the car heading toward the Rance estate, there were fourteen club members in total, so we split into three vehicles. I was forcibly pulled by Yvette and made to sit beside her. Across from us sat Rendel in a white tailcoat that reminded me of White Fang. For some reason Yvette kept smiling brightly as she watched us. Rendel’s gaze toward me wavered unsteadily. He seemed to look at my face, then his eyes slowly drifted downward until they reached my chest. Startled, he quickly looked away and lifted his head again.
“……”
Well, I could understand the feeling. Still, I wished he would stop staring so openly. I shot him a pointed look carrying that message, and he averted his eyes.
“Pfft.”
Yvette beside me turned her head and shook with laughter, so Rendel kept his head bowed all the way to our destination.
“Ah, this is fun.”
“What is?”
I snapped without thinking, but Yvette only found it more amusing and linked her arm through mine with a grin.
“Just… the satisfaction of watching people at the very beginning.”
I started to ask what exactly was beginning, then closed my mouth. There was no point arguing in this situation. I let out a small sigh and smoothed the wrinkles on my pale-purple dress.
“We’re here.”
The count’s mansion, visible from afar, was more stately than ostentatious. It was a beautiful medieval-style building that could easily pass for a European castle or historic landmark in a photograph. With everyone dressed in formal suits and gowns, the scene looked so much like a historical drama set that it wouldn’t have been strange to mistake it for one.
The forum comments were positive as well. As expected, the CT Club really was full of handsome men and beautiful women. Our car arrived last. As I prepared to get out and join the others, Rendel, who had already stepped down, offered his hand.
“Here.”
There were many eyes watching; it felt embarrassing… I hesitated for a second, unsure whether to take it.
“Hurry up already.”
Yvette kept pushing me from behind, so I had no choice but to accept Rendel’s hand and step out.
“Please escort Luna, Rendel.”
“Yes, Senior.”
Yvette took the lead to guide the group while Rendel extended his arm as if he truly intended to escort me. I gently pushed it away.
“I’m fine, Senior.”
“I heard dresses make walking difficult.”
“I’m used to dresses, and these shoes have no heels, so they’re not uncomfortable at all.”
“Really?”
Rendel lingered around me as though reluctant, but I deliberately strode ahead to catch up with Yvette.
“The Count and Countess have arrived.”
“Yes.”
In the mansion’s drawing room. I would finally meet the Countess. The other members probably considered meeting Yvette’s parents—especially Count Rance—important, but I had business with the Countess.
Tension hung in the air among the members seated side by side on the long sofa. With a click, the door opened and a middle-aged man with neatly combed blue hair and a middle-aged woman with bright platinum hair entered the room.
“Yvette, my daughter! It’s been so long.”
“Father! It hasn’t even been two months!”
Count Rance spread his arms for a brief, hearty hug with Yvette, then turned to us.
“Welcome, everyone. I am Count Rance.”
“Greetings!”
“Haha. You cadets certainly have strong voices. This is my wife and Yvette’s mother, Catherine.”
“Welcome, everyone. I am Catherine Rance.”
After the Count and Countess finished their introductions, Yvette led the introductions of the CT Club members. Once the ordinary, everyday greetings were over, my turn finally came.
“And this is Cadet Luna Adelt.”
“Ah, that…”
“Greetings.”
I bowed according to the court etiquette ingrained in my body. The Countess, who had been watching me closely since earlier, nodded.
“As expected.”
I caught her quiet murmur and put on an expression full of question, but the Countess merely smiled as if she hadn’t said anything and followed the Count toward the sofa where the members sat. I wondered if she would tell me later why she had sought me out, but as she passed, she whispered a single phrase.
“Ten o’clock.”
I gave the slightest nod to show I understood. It was a time when guests would have trouble moving about freely. Whatever she wanted clearly couldn’t be done where others might see.
“We’ve prepared plenty of delicious food today, so eat to your heart’s content and rest comfortably.”
“Thank you very much.”
After the greetings, the Count excused himself, saying he had work to do, and the Countess also left, telling us to enjoy ourselves.
“Well then, what shall we do first?”
Dragged along by Yvette, who was determined to play in her own home, we spent the entire day on a schedule that felt more like a forced march.
At ten o’clock that night, after everyone had retired to their assigned rooms, a soft knock sounded. I rose from the bed and opened the door. Yvette stood there in casual clothes.
“Luna. I’ll take you to Mother.”
“All right. You came yourself?”
“Someone who knows who you are might appear otherwise.”
“Ah.”
My identity was something worth keeping secret even from the servants. Following Yvette for about three minutes, we arrived in front of a door.
“This doesn’t seem to be the Countess’s room.”
“No. This is the drawing room used for important guests.”
Yvette opened the door and ushered me inside first.
“I’ll excuse myself here.”
“What?”
She wasn’t staying with me? Before I could grab her, she slammed the door shut and fled. I could hear her footsteps growing distant—she wasn’t joking. Since going back out now would be awkward, I reluctantly stepped deeper into the drawing room and saw the Countess seated on the sofa.
“When will that child ever grow up?”
The Countess grumbled briefly about her immature daughter, then gestured for me to come closer.
“Come sit, Ruwina.”
“Yes.”
We sat facing each other on the sofa in front of the table beneath the soft lighting. A brief silence fell. The Countess, who had worn her platinum hair in an updo during the day, now had it loose. If Ruwina had another sister besides Line who had reached middle age, she might look something like this.
“Would you like some tea?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Is that so? As you wish.”
The Countess poured herself a cup from the pot on the table and took a sip.
“Have you heard about me?”
“Yes. I was told you are my father’s cousin.”
“That’s right. I never met your father, though.”
Another awkward silence. Ugh. Why had she called me here in the first place? It didn’t seem like she had summoned me at this hour just to exchange pleasantries. The Countess, who had been steadily drinking her tea, set the cup down on the table with a soft clink. Then she looked straight at me and abruptly spoke a word I hadn’t expected.
“Ruwina. Have you ever heard of something called Revelation?”