Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Don't Believe Rumors
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"Don't say that again. I hate people who are swayed by rumors the most."
I emphasized the reason as I explained.
"If I'd believed the rumors, I wouldn't have bothered meeting the mages. Keep that in mind. Don't believe rumors you haven't verified yourself."
"...You're right."
Eaton affirmed my words. Silence fell between us.
He wasn't even meeting my eyes, but Eaton's demeanor had clearly changed. Maybe opening up to me had unlocked something in him.
'It's been so long since I last saw my sincerity get through to someone.'
It was a new experience for me, who'd been surrounded by people I couldn't even communicate with.
It was ironic that the second person to put this into practice after Darsi was a boy who hated nobles.
It made me realize once again how important it is to see a person for who they truly are, without preconceptions or rumors getting in the way.
'Looks like we'll get along better than I thought.'
With that pleasant expectation, I made him a proposal.
"Want to watch one more play?"
Eaton nodded. The lights in the room went out, and another play began.
In his focused hands, he clutched the magic crystal the whole time.
After that day, I showed Eaton the camera too, and he liked it even more than I'd expected.
Once he realized I was sincere about magic tools, he seemed to open up even more.
Even holed up in his room, he diligently took photos. He packed his toys into the pouch Darsi had made for him. He was completely absorbed in the magic tools.
"This is really amazing!"
Of course, separate from his growing fondness for me, his hostility toward Darsi remained unchanged.
We kept preparing to head to the mages' village.
The place they stayed was hidden behind a waterfall at a cliff deep in the forest.
No wonder people couldn't find it. Anyone who did would be the real marvel.
'It's really time to go.'
For the magic tools' grand debut, we needed to leave as soon as possible.
When all eyes were on us, we'd draw the most attention, and that many more people would learn about the magic tools.
That meant more people would encounter the video player. Naturally, it would reach those who truly needed it.
'If it can offer even a little comfort to those who've felt the same as I did.'
If I could help Darsi and the others, I'd feel a bit happier myself.
But there was one thing I had to do before leaving again.
"...You look far too lovely, Lady Marso!"
A tea party with the nobles who would be my first magic tool customers—and Ryan's adversaries.
The maid's effusive words weren't an exaggeration.
I was satisfied with my reflection in the mirror: an emerald and amber brooch for today, a beige mermaid-line dress that looked even purer against my dark hair. Pale red lips to suit my white skin.
'Sales prep complete.'
From the moment I'd started appearing and disappearing with Darsi, I'd been labeled as part of his faction.
Marso Etwar, supporter of the new prince. In other words, those accepting my invitation knew I was close to Darsi. They were people who supported him, just like me.
I checked the list of attendees the maid had given me.
'That's odd.'
Before Darsi, the people who'd responded to my invitations were mostly Ryan supporters.
That meant some of today's guests were people who'd kept their distance from me.
The villainess rumors hadn't completely died down, yet the number of people accepting my invitations had grown significantly.
There were two reasons for that.
First, word had spread that I'd gifted Darsi a magic crystal. Second, it was my relationship with Darsi.
Rumors that I'd turned to a new love had quietly circulated.
They'd reached even my ears, which ignored gossip, so that said it all.
Thanks to Darsi, I didn't need to spread rumors that I no longer loved Ryan.
Darsi's presence was so commanding that people easily accepted I'd changed my heart.
'With features that could outshine the male lead.'
Darsi's face was a blessing.
As I thought of him, I paused. After exchanging letters upon my return, I'd wanted to see him again, but once his seclusion ended, Darsi was busier than ever.
We hadn't met since that short trip together.
This was the longest we'd gone without seeing each other.
'He always showed up right on time before.'
At this point, it was hard not to suspect he was avoiding me, regardless of his situation.
'It might be because of Eaton.'
But that didn't feel like the whole reason.
The last time I'd seen him, his words—"Isn't that what friends do?"—were still vivid.
'No, don't jump to conclusions before he explains.'
I didn't want to misunderstand on my own. Shaking my head, I nodded as I considered Darsi's circumstances.
'Who could be busier than him right now?'
Beyond his duties as a prince, the reason he'd grown so busy was the rumors starting about the crown prince's investiture ceremony.
Founding Day was traditionally a grand national festival—and the day the crown prince was invested.
With half a year left until Founding Day, opinions were divided on whether a crown prince would even be named, and if so, who it would be.
While Darsi focused on our time together, Ryan had doubled down on building his image.
Not only digging into his still-unrevealed lineage, but also spreading reasons why Darsi ignored everyone else.
"The prince is a blood-crazed madman!"
When it came out that the figure who'd shone in battles once attributed to Emperor Kies was actually Darsi, Kies had rationalized it that way.
He had no choice but to take in the blood-crazed bastard out of fatherly love.
Surprisingly, Darsi hadn't revealed he was a mage.
It would have been perfect fodder to paint him as a madman, but Kies stayed silent on that front.
'Darsi must have played his cards right.'
He'd probably brainwashed him in advance.
Or maybe Kies refused to be associated with a mage out of pride. If that was the case, he was a fool.
...In any case, if they made moves, we had to counter.
Darsi was contacting nobles to refute Ryan and Kies's claims—and to dismantle their factions.
Not everyone believed Kies's rumors, and everyone knew his behavior at the prince's investiture had been odd.
I'd even heard that Darsi was meeting high nobles, including Marquis Etwar and Marquis Epekle.
Marquis Epekle was probably trying to pull him to his side. His granddaughter Resuan was practically betrothed to Ryan already.
While I couldn't even meet him, he was working hard...
'I need to support him too.'
As I read through the list, I blinked at an unexpected name.
'Duchess Werner.'
Duchess Werner. I'd invited her, but her acceptance was surprising.
She'd never responded to my invitations before.
Despite her high status as a duchess, Duchess Werner wasn't a main character in the book. She had no interest in me, Resuan, or even Ryan.
In fact, I'd only learned of her after becoming Marso.
The only daughter of the prestigious House Atri, she had an eccentric side. She was extremely quiet unless something caught her fancy.
That was the main reason she didn't dominate high society despite her rank as duchess. She simply had no interest in it.
House Atri, with its name and history, also maintained neutrality, exerting minimal influence on the emperor and society.
It was only natural to be shocked by the appearance of someone indifferent to power struggles and princes.
'What brings her here?'
Though I was hosting today's tea party, it was obvious the attendees wanted to align with Darsi.
For Duchess Werner to attend meant she had some agenda.
Was she finally supporting someone? Or was there another reason...?
'I'll find out when I meet her.'
I double-checked the greenhouse where the tea party would be held, then headed to the entrance to greet the guests.
Ladies alighted from their carriages one by one, right on time. All dressed impeccably for the occasion.
From the entrance, a path of pale beige bricks led through the garden to my cherished glass greenhouse.
That was where today's tea party would take place.
The greenhouse maintained a perfect temperature—not too hot, not too cold—and overflowed with floral scents.
The ladies entered and took their seats in turn. A small gift box sat before each table.
"What... is this?"
"A token of appreciation for coming."
I'd prepared bracelets crafted with magic crystals.
The crystals were minimal, but just using 'magic crystals' made them appealing.
Items made with magic crystals were my strong suit.
I planned to make full use of these flashy, materialistic methods I'd put off until now.
"Wow..."
The ladies sat, murmuring in admiration.
"Pardon."
With a curt word, someone sat beside me. I greeted her first.
"...Hello, Duchess."