I’m Looking for the Male Lead for the Ending - Chapter 58

Chapter 30.1

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“Did you really invite me to the party just to examine me?”

“Well, that’s my thought for now.”

Marie’s face noticeably stiffened upon hearing my words. Looking at me with eyes full of confusion, she stammered out her reply.

“I-I feel a little burdened. I can’t believe you’d go to all this trouble because of me…”

“….”

“So, it might actually be less embarrassing to say there were some lingering aftereffects, even if there weren’t any…”

“Marie.”

At the sharp call, Marie flinched and lowered her head.

“Don’t speak like that. Saying that you’re not worth the help is disrespectful to His Highness the Grand Duke, who assisted with this matter, and to me.”

“I’m s-sorry, Young Lady. I made a mistake.”

Marie, seemingly on the verge of tears, lowered her head even more than before.

Not being good with kind words, I ended up turning my gaze to the window instead of comforting her. The sight of the Grand Duke Kaisian’s estate came into view outside the window. I clenched the invitation from Perideline tightly and checked my appearance once more.

“Young Lady, it looks like we’ve arrived.”

When the carriage came to a stop, Marie stepped out first.

I was about to follow her when I suddenly recalled that Estieren’s favorability window hadn’t appeared yet and steadied my mind.

‘The fact that the favorability window hasn’t appeared yet, even though he’s a target character, means that since the beginning, he hasn’t felt either like or dislike toward me.’

His emotions seemed to be serious, contrary to his lighthearted tone. I wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing for me.

“Welcome!”

As I was getting out of the carriage with the help of the coachman, I blinked in surprise at the welcome greeting from a girl who seemed as if she had been waiting for me.

“N-no, why are you here…?”

“Welcome to the Grand Duchy of Kaisian’s residence, Fairy!”

“…Th-Thank you for inviting me, Lady Perideline.”

[ 〈 SYSTEM 〉 MISSION CLEAR REWARD!

Perideline Kaisian’s trust increases by 2%.

Perideline’s current trust: 64% → 66% ]

I smiled awkwardly as I looked at the number, which was unbelievable the more I looked at it.

‘It seems that both the brother and sister of the Kaisian family are far from ordinary.’

I asked, averting my eyes awkwardly at the sight of Perideline, who was staring at me with twinkling eyes.

“Were you out here because of me?”

“Of course! Since you’re the benefactor of my life, I should be the one to escort you.”

With a playful tone, she clenched her fist with determination and guided me to the garden where the tea time was being held.

“Oh, I’ve heard from my brother! I’ll also help ensure that you can get out at the most natural time without other ladies noticing!”

The sight of Perideline looking at me with such enthusiasm filled me with a strange sense of unease.

‘…Is this plan going to be okay?’

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“Thank you for inviting me to the party, Lady Perideline.”

“I’m really glad you came, Lady Pale.”

The tea party, which I started with anxiety, turned out to be better than I expected. Even though I thought it was a hastily prepared tea party for Marie’s examination, it was so well done that those who didn’t know the backstory wouldn’t have suspected it was a facade.

‘Or did I intrude on a tea party that was already planned?’

I shifted my gaze to follow the young ladies who were looking around the back garden with surprised expressions. The flowers decorated on the table were all rare and hard to come by, and the tea and desserts served were exceptionally delicious. If they really prepared a party of this scale just because of me, I even started to wonder if I should cover some of the costs.

‘I’ll have to secretly ask Lady Perideline about this later…’

“I never imagined I’d meet the daughter of the Marquis Aidelis here.”

Lost in thought, I looked up at the sound of a mocking voice. A woman, lavishly adorned, twisted her red-painted lips as she looked at me. I smiled awkwardly as all the attention suddenly shifted toward me.

The name of the woman who had pointedly mentioned me was Michelle Frejian, the daughter of the Count of Frejian.

“Up until now, you haven’t attended these kinds of parties, have you?”

I fell silent for a moment as Count Frejian’s daughter spoke with a smirk, her lips curling up. Her feelings toward me didn’t seem particularly friendly, and more importantly, what she said was true.

As I pondered how to respond, I smiled faintly and replied.

“It’s because my health hasn’t been good for a while.”

“Oh, you’ve been in poor health?”

Young Lady Pale, who had been watching the situation from the middle, hurriedly answered my words as if to lighten the mood.

I gave her a grateful look and then added.

“Yes, but I’m fine now. So, I’m thinking of attending parties more often from now on. Of course, this would only be possible if others invited me.”

“Oh, if the Marquis’s daughter is attending, it’s only natural to send an invitation!”

“Me, too! Please make sure to attend the charity party hosted by our family next time!”