I’m Looking for the Male Lead for the Ending - Chapter 59

Chapter 30.2

The other ladies, who sensed the strange atmosphere, hurriedly responded with enthusiasm. As I expressed my gratitude and looked up, Michelle’s face was crumpled in apparent displeasure.

‘What’s going on?’

To be honest, since I had never bumped into her before, I had no idea why she was showing such aversion toward me.

‘Could it be because the Frejian family has a close relationship with the Grand Duchy of Kaisian?’

It was no secret that the County of Frejian, leading the warhorse business, had a close relationship with the Grand Duke’s family. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if people thought that they were wary of the Marquis’s daughter, who had a strained relationship with the Grand Duchy of Kaisian.

Of course, that didn’t mean it was normal for a count’s daughter to show such hostility toward me.

Perideline, who had been watching the situation from the center, noticed a servant carrying a tray and raised her voice as if to dispel the heavy atmosphere.

“It’s just the time for the special dessert I prepared to come out.”

“Oh, Lady Perideline, have you prepared something special?”

“Yes, that’s right. Our family’s head chef has put a lot of effort into preparing these, so I hope they will suit everyone’s taste.”

“The chef of the Grand Ducal family is famous for his skill. I’m already looking forward to what it will be like.”

“So am I!”

Thanks to the other ladies who were caught between me and Lady Frejian, who did their best to lighten the mood, the atmosphere became somewhat lighter. Of course, the lighter atmosphere didn’t change the fact that her face was still crumpled like a sheet of paper.

‘I haven’t done anything, but I already want to go home.’

I tried to shake off the overwhelming fatigue and shifted my gaze.

What the servant had placed down was a delectable-looking shortcake topped with green grapes. Seeing the soft cake layers that looked like they would pair perfectly with the fluffy cream, I forgot my fatigue, and my mouth began to water.

“Are these green grapes from the Principality of Efren?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve heard that the grapes from the Principality are large and firm, and they’re sweet as well.”

“That’s right. I had wanted to try the fruits from the Efren Principality because they’re said to be so delicious, and thanks to Lady Perideline, I get to taste them now.”

When Lady Pale said this, Perideline’s eyes sparkled with delight.

Seeing that, I also cautiously added.

“I happen to really like green grapes, so knowing that the Grand Duke’s family’s head chef made this cake with green grapes from the Efren Principality, it seems like it would be delicious even without trying it.”

“Fa—I mean, Lady Ardi, do you also like green grapes?”

“Yes, it’s my favorite among fruits.”

The corner of Perideline’s lips twitched as she responded with a grin.

“I, I also like green grapes the most among fruits!”

And as if reflecting her mood, a system window appeared.

[ 〈 SYSTEM 〉 MISSION CLEAR REWARD!

Perideline Kaisian’s trust increases by 1%.

Perideline’s current trust: 66% → 67% ]

I didn’t think I said anything special this time, yet Perideline’s trust increased again.

‘Could it be that it went up because we share similar tastes?’

Honestly, while I was glad that her trust rising would help me in various ways when progressing with Estieren’s route, I still couldn’t understand why she was so favorable toward me.

‘It doesn’t seem like it’s just because I saved her that time. From the very first time we met, she called me a fairy… Could it have anything to do with that?’

Thinking about it, there was a high chance that Perideline was mistaking me for someone else.

Just as I wondered whether it would be a good idea to correct the misunderstanding later, I heard a faint snicker from somewhere. The problem was that it was rather quiet at the moment, so everyone sitting around heard that mocking laugh.

“Oh my, the Marquise of Aidelis’s daughter is more cunning than she looks.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I thought the Marquis’s family had a monopoly on green grapes imported from Efren, yet you spoke as if they were hard to come by, just like everyone else here.”

“….”

“Were you perhaps worried that we might ask you to share some of those green grapes?”

Michelle’s words, delivered with a deliberately drawn-out smile, drew the gazes of the ladies in the room back toward me. The atmosphere grew oddly tense at her unexpected remark.

She continued her words, unfazed by the chilly mood.

“I’ve heard rumors that His Highness is interested in Lady Ardi, and that’s why the Marquis family was given a monopoly on the distribution of green grapes. Is it true that you may become the Duchess of Efren?”

Beneath her smiling face, her scheming was so obvious that I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

The atmosphere in the garden instantly froze.