For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 68 - Cowardly Excuses (2)

#68. Cowardly Excuses (2)

Lia didn’t particularly like the fact that she was a noble. Especially when it meant attending tedious social parties. Unlike other noble ladies, she had no interest in dressing up. But today was different. Dressing up beautifully was like putting on battle armor. Looking at herself in the mirror while sitting at the dressing table, Lia asked Jacqueline what she had never made before.

“Make me look the best if you can.”

“My lady, that’s not a very ladylike way to speak… But since today is important, I’ll make you look even more beautiful. Trust me.”

Lia nodded. She trusted Jacqueline’s skills. Jacqueline had once transformed Lia, who usually looked quite ordinary but with a hint of nobility, into a ‘beautiful noble lady’ for her coming-of-age ceremony. As Jacqueline’s skillful hands worked on her, Lia took a deep breath.

Today was the day Lia would decide her own fate. But she felt a moment of weakness and missed him. He sent her letters from the palace almost every day. They were filled with mundane details, but he always ended with the same words.

– I miss you.

Thinking of him, Lia let out an excited sigh. The sensation of his lips, which had kissed hers repeatedly, was still vivid even after several days. Part of her desire to look her best today was to impress him.

‘Mr. Perth…’

* * *

The day they chose as their stage was the Queen’s birthday celebration banquet. It was fortunate to have a grand banquet so soon. It provided an excuse for Lia, who was outside, to enter the palace confidently. The event was attended by many influential nobles of Psychedelia.

As a member of a count’s family, Lia naturally had the right to attend the party. Perth could also attend as an aide to Prince Alfonse. Numerous carriages entered the palace in succession. This was the second time Lia entered the palace as the youngest daughter of Count Penelope.

After becoming an adult, she had once attended Alfonse’s birthday banquet out of curiosity. The chaotic event had made her vow never to attend again. But now, she was voluntarily attending a banquet. It was ironic.

“Close the window. The rain is pouring heavily.”

She should have worried about the mud splashing, but Lia fearlessly opened the window and looked outside. Seeing the rain made her even more nervous, even though she knew that the weather would be controlled by the palace’s mages once they arrived, ensuring no more rain.

“Are you nervous?”

“It would be a lie to say I’m not.”

Tonight would determine whether she could enter the palace again. Perth had written to her confidently, asking her to trust him. After reading his letter, Lia decided to trust herself as well.

* * * 

Before long, it was time for Lia to step out of the carriage. As carriages were not allowed inside the palace grounds, she had to endure the rain for a moment.

“Welcome.”

As the door opened, a familiar silhouette appeared.

“Mr. Perth?”

“I came out to greet you for a bit.”

He was holding an umbrella, just as he had on the first day Lia came to the palace. The difference now was the smile on his lips and his gentle demeanor. Lia smiled and took the hand he extended.

“I didn’t expect you to come out to meet me.”

“Welcome, Count Penelope.”

Since Lia had taken shelter under Perth’s umbrella, the Count stood under an umbrella held by his attendant. His eyes lingered on their joined hands. Embarrassed, Lia tried to let go, but Perth held on even tighter.

“I have many people to greet, so go on ahead. Take your time.”

The Count, considerate of the two, entered the palace first.

“Thank you. We’ll follow shortly.”

Perth and Lia walked slowly through the palace gates, hand in hand. The path from the gates to the banquet hall wasn’t far. However, they walked as slowly as possible, hoping to arrive late.

“How have you been?”

“Why ask when you write to me every day?”

“Even so, I want to hear it from you.”

He had a knack for saying embarrassing things. Lia blushed instead of answering. Perth simply smiled quietly, waiting for her response. Seeing his face, Lia couldn’t help but smile back. Just looking at each other made them laugh. Not needing to hold back, her heart swelled with joy.

“I searched my father’s study to verify my hypothesis. I also traveled around looking for books that weren’t there.”

“Even during your break, you only thought about plants.”

Feigning innocence, he replied, though he knew the answer. Lia alternated between looking at him and the ground, hesitating for a moment. Then, as if making a big decision, she clenched her fists and spoke.

“I thought about you too, Mr. Perth.”

“Really? How often? More often than the miracle of the desert?”

He answered playfully, but his words had an oddly sharp edge. Lia pouted and gave his side a light pinch.

“Ouch, that hurts.”

His tone was anything but pained. By now, they had entered the inner palace. Perth closed the umbrella and shook off the water. Inside, many nobles had already gathered. They all turned their attention to the couple who had just entered.

“Everyone seems to be staring.”

“That’s why I came out to greet you.”

“You came out to make a show of it?”

“Of course. That way, everyone here will know that the most beautiful lady is my lover.”

He had noticed her efforts to dress up. Lia felt a mix of joy and embarrassment, making her expression twist slightly. Perth quickly realized she was holding back her feelings. Finding her adorable, he pulled her close and kissed her forehead gently.

“What are you doing?”

“Just showing off. I need to prove that I’m not just someone who came out with good manners.”

Not being able to simply say she was cute was one of his bad habits. Lia’s lips immediately pouted at the implication that his actions were calculated. He had indeed calculated this moment.

Smooch.

“Ah!”

Lia’s eyes widened at the feel of his lips. Is he fearless? How can he do this in the middle of the palace, where so many nobles are passing by? Countless questions filled her mind, but she was too stunned to say a word. Perth chuckled and guided her toward the entrance of the banquet hall, where the Count was waiting to enter with them.

“Ahem. May I take my daughter now?”

“Of course.”

While Lia stood frozen, Perth handed her over to the Count. Before she even realized that her escort had changed, the announcer at the entrance proclaimed their arrival.

“Count Chelia Penelope and Lady Lia Penelope!”

Count Penelope was a man of considerable influence, rivaling Duke Ferdinand. Naturally, all eyes in the banquet hall turned toward them. This attention was one of the reasons Lia originally disliked such events. In an instant, people flocked to the Count’s side.

“Count Penelope! It’s been a while.”

“Is this your daughter? She is truly beautiful.”

“Count, have you heard the latest news?”

After a brief round of greetings, Lia quickly made an excuse and moved to a corner of the banquet hall. Staying any longer would mean getting trapped by those trying to curry favor with the Count. She found herself near the refreshments table by chance.

“Oh, desserts.”

The Penelope household’s chef rarely served desserts, mainly because of Jacqueline’s instructions. She believed too many sweets would rot Lia’s teeth. Jacqueline still treated her like a child. 

Lia popped a few finger foods into her mouth. She needed to eat now since it was uncertain if she’d get the chance once the banquet fully began. As she savored the forbidden sweetness, an unwelcome voice reached her ears.

“Well, if it isn’t Lady Penelope?”

She had expected to see her at the banquet but wasn’t eager for the encounter. The approaching woman wore a perfume so sweet that it made Lia want to pinch her nose. Lia forced a smile.

“Hello, Lady Ferdinand.”

“How did you manage to come? I doubt you received an invitation.”

“The Queen was kind enough to send us a generous invitation. So, there’s no need to worry about that.”

Normally, a noble lady with influence and a debut in society would receive an invitation with her name on it. Lia hadn’t received such an invitation this time. However, it was true that several invitations had arrived under the Count’s name. 

Influential nobles could invite others beyond themselves, which was a common practice in Psychedelia. The mention of entering with a nameless invitation caused a few ladies behind Abigail to openly mock Lia. These ladies were Abigail’s followers. Despite this, they were not in a position to belittle Lia; they only did so because they relied on Abigail.

“I don’t know what’s so amusing to the ladies.”

“Lady Penelope, you’re something in a certain sense.”

“Indeed. If it were me, I wouldn’t have dared to enter the palace now. I would just stay confined to my estate, reflecting and repenting.”

They were referring to the incident with the Miracle of the Desert. Given the magnitude of the event, rumors spreading was inevitable. Even if the rumors hadn’t spread naturally, Abigail had surely spoken of it.

“Well, I have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Nothing to be ashamed of? After you damaged a plant cherished by the Queen?”

Lia stared at Abigail. The official reason for her expulsion from the palace was negligence in managing the Miracle of the Desert, not that she had tampered with it.

“You’re making unfounded accusations. I never did such a thing.”

“Really? The plant you were in charge of was the only one harmed. Isn’t it obvious that you did it? Seems pretty clear to me.”

“That’s a strange way to speak. It’s like saying you look like a criminal, so you must be one. Investigate that way, and anyone with a slightly stern look would be arrested.”

It was evident that Abigail was behind this. She aimed to frame Lia as the culprit who damaged the Miracle of the Desert. The incident was wrapped up so quickly that there wasn’t even time to uncover the truth. Regardless, Lia was expelled from the palace as Abigail intended. Now, Abigail blatantly showed her dislike for Lia. Lia decided to be honest with herself; she didn’t like Abigail either. No, she disliked her intensely.

“Are you doing this because Mr. Perth rejected you?”