MPBAGS Chapter 18

What did he just say? House Hosaquin? Huh. I didn't expect to hear about Evangeline's maternal family here. The diary didn't give exact details, and Kanna and Henna didn't know either, so I had no one to ask.

But look at this nasty piece of work. I thought he was just hitting on her, but he was actually trying to build rapport by badmouthing people.

Insulting me and needling Kanna and Henna too. Two birds with one stone. The rhetoric of nobility is terrifying.

'But why isn't Gabriel coming?'

I was wondering if I'd have to keep listening to gossip about myself when Gabriel finally appeared in the distance. Gabriel, hurry up and sortie! Rescue Kanna! I was cheering him on enthusiastically, but Gabriel didn't budge. If anything, he seemed to be observing Kanna. Wh-what is that guy doing? Why isn't he stopping this?

Don't tell me he's acting like this because he's fallen for me instead of Kanna? Even if he's the type who's only gentle with his woman, he's a knight—shouldn't he have some professional ethics?

Gabriel showed no sign of intervening, while Kanna hung her head as if wounded, and Henna fidgeted anxiously beside her.

I couldn't stand watching anymore and got up from my seat. Even if I transmigrated and turned this into a villainess possession story, isn't this treatment of the original female lead going too far?

"Let's get out."

My voice sank low, irritation bleeding through. Maybe my bad mood showed, because Jelly, who'd been reading the room, opened the carriage door with sharp efficiency.

The door opened suddenly, and the coachman standing in front tending the horses startled so badly he sat down hard on the ground.

"...Why, why is the Young Lady—?"

Right. Of course you'd be shocked if Evangeline popped out of an empty carriage. I took a werewolf taxi, okay? It's urgent, so let's save explanations for later.

Jelly got out first and escorted me down. Since there were many nobles nearby, he seemed mindful of watching eyes. The more I think about it, the more he seems like an all-purpose problem-solving butler rather than a member of a reverse harem.

After taking Jelly's hand and descending, I opened my parasol. Jelly had good taste—the parasol was quite pretty.

And Jelly must have been handsome, because people's gazes were already converging. Evangeline was also pretty enough to live up to her villainess reputation.

As the surroundings quieted, Kanna and Henna turned around too.

"...Young Lady."

"Miss!"

Henna looked relieved as if seeing her savior, and Kanna, who'd been gloomy, bloomed into a bright smile upon seeing me. I strode forward and stood in front of the two of them.

"...Ro, Rohanson Young Lady?"

That's right. The very Rohanson Young Lady you were so busy badmouthing just now! He stammered, never dreaming the subject herself would appear.

"You, you came together? But why did you come down so late...?"

Translated into romance-novel language: If you'd gotten out of the carriage earlier and shown your face, I would've known you were there and wouldn't have talked behind your back.

"I'm frail, so I was resting briefly in the carriage. And you are...?"

"Ah. I apologize for the rudeness. I'm Anulen Benzen of the Marquis Benzen family."

Damn. I thought he was just a mob character, but he's a marquis's son. What do I do? Evangeline's a count's daughter, so she's outranked in power! He's higher status than Evangeline. Wait, why is Evangeline a villainess but not a duke's daughter? Oh, that's why the ducal family is her maternal side.

"But what were you discussing with my people, Young Master?"

I don't know, sue me. It seemed too late for the route of becoming a granddaughter who gets close to her grandfather, so I'd decided to abandon that, but maybe I shouldn't have. It looked like they'd severed ties, but I should probably cultivate that relationship going forward.

"They seemed to be first-time visitors, so I was trying to guide them."

"I see...."

Look at him making excuses. I heard what I heard—where do you get off lying so brazenly?

"I thought you were making jokes by linking Count Rohanson's house with House Hosaquin together."

Since the count's house wasn't enough status-wise, I brought up the ducal house too. Anulen's face went deathly pale, realizing I'd heard the entire conversation. Anyone can gossip, but consider it bad luck that you got caught.

"Tell me, am I also dressed in shabby clothing unsuitable for the temple?"

I'd also come out without buying new clothes, wearing a simple dress without a single ornament that had been shoved into a corner of the dressing room. Looking at the people in the garden, their clothing was so splendid that only my group and I looked out of place.

I'd deliberately dressed like this to shed the villainess image, but as Anulen said, it seemed I'd only demonstrated that the count's house was poor, and it pissed me off. I have money too, you know!

"Your answer?"

Anulen Benzen trembled, not expecting me to ask so directly. Think I'll let it slide if you act scared? I said I'd escape being a villainess, but that didn't mean becoming a pushover, okay? I'm not backing down until I get an answer.

As I stared quietly at Anulen Benzen, Gabriel, who'd been standing in the distance, finally appeared belatedly.

"Of course not. The Grand Temple always welcomes the Young Lady."

"Sir Gabriel!"

"Young Master Benzen."

Anulen Benzen called out happily.

He didn't rescue Kanna, just watched, but now that I've appeared, he shows up? I even sent him a letter asking him to take good care of the girls!

"I didn't know you'd be coming together."

I wasn't planning to come either, but I'm glad I did. Gabriel is truly disqualified as a male lead. Of course, he was already disqualified the moment he fell for me instead of the female lead!

"Ah... do you two know each other?"

"Yes. I invited Rohanson Young Lady, saying I'd show her around. Young Master Benzen was responding in my place because I was late. Thank you."

"No, not at all. It's an honor if I were helpful to you, Sir."

Anulen Benzen bowed and scraped, then seized the opportunity to flee without delay. I won't forget this grudge. Just you wait—I was glaring at Anulen Benzen's retreating figure when Gabriel drew my gaze and spoke.

"Did the Young Lady come to see the painting?"

Gabriel maintained his polite attitude as always. If I hadn't just witnessed the scene where he stayed silent whether the female lead was humiliated or not, I would've thought he was truly a serious character.

"No. I was worried about sending just the two of them, and I was curious about the Grand Temple. As you know, my poor health meant I received quite a bit of help from here."

Thinking about it carefully, it's not Gabriel's fault. He didn't set his own character values. It's just that his character is built as a stoic knight who's only warm to his woman. Right, how could he have his own agency?

I was over-immersing myself. Thinking of it that way calms me down.

If we're assigning blame, it's my fault for stealing the route anyway. Not Gabriel's for being face-blind and falling for the villainess, ignoring the original female lead.

"May I pray while you're viewing the painting?"

So let's take it up with the higher-ups. Since I came all the way to the temple, I should at least try praying. If things go well, I might get transmigrator perks like having a conversation with a god or something.

The door of Count Rohanson's carriage opened. At the sight of Young Lady Evangeline emerging from what should have been an empty carriage, Henna turned pale with shock. Evangeline Rohanson set foot on the ground, escorted by the monster she called "Jelly."

White parasol, snow-white hair, pure white chemise dress—Evangeline Rohanson was entirely white.

Sunlight scattered above Evangeline's head. Even though the sun blazed down from the sky, it suddenly felt like night had come. All senses vanished, and only Evangeline Rohanson remained vivid.

"Miss!"

Kanna called out to Young Lady Evangeline, filled with joy.

Drawing all eyes, Young Lady Evangeline strode forward and stood before Henna and Kanna. As the Young Lady approached, the mocking gazes that had been fixed on them vanished without a trace. Instead, people held their breath, trying not to be noticed by her.

Henna didn't know why the Young Lady, who'd said she wouldn't come to the temple, had changed her mind and appeared, but she bowed silently in gratitude to the Young Lady for appearing at such a timely moment.

If the Young Lady had arrived just a little later, Anulen would have said to Kanna.... Henna thought that far and shook her head. What would her sister have done?

Kanna had only grown up at home and didn't know much about the outside world, so she was just ignorant about how to deal with nobles and merely responded rudely. What power did Kanna have to harm a man? That couldn't be.

"My name is Uriel, Young Lady."

"Uriel will guide you to the prayer room."

The Young Lady said she would pray instead of touring the temple. The sight of the Young Lady praying seemed somehow blasphemous, yet at the same time, it might look like a painting masterpiece.

The Young Lady parted ways, guided by a knight named Uriel assigned by Gabriel.

"I'll guide you two."

Henna and Kanna were also guided by Gabriel.

The Grand Temple was extremely splendid. Perhaps because he stood against the equally splendid temple as a backdrop, Gabriel in his white uniform looked particularly delicate and magnificent. Or perhaps his presence, which had been overshadowed until now by always being beside the Young Lady, was only now revealed after being separated.

Henna clenched and unclenched her fists nervously while watching Gabriel's back as he led the way.

Just before in the garden, when everyone burst into laughter, Gabriel had been watching Kanna. Gabriel also seemed to have noticed something strange about Kanna. That's why he'd volunteered to guide us instead of the Young Lady.

The Young Lady had mentioned Evangeline's past medical history and said she would pray, and at least during the roleplay of coming to the temple to pray, she wouldn't engage in rough behavior.

"How is the investigation progressing?"

"I've been doing my utmost, but unfortunately there's been no progress. Rather, as word spreads..."

"Then are those people also here to see the painting?"

"Yes. Most of them."

Following Gabriel's guidance, they entered the interior of the Grand Temple.