MPBAGS Chapter 80

It's been quite a while since I visited the Marchioness Totten's estate. Now there really isn't much time left until the debutante ball. When I counted the days, it was three days.

What? Really only three days left? There's less time remaining than I thought. Is this real? When did time pass by like this?

While I was lamenting about time flowing too quickly, leaving only me behind, Gabriel visited the Rohanson estate again. This was because of my request for him to visit once more.

Instead, he seemed busy with piled-up work, so he arrived several hours later than the promised time. I thought he wasn't coming at all and got tired of waiting, falling into a deep sleep, when I heard the belated news of his arrival and went out to greet Gabriel.

How dare you wake me from my sweet slumber? The dream I had today was so wonderful.

It was a dream where a woman in a white dress was stroking me. I couldn't remember her face, but I had a vague memory of calling her "mother" in the dream. It had been a long time since I had such a longing dream with my mother in it, and I didn't expect it to be interrupted like this.

Still, since I was the one who called for him, Gabriel wasn't at fault. The butler must have taken good care of him, as Gabriel was leisurely waiting in the reception room. When he first came, he was nervous and stiff, but after visiting a few times, he now acts completely at home.

Oh my. I see they've laid out quite an elaborate spread of refreshments too. Our household servants, who were initially confused by the news that the villainess was associating with a holy knight, seemed to have gotten used to Gabriel's visits now, as none of them showed any signs of disturbance.

Gabriel, who spotted me, rose from his seat and bowed politely.

"I apologize, Lady Rohanson. I'm late."

You're late for our appointment and you've disturbed my sweet sleep, and you think an apology will make it all better? Of course it would. As a villainess, I couldn't exactly complain to the heavenly male protagonist.

"Were you busy with work?"

"If I may make an excuse, yes. Our Pharalos Knight Order is also providing security for His Highness the Crown Prince's birthday banquet."

Gabriel seemed to be boasting about how he came to see me despite being so busy. Of course, being a stoic male lead, he wouldn't be saying it in a sinister, roundabout way.

Because of Dolly's rhetoric lessons, all the words in the world sound like sarcastic remarks with hidden meanings. At this rate, if I receive a compliment, I might misunderstand it and get angry. That day, I'd truly become a villainess.

"Did you have a good meeting with Lady Totten?"

"Didn't you hear about it?"

"Lady Totten hasn't visited the temple since then. I tried sending a letter just in case, but there was no reply either."

Given that Gabriel seemed to have some sort of connection with her, I thought he would have already heard about it, but apparently Lady Totten hadn't been to the temple since then. I haven't received any contact either.

"Did something happen by any chance?"

The words were gentle, but in reality, this was an interrogation. What the hell. Gabriel, are you suspecting me? No way, you don't think I threatened her not to go to the temple, do you?

It seems like strange rumors are circulating and his rose-colored glasses are gradually coming off. I need to act coquettishly today to tighten my hold on him again.

"It seems Young Lord Totten doesn't have many days left."

"The young marquis?"

To do that, I have no choice but to tell the truth first. If I just randomly insist I did nothing wrong, I might get a double-check later.

"The lady asked if there was a way to heal a sick child like me."

"And what did you answer?"

"That it's impossible without offering one's life to a demon."

In other words, it was absolutely impossible. Gabriel would know that since I was possessed, the child couldn't be healed in the same way.

"...Is there really no way?"

However, contrary to my expectations, Gabriel asked suspiciously.

Oh my, why is this gentleman acting like this?

"You already know. Lady Totten wants her child to live even a little longer, but how could a dead person come back to life without putting another soul into the body?"

As a similar example, Melech was also a ghost who had possessed a dead body.

Realizing there was no solution, Gabriel sadly shook his head. His blue eyes wavered as if he might cry at any moment. Why would you cry over something like this? Stop it! And Gabriel, befitting a male lead, held back his tears well.

"I see. Lady Totten probably won't come to the temple again."

Gabriel spoke with certainty.

"Because God has abandoned her faith."

It was quite an impious statement for a holy knight. Gabriel looks so virtuous but sometimes acts cold, you know? He's all soft in front of me.... Is this also a side effect of the male lead character who's only warm to his woman?

"I heard Lady Totten made a deal with you?"

You're not feeling sorry about losing a good customer, are you? I was suspicious because Gabriel was the type who was only warm to his woman.

"Yes. I provided Lady Totten with holy water."

You really made an under-the-table deal?

Of course not. Gabriel explained in detail from the beginning how it came to be. He even added explanations here and there for me, who lacked common knowledge.

"For cases like Young Lord Totten where holy water doesn't work, people say he's been abandoned by God or cursed."

Rahel wasn't a god who was equal to all things. If sunlight shines down, there are bound to be shadows. Those unaffected by holy water would correspond to the darkest parts.

Even condemned criminals receive mercy, but since holy water doesn't work, it was worthy of being called a curse. Some said the soul had become corrupted and God refused to embrace it.

Actually, that's just how the rumors go, and Gabriel said that since holy water is originally medicine for recovery, if someone is born weak, holy water would be useless. Evangeline was also this case.

Lady Totten was originally devout and frequently visited the temple. After going through difficult childbirth and her damaged body being helped to recover by holy water, she became an even more devoted believer.

"But holy water didn't work on the young marquis."

The child was born premature and had a weak body. Lady Totten thought it would be effective for her child too since it had worked for her, so she fed him holy water. When one bottle didn't work, she tried two, then three. She kept buying holy water endlessly, and rumors started spreading.

"They said the young marquis was cursed."

And the temple, conscious of the rumors circulating in society, prohibited supplying holy water to Lady Totten. Lady Totten knelt before Gabriel, with whom she was acquainted.

"I couldn't turn away someone asking for help."

So they made a deal. Gabriel would provide Lady Totten with holy water, and the lady would donate the equivalent amount. Though it was done behind the scenes, it was a way to maintain both their consciences somewhat. Since she wouldn't have been able to obtain holy water otherwise, it was fair to say Lady Totten was truly indebted to him.

So that's why Lady Totten readily agreed to my request to be Evangeline's chaperone.

"It would be better to find someone else as a chaperone."

"Wouldn't that be too rushed?"

"I think Lady Totten would prefer to spend the remaining time with the young marquis."

Gabriel decided to put more effort into finding a chaperone. With two days left, would there be anyone willing to do it? I think it would be better to postpone the debutante ball slightly. After all, I wasn't making my official debut through a presentation ceremony anyway - I was sneaking in through a backdoor debut by secretly taking someone's invitation to the Crown Prince's party.

"I see."

Following Gabriel's lead, I also became depressed.

While it's sad that the child is dying, there wasn't really anything I could do. If only I knew the original story and could catch some clue. Even if I can guess everything else through my extensive reading experience, I'm helpless in situations like this.

If there was something I could do like with Daisy's children, I would have helped by any means....

"If my abilities fall short, I'll ask Duke Bael for help as chaperone."

"Duke Bael?"

"Yes. Raphaela's mother."

I was startled when suddenly a big shot like a duke was summoned, and it turns out it's Raphaela's mother. I was so surprised I almost gaped. I thought he was probably a young master since he looked so refined, but he's even a duke's son? His status is higher than mine. Don't tell me Gabriel is also some duke when you look into it? He said he was from an orphanage, but maybe he's actually the previous emperor's child - that kind of thing exists.

But if he had such good connections, why didn't he approach them before Lady Totten? Did they perhaps say they didn't want to chaperone Evangeline?

"Since Raphaela became a knight, they're practically estranged, so it would be difficult, but the duke cherishes Sir Raphaela."

Ah. So it's a last resort. Raphaela... He didn't seem like it, but he was quite rebellious.

"Now, may I ask why you summoned me?"

Ah. Finally we get to the main point. Why would I have called Gabriel? Obviously to practice dancing. If we're going to postpone the debutante ball, it wouldn't be necessary, but Gabriel seems unwilling to delay it even if it means using backup plans.

"I need a dance partner."

"I'm sure I heard you brought in an instructor?"

"She couldn't last long and ran away, so only Dolly remains."

When I mentioned Dolly, Gabriel frowned with displeasure. Recently, Gabriel suddenly investigated Dolly's background and asked if it wouldn't be better to dismiss her, saying she was a drug user. For a moment, I thought Gabriel had evolved into an obsessive male lead who would cut off all relationships with people around me.

When I asked Dolly about it, she said she briefly fell into temptation with drugs but absolutely doesn't touch them now, and she loves the Rohanson estate so much that she begged me not to fire her while crying. Her loyalty is insane.

Her repentance was so obvious that I decided to overlook her momentary indiscretion. It's not even reality but inside a novel, so she could do some drugs.

Gabriel didn't oppose my decision to keep Dolly by my side, but he still seemed displeased.

"So you'll have to be my partner."

When I stood up and extended my hand, Gabriel hesitated slightly. For a moment, the tutor who ran away saying she didn't want to hold my hand came to mind. Does holding my hand kill you or something? Gabriel, you've held it once or twice before!

"Do you not want to?"

"Of course not."

When I spoke petulantly, Gabriel hurriedly took my hand.

"It's truly an honor."

Gabriel was led to stand by my hand. His gaze shot upward and our bodies drew closer. Our breaths touched and our eyes met. I could see his long eyelashes covering his eyes trembling.

We were standing close together, still holding hands, when there was a sound of running footsteps from outside. Is it Mary? She's the only one who runs around like this inside the estate. But the footsteps sound a bit heavier? Just as I thought this, the door burst open.

"My lady! The dress is finished...!"

It was Misha. After not coming out of her room for days and days, only working on the dress, she seemed to have already finished it.

"Sorry, I'm sorry! Have a good time!"

Bang!

Misha closed the door with her face bright red. Gabriel, who had suddenly been caught in what looked like a secret rendezvous, stiffened awkwardly. Wow, the timing is really novel-like. Well, it is a novel.

"Schmitiana?"

The timing really is perfect. The situation is a bit awkward, but we weren't doing anything strange - we were just dancing!

How should I explain this? Does Gabriel even need to explain since he's my partner anyway? While I was wracking my brain, there was another knock.

"My lady, it's me, Misha."

Didn't she run away?

"Misha."

When I called her name, Misha scratched her cheek sheepishly and peeked her head in.

"Sir was in the middle of being my dance partner."

"Yes! I believe you!"

I quickly explained, but Misha answered with a smile in a perfunctory way. Her tone suggested she didn't believe it at all.

Since Gabriel had important matters to discuss and I had even sent Daisy outside, there were only Gabriel and I in the room, making the situation even more awkward. We had inadvertently become lovers enjoying a secret rendezvous after sending even the maid outside.

Let's think positively.... I was in the middle of fishing for Gabriel anyway, so this isn't a bad thing. First, I need to quickly divert Misha's attention.

"What's the matter?"

"Haha. Well, since you two are going to be close together anyway, couldn't you try on the dress while you're at it? I'd like to see how it looks!"

She had just run away embarrassed, but it seems she came back with thoughts of the dress. Misha is really serious about dresses.

"Of course. Sir, could you wait for a moment?"

"Yes. It would be easier for you to adapt if you dance while wearing the dress too."

Having gotten Gabriel's cooperation as well, I was about to follow Misha when Gabriel wouldn't let go of my hand.

"Sir Gabriel?"

"Ah. Oh my... I'm sorry."

Gabriel seemed unaware of his own actions. He hastily let go of my hand and covered his face as if embarrassed. He must be embarrassed.... His ears, which weren't fully covered, were red. Right. This is a frequently seen trope. Let me give him some time alone until his complexion returns to normal.

Misha was looking at Gabriel with a very pleased smile, then took me away.

"Don't be too surprised when you see how pretty it is, okay?"

We stopped in front of the room I had given to Misha. Misha's tailors and seamstresses were also huddled together nearby. Why are they all waiting outside instead of inside?

"This is the first time you're seeing the completed dress, my lady!"

Ah. Misha must have told them to wait outside so I wouldn't see it. Drumroll. Misha made sound effects with her mouth before opening the door.

"Ta-da!"