I could only hung my head in confusion. I never thought that Sofia would be this worried. That's because all this time, I'd always been the one who worried over others, not the one who was worried by others. In the past, there won't be anyone who would be worried about my well-being if I went missing overnight inside the Capital, or even if it's in the battlefield. Well, I would probably be reprimanded when I returned later because of leaving without any notice.
"It must not happen again in the future."
"Okay. Okay. Next time I would definitely tell you if I ever slept over again."
After she heard my words, Sofia's eyes widened in surprised.
"Miss, you're absolutely can't sleep over outside!"
"… I can't?"
"Of course! Why would you sleep over outside when you have a perfectly fine house here?! That's something improper to do as a dignified noble lady!"
…, hmm, I think this house isn't 'perfectly fine' though. Although I didn't like it when I was prohibited from sleep over outside, I still nodded for the time being.
"Alright. I'll just sleep at home."
"Of course that's for sure Miss. The Madam… hasn't called you over? She's really determined to find faults on you."
"There was already a man who looked like the butler waited for my return in front of the main gate."
"It must be the head butler! A-and then?"
"Don't worry! I've handled it well."
Sofia sighed in relief.
"That's a relief. But it's quite rare for him to retreated back just like that."
"That's… of course because the First Princess is more powerful than the Countess."
"…, what?"
I showed the gold-rimmed invitation card to Sofia.
"I told him that the Countess can't put me under house arrest because I'm invited to Her Highness Princess Aranea's banquet. Even the Countess can't–"
"M-Mi–Miss!!!"
What are you screaming for? It surprised me. Sofia was screaming calling my name and squeezed my cheeks with both of her hands.
"Th-the banquet of the First Princess Aranea?! Miss?!"
"Ugh… yes it is."
"Arghh!! Miss still hasn't be able to dance well yet."
"C-calm down first!"
"Moreover Her Highness the First Princess Aranea is famous for being picky! Do you really wish to attend the banquet of someone as picky as her?! Not to mention Miss still can't dance properly?! And on top of that, Miss doesn't remember any manners either?!"
Sofia looked really distressed that she just crouching down on where she stood and held her head with both hands. I awkwardly stood in front of her half weeping state. Hmm, well… although Princess Aranea is a tough person, but she wouldn't do something as far as chopped someone's neck if someone made a little mistake.
"Actually Her Highness isn't that scary."
"The Princess isn't the only problem! At such social gathering, many nobles will attend the banquet and it will be a perfect place to start any rumors… ugh..huhu…now my lady won't be able to get married anymore…"
Hmm…that's quite true. I scratched my cheek and grabbed Sofia to stand up.
"Well, didn't I already have someone to get engaged to? It's okay. It's okay."
"… that's right though. But still, what if… what if he didn't like Miss anymore because Miss made a mistake at the banquet?"
"Captain Jullius won't mind it even if I tripped the Princess until she fell on the floor."
Likewise, I also wouldn't mind it either if Captain Jullius caused a big commotion.
Sofia wiped out her tears with the back of her hand then looked straight at me.
"Such thing must not happen. Thats why, Miss must do your best until the banquet starts."
"…, but we only have two days left."
"Gyaaa!!"
I leaned my body backwards and quickly caught the passed out Sofia. Was she too shocked to the point that she just passed out like this? Hmm…
After I brought Sofia back to her room, a maid sent by the Countess came looking for me. The servants' attitude now weren't as impolite as they used to be. It could be because the servants had been gossiping about my sudden change of behavior. Or it could be due to the incident of Captain Jullius forced his way in to the Count residence.
"The Countess is looking for you."
The maid respecfully bowed in front of me.
Well, it must be about the banquet.
"What if I don't want to go to where she's right now?"
"Perhaps the Countess might directly come here."
Hmm, her attitude had completely changed from before. Actually I wanted to ask the Countess herself to meet me here, but I was afraid that it would disturb the fainted Sofia.
She had been surprised until she fainted and she might fainted once more when she saw the Countess whom she regarded as a witch, as soon as she regained consciousness. Thus I'd to give in and went to her place.
"Lead the way."
"Yes, Miss."
The maid respectfully bowed once more then walked in front with short but quick pace. Seems like now I was served like how a lady of the house supposed to be.
The Countess was sitting inside the parlour. Before her, a lot of exquisite refreshments were neatly placed on the white table. I glanced at the biscuit with white-cream on its top while taking a seat at the opposite of the Countess.
"What's the matter?"
"No need to be that rush."
I relented because there're some delicious snacks. The Countess voiced out her purpose after I ate some biscuits and finger foods which I didn't know what they're called.
"I heard you're invited to the banquet of Her Highness Princess Aranea."
"That's right."
"Do you think you're qualified enough to attend it?"
How silly. There's nothing wrong with me. This was not the first time I received invitation from Princess Aranea. I'd attended banquets hosted by the Princess for several times already. Well, although it could be said that it's the first time ever since I was inside this current body.
"It's not that I want to come, instead Her Highness the First Princess want me to come, isn't it? I think your question about whether I'm qualified or not, could be considered as you're questioning Her Highness decision. Don't you think that just now you gave an offensive remarks on Her Highness?"
I'd heard similar words of what the Countess just said from those damn nobles in the past. They're also questioning my presence in one of the Imperial banquets.
At the time, my deputy told me that, those who're questioning Captain's qualification to join the banquet, can also be considered as questioning the host banquet decision, in other words, they're being disrespectful to the host.
Hmm, I vaguely remembered whether it was on His Majesty the Emperor's banquet, or Her Majesty the Empress' banquet. Anyways, I repeated what my deputy had taught me before to rebuke those annoying nobles until they apologized and quickly ran away with scared witless faces. Meanwhile, the Countess also seemed stumped to reply to my words.
"You shouldn't say that far."
The Countess frowned a bit and took a sip of her tea.
"I'm not questioning Her Highness' decision. I'm just worried you will make a mistake and provoked her anger."
"That will be my problem, so you don't have to worry about it."
"It won't be just your problem if you happened to offend the Princess. It could implicated our family."
"I think it will be more disrespectful if I didn't attend because of such unreasonable reasons."
My throat felt dry because I kept eating the refreshments, so I took a sip of tea. Delicious. Even though I really didn't like the woman before me, but I loved these refreshments. Hearing my firm answer, the Countess just shook her head.
"Really… you've become more stubborn now."
What? It's just like that and you called me stubborn? If my deputy heard it, he would laugh his ass off.
"So, in the end you still insist to go?"
I bet she would start another round of nagging.
"Naturally I have to go. I also attend the banquet to build some connections as the sole heir of the Epheria family."
"As you wish then."
The Countess just sighed. What is it? She gave up just like that? Hmm, that woman indeed didn't have any solid reason to prevent me from attending the banquet though. Unless she forcefully put me under house arrest, what else she probably could do?
"It would be much better if I can get through you."
"That should be my line."
"…, you used to be an obedient child."
Well, I'm sorry that I'm a different person trapped inside Silla's body. The one who was in front of you was a stranger. No wonder the Countess might felt a bit sad because the girl who was easy to control all this time, drastically changed her attitude all of a sudden.
"Are you done?"
I had cleanly eaten all the refreshments and drunk the tea, so I had nothing to do here anymore. The Countess glared sharply at me with somewhat confused looks because of my words.
"Don't you feel sleepy?"
"Not at all."
On contrary, I've slept too much that I don't feel sleepy at all. Besides, Sofia wouldn't let me sleep either tonight.
"You really not feel sleepy even for a bit…?"
"Yes."
I've ready said that I don't feel sleepy at all, why did she asked repeatedly… oh, could it be…? I let out a wicked grin on my face.
"Did you put sleeping drugs into my tea?"
"…, what a terrifying thing you've said just now."
Although the Countess kept denying it, if it really was not what I thought of, she didn't have any reason to ask me whether if I felt sleepy or not! Furthermore, she deliberately prepared such exquisite refreshments. Most likely, she would made me sleep and confined me in an unknown place. Well, if it's just a normal sleeping drugs, it wouldn't have any effect on my body. It's not just limited to drugs, even any normal poisons wouldn't affected any holy knight who had accumulated holy power inside the body. My original body could even resisted deadly poisons after I received repeated blessings from the High Priest. My current body was indeed weaker than my original body, but because I had holy power, it still could easily resist such sleeping drugs.
"I advise you not to make such hasty move. The Special Task Squad will directly search for my whereabouts if I ever disappeared suddenly. Do you want to give them opportunity to turn this mansion upside down?"
Of course I won't let myself got caught easily. They could try coming at me at once and see if I wouldn't dare to beat the hell out of you! Even if that bastard Cain came along, I would still be able to escape. The Countess lips quivered slightly after she heard my warnings.
"There are limits when you accused others. Saying such words to a mother who is trully worried about her daughter, you're too much."
"I know I'm a rebellious girl. Therefore, please refrain yourself from calling me to come here for useless things. By doing so, it's also for giving stepmother a peaceful mind and body."
Hah… what a bother. Anyway, I could only take over the Count's family after I've met with the High Priest. Well, before that, I think I should get my hands on some valuable items that could be sold for money. I squinted my eyes and looked at her pale face.
"One more thing. Have you prepared some jewelry for me to wear at the banquet?"
"…, what?"
"Afterall it's a banquet hosted by Her Highness the First Princess so you won't let your beloved daughter to dress shabbily, will you?"
"Now you–"
"You must have a lot of necklaces, rings, and earrings, don't you? Don't be too stingy and give me some jewelry from your collections, dear stepmother!"
Of course I won't return them back. Once you gave them to me, then they would be mine. Don't ever think to take them back. The Countess bit her lips and raised from her seat.
"…, I will choose them for you and send them to your place later. You can leave now."
"Thank you."
Finally I would be able to save some money. After the banquet is over, I will sell them and buy some delicious foods for Captain Jullius who has been through so much troubles because of me.