"Miss."
"Yes?"
"The Duke has sent someone to ask if you would like to have tea with him."
"Tea?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
Recently, she's been having tea with the Duke of Sorpel. Whenever she stopped by his office to situate flowers, she would enjoy refreshments with him.
Since it wasn't a bad thing, Camilla would welcome the time spent with him. She'd somehow have to spend more time with him to earn his favor.
But…
"Come on in."
"…"
But why was he here?
After a while, Camilla went to see the Duke but saw a man who had come before her to spend time with him.
"You're here?"
It was Ravi.
"What are you doing? Come over here and sit down."
Despicable guy.
Camilla clicked her tongue as Ravi offered her a seat, even smiling, unlike when they were alone.
'You look happy, don't you?'
Ravi's expression was brighter than usual as he sipped his tea. Is something good happening?
Now that she thought about it, something seems suspicious. He's made time separately with the Duke of Sorpel, but he was never one to have tea with him.
"Father."
"Yes?"
Ravi set his teacup down, as if he had something to say. She could see him trying to hold back the big smile that was trying to escape.
"This time, I'm going to present my thesis."
'Ah.'
It's that day.
Camilla immediately understood what was going on.
This is something that has happened to him every single time she has watched this world.
Once a year, the top performers would be chosen to present their work in front of a large group of magicians. It was a very prestigious and important occasion for the mages.
'It's understandable that that fox-like bastard can't manage his expressions in front of the Duke.'
His pride was very visible.
But what can she do? Camilla clicked her tongue inwardly.
'It's almost time to go.'
She glanced toward the door.
Slam!
As if on cue, the door burst open and someone stepped in the room.
It was the Duke's aide who had forgotten to knock.
"Duke!"
His face lit up like he was about to burst into a big smile.
"What happened?"
"It's a great victory! A great victory!"
"What?"
"I have news that Young Master Ludville has finally found the rebels' base and eliminated them all!"
"…!"
"It was also a plan strategized by Young Master Ludville himself!"
"Is that true!?"
The Duke of Sorpel leapt to his feet and smiled brightly. The long, troubled war against the rebels had finally come to an end.
"Yes, it has now been reported to the Imperial Court. The Emperor is very pleased and has sent a personal letter to Young Master Ludville himself."
"Ha… Ha ha!"
"As expected of the Young Master, haha!"
Duke Sorpel and Jakter looked at each other and laughed for a while.
'It has become like this.'
Clicking her tongue again, Camilla tilted her head to look at Ravi.
The atmosphere around him is different than it was a moment ago. He tries to look calm, but she can see the slightest tremor in his fingertips.
'What were you expecting?'
It's the way it's always been.
'He's got no luck at all.'
Ludville, the Duke's first son, didn't do it on purpose. It's just that Ravi is down on his luck.
'What's even sadder is that the presentation and the celebration are on the same day.'
Ravi's presentation and Ludville's victory celebration coincidentally take place on the same day.
It was inevitable that everyone's attention would be focused on the victory celebration rather than the presentation.
"I'll get going now."
"Hm? No, why? Why don't you stay a little while longer."
"No, I just remembered something I have to do."
"Yes, okay."
The Duke of Sorpel smiled pleasantly and waved Ravi off as he rose from his seat.
"I'll get going as well."
Camilla rose and left the room as well, while the Duke of Sorpel and Jakter were busy exchanging laughs.
Wham.
"…"
The moment the door to his office closed behind him, Ravi's face went cold, and he bit his lip.
He thought this would be the one time he'd get the recognition he deserves…
'Was this all he could do?'
He felt like he'd spent months on that research for nothing.
Maybe he should've just learned more offensive spells and roamed the battlefield.
Pathetic.
"Brother Ravi, you're better than I thought."
Just as he was wallowing in his own thoughts, a familiar voice pierced his ears.
"Giving presentations and all."
Before he knew it, Camilla was at Ravi's side, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Are you teasing me?"
"Seriously?"
"…"
"That's only something really good, hard-working magicians can do."
"What do you know—!"
Pat.
"Good job."
"…"
Ravi watched in disbelief as Camilla patted him on the shoulder and walked past him.
"What's up with her?"
* * *
"Miss! You look good in this, too!"
"Wow... I've never seen anyone wear this outfit so well!"
The costume designers and maids, who visited the duchy, were busy singing their praises.
As she listened to their words, Camilla studied her reflection in the mirror.
'I think it looks pretty.'
The sunset-red dress contrasted with Camilla's flawless white skin, giving her a strange allure.
"You'll be the most beautiful girl at the party!"
The Duke was currently preoccupied with preparations for the celebration that came unexpectedly. Ludville, the Duke's eldest son, would soon return after winning a great victory over the rebels.
'It's a celebration with no breaks.'
Isn't it normal to give a man who has returned from the battlefield a good night's rest?
Camilla shook her head as she watched them organize a party for Ludville's return.
'Well, I guess that's a form of politics.'
On the day of the celebration, there would also be festivities in the manor.
This time, it seemed, the Duke of Sorpel wanted to publicize the accomplishments of his family, and of Ludville in particular.
She was also told that these parties and festivals were necessary to relieve the grief and sadness of those who died in battle.
"The jewelry is so pretty, too!"
The jewelry that came with the dress was also unique and beautiful.
"I'll make you look so beautiful that day!"
Camilla smirked as she watched Donna ball up her fists.
"Please."
She thinks it would be good to stand out a bit that day…
"Don't get into trouble."
She heard a cold voice and turned around to see Ravi standing there with a sour look on his face.
"Did you come here to pick a fight with me?"
"You've done it before. The last party-"
"I know."
"What?"
"I admit it. I used to be good at grabbing people by the hair."
Ravi's brow furrowed further as he watched Camilla fidget with her hands as if she were trying to grab someone's hair.
She's definitely gotten weird.
In the past, she would have blushed and looked annoyed or sulked at her own words, but now she was actually laughing.
"Brother Ravi, did you get your clothes tailored?"
"What clothes?"
Ravi's face quickly hardened. Was she asking her if he had something to wear to the victory celebration?
Has she forgotten what day it was for him?
"The clothes you're going to wear at the presentation."
"…I got it."
However, at Camilla's next words, Ravi turned his head to hide his embarrassment.
'It's crazy.'
It was ridiculous. He found himself momentarily offended by the fact that Camilla had completely forgotten about his work, that she didn't even care about his presentation.
Why does it matter to him if she forgets it or not?
"You'll be compared."
"Forget it, it doesn't matter what I'm wearing."
"Whatever. You said it."
"Shouldn't you be thinking about not doing something embarrassing at the celebration—"
"Alright."
Fidget, fidget.
"…"
He was tired.
Ravi lets out a small sigh and leaves the room. He wasn't even sure why he was there.
Camilla turned her attention away from Ravi and looked at the other dresses and jewelry.
* * *
"Hey, Ravi."
It was the day of the presentation.
Ravi hastily departed from the residence in the early hours of the morning and made his way towards the Magic Tower, where he prepared all the necessary things and strode into the presentation hall.
"…"
As Ravi stepped inside, a man quickly approached him.
Approaching him with a big smile on his face was Jill, who was also presenting at the conference.
He couldn't figure out why the guy who was always glaring at him was suddenly feigning affability.
"Did you prepare well?"
"Well, sort of."
"I'm sure you've done a good job."
"What are you trying to say?"
Jill's smile deepened at Ravi's question.
"My parents are over there."
He gave him a friendly shoulder rub and pointed to where people were sitting.
"That's my sister."
Those people seemed like family to anyone who saw them.
One of them, who appeared to be the younger sister, was quite beautiful and attracted a lot of attention from the men around her.
"Who's coming from your household today? They're all coming, right? Hmm… I guess no one's here yet."
As he looked around the place, grinning from ear to ear, Ravi understood Jill's intentions.
"It's not like no one's coming, right? After all, if you are family, they would definitely come to such an important event."
It was evident that he was doing this on purpose, fully aware of the current situation unfolding within the Sorpel duchy.
"What? Is no one really coming?"
Ravi remained unfazed by Jill's behavior, who was feigning surprise. Childish asshole.
"It's none of your business."
"None of my business? I just feel concerned for my friend who couldn't even invite his family to such an important event."
"…"
"Could it be?"
Jill's voice has lowered even further.
"Since the real son is back, they have no time to worry about the fake one."