NOVEL NEXT Chapter 211
I implemented a ceiling fan through a craftsman. The ceiling fan was installed on a trial basis in an annex of the duchy. Raul and Roseanne, who attended the ceiling fan demonstration, felt the coolness on their skin and admired it.
“Oh my, it’s really cool.”
“It looks like a simple device, but it’s quite effective.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Question Mark Killer’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Why did you install it in an annex instead of the main building?]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Professional Instructor’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[A ceiling fan in a big mansion would look unsightly and out of place.]
‘Professional Instructor’ was right. Nobles prioritize appearances above all else. No matter how plausible an item is, if it doesn’t blend in with its surroundings, they will immediately criticize it for lacking taste. That’s why there was an intention to decorate the annex with an atmosphere unique to hot countries. Then, the word would spread about the special summer party hosted by the Squire family, and it was planned to build a good reputation.
Raul patted me on the head with an impressed look. “You’re definitely more of an expert in this area than your father.”
“…”
Is this not a compliment? He’s bringing up Theresa’s past as a party animal, isn’t he?
While I was pondering, Roseanne smiled happily and said, “Filling the interior with ornamental plants would create a different atmosphere from a greenhouse.”
“Yes. For tea parties, fruits or dessert wines and chilled tea would suit better than baked sweets or bread. Juices are good too.”
“Sweet fruits grow well in warm climates, so that aspect will be well represented. That’s a good idea.”
Suppose the dress code is decorated with magical plants or flower-patterned clothes. In that case, the guests invited to the party will enjoy the clear concept.
“Magical plants can be supplied in any amount from the farm, so we can make corsages with them.”
Roseanne asked me, “How about inviting your guests here first?”
The first person who came to mind was Clybe.
What happened to Clybe? With Clyde gone, how should I invite them?
As I was pondering, Roseanne brought this up. “What’s wrong? You have young ladies who follow you around, don’t you?”
Then Raul interjected with a troubled face, “Therdang or whatever, are you talking about that club? They’re always roaming around drinking and causing trouble.”
Ther… what?!
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Born From Theresa’s Heart’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[So Clybe turned into a club worshiping Theresa. Lol.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘You Don’t Do Like Theresa Did’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[It somehow makes sense… The kids from Clybe really liked Theresa weirdly.]
“When you were young, it was the same, Honey. You did the same at Theresa’s age.”
“Not at all!”
Roseanne poked Raul in the ribs and laughed.
“Honey, it’s summer vacation, so Theresa should also invite friends to have fun. She’s been only at home and on the farm. How bored she must be.”
I was not bored at all. On the contrary, I was very busy catching up on work that had been postponed now that I had some free time. However, Raul seemed to realize something and reluctantly opened his mouth.
“During the social season, there’s nothing as important as hosting or attending parties. Make sure to engage in external activities suitable for a lady of your status.”
It was a valid point, but there was a problem.
“I don’t really have anyone to invite.”
Hearing my answer, Raul looked incredulous. “With the number of gifts coming in your name, you could easily fill two rooms. Why would you have no one to invite?”
I had no idea because I was staying in the dormitory and not coming home.
“Really, I don’t have anyone…”
Libby and Giuseppe have many friends. Today, both of them regretfully missed the ceiling fan demonstration because they were attending a party they were invited to.
Hmm.
This makes me seem like I have no friends. Or… do I not?
Mimosa would count as my friend.
Well, whether I had friends or not wasn’t really important.
“I’m fine. I’m busy with the magic farm anyway, so I don’t have time…”
Ding!
[Quest: Become the Flower of the Social Season]
▸
Reward: 100,000,000 coins
▸
Failure: Social reputation falls to the worst, leading to expulsion from the capital
“…But of course, parties are most important during the social season.”
To become the flower of the social season, one must dance the first dance with the emperor on the last day of the summer ball! And it didn’t stop there. Becoming the flower of the social season was a rather complex concept. It involved evaluating all eligible single ladies of the season based on how attractive the parties they hosted were, their reputation, their appearance, fashion, level of culture, and so on. It was a terribly annoying position that crowned the most attractive unmarried young lady of the year.
To achieve the empress ending, one must become the flower of the social season, which was also why the Euges route was the most difficult among all the male leads.
I groaned in agony. Then Raul, looking strangely sad, gently patted my shoulder as if he had made a firm decision.
“Don’t worry so much. Father can make friends for you as much as you need.”
“Yes?”
What is he talking about?
As I failed to follow the context, Raul firmly told the butler, like a knight going to battle, “We’ll host the most splendid and luxurious party in the capital, even grander than the imperial ball!”
“Understood, Master.”
“…??”
Did he misunderstand that I was distressed because I didn’t have friends?
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rofan-Addicted Young Lady’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Looking forward to the day when you’ll seize the flower of the social scene.]
Raising my social reputation was necessary, so it would be very helpful for Raul to take an active role. But why do I feel so uneasy about this…?
* * *
The first step to becoming the flower of the social season was to invite the ‘Therdang Club.’ Therdang was a horrible abbreviation of Theresa’s darling.
“
Kyaaa
~ Long time no see!”
“How have you all been, Therdang?”
“It’s even more delightful to meet you in such a wonderful place other than Valhalla!”
“
Kyaaaaa
!”
Why did they form Theresa’s fan club? And why is Theresa become the president of her own fan club?
This is all so weird.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘I Hate Romance’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[It suits well that Theresa created her own fan club; look at the accuracy of the system characterization, wow]
No, let’s say it makes sense that she formed her own fan club. But why did these people join it? And they seem not to feel any discord at all.
Could this also be a bug? A very serious one at that.
With a sense of unease, I used my magic to conjure Clyde’s image in the air.
“Guys, what do you think about this man?”
The annex went silent. Everyone stared at Clyde, their mouths agape in shock. Then, the annex erupted in screams.
“
Kyaaaah
!”
“W-W-Who is that?!”
“Who is that? Who is that person with such a perfect face?”
“Is he a real person? He must be, right?”
“No wonder no man ever caught my eye. I was waiting for this moment!”
“
Argh
…! I want to follow him right now…!”
Fortunately, Clybe was still normal. The fact that they reacted properly to Clyde seemed like evidence that he hadn’t completely disappeared, which was oddly reassuring.
When I withdrew my magic, the ladies were visibly disappointed and made quite a fuss. Once the atmosphere had calmed down a bit, someone asked me, “Did you hear that Lord Fabio got engaged to a new lady?”
Lord Fabio? Who’s that?
“Who’s Fabio?”
As I tilted my head in confusion, the ladies burst into laughter.
“The young master who broke off the engagement with Lady Theresa! Have you already forgotten?”
“I understand. He really didn’t leave much of an impression, did he?”
Then I remembered Lord Fabio, whom I had seen at the Saint Trio Hotel, from a distant memory.
“
Ah
, he got engaged to someone new.”
As I responded nonchalantly to the news of someone I wasn’t interested in, Clybe looked at me with curiosity.
“Do you have any plans for engagement, Lady Theresa?”
“I’m curious too! You’ve received attention from the most handsome men in the empire.”
“Even from Marquis Vallensia, who recently came to the capital!”
“Lately, everyone in the society has been wondering who Lady Theresa will go on your first date with.”
I shrugged. “I plan to be devoted to my studies, so I have no plans for engagement yet.”
The ladies immediately showed a disappointed reaction.
“
Ahh.
.. It would have sounded like a joke before…”
“But now that you’ve become the top student, it doesn’t sound like a joke anymore. How did it come to this, Lady Theresa?”
To someone listening, it might sound as though becoming the top student was a form of deviance.
“Please, could you go on a date with Marquis Vallensia? Please?”
“Oh gosh. You should date Senior Damian!”
The lady who mentioned Damian spoke in a whisper as if sharing a secret.
“I heard that he’s actually the illegitimate child of Duke Kapento. It seems like he might be acknowledged by the family soon.”
I was taken aback by her words. “Damian is going to be acknowledged by Duke Kapento? Is that true?”
“It’s a reliable source from the temple. It seems like they’ll acknowledge his paternity there.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Son-in-law Damian’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Wow, then there won’t be any difference in status, making it easier for Damian and you to get together!!]
But Damian being recognized as Duke Kapento’s illegitimate child is part of the bad ending route.
The Damian I saw definitely had four red hearts. Why is the scenario progressing so twistedly? Did Dungeon Damian appear in reality and mess up the setting?
Meanwhile, the ladies engaged in a heated debate.
“Then that means Damian’s sister would be Cecilia! That’s a fatal flaw.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Born From Theresa’s Heart’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Having Cecilia as a sister-in-law would indeed be problematic]
“Professor Bernstein, who has a clean family background and holds the reins of his household, would be the most suitable marriage partner.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Future Ilya’s in-law’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Every of her word is true]
“Why are you all leaving out His Majesty the Emperor? There’s talk in the society that Lady Theresa is the most likely candidate for the next empress!”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Sunfish Emperor Euges’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Sigh… Although I support Euges, I can’t just straightforwardly push him towards Theresa…]
The ladies all turned to look at me simultaneously.
“Who do you like the most, Lady Theresa?!”