[Chapter 29] Be More Suspicious

The next day, the weather was perfect for a party by the lake, with clear skies and a warm temperature despite it being midwinter. The lake sparkled beautifully in the sunlight.

Nellis had been forced by Diane to wear another borrowed dress, a black one with a small wing-shaped frill on the shoulders and a red tiered skirt that flared out like a bell. Diane was wearing a black velvet dress with a cute crimson coat, but she seemed more satisfied with Nellis's outfit.

As they walked around the party, Nellis drew attention from the people around her. While Diane received the most obvious attention and flattery, Nellis was the one who objectively stood out among the children.

"Who is that little lady? The one with the purple eyes?"

"She's Lady Diane's friend from the Academy, I think."

"I thought so. She looks noble. She must be from a great family, but why haven't I seen her before?"

Diane's face lit up with joy every time she heard someone praise Nellis, while Muriel, who was also attending the party, looked increasingly displeased. Heather, who was standing next to Muriel, looked anxious.

"Lord McKinney, who is that lady?"

"Ah, it seems Lady Diane has made a good friend. Why haven't we seen her at previous parties?"

Diane's parents also received questions about Nellis's family background. The McKinney count and countess, who had taken a liking to Nellis the day before, smiled and dodged the questions. Some guests, who suspected that the McKinney family was hiding an important connection, felt uneasy.

Angelo Railing was one of them. As a foreigner, he wanted to know everything about Vistia's important figures. However, he had a faster and more reliable source of information than asking the McKinney count and countess.

"Heather."

Heather, who was standing next to Muriel, looked up at her father's call. The two exchanged whispers, and Angelo's expression changed to one of understanding.

"What were you talking about?"

Muriel, who was standing nearby, couldn't hear the conversation between Heather and Angelo due to the noise. Heather shook her head and replied.

"It was nothing, Lady Muriel. My father asked me about Nellis, and I told him what I knew."

Muriel snorted.

"What's with the 'lady' business? She's not even from a noble family. She's just barely not a commoner. And isn't it ridiculous that a knight's daughter is attending the Academy?"

Heather looked uncomfortable as Muriel spoke loudly, and a man who had whispered to Angelo earlier glanced at Nellis with a curious expression.

Muriel continued to speak haughtily.

"She doesn't even have clothes to wear, so she's borrowing from others. What great family? I've never even heard of the Truede family. I guess she's just playing with Diane."

Muriel's last comment was over the line. Heather quickly cautioned her.

"Lady Muriel."

"What? ...Fine."

Although Muriel didn't seem like the type to listen to others, she did trust Heather to some extent. Muriel grumbled and closed her mouth, then pulled Heather away to get a drink.

Nellis was aware of the commotion around her. She noticed that the number of people approaching her with a smile was decreasing, and some were whispering to each other about her clothes.

However, she didn't mind, since she hadn't intended to hide her true nature anyway. She knew that as long as the hosts were friendly, others couldn't openly shun her.

As Nellis and Diane sat on a white bench near the building, chatting about school, Joyce and Nuallan approached them. Their relationship seemed better than Diane and Muriel's.

"Di. Lady Nellis."

"Our ladies."

Joyce greeted them with a straight face, while Nuallan smiled. Diane and Nellis received a relatively lukewarm greeting.

"Welcome."

"Gentlemen."

"Diane has really become a lady."

Nuallan chuckled. Nellis raised an eyebrow.

"Why? What was she like before?"

"She used to just stare blankly when someone greeted her. Seeing her now, I think Uncle was right to send her to the Academy."

"Diane is a noble, so she had to attend the Academy anyway."

Nellis's straightforward response made Nuallan shrug.

"But if she had said it was really uncomfortable for health reasons, it wouldn't have been impossible for her to drop out. Honestly, we were worried."

"Why?"

Nellis asked, a smile still on her lips, but her eyes were serious.

Nuallan pretended to think deeply, then sat down on the bench and whispered to Nellis.

"Our Diane may seem strong, but she's actually delicate. She's always been loved and protected, so what if she gets hurt in a place without family protection? I was really worried, and so was Joyce."

Nellis still smiled, and when Nuallan finished speaking, she blinked. Nuallan smiled warmly and stood up.

"You're lucky to have a friend like you, little Lady Nellis. You're just the right person to take care of Diane."

"I'm not a kid!" Diane finally spoke up, unable to hold back. She had tried to ignore her cousin's condescending attitude, but couldn't. Joyce kissed Diane's hand and said.

"To us, you're always a kid... Are you having fun? Do you want to dance with your uncles?"

It turned out that Joyce's intention was to check if Diane was having a good time at her first adult party. Diane looked uncertain, but Nellis accepted readily.

"We're fine. Diane, you said you'd show me your dance steps."

Although Nellis didn't specify who she was referring to, Diane understood. Nellis saw Diane's face light up with enthusiasm and asked Nuallan.

"Who's a better dancer?"

"Why?"

"I'll give the person who's better a chance to dance with Diane. Since Diane dances so well, her partner needs to be skilled too."

Nuallan smiled brightly. His expectant expression was genuinely charming. According to Diane, he was already working at the trading company with a share almost equal to his father's.

"What should I do? If I say I'm better, I won't be able to dance with Nellis, and if I say Joyce is better, I won't be able to dance with Diane. Both ladies are too wonderful, and it's hard to choose."

"Then Nuallan can dance with Diane. I think Nuallan is a better dancer."

In reality, Nuallan was sociable and often danced at parties, while Joyce usually spent time with men, making excuses. Diane was impressed by Nellis's insight, knowing this fact.

Joyce narrowed his eyes but didn't deny it.

The four of them headed to the outdoor dance floor. Nuallan said something to Diane, who soon started giggling, but Joyce's gesture of taking Nellis's hand was stiff. He bowed and said.

"Please step on my feet."

"Okay."

Nellis silently stepped on Joyce's feet.

The orchestra began to play a lively tune. Joyce carefully led the dance, moving slowly and deliberately. Despite their height difference, Nellis's arms and waist didn't feel any strain thanks to Joyce's slow movements and footwork.

As they danced halfway around the floor, Joyce spoke up.

"Are you uncomfortable?"

"Not at all, thanks to your consideration."

Nellis paused for a moment to match the rhythm, then twirled elegantly and replied, looking directly at Joyce.

"It's very comfortable."

"I'm glad."

Up close, Joyce looked quite handsome, despite his usual stiff expression. His long, golden eyelashes cast a striking shadow.

As a wealthy and handsome man, Nellis would have expected him to be popular, but she hadn't heard any rumors about him in the social circle. Moreover, the McKinney count and countess weren't people she remembered.

Several years was a long time. It was enough time for people to get used to the new lord. Nellis had a rough idea of the situation, but she was still observing, lacking sufficient evidence.

"Were you out on a trip yesterday, or did you come to meet your sister?"

"I was on my way back from a nearby town on business."

"Oh my."

Nellis chuckled at Joyce's light response.

"I thought it was the latter."

"No."

Joyce cut her off a bit too sharply.

"You're a bit of a loser. You knew that the guest carriages were still arriving, but you ran all the way from afar, just in case it was your sister's carriage."

Her words were true. Joyce didn't know how to respond and looked at Nellis in silence. A fleck of white cloud reflected in her purple eyes, which sparkled with amusement.

Despite being the same age as his sister, Joyce felt a calmness from this peculiar little lady that was not inferior to his own.

It was said that she didn't have a separate butler, so was she independent-minded because of that? However, her dancing posture was skilled, and her refined attitude towards the party was superior to any lady present.

Joyce didn't know how to take this unusual friend. Nellis opened her mouth again, softly, after a while.

"You resemble Diane, sir. You'd do anything for the people you care about, and you don't think it's a big deal. But I think it would be better if you were more suspicious of your surroundings."

"What do you mean?"

Joyce's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Nellis explained with a calm and sharp gaze.

"Muriel's mean words to Diane are certainly meaningless. She just says whatever she feels like. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt the person listening, does it?"

"Lady Nellis."

Joyce replied, his face showing his skepticism.

"Your words are correct, but why do you use the expression 'be suspicious'? Everyone knows that Muriel and Diane often fight, so there's no need to be suspicious."

Just then,

"Ah!"

Diane let out a short cry. It wasn't a loud sound, but Joyce's face turned pale in an instant. Nellis let go of Joyce's hand and stepped down from his feet, approaching Diane.

The people dancing turned their attention to Diane, who had fallen to the ground. Nuallan quickly helped Diane up, looking very apologetic. Joyce glared at Nuallan.

"What happened?"

"I'm sorry. It was my fault."

Nuallan explained hastily, looking embarrassed.

"I didn't hold Diane properly when we turned, and she fell."

"No, it was my fault."

Diane said nonchalantly, her lips pouting, and brushed off her skirt. Betty rushed over and helped Diane tidy up her skirt.

"Diane, I told you not to dance, didn't I?"

Muriel appeared out of nowhere, feigning concern.

Diane looked hurt, and indeed, she was thinking the same thing. Joyce scolded Muriel.

"It's Nuallan's fault for not holding her properly. Why are you blaming Diane? If he had held her hand properly, this wouldn't have happened."

"Yeah, it's my fault. Joyce is right."

Muriel looked like she was about to protest, but Nuallan spoke up first. Heather suggested, with a worried tone.

"Miss, the music is too fast. Why don't you sit down for a bit and dance again when a slower song comes on?"

Her suggestion sounded reasonable. Nellis took Diane's arm and said.

"Diane, let's go sit down for a bit."

For a moment, Nellis's eyes sparkled. Heather smiled innocently and chimed in.

"I'll sit with you too. I haven't seen Diane in a while, and I want to hear about the Academy."

Diane agreed, looking unenthusiastic.