Chapter 164: The Young Lady of the Lavender Barony Has Arrived
Before me stands a young girl. She appears to be around middle school age, with a bob cut of purple hair. Short and slender, her appearance could easily be mistaken for that of an elementary school student.
This is our first meeting… I can say that with certainty.
Her features are somewhat plain, yet there’s an inexplicable charm about her, an aura that makes her unforgettable after just one encounter.
“…………”
“The Lavender Barony…?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected name, Rest freezes for a moment, but then suddenly gasps, eyes widening as he places a hand over his heart.
“Ah… my apologies. I am Rest Clover. Though still inexperienced, I have been granted the title of Count.”
He bows gracefully, a gesture he has practiced countless times until it has become second nature, a noble’s courtesy ingrained in his body.
“It is an honor to meet the Young Lady of the Lavender Barony.”
“…………”
“I humbly request your continued guidance and friendship.”
“…………”
“…………”
“…………”
“Um, Lady Ula?”
Having completed the customary greeting, Rest realizes that the girl has yet to respond. Normally, it is customary for the other party to reciprocate with a greeting, but…
“Could it be that you’re unwell…?”
“…………Beautiful.”
“Eh…?”
“Beautiful… ah, so beautiful…”
The Young Lady of the Lavender Barony gazes up at Rest, her eyes becoming dreamy and unfocused. It’s as if she’s intoxicated, her gaze floating in the air, but he soon notices that her irises shimmer with a rainbow of colors.
(Rainbow-colored irises… What is that hue…?)
It’s not merely the light from the campfire. The eyes of the girl who introduced herself as Ula possess a mysterious color that seems to change with each glance. Being stared at by those eyes feels as though she is peering deep into his soul.
(And she called me beautiful…?)
Rest is not unattractive, but he wouldn’t consider himself exceptionally handsome either. He has faced his share of challenges, and while he carries a certain ruggedness born from experience, he is far from possessing any striking beauty.
“Haah…”
“Wha…!?”
Suddenly, Ula’s body begins to tilt backward. Rest panics, but a woman who seems to be her attendant quickly steps in to support her.
“My apologies. It seems the Young Lady has fainted from anemia.”
The attendant speaks calmly while holding Ula steady.
“Please forgive our rudeness. The Young Ladies of the Rosemary Family as well.”
“Uh, um… yes.”
“That’s fine, but…”
Suddenly addressed, Viola and Primula exchange bewildered glances, still not having introduced themselves. It seems the attendant has not noticed Yuri, perhaps because she is a sheltered young lady and does not recognize her as a daughter of the Cattleya Marquis Family.
“Then, I shall take my leave. I will come again to formally greet you all later…”
With that, the attendant carries Ula away, leaving Rest in a daze.
“…………”
“Uh, what just happened?”
Once the two figures disappear from view, Rest voices his honest thoughts. Despite being the one approached, he still has no idea what the purpose of their visit was. The only thing he learned is that the Young Lady of the Lavender Barony is named Ula, and for reasons unknown, she seems to be quite interested in him.
“I didn’t sense any hostility or malice from her, but… she was a puzzling girl.”
“Yes, indeed… I’ve never heard of a girl that age from the Lavender Barony before.”
Primula tilts her slender neck in confusion.
“Could she be like Yuri, a sheltered young lady? If Viola and I don’t know about her, it’s likely that other nobles are unaware of her existence as well.”
“Why is this sheltered young lady here? Being here means… she’s participating in the pioneering group, right?”
Viola furrows her brow, looking perplexed.
“Normally, a debutante would be introduced at some kind of party, right? Some even use their enrollment at the Royal Academy as a stepping stone…”
“At the very least, this isn’t the kind of harsh environment suited for a debutante. Well, I haven’t had my debut either.”
Yuri casually tosses sand onto the campfire, putting it out with a carefree demeanor.
“Well, she did say she would come back to greet us, so we can ask her then. More importantly… it’s time for our sleepover!”
Seemingly unconcerned with the details, Yuri beams at them with an innocent smile.
“We had a pajama party at the Rosemary Family mansion, but this is my first time sleeping in the same tent with friends! And I’m so excited to be with Rest! Let’s sleep side by side!”
“…Yuri, that’s not appropriate. Even among friends, that’s crossing a line.”
“…Rest-sama will be next to me and my sister. It’s too early for you, Yuri.”
As Yuri innocently throws out her bombshell suggestion, the Rosemary Sisters puff out their cheeks in unison.