Anyway, this truffle is delicious. I better buy more for my brother and the others, he will surely love this. And then maybe I'll buy some strawberry-flavored desserts for him too... Mhmm...

And milder sweets for both my dad and Kai because they are not a fan of sweet things after all. Probably something that has nuts in it...

"Uhm... Lady Nadia is not with her friends today?" Estelle suddenly asked.

I blinked after having my thoughts interrupted and glanced at Estelle who was sporting a somewhat hopeful look on her face for some reason.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. They are both busy and I was bored so..." I replied out of reflex.

There was silence again. I peeked at Estelle's side and saw her being restless as if she couldn't decide whether to speak again or not. My enthusiastic reply didn't really give no room for a proper conversation and ended just like that, spoiling the already stagnant atmosphere.

"Uhmm..." She mumbled. She would open her mouth and then close it again when words fail her. She kept repeating that but would give up without even starting anything.

Oh goodness me. This is so painful.

She really wants to open a casual talk with me but she couldn't because she's either too shy or she is just not good with it. Gosh, why is she so cute? Damn it.

"Th-the tea is nice..." She grumbled yet again.

"I agree," was my energetic response. Not.

I have no idea what happened, maybe because I got too conscious of her presence, that's why my answer is also flat. It's giving me second-degree pain.

Estelle got silent again, probably because I am such a boring conversation partner? What am I even supposed to say to her? It's not like I was planning to meet anyone here in the first place. I was out to be alone, for goodness' sake. And I really am not that close to her to know what kind of things she likes to talk about.

'Still, you could have done something to save the situation. Why must you answer as if your brain is asleep?' My inner goddess was chiding me, I tell you. She's having a sermon right now.

I looked at the timid woman in front of me. She was biting her lip as she thinks, not wanting to give up on the idea of talking. Her eyes were glued at the fork, prodding the pudding on her plate.

I kind of admire her tenacity, it's such a good trait to have. Although it's also amusing to see her try so hard, it makes the sadistic side of me to want to tease her or something...

"Nnn..." that was still Estelle, by the way.

'Aww... She's really doing her best!'

Let me help her then.

"Are you out on a walk as well? Where's your other friend?" I asked, deciding to not let the atmosphere go more placid than it already is. If we continue eating in uncomfortable silence, we'll just end up having an upset stomach because we couldn't digest the food.

That would definitely suck, so no.

Estelle perked up. Her reaction reminded me of a rabbit so much it's kind of funny. And cute... yeah, cute...

"O-oh! Vivienne? Well, she is getting married so she's busy with her lessons," she replied. I could practically see her shake in excitement.

One of my brows raised.

"Oh?"

Wow. Everyone is getting married around me huh?

Is the heavens sending me a sign or what? Maybe the Gods are telling me that I should get tied down and shut my sorry self inside the house of my supposed husband? They must be sick of seeing me doing as I please...

"How about you?" I inquired, drinking my tea as I gazed at her in curiosity.

Estelle blinked and pointed at herself.

"Me?"

I nodded, "Mhmm."

She then looked down at her plate, her hands twisting over her lap in an act of awkwardness.

"W-well I... I have no m-marriage proposals so not really..." Estelle mumbled lowly that I even have trouble hearing her.

"Me too. I don't have any marriage proposals either." I remarked.

Or that's what I assume anyway because my father is not broaching the topic with me. I'm already 19 and my birthday is already coming right at the corner yet he still has not discussed anything with me. Or had given me a heads up at the least.

Estelle looked at me in surprise.

"But that's impossible? Lady Nadia is admired by everyone, there should be men vying for your attention?"

I cleared my throat upon hearing that. When she says it like that, it almost seems as if I'm such a once-in-a-century beauty or something.

So what if you are famous and are admired by almost the whole continent? It doesn't mean that everyone would want to marry you either. That could be applied not just to me, but to others as well.

"I'm saying the truth. I really have no marriage partner nor any proposals," I remarked, leaning back to my seat– "Though it's not like I want one anyway. I'm satisfied with being like this for the moment," I added while shrugging my shoulders.

In this era, women have no say in that area and would just take whatever their family is in store for them. A time will definitely come when my father will start considering my future, so I am planning to enjoy the freedom I have as of now.

I'm bored though...

Estelle processed what I said and let out a timid smile. She was now sporting a wistful expression, an exact opposite of what she had earlier.

"In my case, no one wants to be associated with me because of my family background..." She muttered. Her expression shifted again, quick as lightning– "I'm also not looking for marriage partners right now! And I'm satisfied being like this as well," she seconded.

Hmm? Did she just say she is not looking for marriage partners? But that's weird? In the novel, she regarded the four male leads as potential husbands. She even chose Lukas after some deliberation, right?

I mean, that was her main drive... She wants to prevent the future where she'll be sold to marry an old geezer– ahem– I mean, a count. So before that happens, she has to find someone suitable to save her from that predicament.

Then why did she say she's not looking for someone?

Ehhh?

Wasn't that the reason she also came to the ball? To scout people?? What?

Wait. Let us clear that out first because I am confused.

"You're not planning to get married yet? I mean, don't you think of your future?" I questioned, acting casual to not give myself away.

I slowly sipped my tea, watching the lovely young woman in front of me, observing her.

Her face changed for a tiny bit and it certainly did not escape my probing eyes.

"I do think about it but that's not very important right now... I'm more concerned with the empire's future than mine," she said in an ominous voice while wearing an even more ominous expression.

I am lost.

Completely and utterly lost.

What do you mean by being concerned with the empire than yours? Am I still remembering things correctly? What is going on...

I get that the storyline changed. I have seen it happen a lot of times already. It is bound to get screwed anyway but you see, the story can't just have a 180 turn of changes, right? Right?! Are we even following the same path?

"By the way... Does Lady Nadia has a brother?" She asked me that out of the blue, taking my already confused mind to officially lost track of things.

"Mmm? Yes, I do. He's the captain of the royal knights," I answered her. There was a hint of pride in my voice, only for the reason that I am a proud sister.

Does anyone else have such a talented brother? And I must say, I really am proud to have one so excuse me for feeling like it.

Estelle stared at me, like really stared. She's like smothering me with her eyeballs right now and she's not even being discreet with it. I let her do it even though I'm a little thrown off with what she's doing. I'm used to getting stared at but seeing them blatantly doing that in front of me is kinda... err...

She then frowned, "Both of you do look alike," she whispered afterward.

Well duh. Coz we're siblings.

Wouldn't it be weird to not resemble each other?

From where did that question of hers come from anyway? Does she not know? She's supposed to know this after all. The novel hinted that.

She learned about it when she investigated Nathaniel and the rest. And because she saw Nadia– me– in her dream. So... why is she asking if I have a brother?

This and the fact that she's not trying to find a husband when the whole story started because of that, I can't seem to wrap my head around it.

Sus.

Sus indeed.