“Brother Michael, don't worry.”
Beatrice smiled like a picture and replied in a dignified ladylike tone.
"Irel is my long-time best friend. I really appreciate her."
This is not a lie. Beatrice is inherently selfish and only thinks about herself, but having said that, she still moderately loves Irel Elorance. However, her standards are a little different from others.
But Michael had no idea how special it was. Of course, he couldn't even understand the feelings that Beatrice had for him.
"Thank you. Luckily for Irel, she has a friend like you."
Michael smiled, taking Beatrice's words literally. In those blue eyes, the responsibility of a man who knows how to love and protect his family is clearly visible.
Ah, if only I could somehow enter his protective circle.
Beatrice earnestly longed and pleaded. Because of this, she once hinted at asking Irel to build a bridge. However, even this weak girl values her family and shows her refusal in a rare way.
‘Sorry, Beatrice. I don't want to interfere in his love life. Even if it's a family member, that's... not advisable.'
Maybe since then. She doesn't hate Irel, but sometimes she wants to tease and torment her.
‘Even selected as Receiver!’
On the surface she appeared sympathetic, but even that made her jealous. Because now, all the Masaka in the kingdom will compete for Irel.
Beatrice, who didn't know Irel's situation, thought it was too simple. Anyway, the Receivers sold to Masaka were all poor, humble, or abandoned by their families.
But Irel Elorance is the noble lady of an Earl. Her family was extremely protective of this sick youngest daughter. Therefore, no matter how valuable a Receiver Irel is, they will absolutely not hand her over to Masaka.
‘Even if it costs them their lives, they will protect her to the end.’
It was this point that made Beatrice feel unbearably jealous. Her situation and Irel's are similar, but why is the family's treatment so different? Maybe that's why? Completely different from the original intention, words as sharp as thorns kept coming out.
"Receiver, that's terrible! I know the Masaka race well, Rel. They don't even consider Receiver as a human anymore!! You are already weak-hearted, how much will you have to endure in the future?"
If she was this scared, she would probably start crying and whining. Beatrice looked expectantly into Irel's pale blue eyes. A beautiful color that she sometimes secretly envies.
But Irel only blinked a few times, did not cry but calmly replied:
“…I'm okay?”
“What?”
"I didn't expect that I was a Receiver. I'm a bit confused, but anyway, I'm fine. Thank you for worrying."
Beatrice received the unexpected thanks and suddenly became bewildered. This was not something a weak Irel could say. Clearly this stupid girl has been pampered since childhood to the point of losing her sanity in front of reality.
"What's okay, what's okay?! You're screwed, Rel. Still don't realize it?"
Beatrice frowned and questioned strongly. Her purple eyes glowed like fire.
"No man will dare to engage you, but even if there is, will the Masakas leave it alone? They will take you at all costs and suck it up, treating you as a nutritious dish!"
“Don't say that, Beatrice.”
Even though she strongly asserted like that, Irel's face looking at her still did not waver. She spoke decisively, as if she had become a different person.
"Receiver is a useful existence that can support the glorious Masaka. I'm glad that I can contribute a little to this kingdom, and beyond, to the safety of humanity."
…What the hell is this girl talking about? At this point, Beatrice really wondered if Irel's mind had short-circuited.
Of course, what Irel just said is theoretically correct. But the problem is, like most theories, it's a bit out of touch with reality.
If considered according to that logic, mining slavery is also a glorious job contributing to national industry. But in reality, no one thinks like that.
‘She must have lost her mind.’
However, unlike Beatrice's thoughts, Irel was more alert than ever. Sitting outside on the balcony, she could see everything Beatrice couldn't see. For example, the pink-haired man just appeared in the mansion garden right now.
‘A subordinate of Varkan.’
It was Chellos, the one who brought the float last time. His special colored hair made Irel recognize him immediately.
She didn't know how he got into the garden. With her family's overprotective personality, Varkan's subordinates should not have been able to set foot in the mansion.
But Chellos noticed her gaze and even bowed leisurely. The moment he saw this, Irel understood.
Varkan Ha Marsh. He is monitoring her every move.
As long as he wants, he can know everything Irel is doing. Therefore, speaking ill of Masaka at all is a stupid act. Especially when thinking about the cruelty that lurks behind his smiling face.
"Hmm, forget it. What else can I say to you!"
Beatrice, who was unaware of this, was upset at Irel's unsatisfactory reaction. She pushed away the half-empty cup of tea, stood up and cried out.
"That's enough tea. Let's go out!"
Even though Michael warned 'don't go out because there's Keytan in the busy neighborhood', Beatrice didn't mind at all. She firmly believed that a filthy monster like Keytan would not be able to lay even a single finger on her. Of course, she also has her own support.
“Going out, where are you going?”
Irel frowned. Beatrice's offer to go out was beyond her expectations. But once she made up her mind, Beatrice insisted.
"You promised me last time! You'll come with me to Lady Dequi's newly opened hat shop."
No, I never promised anything. Even though Irel did not hear information about Keytan appearing in the busy neighborhood, she still did not want to go out. It was unpleasant to appear in front of Varkan's subordinates, who were loitering outside.
"Next time, Beatrice. I'm a bit tired today."
“…What's wrong with this girl?”
However, Beatrice did not intend to let her go easily. Looking at Irel standing motionless like a stone statue, her aggressiveness increased even more.
"You've been counting the days of waiting for weeks now! You said you've already made reservations. Why don't you suddenly want to?"
By this time, there was clear doubt in Beatrice's eyes. She was confident that she understood Irel Elorance well, but what she had shown up until now was extremely strange.
Normally, when Beatrice insisted, the Irel she knew would reluctantly follow with an awkward expression. But today, Irel acted like a completely different person, causing Beatrice's patience to reach its limit.
"Irel Elorance. You know you're acting very strangely? You don't call me by my first name anymore, and you're also indifferent to Lady Dequi's hats that you really like. What's going on?"
At this point, Irel couldn't stand it anymore. Being exposed to Varkan's sight was unpleasant, but it was more urgent to dispel Beatrice's suspicions. If this close friend begins to suspect, it will be extremely difficult.
‘I must not reveal that I am not Irel.’
Irel stood up before Beatrice could agitate herself further. She pretended to close her eyes weakly and lamented.
"Then let's go quickly and go home. I, I'm a little chilled, I don't want to stay out too long."
“Of course. Don't worry.”
Beatrice finally got what she wanted, smiling gracefully as if she had never been so insistent. Then, she took Irel's arm and quickly boarded her carriage.
During the whole journey being dragged by her, Irel was always vigilantly observing his surroundings. But Varkan's subordinates were gone, not revealing even a single strand of pink hair. Thanks to that, everything remained peaceful until they left the mansion by carriage.
“Phew.”
Irel unconsciously took a deep breath. As the fresh mountain air filtered through the carriage window, she felt a strange sense of relief in her chest.
At this point, Irel realized that he was quite constrained. Although the house is safe, her family tends to overprotect her. Being in their sight for 24 hours is quite tiring.
"See. You feel happier when you go out, right?"
Beatrice glanced at Irel's face, which looked brighter, and scoffed. But even those words didn't make her uncomfortable, for the first time Irel smiled.
"Yes. It was fun."
Beatrice looked intently at Irel's smiling face. Her eyes were like those of a cat, it was completely impossible to tell what she was thinking.