Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 18

Invited to Laila’s home, I listened to her story while leisurely drinking tea by the sunlit window in the salon.

“Marvelous, Laila.”

Clapping wasn’t enough. I unintentionally stood up. A standing ovation. I couldn’t contain my excitement.

Laila smiled. Like an actress responding to a theater curtain call, she even gave me the gesture of tilting her head slightly and bowing gracefully.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lady Felicia.”

“But still, ‘eloping.’ I’d heard you left home, but I never imagined it would be like that.”

As I sat back down in my chair, Via’s voice sounded exasperated. While gently tilting her teacup, she looked at Laila.

“Hehe, Lady Olivia, no one openly declares they’re eloping, you know.”

She’s right.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Laila’s words. What she said was correct, but there was something theatrical about it that made it amusing.

“I was also surprised that your partner was Oscar.”

I glanced at him over my cup.

He stood modestly beside Laila like a shadow. His serving hand showed no hesitation, every movement devoid of waste. Even the sound of the pouring tea was refined, like the performance of an instrument.

“Oscar came to the marquis house as a trainee butler when he was young. He’s three years older, so he’s already graduated from the academy, but he’s excellent.”

I know. If I recall correctly, he should have been top of his class.

The student rumored to have the finest talent at the academy. That’s why everyone was astonished when they heard he would become Laila’s personal butler. He could have chosen any future he wanted.

“He was my only ally in that house. He told me, ‘I’ll make you happy, so please come with me.’ Though we’d become commoners and wouldn’t be able to see any of you anymore, we planned to start a merchant company together, so I thought we might ask for your patronage.”

Hehe, really, how shrewd of her.

But that was typical of Laila. While listening to her story, I gently returned my teacup to the saucer.

“So, where were you planning to elope to?”

“Elmville Street.”

“…Not the royal capital?”

Via muttered in disbelief.

Right? When I think of eloping, I imagine something more romantic, like fleeing to the frontier or abroad, holding hands while gazing at the stars.

But Laila declared it as if it were obvious, bringing her tea to her lips.

“Who decided that eloping means going to the countryside or abroad? I was born and raised in the royal capital. To abandon the convenient royal capital for their sake and live an inconvenient life. I absolutely refuse.”

Sound reasoning. As correct as a passage from a textbook, and brutally practical. And she declares it with a smile.

“Well, I suppose if there’s no connection, there’s no way they’d find you?”

“If I can have the title, the merchant company, and the employees exactly as they are without interference from those people, nothing could be better. Though my assets decreased, things have mostly gone as I hoped, so I’m glad.”

That core strength and drive were unimaginable from Laila’s gentle demeanor and the delicate fingertips holding her cup. Marvelous.

“Are you fine with that, Oscar?”

That question naturally slipped out.

I wanted to confirm just a little with him, given his overly quiet and composed presence. Whether he truly had the resolve to walk the path Laila had chosen.

Oscar nodded without a moment’s hesitation.

“Yes. No matter what path the young lady chooses, I am always prepared to demonstrate abilities worthy of it.”

His voice held no exaggeration or performance.

He simply stated the facts matter-of-factly. But with those words, the depth of his resolve and loyalty came through clearly. Really, it’s no wonder Laila chose him. Too perfect, leaving no openings. This butler seems like he stepped right out of a novel.

After taking a sip of tea, Laila smiled a little proudly. But it didn’t come across as arrogant because it was proof that she was genuinely satisfied.

“But, supporting your family in the territory… why?”

At a quiet moment, Via inserted a question.

Laila responded naturally, as if she had been prepared for it.

“Even if I call it support, it’s only enough for them to barely get by in the village. If I release them into the city with nothing, and they become mired in debt or turn to crime, it would be a nuisance. Since I’m inheriting the title, that is.”

Her voice held no emotion. She spoke only logically and dispassionately.

“If Lilith had inherited the house, I don’t think our marquis house would have lasted long. Either way, everyone would have become commoners.”

Those were the words that naturally spilled from Laila’s lips. Indeed, if Lilith had inherited the house—the family name, the employees, everything would have been tossed about in no time.

Surely the only role that suited her was shining brightly on stage.

“Well, next is Lady Felicia, isn’t it?”

At Laila’s voice, I caught my breath for a moment. It felt like a spotlight had been turned on me.

“Feli, are you really okay? I’m a little worried.”

Via gently took my hand from beside me. Her soft, slightly cool fingertips conveyed a gradual warmth. So worrisome.

“I’m fine. Hearing Laila’s story was good stimulation. Look.”

Quietly, I took out the prepared booklet and placed it on the table. The white cover had letters engraved on it. Though I’m the one saying it, the appearance turned out quite lovely.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a collection of lines from ‘villainess noble ladies’ in various novels. I’ve categorized them by situation to make them easy to use.”

Flipping through the pages, it listed what lines to use in which scenes for maximum effect, like a catalog. Anger, jealousy, sarcasm, mockery. I even added labels for each emotion. It’s a serious piece of work, if I do say so myself.

“Amazing!!”

Laila’s eyes went wide. Like a child who found a jewel.

“What a waste of Feli’s abilities.”

Via sighed with a mix of exasperation.

“But, Lady Felicia, it’s wonderful, but it’s meaningless if you can’t use this instantly. For example, if the spirit princess wore a dress in the crown prince’s colors, what would you say?”

I picked up my teacup, brought it elegantly to my lips, and smiled. I responded without a moment’s pause.

“‘Did you choose that yourself? I admire your courage.'”

How’s that?

“That sounds about right. Next, then. A word to the spirit princess who gets too close to the crown prince.”

Quietly, but with a firm voice, I wove the line.

“‘Don’t misunderstand. His Highness is kind, so he smiles the same way at everyone.'”

“Feli, you’re surprisingly good at this.”

Via said cheerfully. Setting down my cup, I gave a small smile.

“Right? In my case, as someone who will become the crown princess, I mustn’t lose dignity while taking on the tough role of being the ‘heroine’s’ villainess. But I’ll perform it splendidly.”