Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 4

“Please, don’t mind us. Do continue,” Via said with a smile.

“If you have business, speak quickly!” Lord Elliot said impatiently.

“Hehe. We heard rumors that Lady Allie wants to be friends with us, but wouldn’t it be awkward if we couldn’t find common ground? So, would you mind sharing what you were discussing? We won’t be a bother.”

“Eh? Our conversation? Well, that is…” Lady Allie became flustered. Was it something she shouldn’t reveal? She doesn’t seem good at improvising.

“Is it a problem? Was wanting to be ‘friends’ with us, a lie perhaps?” Lady Carla said, tilting her head.

“It’s true! But I, my status is beneath yours.”

The shield of “beneath you” – a victim’s plea. Uttering those words without realizing how deeply they trample on someone else’s pride.

Your problem isn’t status, but lack of sincerity.

“Tch, bothering Allie like this. Everyone, let’s go.” Lord Elliot stood up.

Urged by the young lords, Lady Allie also rose. Her movements were awkward. Yet her posture subtly insisted “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

An uncomfortable atmosphere filled the space as gazes came from all directions, and I quietly observed it all.

—Well then, Via. What will you do?

“Please wait.”

A low, clear voice spread through the room. Lady Allie stopped dead in her tracks. Even from my position, I could tell her back had stiffened.

“There’s no need to rush off. Today’s classes are only in the morning and we were just thinking of having tea at our ducal house this afternoon.”

Via stood elegantly by the table, smiling with an unyielding attitude.

“Eh…?”

The baron’s daughter turned around. Her voice clearly contained fear.

“You did say it, didn’t you? That you ‘truly want to be friends.’ Well, this seems like the perfect opportunity.”

That smile. Beautiful. Perfect. But I clearly sensed the intention behind it.

“You enjoy tea as well, don’t you, Lady Allie?”

Via smiled gracefully, yet a pressure that “would not accept refusal” quietly emanated from her.

“If you’d like, Lord Elliot… no, all of you could join us as well?”

Her tone remained perfectly polite. Utterly gentle. Yet the young lords exchanged glances and fell silent in an instant.

—Well played, Via.

I couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. The invitation appeared perfectly sociable on the surface, but in reality, it was pure determination not to let her escape. That elegantly extended hand concealed a trap behind its smile.

Beside me, Laila gave a small, almost imperceptible round of applause.

“How wonderful, Lady Olivia,” she whispered, her voice tinged with something like delight.

“W-well… that is…”

The baron’s daughter, Lady Allie’s lips trembled slightly. Her voice wavered, and she swayed slightly on her feet.

To refuse would be tantamount to saying “My desire for friendship was a lie.” And she would have to expose this truth in broad daylight, here in the salon where dozens of students were watching.

But to accept would mean stepping onto Via’s stage. Entering a place where Via held the reins.

—Well then, which will you choose?

I held my breath and waited for the answer.

Just as the baron’s daughter took a step backward. At that very moment, it wasn’t Via who stopped her movement. It was Via’s fiancé—Lord Elliot, who stood beside Lady Allie.

“Sounds good, doesn’t it, Allie?”

Lady Allie turned around with a start.

“Eh…?”

“You’ve been saying you want to ‘be friends,’ right? Olivia’s offering. You should go.”

His voice held no accusation or condescension. It was straightforward, even somewhat happy. That was its tone.

Lady Allie’s shoulders shook slightly.

“But I’ve been rude. What if Lady Olivia?”

“Anyone can make mistakes.”

Lord Elliot shrugged lightly.

“It’s a good opportunity. Once they see how great you are, things will be easier going forward.”

Lady Allie bit her lip. Her eyes held faint confusion and something like frustration.

“I’m not sending you alone. We’ll all go together. So, don’t worry.”

—They had cut off her escape route. Good move.

“You’ll protect me?”

“Of course. Olivia, Allie likes sweet treats. You’ll have some ready for the tea party, right?”

Via gave a small smile.

“Of course. We have not only sweet treats but also slightly bitter ones prepared. Please find what suits your taste.”

Lord Elliot laughed and gave Allie’s back a light pat.

“See? Allie, let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

Her reply was so quiet it seemed it might disappear.

I quietly exhaled, my expectations growing for the next stage.