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IBP 97
An arrogant gaze struck Dahlia head-on.
The other young ladies surrounding Chloe also stared at Dahlia.
However, the looks from the other ladies were inexplicably cold.
“Nice to meet you.”
Dahlia decided to act brazenly, as she usually did.
But... as she approached the tea table, she could feel their gazes shifting further into mockery.
‘Could Chloe have told them about what happened at the lakeside?’
But there had been a barrier there. There was no evidence, and Chloe had collapsed as well.
Chloe would have been too overwhelmed just trying to recover herself.
One of the ladies gathered around Chloe spoke, casting a chilly look.
“...Lady Dahlia is truly beautiful, isn't she? It's almost like looking at Madame Delignon from the previous generation.”
“Ah, indeed. Come to think of it, the dress Lady Dahlia is wearing today is also a red dress, much like the ones Madame Delignon enjoyed wearing.”
How famous was Madame Delignon?
The villainess who had blinded the first Emperor and attempted to steal the position of Empress.
Dahlia's face turned pale at the blatant mockery.
‘Could Chloe have revealed the fact that Marquess Amadeus and I are having an affair?’
Becoming unbearably anxious, she rubbed her cold fingertips and narrowed her eyes.
Just then, one of the ladies beside her whispered softly with a subtle smile.
“I heard a rumor that while a lady with a great supernatural ability was locked away in her mansion during a berserk state, someone snatched away her fiancé. Has everyone heard that?”
Chloe didn't even look at Dahlia. She simply observed the situation calmly.
Only the ladies beside her spoke one by one.
“What a fascinating rumor.”
Dahlia muttered, biting her trembling lip.
‘I'm sure there was nothing when I checked for rumors.’
Trembling with anxiety, Dahlia continued.
“...Rumors have no evidence, do they? I truly don't understand why people believe floating rumors.”
“Ah, is that how Lady Dahlia feels?”
“...Since rumors have no evidence or substance, believing and spreading them recklessly is quite unladylike.”
She could simply use her supernatural ability, <Distortion>, to shut these people up.
The thought of hunting them down one by one gave her a headache, but...
‘As long as the rumor doesn't spread too far, I can stop it.’
Just as Dahlia was engaging in a war of words with the other ladies, Chloe smiled brightly and pointed to a newspaper lying carelessly on the table.
“Seeing as every gossip rag is reporting the same story simultaneously, perhaps someone actually has evidence.”
Chloe said only that one sentence to the devastated Dahlia.
Then, she took a sip of blood-red wine and smiled crookedly.
As if announcing that everything was only just beginning.
From now on, Dahlia would be completely consumed by anxiety.
* * *
That night.
I proudly showed my plump belly to my sister, who had just returned from her outing.
I'd been thinking about this all day, and I decided I should let her know too.
“Sister, you know what? Human bellies are really white!”
“Are they?”
I rubbed my belly with a thoughtful expression.
“Yeah, puppy bellies are pink.”
“Our baby's belly is the cutest in the whole world, so it's okay.”
Only after my sister gave my belly a little poke did I feel satisfied.
The bad auditory hallucinations that had been echoing in my ears while I was eating snacks today felt like they were finally shooing away.
My sister hugged me tight and smiled radiantly.
“Our Coco played so well today and ate lots of delicious things.”
But then.
Suddenly, I caught a suspicious scent at the tip of my nose.
‘Sister smells a lot like perfume...’
It was a perfume she didn't usually wear.
I tilted my head and asked her.
“Sister, what did you do for fun today?”
“Hmm? Just... I met a friend. Did Coco play with the ball well today?”
“U-huh...”
It didn't seem like just one friend; it felt like she met quite a few people...
And I get the feeling she's trying to change the direction of the conversation in a very strange way.
Once I thought that, my sparkling brain spun rapidly regarding my sister's affairs.
‘Ah! Sister probably went to a social party.’
As I snuggled into her arms and sniffed, my sister stroked my fur and said,
“Coco, shall we go 'night-night' together tonight?”
While hugged in her arms, I squirmed slightly and then paused.
‘I really do want to sleep next to her, but...’
My sister likes to sleep in a stiff, straight posture in one corner of the bed.
I'm supposed to take up most of her bed, lying horizontally and purring as I sleep!
But since my sister's behavior has been strange lately—meeting Grand Duke Rivera and attending social parties she used to avoid—I had things I needed to investigate secretly on my own.
I spoke maturely.
“No, sister. I'll go sleep by myself today!”
My voice trailed off because I was a little—no, a lot—sad that I couldn't sleep in her arms...
And my heart already felt a little sting.
But it's one step back for two steps forward.
“Instead, I'll definitely sleep with you tomorrow!”
* * *
On the way back to my annex, leaving behind my very disappointed sister.
I secretly contacted my animal friends.
Responding to my call, the Emperor of Mouse and Agent Jack gathered at the annex.
The Emperor of Mouse scolded me as soon as he saw me.
“Do you know how worried I was after hearing it through the animal network! You little pup! Are you trying to give a mouse with a short lifespan a heart attack?”
“...Sorry, Mouse. But don't worry, I'm really happy now!”
At that, the Emperor of Mouse let out a deep sigh and whispered.
“Fine. As long as you're happy, you brat. In the future, if you're going to do something dangerous, tell this Emperor of Mouse in advance.”
“Mm-hmm... Sorry, Mouse. I'll tell you in advance from now on.”
While I was being lectured by the mouse, Agent Jack spoke solemnly.
“However, there is something Lady Coco should know.”
Could it be something about Grand Duke Rivera and my sister?
Already pondering that, I pricked up my ears and looked at them.
But what Agent Jack spoke of was the social party my sister had attended.
“My sister told everyone that Dahlia and Gillen are having an affair?”
“Yeah. Your sister is truly scary. She's eating away at Dahlia's sanity by spreading terrible rumors!”
“Huck, how amazing. I heard Dahlia was the one good at spreading rumors.”
“It's a mental attack. However, if Dahlia acts nonchalant, claiming there is no evidence, and uses her supernatural ability, the rumors might die down...”
“Maybe the game will change? Like, making people feel sorry for Dahlia because she's suffering from rumors.”
After saying something negative, I touched the tail of the mouse who was eating cheese and spun my sparkling brain.
Dahlia Melomande.
The bad person who stood by and watched while I was bullied back when I was a puppy.
“Oh my, look at this dog curling up and having a seizure! Isn't it so funny?”
Thinking about it makes my body tremble a bit...
But to protect my sister, I steadied my shaking body.
“I've got a great idea to help my sister!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Tell Jjek-jjeki that Arre is coming to see him.”
“Pardon? Our <Day-Talk Bird> leader, Lord Jjek-jjeki, is quite a big shot. You were lucky to meet him last time, but he generally doesn't agree to meet easily.”
Arre, the old friend of Jjek-jjeki.
Now I can reveal my identity to Jjek-jjeki. Since my sister recognized me, all the magic seals have been lifted.
“I have something to discuss with Jjek-jjeki. He'll understand if you mention it's about Arre.”
I let my eyes sparkle like a wicked puppy about to shred tissues to pieces.
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