The Way To Protect The Female Lead’S Older Brother [EN]: Chapter 104

The road to Vertium was quiet.

I was subtly uneasy because of what Orca, the White Beast Master, had said just before leaving Fedelian, but I wondered if it was all for nothing.

Even after passing through Fedelian’s gates and leaving Fedelian’s territory, nothing happened to Vertium’s procession.

So I was able to indulge in my thoughts without being disturbed by anyone.

Even if Orca was interested in me because of the Poison Butterfly, what about Noel?

It wasn’t enough that he had a nosebleed when he saw me on the day of the Harmony Assembly; he even sent his henchman to give me a bouquet of flowers afterwards.

And then he was trying so hard to invite me to Vertium.

As if he was desperate to meet me at any cost.

That was the strange part.

In 〈Flower of the Abyss〉, Roxana Agriche was said to have tried to seduce Sylvia’s men on Lant’s orders, but failed miserably.

But why are they all trying to get involved with me now, even though I’m not doing anything? I couldn’t understand it at all.

Of course, the connection between the characters in the novel and the characters in reality hadn’t been proven.

But in any case, it wasn’t something I welcomed.

Both of them are annoying.

Thinking that, I lowered my gaze from the window.

I had only just left Fedelian, but I already wanted to go back.

I missed Cassis, even though we hadn’t been apart for long.

If he had known my purpose in going to Vertium, he would never have let me go alone.

But this was a matter for me and Agriche. So I couldn’t let him get involved.

Then I should finish my business in Vertium as soon as possible and return.

Before Cassis comes back from Yggdrasil.

I watched the swaying curtains and closed my eyes.

I wished that when I opened my eyes again, I would be in Fedelian with Cassis.

* * *

“We have arrived.”

Finally, we arrived in Vertium.

The moment the carriage door opened, a scent so sweet it stung my nose assaulted my senses.

Next, white petals fluttered in through the open doorway.

When I pushed the door open a little wider, I saw a scene overflowing with flowers, scattering like snow in the air.

All around was a floral paradise, like heaven on earth. An overwhelmingly strong fragrance emanated from the fully bloomed flowers.

I stepped down, treading on the petals that were thinly spread on the ground like a carpet.

I thought that there were big differences in the appearance of each family.

If Agriche felt somewhat gloomy and closed off, Fedelian had a quiet and refined atmosphere.

On the other hand, Vertium had a splendid appearance that was different from Agriche or Fedelian.

“Welcome to Vertium, Miss Roxana.”

“Welcome to your visit.”

As Dante spoke to me first, Vertium’s servants, who had already approached, bowed to me in a row.

The atmosphere of the people was also warm and lively, befitting the scenery of Vertium.

But I frowned slightly as I looked at them.

“You must be tired from the long journey, so please get some rest first.”

“I would like to greet the leader of the Yellow first.”

“A welcome banquet will be held for Miss Roxana in the evening. The leader said that he would formally greet you then.”

Dante continued to speak to me.

“He also said that he would talk about the contents written in the letter at that time.”

I heard those words and decided to step back for now.

When I nodded slightly, Dante gestured to the servants next to him.

“Our maids will guide you to your room.”

“This way, miss.”

“Then please have a pleasant time.”

Dante stepped back, and instead, three women approached me.

Like the others in this place, they all had friendly smiles on their faces.

They were all exceptionally beautiful, and they all gave off a subtle sense of incongruity.

I followed them without saying a word.

* * *

The place they guided me to was a room that made me think, ‘They put a lot of effort into decorating it’ at a glance.

To be more honest, it was so extravagant that I felt like I was going to throw up.

But since I didn’t plan on staying here for long anyway, I didn’t care about the room.

After the servants left, I summoned the butterflies.

I didn’t know how, but Noel Vertium found out that I had left Agriche and was in Fedelian in a fairly short period of time.

So I thought he might know that I was the owner of the Poison Butterfly.

But since the earring wasn’t reacting, it seemed like he hadn’t done anything strange in the room.

I was wearing an earring on my left ear that reduced the effects of magic by a certain amount.

Griselda had sent it to me, saying that it might be necessary if I went to Vertium.

She was someone who had helped me when I was in Agriche.

Griselda’s personality was unique, if not strange, and bizarre, if not bizarre.

The reason she helped bring down Agriche was simply because it seemed fun.

This time, Griselda seemed to be quite interested in the matter with Vertium.

She must be lurking around Vertium right now, following me.

In any case, it was convenient for me.

I secretly sent the Poison Butterflies all over Vertium.

He was so eager to meet me, but he’s only going to show his face at the evening banquet?

I was going to find out what he was trying to do in the meantime.

Also, about the bait he used to lure me here.

Of course, I was going to keep both in mind and be careful, since I wasn’t sure yet whether or not Vertium knew about my Poison Butterflies.

I pulled back the glossy purple curtains a little more and looked out the window.

Outside was still a beautiful landscape that you could believe was a utopia.

But my mood as I looked at it was still cold.

* * *

Noel Vertium was getting dressed up in his room.

He took out almost hundreds of clothes, put them on and took them off, and he was literally urging Dante and the servants who had just returned to Vertium to pick out the outfit that suited him best.

I frowned when I found out something I didn’t really want to know through the Poison Butterfly.

After that, I focused my attention elsewhere.

It seemed like a welcome banquet was in full swing in what appeared to be a banquet hall, as Dante had said earlier.

But all the people there were wearing masks on their faces.

The butterflies that had gone to check other places also showed me the same sight.

Except for the people in Noel Vertium’s room, everyone in the mansion had masks on their faces.

After confirming that, I twisted my lips and smiled.

So, you’re telling me not to try to figure it out easily.

It seemed like enough at this point, so I withdrew the butterflies.

Knock knock.

There was a knock on the door just in time.

“Miss, excuse me. I’m here to help you get ready for the banquet.”

“Come in.”

Soon the door opened, and maids filed into the room.

In their hands were fancy dresses, jewelry, and shoes.

Are you planning to play dolls?

I smiled inwardly and entrusted myself to their hands.

The number of clothes they brought was about the same as what I had seen in Noel Vertium’s room earlier. The number of accessories was even more enormous.

Of course, I had no intention of trying on all of them.

So, in the end, the white dress I had tried on first was immediately chosen.

The servants seemed to have some regrets, but they had no choice but to give up due to my cold attitude.

Perhaps that’s why they seemed to be putting their heart and soul into the accessories.

“Then I will replace the earrings with a pair that matches the necklace.”

“Okay.”

I answered in a monotonous voice to the servant in charge of wearing the accessories.

Soon after, her hand touched my left ear.

At that moment, I frowned and groaned.