Please Support My Revenge - Chapter 27.1

The resonant voice belonged to none other than Jade, the main character of the moment. He had undoubtedly rushed to the academy upon hearing the news of the arrival of the empress’s school papers, and now stood with his arms crossed, casting a piercing gaze at Lobelia.

“Why were you so close to Joachim?” Jade’s inquiry prompted Lobelia to take a step back from Joachim It appeared that their proximity had been due to Joachim offering her support earlier.

As Lobelia moved away from Joachim, Jade discreetly wiped his lips with a smug smirk playing on his face. “Who were you speaking to?” he pressed further.

Lobelia turned her head, clutching the papers in her hand, but the bunny-haired boy she had been conversing with was nowhere to be found.

“What? Were you here just now?” Lobelia scanned her surroundings, perplexed. Jade pointed with his slender finger towards the clearing that led to the corridor on the other side.

Looking up, Lobelia caught a glimpse of the boy’s retreating figure, tightly clutching a book as he hurried away.

“I don’t recognize him,” Joachim replied to Jade’s question with a shake of his head.

“I’m not sure either,” Lobelia chimed in. “But he seemed startled by your sudden arrival, Jade.”

Jade raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. “Hmm, you’re not the type to go around memorizing faces, are you, Joachim? Perhaps just a commoner then.”

Lobelia carefully examined the papers in her possession, hoping for any clues about the boy’s identity. However, the documents were filled with inscrutable formulas and ancient words that were beyond her comprehension, yielding no hints.

“What should I do?” Lobelia pondered, deliberating her next course of action. After much consideration, she decided to hold on to the papers, intending to return them to the boy if they crossed paths again.

Upon reaching the teachers’ office, Bridgenail led them to the drawing room, where the empress’s messenger awaited them. Lobelia recognized the messenger all too well.

“Countess Dora?” Lobelia’s voice betrayed surprise as she locked eyes with the countess.

“It has been a while, Miss Lobelia,” Countess Dora acknowledged her with a nod, though her expression swiftly changed as she caught sight of Joheim and Jade trailing behind.

The rumor about the Duke of Ferado was true, as Lobelia deduced from Countess Dora’s subtle reaction. The countess quickly hid her true emotions behind her fan, as if regretting her slip-up.

“Allow me to introduce the Duke,” Lobelia said, formally acknowledging Jade’s presence. The tension in the room was palpable as the empress’s messenger and the formidable Duke of Ferado stood face to face.

With a change in her demeanor, Countess Dora stood up and greeted Jade with warmth. Her manner was in stark contrast to how she had treated Lobelia earlier.

“I heard that Her Majesty’s school papers were brought with you,” Countess Dora said, her tone softer.

Jade nodded and handed over an envelope, ornately gilded and bearing the royal seal.

When Lobelia opened the envelope, she found a brief letter from the empress appointing her as her court representative, along with a gleaming golden key.

Lobelia looked puzzled. “What is this?” she asked.

“It’s the key to Her Majesty’s personal safe,” Countess Dora explained, her tone meaningful. “It’s now your responsibility to manage.”

Lobelia’s eyes lit up with excitement as she tightly gripped the golden key.

“You can use it to access your allotted budget at the bank, and you have control over Her Majesty’s personal possessions as you see fit,” Countess Dora added, her words loaded with significance.

Countess Dora requested a private conversation with Lobelia, and Jade nodded, taking Joachim out of the drawing room. Once they were alone, Countess Dora got straight to the point.

“I thought you would know about the first mission,” she said, her tone serious.

Lobelia nodded. “The task is to buy the blue diamond and bring it to the empress. I’m aware,” she replied confidently.

“Her Majesty is counting on it,” Countess Dora continued. “If you fail, someone else will be appointed as court representative.”

Lobelia’s determination was unwavering. “You won’t be disappointed,” she assured.

Countess Dora looked surprised. “Miss Lobelia, are you really… an unusual person,” she remarked cryptically.

Not fully understanding Countess Dora’s comment, Lobelia simply looked at her without responding. Countess Dora covered her mouth with her fan and narrowed her eyes.

“When Duke Ferado first announced that he had adopted Ephelentia’s illegitimate daughter as his new lover, I thought it was the end of the world,” Countess Dora confessed.

Lobelia wasn’t surprised. Most of the nobles in the empire would have felt the same way about Duke Ferado’s scandalous choice.

“I was furious when I found out that Elyan Regritina asked for an invitation to my salon party and gave it to you. She thought that the woman who had caught the duke’s eye was crashing my event without fear,” Countess Dora continued, fluttering her fan.

“But Miss Lobelia, you showed up as an uninvited guest and turned my party upside down in a most unexpected manner,” Countess Dora said with a small laugh, relieved at the humiliation of Miss Florin, whose scandal Lobelia had exposed.

The bomb that Lobelia detonated at the party was still a hot topic in social circles. Those who had been caught cheating by her stopped attending events and were shunned.

“I was perplexed again when I asked Her Majesty to convey your words, but eventually, you came back as court representative,” Countess Dora concluded, acknowledging Lobelia’s rise in favor with the empress.