Please Support My Revenge - Chapter 28.1

Lobelia had work to do before she could focus on her business – she had to cure Jade’s curse. As she checked the empress’ letter and headed down to the restaurant for dinner, Jade was waiting for her with a request.

“I want you to treat me.”

Lobelia paused her meal of thin slices of fish marinated in lime juice and served cold, raising her head. She reminded Jade of his promise to undergo treatment only after completing the Blue Diamond job.

“That’s right,” Jade acknowledged, before quickly adding, “but tonight.”

As Lobelia put down her silver fork, Jade joined his hands and faced her with a serious expression.

“Do I have to proceed without ceremony like last time?”

Jade’s dissatisfaction was palpable, and Lobelia shrugged in response.

“I can’t help it until that part.”

Unhappy with Lobelia’s lack of concern for his comfort, Jade glared at the plate of food in front of him. Lobelia fiddled with the handle of her fork, deep in thought.

She didn’t really care how Jade felt in the process of curing his curse, but there was something bothering her. Someone at the Opera House had ordered a new cake, and the thought of those dainty-sized cakes, glistening with frosting and colorful with fruit, made Lobelia uneasy.

Despite her rejection of the cake, the scales were still tipped in someone else’s favor. She couldn’t forget the comfortable conversation she had with Jade, the moment they watched the performance from the box seat, and his sweet consideration that made her feel special.

Lobelia realized that a little hint to level the slightly tilted scales might be all right.

“But if you focus your mind with the trick of lucid dreaming, maybe I can regain consciousness in a dream.”

Lobelia finally confided some helpful information to Jade.

“A trick for lucid dreaming? Is there such a thing?”

Seemingly tempted, Jade raised his head and faced her.

“You just need to set the signal.”

“Signal?”

“By performing certain actions in a dream, you become aware that you are in a dream. For example, ‘Isn’t this a dream?’ When I have the slightest doubt, I put my fingers back or check my watch.”

Lobelia pretended to elongate the index finger of her left hand.

“If your fingers are elongated to an unusually long length or if the time indicated by the clock is strange, that is proof that you are dreaming.”

Jade agreed but suggested that checking a pocket watch would be better, as he always carried one with him. He pulled out a silver-white pocket watch from inside his bosom, a testament to his preference for the finest things. It was worn out to the point where minor flaws could be seen on its surface, but it seemed like something with a story.

“Then get into the habit of looking at your watch often. Then it will be easier to check the watch in your dreams.”

Jade wondered if the effect would show up today since he had to make a habit of it, to which Lobelia replied, “I guess. It is difficult to have lucid dreams today.”

Disappointed, Jade finished his meal and asked Lobelia for an escort as he headed up to the study. She obliged, telling the servants that she would be back later that night.

As Lobelia left the mansion for a walk in the garden, the butler, Harold, questioned her sharply.

“Where are you going?”

“I want to go for a walk. I’m just going to wander around the garden, can’t I?”

The Herald’s countenance twisted at Lobelia’s audacious line of questioning. He despised how she sauntered through the halls of the mansion with nary a care, but he could perceive her distress and lacked a legitimate reason to halt her.

“Please take your leave,” he managed to say through gritted teeth.

Lobelia did not dawdle, whisking herself out into the resplendent garden of the Duke of Ferado. The twilight sky imbued the garden with an ethereal quality, and Lobelia meandered at a leisurely pace, relishing the tranquility that the night had to offer.

The frigid breeze was a welcome relief against her skin. When she reached a gazebo tucked away in a corner, Lobelia was surprised to find a cluster of maids occupying the space. They were huddled together, chattering animatedly among themselves.

Initially, Lobelia surmised that the topic of their gossip was centered on the inhabitants of the Duke’s estate. Those who received a salary were markedly more reserved compared to those who were employed for life, and while they adhered to strict protocols regarding the affairs of the Duke, they were more than happy to natter amongst themselves.

“Have you heard the tale of the woman named Lobelia?” one of the maids asked, the pitch of her voice rising in excitement.

“What about her?”

The group’s attention was focused on Lobelia, and they seemed to relish the opportunity to scrutinize her.

“The Duke is searching for her again tonight,” another maid divulged. “He must be truly smitten.”

“Smitten? More like consumed by carnal desire,” a third maid scoffed.

“Indeed, it’s preposterous to think that she could return his affections,” a fourth chimed in.

Lobelia carried on with her stride, unbothered by the scandalous discourse that unfolded before her. Eventually, she drew closer to the group, and the maids’ composure faltered when they finally realized her presence.

“Miss Lobelia!” they exclaimed in unison.

Lobelia halted her advance and leveled a withering stare at the cowering maids. One of them mustered up the courage to speak.

“I-I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to-”