It’s Sunny But I’m Depressed Chapter 19

 

Chapter 19: Rain, Tears, and the Desert (4)

 

“Lady Ilena.”

 

The soft voice belonged to Andre.

 

“Yes, come in.”

 

Another walk, perhaps. Andre insisted on dragging Ilena out for a walk at least once a day, even when she preferred to stay in bed. Andre entered with his usual mischievous smile.

 

‘Doesn’t seem like a walk this time.’

 

Ilena thought as she noticed the clothes bundled in his arms. Reading her expression, Andre spoke up.

 

“Lady Ilena! You’ve received an invitation to a tea party today!”

 

“A tea party?”

 

Ilena asked, puzzled. She knew no one in this palace, so who could it be?

 

“Yes! The location is the Crystal Pavilion, and let’s see, the host is… Lady Tris.”

 

Andre checked the letter in his hand. Ilena rose from the bed and asked, “I’ve never heard of her. Do you know her, Andre?”

 

“Of course. She’s the wife of Elder Tris, one of the Twelve Elders.”

 

Andre skillfully seated Ilena in front of the vanity and began to help her dress.

 

“She’s also a relative on Lord Otter’s mother’s side. Perhaps His Majesty thought you might be lonely and arranged this for you.”

 

‘The Black King, looking out for me?’

 

In the past, she would have scoffed at the idea, but now it seemed possible. And being related to that bespectacled minister…

 

“Has Lady Tris known His Majesty since he was a child?”

 

“Hmm, most likely. Ah, since you’ll be going outside the pavilion today, I’ll put some lip rouge in this clutch for you.”

 

Andre was indeed meticulous. Ilena smiled as she watched him place the rouge in a small silk clutch. At first, she thought it would be bothersome to have tea with strangers.

 

‘But it might be interesting.’

 

She decided to attend the tea party and try to uncover some stories about the Black King’s childhood.

 

***

 

The Crystal Pavilion was far enough that they needed to travel by carriage. Ilena looked out the window at the vast expanse and clicked her tongue.

 

‘So all this is palace grounds? It’s as ridiculously large as its owner.’

 

Even the northern palace wasn’t this grand. The palace of Rihu boasted endless opulent pavilions, gardens nestled in between, a massive opera house, and even a deer hunting ground.

 

“Rihu is an ancient royal family that once ruled the entire island. You can’t compare it to the north. Hoho.”

 

Andre, the palace’s social butterfly, boasted to the wide-eyed Ilena. After a while, they finally arrived at their destination. Once they disembarked, Andre led Ilena to the reception room of the Crystal Pavilion. As if expecting them, the door to the reception room was wide open.

 

As they approached, Andre whispered, puzzled.

 

“Hmm? Something seems off.”

 

His voice was low enough for only Ilena to hear.

 

“What is it?”

 

She asked, and Andre murmured in confusion.

 

“I don’t recognize any of the faces among the guests.”

 

“Really?”

 

Ilena glanced into the reception room through the door. There were about a dozen women. Dressed in luxurious clothes and jewelry, they all seemed to be royalty or nobility at a glance.

 

“Then Lady Tris hasn’t arrived yet. As for the others… well, even you can’t know everyone in the palace, right?”

 

The palace was vast, boasting a hunting ground. Surely, the number of people residing here was immense.

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

Andre continued to tilt his head in confusion.

 

“Welcome, Lady Priestess.”

 

“Thank you for joining us.”

 

Before Andre could say more, they reached the reception room. The women inside greeted them. Andre tactfully stepped back behind Ilena.

 

“Hello, I came at Lady Tris’s invitation.”

 

Ilena greeted them gracefully, bowing her head, but received no response. The women in the reception room continued their chatter without acknowledging her greeting.

 

“Lady Tris will be a bit late!”

 

“Yes, so let’s have tea among ourselves first!”

 

‘The host is late?’

 

It was indeed a bit strange, as Andre had mentioned.

 

“…Alright.”

 

Ilena hid her suspicion and smiled. After all, they were just women, and based on past experiences, it didn’t seem like they intended any real harm.

 

‘Let’s see what they’re up to first.’

 

“Oh my, you’re even more beautiful when you smile.”

 

“Indeed! Your hair color is so unique! Oh dear, where are my manners! Please, have a seat, Lady Priestess!”

 

The women, with a certain bustling energy, guided her to the table. They introduced themselves as maids serving Lady Tris.

 

“I see, you’re Lady Tris’s maids…”

 

Ilena observed them with eyes that were hard to read. Their strangely calm demeanor made them seem as if they were making excuses.

 

“Yes, indeed. We serve the Lady.”

 

They poured tea into Ilena’s empty cup.

 

‘Hmm. But their handling of the teaware…?’

 

According to Andre, Lady Tris was undoubtedly a high-ranking noble. Her maids should have been well-trained in basic manners, yet their handling of the fine china and tea was clumsy. The Western table manners of using knives and forks were not much different from what Ilena had learned before her transmigration, so she could accurately assess this.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Ilena leisurely observed them, continuing her thoughts.

 

‘Yet their hands are unblemished, untouched by labor. What is this subtle sense of incongruity?’

 

Their hands were not those of someone who had ever done farm work or menial tasks. In this place, such hands were rare unless one was a noble. Ilena pondered, sipping her tea calmly. It was then that one of the women sitting across from her suddenly addressed Andre, who was standing back.

 

“Hey, what’s your name?”

 

Her tone was incredibly rude. Surprised, Andre blinked and replied, “Ah, I’m Andre. I personally attend to Lady Ilena.”

 

“I see. Well, you see, I accidentally left my handkerchief in the carriage.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Andre asked, bewildered. It was extremely rude to order around someone else’s personal attendant. Whether she knew this or not, the woman brazenly demanded.

 

“Could you fetch my handkerchief? It’s pink.”

 

Her tone was shamelessly bold.

 

“Well… it’s just that…”

 

He looked at Ilena as if seeking permission, his expression a mix of slight annoyance and concern about leaving her alone.

 

‘Hmm… Let’s see what they’re planning. What harm could there be?’

 

And she still had her powerful weapon, “Thunder Boom.”

 

“Sorry, Andre, could you please fetch the lady’s handkerchief?”

 

With Ilena’s permission, Andre finally bowed his head and left the room.

 

“Hoho, thank you, Lady Priestess. Oh, why is this room so hot? I keep sweating.”

 

The woman awkwardly pretended to wipe her smooth face with her hand.

 

‘The room isn’t hot at all.’

 

Ilena was growing more suspicious. Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the reception room door. The maids, as if expecting it, answered quickly without asking who it was.

 

“Yes, come in.”

 

The door swung open immediately. Two armed soldiers entered, followed by the bespectacled minister.

 

“Oh my, Lord Otter. We’re in the middle of a tea party. What brings you here?”

 

One of the women asked sweetly. He adjusted his monocle and replied formally.

 

“We’re here for a brief inspection.”

 

“Inspection?”

 

The women asked in an exaggerated theatrical tone. The soldiers, who had been scanning the room with stern faces, spoke up.

 

“A precious sapphire necklace from the royal treasury has gone missing, and we’re investigating.”

 

“We ask for your cooperation in the investigation.”

 

“Oh my! A thief!”

 

“How terrifying! What is happening!”

 

The women made a show of panic. One even grabbed Ilena’s arm and shook it.

 

“Oh my! A thief! Isn’t it terrifying?”

 

Ilena, who had been sitting calmly, spoke quietly.

 

“…Well, it doesn’t make any sense.”

 

The room fell silent as if doused with cold water.

 

“Yes, Lady Priestess? What doesn’t make sense?”

 

One of the soldiers asked belatedly. Ilena smiled and replied.

 

“What does the missing necklace have to do with investigating this place?”

 

“Well, that’s…”

 

Ilena didn’t miss the soldier’s eyes flicking towards Otter in confusion. She knew exactly what they were up to.

 

‘A new plan to make me cry, is it?’

 

Ilena continued in a calm tone.

 

“I asked why you’re investigating this pavilion in this vast palace. Especially with soldiers.”

 

“Well… there was a, a testimony.”

 

“A testimony? From whom?”

 

“I’m afraid we can’t disclose that. We promised to protect the witness’s identity.”

 

“Of course. That makes sense.”

 

Ilena nodded, and the soldier seemed relieved, his shoulders relaxing.

 

“Then, we’ll proceed with the search…”

 

“But.”

 

Ilena interjected.

 

“Yes?”

 

“How did you know I was the priestess?”

 

“Ah.”

 

The bespectacled minister behind the soldiers bit his lip.

 

“No one mentioned I was the priestess. How did you know to call me that upon seeing me?”

 

Ilena pressed, her eyes sharp.

 

“Almost as if you’d been told in advance about my blue hair?”