Chapter 96

Chapter 25. Misfortune Comes Without Warning

“Ohohoho. You’re studying so diligently again today, Lady Artie!”

“Thank you, Madam Lucy.”

“Ohohoho!”

Huh? I tilted my head at a sudden sense of incongruity.

Somehow, Madam Lucy’s laughter today sounded different from usual. It felt somehow more sensitive and sharp, perhaps.

“Madam Lucy. Is something the matter?”

“Oh my, how did you know?”

Madam Lucy was startled, and so was I.

Perhaps because I had been with Madam Lucy for so long, I had developed the ability to sense her mood even from her laughter.

“Why are you surprised, Lady Artie?”

“Because I really didn’t expect it. But what’s the matter?”

“Sigh. Well, you see, I manage all the invitations and letters that come to Lady Artie, don’t I?”

Madam Lucy set a single invitation before me. A pattern of snakes and roses—I had seen it somewhere before.

“It’s the crest of the…