Should I raise you too?

How lively!

If we were in an archipelago, I would pick her up, spin her around, and then let go. But this isn't an archipelago; it's the capital city.

Elisa gave Mabel a gentle hug, following the etiquette of high society.

Mabel released Elisa and greeted Simon and Maria, who bowed in return.

After she finished her fuss, Eleanor stepped down from the carriage and curtsied gracefully: "Good morning, Miss Elisa."

"Good morning, Miss Eleanor," Elisa returned the greeting.

She glanced at Eleanor's chest; beneath her black curly hair, there were curves only slightly larger than her own.

It's not that big! It's not as big as Eve and Maria, and it's even smaller than that kitchen maid who's known for her imposing figure.

Elisa opened "Simon's Log" to see the male servant's evaluation.

Simon is observing the coachman.

Strange, this male servant is actually looking at men!

Elisa looked at the coachman with a puzzled expression, her gaze sweeping over his figure before she tensed up.

That wasn't a coachman, but a woman dressed in men's clothing. Upon closer inspection, the fabric of her clothes was of high quality, something a coachman couldn't afford.

Eleanor noticed Elisa's gaze and introduced her: "This is Ms. Caroline from the military. She has some questions about yesterday's theft at the manor. She was supposed to talk to you alone, but we just happened to run into each other."

Caroline gave a gentlemanly bow: "Miss Elisa's eyesight is admirable; I thought my disguise as a coachman was perfect."

You've disguised yourself perfectly, but my servant's observation skills are far superior!

Elisa greeted Caroline, thinking to herself that the case from last night had indeed been handed over to the military.

Eleanor said it was a coincidence that we met and came together, which is a considerate way of putting it; the etiquette teacher specifically mentioned this to me.

The actual situation is that Eleanor, knowing that the military was coming to investigate, came specifically to show her support and ask the military to be polite to me.

Like Mabel, Eleanor is a good person!

I was so lucky to meet these two kind friends at my very first salon.

This was all thanks to that wretched male servant.

Before the extraordinary item that can disguise their identities arrives, let the male servant play with his "finger bones" to his heart's content.

Elisa greeted them as they entered the mansion and went to the reception room.

After half a cup of black tea, Caroline brought up the attack on the police station. Elisa showed appropriate surprise and brief unease before regaining her composure.

Caroline asked Maria and Simon a few more questions, then finished her work. She had only come as a formality and did not think the manor was suspicious.

After telling two amusing anecdotes to conclude, the female officer rose to take her leave and departed the manor.

Simon and Maria then left the room, giving the space to the young ladies.

Elisa looked at "Simon's Log" and saw the latest information given by the male servant.

Simon discovered that beneath Miss Eleanor's politeness lay arrogance; she looked at others as if they were baboons, among whom Mabel the baboon had gained her favor and was her special pet.

Miss Eleanor believed she had the right to look down on others.

Arrogant? A little, Elisa thought, especially when Mabel and Eleanor were interacting.

Faced with Mabel's rudeness, Eleanor's gaze held a hint of helplessness and a touch of reproach.

I originally thought this was like a strict older sister looking at a naughty younger sister, but it turns out it's like an owner looking at a pet!

Is your relationship a little unhealthy? Is it really the right thing for me to do to get you back together?

Elisa was momentarily distracted, and Mabel called her back to reality.

She looked up, her gaze sweeping over Eleanor, and saw a helpless look in her eyes that held a hint of criticism.

"..."

Why do I look at Mabel so much the way I look at her?

Do I want to be a pet too?!

“Elisa, what do you usually do?” Mabel asked with a distressed expression. “I’ve been grounded recently. I wouldn’t have been able to come out today if it weren’t for Eleanor. It’s so boring at home.”

You deserved to be grounded for running away from home and venturing into the East District last time!

Elisa pondered Mabel's question, but couldn't come up with an answer for the time being.

What do I usually do? Stalk male servants? I can't mention that.

Eve thoughtfully reminded her, "Miss Elisa, you spend most of your time reading the newspaper. The Sel Daily is your favorite newspaper."

"You read the newspaper?" Mabel asked in surprise. "Just like Eleanor! And it's the 'Sel Daily'!"

Miss Eleanor also enjoys reading newspapers?

Wait, Miss Eleanor also likes to read newspapers?!

Elisa panicked.

When people meet someone with similar interests, they all react by chatting with that person for a long time.

If the conversation goes well, it can even trigger a feeling of instant connection, leading to invitations to stay overnight for a long talk.

But I haven't read the newspaper at all! I haven't read a single news article!

The newspaper was just a disguise I used to read "Simon's Diary"!

Oh no! Once Eleanor opens her mouth, my image as someone who loves reading newspapers will crumble. Whether it's the maids or Eleanor, they'll all think I'm pretentious and a vulgar person trying to appear cultured!

My reputation, my reputation...

Elisa glanced at Mabel and Eve, both of whom looked on with anticipation, hoping for a lively conversation between her and Eleanor.

Do not!

It's too late to change the subject now; we can only react to whatever comes our way. The worst outcome would be to expose ourselves directly.

Elisa accepted her fate and waited for Eleanor to expose her, but the drawing room remained silent.

Elisa and Eleanor looked at each other and saw terror in each other's eyes.

Fear turned into doubt, and then into joy.

They suddenly realized!

So you were just pretending to read the newspaper too!

Elisa started by making up a news story about overseas agricultural economies. Eleanor nodded and then fabricated some data. Elisa nodded again, saying that Thirteen Brand concrete was the future. Eleanor shook her head, saying that she was more optimistic about pasta. After a brief debate, they both admitted that concrete paired with pasta was the key to overseas economies.

Eve and Mabel were completely bewildered, yet impressed, and cast admiring glances at them.

After their conversation, Elisa and Eleanor demurely picked up their teacups and took a sip.

Eleanor put down her tea and stood up: "You two chat first, I'm going out for a stroll. The scenery of the manor after the rain must be quite beautiful."

Elisa was about to get up and become the tour guide, but Eleanor shook her head and said with a smile, "I like to wander around alone. Loneliness makes the scenery more beautiful."

Mabel sat down next to Elisa and put her arm around Elisa's shoulder: "Don't worry about Eleanor, she likes to do this. She spent more than an hour wandering around my new manor earlier! Heaven knows why she loves to stroll around so much!"

Eleanor smiled and left, walking out of the house and towards a quiet corner.

She raised her hand, spread her fingers, and a silver chain dangled from between her fingers.

Ha, you two ignorant mortals, how could you possibly know the pleasures of this great man?

I am a distinguished superhuman; I am not wandering around, but treasure hunting!

Let me see how many lost silver and gold coins, and those little trinkets, I can find in this manor.

Well, I'll return the newer ones to Elisa, and take the older ones home and put them in my treasure vault.

Eleanor was overjoyed.

Chapter 28 Thanks to Nature for Its Gifts

The "object-finding ritual" has limitations, which are related to various factors, such as ritual proficiency, spiritual level, environmental compatibility, physical condition, and so on.

The complete ritual for finding objects is quite complicated and difficult to perform in public. Eleanor can only use a simplified ritual, which has an effective range of fifty meters, which is already considered a gift from her.

To save time, Eleanor identified some easy places to find items, such as in front of the house, in the garden pavilion, and at the manor gate. These places are where coins and trinkets are most likely to drop.

She first tried in front of the gate, praying for wealth, but the silver chain hanging between her fingers remained motionless and unresponsive.

No? That's normal. The area in front of the gate is the one that is cleaned the most carefully. If there are no hidden blind spots, the servants will definitely find them.

She moved to the garden, where there were many bushes and grasses. Even the most attentive servant would not be able to find all the dropped items, not to mention that some items might be buried in the soil.

She performed the ritual again, reciting the Hermesian incantation earnestly in her mind.

The silver chain remained unresponsive.

"...?"

Eleanor walked all the way to the manor gate, then back to the front of the house. Her legs were aching from the effort. She had used the ritual five times, but had found nothing.

Is that correct?

Did my ritual fail?