Chapter 14

A grand banquet is held to commemorate the marriage of the Third Princess. This banquet, hosted directly by the Imperial Palace, doesn’t last just one day but continues for a full three days. On the final day, the Princess herself attends, toasting to the prosperity of the Empire, thus concluding the festivities.

Outstanding talents of the Empire like Viviana can afford to show up only on the first day without any loss, but for someone like me, the powerless daughter of a baronet, not attending all three days would mean unavoidable disadvantages.

So what could I do?

Even if I’m tired, I have to attend.

“Tina.”

“Lady Bersha!”

Bersha Edelweiss.

The Edelweiss Count Family, having achieved dazzling success in the confectionery business, is widely renowned. Their confectionery shop, ‘Eden’s Apple,’ is so famous that not knowing about it would be considered uncultured. The Edelweiss family enjoys immense popularity among many nobles.

Like Mardian and Sharrione, Bersha also holds a significant position in the social circle. Thanks to becoming close with Bersha, I could eat as many pastries as I wanted until I was stuffed.

Naturally, I ran into her arms and hugged her. Bersha chuckled contentedly, stroking my head, then handed me an elegantly wrapped box.

“These are new pastries we’re launching at our confectionery shop. I prepared them in advance for you, Tina.”

“Really? I’m so happy, thank you, Lady Bersha.”

I thought I should give them to Mother as a snack. She’s always sitting at her desk looking at documents, and I was worried her sugar levels might drop. This is perfect.

Thus, the second night of the banquet passed like any other.

I was sitting on the sofa, basking in Bersha’s affectionate gaze, leisurely passing the time. Thanks to her fame, young ladies naturally gathered around her.

At first, the hot topic was the new menu items at ‘Eden’s Apple.’ Then, light conversations centered around Bersha, and soon, the young ladies started discussing their favorite topic.

“Have you heard about Lady Berdalin? There’s talk that she tried to expand her salt business and failed.”

“Oh my, we won’t have to see her high and mighty attitude anymore, ohoho.”

It was gossip. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the social circle, it’s that women seem to genuinely enjoy badmouthing others. But the surprising thing is, they often end up laughing together with the very people they were gossiping about. The world of women is truly complex and perplexing.

By the way, Berdalin.

That name sounds familiar, but who was it again?

Ah.

‘I remember.’

Rose von Berdalin.

When I first debuted in the social circle, she was the first person I encountered. Clearly, upon hearing that I was a descendant of the Blanchard Baronet Family, she looked at me as if I were a bug.

Back then, I felt an aura I couldn’t approach, but now, after mingling with big shots like Mardian and Sharrione, I don’t feel much about it.

“Just a viscount’s daughter, yet she had such an unnecessary air of superiority. It was so annoying to see her trying to stand tall even in front of Lady Bersha, don’t you think, Lady Bersha?”

Bersha chuckled softly, looking at the young lady who was praising her. Even though she knew it was flattery, she seemed quite pleased.

“Well, she got what she deserved.”

“Exactly. She’s finally living up to her status.”

The sharp, knife-like words mercilessly cut down one young lady. On one hand, it might seem too harsh, but in the social circle, this was everyday life.

The social circle is a brutal battlefield where the weak are eliminated. If you don’t behave properly, you’ll be cut down by words sharper than blades.

‘Huh?’

I felt a tickle on the back of my head and turned to look around. For a moment, I thought it was just my imagination, but upon closer inspection, I noticed a red-haired young lady glancing at us from the corner.

‘…Rose?’

So she attended today’s banquet.

Could she have been listening to our conversation?

Unlike when we first met, Rose looked quite tired. Her face was flushed, and the wine glass in her hand was trembling as if there was an earthquake.

Poor Rose.

It seems she doesn’t have the generous personality to let others’ words slide. I smiled quietly and leaned my head on Bersha’s shoulder. She blushed slightly and gently stroked my head.

“What are you thinking about, smiling so prettily, Tina?”

“Ah, we were talking about Lady Berdalin, and it brought back some old memories.”

“Old memories?”

“Ah, it’s nothing you should worry about, Lady Bersha, hehe…”

As I spoke with an awkward smile, Bersha looked at me with curious eyes, brushing my hair behind my ear.

“If it’s about Tina, I’m curious. Can you tell me?”

“Right, I’m curious too! Please tell us.”

“I’m getting curious as well.”

Spurred by Bersha’s curiosity, the other young ladies also asked me. Under their intense gazes, I hesitated for a while before finally speaking.

“Well… when I first entered the social circle, the first person I met was Lady Berdalin. But at that time, she said some unpleasant things to me…”

“Unpleasant things?”

Bersha’s eyebrow twitched. I lowered my gaze, looking slightly dejected, and muttered softly.

“She said something like, ‘What are you doing here, a daughter of a declining family? It’s pitiful to see you struggling.’ Of course, it was true, so I couldn’t argue, hehe…”

“What, what did you say?”

Bersha’s face, which had been gentle just moments ago, twisted in anger. She glared at Rose in the corner with fiery eyes.

“How dare she, not knowing her place.”

Seeing her look in Rose’s direction at once, it seemed she already knew Rose had been eavesdropping on our conversation. Though somewhat cruel, I didn’t mind much.

“This won’t do. I need to say something.”

“Ah, no. Please don’t get angry, Lady Bersha.”

“How can I not be angry? She insulted Tina! Insulting Tina is the same as insulting us.”

Bersha’s voice, now quite loud, was filled with emotion, as if she was about to rush over to Rose. I quickly wrapped my arm around hers and looked up at her.

“Lady Bersha… I don’t want you to get so upset for my sake. And she’s not someone you should bother with.”

“But Tina.”

At my plea, the other young ladies also chimed in, calming Bersha with pleasant smiles.

“Right, Lady Bersha. She’s not worth your attention.”

“I agree. Really, judging by her character, she’s destined to ruin herself without your intervention.”

“Exactly. She lacks humility. To belittle Tina over status, it’s truly arrogant beyond her station.”

Among those here, is there anyone who doesn’t judge by status? It’s a classic case of double standards. But of course, I didn’t show such thoughts and looked up at Bersha.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

“Huh? You’re going to confront her, Tina?”

“Yes. I’m sure Lady Rose is also concerned about what happened back then. I don’t want any unnecessary fights because of me. I want to go and reassure her that it’s okay.”

“Tina, you don’t need to go through such trouble for that kind of person.”

“I don’t want to cause wrinkles on Lady Bersha’s beautiful forehead because of me. Lady Bersha’s beautiful face should be preserved forever!”

At my lively words, Bersha’s eyes widened, then she smiled and stroked my head. A faint blush appeared on her face, and her anger was no longer visible.

“Tina, really… are you sure you’ll be okay going alone?”

“Of course! I’ll be back soon.”

Encouraged by Bersha’s gentle caress, I got up from my seat. Slowly walking towards Rose, her dull red eyes turned towards me.

Quite a different situation from our first meeting. I smiled brightly and extended my hand to Rose.

“Hello, Lady Rose, we’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“…You.”

Rose looked me up and down, then, with a very crumpled face, clicked her tongue and turned her head away.

“Get lost. Our family isn’t so weak as to need the pity of a declining family’s daughter.”

Of course. If a viscount’s family were to collapse just because one business failed, half the nobles in this world would have disappeared. Moreover, Rose is still from a higher family than mine.

‘Is there no one around?’

It was a secluded corner where even the bustling sounds of the banquet were faint. I smiled faintly and looked at her.

“Pity? I came to receive an apology.”

“…What?”

As if she couldn’t believe my words, she stared at me with a bewildered expression. From her perspective, it must be absurd for a declining baronet’s daughter to demand an apology.

“You insulted my family before. I came to receive an apology for that.”

“Did I do such a thing?”

“Yes. I wanted you to apologize.”

“No, I don’t think I said anything wrong. What do I need to apologize for? You little pet who licks others’ feet?”

“…Ah.”

Her red eyes filled with contempt. Even though her family had suffered a great blow and was shaken, she still held the high pride of a noble.

Yes, that’s right.

Human nature doesn’t change easily.

So I was grateful.

Lately, Mardian has been hitting me painfully, and it’s been annoying.

This seems like a perfect target to vent my frustration.

“Lady Rose.”

I slowly approached her. I wrapped my arm around her thin waist, pulled her close, and hugged her tightly. She was momentarily stunned, trembling in my arms.

“Eek! W-what are you doing!”

“Lady Rose, with nothing but misplaced arrogance. Your voice is unnecessarily loud.”

At my cold sarcasm, Rose’s body froze. She stared at me with wide, trembling eyes.

“W-what did you say?”

“People should act according to their status, but it seems you can’t do that, can you? How pitiful.”

A clear vein appeared on Rose’s beautiful forehead. She must be doubting her ears. A declining baronet’s daughter insulting a viscount’s daughter.

“Y-you, what did you just say-.”

“Don’t frown. Your already ugly face becomes even more unpleasant. At least I’m pretty, but Lady Rose, you’re not even good-looking, are you?”

“Y-you insolent wench!”

Those words were the final spark that broke Rose’s reason. With a flushed face, she pushed me back and raised her right hand.

*Slap-!*

A sharp sound. A stinging pain spread across my cheek as my head turned. Thanks to my fragile body, I felt a slight metallic taste of blood in my mouth.

“Pfft, you’re unnecessarily strong.”

“Y-you, always acting like a harlot, have finally lost your mind! Just wait, I’ll deal with you right now!”

The heavy sound of her shoes approaching. Judging by the rhythm, she was walking quite fast. Keeping the smile on my lips hidden, I let a single tear fall and collapsed to the floor.

“Sniff… I’m sorry, Lady Rose… I just wanted to apologize…”

“What…?”

Rose looked utterly bewildered, about to say something more, but unfortunately, her voice didn’t continue.

*Slap-!*

With the sharp sound of flesh tearing, her cheek burst.

“You wretched wench, how dare you touch our Tina!”

Bersha’s sharp scream echoed through the banquet hall. Rose, clutching her reddened cheek, looked as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Looking at Rose’s expression, I.

I couldn’t help but smile, covering my mouth as a chuckle threatened to escape.

*Snicker-*