Chapter 14

The Bigger Picture, and Admiration

“Your Grace seems rather sensitive today. This is merely a gathering for socializing.”

Marshall decided to portray Essika as a woman who was incapable of reading the atmosphere.

But Essika did not react the way Marshall expected.

“Although this is a social gathering, shouldn’t we still observe basic courtesy toward one another?”

At those words, someone dropped a spoon.

The previously cheerful tea party was enveloped in a cold, heavy silence.

Marshall gritted her teeth but forced a smile.

“There is a distinction between rudeness and a simple mistake. Countess Palmania merely made an honest mistake. You’re making the atmosphere unnecessarily heavy. Perhaps the Duchess… isn’t very accustomed to social gatherings because she hasn’t participated much in high society.”

Her tone was clearly meant to expose Essika’s shortcomings and exclude her.

At this point, Marshall thought Essika would finally back down.

In fact, the Essika she knew shouldn’t even have dared to contradict Volan earlier.

But the situation proceeded in a way she had never anticipated.

“I’m sorry if I disrupted the atmosphere of the party.”

A clean, straightforward apology immediately followed.

“In the etiquette I was taught by the two countesses, I was told that when hosting a party, the wives of nobles with the highest ranks should be seated in the places of honor first…”

Cold sweat trickled down Volan’s back.

“…I suppose I was already displeased when I was shown to my seat because I wondered whether House Klaus was being disregarded, and my emotions got the better of me.”

Marshall’s hand trembled.

There was nothing wrong with Essika’s words.

The seat Essika currently occupied was between a baron’s wife and a viscount’s wife.

It was nowhere near the seat of honor, and if Leona had attended, she would have been sitting in the place where Marshall was now seated.

Even if Essika was young, she was the Duchess of Klaus.

According to proper etiquette, Marshall had just committed a serious breach of manners.

And it was only natural for the Duchess to point it out.

After all, what Marshall had done was tantamount to disrespecting the ducal family.

“I’m not sure whether I was taught incorrectly by the two countesses, or whether the countess herself has committed a serious breach of etiquette.”

Essika gave a faint, cold smile.

Whichever possibility Marshall acknowledged, she would only be making herself look foolish.

Damn it… That wretched woman… What the hell is she saying?

Of course, even if Essika were made to sit on the floor, House Klaus probably wouldn’t bother protesting.

But every word Essika spoke was perfectly in accordance with etiquette, leaving Marshall unable to openly refute her.

“You said there is a distinction between rudeness and a mistake, didn’t you? Which of the two would you say your actions were?”

The noblewomen who weren’t particularly familiar with the circumstances within House Klaus began whispering among themselves.

Quite a few girls were being taught etiquette by the two countesses.

Some of the noblewomen present were even their mothers.

Marshall couldn’t exactly explain to those women that Essika was insignificant and therefore had no right to speak this way.

Her insides burned with frustration.

“I was thoughtless. I sincerely apologize, Your Grace, for the discourtesy I committed today.”

In the end, even Marshall had no choice but to bow her head to Essika.

Essika calmly drank her tea while looking at the crown of the party hostess’s head as Marshall apologized to her.

The tea, infused with the fragrance of apples, was quite pleasant.

Marshall and Volan complained of headaches and dizziness during the party, excused themselves, and left early.

Apparently, the atmosphere had become far too uncomfortable for them.

“Is there perhaps a maid named Heremia working here?”

After the tea party ended, Essika remained seated until the very end, leisurely sipping her tea. Then she asked a maid who was clearing the table.

The freckled maid’s hand twitched, and she shook her head.

“There is no maid by that name, Your Grace.”

The most important reason Essika had wanted to attend this tea party was to meet her.

Because that woman would eventually become one of Essika’s most powerful advantages.

In the original story, every tragedy began with a nightmarish civil war twenty years ago.

Every member of the Imperial Family except the Emperor and Lesvan was captured and dragged to the executioner’s block.

But there was one more survivor among the Imperial Princesses.

Her name was Astia Lucene.

She was seven years younger than Lesvan, and her wet nurse had somehow managed to smuggle her away and save her life.

Astia grew up in a rural village without knowing that she was a princess, living like a rough-and-tumble farm boy. She eventually learned the truth when she was around fifteen.

Her new name became Heremia, and around the age of twenty, she began working as a maid in the household of Count Volan.

“…Hmm.”

Now was the time to make her move.

Essika was looking farther ahead.

She was already envisioning the bigger picture.

As she watched the maid busily clear the table, Essika moved her lips.

“The eastern border is poorly guarded, and if you travel about three days beyond the border, you’ll find the Maroun Plains.”

“…”

The maid’s hands stopped as she was clearing the dishes.

“It is a good place for newlyweds to establish a home. The reason I’m recommending the Maroun Plains is because a relative of House Brigitte runs a livestock farm there. If you have a letter of recommendation from me, you should be able to find a suitable house and employment.”

At Essika’s words, the maid slowly turned toward her.

Then she asked in a trembling voice,

“Why… are you telling me this?”

Essika did not answer.

She merely conveyed the answer with her eyes.

Because you are Princess Astia.

In the original story, Astia was neither a major character nor the center of any significant episode.

Essika simply assumed that her life within the Imperial Palace had not been peaceful.

Her biological brother, Lesvan, was constantly wandering across battlefields, while her half-brother, Brayton, was a thoroughly unpleasant person.

And the Empress…

That was a story for another time.

“…”

The maid’s eyes trembled as she stared at Essika.

Essika, who had read the original story, knew that Astia did not want to return to the Imperial Palace.

Perhaps the reason was the Allet ring on her fourth finger.

“Love is bound to change eventually. No matter how sweetly a man whispers his promises, he cannot stop the passage of time. If you give up a splendid and comfortable life in the Imperial Palace and choose him instead, you may regret it until the day you grow old and die.”

Then Essika popped the last cherry remaining on the plate into her mouth.

Astia asked Essika,

“Is that… based on your own experience, Your Grace?”

Instead of answering, Essika smiled faintly.

“Who knows? I’m merely giving you a warning. I can’t judge whether that man is truly worth it.”

“He is.”

Astia’s brown eyes shimmered.

They were the eyes of a woman in love.

“He’s worth giving my life for…”

“Then I will support your love, Miss Heremia.”

Essika handed Heremia the identification documents she had prepared in advance, along with two letters of recommendation, and left the party.

Someday, the favor she had done for her today would surely return to her as a benefit.

As Essika walked toward the carriage, someone called her name from behind.

“Your Grace!”

Essika stopped for a moment.

The woman who had run after her approached, panting.

It was Baroness Hellenia Merhin.

Her expression was uneasy, and she looked extremely nervous.

“…I’m sorry about earlier.”

Hellenia spoke while looking slightly downward, unable to meet Essika’s eyes.

She was probably referring to how she had spoken to Essika earlier but had been unable to continue the conversation because she was worried about the other noblewomen’s reactions.

She seemed to feel guilty about participating in the blatant ostracization of Essika.

“And…”

Hellenia hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“I overheard your conversation with the maid earlier. Ah, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I had left something behind and came back to look for it, and then…”

As Essika looked coldly at Hellenia for hearing something she shouldn’t have, Hellenia gave her an innocent smile.

“You wished the maid happiness in love. I was truly… moved.”

Hellenia clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling.

“In a world where love and romance have disappeared, women who still believe in love are rare. Actually, I’m one of those rare women myself.”

Essika relaxed her guard.

Apparently, to Hellenia’s innocent eyes, Essika had simply been supporting a maid’s love.

“I was honestly terrified of you after seeing how you completely silenced those two countesses, but I realized that I had misunderstood you. You’re actually such a warm-hearted person. I thought, How wonderful would it be if I could become friends with someone like her…?”

“…”

“If you have some free time, may I invite you to my home someday?”

She asked in an earnest voice.

She looked as though she might cry if Essika refused.

Apparently, Hellenia had become quite taken with Essika.

In any case, Essika was relieved that she was so oblivious.

If Hellenia had realized that Heremia was not an ordinary maid, Essika might have been forced to make an unpleasant choice to silence her.

Hellenia probably couldn’t even imagine how ruthless a thought had briefly crossed Essika’s mind.

Essika’s lips moved.

“…Let’s do that.”

Essika didn’t dislike innocent and honest people like Hellenia.

Her voice was dry, but not cold.

“Let’s meet again.”

Nor did the intimidating aura that had surrounded her when she confronted the two countesses appear.

Hellenia’s eyes sparkled once more.

She looked like a child who had gotten exactly what she wanted.

Essika slowly raised her gaze and met Hellenia’s eyes as the latter looked at her with obvious emotion.

Then Essika turned away.

“I’ll definitely contact you!”

Essika didn’t answer Hellenia’s voice from behind and climbed into the carriage.

As the carriage departed, Hellenia stood there blankly, watching it disappear into the distance.

Her lips moved.

“She really seems like an amazing person. This is just like love and war!”

Meanwhile, Essika leaned back against the seat as the carriage carried her away from the count’s estate and closed her eyes.

I’ve talked quite a lot for the first time in a while. I’m tired.

Her original purpose had been Astia.

But since she had no intention of letting the wildcats that came charging at her along the road scratch her without retaliating, she had dealt with them.

Come to think of it… the person who was watching me earlier…

She thought she had occasionally felt someone’s gaze on her throughout the party.

But whenever she turned her eyes in that direction, the person had vanished without a trace.

…If it was Hellenia, then I don’t need to worry about it.

Essika decided not to think about it any further.