NIYTR 52

Chapter 52

Rosemary’s Rudeness

The next day at noon, at the Marchioness of Blossomweaver’s residence.

“Young Marchioness, I’m so sorry…”

The daughter of the Marquess of Riche entered the drawing room with an awkward expression, apologizing.

It was because Lady Scherna of Count Scherna was with her.

“When I heard Chloe was visiting the Young Marchioness’s residence, I hurried to join her. I hope I’m not imposing?”

“Not at all. I was actually wondering how to properly thank you for coming to my coming-of-age ceremony.”

Though she was surprised by Lady Scherna’s unexpected visit, Edelweiss didn’t mind it.

‘It can’t hurt to build more friendships.’

She wanted to express her gratitude for attending the ceremony, and also for submitting the anonymous tip to the Boniel newspaper.

“Please, have a seat.”

Edelweiss gestured for the daughters of the Marquess of Riche and Count Scherna to sit.

“Oh my, the tea is delicious. This is truly a specialty of the Ruev Kingdom, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m glad it suits your taste.”

With the lively Lady Scherna leading the conversation, the atmosphere felt comfortable.

“By the way, Young Marchioness, there’s something I wanted to tell you about Viscountess Benel.”

“…About my sister?”

As they chatted idly, the daughter of the Marquess of Riche’s expression hardened and her lips trembled.

“I swear, I have no intention of turning you against Viscountess Benel because of what happened last time.”

It was obvious she was feeling nervous.

‘She must be worried I’ll misunderstand and think she’s bitter after the argument at the tea party with Rosemary.’

Edelweiss warmly took the Marquess of Riche’s daughter’s hand.

“I know your character well, Lady Riche. Please don’t worry, just tell me.”

“Recently, you probably know that Viscountess Benel has been attending various ladies’ social gatherings with the help of Empress Roxanne.”

“Yes.”

“At those gatherings, Viscountess Benel has been shaping public opinion. She claims that you, through the Marquess, are looking down on her, and that you’re using Blossomweaver’s support to ostracize the Stern family. Especially, she’s saying things like you’re betraying your own kin with the Duke.”

“……”

“I know you’re close with Viscountess Benel, but I wanted to warn you not to keep her too close.”

Edelweiss realized this was the “thanks” the Marquess’s daughter wanted to give her.

‘So that’s why she suddenly sent a maid asking if she could visit.’

With Empress Roxanne’s favor, Rosemary would be building connections among the ladies of the social circles. It was a well-intentioned warning not to trust too much and to stay prepared.

“Thank you for telling me. I’ll be careful. Since you’ve given me such a gift, what can I do for you?”

At Edelweiss’s friendly tone, the Marquess’s daughter shook her head.

“Just helping my mother was enough. Thanks to you, her illness has improved so much.”

Countess Scherna, who had been quietly listening, wiped at her eyes in an exaggerated, playful way.

Just as she lightened what could have become a heavy mood—

“You can’t just barge in like this!” Anna’s urgent voice echoed nearby.

Bang!

“Edelweiss!”

Rosemary threw open the drawing room door violently.

‘Are you here because of the ruby necklace, Rosemary?’

It was quite the sight, watching her limp in with anger she couldn’t contain.

“Sister? What are you doing here without notice? If it’s not urgent, could you please wait outside?”

Edelweiss spoke so that Rosemary’s behavior would seem even ruder.

“Young Marchioness, what’s going on…?”

“How shocking…”

The Marquess’s and Countess’s daughters blinked in surprise.

“Wait outside? What are you playing at?”

Rosemary only got more worked up, shouting in agitation.

All the better. If others witnessed Rosemary trying to frame her, it would work in Edelweiss’s favor.

“Anna, please step out.”

Edelweiss gestured to Anna, reassuring her, and sent her out.

“Sister, we have guests here. Whatever it is, please calm down.” Edelweiss remained composed, making Rosemary’s wild behavior look even more inappropriate.

“You don’t know what’s going on? Ha, Edelweiss. It was you. You took my ruby necklace!” Rosemary raged, pointing accusingly at Edelweiss.

At that moment, Rosemary didn’t see the Marquess’s and Countess’s daughters.

She was so sure Edelweiss had taken the necklace, and so afraid of what Empress Roxanne would do if it couldn’t be found, she couldn’t think straight.

“…The ruby necklace? The one you showed me yesterday?”

“Don’t play dumb! It’s been missing since you left! If you took it because you wanted it, I’ll forgive you—just give it back!”

Edelweiss let her eyebrows droop and bit her lip, looking hurt.

“Sister, why would I take that?”

“What?”

“I left right away. You were so happy after getting it from Empress Roxanne. Why would I—”

Edelweiss made her voice catch on purpose, as if she might cry.

Countess Scherna put her arm around her and spoke up, angry on her behalf.

“Viscountess Benel, what is this nonsense? I always suspected, but I didn’t know you could be this rude!”

Maybe it was because she knew Rosemary had been bad-mouthing her at the social gatherings.

“How could you suspect the Young Marchioness, of all people?”

“Exactly, Viscountess Benel.”

Not only Countess Scherna, but even the Marquess’s daughter seemed to think Rosemary was being unreasonable.

‘She was already being judged harshly after the last tea party.’

It was all a reputation Rosemary had created for herself.

Reputation isn’t made by rumors but by actions.

“I understand you’re upset about the ruby necklace going missing. But does it make sense to accuse the young marchioness with no proof?”

“We searched every servant’s room! The ruby necklace was nowhere! And that same day, the flowers in the garden all wilted. That was your doing too, wasn’t it? You used the green butterfly to pull off some trick!”

“…Sister. The green butterfly I command only shares vitality—it doesn’t have the power to make healthy flowers wilt.”

Smart, isn’t she.

‘So she figured out that much.’

“The ledger too…”

It was clear Rosemary had lost her mind because the ledger had disappeared along with the ruby necklace. With two critical things missing, of course she was panicked.

“The ledger? What are you talking about?”

“……”

Rosemary almost blurted out about the double ledger in her agitation, but clamped her mouth shut.

‘Unlike the ruby necklace, She can’t let anyone know the double ledger even exists.’

Edelweiss spoke plaintively. She could feel the Marquess’s and Countess’s daughters looking at her with sympathy.

“Sister, if you really suspect me, you can search the Marchioness’s residence. I just want you to trust me, even if it takes that.”

“How do I know you didn’t hide it ahead of time?”

Countess Scherna narrowed her eyes, clearly exasperated by Rosemary’s accusations.

“Viscountess Benel, that’s enough. As I see it, you lost the ruby necklace yourself, and now you’re trying to blame the young marchioness to avoid Empress Roxanne’s disappointment.”

“What did you just say? Know your place! You’re just a count’s daughter, and yet you dare speak to me—”

“Just a count’s daughter?”

Countess Scherna’s eyes turned cold as she stood. She repeated Rosemary’s words, her tone icy.

Then, tilting her head, she smiled with a sharp curve to her lips.

“A bastard-born adopted daughter dares to talk down to the legitimate daughter of Count Scherna about knowing her place?”

At Countess Scherna’s words, Rosemary’s face flushed red.