CH 20

Ellen grabbed her friend’s wrist in response to her anger. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.When Spaniel turned to look back after being firmly held by the arm, Ellen quietly lowered her head and spoke.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Go ahead.”

“Rumors are always made up by people who don’t know any better, so maybe you’ve heard something like that, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

You only say such things because you want to.

Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle’s face flushed at Ellen’s gentle sarcasm.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Otherwise there wouldn’t be smoke in the chimney.”

“Aha… Speaking of which, I heard a rumor that young lord Periwinkle was a flunkie at the Academy. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Is it true?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Why is the lady bringing up the Miller’s story all of a sudden?”

“I was wondering if there might be smoke in the chimney.”

Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle’s cheeks flushed and trembled as Ellen laughed and shrugged.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I don’t know what kind of behavior it is to talk so boldly about… such nonsense.”

“Oh, I thought I had learned and practiced what you taught me, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle, but I guess not.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Ellen covered the corner of her mouth with her fan and laughed out loud.

“Oh, should I have said that he flunked Imperial History, which is a basic liberal arts course, to be precise? I heard he couldn’t pass the first-year common course with a second-year, even with a retake, so he had to be specially retested at the professor’s discretion, so he’s definitely not an Academy flunkie, which means he’ll be promoted anyway.”

“That’s because… there was something wrong with that kid’s exam paper!”

“Aha, I see. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Only the young master has a problem with his test papers.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Ellen said, smiling from ear to ear.

“Well, well. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I guess it’s not a rumor, but sometimes it goes up the chimney.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Ellen’s face broke out into the brightest smile she’d seen since entering the ballroom today.

Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle was stunned and outraged.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

It was Baroness Osman, who stood beside her, who said what she wanted to say in her stammering.

“As yet, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Krembel has no children of her own, and I fear she does not know the heart of a mother.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Baroness Osman.

A family that was on a similar path as Kryant’s.

A family whose wealth had allowed them to associate with those above their station, and who were said to be one of the key moneyed interests of the aristocracy, but that was a story for the aristocracy alone.

“I’ve never laid eyes on someone like you.”

You really are from a lowly family.

Ellen deftly turned the sound around, and Baroness Osman spoke with a stiff face.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Krembel. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I am Lily Osman.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Ah, Osman.”

Like it or not, Ellen’s current status was Duchess. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She was not one to be spoken to without an introduction, especially not in such an offensive manner.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Baroness Osman seemed to realize that, for she bit her lip slightly before she spoke.

“I should have introduced myself first, I apologize.”

“It’s all right. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I thought you might have heard and forgotten.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Baroness Osman’s face grew wide. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Then Countess Periwinkle spoke again.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“My lady. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Do you think I could find a good doctor for you? I’m afraid you’re having trouble with your memory and have forgotten the fashions of the dresses you see every day.I’m worried about you.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Of course, I can find you a good costume shop. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I manage it, so I can assure you of the quality of the goods.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As Baroness Osman continued to interrupt their conversation, the impatient Spaniel blurted out.

“What guarantee? They were all lower-level Thalia employees.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, you didn’t realize that? You don’t manage your designers any better?”

“You can’t compare me to Kryant’s Thalia! I’m trying to find a dress with that androgynous design right now at…!”

Baroness Osman shouted at the sarcastic Spaniel.

Then Ellen sighed deeply, as if she were really disappointed.

“…To the extent that Oseman would reveal my lack of discernment in such a public setting. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.What a disappointment.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s because the mistress’ culture is so lacking. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It’s not that I’m forgetting it, I don’t think there was a need to remember it in the first place.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Krembel!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“They keep commenting on my outfit, but they’re not in the business. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You’re not, so it’s better not to say anything else now, is it not?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Lily Osman scanned Ellen’s outfit with quizzical eyes.

The off-the-shoulder dress was completely out of fashion.

The collar was tucked away wherever she’d thrown it.

Instead, she saw a straight collarbone and an ornate necklace adorning a smooth neck.

She doesn’t know what she did with the sleeves, and the lace wasted on them was a waste.

But the lines of the draped jean skirt were beautiful, and the hemline was luxurious.

In addition, the bracelet that made her wrist stand out was also worth as much as the necklace at first glance.

Even the hairpiece that held her hair up, though it wasn’t jeweled at all.

‘It’s expensive, and it’s made by a master craftsman, but it’s a ridiculous design…’

She wondered if she thought she was being fashionable.

Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Osman opened her mouth to scoff inwardly.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

“Is my discernment so poor?”

“Your Highness!”

“Your Highness?

“I’m the one who gave you such an unfashionable gift.”

Caden burst into the room, sarcastic.

Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Osman, who took a moment to comprehend the situation, only then realized that Ellen’s dress had something to do with the prince, and exclaimed.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Your Highness, it is not that, but…!”

The others in the room were equally surprised by the unexpected appearance.

Ellen, who had been watching it all, smiled brightly, with not a trace of regret to be found on her face.

“Ah…I’m afraid your advice came too late, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Osman.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Yes, yes?”

Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Periwinkle put on a puzzled face, perhaps not knowing that she would be called out so openly, then quickly changed her face and said to Cayden.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Your Highness, it is not what you have in mind…”

“Lord Cheshire. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Did I just hear her say, ‘I am a man ignorant of both fashion and speech’?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“As far as I can judge, yes.”

“Very well. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.That is a criticism I have never heard of, not even from my master.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

But Caden didn’t seem to be listening to her, so he just spat out what he wanted to say.

When Terriod joined in on the sarcasm, both women’s faces turned white.

“Make sure to report your opinions to me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Even if you hear that the appointed designer is terrible.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Your Highness, it’s not that…”

“No?”

“It’s…”

Caden surveyed them with a leisurely look, as if admiring his captured prey.

“… Its, It seems that we didn’t know because we lacked insight.”

Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Osman squeezed the hem of her dress until her knuckles turned white.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I am sorry, Your Highness.”

She bowed her head deeply in apology, and Caden smiled with satisfaction.

“Very well, I suppose I should forgive you for your ignorance.”

With that, he jerked his head to indicate the entrance to the ballroom, and for a moment, all eyes were on them.

“As far as what the others will think, I cannot know.”

“Oh, my God.”

A small sigh rang out, and they were left speechless at the sight of the figure that emerged from there.

The Duchess of Traia was coming in, wearing that dress which they had so bitterly denounced as unfashionable.

* * *

“I see you’ve been talking about something interesting. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I can feel the spirit of the party gathering here.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Ashley Traia.

A middle-aged lady with a son now turning fifteen.

With the support of the Duke, she has the right to choose who will be the next Duchess, a power uncontested by anyone but the Imperial family.

She strode in, her stride strong, and looked surprised to see Ellen.

“My, my, I didn’t realize I wasn’t the first.”

“Hello, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Traia.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Ellen’s greeting brought her closer.

She bowed first to Caden, who stood at Ellen’s side.

“Your Highness.”

When Caden nodded, she turned to Ellen, a curious look on her face.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Krembel, and by the way…”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

She examined Ellen’s dress until she was close enough to see the details, then asked.

“…Is that Thalia’s work? I heard Kryant destroyed all their old designs.”

“We do have dresses in the same line as this one at Thalia, but this one was a gift from His Highness.”

Ellen smiled brightly.

“Ah, so this is an imperial–”

“Yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Its the work of a master craftsman and the current royal designer of Traia.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Oh.”

At Ellen’s clarification that the piece came from a designer from Traia, Mrs. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Traia smiled broadly.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You’re very quick on the uptake, madam.”

“As you know, Mr. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Kryant was quite interested in clothing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I am very interested in the cultural education of the Traias, who have produced such a fine designer.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Ashley Traia.

She was a woman of great pride.

She could be incredibly compassionate in the name of honoring her family’s reputation, but she could also be incredibly strict.

And the culture and education policy within the Traian territory was the field that she was involved in.

“Hoo-hoo, I’ve heard it said that there’s nothing but greatness in Kryant’s eyes, or should I say honor.”

“Then the honor belongs to Traia for giving me the opportunity to see this.”

“Oh my, I’m going to get sucked into this.”

She laughed, as if she didn’t mind being floated.

“If you don’t mind, may we send you some of ours from Thalia?”

“You mean to me?”

“Yes.”

“I suppose gifts come with a price.”

She smiled and waited for Ellen’s reply.

“Nothing much.”

Ellen gestured toward Periwinkle and Osman.

“It’s just that the other ladies don’t seem to like it…”

Their faces immediately turned white as they were summoned back to the story with a sudden flow.